A thermodynamic cycle model is used to select an optimum adsorbent-refrigerant pair in respect of a chosen figure of merit that could be the cooling production (MJ m(-3)), the heating production (MJ m(-3)) or the coefficient of performance (COP). This model is based mainly on the adsorption equilibrium equations of the adsorbent-refrigerant pair and heat flows. The simulation results of 26 various activated carbon-ammonia pairs for three cycles (single bed, two-bed and infinite number of beds) are presented at typical conditions for ice making, air conditioning and heat pumping applications. The driving temperature varies from 80 degrees C to 200 degrees C. The carbon absorbents investigated are mainly coconut shell and coal based types in multiple forms: monolithic, granular, compacted granular, fibre, compacted fibre, cloth, compacted cloth and powder. Considering a two-bed cycle, the best thermal performances based on power density are obtained with the monolithic carbon KOH-AC, with a driving temperature of 100 degrees C; the cooling production is about 66 MJ m(-3) (COP = 0.45) and 151 MJ m(-3) (COP = 0.61) for ice making and air conditioning respectively; the heating production is about 236 MJ m(-3) (COP = 1.50)
