Waste heat driven absorption refrigeration process and system

Claim 2

A process for producing refrigeration from a sensible waste heat source using a compound absorption refrigeration cycle with a refrigerant and an absorbent compatible with said refrigerant, said absorbent having a negligible volatility at the temperatures encountered during operation, comprising the steps of: (a) supplying heat from said waste heat source and utilizing a portion of it to desorb as relatively high pressure vapor at least a portion of said refrigerant from a first working solution of said absorbent and said refrigerant, (b) condensing at least a portion of the refrigerant vapor from step (a) at said relatively high pressure, (c) passing the resultant liquid refrigerant to an area of relatively lower pressure where at least a portion of it is expanded and evaporated, drawing heat from an external space and producing a refrigerating effect, (d) contacting the refrigerant vapor formed in step (c) with a second working solution of said absorbent and refrigerant to absorb at least a portion of said refrigerant vapor into solution, (e) passing the resultant solution to an area of intermediate pressure and supplying another portion of heat from said waste heat source from step (a) to desorb as vapor at least a portion of the refrigerant from step (d), and returning said second working solution to step (d), (f) contacting the refrigerant vapor from step (e) with said first working solution of said absorbent and refrigerant from step (a) to absorb at least a portion of said refrigerant vapor into solution, and (g) returning the resultant solution to step (a).

Claim 3

The process of claim 1 in which the temperature of said sensible waste heat source is between about 130° F. and 250° F.

Claim 4

The process of claim 1 including the step of passing the solutions from step (f) and step (g) through a countercurrent flow heat exchanger.

Claim 5

The process of claim 1 in which said refrigerant is water and said absorbent is lithium bromide.

Claim 6

The process of claim 1 including the step of passing the solutions from step (d) and step (e) through a countercurrent flow heat exchanger.

Claim 7

The process of step 1 in which said waste heat is supplied in sequence at successively lower pressures and temperatures first to step (a) and then to step (e).

Claim 8

The process of step 1 in which said waste heat is supplied in sequence at successively lower pressures and temperatures first to step (a) and then to step (e).

Claim 9

The process of claim 1 in which said waste heat is supplied in sequence at successively lower pressures and temperatures first to step (e) and then to step (a).

Claim 10

A process for producing refrigeration from a sensible waste heat source using a compound absorption refrigeration cycle with a refrigerant and an absorbent compatible with said refrigerant, said absorbent having a negligible volatility at the temperatures encountered during operation, comprising the steps of: (a) supplying heat from said waste heat source and utilizing a portion of it to desorb as relatively high pressure vapor at least a portion of said refrigerant from a first working solution of said absorbent and said refrigerant, (b) condensing at least a portion of the refrigerant vapor from step (a) at said relatively high pressure, (c) passing the resultant liquid refrigerant to an area of relatively lower pressure where at least a portion of it is expanded and evaporated, drawing heat from an external space and producing a refrigerating effect, (d) contacting the refrigerant vapor formed in step (c) with a second working solution of said absorbent and refrigerant to absorb at least a portion of said refrigerant vapor into solution, (e) passing the resultant solution to an area of intermediate pressure and supplying a succeeding portion of heat from said waste heat source to desorb as vapor at least a portion of the refrigerant from step (d), and returning said second working solution to step (d), (f) contacting the refrigerant vapor from step (e) with a third working solution of said absorbent and refrigerant to absorb at least a portion of said refrigerant vapor into solution, (g) passing the resultant solution to an area having a pressure higher than that of step (e) but lower than that of step (a) and supplying a succeeding portion of heat from said waste heat source to desorb as vapor at least a portion of the refrigerant from step (d), and returning said third working solution to step (f), (h) contacting the refrigerant vapor from step (g) with said first working solution of said absorbent and refrigerant to absorb at least a portion of said refrigerant vapor into solution, and (i) returning the resultant solution to step (a).

