Method and apparatus for using low grade thermal energy to improve efficiency of air conditioning and refrigeration systems

Patent · Tue Mar 27 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6462816

Hiser, L L

A method and apparatus for utilizing low grade thermal energy is shown to reduce the energy required to drive the compressor of a refrigeration or air conditioning system. The thermal energy is used to vaporize a fluid which is used as a motive fluid to drive a thermal compressor, such as a jet compressor or a vapor compression cycle compressor. In a normal air conditioning system including a condenser, expansion valve, evaporator and compressor, the jet compressor is inserted between the discharge of a compressor and the inlet for the condenser when there is sufficient thermal energy to drive a thermal compressor. This produces a two-stage compressor which improves the efficiency of the overall system. If separate fluids are utilized, a thermal evaporator is located in a heat exchange relationship with the condenser to cool the refrigerant fluid within the condenser tube, a tube-in-tube arrangement being such a heat exchange relationship.

• Assignee: EDB-84-166984
• Patent Number(s): US 4438633
• OSTI ID: 6462816
• 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
AIR CONDITIONERS
COMPRESSORS
CONDENSERS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY RECOVERY
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
EVAPORATORS
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUIDS
HEAT RECOVERY
HEAT TRANSFER
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
JETS
OPTIMIZATION
RECOVERY
REFRIGERANTS
REFRIGERATORS
VALVES
WASTE HEAT UTILIZATION
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WORKING FLUIDS