Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses an adsorption heat exchanger part according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

According to an aspect of the present invention as defined in claim <NUM>, there is provided an adsorption heat exchanger (AdHEX) part. The AdHEX part comprises a linear guiding element, and a plurality of planar structures that include fins. Each of the planar structures is: mounted on the linear guiding element via a joint element, the joint element configured to cooperate with the linear guiding element to form a slider joint, coated with an adsorbent coating, and fixed on the linear guiding element, at a respective position, by a fixing means that restricts linear sliding movement of each of the planar structures to form an arrangement of coated planar structures that are stacked along the linear guiding element.

The AdHEX part design described above allows the planar structures to be first coated with the adsorbent coating and then brought close to each other along the linear guiding element (thanks to the slider joints), to achieve smaller gaps than would normally be allowed by the coating process. This, in turn, allows more compact arrangements of planar fins to be obtained, with improved heat transfer rates. Thus, the present AdHEX designs and methods of fabrication thereof allow small gaps to be achieved between the planar structures, which results in favorable performance in terms of power and energy density. In particular, the proposed design allows substantially improved performance in terms of the product of adsorption cooling power and energy per unit volume (of adsorber medium).

The present inventior, as defined in claim <NUM>, provides an adsorption heat exchanger part, wherein an average gap between each pair of consecutive ones of the fixed planar structures is between <NUM> and <NUM>. Such gaps cannot be achieved with prior art methods such as described in the background section. Preferably, the planar structures are essentially shaped as disks. The average thickness of the coated planar structures will preferably be between <NUM> and <NUM>. In preferred embodiments, an average thickness of the adsorbent coating is between <NUM> and <NUM>. Note, the gap between the coated planar structures, the thickness of the coated planar structures, and the thickness of the adsorbent coating, are, each, measured along an average direction of the linear guiding element or a local section thereof.

Preferably, the present invention provides an adsorption heat exchanger part, wherein the linear guiding element has a cylindrical shape, having an average outer diameter that is between <NUM> and <NUM>. More preferably, the linear guiding element is a hollow tube, which has an average axial thickness that is between <NUM> and <NUM>. The diameter of the cylindrical shape is measured perpendicularly to the average direction of the linear guiding element. The axial thickness of the tube is measured radially, in a plane perpendicular to said average direction.

Preferably, the present invention provides an adsorption heat exchanger part, wherein the adsorbent coating comprises a micro pore zeolite. In certain embodiments, the adsorbent coating comprises (SiO<NUM>)x(Al<NUM>O<NUM>)y(P<NUM>O<NUM>)z.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an AdHEX system, wherein the system comprises one or more AdHEX parts as described above.

Preferably, the present invention provides an AdHEX system, wherein the system comprises one or more temperature swing separation columns, each including one or more of the AdHEX parts described above.

Preferably, the present invention provides an AdHEX system, wherein the system comprises two or more of said temperature swing separation columns, in which one of the columns connects to another one of the columns. In these embodiments, the system is configured to drive one column with waste heat from another column connecting to said one column. The system may be configured to separate carbon dioxide from one or more other gases.

Preferably, the present invention provides an AdHEX system, wherein the system further includes a power station and the columns of the system are configured so as to be driven by waste heat from said power station.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of fabricating an AdHEX part. The method includes providing a linear guiding element and a plurality of planar structures, each having fins; coating the fins with an adsorbent coating; bringing the planar structures at desired positions by sliding the planar structures along the linear guiding element, each of the planar structures mounted on the linear guiding element via respective joint elements configured to cooperate with the linear guiding element to form respective slider joints, so as to reduce an average gap between each pair of consecutive ones of the planar structures; and fixing the planar structures on the linear guiding element to restrict linear sliding movement of the planar structures to form an arrangement of fixed, coated planar structures that are stacked along the linear guiding element.

The planar structures can thus be slid along the linear guiding element so as to reduce an average gap between each pair of consecutive ones of the planar structures. Finally, the planar structures are fixed on the linear guiding element to preclude linear sliding movement of the planar structures, notwithstanding the slider joints. Eventually, an arrangement is formed, which includes fixed, coated planar structures that are stacked along the linear guiding element.

Preferably, the present invention provides a method, wherein the method further comprises, prior to coating the fins of the planar structures: mounting the planar structures onto an elongated element via the respective joint elements; and placing the planar structures at first positions along the elongated element, so as to ensure a minimal gap between each pair of consecutive ones of the planar structures. In addition, the fins of the planar structures are coated by first placing the elongated element substantially parallel to a liquid comprising the adsorbent coating, so as for a portion of each of the planar structures to dip in the liquid, and by rotating the elongated element to impregnate the fins of the planar structures with the adsorbent coating. Once coated, the planar structures can be mounted on the linear guiding element (when the latter is distinct from said elongated element) and slid along the linear guiding element to reduce the gap between the planar structures.

Preferably, the present invention provides a method, wherein the liquid is a liquid suspension that comprises particles of the adsorbent coating and a binder. In that case, the planar structures can be coated by letting the particles bind to the fins due to the binder. The particles may comprise a micro pore zeolite, as described herein.

Preferably, the present invention provides a method, wherein the liquid is a reactive liquid mixture, which supports synthesis of an adsorbent layer on the fins. In that case, the planar structures are coated by letting the reactive liquid mixture react with the fins to form said adsorbent coating.

Preferably, the present invention provides a method, wherein the planar structures are, after coating, brought to said desired positions so as to reduce the average gap to a value that is, e.g., between <NUM> and <NUM>, the gap measured along an average direction of the linear guiding element.

Preferably, the present invention provides a method, wherein the linear guiding element is a hollow tube and the planar structures are fixed on the tube by hydraulic expansion of the tube. In certain embodiments, the planar structures are fixed on the linear guiding element by mechanical swaging. In other embodiments, the planar structures are fixed on the linear guiding element by soldering the planar structures thereon. For example, the linear guiding element provided may be coated with a solder and the planar structures fixed on the linear guiding element by soldering the planar structures thereon with the solder.

Embodiments of adsorption heat exchanger parts, methods of fabrication thereof, and systems comprising such AdHEX parts will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, and in reference to the accompanying drawings.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the present specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present disclosure, in which:.

The accompanying drawings show simplified representations of devices or parts thereof, as involved in the embodiments. Technical features depicted in the drawings are not to scale. On the contrary, some dimensions and aspect ratios are purposely exaggerated, for pedagogical purposes. Similar or functionally similar elements in the figures have been allocated the same numeral references, unless otherwise indicated. Note, all references "Sij" refer to fabrication methods steps of the flowchart of <FIG>, while numeral references pertain to physical parts or components of the present devices and systems.

With certain methods of fabricating AdHEX parts, they may require a minimal separation (spacing) between the successive planar fins. With such fabrication methods, attempting to reach smaller gaps between the planar fins typically causes the coating suspension to form capillary bridges between adjacent fins, such that gaps between the planar fins end up being clogged with the adsorbent coating after drying. Clogged gaps substantially reduce mass transport rates, which results in deteriorating the performance of the AdHEX. Smaller gaps may also prevent the coating suspension from infiltrating the gaps between fins when coating the fins, in which case no effective adsorbent layer may be produced on the AdHEX at all.

In reference to <FIG>, an aspect of certain embodiments is first described, which concerns an adsorption heat exchanger part. As noted earlier, "adsorption heat exchanger" is abbreviated as "AdHEX" in the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, this part <NUM> includes a linear guiding element <NUM> (see, <FIG>) and a plurality of planar structures <NUM>. In certain embodiments, each planar structure is essentially shaped as a disk. Also, each of the planar structures includes (or form) fins <NUM>. Therefore, such planar structures may themselves be referred to as planar fins.

The fins are surfaces, or surface elements, that are designed, shaped, and dimensioned, to increase the rate of heat transfer to/ from the environment of the planar structures. The fins may for example extend from the planar structures or somehow form a pattern in and/or on the planar structures, as known per se. Such fins aim at increasing the effectiveness of the planar structures <NUM>. The fins may possibly be formed as stamped fins or corrugate fins. They may notably be configured as, e.g., rectangular fins, wavy fins, offset strip fins, or louvered fins, or be designed as plain, herringbone, or serrated and perforated fins, as in known designs of plate-fin heat exchangers. The structures/fins are preferably made of aluminum, though other materials (e.g., metals) can be contemplated, as known per se.

In certain embodiments, each of the planar structures <NUM> is coated with an adsorbent coating <NUM> (see, <FIG>). The adsorbent coating may comprise a micro pore zeolite, for better performance, e.g., (SiO<NUM>)x(Al<NUM>O<NUM>)y(P<NUM>O<NUM>)z, such as in the so-called SAPO-<NUM> compound.

Referring now to <FIG>, the planar structure <NUM> comprises a joint element <NUM> (i.e., in this case a hole) that is designed to cooperate with the elongated element of <FIG> to form a slider joint, whereby the planar structures can be mounted on the elongated element so as to ensure minimal gaps between the planar structures, see <FIG>, and <FIG>. Each planar structure <NUM> is mounted on the linear guiding element <NUM> (see, <FIG>) via a joint element <NUM>, see <FIG>. This joint element <NUM> is designed to cooperate with the linear guiding element <NUM> (or any similarly shaped elongated element <NUM> as shown in <FIG>) to form a slider joint (i.e., including the linear guiding element <NUM> and the joint element <NUM>). An aim of the linear guiding element <NUM> is to cooperate with the correspondingly designed joint elements <NUM> of the planar structures <NUM> to form linear sliders.

For example, the joint element <NUM> may simply be a plain bearing, (i.e., a hole), provided in the planar structure <NUM> (e.g., generally shaped as a disk), as shown in <FIG>. A slider joint (i.e., including the linear guiding element <NUM> and the joint element <NUM>) may also be referred to as a prismatic joint. The linear guiding element <NUM> can be a shaft, i.e., an axle, a tube, or any other elongated member (possibly structured) that allows, a priori, the planar structures <NUM> to be slid along the axis of the linear guiding element <NUM>.

However, in the present case, each planar structure <NUM> is, at the end of the fabrication process, fixed on the linear guiding element <NUM>, at a respective position. Each planar structure <NUM> is fixed in position thanks to a fixing means 160a, 160b (see, <FIG>) that precludes, in fine, linear sliding movement of each of the planar structures <NUM>, notwithstanding the slider joint (i.e., a combination of the linear guiding element <NUM> and the joint element <NUM>). Several types of fixing means can be contemplated (e.g., resulting from hydraulic expansion of the linear guiding element, from mechanical swaging, or by soldering the planar structures on the guiding element), as discussed later in detail.

Thus, the AdHEX part forms an arrangement of coated structures <NUM> that are stacked along the linear guiding element <NUM> and fixed thereon. , the fixing means eventually preclude movement of planar structures <NUM> along the linear guiding element <NUM>, notwithstanding the slider joints <NUM>, <NUM>. That is, each of the joint elements <NUM> is configured to cooperate with the linear guiding element, so as to initially form a slider joint <NUM>, <NUM> but the planar structures <NUM> are eventually fixed (after coating) on the linear guiding element and therefore blocked in respective positions. In other words, each planar structure <NUM> would be allowed to slide along the linear guiding element if it were not fixed thereon thanks to the fixing means 160a, 160b.

The present embodiment designs and fabrication methods allow compact AdHEX parts <NUM>, 105a (see, <FIG>), 105b (see, <FIG>) to be obtained (see <FIG>, which also shows a related AdHEX part in the background), fin structures <NUM> of which have a much smaller density. The planar structures <NUM> may first be mounted on an elongated element <NUM> and spaced with relatively large gaps (<FIG>), so as to be easily coated with the adsorbent coating <NUM>, see <FIG>. Then, the coated planar structures <NUM>, <NUM> may be mounted on the linear guiding element <NUM> and brought closer to each other, i.e., closer than would be allowed by the coating process if they had been fixedly attached in the first place, see <FIG>. Eventually, the coated structures <NUM>, <NUM> can be fixed along the axis of the linear guiding element <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, and <FIG>. This is possible due to the fact that the planar structures <NUM> are, initially, movably mounted along the linear guiding element <NUM> and then fixed in position. , the proposed design allows the planar structures <NUM> to be first coated with the adsorbent coating <NUM> and then brought close to each other to achieve smaller gaps than would normally be allowed by the coating process.

