Adsorption module

Abstract

The invention relates to an adsorption module, consisting of at least one sorption unit and at least one evaporator/condenser unit, each with inlet and outlet ports for a fluid heat transfer medium, said units being in the same or separate vacuum-tight housings. According to the invention the housing is flat and can be joined to multiple flat housings in a stacked arrangement with a common steam duct.

Claims

1. Adsorption module comprised of at least one sorption unit and at least one evaporator/condenser unit having respective ports for feeding and discharging a fluid heat transfer medium, said units being located in a common vacuum-tight housing(s), whereby the housing is formed to be plate-shaped, and a plurality of plate-shaped housings can be joined to a stacked arrangement which comprises a common steam duct; wherein at least parts of the housing are an integral part of the sorption unit, at least the sorption unit is comprised of a monolithically cast or sintered three-dimensional metallic structure having a plurality of breakthroughs, each of the breakthroughs having a structure associated therewith, wherein a zeolite layer is located on the three dimensional structure, whereby the zeolite layer is in close contact with the three-dimensional structure, wherein the zeolite layer is crystallized in situ and the metallic structure is an integral part of the respective plate-shaped housing.

2. The adsorption module according to claim 1, wherein the plate-shaped housings are made of metal sheets, wherein the metal sheets have nub-like, stamped protrusions, and in each case at least one pair of metal sheets having protrusions facing each other is connected into the housing such that a space for the heat transfer medium is generated and the protrusions form spacers between the metal sheets.

3. The adsorption module according to claim 1, wherein the plate-shaped housings are made of open, profiled plates joined together in pairs, wherein the profiled plates have a substantially U-shaped cross-section, the U-legs are oriented toward one other and form a joined portion such that a space for the heat transfer medium is generated, wherein areas of the profiled plates getting in contact with the heat transfer medium have a surface-enlarging structure.

4. The adsorption module according to claim 3, wherein at least one external side of the housing has a ribbing or similar structure for enlarging the surface.

5. The adsorption module according to claim 1, wherein the plate-shaped housings are made of an extruded profile having a plurality of ducts for forming a space for the heat transfer medium.

6. The adsorption module according to claim 1, the plurality of breakthroughs are oriented in a flow passage direction of the heat transfer medium.

7. The adsorption module according to claim 6, wherein the monolithic three-dimensional cast or sintered metallic structure is formed of aluminum.

8. The adsorption module according to claim 7, wherein the structure is realized as a cast or sintered body having the plurality of breakthroughs.

9. The adsorption module according to claim 8, wherein the cast or sintered body comprises molded collectors, heat transfer medium guiding means, tubes or similar.

10. The adsorption module according to claim 1, wherein an assembly including the at least one sorption unit or the at least one evaporator/condenser unit each having an integral steam duct portion which can be joined to a continuous duct when a stacked arrangement is formed.

11. Cold accumulator or heat accumulator comprising at least one adsorption module according to claim 10.

12. The adsorption module according to claim 1, wherein the zeolite structure represents a microporous silico-alumino-phosphate (SAPO) material, a microporous aluminum phosphate (ALPO) material or a microporous metal aluminum phosphate (Mi-ALPO) material and comprises crystals oriented in their main and growth directions substantially perpendicular to the surface of the metallic structure.

13. Chiller or heat pump comprising at least one adsorption module according to claim 1.

Description

(1) Shown are in:

(2) FIG. 1 a first embodiment of the module according to the invention in a side view and a top view, and

(3) FIG. 2 a second embodiment in a side view and top view, in which the steam duct of the single module is open and can be joined to a closed steam duct in a stacked arrangement of several modules.

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the module formed in accordance with one form of the present invention, showing the breakthroughs oriented in the flow passage direction of the heat transfer medium.

(5) FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the housing of the adsorption module formed in accordance with one form of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a front, bottom perspective view of the housing of the adsorption module formed in accordance with one form of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a front, top perspective view of the housing of the adsorption module formed in accordance with one form of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 7 is a front, bottom perspective view of the housing of the adsorption module formed in accordance with one form of the present invention, showing the plates forming the housing joined together.