Claim 11

A process for producing refrigeration from a sensible waste heat source using a compound absorption refrigeration cycle with a refrigerant and an absorbent compatible with said refrigerant, said absorbent having a negligible volatility at the temperatures encountered during operation, comprising the steps of: (a) supplying heat from said waste heat source and utilizing a portion of it to desorb as relatively high pressure vapor at least a portion of said refrigerant from a first working solution of said absorbent and said refrigerant, (b) condensing at least a portion of the refrigerant vapor from step (a) at said relatively high pressure, (c) passing the resultant liquid refrigerant to an area of relatively lower pressure where at least a portion of it is expanded and evaporated, drawing heat from an external space and producing a refrigerating effect, (d) contacting the refrigerant vapor formed in step (c) with a second working solution of said absorbent and refrigerant to absorb at least a portion of said refrigerant vapor into solution, (e) passing the resultant solution to an area of intermediate pressure and supplying a succeeding portion of heat from said waste heat source to desorb as vapor at least a portion of the refrigerant from step (d), and returning said second working solution to step (d), (f) contacting the refrigerant vapor from step (e) with a third working solution of said absorbent and refrigerant to absorb at least a portion of said refrigerant vapor into solution, (g) passing the resultant solution to an area having a pressure higher than that of step (e) but lower than that of step (a) and supplying a succeeding portion of heat from said waste heat source to desorb as vapor at least a portion of the refrigerant from step (d), and returning said third working solution to step (f), (h) contacting the refrigerant vapor from step (g) with said first working solution of said absorbent and refrigerant to absorb at least a portion of said refrigerant vapor into solution, and (i) returning the resultant solution to step (a).

Claim 12

The process of claim 8 in which the temperature of said sensible waste heat source is between about 130° F. and 250° F.

Claim 13

The process of claim 8 in which said refrigerant is water and said absorbent is lithium bromide.

Claim 14

A process for producing refrigeration from a sensible waste heat source using a compound absorption refrigeration cycle with a refrigerant and an absorbent compatible with said refrigerant, said absorbent having a negligible volatility at temperatures encountered during operation, comprising the steps of: (a) supplying heat from said waste heat source and utilizing a portion of it to desorb as relatively high pressure vapor at least a portion of said refrigerant from a working solution of said absorbent and said refrigerant, (b) condensing at least a portion of the refrigerant vapor from step (a) at said relatively high pressure, (c) passing a first portion of the resultant liquid refrigerant to an area of relatively lower pressure where at least a portion of it is expanded and evaporated, drawing heat from an external space and producing a refrigerating effect, (d) contacting the refrigerant vapor formed in step (c) with said working solution of said absorbent and refrigerant to absorb at least a portion of said refrigerant vapor into solution, (e) passing a second portion of the resultant liquid refrigerant from step (b) to an area of intermediate pressure where at least a portion of it is expanded and evaporated, (f) contacting the refrigerant vapor formed in step (e) with said working solution of said absorbent and refrigerant to absorb at least a portion of said refrigerant vapor into solution, and (g) combining the resultant solutions from steps (d) and (f) and returning them to step (a).

Claim 15

A process for producing refrigeration from a sensible waste heat source using a compound absorption refrigeration cycle with a refrigerant and an absorbent compatible with said refrigerant, said absorbent having a negligible volatility at temperatures encountered during operation, comprising the steps of: (a) supplying heat from said waste heat source and utilizing a portion of it to desorb as relatively high pressure vapor at least a portion of said refrigerant from a working solution of said absorbent and said refrigerant, (b) condensing at least a portion of the refrigerant vapor from step (a) at said relatively high pressure, (c) passing a first portion of the resultant liquid refrigerant to an area of relatively lower pressure where at least a portion of it is expanded and evaporated, drawing heat from an external space and producing a refrigerating effect, (d) contacting the refrigerant vapor formed in step (c) with said working solution of said absorbent and refrigerant to absorb at least a portion of said refrigerant vapor into solution, (e) passing a second portion of the resultant liquid refrigerant from step (b) to an area of intermediate pressure where at least a portion of it is expanded and evaporated, (f) contacting the refrigerant vapor formed in step (e) with said working solution of said absorbent and refrigerant to absorb at least a portion of said refrigerant vapor into solution, and (g) combining the resultant solutions from steps (d) and (f) and returning them to step (a).