This way, the gaps that can eventually be achieved between the planar structures <NUM> can be narrower than the gaps allowed by prior art fabrication methods, which typically require a minimum separation of at least <NUM>, in order to make it possible to satisfactorily apply the adsorbent coating <NUM> onto the fins. Related methods can make it very difficult to achieve smaller gaps. For instance, as discussed above, trying to achieve smaller gaps may result in forming capillary bridges between adjacent planar structures <NUM>, such that the gaps may end up being clogged with the adsorbent after drying. Clogged gaps substantially diminish mass transport rates and therefore deteriorate the performance of the AdHEX part. Even more so, smaller gaps may prevent the liquid from infiltrating the gaps between the fins, in which case no effective adsorbent layer may be obtained at all.

On the contrary, the present embodiments make it possible to safely reduce the gaps between the planar structures, which, in turn, results in more compact AdHEX parts with favorable performance in terms of power and energy density. In particular, the proposed approach makes it possible to obtain improved rates of transport, better power density, and thus a lower volume and cost requirement for a given power target.

All of these features are described in detail herein, in reference to particular embodiments. To start with, preferred dimensions of the AdHEX parts are now discussed in reference to <FIG>, which schematically depicts an AdHEX part <NUM>.

The average gap between each pair of consecutive, coated planar structures <NUM>, <NUM>, is preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, this average gap may be between <NUM> and <NUM>. It is preferably of approximately <NUM>, as assumed in <FIG>. As discussed earlier, the depictions in the appended drawings are not drawn to scale. This gap is measured along the (local) average direction of the linear guiding element <NUM>. Each gap is measured between two consecutive structures <NUM>, <NUM>, taking the thickness of the adsorbent coating <NUM> into account. The average direction may typically correspond to the average axis of the linear guiding element <NUM>, which is assumed to be parallel to axis z in <FIG>. Still, the linear guiding element may possibly be shaped (and thus not be straight), in which case the average direction is locally measured along a section of the linear guiding element.

In embodiments, the average thickness of the coated planar structures <NUM>, <NUM> is between <NUM> and <NUM> (taking the thickness of the adsorbent coating <NUM> into account). , the average thickness of the coated planar structures <NUM>, <NUM> may be between <NUM> and <NUM>, for example <NUM>, as assumed in <FIG>. This thickness is measured along the average direction of the linear guiding element <NUM>, i.e., the axis z in the accompanying drawings.

The average thickness of the sole adsorbent coating <NUM> is preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, e.g., between <NUM> and <NUM>, for example <NUM>, as assumed in <FIG>. This thickness is measured along the average direction of the linear guiding element <NUM>, i.e., the axis z.

The linear guiding element <NUM> preferably has a cylindrical shape, to ease the assembly with the planar structures <NUM>. In that case, the joint element <NUM> may simply be a circular hole, although more sophisticated joint may be contemplated. The cylindrical shape may for instance have an average outer diameter that is between <NUM> and <NUM>. This diameter may for example be of approximately <NUM>, as assumed in <FIG>. The diameter of the cylindrical shape is measured perpendicularly to the average direction of the linear guiding element <NUM>, i.e., in the plane (x, y) in the accompanying drawings. The average diameter of the planar structures is preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, and more preferably less than <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>), to maintain satisfactory heat transfer rates, although it may, in principle, be larger.

