Discrete constant pressure system for staging solid-vapor compounds

Claim 3

Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receiving means comprises one or more condensers for receiving said relatively heated gaseous reactant and one or more evaporators for supplying relatively cool gaseous reactant.

Claim 4

Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receiving means comprises means for adsorbing and desorbing said gaseous reactant.

Claim 5

An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for directing heat transfer fluid through said reaction chambers comprises multiple channel means capable of directing different heat transfer fluids therethrough in thermal communication with said compounds during adsorption and desorption reactions in said reaction chambers.

Claim 6

An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein at least one of said compounds comprises: CaCl 2 . 4-8 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 2-4 (NH 3 ) and mixtures thereof, SrCl 2 . 1-8 (NH 3 ), BaCl 2 . 0-8 (NH 3 ), LiCl . 0-3 (NH 3 ), SrBr 2 . 2-8 (NH 3 ), CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), CoCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), CoBr 2 . 2-6(NH 3 ), NiCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), FeCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), CuSO 2 . 2-4(NH 3 ), NaBF 2 . 0.5-2.5 (NH 3 ), NaBr . 0-5.25 (NH 3 ), and CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ) or CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) and mixtures thereof.

Claim 9

An apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for directing heat transfer fluid through said reaction chambers comprises multiple channel means capable of directing different heat transfer fluids therethrough in thermal communication with said compounds during adsorption and desorption reactions in said reaction chambers.

Claim 12

An apparatus of claim 8, wherein said means for directing heat transfer fluid through said reactors comprises multiple channel means capable of directing different heat transfer fluids therethrough in thermal communication with said compounds during adsorption and desorption reactions in said reactors.

Claim 13

Apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one of said compounds is selected from the group consisting of: CaCl 2 . 4-8 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 2-4 (NH 3 ) and mixtures thereof, SrCl 2 . 1-8 (NH 3 ), BaCl 2 . 0-8 (NH 3 ), LiCl . 0-3 (NH 3 ), SrBr 2 . 2-8 (NH 3 ), CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), CoCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), CoBr 2 . 2- 6(NH 3 ), NiCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), FeCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), CuSO 4 . 2-4 (NH 3 ) , NaBF 4 . 0.5-2.5 (NH 3 ), NaBr . 0-5.25(NH 3 ), and CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) and mixtures thereof.

Claim 18

Apparatus of Claim 12, wherein an intermediate stage vapor pressure compound is CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ).

Claim 19

Apparatus of Claim 13, wherein the third lower vapor pressure compound comprises a CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) or mixtures thereof.

Claim 20

Apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the highest vapor pressure compound is CaCl 2 . 4-8 (NH 3 ).

Claim 21

Apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the highest vapor pressure compound is CaCl 2 . 2-4 (NH 3 ).

Claim 22

Apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the highest vapor pressure compound is a combination of CaCl 2 . 4-8 (NH 3 ) and CaCl 2 . 2-4 (NH 3 ).

Claim 23

Apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the highest vapor pressure compound comprises CaCl 2 . 4-8 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 2-4(NH 3 ) or mixtures thereof.

Claim 24

Apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the highest vapor pressure compound is SrCl 2 . 1-8 (NH 3 ).

Claim 25

Apparatus of Claim 15, wherein an intermediate stage vapor pressure compound is CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ).

Claim 26

Apparatus of Claim 16, wherein an intermediate stage vapor pressure compound is CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ).

Claim 27

Apparatus of Claim 17, wherein an intermediate stage vapor pressure compound is CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ).

Claim 28

Apparatus of Claim 18, wherein an intermediate stage vapor pressure compound is CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ).

Claim 29

Apparatus of Claim 19, wherein an intermediate stage vapor pressure compound is CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ).

Claim 30

Apparatus Claim 12 wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) or mixtures thereof.

Claim 31

Apparatus of Claim 15, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) or mixtures thereof.

Claim 32

Apparatus of Claim 16, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) or mixtures thereof.

Claim 33

Apparatus of Claim 17, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) or mixtures thereof.

Claim 34

Apparatus of Claim 18, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) or mixtures thereof.

Claim 35

Apparatus of Claim 19, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is a combination of CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), and CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ).

Claim 36

Apparatus of Claim 20 wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl . 1-2 (NH 3 ), or mixtures thereof.

Claim 37

Apparatus of Claim 21, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) or mixtures thereof.

Claim 38

Apparatus of Claim 22, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) or mixtures thereof.

Claim 39

Apparatus of Claim 23, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) or mixtures thereof.

Claim 40

Apparatus of Claim 24, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) or mixtures thereof.

Claim 41

Apparatus of Claim 23, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is NiCl 2 . 2-6(NH 3 ).

Claim 42

Apparatus of Claim 12, wherein one or more lower stage vapor pressure compounds are selected from the group consisting of: SrCl 2 . 1-8 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 2-4(NH 3 ), LiCl . 0-3(NH 3 ), SrBr 2 . 2-8 (NH 3 ), CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), FeCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), CoCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), FeBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), NiCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), CoBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), CuSO 4 . 2-4 (NH 3 ), , NaBF 4 . 0.5-2.5 (NH 3 ), NaBr . 0-5.25 (NH 3 ), and CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) and mixtures thereof.

