Property and Energy Conversion Technology of Solid Composite Sorbents

Solid chemisorption technology is an effective form of energy conversion for recovering low-grade thermal energy, but limited thermal conductivity and agglomeration phenomena greatly limit its performance. Over the past 20 years, researchers have explored the use of thermal conductive porous matrix to improve heat and mass transfer performance. Their efforts have yielded composite sorption technology, which is now extensively being used in refrigeration, heat pumps, energy storage, and de-NOx applications. This book reviews the latest technological advances regarding composite solid sorbents. Various development methods are introduced and compared, kinetic models are presented, and different cycles are analyzed.

Given its scope, the book will benefit experts involved in developing novel materials and cycles for energy conversion, as well as engineers working to develop effective commercialized energy conversion systems based on solid sorption technology

Liwei Wang is currently Vice Dean and Professor of the School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. She received her Ph.D. degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2005. She has extensive research experience in solid sorption technology and novel thermodynamic cycles driven by low-grade thermal energy. She developed next-generation solid composite single-halide and multi-halide sorbents, which solved the performance attenuation of chemisorption working pairs, successfully decreased chemisorption hysteresis, and significantly improved the thermal conductivity of granular solid sorbents. She proposed the two-stage solid sorption freezing cycle and constructed a new concept for a solid sorption heat pipe. Prof. Wang received the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of China in 2018. Her many research awards include the National Natural Science Award (second prize) in 2014, China Youth Science and Technology Award, EU Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship, Royal Society International Incoming Fellowship, IIR Young Researchers Award, etc.

Guoliang An and Jiao Gao are Ph.D. candidates under the supervision of Prof. Liwei Wang at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Their research chiefly focuses on advanced sorption materials development, kinetic properties, thermodynamics optimization, and the design of composite sorption refrigeration systems.

Ruzhu Wang is currently Director and Professor of the Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. He received his B.E., M.E., and Ph.D. degrees from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 1984, 1987, and 1990, respectively. He has extensive research experience in refrigeration and heat pumps and has made substantial and innovative contributions to the efficient conversion and utilization of low-grade thermal energy. His many research awards include a Second National Natural Science Award and Second National Technological Invention Award, J&E Hall International Gold Medal Award (for refrigeration), Nukiyama Memorial Award of International Thermal Science, Asian Refrigeration Academic Award, etc.