Energy Recovery Apparatus for a Refrigeration System

An energy recovery apparatus for use in a refrigeration system, the refrigeration system comprising an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser, the evaporator being configured to evaporate a cold refrigerant from a liquid-vapor state to a vapor state, the compressor being configured to receive refrigerant discharged from the evaporator and compress the refrigerant to an elevated, sub-critical pressure, the condenser being configured to receive refrigerant discharged from the compressor and condense the refrigerant to one of a saturated-liquid state, a liquid state cooler than the saturated-liquid state, and a liquid-vapor state near the saturated-liquid state, the energy recovery apparatus comprising:

• an intake port adapted to be in fluid communication with the condenser;
• a discharge port adapted to be in fluid communication with the evaporator;
• a nozzle adapted and configured to expand refrigerant discharged from the condenser and increase velocity of the refrigerant as it passes through the nozzle;
• and
• a turbine positioned relative to the nozzle and configured to be driven by refrigerant discharged from the nozzle, the discharge port of the energy recovery apparatus being downstream of the turbine;
• and
• a generator coupled to the turbine and configured to be driven by the turbine, the generator being configured to produce electricity as a result of the turbine being driven by refrigerant discharged from the nozzle.

A method comprising inducing a user to place an energy recovery apparatus in fluid communication with a refrigeration line of a refrigeration system, the refrigeration system comprising an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser, the evaporator being configured to evaporate a cold refrigerant from a liquid-vapor state to a vapor state, the compressor being configured to receive refrigerant discharged from the evaporator and compress the refrigerant to an elevated, sub-critical pressure, the condenser being configured to receive refrigerant discharged from the compressor and condense the refrigerant to one of a saturated-liquid state, a liquid state cooler than the saturated-liquid state, and a liquid-vapor state near the saturated-liquid state, the energy recovery apparatus comprising:

• an intake port adapted to be in fluid communication with the condenser;
• a discharge port adapted to be in fluid communication with the evaporator;
• a nozzle adapted and configured to expand refrigerant discharged from the condenser and increase velocity of the refrigerant as it passes through the nozzle;
• and
• a turbine positioned relative to the nozzle and configured to be driven by refrigerant discharged from the nozzle, the discharge port of the energy recovery apparatus being downstream of the turbine;
• and
• a generator coupled to the turbine and configured to be driven by the turbine, the generator being configured to produce electricity as a result of the turbine being driven by refrigerant discharged from the nozzle.