ABSTRACT
This chapter considers applications of composites “salts in porous matrix” (CSPMs) in common temperature-driven adsorptive heat transformation (AHT) cycles. CSPMs are deemed to be very promising for AHT as they allow intent and wide variation of sorption properties to amply fit changing requirements. An adsorbent is a key element of an AHT unit, and harmonization of its properties with the cycle’s working conditions would significantly enhance the performance of AHT. Desiccant cooling systems are basically open-cycle systems that use water vapor as a refrigerant. The thermally driven cooling cycle is a combination of evaporative cooling with air dehumidification by a solid desiccant. Typical adsorbents employed in open-cycle desiccant cooling systems are microporous silica gels, molecular sieves, and alumina. The main shortcoming is a relatively low-temperature lift. It can be enhanced by applying salts with higher affinity for water vapor at the expense of an appropriate increase in charging temperature.