In certain embodiments, the linear guiding element <NUM> is a hollow tube having an average axial thickness that is between <NUM> and <NUM>. This thickness may for example be of approximately <NUM>. A metal (e.g., aluminum) tube is preferably used, to favor heat transfer. The axial thickness of the tube is measured perpendicularly to the average direction of the linear guiding element <NUM>, i.e., radially, in the plane (x, y) in the accompanying drawings.

As noted earlier, the adsorbent coating <NUM> preferably comprises a micro pore zeolite, which results in satisfactory performance in terms of heat transfer. In certain embodiments, though, the adsorbent coating <NUM> comprises (SiO<NUM>)x(Al<NUM>O<NUM>)y(P<NUM>O<NUM>)z. It may for example include or consist of SAPO-<NUM>, a micro pore zeolite. Such a compound has absorbing characteristics that are well suited for the present purposes (e.g., for vacuum swing or temperature swing adsorption processes) and can therefore advantageously be used as an adsorbent medium. In variants, other zeolites, carbon molecular sieves, metal organic frameworks, microporous polymers, and aminemodified sorbents may be used.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, another aspect of the present embodiments is now described, which concerns an AdHEX system <NUM>. The system comprises at least one AdHEX part <NUM> as described above. In practice, however, the present systems may typically comprise several AdHEX parts <NUM>.

In embodiments, the system <NUM> comprises one or more temperature swing separation columns <NUM>, wherein each column <NUM> includes one or more AdHEX parts such as described above, as schematically depicted in <FIG>. In particular, the present heat exchanger parts <NUM> may be used in a temperature swing adsorption (TSA) system <NUM> that is designed to reduce cycle times by co-optimizing mass and thermal transport by hierarchical paths and reduce column pressure drop by preferential flow path.

In embodiments, the system <NUM> comprises two or more of said temperature swing separation columns <NUM>, in which the columns are connected, in particular thermally connected. , one column may connect to an adjacent column, so as for the columns to be connected two-by-two. The system <NUM> may notably be configured to drive a connected column with waste heat from the column connecting thereto. , a column can be driven with waste heat from a previous adsorbing column, thanks to small thermal gradients as allowed by the present embodiments.

In particular, the system <NUM> may be configured to separate carbon dioxide from one or more other gases (e.g., nitrogen or other gasses such as methane or carbon monoxide).

In embodiments, the system <NUM> includes a power station <NUM>. There, the columns <NUM> of the system are configured so as to be driven by waste heat from the power station, as schematically depicted in <FIG>. The system <NUM> may even solely be driven by the power station <NUM>. For example, the system may be configured as a rapid temperature swing adsorption (RTSA) system, wherein RTSA carbon dioxide separators are driven by waste heat. Since the separation process can be entirely thermally driven by the power station <NUM>, the energy output is not reduced. The process can be applied to gas adsorption separation processes that require pressure or temperature driven regeneration.

The system <NUM> may notably be designed to improve mass flows and reduce cycle times compared to standard TSA by a factor of approximately <NUM>, thanks to improved thermal contact between drive heat and the adsorber media. Structured adsorbents are advantageously involved, in which the main flow channels reduce the column pressure drop. Then, the use of the heat can be optimized by driving a desorbing column with waste heat from a previous adsorbing column due to small thermal gradients. That is, one may combine, on the one hand, thermally driven pressure swing and temperature swing concepts and, on the other hand, water and gas heating to further improve speed and capacity of the columns <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, and <FIG>, another aspect of the present embodiments is now described in detail, which concerns a method of fabricating an AdHEX part <NUM>. At operation S10, the method includes providing a linear guiding element <NUM> and a plurality of planar structures <NUM>, each having fins <NUM>, as described earlier.

According to this method, at operation S20, the fins <NUM> of the planar structures <NUM> are first coated with an adsorbent coating <NUM> (<FIG>), and then dried at operation S30, prior to bringing the planar structures <NUM> at desired positions at operation S40, by sliding the coated planar structures <NUM>, <NUM> along the linear guiding element <NUM>, so as to reduce an average gap between each pair of consecutive ones of the planar structures <NUM>, see <FIG>. As explained earlier, this is made possible thanks to the slider joints <NUM>, <NUM>. That is, each planar structure <NUM> is mounted on the linear guiding element <NUM> via respective joint elements <NUM>, where the latter are designed to cooperate with the linear guiding element <NUM> to form respective slider joints <NUM>, <NUM>.

