Progress and Innovations in Adsorption Heat Pump Systems - Review

Advances in Mechanical Engineering

2022, Vol. 14(4) 1–32
Ó The Author(s) 2022
Recent developments in adsorption DOI: 10.1177/16878132221089444
journals.sagepub.com/home/ade
heat pumps for heating applications

Nadia Riaz1*, Muhammad Sultan1* , Shazia Noor1,2, Uzair Sajjad3,

Muhammad Farooq4, Muhammad U Khan5, Shazia Hanif6 and Fahid
Riaz4

Abstract
Adsorption heat pumps (AHPs) have gained noticeable attention in recent years. The review discusses significant
research in the domain of adsorption heat pumps focusing on heating applications, the working principle, adsorption
equilibrium and kinetics, the design of adsorbent beds, physical models, operating parameters, and physical and thermo-
dynamic characteristics of adsorbents. A comparison is presented among AHPs and traditional heating technologies and
systems for AHPs that certain market participants have created. The review focuses on the most appropriate conditions
for each measurement technique and the constraints of the modeling processes that are an essential element for the
comprehensive performance evaluation of adsorption cooling units. For adsorption bed applications, it is suggested to
use various bed designs and heat exchanger structures. Moreover, significant literature gaps and constraints in designing
AHPs for heating applications are identified and analyzed. The heat and mass transfer resistance should be reduced by
developing novel adsorbent materials and an improved interface among the duct wall and the bed, where heat transfer
fluid circulates to increase adsorption heat pump system performance. Furthermore, optimum operational modes for
the intended application might significantly enhance system performance.

Keywords
Adsorption heat pump, heating applications, adsorbent-adsorbate pairs, heat exchangers, comparison

Date received: 13 July 2021; accepted: 4 March 2022 1

Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
Handling Editor: Chenhui Liang 2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University,
Multan, Pakistan
3
Department of Energy and Refrigerating Air-Conditioning Engineering,
National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
Introduction 4
Department of Mechanical Engineering (New Campus-KSK), University
Transition in the global economy, rapid urbanization, of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
5
Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural
technological innovations, demographic shifts, ecologi- Engineering and Technology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad,
cal degradation, and the depletion of natural resources Faisalabad, Pakistan
have been recognized as the vital driving factors reshap- 6
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef
ing the world, affecting living practices, and business University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
*
These authors have contributed equally to this work.
strategies.1 To alleviate the scarcity of resources and cli-
matic variations, researchers are developing technolo- Fahid Riaz is now affiliated to the Mechanical Engineering Department,
gies, and governmental institutions are implementing Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 59911, United Arab Emirates.
strategies aligned with environmental and energetic
issues. After a decade of breakneck technological Corresponding author:
Muhammad Sultan, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of
breakthroughs in the field of energy, an unprecedented Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University,
disruption was brought to the energy sector in 2020.2 Bosan Road, Multan 60800, Pakistan.
The total energy demand depreciates by 7% due to Email: muhammadsultan@bzu.edu.pk

Creative Commons CC BY: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work
without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages
(https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
2 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

Figure 1. An overview of major themes analyzed and addressed in this study.

COVID-19, which has caused decreased economic electrical energy is derived. In turn, VCS is powered
activity. It will take late 2021 for the energy demand to and employs the sinister fluorocarbon (FC) refrigerants
reach back to the pre-COVID-19 levels. Gas endures (possessing ozone depletion potential) and produces
the increment of global energy demand share in the drawbacks such as vibration and noise.3–5 Figure 2
next 10–15 years and peaks in the late 2030s.2 shows the implementations of heat pump systems out
Notwithstanding this, the demand for gas is 5% of which the closed-cycle compression heat pumps are
higher in 2050 than the current level. Oil demand fol- widely used ones, available in a large variety of sizes for
lows a projected peak till 2050, exhibiting a 10% sub- various uses. Therefore, other technologies such as
stantial decrement, mainly driven by increased adsorption-based systems seek researchers’ attention
electrification of automobiles. From 2019 to 2050, the due to their advantages over VCS.6–8 In recent years,
demand for coal falls to approximately 40%, owing adsorption heat pumps (AHPs) have received much
mainly to the global phase-out of coal plants in the attention because of their numerous benefits and vari-
power sector.2 Consequently, it is critical to implement ous attributes, including low electricity requirement for
technology that can turn affordable environmental operation, no moving parts, and common environmen-
energy into usable heat, reducing the cost of thermal tal effects.9
comfort, thereby minimizing global energy and envi- Furthermore, since there are no moving parts for
ronmental impacts. This study reviews key research the working fluid circulation, adsorption-based thermal
areas of adsorption heat pumps, as given in Figure 1. compressors need less maintenance than traditional
Currently, vapor-compression systems (VCS) are mechanical compressors.10 Besides that, AHPs have
regarded as one of the competent heating systems satis- been criticized for being more costly, large, and bulky
fying consumer demands. Nevertheless, non-renewable than VCS.11 In 1976, Tchernev12 showed the use of
energy resources are the primary sources through which AHP for the heating process for domestic hot water
Riaz et al. 3

Figure 2. Implementation of heat pump principle along with its drive power, drivers, type of compressors, and type of cycles.

and space for the first time. Ever since, considerable working pairs, bed configuration, adsorption kinetics,
studies have been undertaken to enhance their coeffi- and remaining device components. Therefore, signifi-
cient of performance, working at reduced temperatures of cant challenges are identified, solution concepts are dis-
desorption, and providing intermittent cooling and heat- cussed, and directions for future system development
ing notwithstanding this capacity for AHPs to integrate are set, analyzing the existing gaps, control strategies,
energy and environmental efficiency with heating industry components design, and integrating AHPs with other
demands, several literature reviews on adsorption-based systems. Additionally, this paper systemizes literature
heating are presented.4,7,13,14 Instead, some reviews are data of various complex AHP systems, their working
mainly based on cooling applications.15–24 principles, the kinetics of adsorbent-adsorbate working
Adsorption rate, improvisation of COP, and deso- pair, physical models in different perspectives (integra-
rption temperatures are some of the most researched tion of different studies) to identify significant achieve-
topics at the material stage of finding new or refining ments aiding as a guide for researchers in terms of
the previous working pairs. Besides, the implementa- R&D in this domain.
tion of more reliable and effective computational mod-
els, heat and mass transfer optimization via operating
conditions, and adsorbent bed design have been investi- Adsorption heat pump systems
gated.12 Conversely, there are a few studies available
on AHP systems considering all of their components
Working principle
and aspects. The current literature review summarizes Heat pumps perform an operation of collecting heat
adsorption heat pumps primarily focused on employ- from a reduced temperature level and transferring this
ment for heating. Instead of repeating the existing stud- to a temperature with elevated levels, all while being
ies in the area, the critical goal is to analyze the bridges operated by a tertiary energy supply.25 The AHPs
that need to be constructed between heat exchanger working principles may be comprehended by consider-
geometries, operating conditions, cycle features, ing the comparatively basic situation example of a
4 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

Figure 3. Schematics of four phases of an adsorption heating cycle with the simple depiction of the fundamental AHP.

single bed unit, that involves an adsorbent heat exchan- Tð2

ger (AHEx), a collection of valves, an evaporator, and  Q12 ’ ½ms (Cs + XCp, a ) + mbed Cbed dT
a condenser with an expansion system (V). Figure 3 T1
depicts, there are four stages of the adsorption heating ð1Þ
Xð
max
cycle: isobaric adsorption (from 1 to 2), isosteric heat-
 ms DHads dX
ing (from 2 to 3), isobaric desorption (from 3 to 4), and
isosteric cooling (from 4 to 1).4,9,26 Figure 3 portrays Xmin

an optimal period and demonstrates the pressure (P) Similarly, the heating and bed isolation takes place in
over four successive cycles.9,27 Almost every loop works the isoteric heating stage (2 ! 3), and the bed pressure
in the following manner.9,27 elevates from Pevap ! Pcond, as shown in Figure 3 due
As presented in Figure 3, the isobaric adsorption to desorption of some part of the adsorbate. The
(from 1 to 2) and the evaporator and bed are attached, amount of heat emitted during this process is deter-
which gains heat from the atmosphere. If the tempera- mined as follows (equation (2))4,29:
ture of the bed drops on the porous adsorbent, the
adsorption of vapor occurs, and the device generates Tð3
heat, which can be employed for various purposes. At Q23 ’ ½ms (Cs + Xmax Cp, a ) + mbed Cbed dT ð2Þ
pressure Pevap, it can prevail to the point, till maximum
T2
(equilibrium) concentration of adsorbent is achieved.
Veritably, although this is unlikely to be the case, the The isobaric desorption (3 ! 4) begins, as presented in
phase could be disrupted if the temperature differential Figure 3 when the adsorbent bed is exposed to the con-
among the adsorbent bed and the heat transfer denser, and Pcond is attained. At this stage, for the pro-
fluid (HTF) is no longer sufficient.28 The adsorbent motion of adsorbent regeneration, heat is needed. The
bed production in this stage can be estimated using the adsorbate desorption (W decreases from W3 to W4)
equation (1)4,29: occurs when bed temperature elevates (from T3 to T4),
Riaz et al. 5

