High temperature heat recovery in refrigeration

Patent · Tue Dec 02 04:00:00 EST 1975

OSTI ID:7361806

Leonard, L H

A high lift energy reclaiming circuit is described for use in a vapor compression refrigeration system. The circuit is 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. 24 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures.

• Assignee: Carrier Corp.
• Patent Number(s): US 3922873
• OSTI ID: 7361806
• 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
APPLIANCES
COOLING
DESIGN
ELECTRIC APPLIANCES
ENERGY
ENERGY RECOVERY
ENERGY SOURCES
GAS APPLIANCES
HEAT
HEAT RECOVERY
OPERATION
RECOVERY
REFRIGERATING MACHINERY
REFRIGERATION
REFRIGERATORS
WASTE HEAT
WASTES