Ultra efficient turbo-compression cooling systems

A method of turbo-compression cooling, the method comprising:

• receiving, from a waste heat source, heat waste in a waste heat boiler;
• evaporating a first working fluid using the heat waste in the waste heat boiler;
• generating mechanical power through expansion of the first working fluid to a lower pressure in a turbine, the expansion of the first working fluid rotating one or more turbine vanes;
• condensing the first working fluid to a saturated or subcooled liquid in a first condenser;
• pressurizing the saturated or subcooled liquid through a mechanical pump to re-enter the waste heat boiler;
• transferring the generated mechanical power to a first compressor, the first compressor configured to receive a second working fluid;
• compressing the second working fluid via the first compressor thereby increasing the pressure thereof;
• condensing the second working fluid in a second condenser to a saturated or subcooled liquid;
• expanding the second working fluid to a lower pressure via an expansion valve;
• rejecting heat through an evaporator from circulating cooling fluid to the second working fluid;
• compressing the second working fluid via a second compressor powered separately from the first compressor;
• and
• discharging the second working fluid from the second compressor to the first compressor.

A system for turbo-compression cooling powered with waste heat from a facility having a cooling loop, the system comprising:

• a power cycle comprising:
• a first working fluid;
• a waste heat boiler configured to evaporate the first working fluid, the waste heat boiler configured to receive the waste heat from the facility;
• a turbine configured to receive the evaporated first working fluid from the waste heat boiler, the turbine having a plurality of vanes disposed around a central shaft and configured to rotate about the central shaft, the plurality of vanes configured to rotate as the first working fluid expands to a lower pressure;
• and
• a first condenser configured to receive the first working fluid from the turbine and configured to condense the first working fluid to a saturated or subcooled liquid;
• a cooling cycle comprising:
• a second working fluid;
• a first compressor configured to increase the pressure of the second working fluid;
• a second condenser configured to receive the second working fluid from the first compressor and configured to condense the second working fluid to a saturated or subcooled liquid;
• an expansion valve configured to receive the second working fluid from the second condenser and configured to expand the second working fluid to a lower pressure;
• an evaporator configured to receive the second working fluid from the expansion valve and configured to reject heat from a circulating fluid to the second working fluid, thereby cooling the circulating fluid;
• an economizer configured to reject heat from the second working fluid exiting the first compressor and absorb heat in the first working fluid exiting the first condenser;
• and
• wherein the turbine and first compressor are coupled one to the other, thereby coupling the power cycle and the cooling cycle.

A system for turbo-compression cooling in a distributed refrigeration system in a facility producing waste heat, the distributed refrigeration system comprising an accumulator receiving a two-phase mixture of a refrigerant from an expansion valve, wherein the refrigerant in a liquid state from the accumulator is repressurized and sent to a distributed set of evaporators, the system comprising:

• a power cycle comprising:
• a power cycle fluid;
• a waste heat boiler configured to evaporate the power cycle fluid, the waste heat boiler configured to receive waste heat from the facility;
• a turbine configured to receive the evaporated power cycle fluid from the waste heat boiler, the turbine having a plurality of vanes disposed around a central shaft and configured to rotate about the central shaft, the plurality of vanes configured to rotate as the power cycle fluid expands to a lower pressure;
• and
• a first condenser configured to receive the power cycle fluid from the turbine, and configured to condense the power cycle fluid to a saturated or subcooled liquid;
• a cooling cycle comprising:
• a cooling cycle fluid;
• a first compressor configured to increase the pressure of the cooling cycle fluid, the first compressor coupled to the turbine, thereby coupling the power cycle and the cooling cycle;
• a second condenser configured to receive the cooling cycle fluid from the first compressor and configured to condense the cooling cycle fluid to a saturated or subcooled liquid;
• an expansion valve configured to receive the cooling cycle fluid from the second condenser and configured to expand the cooling cycle fluid a lower pressure upon passing therethrough;
• an evaporator configured to receive the cooling cycle fluid from the expansion valve and being integrated with the refrigerant of the distributed refrigeration system to provide cooling to the refrigerant, the refrigerant rejecting heat to the cooling cycle fluid;
• an economizer configured to reject heat from the cooling cycle fluid exiting the first compressor and absorb heat in the power cycle fluid exiting the first condenser.

A method of turbo-compression cooling, the method comprising:

• receiving, from a waste heat source, heat waste in a waste heat boiler;
• evaporating a first working fluid using the heat waste in the waste heat boiler;
• generating mechanical power through expansion of the first working fluid to a lower pressure in a turbine, the expansion of the first working fluid rotating one or more turbine vanes;
• condensing the first working fluid to a saturated or subcooled liquid in a first condenser;
• pressurizing the saturated or subcooled liquid through a mechanical pump to re-enter the waste heat boiler;
• transferring the generated mechanical power to a compressor, the compressor configured to receive a second working fluid;
• compressing the second working fluid via the compressor thereby increasing the pressure thereof;
• condensing the second working fluid in a second condenser to a saturated or subcooled liquid;
• expanding the second working fluid to a lower pressure via an expansion valve;
• rejecting heat through an evaporator from circulating cooling fluid to the second working fluid;
• and
• rejecting heat from the second working fluid exiting the compressor in an economizer, and absorbing heat in the first working fluid exiting the mechanical pump in the economizer.

A method of turbo-compression cooling, the method comprising:

• receiving, from a waste heat source, heat waste in a waste heat boiler;
• evaporating a first working fluid using the heat waste in the waste heat boiler;
• generating mechanical power through expansion of the first working fluid to a lower pressure in a turbine, the expansion of the first working fluid rotating one or more turbine vanes;
• condensing the first working fluid to a saturated or subcooled liquid in a first condenser;
• pressurizing the saturated or subcooled liquid through a mechanical pump to re-enter the waste heat boiler;
• transferring the generated mechanical power to a compressor, the compressor configured to receive a second working fluid;
• compressing the second working fluid via the compressor thereby increasing the pressure thereof;
• condensing the second working fluid in a second condenser to a saturated or subcooled liquid;
• expanding the second working fluid to a lower pressure via an expansion valve;
• rejecting heat through an evaporator from circulating cooling fluid to the second working fluid;
• and
• preheating the second working fluid in a suction-line heat exchanger prior to compressing the second working fluid via the compressor, wherein the second working fluid is preheated in the suction-line heat exchanger via the second working fluid exiting the second condenser.