An adsorption array, use of the adsorption array and an adsorption compressor heat pump assembly.

Abstract

An adsorption cell array including a plurality of absorption cells. Each adsorption cell comprises an HTF-tube and a refrigerant tube which is co-axially positioned within the HTF-tube. An annular HTF-channel extends between the HTF-tube and the refrigerant tube. Adsorption material is contained in the refrigerant tube. The adsorption cell array further includes an inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet, a distribution sheet having heat transfer fluid inlet openings, a first 3D-profiled cover sheet bounding at least one HTF-inlet channel, an outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet, a refrigerant tube mounting sheet, and a second 3D-profiled cover sheet connected with the refrigerant tube mounting sheet. A heat transfer fluid outlet space is present between the HTF-tube mounting sheet and the refrigerant tube mounting sheet. A refrigerant space is present between the refrigerant tube mounting sheet and the second 3D-profiled cover sheet.

Description

Title: An adsorption array, use of the adsorption array and an adsorption compressor heat pump assembly.FIELDThe invention relates to an adsorption array for an adsorption compressor heat pump assembly, as well as to an heat pump assembly comprising such an adsorption array. In particular, the adsorption heat pump assembly is intended for heating or cooling of a residential house or similar building.BACKGROUNDThe principle of a heat pump assembly is well known. A heat pump assembly comprises a closed circuit of a refrigerant. The circuit comprises a compressor to compress the refrigerant, so that the temperature thereof is increased. The hot compressed refrigerant is led to a condenser where the heat is transferred to a heating circuit of the residential house or similar building. The heating circuit of the building may include radiators or a floor heating circuit in the house or building to heat the space therein. Subsequently, the refrigerant is expanded via an expansion valve so that the pressure drops and the temperature drops as well to a low value. The cooled refrigerant subsequently enters an evaporator where heat from an external heat source is absorbed by the cooled down refrigerant. The external heat source may for example be the air in the environment, the soil, a river, a lake, or liquids which have been heated by a sun collectors, solar panels, industrial heat etc. It is of course of importance that the temperature of the external heat source is higher than the temperature of the cooled down refrigerant entering the evaporator. After passing the evaporator, the refrigerant is evaporated from the liquid into the vapour state by taken up heat from the external heat source. Subsequently, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant is raised by compressing it inthe compressor, so that it is ready to be guided to the condenser again. In a conventional heat pump assembly, the compressor is a mechanical compressor which is driven by an electric motor. Consequently, the consumption of external power is primarily electrical power consumption.However, in an adsorption compressor heat pump assembly, the compressor of the heat pump cycle is an adsorption compressor. An adsorption compressor requires heat and cold instead of electrical power. An adsorption compressor heat pump assembly is therefore a Thermally Driven Heat Pump (TDHP). The adsorption compressor comprises two adsorption arrays. Each adsorption array comprises a number of adsorption cells filled with adsorption material, e.g. zeolite or activated carbon. The adsorption arrays are heated and cooled alternatingly, i.e. a first one of the two adsorption arrays is cooled while a second one thereof is heated and vice versa. In the adsorption array which is heated, the refrigerant is desorbed out of the adsorbent material under high pressure. In fact, the heated adsorption array acts as a refrigerant compressor. The high pressure refrigerant is directed to the to the condenser. In the condenser, the refrigerant transfers its heat to the heating circuit of the residential house or similar building. As with the conventional heat pump cycle, the refrigerant subsequently is expanded in an expansion valve so that it cools down and becomes liquid, at least partly. The refrigerant then evaporates at the lower pressure and temperature in the evaporator and thereby extracts energy from the external heat source, e.g. the outside air. After evaporation and taking up heat from the external heat source, the refrigerant flows back to the adsorption array that is cooled. As a consequence of the relatively low temperature, the refrigerant adsorbs to the adsorbent material. The alternatingly heating and cooling of the two adsorption arrays is repeated so as to be able to provide a continuous flow of compressed refrigerant. The heating and cooling of the adsorption arrays is done with a heat transfer fluid which is in heat transferring contact with the adsorption material inthe adsorption cells of the adsorption arrays. To that end, a heat transfer fluid circuit is provided which includes a primary heat source, e.g. a gas burner using e.g. natural gas, biogas or hydrogen as fuel, as well as the two adsorption arrays and a heat exchanger to exchange heat with the heating circuit of the house or similar building. Heat transfer fluid which is heated by the primary heat source is guided to a first one of the two adsorption cell arrays. Subsequently, the heat transfer fluid is guided to the heat exchanger to further lower the temperature of the heat transfer fluid and supply the heating circuit of the house or similar building with heat. After leaving the heat exchanger, the heat transfer fluid is guided through a second one of the two adsorption arrays to cool that second adsorption array. A number of valves is provided in the heat transfer fluid circuit to switch the flow in the heat transfer fluid circuit in order to be able to alternatingly heat the first and second one of the two adsorption arrays.From the above it will be clear that heat is supplied to the heating circuit of the building from two heat sources, namely, the primary heat source which heats the heat transfer fluid and the external heat source which heats the refrigerant. Thus, a central heating system is provided which is energy efficient and which does not require significant electric energy consumption because the compression of the refrigerant is achieved with an adsorption compressor, which is thermally driven instead of with a conventional mechanical compressor which is driven by an electric motor. Residual heat in the heat transfer fluid which was needed for desorbing the refrigerant from the desorbing array is efficiently used to warm the central heating circuit liquid. Thus a heating source for a central heating system is provided with a high efficiency, for TDHP’s denoted as Gas Utilization Efficiency (GUE, expressed on Lower or Higher Heating Value of the gas).An example of an adsorption compressor heat pump assembly is described in EP 2 678 620 Bl. EP'620 shows an example of an adsorption cell in Fig. 1 and examples of adsorption cell arrays in Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 20-27which are referred to in that publication as clusters. Each adsorption cell includes an inner tube and a concentric outer tube. The inner tube contains the adsorption material. An annular channel formed between the inner tube and the outer tube is used for guiding the heat transfer fluid. Thus, the adsorption material in the inner tube is in heat transferring contact with the heat transfer fluid via the inner tube. In the example of the cluster of adsorption cells shown in Fig. 20-23B and Figs. 24-27B, and described in paragraphs

