The
steep stepwise uptake of water vapor and easy release at low
relative pressures and moderate temperatures together with high working
capacities make metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) attractive,
promising materials for energy efficient applications in adsorption
devices for humidity control (evaporation and condensation processes)
and heat reallocation (heating and cooling) by utilizing water as
benign sorptive and low-grade renewable or waste heat. Emerging MOF-based
process applications covered are desiccation, heat pumps/chillers,
water harvesting, air conditioning, and desalination. Governing parameters
of the intrinsic sorption properties and stability under humid conditions
and cyclic operation are identified. Transport of mass and heat in
MOF structures, at least as important, is still an underexposed topic.
Essential engineering elements of operation and implementation are
presented. An update on stability of MOFs in water vapor and liquid
systems is provided, and a suite of 18 MOFs are identified for selective
use in heat pumps and chillers, while several can be used for air
conditioning, water harvesting, and desalination. Most applications
with MOFs are still in an exploratory state. An outlook is given for
further R&D to realize these applications, providing essential
kinetic parameters, performing smart engineering in the design of
systems, and conceptual process designs to benchmark them against
existing technologies. A concerted effort bridging chemistry, materials
science, and engineering is required.