and adsorbate condenses while releasing the latent heat, Dxmax from equation (5) represents the gap in the maxi-
that can be used for multiple applications. The heat mum water content of zeolite xmax at evaporation pres-
that really should be delivered to the bed during this sure and minimum adsorption temperature and the
process is given by equation (3)4,29: minimum water content xmin at condensation pressure
and maximum process temperature. These process
Tð4 points cannot be attained due to the requisite tempera-
Q34 ’ ½ms (Cs +XCp, a )+mbed Cbed dT ture gradient among the adsorber, heating system, and
T3 between the gas burner and the desorber. Dx, which is
ð3Þ the difference in the water content of zeolite at the end
Xð
min
of the adsorption phase xads and the end of the deso-
 ms DHads dX
rption phase xdes, describes the quantity of water that
Xmax can be evaporated under actual scenarios.32
Eventually, in the isosteric cooling stage, the separation In one module throughout the heat pumping cycle, a
and bed cooling occur, that is from 4 to 1 (Figure 3), gas burner supplies heat to the heat transfer circuit of
which results in the decrease of pressure since a vapor the adsorber/desorber to increase zeolite temperature
gets partly adsorbed; mostly sensible heat is emitted. and vacuum vessel pressure in the desorption phase.
Similarly, another cycle starts as the bed pressure Liquification of water in the condenser occurs. The
(Pevap) is reached, by reconnecting the evaporator and heat emitted causes the condenser temperature to ele-
the adsorbent bed.4,9,30 The heat extracted from the bed vate. As the condenser temperature surpasses, the tem-
under isosteric cooling is given as (equation (44))4,29: perature can be transmitted via usable heat (theat). This
stage is halted as the highest process temperature
Tð1 reaches around 200°C and the burner is turned off.
 Q41 ’ ½ms (Cs + Xmin Cp, a ) + mbed Cbed dT ð4Þ Similarly, a decrease in the temperature starts the
adsorption phase – the zeolite and evaporator tempera-
4
tures and pressure decrease. The ambient heat may be
The condenser and the evaporator operate according provided in heat pumps when the evaporation tempera-
to vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) conditions, where ture stays below ambient temperature (tcool), the evapo-
the flow rate of HTF and inlet temperature affect the rated water is adsorbed onto zeolites, and the heating
heat exchanger. In practice, each AHP cycle can be system can be supplied with the adsorption heat. When
considered a two-stage process in which the bed is pro- all the adsorbate evaporates, the current phase stops,
vided the heat or the bed releases heat. The AHP unit and the next phase starts.32
often matches with the isosteric heating’s beginning
step, as shown in point 2 of Figure 3.5 The process
Parameters affecting performance
from 1 to 4 shows the heat supplied and pumped out in
every cycle of the AHP unit, with the help of arrows of Adsorption heat pumps are usually tested based on
various colors, representing different temperature ranges their coefficient of performance (COP) and specific
of AHPs. Although fuel for the evaporation process is cooling or heating capacity (SCP/SHP). For cooling
provided during the reduced temperature, regeneration requirements, COPc (equation (6)) is defined as the
of the adsorbent bed necessitates a heat supply that is at ratio between the heat of evaporation to the heat pro-
an elevated temperature, and usable heat is emitted at a vided to the bed. For heating, COPh (equation (7)) is
mid-temperature range. The amount of heat provided at defined as the ratio of the heat of the adsorbent bed
high and low temperatures (for regeneration, bed heat- released during adsorption phases and isosteric cooling
ing, and evaporation) correlates to the heat emitted at a (Q4–1 + Q1–2), including the condensation heat Qc, as
moderate T stage (by the bed and the condenser through well as the heat used for desorption and isosteric heat-
isobaric adsorption and isosteric cooling).31 The greater ing (Q2–3 + Q3–4)4,29:
the cycle’s temperature level (DTcycle = T4  T2 ), the
larger the Wcycle, and hence the greater the effect of heat Qe
COPc = ð6Þ
transfer (more heat transfer through evaporator and con- Q23 + Q34
denser).11 The ideal heat pump operation contrasts with Qc + Q41 + Q12
the actual heat pump operation in the vapor pressure COPh = ð7Þ
Q23 + Q34
diagram. The optimal procedure indicates the greatest
quantity of water that can be evaporated in the dry zeo- The ratio of proper heat, the cycle time and adsorbent
lite mass over a heat pump cycle. mass gives SHP (equation (8)). The SCP (equation (9))
is computed by the heat of evaporation over the cycle
mw, max time and adsorbent mass. The specific cooling and
Dxmax = ð5Þ
mzeo heating power is one of the distinguishing features. The
6 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

Figure 4. Impact of increasing: (a and d) Tcond from Tcond,1 to Tcond,3; Pevap from Pevap,1 to Pevap,3; and T4 from T4,1 to T4,3, using (a–c)
type I isotherms and (d–f) ideal P versus T plots. The equilibrium adsorption cycles are represented by colored rectangles (case 1:
blue; case 2: red, case 3: orange), reproduced from Pinheiro et al.1

specific heating/cooling capacity is a feature that is this contribution demanded by AHPs may be over-
strongly reliant on the system design, providing analy- looked (equation (7)).31
sis of various system configurations and designs4,29:

Qc + Q41 + Q12 Effect of operating conditions on the system

SHP = ð8Þ
ms tcyc performance
Qe The operating conditions which have a substantial
SCP = ð9Þ
ms tcyc impact on the performance of AHPs include tempera-
tures of evaporation (Tevap), condensation (Tcond), mini-
According to Cabeza and Schossig,33 a skilled assess- mum bed temperature, and bed regeneration (T4).34–36
ment of the efficiency of AHPs for real-world imple-
The T2 and Tcond depend on the useful heat’s tempera-
mentations necessitates a consistent specification of key
ture and should be analogous for delivering the conden-
performance indicators (KPIs). It provides a compara-
ser and the bed heat at a comparable T level.14,37,38 The
tive analysis of system efficiencies employing variable low
basis of Tevap is the temperature (Theat source ), environ-
energy sources. The primary energy ratio (PER) is the
mental temperature source and is controlled by the
ratio of total useful energy (Quseful) and the total pri-
refrigerant employed. Besides, a part of T4 is affected
mary energy inputs. The following formula (equation high
by the available heat source temperature (Theat source ) for
(10)) can be used to measure PER:
adsorbent regeneration and the working pair’s thermal
high
Quseful stability. The Theat source can be controlled by the cost,
PER = ð10Þ type of HTF, durability issues, and the peak permissible
Ffp, fuel + Efp, elect
pressure in heating circuits to be used locally. Figure 4
where E, F are the electrical energy and the fuel energy represents the effects of T4, Tevap, and Tcond on the
inputs, respectively, and the fp,fuel is the primary energy adsorption heating cycle, where adsorption isotherm of
conversion factor for fuel, and fp,elect is the primary type I is considered, which is the property of micropor-
energy conversion factor for electricity. A thermal COP ous and water vapor adsorbents, that is, zeolites X and
is often determined excluding electrical energy because Y while being broadly used for the study of AHPs.39,40
Riaz et al. 7

The effect of minimum bed and condenser tempera-

tures is that with the increase in the condenser and min-
imum bed temperatures, the adsorption and desorption
stages are constrained. As presented in Figure 4(a), a
reduction in DWeq from DWeq,1 ! DWeq,3 occurs when
Tcond is increased from Tcond,1 to Tcond,3 when T4 and
Tevap are kept constant. As the Tcond increases from
Tcond,1 to Tcond,3, the adsorption cycles become increas-
ingly constrained (Figure 4(d)) and result in a uniform
drop in the performance of AHP. This phenomenon
occurs in successive cycles for domestic hot water
(DHW) production, such as the setpoint value from
ambient air temperature being defined by the
consumer.
The bed regeneration temperature and evaporation
are associated with each other, as shown in Figure 4(b).
The increase in Pevap from Pevap,1 to Pevap,3, when T4
and Tevap are kept constant, increases the DWeq.
Consequently, an increased Weq was attained after the
adsorption phase (Figure 4(b) and (e)). Furthermore,
an increase in the DWeq and the adsorbent regeneration
occurs when T4 is increased, as shown in Figure 4(c)
Figure 5. Classification of adsorption isotherms according to
and (f). IUPAC.47

Mathematical investigation of AHPs

models for adsorption kinetics use the LDF (linear
The mathematical modeling development and its subse- driving force) technique, which is a feasible approach
quent investigation and validation is a crucial phase. for portraying the growth of adsorption uptake in
Therefore, the comparative analysis and theoretical time.45,46
results or actual experimental values have been incor-
porated where possible. The presentation of solutions
of various models has been made because the majority Numerical methods and physical models
of the models are expected to be addressed through
numerical methods. The major conclusions drawn from Thermodynamic models. The model centered on thermo-
the mathematical models were also defined, including dynamic evaluation is the basic model between the sev-
the adsorbent-adsorbate pair’s physical properties. eral models, wherein heat transmission characteristics
are not considered. Therefore, it is only possible to run
first and second-law studies in the model, which may
Adsorption equilibrium be employed to identify the maximum effectiveness lim-
Four equations are widely used related to adsorption itations. The first law analysis delivers a decent
equilibrium: Freundlich equation, Dubinin equations response to a cycle’s performance expectations, and the
(typically Dubinin-Astakhov equation), Toth equation, second law investigates the efficiency.48 Cacciola and
and Langmuir equation. Hassan et al.41 have presented Restuccia49 suggested a thermodynamic model derived
a thorough review through the theory and equations of from experimental evidence for regenerative and simple
adsorption equilibrium. Another work on the experi- cycles. An analysis was performed to assess the effi-
mental adsorption data for the AQSOA zeolite-like ciency of adsorption systems in a cooling processor or
adsorbent and equation predictions comparison was a heat pump and the helpful heat/cold produced per
performed.42 The International Union of Pure and kilogram of adsorbent throughout a complete cycle. In
Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)43 classifies equilibrium total, there were three adsorbent/adsorbate pairs of
isotherms into six forms (I–VI types), depicted in regenerative cycles, for example, AC-35 activated car-
Figure 5. Hysteresis can be observed in Type IV and bon/methanol, 13X zeolite-water, and 4A zeolite-water,
Type V isotherms represented through the red curve that were compared. The research demonstrates that
for adsorption and the blue curve for desorption. An S- zeolite/water is ideal for creating devices for employ-
shaped isotherm is advantageous for AHP applications ment in the household. Christoph50 researched the effi-
since a large portion of adsorbate absorption occurs at ciency shortcomings of solar cooling adsorption cycles
reduced relative pressures.44 Many other simulation and developed a simple model focused on a preliminary
8 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

assessment of the thermodynamic process. Shelton the generalized statement is presented of an energy bal-
et al.51 presented a study of the thermal wave adsorp- ance equation (11) for the adsorbent bed54:
tion cycle based on several presuppositions. The
adsorption characteristics and temperature throughout dTz dq
(mmt cpm + mz cpz + mz qcpa ) = mz DH + fw!z
the bed function were given as square waves to give dt dt
reasonable and limited wavelengths. Hence, the model ð11Þ
has been proved to produce solid first-order results.
Consequently, throughout the adsorption process, the
Researchers further expanded by considering the
energy equation (12) is obtained as:
adsorbent bed with a more reasonable ramp wave
shape.52 Instead of the simpler square wave model, the dTz dq
ramp wave model gives a reasonable representation of (mmt cpmt + mz cpz + mz qcpa ) = mz DH
dt dt ð12Þ
the adsorption performance, allowing for a more accu- dq
rate estimation of system performance. The findings + fw!z + mz cpa (Te  Tz )
dt
showed that the heating COP on a thermal basis was
1.6 and that the performance was somewhat unrespon- The mass balance of adsorbate was provided in the
sive to the heat input/output temperatures of the cycle. model proposed by Sakoda and Suzuki46 as follows
Finally, Gui and Wang53 presented a functional model (equation (13):
for a heat regeneration adsorption air-conditioning sys-
tem. The three-heat-reservoir cycle corresponds to the dq dmae
mz + =0 ð13Þ
conditions are: (1) Elevated temperature reservoir (indi- dt dt
cated by the temperature of the heater, Th) for genera- The term on the left-hand side bracket of equations (11)
tor power supply (Qh); (2) The low-temperature and (12) comprises the sensible heat of the metallic ele-
reservoir (represented with fan coil supply temperature, ments of the adsorber, completely regenerated adsorbed
Tf) produces the latent heat cooling power (QF); (3) bed, and the adsorbed phase. The first right-hand side
Heat sink (in the ambient temperature, T0) removes the term of equations (equation (11)) and (equation (12)) is
heat generated in both condensers and adsorbers. In the heat due to desorption and adsorption. The charac-
the model mentioned earlier, the main governing equa- ter w ! z indicates heat from the heating or refrigerat-
tions emanate from the laws of thermodynamics, the ing medium. Owing to the movement of coolant vapor,
heat leakage in the cycle has been overlooked, and the third component on the right-hand side of equation
adsorption has been in balance. A prototype of a natu- (12) is sensible heat, where ‘‘mae’’ in equation (13) is the
ral cycle was developed, and several tests were underta- evaporator adsorbate.
ken. The actual thermodynamic cycle was discovered Douss and Meunier55 proposed the predictive dyna-
to be nearly similar to the ideal cycle on the PTX mical model. It employed a primary lumped model
graph. The impact of Tf and Th on SCP and COP have parameter and considered that in the adsorber, eva-
also been evaluated among the practical and experi- porator, and condenser every component was homoge-
mental thermodynamic model findings, and the concor- nous in the system. Thus, the model was suitably
dance was determined to be successful. confined to waterfall heat exchangers and film evapora-
tors. However, there were also certain numerical
instabilities, especially in short periods. The two-reactor
Lumped parameters models. Some specific assumptions heat adsorption pump was numerically simulated by
are applied commonly to facilitate the study depending Cacciola et al.,56 given the heat regeneration. Two criti-
on lumped parameters; (i) there is a uniform tempera- cal assumptions were made: to facilitate the analysis (a)
ture within the adsorbent; (ii) uniform adsorption of each reactor had a uniform temperature and (b) a
refrigerant occurs in the adsorber; and (iii) at thermody- balanced adsorption operation. The adsorber, conden-
namic equilibrium, both solid and gas phases exist. The ser, and evaporator’s energy balance equations were
thermal resistance and mass transfer resistance of the constructed based on the efficiency of different compo-
adsorbent are disregarded in these models. One of the nents. The equations have been changed and numeri-
features of such models is that the adsorbed phase var- cally solved to a non-dimensional form. At different
ies with time generally as a dynamic model. The model times, the convergence of the numerical approach was
generally consists of three main equations: energy equi- validated. The model was evaluated using the adsorp-
librium, mass equilibrium, and the adsorption equili- tion pair of zeolites and the technical characteristics
brium equation. Throughout the desorption process, available.57 Douss’s findings were consistent with the
Riaz et al. 9

