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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Waste heat recovery system

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6848416

A waste heat recovery system for use with refrigeration means and a hot water reservoir is disclosed. The system is intended for use with refrigeration means of the type including a compressor and a condenser through which a compressible refrigerant is circulated. The system includes a heat exchanger having a refrigerant passage and a water passage mutually coupled in heat exchange relation. A heat exchange circulation conduit connects the water passage of the heat exchanger in fluid communication with the hot water reservoir to permit water to be circulated from the reservoir to the heat exchanger and return. A fluid flow restrictor is connected in series fluid circuit relation intermediate the compressor discharge outlet and the condenser for producing a pressure differential. The refrigerant passage of the heat exchanger is connected in parallel fluid circuit relation with the fluid flow restrictor. The pressure differential created by the fluid flow restrictor causes flow of high pressure heated refrigerant vapor through the refrigerant passage for heat exchange purposes. The degree of restriction can be changed to divert more or less of the flow of the high pressure refrigerant vapor through the heat recovery system, thereby permitting a relatively small waste heat recovery system having a high fluid flow impedance to be used in combination with a large refrigeration compressor.

Assignee:
Air and Refrigeration Corp
Patent Number(s):
US 4226606
OSTI ID:
6848416
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English