Refrigerant reclamation system

Claim 2

A refrigerant reclamation system for on-site reclamation of contaminated refrigerant comprising an upright pressure vessel for holding a predetermined portion of the contaminated refrigerant, means for pumping said contaminated refrigerant into said vessel, said means for pumping comprising a liquid pump and a jet pump connected to a common liquid inlet for alternatively discharging contaminated refrigerant into said pressure vessel, a liquid level control means externally mounted on said vessel for controlling said pumping means to maintain a predetermined high and low liquid level in said vessel, an electric resistance heater mounted in a lower portion of said vessel in pressure tight relationship therewith; and a thermostatic switch means for controlling said resistance heater.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure vessel is provided with a first drain valve connected to a bottom vessel portion and a second drain valve connected to a side vessel portion at a location to maintain a predetermined minimum liquid level to ensure that the resistance heater is always immersed in liquid.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a sight glass is provided along the side of the pressure vessel to visually monitor the liquid level and the color of the liquid therein.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure vessel is connected to a refrigeration system with a 3-pipe system comprising a liquid line connected between the lower liquid containing portion of the refrigeration system evaporator and the inlet to said common liquid inlet, a discharge line connected between the discharge line of the refrigeration system and the inlet to the jet pump; and a vapor line connected between an upper portion of the refrigeration system evaporator and the top of said pressure vessel.

Claim 6

The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein an electrically controlled solenoid valve is mounted in the discharge line on the inlet side of said jet pump.

Claim 7

The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein a manually controlled purge switch is provided to manually energize said solenoid valve.

Claim 8

The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said solenoid valve is in electrical series relationship with said thermostatic switch means and said liquid level control means.

Claim 9

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a 3 position manual control switch is mounted in a series circuit relationship between said liquid pump and said liquid level control means, said 3 position manual control switch comprising a first "off" position wherein said circuit between said liquid level control means and said pump is open, a second "auto" position wherein a circuit is completed between said liquid level control means and said pump; and a third "manual" position wherein said liquid level control means is bypassed to directly energize said liquid pump.

Claim 10

The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein a filter-drier is provided in said vapor line at the outlet of said pressure vessel.

Claim 11

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thermostatic switch means has a sensing bulb mounted in said pressure vessel at a location above said resistance heater but below said liquid level determined by said second drain valve.

Claim 12

A refrigerant reclamation system for on-site reclamation of contaminated refrigerant comprising an upright pressure vessel for holding a predetermined portion of the contaminated refrigerant, liquid pump means for pumping said contaminated refrigerant into said vessel, a liquid level control means externally mounted on said vessel for controlling said pump means to maintain a predetermined high and low liquid level in said vessel, an electric resistance heater mounted in a lower portion of said vessel in pressure tight relationship therewith; and thermostatic switch means for controlling said resistance heater.

Claim 13

A refrigerant reclamation system for on-site reclamation of contaminated refrigerant comprising an upright pressure vessel for holding a predetermined portion of the contaminated refrigerant, liquid pump means for pumping said contaminated refrigerant into said vessel, a liquid level control means externally mounted on said vessel for controlling said pump means to maintain a predetermined high and low liquid level in said vessel, an electric resistance heater mounted in a lower portion of said vessel in pressure tight relationship therewith; and thermostatic switch means for controlling said resistance heater.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said liquid pump means comprises a jet pump.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said liquid pump means comprises a liquid pump and a jet pump.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein a drain valve is connected to a side vessel portion at a location to maintain a predetermined minimum liquid level to ensure that the resistance heater is always immersed in liquid.

Claim 17

A refrigerant reclamation system for on-site reclamation of contaminated refrigerant comprising an upright pressure vessel for holding a predetermined portion of the contaminated refrigerant, means for pumping said contaminated refrigerant into an upper portion of said vessel, said means for pumping comprising a liquid pump and a jet pump connected to a common liquid inlet for alternatively discharging contaminated refrigerant into said pressure vessel, a liquid level control means externally mounted on said vessel for controlling said pumping means to maintain a predetermined high and low liquid level in said vessel, a sight glass provided along the side of said pressure vessel to visually monitor the liquid level, an electric resistance heater mounted in a lower portion of said vessel in pressure tight relationship therewith, a thermostatic switch having a sensing bulb mounted in said vessel above said resistance heater; and a drain valve connected to a side vessel portion at a location to maintain a predetermined minimum liquid level to ensure that said resistance heater and said sensing bulb are always immersed in liquid.

Claim 18

A refrigerant reclamation system for on-site reclamation of contaminated refrigerant comprising an upright pressure vessel for holding a predetermined portion of the contaminated refrigerant, means for pumping said contaminated refrigerant into an upper portion of said vessel, said means for pumping comprising a liquid pump and a jet pump connected to a common liquid inlet for alternatively discharging contaminated refrigerant into said pressure vessel, a liquid level control means externally mounted on said vessel for controlling said pumping means to maintain a predetermined high and low liquid level in said vessel, a sight glass provided along the side of said pressure vessel to visually monitor the liquid level, an electric resistance heater mounted in a lower portion of said vessel in pressure tight relationship therewith, a thermostatic switch having a sensing bulb mounted in said vessel above said resistance heater; and a drain valve connected to a side vessel portion at a location to maintain a predetermined minimum liquid level to ensure that said resistance heater and said sensing bulb are always immersed in liquid.