projected changes of temperatures of the adsorbent fluctuates with time and space. For the appropriate/
bed, condenser, and evaporator.57 It was also experi- optimal design of adsorption systems, it is therefore
mentally validated,58 and the software was an effective vital. The models may be categorized into single, two-
tool for the design of adsorption heat pumps and for and three-dimensional models based on the adsorber
the maximum performance to be optimized in compo- geometry. The variations in the simplification of
nent sizes.54,58 assumptions, the numerical resolution method, the
The models presented by Wu et al.59 were similar to design, and the purpose often exist across different
what Sami et al.60 have suggested. A new heat exchan- models employed for the adsorption cooling system
ger tube and shell-type were used as adsorber in their simulation.
investigation, but its impacts were not analyzed. The heat and mass transmission of solid adsorbents
Instead, an experimental investigation has been con- to adsorbent beds generally includes four primary gov-
ducted depending on the experimental parameters erning equations: energy balancing, mass conservation
reproduced by the suggested model. In the simulation, equation, momentum equation, and adsorbent-
various operating variables were optimized according adsorbate system state equation. Generally, the com-
to experimental data, including cycle duration, the heat pleteness and nonlinearity of these heat-connected
source temperature, cooling water, and the adsorber models restrict the feasibility of an analytical approach.
total heat transference coefficient. On the contrary, Therefore, numerical approaches are ultimately the
Sami’s model60 calculated the heat transfer coefficients only possible solution for the modeling of adsorbent
correspondence for smooth tubes. The findings there- bed dynamics. Several approaches employed provide
fore correlated closely with the computation of dynamic the technique of final differences,64,65 finite volume,66
simulation data in the research of Wu et al.59 and the technique of finite element.67 The finite differ-
A double bed silica gel-water adsorption chiller was ence approach is commonly used due to its brevity,
presented by Saha et al.61 as a numerical simulation effectiveness, and easiness of different start and limiting
comparable to that of Sakoda.46 By applying the conditions. Some assumptions have been made that
Freundlich Equation with the experimental data of the may be divided into four categories to ease numerical
supplier, the adsorption balancing equation was analyses, involving heat and mass transfer: (i) thermo-
achieved. The simulation was carried out to validate the dynamic condition; (ii) heat and mass transfer; (iii) eva-
working temperature effect, discharge, and adsorption- porator, heat source, and condenser; (iv)
desorption cycle periods. It was shown to be the most thermophysical and material characteristics.
crucial parameter of COP of the system for the operat- To evaluate the heat transmission of a solid, fixed
ing temperature associated with water discharge. In bed adsorbent, Guilleminot et al.64 devised a uniform
addition, it was discovered that cycle times were less pressure model. The approach disregards mass diffu-
quantitatively impactful but still quite essential in terms sion resistances yet incorporates heat diffusion resis-
of quality. Critoph62 developed and patented a novel, tance into consideration via two coefficients: the
ongoing rotational cooling adsorption system. The adsorbing bed’s thermal conductivity and the thermal
technology is comparable to the Llobet and Goetz63 transmission coefficient among the fins and the adsor-
rotary systems. The adsorbent bed within the tube as a bent bed. Boubakri et al.68 performed the comparable
closed segment of the module in the rotational system modification of the Guilleminot et al.64 models to pre-
was suggested by Critoph62 which includes a generator dict the operational efficacy of an adsorbent solar-
and a receptor/condenser/evaporator. The coolant in powered ice system and conducted experimental verifi-
the module was comparable to the coolant in the heat cation. The classification procedure utilized by
pipe. A laboratory-sized prototype device was manufac- Guilleminot et al.64 was employed for three unknown
tured and validated. As mentioned earlier, the efficiency heat transfer coefficients related to condensers, eva-
of the system, comprising of 32 modules, was forecasted porators, and ice tanks. This universal model also
by applying basic governing equations. Research devel- determined the ice production limit employing an
opment on improving this system has been proposed adsorbent collector-condenser system: daily ice produc-
and uncovering the optimal constraints of the notion tion (D.I.P.) may approach around 115 kg/m2 of collec-
utilizing second law analysis. tor and the COP of around 19%. An expansion of
Zheng et al.’s model may be regarded as a standard
numerical model69,70 that Sun et al.69 could first offer.
Heat and mass transfer model. Simulation-based heat This model was utilized to study several features of
transfer and mass transfer are particularly relevant heat pumps for thermal wave regeneration. The adsor-
among many models found in the field as they offer an bers have high-temperature gradients: the energy trans-
interpretation of the adsorber dynamics. A model for mission to the adsorber during the heating phase is
heat and mass transmission was developed, demonstrat- considerably greater than that provided by the heat
ing that the temperature or weight of adsorbate supply. Pons and Feng70 also utilized the previous
10 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

model to study the influence on the adsorption cooling Design and operation of AHPs
cycles of the number of transfer units (NTU) and the
Various research have been conducted and are reported
dimensionless output fluid temperature using thermal
in the literature to consider the AHPs operation and
regeneration.
design. According to the literature review conducted,
Szarzynski et al.71 utilized this model to study vari-
and based on the operating conditions, performance
ous internal vapor transfers to study the adsorber to
indicators, and the adsorber heat exchanger (AHEx)
lessen the internal irreversibility of adsorption cycles.
geometries of the AHP systems, it has been observed
Firstly, adiabatic direct pressure recovery with a con-
that around half of the reported research literature eval-
denser instead of pressure variations with heat transfer;
uates the performance of AHP based on simulation and
secondly, adiabatic of inner vapor recovery among
modeling or is theoretical. In addition, several studies
adsorbers; thirdly, the division of the adsorber into spe-
involve experimental investigation, which involves
cific chambers.64 The one-dimensional model of Hajji
AHP prototypes and a combination of experimental
and Khalloufi72 was nearly similar to Guilleminot
and practical approaches.
et al.,64 with some adjustments. By taking on the con-
tinuous fluid heating/cooling temperature, researchers
have improved the model. The definite difference equa- Adsorbent-adsorbate working pairs
tions were computed employing an explicit technique
and confirmed utilizing the average values of the Significant research has been conducted and continues
apparent heat and heat-conductivity comparison of the to be carried out to classify and evaluate adsorbent-
projected temperature gradient with the analytical adsorbate working pairs, usually under standard oper-
formulation. ating conditions.3,4,13,30,74–77 Water is perhaps the most
The parametric study of this two-dimensional model used adsorbate, but ethanol, methanol, and ammonia
demonstrated that the sorption kinetics might be con- are also used. Since they have low vaporization tem-
siderably improved by lowering the distance among the peratures, methanol and ethanol are widely employed
fins and the contact resistance of the metal adsorbent for refrigeration applications.13 Since ammonia has
contact. Therefore, thin fins and inexpensive metals high specific heating power during the adsorption
have been advocated for minimizing the operating cost phase due to high pressure, thus it is widely employed
and weights. Sward et al.73 suggested a model wherein with activated carbon adsorbents, but it has the disad-
vantage of being toxic and emits a strong odor acciden-
heat transfer travels axially and thermal contact with
tal leakage.13 Activated carbons, zeolites, zeolite-like
the bed for thermal wave adsorption thermal pumping
AIPOs (aluminophosphates), silica gels, and SAPOs
cycles. The exponential performance was expected to
(silico-aluminophosphates) are common adsorbent
be provided via local balance.
materials for AHPs. One of the most critical aspects of
The material balance f(z) for every portion of the
a durable adsorption heat pump is the adsorbent-
bed included an adsorbed phase term, a gas-phase term,
adsorbate pair selection. While several experiments on
and a flow term as follows (equation (14)):
working pairs have been performed, most of them
∂n ∂(et C) ∂(eb uv C) focus solely on the kinetics and outputs of the adsor-
rb + + = f (z) ð14Þ bate and adsorbent materials, overlooking their prac-
∂t ∂t ∂z
ticability for a functional or marketable framework.
The energy balance comprises the four terms stated ear- Numerous working pairs with outstanding adsorption
lier, including a heat flow term via the bed walls (Jb). potential are currently being presented; even then, the
majority of these have poor hydrothermal stability or
∂is ∂(et iv ) ∂(eb uv hv ) exhibit hysteresis due to material maturing through
rb + + = Jb + g(z) ð15Þ
∂t ∂t ∂z some cycles. One other consideration includes market
readiness, and while some adsorbent materials exhibit
In which g(z) in equation (15), input and outlet valves
strong, hydrothermal durability, absorption capability,
represent the energy fluxes from and into the bed. The and prolonged life cycle time.
preceding equations have been transformed into dimen-
sional, differentiated, and inserted in the ordinary dif-
ferential equations into multiple separate cells of a Zeolites. Though zeolites can be paired with various
specified height, and the equation set was numerically refrigerants, water is by far one of the most frequent.
included in the Gear’s process using the LSODE soft- Zeolites, including silica gel, were the most studied
ware.73 The findings revealed an influence on the layout adsorbents and have been used in experimental sys-
of the temperature and loading fronts of the entrance/ tems. The zeolites’ water absorption ability and adsorp-
outflow valve inside the bed. tion heat are both significantly higher. Therefore, the
Riaz et al. 11