[0173] to

[0190] both the HTF -tubes and the refrigerant tubes are connected at both opposite ends to flat mounting plates 76, 77 which are relatively thick. On top of the mounting plates an additional flat cover plate is mounted which is also relatively thick.SUMMARYTests in practice have revealed that the designs disclosed in Figs. 20-23B and 24-27B and described in paragraphs

[0173] to

[0190] of EP 2 678 620 Bl do not comply with the demands on life time. Additionally, due to the relatively thick mounting plates and cover plates, the thermal mass of the designs is rather high, leading to less advantageous thermodynamic performance due to considerable thermal losses. Large temperature differences may locally occur in the arrays of the prior art during heating and cooling. Such local large temperature differences may be caused by a less than optimal heat transfer fluid flow distribution. The large temperature differences may cause high internal material stresses, which may lead to breakage of the connections between the HTF -tubes and the refrigerant tubes on the one hand and the flat mounting plates on the other hand, especially as a consequence of fatigue which is promoted by the constantly varying temperature and pressure loads. Finally, the refrigerant manifold channels between the flat cover plate 75 and the flat mounting plate 76 have a relatively small cross sectional area leading to high flow resistance and consequential pressure drops. The same holds true for theHTF -manifold channels between the flat mounting plate 76 and the flat mounting plate 77.It is a challenge to manufacture the arrays of adsorption cells in such a way that the arrays are durable, i.e. last over a period of time of at least fifteen years without breakdown. In view of the switching between cooling and heating the adsorption material, varying stresses in the material due to changing temperatures and pressures pose a real problem and the construction should be able to withstand such varying stresses over a large period of time. The cycle time of the changing temperatures and pressures is relatively short, e.g. approximately 6 minutes. Additionally, the flow distribution of the heat transfer fluid over the various adsorption cells should be balanced so that all adsorption cells contribute to the same extend in producing pressurized refrigerant gas. Further, the flow resistance, both in the HTF-circuit and the refrigerant circuit should be kept as low as possible so as to avoid undesired pressure drops. All these demands should be met as good as possible while the thermal mass of the adsorption cell array is kept minimal so as to minimize thermal losses and promote a good thermodynamic efficiency.In order to give an idea of the circumstances to which the adsorption cell arrays are subjected:- the refrigerant pressure in an adsorbing adsorption cell: minimum about 2 bar;- the refrigerant pressure in a desorbing adsorption cell: maximum about 30 bar;- the heat transfer fluid pressure: about 15 bar;- the heat transfer fluid temperature supplied to the desorbing adsorption cell: about 180 °C; and- the heat transfer fluid temperature supplied to adsorbing adsorption cell: about 60 °C or less;- the cycle time of switching between heating and cooling an adsorption cell array: approximately 5 to 6 minutes.- after switching the HTF -valves, the temperature at the inlet of the adsorption array rises from 60 to 180 °C typically within a few seconds and after switching back the HTF -valves halfway the 10 minute cycle, it drops back from 180 °C to 60 °C within a few seconds.The present invention aims to provide an adsorption cell array which is durable, has a relatively low flow resistance for both the refrigerant and the heat transfer fluid, and has a relatively low thermal mass. To that end, the adsorption cell array according to claim 1 is provided. The novel adsorption array comprises: a plurality of absorption cells each adsorption cell comprising: an HTF-tube extending along a straight HTF -tube axis and having an HTF-tube inlet end and an HTF-tube outlet end opposite the HTF-tube inlet end; a refrigerant tube extending along a straight refrigerant tube axis which is co-axially with the HTF-tube axis and having a first end at the HTF -tube inlet end and a second end at the HTF -tube outlet end; the refrigerant tube being positioned within the HTF -tube so as to bound an annular HTF -channel extending between the HTF- tube and the refrigerant tube from the HTF-tube inlet end to the HTF-tube outlet end; adsorption material which is contained in the refrigerant tube; the adsorption cell array further comprising: an inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet to which the HTF-tube inlet ends of the plurality of adsorption cells are connected;a distribution sheet which is connected to the inlet end HTF -tube mounting sheet at a side thereof which is opposite the plurality of adsorption cells and that includes heat transfer fluid inlet openings; a first 3D-profiled cover sheet connected with and covering the distribution sheet at a side thereof which is opposite the plurality of adsorption cells, thereby bounding at least one HTF -inlet channel extending between the first 3D-profiled cover sheet and the distribution sheet; an outlet end HTF -tube mounting sheet to which the HTF-tube outlet ends are connected; an refrigerant tube mounting sheet which is connected to the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet at a side thereof which is opposite the plurality of adsorption cells, wherein the second end of each refrigerant tube is connected the refrigerant tube mounting sheet, wherein a heat transfer fluid outlet space is present between the HTF-tube mounting sheet and the refrigerant tube mounting sheet; a second 3D-profiled cover sheet connected with the refrigerant tube mounting sheet at a side thereof which is opposite the plurality of adsorption cells, wherein a refrigerant space is present between the refrigerant tube mounting sheet and the second 3D-profiled cover sheet.The adsorption array according to invention is durable in that it has a lifetime of at least fifteen years. Internal material stresses are minimized and as a consequence the chances of breakage due to fatigue under influence of the cyclic temperature variations of the adsorption array are minimized as well. Further, both in the refrigeration circuit and in the heat transfer fluid circuit of the array, the flow resistance may be minimized due to relatively wide cross-sectional flow areas which may be realized due to the 3D-profiled designs of the first and second cover sheets. Additionally, the thickness of the material may be very thin which is beneficial from a thermodynamic view point. Thin sheet materials and thin tube material provide an adsorption cell array with a very low thermal mass which isbeneficial for the energy efficiency of the adsorption cell array. As the refrigerant tubes are only mounted at one end thereof, longitudinal expansion and retraction is possible without inducing any significant internal material stresses in the adsorption cell array.In order to further improve the durability of the adsorption cell arrays of the invention, the invention additionally provides a use according to claim 25. According to the novel use, hot and cooler heat transfer fluid are alternatingly supplied to the adsorption cell array of the present invention, wherein during switching from the supply of hot heat transfer fluid to cold heat transfer fluid and vice versa, the hot and cooler heat transfer fluid are mixed so as to make the temperature change between the switch from hot to cooler and the switch from cooler to hot more gradual thereby reducing temperature