Refrigerant system with economizer, intercooler and multi-stage compressor
OwnerAlexander Lifson, Michael F. Tarasinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A refrigerant system is provided with a multi-stage compression system. An intercooler is positioned between at least two compression stages to cool a refrigerant, by heat transfer interaction with a secondary fluid, after it has been compressed in the lower compression stages to some intermediate pressure. The intercooler enhances refrigerant system performance, improves compressor reliability, and extends operational envelope. Further, at least one economizer circuit is incorporated into the refrigerant system that returns the economized refrigerant flow at the location between at least two compression stages.
Claims30
A refrigerant system comprising:
- at least two compression stages connected in series with respect to a refrigerant flow, a condenser positioned downstream of said at least two compression
- stages, an expansion device positioned downstream of said condenser and an evaporator positioned downstream of said expansion device, refrigerant passing through said at least two compression stages, to said condenser, to said main expansion device, to said evaporator, and then returning to a lower compression stage of said at least two compression stages;
- and
- an economizer circuit incorporated into the refrigerant system, said economizer circuit including an economizer heat exchanger for receiving a portion of refrigerant tapped from a liquid line in the main circuit, and expanded to an intermediate pressure, said tapped expanded refrigerant cooling a refrigerant flowing in said liquid line through said economizer heat exchanger, and said tapped refrigerant
- then being returned to an injection point intermediate said at least two compression stages, and an intercooler heat exchanger positioned between said at least two compression stages.
A method of operating a refrigerant system comprising the steps of:
- (1) providing at least two compression stages connected in series with respect to a refrigerant flow, a condenser positioned downstream of said at least two compression stages, an expansion device positioned downstream of said condenser and an evaporator positioned downstream of said expansion device, refrigerant passing through said at least two compression stages, to said condenser, to said main expansion device, to said evaporator, and then returning to a lower compression stage of said at least two compression stages;
- and
- (2) providing an economizer circuit incorporated into the refrigerant system, said economizer circuit including an economizer heat exchanger for receiving a portion of refrigerant tapped from a liquid line in the main circuit, and expanded to an intermediate pressure, using said tapped expanded refrigerant to cool a refrigerant flowing in said liquid line through said economizer heat exchanger, and said tapped refrigerant then being returned to an injection point intermediate said at least two compression stages, and positioning an intercooler heat exchanger between said at least two compression stages.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.