employment of zeolites in adsorption heat pumps as potential use as adsorbents. Hysteresis conducts and
adsorbent material at high desorption temperatures hydrothermal stability must be enhanced so that these
(200°C–300°C for natural zeolites) is severely restricted. materials can be employed on experimental systems.
Several advances in lowering the desorption tempera- New technologies are investigated and developed every
ture have been carried over the recent years.75,78 day, and some of them, such as MOFs (Metal-Organic
Frameworks) and composite adsorbents, show great
potential for potential applications.9,38,82–87 However,
Silica gel. In recent years, silica gel has been regarded as
even though the adsorbents depict high performance
a conventional water adsorbent on which a vast number
and uptake capacities, they are also expensive, hydro-
of studies have been conducted, and it has seen wide-
thermally unstable, and degrade over time, which are
spread use in numerous adsorption systems. The low
significant barriers.75
cost, low regeneration temperatures (60°C–100°C), and
Consequently, they are hard to fabricate on a broad
durability in potential uses are advantages of silica gel
scale, rendering them unsuitable for specific applica-
adsorbents.75 Unfortunately, at elevated relative pres-
tions requiring large-scale manufacturing. Some recent
sures, the majority of water adsorption occurs. Many
literature includes an overview of adsorption material
approaches have been developed to overcome this issue,
research.4,13 Screening of potential working pairs was
including reducing the pore size and incrementing the
conducted by Boman et al.80 for AHPs possessing
number of silanol groups on the surface. However,
mesoporous silica, including aluminum or other metals, transport and thermodynamic properties. Additionally,
an exhaustive quantity (around 100) of comparisons of
has the highest water adsorption capability.78
adsorbent-adsorbate pairs, along with the uptake equa-
tions of working pairs, are investigated and cited, act-
Activated carbons. Activated carbons find extensively use ing as a valuable database for future study.80
as adsorbates of ammonia and methanol. They are
found in powder, lightweight, granular, monolithic car-
bon, and fiber forms. The temperature levels for acti- Composite adsorbents. The formation of composite
vated carbons vary greatly depending on the adsorbate adsorbents is generally occurred by the insertion of
utilized and their type. Tamainot-Telto et al.79 pre- inorganic salts in the porous matrices. The adsorbent-
sented in-depth research on the activated carbons for adsorbate can be paired such as ammonia, ethanol,
adsorption refrigeration applications. methanol, and water.75,88 Among them, several materi-
als that exhibit relatively reduced desorption tempera-
ture, that is, 70°C–120°C, and possess a large intake of
AIPO and SAPO. Aluminophosphates (AIPOs) and water, that is, 0.75 kg/kg, based on mesoporous silica
silico-aluminophosphates (SAPOs), like zeolite materi- paired with LiBr (SWS-2L) and CaCl2 (SWS-1L).89,90
als, have a high capacity to absorb water and the ability The composite SWS-8L permits a reduced desorption
to be employed with reduced temperatures of deso- temperature of 75°C–80°C with water uptake of 0.2 kg/
rption, that is, (60°C–100°C). The S-shaped isotherms kg90. Several experiments on the use of ethanol and
are possessed by these materials, which means that they methanol as adsorbates can be found in the litera-
have a strong potential for water exchange at reduced ture.91–93
temperature variations.75,78,80 On a commercial level,
two innovative adsorbent materials were developed by
Mitsubishi Plastic Inc. named AQSOAÒ-FAM-Z02 Heating performances
and AQSOAÒ-FAM-Z01.80,81 Both materials have des-
It is worthwhile considering the variation of SHP and
orption temperatures of 60°C–90°C and seem like a
COP values mentioned in the publications for adsorp-
reliable alternative for various applications such as
tion heating purposes over the last several years.
heating.
Figures 6 to 9 depict this evolution by differentiating
the working pairs, cycle characteristics, and work
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The porous metal- domain for different cases. For example, commercial
organic frameworks are a new set of water adsorbents AHPs have COPs in the region of 1.30–1.50 when zeo-
due to the exhibition of the distinct inability of their lite/water is used or 1.40–1.60 when silica gel/water is
hydrophilic and structural properties.38 Even though used.38
MOFs have high methanol, ethanol, and water, adsorp- An investigation by Freni et al.75 stated that the suit-
tion capability under typical operational conditions, able COP for heating pumping applications is .1.55,
deterioration over time, high cost, and hydro-thermal which was following the suggestion of Shelton et al.,52
volatility remain significant barriers.75 Nonetheless, which was 1.50. The COP values discussed in Figures
research conducted by Henninger et al.82 shows that 6(a), 7(a), 8(a) and 9(a) assist as references. Contrary to
MOFs are significantly necessary materials for this, for the cost advantage of AHPs, the minimum
12 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

Figure 6. Values of performance indicators of AHPs (for heating applications) in the reported literature for zeolite/water pair:
(a) COP3,32,49,54,58,94–96 and (b) SHP.3,57,58,94,96–98

SHP is found to be ca. 1000 W/kg,120 whereas the SHP 6(b), 7(b), 8(b) and 9(b) assist as references. The differ-
is 1600 W/kg for Viessmann AHP, which is regarded as ence between the experimental and theoretical values of
a remarkable reference case in the coating technology COP on an average is 18%, where theoretical values
of adsorbents. The SHP values discussed in Figures outperform experimental values. The highest COPs
Riaz et al. 13

Figure 7. Values of performance indicators of AHPs (for heating applications) in the reported literature for activated carbon/
methanol pair: (a) COP14,49,55,58,80,99–104 and (b) SHP.99,100,105

having the values of 1.30–1.60 reported in experiments working pair.107 In contrast to AHP industry statistics
are within the market range.38 In 2016, by employing before 2012, no significant changes in creative COPs
silicoaluminophosphate SAPO-34/water working pair, have been recorded since that time. Perhaps this is pri-
the COP of single-bed AHP was 1.4083 whereas, in marily due to the small adsorption ability of the investi-
2011, AQSOAÒ FAM-Z02/water working pair was gated adsorbents. Attempts are being taken to produce
employed and for single-bed prototype, the reported new materials with excellent adsorption capacities to
COP was 1.47.115 increase the efficiency of AHPs.82 The single-bed
Critoph106 in 2007 investigated the COP of a two- AHPs, which employ water and novel metal-organic
bed, activated carbon (AC)/ammonia-based, forced frameworks (MOFs) as adsorbate, have been found to
convection AHP prototype, where COP was found to report theoretical COPs greater than 1.55.38 The analy-
be 1.80. Furthermore, in 2005, another four-bed proto- sis of AHPs using COP (Figures 6(a), 7(a), 8(a) and
type using a heat recovery cycle was reported with a 9(a)) tend to be more discussed in the research than the
COP of 1.31 using the activated carbon (AC)/ammonia evaluation using SHP. In theoretical cases, SHP values
14 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

Figure 8. Values of performance indicators of AHPs (for heating applications) in the reported literature for activated carbon/
ammonia pair: (a) COP79,80,102,106–113 and (b) SHP.107,109,111,112,114

were on average 35% greater than in practical applica- was prepared through direct crystallization, where
tions. In advanced cycles, for AC/methanol and silica water was used as adsorbate, and the SHP higher than
gel/water pairs, the experimental SHPs of up to 500 W/ 3200 W/kg was recorded.123 An impact of adsorbent
kg were recorded until 2007, with the adsorbents specif- configuration on experimental SHP was demonstrated
ically in a loose grain configuration.105,115,121 by contrasting the (zeolite or zeotype)/water working
In a study, coatings were presented and found that a pairs based on single-bed AHPs, and it was found that:
single-bed AHP with AQSOAÒ FAM-Z02 binder- loose grains (240 W/kg (zeolite/water in 2001)) \ bin-
based coating for water adsorbate obtained a maxi- der-based coatings (2200 W/kg \ directly synthesized
mum SHP of 2200 W/kg.122 In 2016, SAPO-34 coating coatings (3200 W/kg)). Coatings were found to have a
Riaz et al. 15

Figure 9. Values of performance indicators of AHPs (for heating applications) in the reported literature for activated silica gel/
water pair: (a) COP3,75,89,98,115–119 and (b) SHP.3,98,115,118

10-fold rise in SHP as compared to lose grains. plate, plate-finned, fin plate, flat pipe, and tube, elabo-
Consequently, another research presented that zeolite rated by Li et al.124 Similarly, shell packing was
coating technology has allowed attaining the SHPs in employed by Pinheiro et al.3 The significant impact of
the thousands, which is around 10 times greater than various configurations is the variable metal to adsor-
random zeolite pellets among finned tubes. bent mass ratios, heat losses to the atmosphere,
Consequently, transitioning from traditional pellets/ adsorbent-metal wall contact areas, and the area of
grains to novel adsorbent configurations is critical for adsorbent being exposed to the adsorbate.
improving cost-competitiveness and adsorption heat Consequently, a significant amount of effort must be
pump’s SHP. Furthermore, improving the efficiency of expended to choose the right adsorber arrangement,
AHPs requires the production of materials with opti- which can also vary depending on the physical proper-
mized adsorbent configurations and enhanced adsorp- ties, adsorbent-adsorbate working pair, and adsorber
tion capacities for effective heat transfer. metal thermodynamics. Nonetheless, the HTF travels
the adsorbent material within shell configuration, while
in the tube configuration, the adsorbent material is
Adsorbent bed configurations wrapped all over the tube, minimizing heat losses so
The adsorber bed configurations vary in their packing heat could only be transmitted to the adsorbent mate-
techniques, including finned tube, coated tube, spiral rial from the tube. The finned heat exchangers have a
16 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

Ge et al.,128 Miyazaki et al.129

smaller adsorbent-adsorbate contact area and a greater

Ge et al.,128 Chang et al.,130

Schawe,98De Boer et al.127

Ge et al.,128 Wang et al.132

adsorbent-metal contact area and, consequently, a
higher mass ratio of adsorbent-metal. The adsorber

Liu and Leong,34

bed design process should include the following essen-

Wang et al.,30

Liu et al.131
References
tial factors: a maximum amount of heat transfer should
be ensured among the heat transfer fluid and the adsor-
bent material, adsorbent surface-exposed should be
maximum to the adsorbate, the metal-adsorbent mass

Table 1. Comparison of the adsorbent configurations for AHPs in terms of lads, hads, d, bed permeability, stability issues, and industrial application features.1
ratio should be minimized, an excellent thermal interac-
tion among the metal and the adsorbent bed should be

Schematic
assured, and the overall design should be kept straight-
forward that it can be developed by using the vacuum
technology elements. Choosing the correct arrangement

Production
and constructing the appropriate adsorber is a complex

Average
process that necessitates additional research to achieve

costs

High
Low
the best combination between all these factors.29

–
The configurations of the adsorbent bed being com-

manufacture

Complex
monly employed can be classified into four types:

Normal
Simple
AHEx
binder-based coatings, consolidated beds, directly

–
synthesized coatings, and loose grains.125 For loose

Use in complex
grains, fibers, pellets, powder, and adsorbent grains are

Unrestricted

Unrestricted

Unrestricted
applications

geometries
inserted in the heat exchanger without any binders.
Industrial

Limited
Whereas for consolidated beds, the pore-forming addi-
tive and the binder are compacted along with the adsor-
bent to ensure the formation of a dense compressed Mechanical
layer on the wall of HEx. The preparation of binder- resistance

Good

Good

Good
Poor
based coatings is performed by combining binder and
an adsorbent, and then the composite material can be
Outgassing

served on heat exchangers using dip coating or spraying problem

problem

problem

problem
Minor

Minor
Major

Major
techniques. Directly synthesized coatings are created by
depositing adsorbent directly upon the HEx walls.125
Stability issues

Not critical

Not critical
Considerable attention (approximately 80% of the pub-
occlusion

Critical

Critical
lished studies) has been received by loose grains config-
Pores

uration, probably owing to its simplicity and being

relatively inexpensive. All of the other remaining con-
permeability

figurations account for below 10% of the findings.

