Enhancement of the heat and mass transfer in compact zeolite layers

Heat and mass transfer during the adsorption of water on zeolite has been studied both theoretically and experimentally. A dynamic simulation model of a zeolite layer has been developed to estimate the predominant transport resistances and calculations were carried out to assist the simultaneous experimental investigations. On one hand, a metallic matrix was added to the compact zeolite layer to improve the heat transfer. On the other hand, pore-forming materials such as melamine or tartaric acid were used. These organic components are removed during drying of the zeolite so that the mass transfer inside the zeolite is significantly enhanced compared to a granulated zeolite bed. The experimental investigations show that the theoretically deduced possibilities of improving the adsorption process can be realized in the manufactured zeolites.The investigations described here are of interest for the development of adsorption heat pumps. Due to the thermodynamic characteristics the adsorption system zeolite-water is a promising working pair for this application. The investigations show that the main shortcoming of these machines, the thermal output, can be increased significantly.