In this analysis a plate finned-tube heat exchanger filled with SWS-1L is employed to investigate the particle diameter effect on the performance parameters of an adsorption chiller. The three dimensional heat and mass transfer equations of adsorbent bed are solved simultaneously with the heat transfer equations of thermal fluid, metal tube and fins. Both inter particle and intra particle mass transfer resistances are considered so that wide range of particle sizes can be used in the modeling process. As the effects of mass transfer resistances are concurrent, the optimum bed performance is anticipated for a specified particle diameter. Changing the geometrical parameters such as fin height and the operating parameters such as heating temperature of the thermal fluid affects the performance optimum range and the correspondent adsorbent particle diameter. Hence, it is aimed to study the effects of these parameters on the optimum particle diameter variations in detail. The results show that the cycle time and the specific cooling power have an optimum value for a specified particle diameter. This diameter increases with an increase in fin height as well as at higher heating temperature of the thermal fluid.

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