Good

Good
Poor

Table 1 presents a quantitative comparison of the four-

Bed

Fair

bed configurations, representing the bed thickness

1 3 1023 to 1.6 3 1023

2 3 1023 to 10 3 1023

(based explicitly on research for silica gels, zeolites, and

1 3 1024 to 8 3 1024

1 3 10-5 to 5 3 1025

zeotypes (i.e. SAPO-34, AQSOAÒ FAM-Z02) where

water acts as adsorbate), heat transfer coefficient on
the adsorbent side (hads), the thermal conductivity of
d (m)

the adsorbent bed (lads). It also includes the qualitative

comparison based on mechanical resistance, pore struc-
has (W/m2 K)

ture stability, bed permeability, and industrial factors.

Improvements in the AHEx total heat transfer coeffi-
70 -120

3000

3000

1000

cient (U) benefit heating efficiency, for which higher lad

Performance drivers

and hads, and smaller d are advantageous, conferring to

lads (W/m K)

equation (1616)126 as given below:

0.10–0.20

4–17

1 1 1 d
0.36

27

= + + ð16Þ
UAfluid hfluid Afluid hads Aads lads Aads
Adsorbent bed

Consolidated
configuration

Binder-based

synthesized

where Afluid denotes heat exchanger area on the fluid

coatings

coatings
Directly

side, Aads represents heat exchanger area on the adsor-

Loose
grains

beds

bent side, and hfluid is the convective heat transfer

Riaz et al. 17

coefficient on the fluid side. Then, equation (1616) (low lads and hads).125,138 Because of the shortage of
analyses the perceived value of the physical compo- information in the literature (Table 1) shows the bed
nents of the heating device, as well as any heat transfer permeability qualitative comparisons. Nevertheless, for
resistances that might occur. the adsorbent beds’ permeability, the favored values
The lads values for the beds comprised of loose are more than 10–12 m2,123 but the estimates stated in
grains/pellets or binder-based coatings, in the tenths of the research are in the range of 10214 to 1028 m2 for
W/m K have been reported, as shown in Table 1. For the beds employing methanol, water, or ammonia as
example, for the equivalent powdered bed, the adsorbates.139 The loose grains replacement by directly
lads = 0.11 W/m K and AQSOA binder-based coating synthesized coatings allows for an increase in lads and
lads = 0.36 W/m K126; for zeolites, zeo-types, and silica hads by 1–2 orders of magnitude and a considerable
gel, lads in the range 0.10–0.20 W/m K.26,32,120 reduction by a factor of around 100 in d.
Restuccia et al.26 identified a binder-based coating with Conversely, it results in a reduced mads = mmetal
lads = 0.30 W/m K. lads values for condensed beds and ratio, which reduces COP.125 To make the materials
specifically synthesized coatings were nearly two orders marketable, the industrialization of product features is
of magnitude higher than for binder-based coatings of utmost importance, and to enable cheaper produc-
and loose grains/pellets. For loose grains, the values tion, the loose grains beds are inarguably one of the
for convective heat transfer coefficients (hads) are basic configurations. The heat exchanger consists of
reported in the range of 70–120 W/m K,133 but the most adsorbent particles wrapped and enclosed with a
commonly used values are 10–50 W/m K.133 For the grid.140 However, the adsorbent structure in consoli-
other configurations, the convective heat transfer coef- dated layers is limited to basic geometries such as
ficients are greater than 1000 W/m K, such as, for cylindrical and planar, limiting the application in
directly synthesized SAPO-34 coatings on aluminum complex and actual HEx.125 Furthermore, directly
fibers, binder-based coating of silica gel, and consoli- synthesized coatings may necessitate costly and
dated 13X zeolite, the hads are .1000 W/m K125 for for- time-consuming production practices. For example,
mer, and up to 3000 W/m K125,134 for the later ones, in SAPOs, the necessary conditions for autoclaves
respectively. Such findings are helpful for improved are 200°C and 20 bar.
interaction among the AHEx metal and adsorbent sur- Consequently, for industrialization, the production
face while consolidated beds or coatings are used rather of simplified and less expensive preparation procedures
than loose grains. In terms of stability, direct synthe- is favorable.125 For heat exchanger production com-
sis’s loose grains coatings and configuration are typi- plexity and expenses, binder-based coatings fall among
cally not a major concern. According to Freni et al.,125 directly synthesized coatings and loose grains because
direct zeolite crystallization produces enhanced coating they can be manufactured in mild reaction conditions
stability. The reduced mechanical resistance135 possible in serial production lines and therefore are simple to
compression of pores due to the binder, and the hazard scale up and incorporate.125 It was presented by
of volatile compound outgassing from natural binders Schicktanz et al.140 that dip coating can be employed
(which impacts pressure and can result in total failure) for the formulation of binder-based coatings, which
of binder-based coatings are disadvantages that must involves the metal substrate immersion in an organic
still be addressed to obtain sustainable products.125 binder (such as resins) mixed active powder liquid solu-
There can be a negative effect of large quantities of tion or an inorganic binder (such as aluminum hydro-
additives or binders on the performance of AHP xide clays). For the removal of surplus solvent, it is
because they can cause pore occlusion, which further thermally treated. In this way, by adjusting the dipping
leads to the reduction in the adsorption capacity.125 velocity and liquid solution’s viscosity, the coating
Contrastingly, in the binder-bed coating, a typically thickness can be varied from 1 3 1024 to 10 3 1024 m.
thicker layer is attained, which restrain the mass trans- For the consolidated beds, the reduced bed permeabil-
fer, and at the interface in coating and the HEX, ther- ity is a significant disadvantage.140 It has been observed
mal resistance is exhibited, decreasing the efficiency of through current findings that research on configuration
heat transfer. Nonetheless, the attained performance for AHPs appears to be mainly concentrated on AC/
for the binder-based technique is indeed very satisfac- ammonia working pairs.
tory, as evidenced by comparative research published Similarly, a parametric study was presented by
in some of the scientific publications,136,137 wherein the Kowsari et al.141 in which using the numerical model,
authors performed corresponding experimental studies heat exchanger (HEx) was employed as an adsorbent
on both the loose and coated grain configurations, bed, and validation was performed with an experimen-
using the identical heat exchanger equipment. tal setup. Using variable pitches and fin heights, the
Significant pressure reductions can result in grain trapezoidal and rectangular bed geometries were inves-
beds based on the size of particles. However, the prob- tigated, and then a comparison was made based on
lem is usually not as severe as heat transfer constraints metal mass, COPc, VSCP, SCP, and adsorbent mass.
18 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

While contrasted to a comparable arrangement for the

trapezoidal geometry, the rectangular geometry demon-
strated impressive SCP.
Earlier studies have shown that higher metal mass
results in reduced COPc and that a strong adsorbent
thickness results in a low SCP. Consequently, a
dynamic model was presented by Graf et al.142 that
was experimentally optimized to estimate the COP and
SCP of adsorption heat pumps. On a demonstrative
adsorber component, gravimetric large temperature
jump (G-LTJ) experiments were carried out for the
calibration of the adsorber model, which is being used
to predict COP and SCP of AHP. The evaluation of
the model was made for a minor adsorber component,
resulting in a faster analysis of operating and design
parameters comprising operating temperatures, fin geo-
metry, and cycle times. San et al.143 and Frazzica
et al.77 demonstrated the AHP systems testing, and
design based on earlier single. Such methodologies are
strictly experimental and offer reliable device features Figure 10. Adsorption heat exchanger geometries studied for
for a provided experimental setting. Conversely, such AHPs (tubular with and without fins), extended surface (e.g.
experimental methods are restricted to the applied con- finned plate and fiber plate), plate-type (e.g. lamella heat
figuration, making a parametric study of the whole exchangers), and percentage of works that adopted each
structure challenging because the whole setup will have geometry, along with information of the respective investigated
to be demolished and rebuilt to adjust specific adsorbent/adsorbate pairs. Again, only research focusing on
parameters. experimental or theoretical and experimental work was
According to the reported literature, it has been considered to calculate the percentages.
found that the binder-based coatings appear to provide
reasonable exchange among performance drivers such
as hads, d, lads, bed permeability including manufactur- optimization.11 Adsorbent optimization entails deter-
ing characteristics, and enhancements stability can mining the optimal balance between adsorbent material
increase their market value. This configuration has pro- and HEx. Consequently, it is commonly known as the
duced a slew of patent literature. Sauer et al.144 adsorbent HEX (Ad-HEX) optimization issue.145
reported the development of coatings that do not expel Hybrid systems, operation controlling, bed improve-
gases over the required 15-year period of AHPs and, ments, and adsorbents, including ADCs, are increas-
are constituted of an inorganic colloidal binder such as ingly the topic of investigation.146 Different heat
colloidal aluminum oxides or hydroxides and colloidal exchangers in conjunction with different adsorbent pla-
silicon oxides for binding the adsorbent particles and cement methods result in various bedforms, such as
thermally conductive inorganic fibers (such as carbon consolidated bed, coated bed, and granular bed.146
nanotubes, carbon fibers, glass fibers) to provide AHP adsorbent bed geometries are classified into
mechanical stability and elasticity. Nevertheless, experi- four types: extended surface (including fiber plate and
mental work on loose grain beds seems to be that when finned plate geometries), tubular (e.g. hairpin, spiral),
particles with diameters below 5 3 1024 m and more plate-type (e.g. lamella heat exchangers) both with as
than 1000 m2/m3 area/volume heat exchangers are used, well as without fins (annular or longitudinal). The geo-
this configuration can produce adequate efficiency.140 metrical classification is premised on the broad categor-
The production of coated AHExs that allow for the ization of heat exchangers based on construction
scaling-up of coating procedures and compact designs elements given by Shah et al.147; however, finned tubes
continue to be well-known R&D’s main concerns in are incorporated in a specific area of tubular with fins.
the AHP field.11 Figure 10 depicts the literature research on AHEx geo-
metries and systematically studied pairings, where only
works with experimental domains or theoretical and
Adsorbent heat exchanger (AHEx) geometries experimental domains were included in computing the
The primary purpose has always been to attain rela- percentages presented.
tively portable and lightweight systems by decreasing The total heat transfer coefficient (U), heat exchan-
the weight of the adsorbers, that are the most important ger size, and the ratio mads/mmetal are essential elements
determinant from the perspective of dynamic in AHEx performance136(Table 2). The most often used
Riaz et al. 19