shock in the adsorption cell array.The mixing of hot and cooler heat transfer fluid may be effected by simultaneously and gradually moving the HTF -valves which connect the respective adsorption cell array to the hot heat transfer fluid and the cooler heat transfer fluid from the open to the closed position and vice versa. As a consequence, the total flow rate in the HTF -circuit remains constant, but the transfer from hot to cooler heat transfer fluid and vice versa is realized in a more gradual manner.Due to the less abrupt switch between hot and cooler heat transfer fluid when switching between a desorption cycle to an adsorption cycle and vice versa, a thermo shock in the adsorption cell array and consequential internal material stresses in the adsorption cell array are reduced. This is beneficial for the durability of the adsorption cell array because it minimizes the chance of damage due to fatigue.Finally, the invention provides an adsorption compressor heat pump assembly according to claim 26. This novel adsorption compressor heat pump assembly comprises:a refrigerant circuit including a condenser which is in heat exchange with a central heating circuit of a house or similar building, an expansion valve, an evaporator which is in heat exchange with a secondary heat source, and at least two adsorption cell arrays according to any one of claims 1-24 for production of compressed refrigerant; a heat transfer fluid circuit including a number of heat transfer fluid valves a primary heat source and a heat exchanger which is in heat exchange with the central heating circuit of the house or similar building; and an electronic controller for controlling the adsorption compressor heat pump assembly.Embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and will be elucidated with reference to an example which is shown in the following figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESFig. 1 is a perspective view of two adsorption cell arrays from a first view point;Fig. 2 is a perspective view of two adsorption cell arrays from a second view point;Fig. 3 is a top view from the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2;Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the axis of the one of the rows of adsorption cells of one of the adsorption cell arrays;Fig. 5 shows detail V from Fig. 4Fig. 6 shows detail VI from Fig. 4Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the first 3D-profiled cover sheet;Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the distribution sheet;Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet;Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet;Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the refrigerant tube mounting sheet;Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the second 3D-profiled cover sheet; andFig. 13 shows a schematic view of an adsorption compressor heat pump assembly.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn the following detailed description, various embodiments of the adsorption cell array are described. In this description reference signs are used which refer to the figures in which an example of two new adsorption cell arrays is shown. It is noted that the figures just show one possible example and that the various embodiments described below are not limited to the example shown in the figures. In fact, the reference numbers used in the detailed description do not limit the detailed description and the disclosure of the embodiments should be interpreted as if the reference numbers were not present. In this respect, the word embodiment used herein relates to a more general concept than the word example which indeed refers to the example shown in the figures.The adsorption cell array 10 according to the present invention, of which an example is shown in Figs. 1-5, comprises a plurality of absorption cells 12. Each adsorption cell 12 comprises an HTF-tube 14, a refrigerant tube 20, and adsorption material 26. The HTF-tube 14 extends along a straight HTF-tube axis and has an HTF-tube inlet end 15 and an HTF-tube outlet end 16 opposite the HTF-tube inlet end 15. The refrigerant tube 20 also extends along a straight refrigerant tube axis which is co-axially with the HTF-tube axis and has a first end 22 at the HTF-tube inlet end 15 and a second end 24 at the HTF-tube outlet end 16. The refrigerant tube 20 ispositioned within the HTF-tube 14 so as to bound an annular HTF -channel 19 extending between the HTF-tube 14 and the refrigerant tube 20 from the HTF-tube inlet end 15 to the HTF-tube outlet end 16. The adsorption material 26 of the each adsorption cell 12 is contained in the refrigerant tube 20. The adsorption cell array 10 further comprises, at an inlet end thereof, an inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 30, a distribution sheet 40, and a first 3D-profiled cover sheet 60. The HTF-tube inlet ends of the plurality of adsorption cells 12 are connected to the inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 30. The distribution sheet 40 is connected to the inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 30 at a side thereof which is opposite the plurality of adsorption cells 12 and includes heat transfer fluid inlet openings 42. The first 3D-profiled cover sheet 60 is connected with and covering the distribution sheet 40 at a side thereof which is opposite the plurality of adsorption cells 12. Thereby bounding the first 3D-profiled cover sheet 60 bounds at least one HTF -inlet channel 62 extending between the first 3D-profiled cover sheet 60 and the distribution sheet 40. The adsorption cell array 10 further comprises, at an outlet end thereof, an outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 70, a refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80, and a second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90. The HTF-tube outlet ends 20 are connected to the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 70. The refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80 is connected to the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 70 at a side thereof which is opposite the plurality of adsorption cells 12. The second end 24 of each refrigerant tube 20 is connected the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80. A heat transfer fluid outlet space 72 is present between the HTF-tube mounting sheet 70 and the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80. The second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 is connected with the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80 at a side thereof which is opposite the plurality of adsorption cells 12. A refrigerant space 92 is present between the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80 and the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90.The advantages of the adsorption cell array according to the present invention are described in the summary section above and incorporated here by reference to the summary section.In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in Figs. 1-6, the inlet end HTF -tube mounting sheet 30 comprises a number of inlet end mounting holes 32 which corresponds to the number of adsorption cells 12 of the plurality of adsorption cells 12. An example of the inlet end HTF- mounting sheet 30 is shown in Fig. 9. Each inlet end mounting hole 32 may be a collared mounting hole 32 in that an edge thereof is bend to form a collar 34 which extends substantially parallel to the HTF -tube axis L of a respective HTF-tube 14 of the plurality of adsorption cells 12 which is connected to the respective collar 34.In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in Figs. 1-6, the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 