Claim 18

The system of claim 12 including means for recycling said first working solution from said first desorbing means to said second contacting means.

Claim 19

The system of claim 12 including means for recycling said second working solution from said second desorbing means to said first contacting means.

Claim 20

The system of claim 12 in which said means for supplying heat to said second desorbing means is in fluid communication with the downstream end of said means for supplying heat to said first desorbing means.

Claim 23

The system of claim 16 including means for recycling said first working solution from said first desorbing means to said third contacting means.

Claim 24

The system of claim 16 including means for recycling said second working solution from said second desorbing means to said first contacting means.

Claim 25

The system of claim 16 including means for recycling said third working solution from said third desorbing means to said second contacting means.

Claim 26

The system of claim 16 in which said means for supplying heat to said third desorbing means is in fluid communication with the downstream end of said means for supplying heat to said first desorbing means and said means for supplying heat to said second desorbing means is in fluid communication with the downstream end of said means for supplying heat to said third desorbing means.

Claim 29

The system of claim 21 in which said first contacting means and said second evaporating means are in heat exchange relationship.

Claim 30

The system of claim 21 including means for recycling said working solution from said desorbing means to said first and second contacting means.

Claim 31

Waste heat driven absorption cycle refrigeration apparatus comprising, in combination, a first pressurized housing having at least one countercurrent flow desorber and at least one countercurrent flow condenser, said at least one desorber comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a sensible waste heat stream having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for collecting portions of a first working solution of an absorbent and a refrigerant, said at least one condenser comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of inverted cup-like fins attached to said conduit for providing surfaces for refrigerant vapor to condense, an inlet for supplying a first working solution to said at least one desorber, a first outlet for removing said first working solution from said first housing, and a second outlet for removing condensed refrigerant from said housing, a second pressurized housing having at least one countercurrent flow desorber and at least one countercurrent flow absorber, said at least one desorber comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a sensible waste heat stream having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for collecting portions of a second working solution of an absorbent and a refrigerant, said at least one absorber comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for providing contacting surfaces for refrigerant vapor to be absorbed into said first working solution, a first inlet for supplying said first working solution to said at least one absorber, a second inlet for supplying said second working solution to said at least one desorber, a first outlet for removing said first working solution from said second pressurized housing, and a second outlet for removing said second working solution from said second pressurized housing, a third pressurized housing having at least one countercurrent flow absorber and at least one countercurrent flow evaporator, said at least one absorber comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for providing contacting surfaces for refrigerant vapor to be absorbed into said second working solution, said at least one evaporator comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for providing collecting pools for liquid refrigerant to be evaporated, a first inlet for supplying liquid refrigerant to said at least one evaporator, a second inlet for supplying said second working solution to said at least one absorber, a first outlet for removing refrigerated heat exchange fluid from said third pressurized housing, and a second outlet for removing said second working solution from said third pressurized housing.

