Adsorption cooling
The Illustrated Guide to Renewable Technologies BG 1/2008, By Kevin Pennycook, published by BSRIA in March 2008, states: ‘Adsorption chillers, like absorption chillers, are driven by an external heat source; however they have the advantage that the required input temperature is between 60oC and 95oC. This means that relatively low cost flat-plate solar collectors can be used to provide the heat source to drive the refrigerant process. An adsorption chiller consists of a pressure vessel divided into four chambers. These are the evaporator (lower chamber), the generator/receiver (second and third chambers) and the condenser (top chamber). The generator and receiver are linked by valves which automatically open depending on the pressure differences within the chiller. Adsorption chillers use water as the cooling medium and silica gel as the adsorbent. At low pressures, water vapourises at low temperatures. Silica gel can bond large amounts of water without loss, reversibly (and without increasing in volume), releasing the water again when heat is applied.’
--BSRIA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
An engaging and lively review of his professional life.
Sustainable heating for listed buildings
A problem that needs to be approached intelligently.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Deadline for entries has been extended to Friday 27 June, so don't miss out!
CIAT at the London Festival of Architecture
Designing for Everyone: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Architecture.
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.
Licensing construction in the UK
As the latest report and proposal to licence builders reaches Parliament.
Building Safety Alliance golden thread guidance
Extensive excel checklist of information with guidance document freely accessible.
Fair Payment Code and other payment initiatives
For fair and late payments, need to work together to add value.
Pre-planning delivery programmes and delay penalties
Proposed for housebuilders in government reform: Speeding Up Build Out.
High street health: converting a building for healthcare uses
The benefits of health centres acting as new anchor sites in the high street.
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.