Table 2. Average values of U, mads/VAHEx, and mads/mmetal for finned tubes/loose grains,94 finned tubes/coatings,122 extended surface/
loose grains,136 or extended surface/coatings.148

AHEx geometry Extended surface Tabular with fins

Coatings Loose grains Coatings Loose grains

U (W m2 K) N/A N/A 106 23

mads/VAHEx (kg/m3) 167 358 149 310
mads/mmetal (kg/kg) 0.39 0.63 0.30 0.67

AHEx geometries for adsorbent/water pairings are utilized as a single straight line linked in parallel, curved
extended surface heat exchangers and tubular with fins, into a coil with straight finned components, or formed
as shown in Figure 10. Finned tubes have been reported into a u-tube with fins (Figure 11(a)). Fins can be rec-
to have heat transfer area per total volume of heat tangular or circular. Fin-tube HEX may be converted
exchanger (or surface area density) values of up to into an adsorption bed by covering the area between
3300 m2/m3, whereas finned plate heat exchangers the fins using loose adsorbent granules and mesh
(extended surface type) can potentially reach ca – enclosing to hold the adsorbent granules in place. It is
5900 m2/m3,147 enabling further efficient configurations. also feasible to wrap the top of a heat exchanger with a
Table 2 depicts average readings of U, mads/VAHEx (an coat composed of adsorbent granules and a binder.
indicator of compatibility), and mads/mmetal for the two Poyelle et al.152 used zeolite and fit-tube HEX to evalu-
designs employing loose grains or coating structures: ate grained and cemented beds. The chiller was indeed a
finned tubes/loose grains,94 finned tubes/coatings,122 two-bed adsorption chiller, including mass and heat
extended surface/loose grains,136 or extended surface/ recovery. It was discovered that SCC might rise three-
coatings.148 Employing coated finned tubes rather than fold to 97 W/kg and that mass transfer and heat trans-
loose grains raised U by about 4.5 times, nearing fer resistances in bed seemed to impact both COP and
106 W/m2 K, resulting in higher hads and lads, and low- SCC substantially. Restuccia et al.153 reported analo-
ered d (Table 1)). gous findings during chiller studies using the material
Dawoud et al.148 revealed that the SHPs for loose SWS-1L as adsorbent. Fins used in this kind of HEX
pellets in the finned tube AHEx were smaller than a may have varying geometries.
fourth of the tested utilizing coatings. Thus, when A thorough examination of the effects of typical geo-
employing loose grains rather than coatings, a more metric characteristics on chiller efficiency was carried
significant amount of adsorbent can be incorporated out.154 Raising fin length necessitates more excellent
per unit volume of heat exchanger (mads/VAHEx) regard- heat for regeneration, yet it has been shown that the
less of shape (Table 2). The ratio mads/VAHEx for coat- COP value grows simultaneously. Thus, the increased
ings in extended surface, and finned tube AHExs is in cooling power outnumbers the increased heating needs.
the limit of 40–390 kg/m3,148 and 100–200 kg/m3 149 According to the findings, utilizing circular fins to
(the corresponding typical values are 167 and 149 kg/ improve SCC value is advised, mainly when a low-cost
m3). Generally, extended surface heat exchangers have heat source exists. A COP of 0.54 and 73 W/kgads of
had the greatest mads/VAHEx values; for loose grains, SCC was attained in experimental testing143 of a bed
the value is (567 kg/m3)150 for finned tubes the value is with HEX packed with adsorbent particles wrapped
315 kg/m3 98 for coatings, it is 388 kg/m3,151 and the with mesh. These findings can be pretty encouraging,
value for loose grains and coatings is 203 kg/m3,149 especially given the ease of bed assembly.
respectively. In 2015, Sharafian et al.155 investigated an identical
The findings imply that by employing an expanded bed structure specialized to an automobile A/C system.
surface geometry, relatively efficient AHExs may be Rectangular plates have been used instead of convec-
developed. Consequently, a reasonable balance among tional ribs on a u-tube. This was discovered that when
the different variables is required to build efficient, employing loose grains, the fin interval should be more
small, lightweight, and large surface area AHExs, a than the adsorbent particle size, while the overall HEX
research emphasis in the domain of AHP length stays the same. Li et al.134 investigated silica gel
components.11 in laminated bed designs. Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC)
was chosen among various binders, including bento-
nite, epoxy resin, and polyvinyl alcohol. Combining
Fin-tube heat exchanger. Fin-tube heat exchangers are binder and powdered silica gel allowed for forming a
straightforward designs centered on straight tubes with 0.7 mm width of solid layer on the heat exchanger area
perpendicular fins. A finned tube has the potential to be while not affecting adsorption capacities. Caglar156
20 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

Figure 11. Schematic representation of a conventional adsorption heat pump,129 (a) fin-tube heat exchanger, (b) plate fin-tube heat
exchanger, (c) finned flat-tube heat exchanger, and (d) modular adsorbent bed.

exhibited in a numerical simulation, including its effects Additionally, there is also an option of building a
of fin design specifications on chiller with thermal wave coated bed. The benefit of such technologies is the abil-
cycle performance, found that increasing fin width will ity to expand cooling capacity by stacking heat exchan-
not enhance temperature distribution of adsorbent. The gers. Mesh holds particles in position in granular
fin spacing ( fs) and fin height ( fh) analyses revealed beds.157
that an increase in the fin length has a detrimental The study used a commercialized silica gel-water
influence on heat transfer applications in the adsorp- chiller. Thermal contacting resistance among the HEX
tion bed. Decreasing fin distance has been advanta- interface and the adsorbent layer was shown to restrict
geous. However, it also reduces adsorbent weight, the operating variables of the chiller. It was calculated
which reduces cooling capacity. that it accounted for 25% of the overall bed’s thermal
resistance. Simultaneously, an issue with mass transfer
in beds utilizing adsorbent with binder was discovered.
Plate fin-tube heat exchanger. A HEX structure comprises A reported approach involves adhering to a thin layer
finned tubes parallel to one another to form a flat sur- of adsorbent and filling open regions with loose adsor-
face, as shown in Figure 11(b). Plate fins positioned bent particles. A mixed solution with a partly bonded
opposite to tubes increase the heat transfer surface. adsorbent is simple to use. Increased HEX fin distance
This approach is widely utilized, for example, in radia- can overcome any technical challenges with their fabri-
tors and air coolers, HVAC condensers and evapora- cation. It improves access to the HEX surface while
tors, and car radiators. The basic design of that kind of does not affect operating parameters – doubling fs leads
heat exchanger potentially acts as an adsorption bed to a 17% loss in cooling capacity.35
foundation. Hence, converting this type of heat exchan- As a result, powdered metal additions can be used
ger into an adsorption bed is not complex owing to the to lower thermal contact resistance The predicted
simple access to gaps among fins and tubes. enhancement in thermal conductivity of the adsorbent
Riaz et al. 21

layer is a 1.5-fold rise at 15% copper or brass and a available alternatives, a more excellent value of cooling
2.4-fold rise at 15% aluminum. For the construction of capacity per adsorber volume ratio was obtained.
coated beds,158 recommends utilizing granules larger Adsorption bed function requires the employment of a
than that employed in beds with loose granules. working fluid vapor channel. The second structure sug-
However, the coated bed was studied,128 where a signif- gested that the silica gel units be placed on grooved
icant COP of – 0.48 – was obtained at hot water tem- plates. It possessed cooling/hot water passages carved
perature. Chen et al.159 investigated plate fin tube HEX out of the plate and located/placed under adsorbent
using circular fins rather than rectangular ones. The modules. Water vapor dispersion was achieved using
round fins occupied all or most of the accessible gaps extra channels and interaction with the most extensive
among the tubes. However, some were not surrounded surface of the cuboidal silica gel unit.
by fins utilized for mass distribution. Having arranged Modular designs allow for simple device expansion
the silica gel layer annularly, increased heat transmis- to the desired cooling capacity. Breaking the adsorber
sion in the adsorbent layer is witnessed. into fewer components may enhance the cooling capac-
ity to adsorber volume ratio, resulting in a reduced
Finned flat-tube heat exchanger. The various plate fin tube overall system. Except for traditional heat exchangers,
versions of HEX, which employ flat tubes having cor- these systems need substantial analysis and a novel
rugated fins rather than the standard design, could be manufacturing process for the heat mentioned above
used in ADCs.127,130 In addition, such HEX is utilized exchangers.
in the automobile market, such as evaporators for air
conditioning.127 Figure 11(c) depicts the graphical
representation. Applications and patents
Rogala160 used modeling to investigate the effect of Extensive research has been conducted on AHPs by
flat-tube HEX shape on chiller operation by establish- many researchers, including Gui et al.,99 Wang,105
ing the fin length and fin spacing limits with the best Wang et al.,132 Lu et al.,163 Wang,164 and Wang
chiller performances. The numerical research demon- et al.165 AHPs that use water as a refrigerant incorpo-
strated that a selection of optimum HEX design char- rate those produced by Vaillant and Viessmann, which
acteristics and grain size substantially impacts heat are known to be significant players in the domain of
transfer rate and heat transfer surface area. At the same AHPs for heating applications in the construction
instant, the suggested building may be manufactured industry, primarily while water is employed as a refrig-
without significant technological issues. For example, erant. Granted and filed patents by Viessmann and
since silica gel granules had a size of 0.3 mm, the COP Vaillant are presented in Table 3. Some major Vaillant
and SCC increased by 3.7% and 6.3%, AHPs are discussed here. In 1998166 an AHP was pro-
correspondingly. posed with simple construction and reduced structural
complexity, having one vacuum container. It employed
Modular adsorbent beds. Aside from employing com- the perforated radiation shielding in the evaporator/
monly accessible heat exchangers to develop an adsorp- condenser and AHEx, preventing heat transmission
tion bed, additional suggested structures are specifically through radiation between the components, ensuring
designed for this application. Mitra et al.161 presented a no loss of efficiency due to radiation. In 2000, certain
U-tube-based approach. Adsorption beds of this sort other patents were presented167–169 improving heat
have a basic structure, making it essential to load the transfer through a corrugated spiral-shaped tube. The
adsorption bed with an adsorbent. Nevertheless, the use of an AHEx with a single layer of grains and
SCP and COP values obtained by the chillers with var- expanded surface area among ribs allows for a quick
ied builds varied. Modular buildings are becoming and effective adsorption-desorption operation. Another
more common. Liu et al.131 developed a system that patent of AHEx was presented with an increased T heat
includes water channels, mass transfer channels, and exchanger, an adsorption heating circuit, and for the
consecutive layers of silica gel channels. A range of adsorbent, refrigeration water was used. An increased
0.33–0.42 for COP was found for a hot water tempera- discharge is provided to the water to attain efficiency
ture of 70°C using a basic bed structure. improvement.
Modular architectures were also described in In 2001, some patents were demonstrated in the lit-
works121,162 which included a numerical analysis of the erature,170–177 which included the AHEx where zeolite
researchers’ concept. The original idea had rectangular pallets are tightly placed about a pipe by flanged rims
silica gel modules positioned among hot and cooling and lamellas good heat transfer with the HTF.
hot water channels, with sufficient space dividing the Similarly, the patents were presented with the adsor-
modules to allow for working fluid vapor diffusion bent heat exchanger production method. Another AHP
(Figure 11(d)). When contrasted to commercially with ease of construction was stated to prevent heat
22 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

Table 3. A list of significant patents by Vaillant and Viessmann filed and granted according to the order of their priority year, which
is, for each invention, the year of filing for the first patent application.

