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Department of Engineering, ICT and Technologies for Energy and Transport Patent Title Technique for the production of a composite adsorbent coating with water as solvent, and related applications. Assignee (s): CNR, Università di Messina CNR Institute: ITAE Main Inventor: Angelo Freni Countries: IT Priority date: 31/07/2015 Abstract The present invention refers to a technique for the production of a composite adsorbent coating by means of hydrolysis of a silane sol-gel with water as solvent, followed by mixing of the solution with low-silicate content zeolites. Final product is a zeolite coating adhering to the substrate, which can either be steel, aluminium, copper, thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers, paint and coating. Main features of the coating are: a high content of zeolite filler, cheap manufacturing costs and easy manufacturing process, resistance to corrosive environment. The product, thanks to its versatility, can be applied in several fields, both industrial and residential, such as air treatment, adsorption heat pumps, storages and waste heat recovery. Background The development of zeolite coatings is of particular interest in the field of thermally driven adsorption heat pumps, activated by solar heat or waste heat, and in dehumidification and waste heat recovery fields. Indeed, by employing adsorbent coatings, thermal efficiency of such technologies is increased, thus allowing for an enhancement in specific cooling power density, and therefore leading to more compact and lightweight systems. Technology The present invention permits to obtain homogeneous and compact coatings on a wide variety of substrates, by starting from an aqueous solution which is cheap and easy to manufacture. Multi-dipping, drying and post- cure treatments allow to optimise the durability in aggressive environments and adhesion on the substrate. Advantages and Applications The developed technique allows the realization of a composite coating with high content in zeolite, employing a silane matrix without alcoholic solvents. Moreover, the process allows a reduction of manufacturing costs. Final product is hydrophobic and therefore can be applied for dehumidification or vapour adsorption also in corrosive and aggressive environments. Development stage Invention has already been realised and tested (TRL 4). A prototype based on the invention is under development. 81