70 comprises a number of outlet end mounting holes 72 which corresponds to the number of adsorption cells 12 of the plurality of adsorption cells 12. An example of the outlet end HTF- mounting sheet 70 is shown in Fig. 10. Each outlet end mounting hole 72 may be a collared mounting hole 72 in that an edge thereof is bend to form a collar 74 which extends substantially parallel to the HTF-tube axis L of a respective HTF-tube 14 of the plurality of adsorption cells 12 which is connected to the respective collar 74.By virtue of the presence of the collars 34, 74 bounding each mounting hole 32, 72, a larger connection surface is provided between the HTF-tube mounting sheet 30 and the respective HTF -tubes 14. This makes it possible to provide a strong connection, e.g. by means of a laser weld, while keeping the thickness of the inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 30 and the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 70 thin, e.g. between 0.3 and 1.2 mm, preferably 0.8 mm. This contributes to the fact that the adsorption cell array 10 has a small thermal mass.A laser weld connection is very strong and can be realized from one side of the respective inlet end or outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 30, 70. The laser weld may have a height measured in the direction of the axis of the HTF-tube 14 of 0.8 to 1.7 mm, thereby creating a rather large connection area thus forming a strong connection between the HTF-tube 14 and the respective inlet end and outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheets 30, 70. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to embodiments in which the HTF -tubes 14 are laser welded to the HTF-tube mounting sheets 30, 70. Also other type of welding connections, soldering, crimping, pressfitting, and gluing, may be used to connect the HTF -tubes to the inlet end and outlet end HTF mounting sheets 30, 70.In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in Figs. 1-6, the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80 comprises a number of refrigerant tube mounting holes 82 which corresponds to the number of adsorption cells 12 of the plurality of adsorption cells 12. An example of the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80 is shown in Fig. 11. Each refrigerant tube mounting hole 82 may a collared mounting hole 82 in that an edge thereof is bend to form a collar 84 which extends substantially parallel to the refrigerant tube axis L of the respective refrigerant tube 20 of the plurality of adsorption cells 12. The second end 24 of the respective refrigerant tube 20 is connected to the respective collar 84. Also in this embodiment, a connection between the respective refrigerant tube 20 and the associated respective collar 84 may a laser weld connection. The advantages of a collar mounting hole 82 in the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80 are the same as the advantages which have been described above in relation to the advantages of the presence of a collar 34, 74 around the HTF -mounting holes 32 , 72 in the inlet end and outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheets 30, 70. Indeed, also the refrigerant tubes 20 are connected in a durable manner by virtue of the large contact surface between the collar 84 and the refrigerant tube 20. Additionally, the refrigerant tube mounting sheet may be kept thin, e.g. between 0.3 and 1.2mm, preferably 0.8 mm. This contributes to the fact that the adsorption cell array 10 has a small thermal mass.In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in Fig. 1-6 and in particular in the detail of Fig. 5, the first end of each refrigerant tube 20 of the plurality of adsorption cells 12 may closed off by a cap 43.In this embodiment, the second end 24 of each refrigerant tube 20 is both the inlet for refrigerant to be adsorbed when the refrigeration tube 20 is cooled by relatively cool heat transfer fluid, as well as the outlet for refrigerant which is desorbed under high pressure when the refrigerant tube 20 is heated by hot heat transfer fluid.In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in Figs. 1-5 and in particular in the detail of Fig. 5, each cap 43 may have a concave shape when viewed from the distribution sheet 40. The concave shape may circular symmetric around the refrigerant tube axis.Such a circular symmetric concave shape of the caps 43 is especially advantageous in an embodiment according to claim 11 in which the number heat transfer fluid inlet openings 42 in the distribution sheet 40 corresponds to the number of adsorption cells 12 of the plurality of adsorption cells 12 and wherein each heat transfer fluid inlet opening 42 is positioned co-axially with respect to the HTF-tube axis. When heat transfer fluid is supplied via a respective one of the heat transfer fluid inlet openings 42, it is directed perpendicularly onto the concave side of the associated cap 43 and then flows along the concave cap surface and is distributed in a circular symmetric way to subsequently enter the annular HTF -channel 19 extending between the HTF-tube 14 and the refrigerant tube 20. This has the advantage that the heat transfer fluid is evenly distributed around the circumference of the annular HTF-channel 19 thus causing an even heat transfer from the heat transfer fluid to the adsorption material 26 in the refrigerant tube 20, both during a heating cycle and during a cooling cycle.In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in Figs. 1-6 and in particular in the detail of Fig. 5, the first end of each refrigerant tube is freely moveable relative to the inlet end HTF -tube mounting sheet 30 and the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80 in a direction along the refrigerant tube axis. An advantage of this embodiment is that the first end of each refrigerant tube 20 is not connected to a mounting sheet. Thus, the refrigerant tube 20 may be connected only at the second end thereof and elongation and shortening due to varying temperatures of the refrigerant tube 20 can take place without hinderance of relatively fixed parts to which the refrigerant tube 20 might be connected.In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in Figs. 1-5, each HTF -tube 14 comprises a number of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced indentations 17 which cause the refrigerant tube 20 extending within the respective HTF-tube 14 to remain co-axially aligned relative to the respective HTF-tube 14. This causes the annular HTF -channel 19 to have a constant cross section along the length of the HTF-tube 14 and the associated refrigerant tube 20. Non-alignment of the refrigerant tube 20 and the HTF-tube 14 would disturb an even HTF -flow through the annular channel and consequently an even heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid in the annular HTF-channel 19 and the adsorption material 26. The indentations 17 are preferable configured such that they do not, or virtually do not disturb the (laminar) flow of the heat transfer fluid in the HTF - channel 19 and keep the HTF-tube 14 and the refrigerant tube 20 aligned.In an embodiment, of which an example is clearly visible in Figs. 5 and 8, an edge of each heat transfer fluid inlet opening 42 in the distribution sheet 40 may have a collar 44 with a rounded transition 46 between a flat main surface of the distribution sheet 40 and the collar 44 so as to provide a smooth heat transfer fluid guiding surface.Such a rounded transition 46 guides the heat transfer fluid flow and reduces the flow resistance for the heat transfer fluid. Additionally, itcontributes to supplying the heat transfer fluid centrally into the HTF -tube 14 which contributes