Once in position, the planar structures <NUM> are fixed on the linear guiding element <NUM> at operation S50, so as to preclude linear sliding movement of the planar structures <NUM>, notwithstanding the slider joints <NUM>, <NUM>. Eventually, an arrangement of fixed, coated planar structures <NUM>, <NUM> is obtained, wherein the coated planar structures <NUM>, <NUM> are stacked along the linear guiding element <NUM>. The resulting AdHEX parts <NUM>, 105a, 105b can then be used S60 in heat exchanger systems such as discussed above.

In certain embodiments, an elongated element <NUM> is used to coat the fins <NUM> of the planar structures <NUM> at operation S20, by rotating the planar structures in a liquid. That is, the planar structures <NUM> are mounted on the elongated element <NUM> via the respective joint elements <NUM>, and then placed at first respective positions along the elongated element <NUM>, so as to ensure a minimal gap (e.g., larger than <NUM> or <NUM>) between each pair of consecutive planar structures <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>. Next, the elongated element <NUM> is placed substantially parallel to a liquid <NUM> (i.e., a solution, typically a slurry) that comprises the adsorbent coating, so as for a portion of each of the planar structures <NUM> to dip in the liquid, as shown in <FIG>. The elongated element <NUM> is then rotated (see <FIG>) to apply the adsorbent coating <NUM> to the fins <NUM> of the planar structures <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>.

Note, <FIG> assume that the elongated element is distinct from the linear guiding element <NUM>. This elongated element <NUM> may for instance be a rotating spindle, enabling a slider joint mechanism similar to that described earlier in reference to the element <NUM>. The spindle (or elongated element <NUM>) is placed so as to rest on edges of the container containing the slurry (or liquid <NUM>), to allow rotation thereof, see <FIG>. In variants, however, the elongated element may in fact already be the linear guiding element <NUM> described earlier.

As discussed earlier, the liquid <NUM> preferably comprises a micro pore zeolite, e.g., (SiO<NUM>)x(Al<NUM>O<NUM>)y(P<NUM>O<NUM>)z. In particular, the liquid <NUM> may be a liquid suspension that comprises a binder, in addition to particles of the adsorbent coating. In that case, the fins <NUM> of the planar structures <NUM> are coated at operation S30 so as to let the particles bind to the fins <NUM>, thanks to the binder.

In variants, the liquid is a reactive liquid mixture, which supports synthesis of an adsorbent layer on the fins <NUM>. In that case, the fins <NUM> of the planar structures <NUM> are coated by letting the reactive liquid mixture react with the fins <NUM>, so as to form the desired adsorbent coating <NUM>.

After the fins <NUM> of the structures <NUM> have been adequately coated at operation S30, the coated structures <NUM>, <NUM> are dried (or allowed to dry), and then mounted on the element <NUM>, thanks to the slider joint mechanism described earlier, see, e.g., <FIG>. As further depicted in <FIG>, the planar structures <NUM> are then brought to desired positions on the element <NUM>, so as to reduce the average gap between the structures <NUM>, <NUM>, e.g., to a value that is between <NUM> and <NUM>, as indicated earlier.

As discussed earlier too, the linear guiding element <NUM> is preferably a hollow tube. In that case, the planar structures <NUM> may be simply fixed at operation S50 on the tube by performing a hydraulic expansion of the tube, as schematically depicted in <FIG>, where the diameter of a portion 160b of the tube is expanded to permanently fix the structures <NUM>. Several hydraulic expansion mechanisms are known per se, which can adequately be used for the present purpose.

In variants, the planar structures <NUM> may possibly are fixed on the linear guiding element <NUM> by mechanical swaging, using either a cold or a hot working process. The dimensions of the tube (or linear guiding element) <NUM> are locally altered, which results in locally increasing the diameters of portions (or fixing means 160a) sandwiching the structures <NUM>, so as to block the latter in position, similar to what is shown in <FIG>.

