Mathematical modeling of the operation of a solar-driven adsorption refrigerating system using a planar layer of a composite sorbent

A mathematical model is constructed of an adsorption refrigerator using a water coolant and solar radiation for the regeneration of the plane sorbent layer. On the basis of climatic data from the monitoring/observation by the Sochi City Meteorological Watch Office, numerical optimization calculations have been performed. It is shown that there is an optimal height of the sorbent layer securing the highest capacity of the plant. The optimization of the plant geometry enables a further 1.5-fold enhancement in the plant capacity. It is shown how the presence of a nonsorbing component (air) affects the plant capacity.