to an even distribution of the supply of heat transfer fluid around the circumference of the annular HTF-channel 19.In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in Figs. 1-6, each adsorption cell array 10 comprises an HTF -inlet pipe 100 which is in fluid connection with the HTF -inlet channel 62, an HTF-outlet pipe 110 which in fluid connection with the HTF -fluid outlet space 72, and a refrigerant pipe 120 which is in fluid connection with the refrigerant space 92.The respective function of the HTF-inlet pipe 100 and HTF-outlet pipe 110 are self-evident from their names. The refrigerant pipe 120 has the function of supplying refrigerant when the respective adsorption cell array 10 to which it is connected is in the adsorption cycle, i.e. cooled off by relatively cold heat transfer fluid. The same refrigerant pipe 120 has the function of guiding high pressure refrigerant when the respective adsorption cell array 10 to which it is connected is in the desorption cycle, i.e. heated by hot heat transfer fluid.In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in Figs. 1-6, the plurality of adsorption cells 12 is arranged in two parallel rows, wherein the HTF-inlet channel 62 extending between the 3D-profiled cover sheet 60 and the distribution sheet 40 has a U-shaped configuration including a base part 64 and two leg parts 66, 66', wherein the base part 64 of the U-shaped HTF- inlet channel 62 forms an emanation area 68 at which the HTF-inlet pipe 100 is in fluid communication with the HTF-inlet channel 62.Such an arrangement of the adsorption cells 12 in two parallel rows in combination with the U-shaped HTF inlet channel 62 provides a compact adsorption cell array 10 with a relatively low heat transfer fluid flow resistance. The distribution of the heat transfer fluid can be realized in an even manner over the various adsorption cells.Such an even distribution can be further promoted in an embodiment, of which an example is shown in the Figs. 1-6, in case theHTF -inlet channel 62 has a variable cross sectional flow area along the length thereof by virtue of the 3D-profile of the 3D-profiled cover sheet 60. The cross sectional flow area is in this embodiment largest at an emanation area 68 where the HTF-inlet pipe 100 emanates in the HTF -inlet channel 62. The cross sectional flow area gradually reduces along the length of the HTF-inlet channel 62 when viewed from the emanation area 68.Such an HTF -inlet channel 62 with diminishing cross sectional flow area when viewed from the emanation area 68 where the HTF-inlet pipe 100 emanates in the HTF-inlet channel 62, i.e. a tapering HTF-inlet channel 62, is not only of advantage in the embodiment with two parallel rows of adsorption cells 12 and a U-shaped HTF inlet channel 62. It is also of advantage in an embodiment in which the adsorption cell array 10 comprises only a single row of adsorption cells and a linear HTF -inlet channel 62. The object of the tapering HTF-inlet channel 62 is that each adsorption cell 12 is supplied with substantially the same amount of heat transfer fluid at any moment in time so that when being in the desorption cycle each adsorption cell 12 of the adsorption cell array 10 equally contributes to the compression of refrigerant gas and that when being in the adsorption cycle each adsorption cell 12 of the adsorption cell array adsorbs substantially the same amount of refrigerant gas.In embodiment, of which an example is shown in Figs. 1-6, the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 may be provided with a plurality of dimples 94. An example of the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 is shown in Fig. 12. The dimples 94 each provide a contact surface between the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 and the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80. The dimples 94 are interspersed between the adsorption cells 12 over substantially the entire refrigerant space 92 which is present between the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80 and the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90. A weld connection between the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 and the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80 is present at each contact surfaceprovided by each respective dimple 94. Due to the presence of the dimples 94, the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 and the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80 may be connected at a plurality of points over their entire area. This provides a stronger structure than when the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80 were, for example, only connected along a circumferential contour with each other. Especially because of the high pressures of the refrigerant during the desorption cycle, e.g. a pressure of about 30 bar may prevail in het refrigerant space, a firm and durable connection between the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 and the refrigerant mounting tube 80 is of importance. With the multiple connection areas provided by the dimples, a strong sandwich structure is achieved as a consequence of which the thickness of the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 and the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80 may be kept thin, in particular in a thickness range of 0.3 to 1.2 mm, in particular about 0.8 mm. This leads to a low thermal mass which is beneficial for the efficiency of the adsorption cell array 10.In a further elaboration of the embodiment with the dimples 94 as described above, each weld connection at each contact surface provided by each respective dimple 94 is a circular weld 96. Thereby, each dimple 94 of the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 may be provided with a blow-off hole 98. The circular weld 96 of each respective dimple 94 surrounds the blow-off hole 98. When for some reason a circular weld would tear, the pressure value in the refrigerant space 92 would immediately fall down due to the refrigerant gas blowing off via the blow-off hole 98. This prevents the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 from being blown off which, when the blow-off holes 98 were not present, might occur due to the circumstance that once a first circular weld were teared off, the stress levels in the remaining circular welds would increase. By virtue of the blow-off holes 98, it is also possible to detect refrigerant leakage in an early stage in the case of damaged circular welds. When a refrigerant detection device detects refrigerant in an earlystage, which will be the case due to the presence of the blow-off holes 98, the electronic controller of the heat pump may cause the interruption of the operation of the thermal driven heat pump.In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in Figs. 1-6, the inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 30, the distribution sheet 40, and the first 3D-profiled cover sheet 60 each may have a substantially similar circumferential outer contour Cl which has a shape, in particular a wavy shape, which, apart from one or two optional mounting flanges, substantially follows the outer circumference of the plurality of adsorption cells 12 at a small distance, in particular in the range of 1 to 10 mm.In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in Figs. 1-6, the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 70, the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80, and the a second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 each may have a substantially similar circumferential outer contour C2 which has a shape, in particular a wavy shape, which, apart from at least one optional mounting flanges 