High temperature heat recovery in refrigeration

Patent · Tue Apr 08 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5773165

Leonard, L H

A high lift energy reclaiming circuit for use in a vapor compression refrigeration system is disclosed, the circuit being interposed in the system between the compressor discharge line and the condenser inlet line. Refrigerant vapors discharged from the compressor are exposed to, and condensed into, a strong absorbent solution to develop temperatures within the mixture that are in excess of the saturation temperature of the discharge vapors. The mixture is brought into a heat exchanger where the high temperature energy is recovered by a heat reclaiming substance, such as water or the like. The diluted absorbent in the mixture is then separated from unabsorbed refrigerant vapors and the dilute solution flash cooled by expanding the solution to the inlet pressure of the compressor. The separated unabsorbed refrigerant vapors, which are still at or about saturation, are brought into thermal communication with the flash cooled solution in a concentrator where the unabsorbed refrigerant vapors are condensed, or partially condensed, to boil refrigerant from the dilute solution. This reconcentrated solution is recycled in the high lift circuit and the freed vapors delivered to the inlet of the compressor. All of the remaining unabsorbed refrigerant vapors not condensed to concentrate the dilute solution are passed on to a standard refrigeration condenser where they are condensed. The liquid condensate from this refrigeration condenser and the liquid condensate from the vessel in which the dilute solution is reconcentrated, the concentrator, are collected together in a common collection chamber, the float chamber, and together passed through an expansion device into the evaporator where the liquid refrigerant is again used as the evaporate to accomplish chilling in a conventional manner.

• Assignee: Carrier Corp
• Patent Number(s): US RE 30252
• OSTI ID: 5773165
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320304* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Waste Heat Recovery & Utilization
ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION CYCLE
ENERGY RECOVERY
FLUIDS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT RECOVERY
MACHINERY
RECOVERY
REFRIGERANTS
REFRIGERATING MACHINERY
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
VAPOR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION CYCLE
VAPOR CONDENSATION
WORKING FLUIDS