The invention described herein enables a variety of heating, cooling, energy transformation, and energy storage options with a small number or components. Described are Pressure Swing Adsorption and Pressure Swing Desorption cycles, processes, and apparatuses including multiple sorption beds and active energy input by a pump and energy storage as pressure differentials. A preferred embodiment includes two activated carbon sorption beds, water vapor as the adsorbate, control valves, and a compressor or vacuum pump. In operation these components provide a range of heating, cooling, and energy storage options. Operational cycles are described.

The present invention is directed to a method of operating an adsorption compressor system, which system comprises a hot source and a cold source and at least a first and a second adsorption bed, wherein the first bed has an initial temperature that is lower than the initial temperature of said second bed, in which system heat is circulated using a heat transfer fluid (HTF), the method comprising the following phases: phase A) comprising the steps of: heating the first adsorption bed by feeding HTF to it, coming from said second bed, optionally via said hot source, while maintaining a thermal wave in said first bed; and cooling the second adsorption bed by feeding HTF to it, coming from said first bed, optionally via said cold source, while maintaining a thermal wave in said second bed; wherein phase A) is maintained until the exit temperature of said first bed and said second bed are essentially the same and phase B) comprising the steps of: feeding the HTF effluent of said first bed to said hot source and from said hot source back into said first bed; and feeding the HTF effluent of said second bed to said cold source and from said cold source back into said second bed; wherein phase B) is maintained until the temperature in said first bed is essentially homogeneous and the temperature in said second bed is also essentially homogeneous and lower than the temperature of said first bed, wherein the flow rates of said HTF through said first and second bed may be higher than in phase A).

The present invention is directed to a method of operating an adsorption compressor system, which system comprises a hot source and a cold source and at least a first and a second adsorption bed, wherein the first bed has an initial temperature that is lower than the initial temperature of said second bed, in which system heat is circulated using a heat transfer fluid (HTF), the method comprising the following phases: phase A) comprising the steps of: heating the first adsorption bed by feeding HTF to it, coming from said second bed, optionally via said hot source, while maintaining a thermal wave in said first bed; and cooling the second adsorption bed by feeding HTF to it, coming from said first bed, optionally via said cold source, while maintaining a thermal wave in said second bed; wherein phase A) is maintained until the exit temperature of said first bed and said second bed are essentially the same and phase B) comprising the steps of: feeding the HTF effluent of said first bed to said hot source and from said hot source back into said first bed; and feeding the HTF effluent of said second bed to said cold source and from said cold source back into said second bed; wherein phase B) is maintained until the temperature in said first bed is essentially homogeneous and the temperature in said second bed is also essentially homogeneous and lower than the temperature of said first bed, wherein the flow rates of said HTF through said first and second bed may be higher than in phase A).

A unit for exchanging heat between a working fluid and a heat transfer fluid by means of adsorption. The heat exchange unit comprises a tube hosting the heat transfer fluid and being surrounded by mass channel coils comprising a metallic spacer strip in physical contact with the tube for permitting heat conduction and a metal foil strip supported by the spacer strip, a width of the foil strip exceeding a width of the spacer strip in an axial direction of the tube. Additionally, a heat exchange system comprising a plurality of the heat exchange units is provided, and a method for manufacturing a heat exchange unit is provided.

A unit for exchanging heat between a working fluid and a heat transfer fluid by means of adsorption. The heat exchange unit comprises a tube hosting the heat transfer fluid and being surrounded by mass channel coils comprising a metallic spacer strip in physical contact with the tube for permitting heat conduction and a metal foil strip supported by the spacer strip, a width of the foil strip exceeding a width of the spacer strip in an axial direction of the tube. Additionally, a heat exchange system comprising a plurality of the heat exchange units is provided, and a method for manufacturing a heat exchange unit is provided.

A method for manufacturing a heat exchange unit for exchanging heat between a working fluid and a heat transfer fluid by means of adsorption. The heat exchange unit comprises a tube hosting the heat transfer fluid and being surrounded by mass channel coils comprising a metallic spacer strip in physical contact with the tube for permitting heat conduction and a metal foil strip supported by the spacer strip, a width of the foil strip exceeding a width of the spacer strip in an axial direction of the tube. Additionally, a heat exchange system comprising a plurality of the heat exchange units is provided.

A method for manufacturing a heat exchange unit for exchanging heat between a working fluid and a heat transfer fluid by means of adsorption. The heat exchange unit comprises a tube hosting the heat transfer fluid and being surrounded by mass channel coils comprising a metallic spacer strip in physical contact with the tube for permitting heat conduction and a metal foil strip supported by the spacer strip, a width of the foil strip exceeding a width of the spacer strip in an axial direction of the tube. Additionally, a heat exchange system comprising a plurality of the heat exchange units is provided.

Adsorption heat exchanger devices (11, 25) are provided for use in solid sorption refrigeration systems (1) together with methods for making such devices and adsorbent structures therefor. The methods include applying a curable binder, in solution in a solvent, to granular adsorbent material, and then evaporating the solvent and curing the binder. The curable binder solution is sufficiently dilute that, during evaporation of the solvent, the binder becomes concentrated around contact points between granules (18) of the adsorbent material whereby localized bonds (19) are formed around the contact points on curing of the binder.

Adsorption heat exchanger devices (11, 25) are provided for use in solid sorption refrigeration systems (1) together with methods for making such devices and adsorbent structures therefor. The methods include applying a curable binder, in solution in a solvent, to granular adsorbent material, and then evaporating the solvent and curing the binder. The curable binder solution is sufficiently dilute that, during evaporation of the solvent, the binder becomes concentrated around contact points between granules (18) of the adsorbent material whereby localized bonds (19) are formed around the contact points on curing of the binder.

Disclosed are systems and methods of rapidly cooling thermal loads by providing a burst mode cooling system for rapid cooling. The burst mode cooling system may include a complex compound sorber configured to rapidly absorb ammonia.