99, substantially follows the outer circumference of the plurality of adsorption cells 12 at a small distance, in particular in the range of 1 to 10 mm.Such an outer contour Cl, C2 which follows the contour of the adsorption cells 12 at a short distance provides the advantage that the sheets will not have areas with temperatures which closely follow the temperature variations of the adsorption cells 12 and areas which do not follow the such temperature variation. That could lead to internal stresses within the various sheets 30, 40, 60, 70, 90 and by virtue of the contour of the embodiments described, such internal stresses are minimized because all the material of the sheets 30, 40, 60, 70, and 90 is in close proximity of the adsorption cells 12.In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in Figs. 1-6, any one of the inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 30, the distribution sheet 40, the first 3D-profiled cover sheet 60, the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet70, the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80, and the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 comprises at least one circumferential outer contour part C3 which extends at a larger distance from the outer circumference of the plurality of adsorption cells 12 so as provide at least one mounting flange 99 with which the adsorption cell array 10 is mountable in a chassis of an adsorption cell water pump assembly.As already described above, the inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 30, the distribution sheet 40, the first 3D-profiled cover sheet 60, the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 70, the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80, and the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 each may have a sheet thickness of 0.3 to 1.2 mm, in particular 0.8 mm. Such a small thickness is beneficial to provide an adsorption cell array 10 with a low thermal mass which in turn is beneficial for the thermodynamic efficiency of the adsorption cell array 10 which is constantly subjected to varying temperature cycles with a relatively short cycle time.In an embodiment, the inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 30, the distribution sheet 40, the first 3D-profiled cover sheet 60, the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 70, the refrigerant tube mounting sheet 80, and the second 3D-profiled cover sheet 90 may be manufactured from ferritic chromium stainless steel according to AISI 44 material no. 1.4521EN.In an embodiment, this material may also be used for the HTF- tubes 12 and the refrigerant tubes 20. Material of this steel grade is strong and has a relatively small coefficient of thermal expansion which is advantageous to limit the internal material stresses due to the changing temperature cycles. Thus, the durability of the adsorption cell array 10 manufactured from such material is better than that of steel types having larger coefficients of thermal expansion.In order to reduce internal material stresses in the HTF -tubes, which are all connected at both ends to respectively the inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 30 and the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet 70, in anembodiment, each HTF-tube 14 may comprise a tube wall part which is bellow-shaped. Thus, when the expansion of one or more of the HTF-tubes 14 in the adsorption cell array may be different than one of the other HTF- tubes 14, the bellow may compensate for such different rates of expansion and thus reduce any potential material stresses within the HTF-tubes 14 as a consequence of such different rates of expansion.The invention also provides the use of the adsorption cell array 10 of the invention. During use, hot and cooler heat transfer fluid are alternatingly supplied to the adsorption cell array 10. During switching from the supply of hot heat transfer fluid to cold heat transfer fluid and vice versa, the hot and cooler heat transfer fluid are mixed so as to make the temperature change between the switch from hot to cooler and the switch from cooler to hot more gradual than in a use in which no mixing of cool and hot heat transfer fluid occurs during switching between the supply of hot and cooler heat transfer fluid. Thus, temperature shock in the adsorption cell array 10 is reduced and strongly varying internal material stresses in the adsorption cell array 10 which may cause fatigue damage are reduced as well. This is beneficial for the durability of the adsorption cell array 10.Fig. 13 shows a schematic view of an adsorption compressor heat pump assembly 200 in which two adsorption cell arrays 10 according to the invention are present. The adsorption compressor heat pump assembly 200 comprises a refrigerant circuit 202 including a condenser 204 which is in heat exchange with a central heating circuit 206 of a house or similar building 208. The refrigerant circuit further comprises an expansion valve 210 and an evaporator 212 which is in heat exchange with a secondary heat source 214. The at least two adsorption cell arrays 10 according to any one of claims 1-24 are also part of the refrigerant circuit 200 in that the refrigerant tubes 20 of the adsorption cell array 10 which is in an adsorption cycle are in fluid connection with the evaporator 212 and in that the refrigerant tubes 20 of the adsorption cell array 10 which is a desorptioncycle are in fluid connection with the condenser 204. Thus, the two adsorption cell arrays 10 take care of the production of compressed refrigerant. The adsorption compressor heat pump assembly 200 also comprises a heat transfer fluid circuit 220 including a number of heat transfer fluid valves 222, a primary heat source 224 and a heat exchanger 226 which is in heat exchange with the central heating circuit 206 of the house or similar building 208. Finally, the adsorption compressor heat pump assembly 200 comprises an electronic controller 230 for controlling the adsorption compressor heat pump assembly 200, in particular the heat transfer fluid valves 222, the expansion valve 210, and the primary heat source 224 thereof.Due to the use of the adsorption cell arrays 10 according to the invention, an energy efficient and durable adsorption compressor heat pump assembly 200 is provided.In an embodiment, the electronic controller 230 may be configured for controlling the number of heat transfer fluid valves such that during switching from the supply of hot heat transfer fluid to cold heat transfer fluid to one of the two adsorption cell arrays 10 and vice versa, the hot and cooler heat transfer fluid are mixed so as to make the temperature change between the switch from hot to cooler and the switch from cooler to hot more gradual thereby reducing temperature.This reduces the temperature shock in the adsorption cell array 10 and consequential internal material stresses. Thus, the chance of breakage, e.g. due to fatigue stresses, is reduced and the adsorption compressor heat pump assembly 200 is more durable than an embodiment in which the switch of supply of hot heat transfer fluid to cooler heat fluid transfer or vice versa is abrupt, i.e. without an intermediate mixing phase.In a further elaboration of this embodiment, the duration of phase of mixing of cooler and hot heat transfer fluid during the switching may 3- 30 s. Test have shown that such a duration of the phase of mixing provides agood result in improving the durability of the adsorption compressor heat pump assembly 200.The invention is not limited to the examples shown in the drawings. The scope of protection is determined by the claims and the description and the drawings may be used to further elucidate the claims.

