In-situ CaCl2 impregnation/chimerization of carbon precursors and graphene blending were introduced into the preparation process of agglomerated activated carbon to simultaneously enhance the heat and mass transfer efficiency of the activated carbon-methanol adsorption refrigeration system. Two types of innovative carbons—CA-GC and SC-GC—were prepared in this study, with synchronously developed meso-pores and micro-pores. This study includes a comparative study of the adsorption/desorption characteristics, thermal conductivity, and refrigeration characteristics of the new carbon-methanol working pair. In-situ CaCl2 impregnation/chimerization resulted in significant improvement in terms of the abundance of calcium oxide adsorption sites on the carbon surface and inside the carbon framework (ash content reached 19.38%). The Sokoda & Suzuki equilibrium adsorption capacity (533.38±6.97 mg/g) and thermal conductivity (1.058±0.77 W/(m?K)) of CA-GC were significantly improved. The blending process of graphene further enhanced the thermal conductivity (2.61±0.15 W/(m?K)) and equilibrium adsorption capacity (712.84±30.66 mg/g) of the composite carbon material SC-GC. When the desorption temperature was 100 °C and the cycle time was 60 min, the desorption capacity, refrigeration capacity, and refrigeration power of the continuous refrigeration cycle of the adsorption refrigeration bed constructed by SC-GC reached 533.10±14.17 mg/g, 486.95±9.79 kJ/kg, and 973.86±15.28 kJ/(kg?h), respectively.

adsorption refrigeration;activated carbon;methanol;thermal conductivity;refrigeration power