Abstract: A thermal compressive device provides energy-efficient heating or cooling by exploiting heat regeneration in a sorption system. The device comprises an array of generator modules (7) arranged in two banks (10, 11) to either side of a heating zone (13). Heat carrier fluid is driven past the modules in a reversible direction. During one phase, generators in the first bank (10) are cooled and therefore in various stages of sorbate re-adsorption. Sorbate in associated evaporator region(s) (26) will boil, enabling cooling of surrounding fluid (33). Generators (7) in the other bank (11) will be in various stages of desorption. Sorbate in associated condenser region(s) (21) will condense, enabling heating of its environment. During the other phase, each generator (7) switches function, but cooling remains at evaporator regions (26) and heating at condenser regions (21). Each module may be a self-contained unit comprising generator (7), condenser (21) and evaporator (26) sections.

Abstract: The thermal regenerative compressive device 20 has a plurality of sorbent vessels 10 arranged circumferentially about a rotational axis X partly within a toroidal conduit 21. A heat carrier fluid flows from an inlet 22 of the conduit to the outlet 23 in counterflow with respect to the rotational movement of the sorbent vessels 10. Separate fluid channels 29, 30 encase the evaporation/condensation zones 15 of the vessels 10 to enable transfer of heat between the vessels 10 and the fluid flowing in channels 29 and 30. With the compressive device 20 heat is regenerated in a particularly simple and convenient manner. As a result the compressive device is capable of achieving greater efficiencies than existing adsorption devices.

Abstract: A thermal compressor (10) comprises two adsorbent beds (11, 12) each with an associated thermal management system (14). The thermal management systems (14) are identical and consist of a circulating supply of a control fluid which passes through the adsorbent bed, a pump (15), a heat exchanger (16) and an inert bed (17, 18). Heat removed from the adsorbent beds (11, 12) by the control fluid is supplied to the inert beds (17, 18) and is store to be subsequently regenerated to heat the adsorbent beds (11, 12) in a later half of the operating cycle of the thermal compressor (10). The thermal compressor (10) is energy efficient by virtue of the heat recycling which is performed.