(9) The idea on which the invention and consequently the exemplary embodiments is/are based is to make the plate-shaped housing itself to become an active component of the adsorption module to the extent that at least parts of the housing are an integral part of the sorption unit. Only connections for the heat transfer medium remain to be connected to the module, and in a stacked arrangement such as shown, for instance, in the side view as per FIG. 1, sealing means need to be provided so that the steam duct DK is formed.

(10) The single adsorption module AM is made of a plate-shaped housing, with the metallic structure of the sorption unit being formed in one piece with the housing, e.g. in the form of a cast or sintered part.

(11) In this respect, the housing of the adsorption module AM may be made of an aluminum material which, starting from the external side, merges in such a structure 20 which comprises a plurality of breakthroughs 14 oriented in the flow passage direction of the heat transfer medium. VD/KD indicates the evaporator, respectively condenser in the figures. The water distribution for the evaporator and condenser is symbolized by curved lines in the top view as per FIG. 1. The representations according to the exemplary embodiment are based on the fact that a zeolite layer as an absorbent crystallized preferably in situ has been applied onto the three-dimensional structure.

(12) In the embodiment of an adsorption module as per FIG. 2, each single module is open relative to the steam duct DK. When a stacked arrangement (see side view as per FIG. 2) is realized, the steam ducts DK are superimposed for forming an steam duct which is then continuous, with a sealing D being arranged between the individual steam ducts of the respective module.

(13) The single modules may be realized as monolithically cast, ordered aluminum modules but also as monolithically cast, porous aluminum modules. Moreover conceivable are cast aluminum sponge modules or sintered aluminum modules of spheres, powder or fibers.

(14) By means of the inventive technology, chillers or heat pumps, yet also cold or heat accumulators can be realized using the adsorption modules, with the embodiment as per FIG. 2 being predestined for heat accumulators.

(15) In further exemplary embodiments, there is the option of realizing the plate-shaped housings from single metal sheets 16, wherein the metal sheets 16 have a nub-like, stamped structure in the form of single or group-like arranged protrusions 12. In each case at least one pair of metal sheets 16 having protrusions 12 facing each other are then joined to a housing, e.g. by pressing or in a material bonding manner, such that a space for the heat transfer medium is generated and the protrusions 12 form spacers between the metal sheets 16 in this respect. Thus, the protrusions 12 are attributed a stabilizing function of the respective plate-shaped housings, on the one hand. On the other, the nubs fulfil the function of enlarging the area which is decisive for the heat transfer. If required, the metal sheets 16 can be coated directly with a zeolite material.

(16) The housing may moreover be comprised of open, relatively rigid profiled plates 10 joined together in pairs.

(17) The profiled plates 10 have a substantially U-shaped cross-section with short U-legs 18 and connecting legs formed to be relatively wide. The U-legs 18 of one pair of profiled plates 10 are oriented toward one another and represent a joined portion such that a space for the heat transfer medium is generated.

(18) The areas of the profiled plates 10 getting in contact with the heat transfer medium may have a surface-enlarging structuring, e.g. produced by milling or etching.

(19) In a likewise designed option, the plate-shaped housings may be manufactured from extruded profiles in a relatively cost-efficient manner. The extruded profile forming the respective housing has in this case a plurality of ducts for forming a space for the heat transfer medium.

(20) At least one external side of the housing may have a ribbing for improving the heat transfer to the environment.

(21) The individual housings according to the exemplary embodiments described above may then be joined to an entire module and enclosed by a vacuum-tight envelope. Corresponding connections for the heat transfer medium may be realized in a known manner.

(22) The modules formed from several plate-shaped housings may be provided individually or collectively with a coating on the vacuum side in the form of an open-pored sponge-like aluminum body. The coating may also be realized as a monolithic block and then be connected to the plate-shaped housing(s) in a material bonding or form-fitting manner. A preferred variant is to coat the porous part on the vacuum side with zeolite and subsequently to establish a material-bonded connection, e.g. by soldering to the hydraulic part, i.e. the module part receiving the heat transfer medium.