Performance Analysis on Compact Heat Exchangers for Activated Carbon-Ethanol Adsorption Heat Pump/Thermal Storage

Adsorption heat pumps can be driven by low-grade thermal energy, such as jacket cooling water of engines. Even though electrification of automobiles will reduce waste heat from engines, internal heat recovery within electric or hybrid vehicles is considered important to improve the mileage because considerable amount of energy is consumed for cabin cooling and heating. In fact, electric devices of electric or hybrid vehicles, such as batteries, inverters/converters, motors, require temperature control so that the devices work efficiently. For this purpose, adsorption heat pumps can provide cooling, heating and thermal storage within the thermal management system of the vehicle.