Abstract
In this paper the applicability of a novel activated carbon/methanol pair to an adsorption refrigerator was discussed on the basis of its adsorption characteristics. Adsorption equilibria of methanol vapor on an activated carbon fiber with high apparent density (HD-ACF), which was prepared from phenol resin fibers without any binders by a hot briquetting method, were newly measured at 30 to 80 °C by using a magnetic suspension balance (MSB). The cooling effects in an ideal cycle of the adsorption refrigerator were estimated under the realistic operating temperature conditions from the q-P-T diagram obtained. The results showed that the cooling effect estimated for the HD-ACF/methanol pair was significantly affected by the evaporation and regeneration temperatures, and its value was greater than those for the commercial activated carbon/methanol pairs. Furthermore, we carried out experiments on continuous repetitions of adsorption and desorption for this working pair using the MSB apparatus. During eleven repetitions similar adsorption behaviors were observed, and the difference between the maximum and minimum values of the amount adsorbed remained stable. The results obtained indicated the potentials of the HD-ACF/methanol pair for the application to compact adsorption refrigerators.