Priority year Patent number Patent title Patent scope References

1998 DE19902695B4 Sorption heat pump with an ad/ Concepts of an AHP system and Rainer166
desorber heat exchanger components (radiation shielding)
2000 EP1178269B1 Sorption heat pump Concept of AHP components Langet al.167
(evaporator/condenser)
2000 EP1180650B1 Adsorber/desorber heat Concept of AHP components Langet al.168
exchanger (AHEx)
2000 EP1184629B1 Closed loop heating device Concept of an AHP Langet al.169
2001 EP1239240B1 Adsorber/desorber for heating Concept of AHP components Langet al.170
apparatus using zeolithe (AHEx) and production method
2001 EP1245910B1 Method of operating an Concept of an AHP and operation Hockeret al.171
adsorption heat pump method
2001 EP1278028B1 Module of heat pump for an Concept of AHP components Hockeret al.172
adsorption heat pump (radiation shielding)
2001 EP1279910B1 Process for operating an Operation method and control Heimet al.173
adsorption heat pump strategy of an AHP
2001 EP1279909B1 Adsorption heat pump Concept of an AHP and operation Heimet al.174
method
2001 DE10235737A1 Method for operating Concept of an AHP and operation Heimet al.175
adsorption heat pump at low method
temperatures has secondary
ambient heat exchangers in
heating circuit
2001 EP1288596B1 Regulating method for an Control strategy of an AHP Heimet al.176
adsorption heat pump
2001 DE10242820A1 Method and equipment for Operation method and control Heimet al.177
reversing operating phases of strategy of an AHP
sorption heat pump initiated by
temperature difference between
inlet and outlet connections to
absorbent material
2003 DE10310748B3 Foreign gas removal method for The operation method of an AHP Stricker178
vacuum sorption device using (in the presence of disturbing gases)
intermediate phase in which
overpressure is obtained by
application of heat and blocking
heat output of condenser
2004 DE 102004049411B4 Vacuum sorption Concept of an AHP Marc179
2004 DE102004049408B4 Vacuum sorption Concept of AHP components Stricker180
(element for separation between
evaporator and condenser)
181
2004 DE202004015674U1 Sorption apparatus Concept of an AHP
(utility model)
2004 EP1653168B1 Vacuum sorption device Hydraulics Stricker182
2005 EP1645820B1 Method of control for a Operation method and control Stricker183
periodically operating vacuum strategy of a burner in an AHP
sorption device system
2007 EP2058608A2 Sorbet heat exchanger of an Concept of AHP components Burgdorfet al.184
adsorption heat pump (AHEx)
2007 EP1985948B1 Vacuum sorption device and Hydraulics and operation method Stricker and Dawoud185
method for operating a vacuum of an AHP
sorption device
2007 EP2045547B1 Vacuum-sorption device Concept of AHP components Dawoud and Bornmann186
(element for separation between
evaporator and condenser)
2008 EP2083231B1 Vacuum sorption device Concepts of an AHP and Dawoudet al.187
components (evaporator and
displacement body between
evaporator and AHEx chambers)
(continued)
Riaz et al. 23

Table 3. Continued

Priority year Patent number Patent title Patent scope References

2008 US20110183835A1 Adsorber element and method Adsorbents and production Saueret al.188
for producing an adsorber methods
element
2009 EP2309211B1 Vacuum sorption device and Concept of an AHP and operation Dawoudet al.189
method for operating same method
2009 US8544293B2 Vacuum sorption apparatus Concept of AHP components Dawoudet al.190
(element for separation between
the evaporator and AHEx
chambers)
2010 EP2447623A3 Sorption heat pump Concept of an AHP Sicket al.191
2010 US20120055194A1 Vacuum sorption device Concept of AHP components Bornmannet al.192
(condenser)

losses in the switching stages. A few other radiation or gaseous fuel) (prior art systems are floor-standing
shielding variants for AHPs are identified (heat transfer units). The discovery seeks to propose divided hydraulic
through radiation from the AHEx to the condenser circuits, such as an added heat exchanger between the
reduces condensation capacity (in the desorption AHEx and the customer heating circuits, which the
stage), and heat transfer between the AHEx and the AHEx circuit can circumvent. In an AHP, a burner gets
evaporator reduces the amount of heat removed from hot in an HTF for adsorbent regeneration. Even during
the setting (in adsorption stage)). A combination of an the desorption phase (tDES = t1 + t2 + t3 ), the burner
AHP and a burner can be used to (i) preheat the air functions at two separate power stages throughout t1 ,
going into the burner; (ii) heat the evaporator (espe- the burner functions at a high power level since a tem-
cially when there is low air temperature); and (iii) heat perature of 5°C–10°C below the highest desorption
the fluid in the customer heating circuit to get the most temperature is attained; during t2 , the burner works at a
out of the heat in the exhaust gases. AHP is paired with lower power level until the maximum desorption tem-
a burner, under which a traditional heater provides perature is attained, and during t3 , the burner is turned
heating while the AHP module is unable to work. A off. Modulating burners are no longer used.
continuous-action cascade control system manages the Furthermore, the patents from 2007 to 2010184–192
complicated control of AHPs. The temperature of the have specific properties, such as, an AHEx that allows
consumer circuit is one of the control parameters, and effective desorption and adsorption by expanding the
the mass flow rates of the HTF in the AHEx circuit surface area of the AHEx and supporting channels for
and the fuel and air fed to the burner are among the refrigerant flow. The AHEx and customer heating cir-
manipulated variables. The difference in T between the cuits are disconnected in the desorption stage and con-
AHEx’s outlet and the inlet is regulated by a controller, nected in the adsorption stage in a vacuum AHP.
which inverts the activity (from adsorption to deso- There is no extreme pressure in the AHEx circuit dur-
rption and vice versa) when the variations reach set- ing the desorption stage, hence ensuring safe operation.
point values. Appropriate disintegration of a vacuum AHP’s eva-
Similarly, from 2003 to 2005,178,179,182,183,190,193 the porator and condenser (‘‘ball closure element’’) occurs.
reported patents included the invention related to a for- Pumping the refrigerant to the evaporator (helical
eign gas extraction technique carried out periodically tube), which leads to wettability or spraying the eva-
(e.g. every 500 h) and whenever disturbing gases (such porator with refrigerant, improves the water evapora-
as CO2, N2) are identified between the adsorption and tion in a vacuum AHP. A displacement body is
desorption phases. It entails heating the AHEx while employed between the AHEx and evaporator tanks. To
still simultaneously encouraging stresses on the conden- prevent earlier art disadvantages, adsorbent coatings
ser, where the vapor and foreign gases are discharged are formulated with 80%–85% adsorbent, inorganic
through a discharge device. To prevent condensation of binders, and fibers (degradation of organic substances,
the desorbed vapor in the evaporator rather than the P increase in the AHP, incompatibility of binders with
condenser, a proper solution is established to ensure adsorbents). Metal coating methods include spraying,
appropriate detachment between the evaporator and painting, and immersion application accompanied by a
the condenser of a vacuum AHP (P is lower in the eva- drying phase. The discovery helps improve hydraulic
porator than in the condenser). A wall-mounted AHP interconnectedness and function during the adsorption
is offered, along with a heat generator (burner for liquid stage of a vacuum AHP compared to the previous
24 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

research. A separating body ensures optimal isolation absorption-based heat pumps, the COP was found to
between the AHEx and evaporator chambers during be 3–4 and 0.7–1.1, respectively.4 It can be observed
the desorption stage. AHP system with a modular con- that the vapor compression heat pumps have signifi-
figuration that is easy to construct and fabricate and is cantly greater COP values than thermally driven
well suited for large-scale production. A better vacuum pumps. Of course, this is the primary benefit of
sorption device with an AHEx enveloped by a conden- mechanically driven heat pumps; nevertheless, ther-
ser, specifics on the condenser characteristics, which mally powered heat pumps have several additional ben-
enable good pressure stability and high heat transfer efits that compel the industry to use them.
with a simplistic manufacturing process, are provided. Thermally powered heat pumps use waste heat or
Significant results from the patent literature are out- other types of thermal energy. An adsorption heat
lined as (i) the reduction in design, manufacturing, pump utilizing waste heat as a working source not only
installation efforts, and AHP component costs appear recovers waste energy but also provides a system with
to be a significant problem (e.g. modular system no operating costs. Thermal-driven heat pumps can be
low assisted with renewable energy sources, such as solar
designs are advantageous); (ii) When a low Theat source
prevents the evaporation process, to ensure the system and geothermal energy. It must be noted that vapor
operation the hybrid devices that combine traditional compression heat pumps use electrical power, which is
heaters and AHPs are workable alternatives; (iii) AHPs often generated by the heat emitted by fossil fuels. As a
operating in a vacuum could be vulnerable to pressure result of energy losses in power plants and during elec-
fluctuations caused by external gases (CO2, N2) that trical power transfer, the mechanical heat pumps have
must be expelled from the system effectively; (iv) actual a low primary energy efficiency than their COP val-
performance enhancements are dependent on the opti- ues.194 The real benefit of adsorption heat pumps in
mization of control approaches171,173,176,183 and parts terms of practical use is that they do not require regular
(e.g. employing spiral shape principles or condenser- inspection for extended periods because they have no
jacket designs coated and increased surface area moving parts or, in advanced technologies, only several
AHExs); radiation shielding (to prevent adverse heat essential moving components. Moreover, the lifespan
movement by radiation among AHP parts); (v) good of an absorption heat pump is less than that of the
hydraulics is required for safe activity with no elevated adsorption heat pump due to salt corrosion.
pressure in circuits (e.g. employment of overflow The absorbent in the absorption system must be
valves); and (vi) in technologies incorporating AHPs replaced every 4–5 years. Whereas adsorption heat
and gas burners, there are several options for maximiz- pumps do not require adsorbent-adsorbate pairs to be
ing the use of exhaust gas heat (for instance, preheating changed for an incredibly long time. Adsorption heat
the air penetrating the burner, heating circuit, and heat- pump systems do not use any corrosive chemical ingre-
ing the evaporator). Table 3 focuses on the implications dients. As previously stated, vapor compression heat
of Vaillant and Viessmann’s patents by priority year pumps emit hazardous greenhouse gases. Several refrig-
(i.e. the filing year of the very first patent application erants have been strictly prohibited, and others will be
for each invention), as well as the year since their first banned in the near future. Such mechanical heat pump
AHPs were introduced to the market. Based on that issues boost the desirability of adsorption heat pump
evidence, it is likely that developing such complex sys- systems, making them competitive even with absorp-
tems will require approximately 10 years of R&D. The tion heat pumps, another type of thermally powered
evaluated patents, overall, identify R&D preferences heat pump.194 Vaillant and Viessmann devised a mod-
for enhancing AHPs, such as the advancement of por- est capacity of up to 15 kW for gas-fired hybrid AHPs,
table, productive, and low-cost elements, as well as the including a gas condensing boiler to alternately operate
application of sustainable approaches for optimal con- a zeolite/water AHEx and satisfy maximum load
trol of the operation of AHP. demands that needed heat requirement surpasses the
AHP module’s heating capacity. However, such devices
have a COP almost equal to 1.35 for the water deliv-
Comparison of AHPs and traditional ered at 308–313 K and cannot generate water beyond
heating technologies 328 K if employed for DHW generation and space
heating.7
The relation of adsorption heat pumps to mechanical Owing to the injection of environmental energy into
and absorption heat pumps seek to analyze where the system (21% renewable energy share), gas-fired
adsorption heat pumps are now and how they will AHPs provide a reduction in primary energy consump-
evolve. For adsorption-based heat pumps, the COP tion from 86 3 107 to 53 3 107 J/m2 (around 38%) as
values for zeolite-water, silica gel-water, and carbon- well as a 39% reduction in CO2 emissions when com-
methanol pairs are found to be 0.8, 0.3–0.6, and 0.43 pared to non-condensing boilers (the predominant
respectively. Similarly, for vapor compression and house heating system in Germany). Compared to gas-
Riaz et al. 25