In other embodiments, the planar structures <NUM> may be fixed on the linear guiding element <NUM> by soldering the planar structures <NUM> thereon. The coated structures <NUM> may for instance be fixed by adding a solder paste a posteriori. More practical, however, is to coat the linear guiding element a priori. That is, the linear guiding element <NUM> may be coated with a solder, such that the planar structures <NUM> may be fixed on the linear guiding element <NUM> by soldering the planar structures <NUM> thereon with the solder.

In further embodiments, simple gaskets (or fixing means 160a) may be used to fix the relative positions of the coated structures <NUM>, <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The outermost structures may subsequently be fixed, if needed, using any suitable mechanism.

The above embodiments have been succinctly described in reference to the accompanying drawings and may accommodate a number of variants. Several combinations of the above features may be contemplated. Examples are given below.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the AdHEX part comprises at least one tube section or linear guiding element140, with disk-shaped fins or planar structures <NUM> arranged along the tube. A layer (adsorbent coating <NUM>) of adsorbent material (e.g., SAPO-<NUM>) is coated on the fins or planar structures <NUM> by submerging the AdHEX assembly in a liquid suspension comprising adsorbent particles and a binder. The suspension adheres to the AdHEX, and, upon drying, leaves a layer of adsorbent coating. In variants, the AdHEX assembly of tubes and fins is submerged in a reactive liquid mixture, which supports synthesis of an adsorbent layer directly on the AdHEX, as noted above.

This allows small fin gaps to be obtained, which results in favorable performance in terms of power and energy density. An adsorbent suspension with high adsorbent fraction may be used during the coating step, whereby a desired coating thickness (e.g., between <NUM> and <NUM>) can be obtained in a single coating step. In contrast, prior art methods typically rely on lower viscosity suspension to allow the suspension to enter the gap between fins, which results in lower coating yield per dipping step and therefore requires multiple dipping steps to achieve the desired coating thickness, which is detrimental in terms of processing time and cost. As a further advantage compared to prior art methods, the present approach enables improved control of adsorbent coating thickness by varying the rotation of the fins during the coating procedure, <FIG>.

The geometry can be optimized to enhance performance. By calculating the transport impedances in the adsorbent coating, aluminum fin, and fin-to-tube interface, the inventors have determined optimal ranges for the components of the AdHEX part <NUM>.

The adsorbent thickness is between <NUM> and <NUM>;.

The diameter of the planar fins <NUM>, <NUM> is between <NUM> and <NUM>;.

The fin thickness is between <NUM> and <NUM>;.

The gaps between the planar fins is between <NUM> and <NUM>, something that cannot be achieved with prior art methods;.

The outer diameter of the tube is between <NUM> and <NUM>;.

The thickness of the tune is between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Adopting such dimensions turns out to be particularly well suited for adsorption cooling applications with desorption temperature of approximately <NUM> C, a condenser temperature of approximately <NUM> C, and an evaporator pressure of approximately <NUM> mbar, as used in actual heat exchanger systems.

Performance was calculated for adsorption cooling conditions as listed above, using a thermodynamic model. As a result, a <NUM>-fold improvement in adsorption cooling power density can in principle be achieved.

Claim 1:
An adsorption heat exchanger part (<NUM>) comprising:
a linear guiding element (<NUM>); and
a plurality of planar structures (<NUM>) that include fins,
wherein each of the planar structures is:
mounted on the linear guiding element via a joint element (<NUM>), the joint element configured to cooperate with the linear guiding element to form a slider joint,
coated with an adsorbent coating (<NUM>), and
fixed on the linear guiding element, at a respective position, by a fixing means (160a) that restricts linear sliding movement of each of the planar structures to form an arrangement of coated planar structures that are stacked along the linear guiding element, and characterised in that an average gap between each pair of consecutive ones of the fixed planar structures (<NUM>) is between <NUM> and <NUM>, the gap measured along a longitudinal direction of the linear guiding element.