Stacked Plate Adsorption Module With Integrated Steam Ducts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adsorption modules in refrigeration technology lack optimal heat integration and are costly to manufacture, limiting their energy efficiency and multi-functional application potential.
Innovation Solution
An adsorption module designed with a plate-shaped housing forming a sorption unit and evaporator/condenser unit in separate or common vacuum-tight housings, featuring a monolithically cast or sintered metallic structure with zeolite coating and integrated steam ducts for enhanced heat transfer, allowing for modular stacking and reduced manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact sorption cooling unit with sandwich structure is used, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (sorption unit, evaporator, condenser, steam ducts) into a single integrated plate heat exchanger structure. The plate heat exchanger serves as both the housing and the functional components, eliminating the need for separate sandwich structure assemblies and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining compact space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate heat exchanger performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the housing structure, heat transfer medium conduit, steam duct, and support for sorption material. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while achieving compact design.
2Strength
If separate connecting steps (adhesive bonding, welding, soldering) are used to assemble sorption unit and housing, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing cost and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sorption unit is formed as an integral part of the plate heat exchanger structure during the same manufacturing process (casting or sintering). This eliminates the need for separate connecting steps such as adhesive bonding, welding, or soldering, reducing manufacturing cost and process complexity while maintaining structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The sorption unit structure is pre-formed within the plate heat exchanger during the initial casting or sintering process, before any assembly operations. This preliminary integration avoids subsequent joining operations and reduces overall manufacturing complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If monolithically cast or sintered metallic structure with zeolite coating is used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining metallic material (aluminum or steel) with zeolite coating. The metallic plate heat exchanger provides structural integrity and thermal conductivity, while the zeolite coating provides sorption functionality. This composite approach enhances heat transfer efficiency while utilizing established manufacturing processes (casting/sintering followed by coating).
Solution Approach 2:
The sorption unit employs a porous metallic structure (aluminum sponge or sintered metal) that provides high surface area for heat transfer and sorption. The porous structure enhances heat transfer efficiency by increasing the contact area between the heat transfer medium and the sorption material, while the porosity allows for effective mass transfer during the sorption cycle.
4Adaptability or versatility
If plate-shaped housings are stacked to form modular arrangement, then adaptability and scalability are improved, but sealing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorption module is divided into multiple identical plate-shaped housings that can be stacked vertically. Each plate unit contains the complete functional structure (sorption unit, evaporator, condenser, steam ducts), allowing the system to be scaled by simply adding or removing plates. This segmentation enables modular scalability while maintaining standardized assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Each plate-shaped housing is a universal module that can function independently or be combined with other identical modules. The standardized design of each plate allows for easy stacking and assembly, with the same connection and sealing methods applied to all modules, reducing assembly difficulty despite the increased complexity of modular configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables improved energy efficiency and cost-effective production of adsorption modules for heat or cold generation and storage, with enhanced heat transfer characteristics and flexibility in configuration for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
The sorption unit is coated with zeolite or other adsorbents.
Implementation Method 2
The metallic structure of the sorption unit is quasi implemented directly as an integral part of the actual housing in a single manufacturing process... so that a long-term stable heat transfer is given
Implementation Method 3
at least one evaporator/condenser unit with ports for feeding and discharging a fluid heat transfer medium
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an adsorption module, consisting of at least one sorption unit and at least one evaporator/condenser unit, each with inlet and outlet ports for a fluid heat transfer medium, said units being in the same or separate vacuum-tight housings. According to the invention the housing is flat and can be joined to multiple flat housings in a stacked arrangement with a common steam duct.