Claims

Claims1. An adsorption cell array (10) comprising: a plurality of absorption cells (12) each adsorption cell (12) comprising: an HTF-tube (14) extending along a straight HTF-tube axis and having an HTF-tube inlet end (15) and an HTF-tube outlet end (16) opposite the HTF-tube inlet end (15); a refrigerant tube (20) extending along a straight refrigerant tube axis which is co -axially with the HTF-tube axis and having a first end (22) at the HTF-tube inlet end (15) and a second end (24) at the HTF-tube outlet end (16); the refrigerant tube (20) being positioned within the HTF- tube (14) so as to bound an annular HTF -channel (19) extending between the HTF-tube (14) and the refrigerant tube (20) from the HTF-tube inlet end (15) to the HTF-tube outlet end (16); adsorption material (26) which is contained in the refrigerant tube (20); the adsorption cell array (10) further comprising: an inlet end HTF -tube mounting sheet (30) to which the HTF -tube inlet ends of the plurality of adsorption cells (12) are connected; a distribution sheet (40) which is connected to the inlet end HTF- tube mounting sheet (30) at a side thereof which is opposite the plurality of adsorption cells (12) and that includes heat transfer fluid inlet openings (42); a first 3D-profiled cover sheet (60) connected with and covering the distribution sheet (40) at a side thereof which is opposite the plurality of adsorption cells (12), thereby bounding at least one HTF -inlet channel (62) extending between the first 3D-profiled cover sheet (60) and the distribution sheet (40);an outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet (70) to which the HTF- tube outlet ends (20) are connected; a refrigerant tube mounting sheet (80) which is connected to the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet (70) at a side thereof which is opposite the plurality of adsorption cells (12), wherein the second end (24) of each refrigerant tube (20) is connected the refrigerant tube mounting sheet (80), wherein a heat transfer fluid outlet space (72) is present between the HTF- tube mounting sheet (70) and the refrigerant tube mounting sheet (80); a second 3D-profiled cover sheet (90) connected with the refrigerant tube mounting sheet (80) at a side thereof which is opposite the plurality of adsorption cells (12), wherein a refrigerant space (92) is present between the refrigerant tube mounting sheet (80) and the second 3D-profiled cover sheet (90).

2. The adsorption cell array (10) according to claim 1, wherein the inlet end HTF -tube mounting sheet (30) comprises a number of inlet end mounting holes (32) which corresponds to the number of adsorption cells (12) of the plurality of adsorption cells (12), wherein each inlet end mounting hole (32) is a collared mounting hole (32) in that an edge thereof is bend to form a collar (34) which extends substantially parallel to the HTF- tube axis (L) of a respective HTF-tube (14) of the plurality of adsorption cells (12) which is connected to the respective collar (34).

3. The adsorption cell array (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet (70) comprises a number of outlet end mounting holes (72) which corresponds to the number of adsorption cells (12) of the plurality of adsorption cells (12), wherein each outlet end mounting hole (72) is a collared mounting hole (72) in that an edge thereof is bend to form a collar (74) which extends substantially parallel to the HTF-tube axis (L) of a respective HTF-tube (14) of the plurality of adsorption cells (12) which is connected to the respective collar (74).

4. The adsorption cell array (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a connection between the respective HTF-tube (14) and the associated respective collar (34, 74) is a laser weld connection.

5. The adsorption cell array (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the refrigerant tube mounting sheet (80) comprises a number of refrigerant tube mounting holes (82) which corresponds to the number of adsorption cells (12) of the plurality of adsorption cells (12), wherein each refrigerant tube mounting hole (82) is a collared mounting hole (82) in that an edge thereof is bend to form a collar (84) which extends substantially parallel to the refrigerant tube axis (L) of the respective refrigerant tube (20) of the plurality of adsorption cells (12), wherein the second end (24) of the respective refrigerant tube (20) is connected to the respective collar (84).

6. The adsorption cell array (10) according to claim 5, wherein a connection between the respective refrigerant tube (20) and the associated respective collar (84) is a laser weld connection.

7. The adsorption cell array (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end of each refrigerant tube (20) of the plurality of adsorption cells (12) is closed off by a cap (43).

8. The adsorption cell array (10) according to claim 7, wherein each cap (43) has a concave shape when viewed from the distribution sheet (40), wherein the concave shape is circular symmetric around the refrigerant tube axis.

9. The adsorption cell array (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end of each refrigerant tube is freely moveable relative to the inlet end HTF -tube mounting sheet (30) and the refrigerant tube mounting sheet (80) in a direction along the refrigerant tube axis.

10. The adsorption cell array (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each HTF -tube (14) comprises a number of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced indentations (17) which cause the refrigerant tube (20) extending within the respective HTF -tube (14) to remain co-axially aligned relative to the respective HTF -tube (14).

11. The adsorption cell array according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the number heat transfer fluid inlet openings (42) in the distribution sheet (40) corresponds to the number of adsorption cells (12) of the plurality of adsorption cells (12) and wherein each heat transfer fluid inlet opening (42) is are positioned co-axially with respect to the HTF-tube axis.

12. The adsorption cell array (10) according to claim 11, wherein an edge of each heat transfer fluid inlet opening (42) has a collar (44) with a rounded transition (46) between a flat main surface of the distribution sheet (40) and the collar (44) so as to provide a smooth heat transfer fluid guiding surface.

13. The adsorption cell array according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: an HTF-inlet pipe (100) which is in fluid connection with the HTF- inlet channel (62);an HTF-outlet pipe (110) which in fluid connection with the HTF- fluid outlet space (72); and a refrigerant pipe (120) which is in fluid connection with the refrigerant space (92).