Claim 32

Waste heat driven absorption cycle refrigeration apparatus comprising, in combination, a first pressurized housing having at least one countercurrent flow desorber and at least one countercurrent flow condenser, said at least one desorber comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a sensible waste heat stream having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for collecting portions of a first working solution of an absorbent and a refrigerant, said at least one condenser comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of inverted cup-like fins attached to said conduit for providing surfaces for refrigerant vapor to condense, an inlet for supplying a first working solution to said at least one desorber, a first outlet for removing said first working solution from said first housing, and a second outlet for removing condensed refrigerant from said housing, a second pressurized housing having at least one countercurrent flow desorber and at least one countercurrent flow absorber, said at least one desorber comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a sensible waste heat stream having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for collecting portions of a second working solution of an absorbent and a refrigerant, said at least one absorber comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for providing contacting surfaces for refrigerant vapor to be absorbed into said first working solution, a first inlet for supplying said first working solution to said at least one absorber, a second inlet for supplying said second working solution to said at least one desorber, a first outlet for removing said first working solution from said second pressurized housing, and a second outlet for removing said second working solution from said second pressurized housing, a third pressurized housing having at least one countercurrent flow absorber and at least one countercurrent flow evaporator, said at least one absorber comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for providing contacting surfaces for refrigerant vapor to be absorbed into said second working solution, said at least one evaporator comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for providing collecting pools for liquid refrigerant to be evaporated, a first inlet for supplying liquid refrigerant to said at least one evaporator, a second inlet for supplying said second working solution to said at least one absorber, a first outlet for removing refrigerated heat exchange fluid from said third pressurized housing, and a second outlet for removing said second working solution from said third pressurized housing.

Claim 33

Waste heat driven absorption cycle refrigeration apparatus comprising, in combination, a first pressurized housing having at least one countercurrent flow desorber and at least one countercurrent flow condenser, said at least one desorber comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a sensible waste heat stream having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for collecting portions of a working solution of an absorbent and a refrigerant, said at least one condenser comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of inverted cup-like fins attached to said conduit for providing surfaces for refrigerant vapor to condense, an inlet for supplying said working solution to said at least one desorber, a first outlet for removing said working solution from said first housing, and a second outlet for removing condensed refrigerant from said housing, a second pressurized housing having an inner chamber and an annular outer chamber around said inner chamber sharing a common wall, said inner chamber including at least one countercurrent flow evaporator comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for providing collecting pools of liquid refrigerant to be evaporated, inlet means for supplying liquid refrigerant to said evaporator, means adjacent the interior surface of the common wall of said inner chamber for supplying said working solution along said interior surface, said interior surface acting as an absorber for refrigerant vapor, means for collecting working solution leaving said interior surface, said outer chamber including an exterior surface of said common wall being in heat exchange contact with said interior surface and acting as an evaporator for liquid refrigerant, inlet means for supplying liquid refrigerant to said exterior surface of said common wall, at least one countercurrent flow absorber comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for providing contacting surfaces for refrigerant vapor to be absorbed, inlet means for supplying said working solution to said absorber, and outlet means for collecting and removing said working solution.

Claim 34

Waste heat driven absorption cycle refrigeration apparatus comprising, in combination, a first pressurized housing having at least one countercurrent flow desorber and at least one countercurrent flow condenser, said at least one desorber comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a sensible waste heat stream having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for collecting portions of a working solution of an absorbent and a refrigerant, said at least one condenser comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of inverted cup-like fins attached to said conduit for providing surfaces for refrigerant vapor to condense, an inlet for supplying said working solution to said at least one desorber, a first outlet for removing said working solution from said first housing, and a second outlet for removing condensed refrigerant from said housing, a second pressurized housing having an inner chamber and an annular outer chamber around said inner chamber sharing a common wall, said inner chamber including at least one countercurrent flow evaporator comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for providing collecting pools of liquid refrigerant to be evaporated, inlet means for supplying liquid refrigerant to said evaporator, means adjacent the interior surface of the common wall of said inner chamber for supplying said working solution along said interior surface, said interior surface acting as an absorber for refrigerant vapor, means for collecting working solution leaving said interior surface, said outer chamber including an exterior surface of said common wall being in heat exchange contact with said interior surface and acting as an evaporator for liquid refrigerant, inlet means for supplying liquid refrigerant to said exterior surface of said common wall, at least one countercurrent flow absorber comprising a vertically oriented conduit for transporting a heat exchange fluid having a plurality of cup-like fins attached to said conduit for providing contacting surfaces for refrigerant vapor to be absorbed, inlet means for supplying said working solution to said absorber, and outlet means for collecting and removing said working solution.