Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
301 words
A method of operating an absorptive heating installation which comprises: a heat generator, a solvent circulation path for a solvent adapted to absorb a coolant, said solvent circulation path including a solvent pump, a temperature changer for passing coolant-poor solvent in indirect heat exchange with coolant-rich solvent, a rectifier having a sump in which coolant-rich solvent collects, a stripper in said heat generator in which coolant-rich solvent is heated, and a separator in which coolant-rich solvent is separated into coolant vapor and a liquid phase consisting of said coolant-poor solvent, the vapor being fed to said rectifier, a coolant circulation path extending from said rectifier and including a condenser, a cold exchanger in which condensed coolant is passed in indirect heat exchange with coolant vapor, an evaporator receiving said coolant from said cold exchanger and producing coolant vapor, and an absorber for contacting solvent vapor with said coolant-poor solvent from said temperature changer to produce a coolant/solvent mixture which is supplied to said pump, and a circulation path for a heating medium extending through said condenser, said absorber and said rectifier, said method comprising: in a heat pump mode above a predetermined ambient temperature feeding said solvent from said separator directly to said temperature changer and simultaneously conducting said heating medium through said condenser and said absorber; in a direct heating mode below said temperature, circulating said heating medium so as to cause it to bypass said condenser and said absorber while heating said medium said heating medium being heated in said direct heating mode by passing it in indirect heat exchange in a further heat exchanger with coolant-poor solvent from said separator prior to feeding said coolant-poor solvent to said temperature changer; and preventing the supply of ambient heat to said evaporator and said absorber during said direct heating mode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
301 words
A method of operating an absorptive heating installation which comprises: a heat generator, a solvent circulation path for a solvent adapted to absorb a coolant, said solvent circulation path including a solvent pump, a temperature changer for passing coolant-poor solvent in indirect heat exchange with coolant-rich solvent, a rectifier having a sump in which coolant-rich solvent collects, a stripper in said heat generator in which coolant-rich solvent is heated, and a separator in which coolant-rich solvent is separated into coolant vapor and a liquid phase consisting of said coolant-poor solvent, the vapor being fed to said rectifier, a coolant circulation path extending from said rectifier and including a condenser, a cold exchanger in which condensed coolant is passed in indirect heat exchange with coolant vapor, an evaporator receiving said coolant from said cold exchanger and producing coolant vapor, and an absorber for contacting solvent vapor with said coolant-poor solvent from said temperature changer to produce a coolant/solvent mixture which is supplied to said pump, and a circulation path for a heating medium extending through said condenser, said absorber and said rectifier, said method comprising: in a heat pump mode above a predetermined ambient temperature feeding said solvent from said separator directly to said temperature changer and simultaneously conducting said heating medium through said condenser and said absorber; in a direct heating mode below said temperature, circulating said heating medium so as to cause it to bypass said condenser and said absorber while heating said medium said heating medium being heated in said direct heating mode by passing it in indirect heat exchange in a further heat exchanger with coolant-poor solvent from said separator prior to feeding said coolant-poor solvent to said temperature changer; and preventing the supply of ambient heat to said evaporator and said absorber during said direct heating mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said heating medium is heated in said direct heating mode by passing it through said heat generator for direct heating by combustion of fuel therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of additionally heating said medium by heat exchange with flue gas in said heat generator.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
19 words
The method defined in 1, further comprising the step of switching between said modes utilizing a central switching unit.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
19 words
The method defined in 1, further comprising the step of switching between said modes utilizing a central switching unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
251 words
In an absorptive heating installation which comprises a heat generator, a solvent circulation path for a solvent adapted to absorb a coolant, said solvent circulation path including a solvent pump, a temperature changer for passing coolant-poor solvent in indirect heat exchange with coolant-rich solvent, a rectifier having a sump in which coolant-rich solvent collects, a stripper in said heat generator in which coolant-rich solvent is heated, and a separator in which coolant-rich solvent is separated into coolant vapor and a liquid phase consisting of said coolant-poor solvent, the vapor being fed to said rectifier, a coolant circulation path extending from said rectifier and including a condenser, a cold exchanger in which condensed coolant is passed in indirect heat exchange with coolant vapor, an evaporator receiving said coolant from said cold exchanger and producing coolant vapor, and an absorber for contacting solvent vapor with said coolant-poor solvent from said temperature changer to produce a coolant/solvent mixture which is supplied to said pump, and a circulation path for a heating medium extending through said condenser, said absorber and said rectifier, the improvement which comprises a further heat exchanger for said medium, and means in a direct heating mode for circulating said heating medium through said further heat exchanger but bypassing said condenser and said absorber said further heat exchanger being connected to be traversed by said coolant-poor solvent between said separator and said temperature changer, and a valve-controlled bypass line bridged across coils for said heating medium in said condenser and said absorber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
251 words
In an absorptive heating installation which comprises a heat generator, a solvent circulation path for a solvent adapted to absorb a coolant, said solvent circulation path including a solvent pump, a temperature changer for passing coolant-poor solvent in indirect heat exchange with coolant-rich solvent, a rectifier having a sump in which coolant-rich solvent collects, a stripper in said heat generator in which coolant-rich solvent is heated, and a separator in which coolant-rich solvent is separated into coolant vapor and a liquid phase consisting of said coolant-poor solvent, the vapor being fed to said rectifier, a coolant circulation path extending from said rectifier and including a condenser, a cold exchanger in which condensed coolant is passed in indirect heat exchange with coolant vapor, an evaporator receiving said coolant from said cold exchanger and producing coolant vapor, and an absorber for contacting solvent vapor with said coolant-poor solvent from said temperature changer to produce a coolant/solvent mixture which is supplied to said pump, and a circulation path for a heating medium extending through said condenser, said absorber and said rectifier, the improvement which comprises a further heat exchanger for said medium, and means in a direct heating mode for circulating said heating medium through said further heat exchanger but bypassing said condenser and said absorber said further heat exchanger being connected to be traversed by said coolant-poor solvent between said separator and said temperature changer, and a valve-controlled bypass line bridged across coils for said heating medium in said condenser and said absorber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement defined in claim 5 wherein said further heat exchanger is disposed in said heat generator and is directly heated by combustion therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement defined in claim 6, further comprising a partition between said stripper and said further heat exchanger in said heat generator and flap means for selectively heating said stripper and said further heat exchanger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement defined in claim 7 or claim 6, further comprising a flue gas cooler in said heat generator connected in said circulation path for said heating medium.