Experimental investigation of R134a adsorption on silica gel for cooling system applications

The aim of this study is to assess adsorption characteristics of R134a on a commercially available silica gel. Experimental study is performed by A constant volume variable pressure method is used in experimental study. Adsorption process are realized at different temperatures between 293.15 and 320.15 K and for pressures up to 500 kPa. Parameters in the Dubinin-Astakhov (DA) equation for the silica gel – R134a pair is computed by the use of measured experimental data. Adsorption isotherms are obtained by using DA equation for the silica gel – R134a pair. Further, the adsorption enthalpy are provided for the specimen investigated. It is observed that the value of the heat of adsorption is always quite higher than the vaporization enthalpy of the adsorbent in the range of 1.2 to 1.8 depending on the specific adsorbed mass of R134a. Obtained data from the present experimental study can be used for the design of cooling and refrigeration systems in which adsorption process is employed.