Patent US3922873A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3922873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High temperature heat recovery in refrigeration
Assignee: Carrier Corp
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Filing: 1974-11-14
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1994-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A high lift energy reclaiming circuit for use in a vapor compression refrigeration system, the circuit being interposed in the system between the compressor discharge line and the condenser inlet line. Referigerant 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.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis H Leonard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:10
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B25/00; F25B25/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
The method of developing a high temperature lift at the discharge of a compressor as employed in a vapor compression refrigeration system including exposing refrigerant vapors discharged from the compressor to a concentrated absorbent solution to develop temperatures in the mixture above the saturation temperature of the refrigerant, and transferring the high temperature heat energy to a substance for recovery thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
61 words
The method of developing a high temperature lift at the discharge of a compressor as employed in a vapor compression refrigeration system including exposing refrigerant vapors discharged from the compressor to a concentrated absorbent solution to develop temperatures in the mixture above the saturation temperature of the refrigerant, and transferring the high temperature heat energy to a substance for recovery thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of separating the unabsorbed refrigerant vapors and the diluted solution after heat transfer and reconcentrating the dilute solution for reuse in the process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein reconcentration of the dilute solution is accomplished by utilizing the energy in the unabsorbed refrigerant vapors to boil refrigerant from the dilute solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 including the further step of collecting refrigerant after reconcentrating and reusing the refrigerant in the refrigeration system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2 further including the step of flash cooling the dilute solution and bringing the unabsorbed refrigerant vapors in thermal communication with said flash cooled solution to boil refrigerant from said solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the flash cooled dilute solution is exposed to the inlet of the compressor during the reconcentration step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 further including the step of controlling the flow of solution to the compressor discharge to regulate the amount of energy consumed in absorption.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
148 words
The method of developing a high temperature lift in a refrigeration system employing a vapor compressor including exposing a strong absorbent solution to the refrigerant vapors discharged from the vapor compressor to develop a high temperature mixture which is at a temperature level above that of the discharge vapors, transferring the heat energy in the high temperature mixture to a heat reclaiming substance whereby the temperature of the reclaiming substance is raised to about that of the high temperature mixture, separating the diluted solution from the unabsorbed vapors after heat transfer, flash cooling the separated dilute solution by exposing the solution to the low pressure inlet to the compressor, placing the unabsorbed refrigerant vapors in thermal communication with the flash cooled solution to condense the vapors whereby refrigerant is boiled from the solution thus reconcentrating The solution, and recirculating the reconcentrated solution to the compressor discharge for reuse.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 8 further including the step of delivering the unabsorbed refrigerant to the refrigeration system after reconcentration of the solution and further condensing any vapors remaining therein whereby the refrigerant is placed in a condition for use in refrigeration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 9 further including the step of controlling the amount of reconstituted solution recirculated to the compressor discharge to regulate the amount of energy consumed in developing high temperatures in the mixture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10 whereby energy consumed in developing the high temperature mixture is equal to or less than the energy consumed in reconcentrating the dilute solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the refrigerant used in the refrigeration system is delivered to the inlet of the compressor where it is mixed with the refrigerant boiled from the reconcentrated solution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 8 further including the step of preheating the reconstituted solution as it is being recirculated by placing the solution in heat transfer relation with the warmer dilute solution prior to the dilute solution being flash cooled.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a refrigeration system of the type including a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion mechanism for throttling refrigerant between the condenser and the evaporator, and a vapor compressor for raising the state of refrigerant vapors leaving the evaporator, the improvement comprising spray means for exposing the discharged vapors leaving the compressor to an absorbent solution to develop a high temperature mixture, a heat exchanger for transferring heat energy from the mixture to a reclaiming substance, separating means for separating unabsorbed refrigerant vapors from the diluted solution leaving the exchanger, a concentrator interposed between the condenser and the separator through which the unabsorbed vapors pass from the separator to the condenser in heat transfer relation with a supply of solution contained therein, and expansion means for flash cooling the separated diluted solution and delivering the solution to the supply of solution in said concentrator whereby heat energy is transferred from the vapors to the flash cooled solution to boil refrigerant therefrom thus reconcentrating the solution.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further including a circulating pump for moving the reconcentrated solution from the concentrator to the spray means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 14 having further means for exposing the flash cooled solution in the concentrator to the inlet of the compressor to allow the heat energy transferred from the vapors to sustain the boiling of refrigerant from the solution.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 15 including a control means for regulating the amount of solution moving between the concentrator and the spray means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
177 words
A high temperature circuit operatively connected between the discharge region of a vapor compressor and a condenser in a refrigeration system to act upon refrigerant moving therebetween including a concentrator having a supply area for collecting and storing an absorbent solution and flow means to bring refrigerant moving between the compressor and the condenser into thermal communication with the solution, pump means for delivering solution from the concentrator into the vapor discharge region of the compressor wherein at least some of the vapors are absorbed by the solution to raise the temperature of the discharge, heat exchange means for transferring heat energy in the high temperature mixture to a heat reclaiming substance, means to separate the dilute solution leaving the heat exchanger from the unabsorbed refrigerant vapors prior to the refrigerant vapors moving through the concentrator to the condenser, and expansion means for flash cooling the separated dilute solution and delivering the solution into The supply region of the concentrator whereby the unabsorbed vapors passing through the concentrator are condensed therein to boil refrigerant from the solution.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the supply area of the concentrator is connected to the inlet of the compressor whereby refrigerant boiled from the solution is drawn into the compressor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 19 further including control means for regulating the amount of solution delivered from the concentrator into the discharge region of the compressor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the amount of solution delivered into the compressor discharge region is regulated so that the amount of energy stored in the vapors consumed in absorption is less than or equal to the amount of energy consumed in reconcentration of the solution.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 18 including further means for transferring heat energy from the dilute solution separated from the refrigerant vapors and the reconcentrated solution pumped to the compressor discharge region prior to the dilute solution being flash cooled.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the heat exchange means is a counterflow heat exchanger for raising the temperature of the reclaiming substance close to that of the high temperature mixture.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for developing a high lift in a vapor compression refrigeration system to raise the temperature of the energy rejected therefrom including means for introducing an absorbent into the vapor discharge of the compressor whereby at least some of the vapors are absorbed and condensed to raise the temperature of the mixture above the normal discharge temperature, heat exchange means for transferring heat energy from the high temperature mixture to a heat reclaiming substance, and means for placing the unabsorbed refrigerant vapors in thermal communication with the dilute solution after heat transfer to reconcentrate said solution.
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) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |