A new experimental device which tests the adsorption performance of the 13X/CaCl₂ composite adsorbent under vacuum conditions was established. In this device, heat transfer characteristics in the adsorbent bed have a great influence on the adsorbent performance, the temperature of the bottom outside bed is very close to the temperature of the bottom inside bed and the temperature difference between them at the end of heating and cooling are 5.66 °C and 0.303 °C, respectively. The following conclusions could be drawn: the equilibrium water uptake of composite adsorbent CA10X (zeolite 13X impregnated with 10 wt % CaCl₂ solution) was increased 5.7% compared with that of 13X, and the water uptake was 0.37 g/g. The composite adsorbent CA10X has a better performance in the adsorption refrigeration system.