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

Rotary two-phase refrigeration apparatus and method

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6936770
Rotary vacuum evaporation of a primary refrigerant cools a secondary refrigerant mixed with it. The secondary refrigerant does not change state and meanders through a low pressure cooling circuit for refrigeration applications. The primary refrigerant changes state and remains in a short and secure circuit. Evaporation is produced at a surface around the axis of rotation and within the mixture by opposed centrifugal and centripetal forces acting through a narrow afferent mesial passage between rotating disks mounted on a hollow shaft. Vapor is stripped from the surface, scrubbed by cyclonic flow through the afferent mesial passage, and condensed by a centrifugal compressor, which is a centrifugal pump having its inlet communicating with the bore of the hollow shaft and the afferent mesial passage. Latent heat is drawn off by water, making this a water heater, and the water is produced by de-humidification. The primary refrigerant and the secondary refrigerant are cheap and environmentally harmless, e.g. propylene glycol and acetone. A method and apparatus for refrigeration using only water is disclosed. Energy efficiency is maximized by avoidance of positive displacement pumps and narrow conduits, and by operation during times when excess power is in the grid. 7 figs.
Assignee:
PTO; EDB-94-151902
Patent Number(s):
A; US 5275006
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-929287
OSTI ID:
6936770
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English