fired AHPs to vapor compression heat pumps (electric- due to their environmental benefits over traditional
ity-driven), the innovation has resulted in larger, more techniques such as vapor compression systems. Over
expensive products. The Viessmann AHP device has the years, various adsorbents for AHPs have been stud-
proportions of 0.600 3 0.595 3 1.875 m3, which com- ied, ranging from traditional activated carbon and zeo-
prises the AHP module and gas condensing boiler, lites to MOFs, SAPOs, and CSPMs utilizing water,
although the DHW tank was still placed outdoors, the ammonia, and methanol as adsorbates. Despite this,
device cost 13,000 Euros in September 2017 (without quite a few other adsorbents are used primarily due to
VAT7). Contrary to this, the IVT GEO 312C, a ground their generally restricted loading capacities, complex
source electricity-driven heat pump with a similar bed configurations, reliability problems, expense, and
power range and meant for DHW generation and space operation within a relatively constrained set of condi-
heating, has comparable dimensions of 0.600 3 0.660 tions, all of which are limiting the technology’s devel-
3 1.800 m3 but incorporates the heat pump module as opment. Environmental implications of heat pumps,
well as a 190 l DHW storage tank within the device, and low consumer interest, and inadequate knowledge of
valued around 7500 e (excluding VAT)195 in September the costs can also affect the input rate of adoption of
2017. Electrically powered heat pumps that are pretty adsorption heat pumps. Inadequately educated special-
efficient for providing DHW and space heating in ists and a lack of expertise in the technology of heat
houses have PER values of 1.40 and 1.60 (air-source pumps are also obstacles that must be addressed.
and ground-coupled equipment, correspondingly), Uncertainty in policies directed at decarbonizing the
whereas thermal powered heat pumps have PER values heating industry, legislative measures in some of these
ranging from 1.20 to 1.60.11 jurisdictions, and the lack of installation requirements,
Generally, gas-fired AHPs are a promising technol- are among the factors limiting heat pump implementa-
ogy for lowering CO2 emissions and primary energy tion. There also exists reasonable concern that heat
utilization in the heating industry.7 Whereas primary pumps may pollute the atmosphere. There is an
energy ratios of thermally powered appliances have acknowledgment that heat pumps emit fewer GHGs
reached that of vapor compression technology, efforts than other fossil fuel heating methods, although this is
must be made to produce lighter and more affordable dependent on geology, local climatic conditions, and
systems to improve their share in the market. AHPs are nearby land use, which requires further investigation.
highly costly and bulky for competing with conven- Although heat pump implementation poses many chal-
tional systems and have a low market presence than lenges, the general result is that heat pumps can play a
electrically powered heat pumps.33 While sanitary hot significant role in transforming low-carbon heating.
water heat pumps have become the fastest-growing The key shortcomings of an AHP system include: (i)
heat pump category in Europe, with exponential reduced coefficient of performance (COP); (ii) challen-
demand. There have been several reports of prototypes ging to supply heat at temperatures above 55°C; (iii)
aimed toward this use. A hybrid system that included a the materials employed in the systems such as welding,
water reservoir, a gas heater, and an AHP with two joints, and valves are supposed to be suitable and com-
AQSOAÒ FAM-Z02/water adsorbent beds was investi- patible under various operating, that is, vacuum; (iv) to
gated by Dong et al.196 The gas boiler provides hot achieve the necessary healing powers for most applica-
water for bed renewal (at 358 K) and supports extra tions, a great demand for adsorbent materials is
heating of the water exiting the AHP (up to 343 K). A required to be fulfilled by a sufficient supply; (v) high
two and four-bed silica gel/water adsorbent AHP regeneration temperatures are required for adsorbent-
paired with a gas water heater was reported by Tajima adsorbate working pairs capable of providing higher
et al.116 and determined that two beds are more feasi- heating powers and a higher coefficient of perfor-
ble. Ally and Sharma197 presented a model and analysis mance; and (vi) several precautions must be taken by
of a home gas-fired adsorption heat pump water heater using regeneration temperatures higher than the boiling
employing AC/ammonia, the results of which were point of the heat transfer fluid due to its potential for
below the aim, even though a significant competitive high pressure within the pipes.
premium for the market launch was indicated.

Future recommendations
AHPs development challenges and
Metal-organic frameworks have a great potential to
limitations
increase the efficiency and extend the application of
For society’s sustainable development, policies have AHPs due to their beneficial chemical diversity and
been driven to address resource scarcity and overcome configurable adsorption characteristics, which must be
climate change. Adsorption heat pumps (AHPs) are investigated further to ensure cost competitiveness. In
growing in popularity in the building heating industry addition to the requisite research and development in
26 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

the materials field and scale-up techniques, the investi- designing. Overall, the discussion served as a resource
gation should be directed toward the advancement of for studies in the field investigations and a reference for
control strategies and optimized components, such as (i) the new AHP research domain, outlining the challenges
the smart and compact AHExs are developed by the use and work that remains to be studied for the develop-
of coated extended surface heat exchangers having fiber ment of a physical prototype and an integrated
plate and finned plate geometries which provides ther- approach for an AHP framework. Notwithstanding all
mal power and high efficiency. The cost-effective and the research on new adsorbent-adsorbate working
straightforward adsorbent configurations incorporated pairs, a very few of them are easily accessed, market-
in production models, such as binder-based coatings, ready, hydrothermally stable, have ease of production,
are preferred; (ii) advanced management strategies allow and have a long-life cycle. There is a need for the estab-
for adoption to variations in consumer needs and opera- lishment of the relation among system-level and
tional conditions while maintaining the optimum length material-level research. Some common models include
of the cycle stages. AHP output objectives can include the LDF model and Darcy’s Law to account for the
COP . 1.55and SHP . 1000 W/kg (adsorbent coatings internal and external mass transfer resistances.
are required for that), adsorption loading shift of at least However, there is no physical model in the literary
0.20 kg/kg, and cycle time less than 900 s. In 2009–2013, works that consider the whole AHP system. Many
some domestic heating market competitors and giants numerical simulations and laboratory experiments do
built and launched low-capacity gas-fired AHPs with not provide sufficient information to evaluate new
water as a refrigerant for DHW output and space heat- models. Furthermore, there is no evidence of simulta-
ing, consisting of a zeolitic module and a gas condensing neous optimization of specifications, physical proper-
boiler. Such appliances need to be researched and devel- ties, adsorbent material thermodynamics, and working
oped further, as they are an innovative technology for conditions in the literature. Therefore, a physical model
reducing CO2 emissions and primary energy consump- development that characterizes the whole AHP device
tion in the heating industry. A review of a wide variety would be needed to fill the gap. Furthermore,
of patents revealed that designing specific sophisticated adsorbent-adsorbate working pairs with low mass and
structures would most likely necessitate a 10-year R&D heat transfer resistances that can be regenerated at
pathway. Thus far, AHPs built specifically for DHW lower temperatures will be suitable for most applica-
development seem to be lacking in the industry. The tions. Finally, new operating modes that can increase
commercialization of such AHPs can be supported by the overall efficiency of the AHP system are beneficial
the invention of adsorbents that perform well at mild to attaining economical solutions for AHPs.
regeneration and high condensation temperatures, have
a comprehensive market supply and are inexpensive. Declaration of conflicting interests
Combating such technical and economic constraints can
enhance the attractiveness of AHPs involving electricity- The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with
respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this
driven heat pumps and even gas water heaters in the
article.
medium to long term as (a) costs of natural gas and elec-
tricity for domestic consumers appear to be rising; (b)
sanitary hot water heat pumps have become the fastest- Funding
growing heat pump sector in Europe, with dual-digit The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial sup-
growth; and (c) People are taking more responsibility port for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this
and enlightening awareness of the ecological concerns article: This research was carried out in the Department of
faced by society. Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University,
Multan-Pakistan. The authors acknowledge the support from
Bahauddin Zakariya University under the research grant of
ORIC Project# 2020-21 awarded to Principal Investigator Dr.
Conclusions
Muhammad Sultan.
The analysis and review of AHP systems have been pre-
sented with a focus on heating applications. The essen- ORCID iDs
tial research in the field has been discussed, and the
Muhammad Sultan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7301-5567
significant discrepancies in the literature have been
Fahid Riaz https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6468-614X
identified and addressed. The fundamental subjects for
analyzing an AHP were explored, including its working
principle, physical properties, physical models, adsor- References
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Appendix e evaporator
ic isosteric cooling
Notations ih isosteric heating
m mass (kg)
C specific heat Abbreviations
Cp constant pressure specific heat
H enthalpy AHEx adsorbent heat exchanger
P pressure (Pa) VCS vapor-compression systems
Q heat (J) MOFs metal organic frameworks
T temperature (absolute) VLE vapor-liquid equilibrium
X adsorbate concentration in the adsorbent ODP ozone depletion potential
(uptake) SAPO silicoaluminophosphate
t time (s) COP coefficient of performance
A heat exchanger area (m2) VLE vapor-liquid equilibrium
low
Theat source temperature of the energy source for
evaporator (K)