Title: Understanding the processwise entropic framework in an industrial heat-powered refrigeration cycle

Authors: P.R. Chauhan; S.K. Tyagi

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab – 147004, India ' Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi – 110016, India

Abstract: This article presents a theoretical investigation of entropy generation rate (EGR) analysis to identify energy losses in an industrial adsorption refrigeration cycle using a silica gel-water pair. The system features two single-stage beds, with water serving as refrigerant, coolant, and hot fluid. EGR is observed to rise abruptly during valve-switching operations. For a complete cycle, the EGR contributions from external components like heat source and heat sink, are 18.03% and 21.56%, respectively. The internal heat transfer process contributes 11.37 kW/kg-K, nearly 9.97 times higher EGR than that of the internal mass transfer process, highlighting major inefficiencies within the system.

Keywords: adsorption refrigeration; entropy generation; heat transfer; mass transfer; silica gel-water.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2025.148557

International Journal of Exergy, 2025 Vol.48 No.1, pp.67 - 81

Received: 21 Mar 2025
Accepted: 10 Jun 2025
Published online: 11 Sep 2025 *

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