Integrated adsorption-based multigeneration systems: A critical review and future trends

This paper presents the state-of-the-art of the integration of adsorption chillers into different configurations of combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) systems. Adsorption chillers, as a thermally-activated cooling system, provide a great solution to the utilization of low-temperature waste heat, thus help to increase the efficiency of the existing power generating systems, and to reduce the greenhouse gasses emissions including the chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) that is used in traditional electric-powered chillers. In this study, a brief introduction to CCHP systems and the thermally-driven cooling systems is presented, and the working scheme of the adsorption cooling cycle is illustrated. The paper also focuses on the CCHP systems integrated with adsorption chillers that are driven by solar thermal energy via different solar collectors. Furthermore, multigeneration systems driven by internal combustion engines, gas turbines and fuel cells are highlighted. Finally, the integration of adsorption chillers in hybrid cooling systems and with Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC) is also presented.