Claim 45

Apparatus of claim 38 wherein the low vapor pressure compound comprises CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) or mixtures thereof, CaBNr 2 .2-6 (NH 3 ), FeCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), or CoCl 2 .2-6(NH 3 ).

Claim 48

Apparatus of Claim 40, where one or more lower vapor pressure compounds are selected from the group consisting of: SrCl 2 . 1-8 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 2-4 (NH 3 ), LiCl . 0-3(NH 3 ), SrBr 2 . 2-8 (NH 3 ), CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), FeCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), NiCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), CoCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), CoBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), CuSO 4 . 2-4 (NH 3 ), and CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) and mixtures thereof.

Claim 49

Apparatus of Claim 40, wherein the highest vapor pressure compound is selected from the group consisting of CaCl 2 . 4-8 (NH 3 ) and CaCl 2 . 2-4 (NH 3 ), a combination thereof, and SrCl 2 . 1-8 (NH 3 ).

Claim 50

Apparatus of Claim 42, wherein one of the lower stage vapor pressure compounds is CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ).

Claim 51

Apparatus of Claim 42, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound comprises CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) or a combination thereof.

Claim 52

Apparatus of Claim 42, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is NiCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ).

Claim 53

A mechanical or pressure actuated heat pump apparatus, comprising: a plurality of two or more reaction chambers, each of said chambers having a different compound therein comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, each of said compounds having a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant therein, said compounds having an ascending order of adsorption temperatures at the same adsorption and desorption pressure, respectively, and wherein the lower adsorption temperature compound adsorption temperature at high reaction pressure is at least 8° C. higher than the desorption temperature of the next successive higher adsorption temperature compound at low reaction pressure; wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt; means for directing heat transfer fluid to and from said reaction chambers whereby heat from an exothermic adsorption reaction is directed to a reaction chamber for driving an endothermic desorption reaction; and wherein the lowest adsorption temperature compound is selected from the group consisting of: CaCl 2 . 4-8 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 2-4 (NH 3 ), mixtures thereof, SrCl 2 . 1-8 (NH 3 ), BaCl 2 . 0-8 (NH 3 ), LiCl . 0-3 (NH 3 ), SrBr 2 . 2-8 (NH 3 ), CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), FeCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), NaBF 4 . 0.5-2.5 (NH 3 ), and NaBr . 0-5.25 (NH 3 ).

Claim 54

A mechanical or pressure actuated heat pump apparatus, comprising: a plurality of two or more reaction chambers, each of said chambers having a different compound therein comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, each of said compounds having a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant therein, said compounds having an ascending order of adsorption temperatures at the same adsorption and desorption pressure, respectively, and wherein the lower adsorption temperature compound adsorption temperature at high reaction pressure is at least 8° C. higher than the desorption temperature of the next successive higher adsorption temperature compound at low reaction pressure; wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt; means for directing heat transfer fluid to and from said reaction chambers whereby heat from an exothermic adsorption reaction is directed to a reaction chamber for driving an endothermic desorption reaction; and wherein the lowest adsorption temperature compound is selected from the group consisting of: CaCl 2 . 4-8 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 2-4 (NH 3 ), mixtures thereof, SrCl 2 . 1-8 (NH 3 ), BaCl 2 . 0-8 (NH 3 ), LiCl . 0-3 (NH 3 ), SrBr 2 . 2-8 (NH 3 ), CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), FeCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ), NaBF 4 . 0.5-2.5 (NH 3 ), and NaBr . 0-5.25 (NH 3 ).

Claim 55

Apparatus of claim 46, wherein the lowest adsorption temperature compound is selected from the group consisting of CaCl 2 . 4-8 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 2-4 (NH 3 ), mixtures thereof, and SrCl 2 . 1-8 (NH 3 ).

Claim 56

Apparatus of claim 47, wherein one of the higher adsorption temperature compounds is CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ).

Claim 57

Apparatus of claim 47, wherein the highest adsorption temperature compound comprises CaCl 2 . 0-1 (NH 3 ), CaCl 2 . 1-2 (NH 3 ) mixtures thereof, or CaBr 2 . 2-6 (NH 3 ).

Claim 60

A process for staging solid-vapor compound reactions, comprising: selecting a plurality of two or more different compounds comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, wherein each of said compounds has a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant, wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, a lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide, and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt, and locating a different one of said compounds in a different one of a plurality of reactors; in a first reaction cycle, operating a first portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in a first pressure, whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction; in a second reaction cycle, operating said first portion of said reactors at said second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in said first pressure whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction; directing at least a portion of the heat from an exothermic reaction to a reactor for driving an endothermic reaction; directing gaseous reactant released from said desorbing reactors to a condenser for said gaseous reactant, direction condensed gaseous reactant from said condenser to an evaporator for said gaseous reactant, and directing evaporated gaseous reactant from said evaporator to adsorbing reactors; and directing a first flow of said gaseous reactant from the desorbing reactor to said condenser and concurrently directing a second flow of gaseous reactant from said evaporator to the adsorbing reactor through a heat exchanger and exchanging heat between said first and second flows.

Claim 61

A process for staging solid-vapor compound reactions, comprising: selecting a plurality of two or more different compounds comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, wherein each of said compounds has a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant, wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, a lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide, and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt, and locating a different one of said compounds in a different one of a plurality of reactors; in a first reaction cycle, operating a first portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in a first pressure, whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction; in a second reaction cycle, operating said first portion of said reactors at said second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in said first pressure whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction; directing at least a portion of the heat from an exothermic reaction to a reactor for driving an endothermic reaction; directing gaseous reactant released from said desorbing reactors to a condenser for said gaseous reactant, direction condensed gaseous reactant from said condenser to an evaporator for said gaseous reactant, and directing evaporated gaseous reactant from said evaporator to adsorbing reactors; and directing a first flow of said gaseous reactant from the desorbing reactor to said condenser and concurrently directing a second flow of gaseous reactant from said evaporator to the adsorbing reactor through a heat exchanger and exchanging heat between said first and second flows.

Claim 62

A process for staging solid-vapor compounds, comprising: selecting a plurality of two or more different compounds comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, wherein each of said compounds has a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant, wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, a lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide, and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt, and locating a different one of said compounds in a different one of a plurality of reactors; in a first reaction cycle, operating a first portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in a first pressure, whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction; in a second reaction cycle, operating said first portion of said reactors at said second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in said first pressure whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction; directing at least a portion of the heat from an exothermic reaction to a reaction for driving an endothermic reaction; directing gaseous reactant released from said desorbing reactors receiving means for said gaseous reactant, and directing gaseous reactant from receiving means to adsorbing reactors; and directing a first flow of said gaseous reactant from the desorbing reactor to a receiving mean and concurrently directing a second flow of gaseous reactant from receiving means to the adsorbing reactor through a heat exchanger and exchanging heat between said first and second flow.

Claim 63

A process for staging solid-vapor compounds, comprising: selecting a plurality of two or more different compounds comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, wherein each of said compounds has a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant, wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, a lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide, and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt, and locating a different one of said compounds in a different one of a plurality of reactors; in a first reaction cycle, operating a first portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in a first pressure, whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction; in a second reaction cycle, operating said first portion of said reactors at said second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in said first pressure whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction; directing at least a portion of the heat from an exothermic reaction to a reaction for driving an endothermic reaction; directing gaseous reactant released from said desorbing reactors receiving means for said gaseous reactant, and directing gaseous reactant from receiving means to adsorbing reactors; and directing a first flow of said gaseous reactant from the desorbing reactor to a receiving mean and concurrently directing a second flow of gaseous reactant from receiving means to the adsorbing reactor through a heat exchanger and exchanging heat between said first and second flow.

Claim 64

A process for staging solid-vapor compounds, comprising: selecting a plurality of to or more different compounds comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, wherein each of said compounds has a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant, wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, a lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide, and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt, and locating a different one of said compounds in a different one of a plurality of reactors; in a first reaction cycle, operating a first portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in a first pressure, whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction; in a second reaction cycle, operating said first portion of said reactors at said second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in said first pressure whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction; directing at least a portion of the heat from an exothermic reaction to a reactor for driving an endothermic reaction; directing gaseous reactant released from said desorbing reactors to condense for said gaseous reactant, directing condensed gaseous reactant from said condense to an evaporator for said gaseous reactant, and directing evaporated gaseous reactant from said evaporator to adsorbing reactors; and directing a liquid flow of condensed gaseous reactant from said condenser to said evaporator and concurrently directing a gaseous flow of gaseous reactant from said evaporator to said adsorbing reactor through a heat exchanger and exchanging heat between said liquid flow and said gaseous flow.

Claim 65

A process for staging solid-vapor compounds, comprising: selecting a plurality of to or more different compounds comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, wherein each of said compounds has a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant, wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, a lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide, and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt, and locating a different one of said compounds in a different one of a plurality of reactors; in a first reaction cycle, operating a first portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in a first pressure, whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction; in a second reaction cycle, operating said first portion of said reactors at said second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in said first pressure whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction; directing at least a portion of the heat from an exothermic reaction to a reactor for driving an endothermic reaction; directing gaseous reactant released from said desorbing reactors to condense for said gaseous reactant, directing condensed gaseous reactant from said condense to an evaporator for said gaseous reactant, and directing evaporated gaseous reactant from said evaporator to adsorbing reactors; and directing a liquid flow of condensed gaseous reactant from said condenser to said evaporator and concurrently directing a gaseous flow of gaseous reactant from said evaporator to said adsorbing reactor through a heat exchanger and exchanging heat between said liquid flow and said gaseous flow.