US3685310A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Open cycle ammonia refrigeration system including a catalytic ammonia burner
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
•
Filing: 1970-09-25
•
Granted: 1972-08-22
•
Expires: 1990-09-25
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides an open cycle refrigeration system wherein ammonia, supplied from a refillable storage tank, is employed as a refrigerant, and after serving as the refrigerant, is disposed of by dissociation and combustion. HaVing substantially no moving parts and requiring no source of power when in operation, the refrigeration system of the invention has low initial cost and requires little maintenance. As a result of these features, the refrigeration system is especially useful in providing in-transit refrigeration for perishable or frozen commodities.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry C Fischer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:40
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D3/00; F25D3/10; F25D3/105; F23; F23C; F23C13/00; B; B01; B01J; B01J8/00; B01J8/02; B01J8/06; B60; B60H; B60H1/00; B60H1/32; B60H1/3201; B60H1/3204; B60H1/3232; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/20; F25B; F25B19/00; F25D19/00; F25D19/003; F23D; F23D2206/00; F23D2206/0057; F23D2206/0063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
The refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein the means for combusting the vaporized ammonia is an ammonia dissociator-burner comprising, within an insulated housing defining a combustion chamber, a conduit containing a catalyst for partially dissociating the vaporized ammonia and having an aperture permitting discharge and combustion of the partially dissociated ammonia such that the heat of combustion maintains the catalyst at a temperature at which ammonia is dissociated in the presence of the catalyst.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
The refrigeration system of claim 2 which includes means for diverting vaporized ammonia in excess of that required to maintain the dissociator-burner at optimum operating temperatures from the conduit containing the catalyst to a conduit leading directly to the combustion chamber without contacting the catalyst, whereby the excess ammonia is burned directly with the partially dissociated ammonia.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The refrigeration system of claim 3 which includes a conduit for bleeding accumulated water from the evaporator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The refrigeration system of claim 4 wherein the means for regulating the flow of ammonia comprises a surge tank interposed between the evaporator and the storage tank such that the liquid ammonia flows under autogenous pressure from the storage tank to the surge tank and by gravity from the surge tank to the evaporator, the surge tank having means for regulating the level of liquid ammonia therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The refrigeration system of claim 5 wherein the means for regulating the flow of ammonia includes a thermostatic throttling valve interposed between the evaporator and the dissociator-burner, whereby the thermostatic throttling valve adjusts the pressure of the ammonia in the evaporator in response to the refrigeration demAnds placed on the system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The refrigeration system of claim 6 including means for initially heating the ammonia dissociation catalyst to a temperature at which ammonia is dissociated in the presence of the catalyst.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The refrigeration system of claim 7 wherein the means for initially heating the ammonia dissociation catalyst comprises an electrical heating element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The refrigeration system of claim 7 wherein the means for initially heating the ammonia dissociation catalyst comprises a burner unit connected to a source of liquefied petroleum gas, the burner unit being situated such that the heat of combustion of the liquefied petroleum gas heats the ammonia dissociation catalyst to a temperature at which ammonia is dissociated in the presence of the catalyst.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
In an open cycle refrigeration process for maintaining a compartment at a selected temperature, comprising a. providing a source of liquid ammonia, b. absorbing heat from the compartment by vaporizing the liquid ammonia within an evaporator, c. regulating the flow of ammonia to maintain the compartment at the selected temperature, and d. disposing of the vaporized ammonia, the improvement which comprises disposing of the vaporized ammonia by burning in the presence of a more flammable gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
The process of claim 10 wherein the step of disposing of the vaporized ammonia comprises partially dissociating the vaporized ammonia by passing it over an ammonia dissociation catalyst to generate at least 2 percent by weight of hydrogen, and burning the partially dissociated ammonia such that the heat of combustion maintains the catalyst at a temperature at which ammonia is dissociated in the presence of the catalyst.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 11 wherein ammonia in excess of that required to maintain the catalyst at a temperature between 1, 200* F. and 1,700* F. is burned directly with the partially dissociated ammonia.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 12 including the step of continuously bleeding accumulated water from the evaporator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 13 including the step of combining the accumulated water with the vaporized ammonia.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 14 including the step of utilizing the vaporized ammonia as fuel to run an internal combustion engine or a gas turbine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The refrigeration system of claim 1 wherein the more flammable gas is hydrogen generated by partial dissociation of the vaporized ammonia.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 10 wherein the more flammable gas is hydrogen generated by partial dissociation of the vaporized ammonia.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |