Reaction beds for dry sorption machines

Periodically operating dry sorption machines utilize the reaction enthalpies of suitable reversible adsorption and absorption reactions for the generation of useful heat and cold. Typical working materials are ammoniated salts (chlorides in connection with ammonia), zeolites (with water), activated carbon (with methanol), metal hydrides (with hydrogen). The key elements of such machines are the reaction beds, typically cylindrical tubes, in which ad(ab)sorption and desorption takes place, or in which the ad(ab)sorbant is condensed and evaporated. The heat and mass transfer inside these reaction beds is decisive for the operational characteristics of respective machines. An overview is given of typical designs of the reaction beds. Special emphasis is given to heat transfer enhancement techiques inside the reaction beds. The external heat transfer from and to the reaction bed wall is also addressed.