Refrigeration system and method for operating same
AssigneeMarc-André Lesmerises
InventorsMarc-André Lesmerises, Tommy Dolbec
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A refrigeration system operable in cooling mode and defrosting mode is provided. The refrigeration system includes a defrost line connecting a first reservoir to an evaporation stage for conveying at least part of the flash gas from the first reservoir to the evaporation stage when the refrigeration system is operating in defrosting mode. The flash gas thereby releases heat in the evaporation stage for defrosting the evaporation stage. The refrigeration system can also include a discharge line connecting the evaporation stage to a second reservoir.
Claims14
A refrigeration system operable in a cooling mode and a defrosting mode, the refrigeration system comprising:
- a compression stage in which a refrigerant is compressed;
- a cooling stage in which the compressed refrigerant releases heat;
- a reservoir downstream of the cooling stage for storing the refrigerant;
- an evaporation stage in which the refrigerant, having released heat in the cooling stage, absorbs heat when the refrigeration system is operating in the cooling mode;
- transfer lines connecting the compression stage, the cooling stage, the reservoir and the evaporation stage, and wherein the refrigerant is circulable in a closed-loop circuit;
- a defrost line connecting the reservoir to the evaporation stage for conveying a first portion of the refrigerant from the reservoir to the evaporation stage when the refrigeration system is operating in the defrosting mode, wherein the first portion of the refrigerant releases heat in the evaporation stage for defrosting the evaporation stage;
- a defrost return line for conveying the refrigerant having released heat in the evaporation stage from the evaporation stage to the reservoir;
- an ejector provided in the defrost return line and having a nozzle section, a suction section and a pressurizing section;
- and
- a flow regulating unit located downstream of the cooling stage and upstream of the nozzle section of the ejector;
- wherein when the refrigeration system is operating in the defrosting mode:
- the suction section receives refrigerant having released heat in the evaporation stage;
- the nozzle section receives compressed and cooled refrigerant from the cooling stage, the refrigerant passing through the flow regulating unit;
- and
- pressurized refrigerant exits the ejector via the pressurizing section and is conveyed back to the reservoir;
- and
- wherein when the refrigeration system is operating in the cooling mode, the flow regulating unit prevents all the refrigerant from flowing between the cooling stage and the nozzle section of the ejector.
A CO2 refrigeration system operable in a cooling mode and a defrosting mode, the CO2 refrigeration system comprising:
- a compression stage in which CO2 refrigerant is compressed;
- a cooling stage in which the compressed CO2 refrigerant releases heat;
- a reservoir downstream of the cooling stage for storing the CO2 refrigerant;
- an evaporation stage in which the CO2 refrigerant, having released heat in the cooling stage, absorbs heat when the CO2 refrigeration system is operating in the cooling mode;
- transfer lines connecting the compression stage, the cooling stage, the reservoir and the evaporation stage, and wherein the CO2 refrigerant is circulable in a closed-loop circuit;
- a defrost line connecting the reservoir to the evaporation stage for conveying a first portion of the refrigerant from the reservoir to the evaporation stage when the CO2 refrigeration system is operating in the defrosting mode, wherein the first portion of the CO2 refrigerant releases heat in the evaporation stage for defrosting the evaporation stage;
- a defrost return line for conveying the CO2 refrigerant having released heat in the evaporation stage from the evaporation stage to the reservoir;
- an ejector provided in the defrost return line and having a nozzle section, a suction section and a pressurizing section;
- and
- a flow regulating unit located downstream of the cooling stage and upstream of the nozzle section of the ejector;
- wherein when the CO2 refrigeration system is operating in the defrosting mode:
- the suction section receives CO2 refrigerant having released heat in the evaporation stage;
- the nozzle section receives compressed and cooled CO2 refrigerant from the cooling stage, the CO2 refrigerant passing through the flow regulating unit;
- and
- pressurized CO2 refrigerant exits the ejector via the pressurizing section and is conveyed back to the reservoir;
- and
- wherein when the refrigeration system is operating in the cooling mode, the flow regulating unit prevents all the refrigerant from flowing from the cooling stage to the nozzle section of the ejector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.