14. The adsorption cell array (10) according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of adsorption cells (12) is arranged in two parallel rows, wherein the HTF -inlet channel (62) extending between the 3D-profiled cover sheet (60) and the distribution sheet (40) has a U-shaped configuration including a base part (64) and two leg parts (66, 66'), wherein the base part (64) of the U-shaped HTF -inlet channel (62) forms an emanation area (68) at which the HTF -inlet pipe (100) is in fluid communication with the HTF -inlet channel (62).

15. The adsorption cell array (10) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the HTF -inlet channel (62) has a variable cross sectional flow area along the length thereof by virtue of the 3D-profile of the 3D-profiled cover sheet (60), wherein the cross sectional flow area is largest at an emanation area (68) where the HTF-inlet pipe (100) emanates in the HTF-inlet channel (62), and wherein the cross sectional flow area gradually reduces along the length of the HTF-inlet channel (62) when viewed from the emanation area (68).

16. The adsorption cell array (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second 3D-profiled cover sheet (90) is provided with a plurality of dimples (94), the dimples (94) each providing a contact surface between the second 3D-profiled cover sheet (90) and the refrigerant tube mounting sheet (80), wherein the dimples (94) are interspersed between the adsorption cells (12) over substantially the entire refrigerant space (92) which is present between the refrigerant tube mounting sheet (80) and the second 3D-profiled cover sheet (90), wherein a weld connection between thesecond 3D-profiled cover sheet (90) and the refrigerant tube mounting sheet (80) is present at each contact surface provided by each respective dimple (94).

17. The adsorption cell array (10) according to claim 16, wherein each weld connection at each contact surface provided by each respective dimple (94) is a circular weld (96), wherein each dimple (94) of the second 3D- profiled cover sheet (90) is provided with a blow-off hole (98), wherein the circular weld (96) of each respective dimple (94) surrounds the blow-off hole (98).

18. The adsorption cell array (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet (30), the distribution sheet (40), and the first 3D-profiled cover sheet (60) each have a substantially similar circumferential outer contour (C 1) which has a shape, in particular a wavy shape, which, apart from one or two optional mounting flanges (99), substantially follows the outer circumference of the plurality of adsorption cells (12) at a small distance, in particular in the range of 1 to 10 mm.

19. The adsorption cell array (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet (70), the refrigerant tube mounting sheet (80), and the a second 3D-profiled cover sheet (90) each have a substantially similar circumferential outer contour (C2) which has a shape, in particular a wavy shape, which, apart from at least one optional mounting flanges (99), substantially follows the outer circumference of the plurality of adsorption cells (12) at a small distance, in particular in the range of 1 to 10 mm.

20. The adsorption cell array (10) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein any one of the inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet (30), the distribution sheet (40), the first 3D-profiled cover sheet (60), the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet (70), the refrigerant tube mounting sheet (80), and the second 3D-profiled cover sheet (90) comprises at least one circumferential outer contour part (C3) which extends at a larger distance from the outer circumference of the plurality of adsorption cells (12) so as provide at least one mounting flange (99) with which the adsorption cell array (10) is mountable in a chassis of an adsorption cell water pump assembly.

21. The adsorption cell array (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet (30), the distribution sheet (40), the first 3D-profiled cover sheet (60), the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet (70), the refrigerant tube mounting sheet (80), and the second 3D-profiled cover sheet (90) each have a sheet thickness of 0.3 to 1.2 mm, in particular 0.8 mm.

22. The adsorption cell array (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet (30), the distribution sheet (40), the first 3D-profiled cover sheet (60), the outlet end HTF-tube mounting sheet (70), the refrigerant tube mounting sheet (80), and the second 3D-profiled cover sheet (90) are manufactured from ferritic chromium stainless steel according to AISI 44 material no. 1.4521EN.

23. The adsorption cell array (10) according to claim 22, wherein the HTF -tubes (12) and the refrigerant tubes (20) are manufactured from ferritic chromium stainless steel according to AISI 44 material no.1.4521EN.

24. The adsorption cell array (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each HTF-tube (14) comprises a tube wall part which is bellow-shaped.

25. Use of the adsorption cell array (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein hot and cooler heat transfer fluid are alternatingly supplied to the adsorption cell array (10), wherein during switching from the supply of hot heat transfer fluid to cold heat transfer fluid and vice versa, the hot and cooler heat transfer fluid are mixed so as to make the temperature change between the switch from hot to cooler and the switch from cooler to hot more gradual than in a use in which no mixing of cool and hot heat transfer fluid occurs during switching between the supply of hot and cooler heat transfer fluid.

26. An adsorption compressor heat pump assembly (200) comprising: a refrigerant circuit (202) including a condenser (204) which is in heat exchange with a central heating circuit (206) of a house or similar building (208), an expansion valve (210), an evaporator (212) which is in heat exchange with a secondary heat source (214), and at least two adsorption cell arrays (10) according to any one of claims 1-24 for production of compressed refrigerant; a heat transfer fluid circuit (220) including a number of heat transfer fluid valves (222) a primary heat source (224) and a heat exchanger (226) which is in heat exchange with the central heating (206) circuit of the house or similar building (208); and an electronic controller (230) for controlling the adsorption compressor heat pump assembly (200).

27. The adsorption compressor heat pump assembly (200) according to claim 26, wherein the electronic controller (230) is configured for controllingthe number of heat transfer fluid valves (222) such that during switching from the supply of hot heat transfer fluid to cooler heat transfer fluid to one of the two adsorption cell arrays (10) and vice versa, the hot and cooler heat transfer fluid are mixed so as to make the temperature change between the switch from hot to cooler and the switch from cooler to hot more gradual.

28. The adsorption compressor heat pump assembly according to claim 27, wherein the duration of phase of mixing of cooler and hot heat transfer fluid during the switching is 3-30 s.

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