Numerical simulation of combined adsorption desalination and cooling cycles with integrated evaporator/condenser

Abstract The availability of potable water and cooling are becoming increasingly important to ensure good sustainability and quality of life. In this work, a new multi-cycle adsorption desalination and cooling system using AQSOA-Z02 has been developed for high water production and cooling rates using renewable and waste heat sources. It consists of two 2-adsorber bed cycles linked with integrated evaporator/condenser, one cycle uses the integrated evaporator/condenser as evaporator (upper) and the second one uses it as a condenser (lower). In this system low condensing temperatures can be achieved using the cooling effect from the evaporator of the lower cycle and the integrated evaporator/condenser thus enhancing the system performance. Also, the adsorber beds of the upper and lower cycles are heated in series during the desorption process using the same heat source. This system can operate in three modes depending on the desalinated water and cooling capacity requirements. Results showed that the specific daily water production ranges from 6.64 to 15.4 m3/tonne adsorbent/day while the cooling capacity reaches up 46.6 Rton/tonne adsorbent at evaporator temperature of 10 °C. The new cycle offers potential of simultaneously producing large amounts of desalinated water and cooling capacity (at 10 °C) compared to other cycles.