Abstract: A cooling method using an adsorption agent is carried out in an apparatus including at least one reactor/adsorber embodied as a vessel for receiving the adsorption agent such as zeolite, at least one evaporator vessel receiving an evaporation agent such as water, and at least one line which connects the two vessels and which can be shut off with at least one shut-off member. The reactor/adsorber and the evaporator each have at least one orifice and are selectively connectable to a vacuum generator and to at least one condenser. The selective separation and connection of individual components and/or of component groups for carrying out regeneration and adsorption cycles take place in each case in a pressure-tight or vacuum-tight manner and with air being shut off.