Refrigeration and air-conditioning systems nowadays depend on vapor compression cycle which is driven by electricity. These traditional systems consume huge amount of electricity production all over the world. To overcome the disadvantages of vapor compression system, adsorption cooling (refrigeration) system can be used. This system has potential for use in those areas where electricity is limited or electricity is not available. The aim of research work is to design and performance analysis of a “Thermal Compressor”. This thermal compressor can be used to run adsorption refrigeration system. In this activated carbon and R134a are used as a working pair. In the present work, a thermal compressor is designed for low cooling capacity (0.0278TR). In the present work, different types of activated carbon are compared on the basis of the regeneration temperatures (Treg). Thermal compressor can be run by renewable form of energy sources like solar energy, geothermal energy, and waste heat of engines which makes it useful for those areas where electricity is limited or electricity is not available. In the present work, thermal compressor is designed for cooling capacity of 0.0278TR, and by using this thermal compressor in present work, pressure up to 6 bar can be achieved. After results, it is found that regeneration temperature is inversely proportional to time and powder-form activated carbon is superior as compared to granular and pelletized activated carbon.