The effect of using fins in different configurations on the performance of adsorption refrigeration system

In this experimental investigation, the impact of six different configurations of applied fins in an adsorption refrigeration system utilizing an AC/Ethanol pair was examined. Fins in six different configurations (straight and inclined fins of one sector, along with fins of two, three, four, and six sectors) are utilized to improve heat and mass transfer within the generator. The experiments are carried out under non-equilibrium conditions, with the evaporating, generating, and condensing temperatures established at 5 °C, 82 °C, and 22 °C, respectively. The findings revealed that the inclined fins of one sector configuration achieved the highest coefficient of performance (COP) at 0.44, representing a 25.7% improvement over pure activated carbon (AC) without fins. Additionally, the fins configured in a three-sector arrangement exhibited the greatest specific cooling effect (SCE), uptake amount (Δx), and reduction in evaporating temperature, measuring 44.5 kJ/kg, 0.06 kg/kg, and 19.5 °C, respectively, with enhancement rates of 71.2%, 87.5%, and 95%, respectively, when compared to pure activated carbon (AC) without fins. A significant finding of this study is the variation in the impact of each fins configuration on the transfer of heat and mass within the generator, as well as the performance of the adsorption system.