Adsorption of HFO-1234ze(E) onto Steam-Activated Carbon Derived from Sawmill Waste Wood

This study utilizes waste Albizia lebbeck wood from a sawmill to prepare activated carbon adsorbents and explores their potential application in adsorption cooling systems with a novel hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerant characterized by a low global warming potential. Activated carbon was synthesized through a simple and green steam activation method, and the optimal carbon shows a specific surface area of 946.8 m²/g and a pore volume of 0.843 cm³/g. The adsorption isotherms of HFO-1234ze(E) (Trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) on the activated carbon were examined at 30, 40, and 50 °C up to 400 kPa using a customized constant-volume variable-pressure system, and significant adsorption of 1.041 kg kg⁻¹ was achieved at 30 °C and 400 kPa. The experimental data were fitted using both the Dubinin–Astakhov and Tóth models, and both models provided excellent fit results. The D−A adsorption model simulated the net adsorption capacity at possible operating temperatures. The isosteric of adsorption was determined using the Clausius–Clapeyron and modified Dubinin–Astakhov equations. In addition, the specific cooling effect and coefficient of performance were also studied.