Multi-stage apparatus having working-fluid and absorption cycles, and method of operation thereof

A multistage heat energy utilizing apparatus comprising a plurality of exchange units and a pressure machine unit, said units operating in a first, second and third successively lower pressure ranges and being comprised in first and second working fluid circuits and at least one absorbent circuit, in which circuits the pressure and temperature levels of the wrking fluid are changed by supplying and withdrawing available energy, the term "exchange unit" incluidng units operating as generator, condensor, evaporator and absorber, and the term "pressure machine" including compressors and expansion machines,

• said first working fluid circuit being an absorber circuit and said second working fluid circuit being a pressure machine circuit,
• said absorber circuit comprising first, second, third and fourth exchange units ( A.sub.1, A.sub.2, A.sub.3, A.sub.4 in FIG. 4) of which
• said first unit A.sub.1 operates in a relative high temperature range of a first pressure range, which is a relatively high pressure range of said first working fluid circuit,
• said second unit A.sub.2 operates in relatively low temperature range of said first pressure range,
• said third unit A.sub.3 operates in a relatively low temperature range of a second pressure range which a relatively low pressure range of said first working fluid circuit, and
• said fourth unit A.sub.4 operates in a relatively high temperature range of said second pressure range;
• said pressure machine circuit comprising fifth and sixth exchange units (K.sub.1, K.sub.2), and the pressure machine (K), of which
• said fifth exchange unit (K.sub.1) operates in a third, relatively high pressure range of said pressure machine circuit and
• said sixth exchange unit K.sub.2 operates in a fourth, relatively low pressure range of said pressure machine circuit,
• said absorber and pressure machine circuits having one exchange unit in common so that a specific exchange unit operates as exchange unit in said working fluid circuit and also as exchange unit in said pressure machine circuit,
• wherein further one condition of the following set of conditions is fulfilled:
• (a) the exchange unit which is common to both of said absorberand pressure machine circuits forms a pair of exchange units selected from the following set of pairs:
• A.sub.1, K.sub.1 ;
• A.sub.1, K.sub.2 ;
• A.sub.2, K.sub.2 ;
• A.sub.3, K.sub.2 ;
• A.sub.4, K.sub.2 ;
• (b) the single exchange unit which is common to both of said circuits comprises said third (A.sub.3) and fifth (K.sub.1) exchange units, and the pressure machine (K) is an expression machine;
• (c) the single exchange unit which is common to both of said first and second working fluid circuits forms said third (A.sub.3) and said fifth (K.sub.1) exchange units;
• the working fluid circulates in said absorber circuit in the sense of a heat transformer;
• (d) the single exchange unit which is common to both of said circuits comprises said third (A.sub.3) and fifth (K.sub.1) exchange units,
• the pressure machine is a compressor, and means for heat exchange is provided between at least two exchange units;
• (e) the single exchange unit which is common to both of said first and second working fluid circuits forms said second (A.sub.2) and said fifth (K.sub.1) exchange units;
• the pressure machine connected between exchange units operating in said first and third pressure ranges;
• (f) the single exchange unit which is common to both of said first and second working fluid circuits forms said second (A.sub.2) and said fifth (K.sub.1) exchange units;
• the working fluid circulates in the absorber circuit in the sense of a heat pump;
• (g) the single exchange unit which is common to both of said first and second working fluid circuits forms said second (A.sub.2) and said fifth ((K.sub.1) exchange units;
• said fifth (K.sub.1) and fourth (A.sub.4) exchange units are thermally decoupled;
• (h) the single exchange unit which is common to both of said first and second working fluid circuits forms said fourth (A.sub.4) and fifth (K.sub.1) exchange units and
• the pressure machine is a compressor;
• (i) the single exchange unit which is common to both of said first and second working fluid circuits forms said fourth (A.sub.4) and said fifth (K.sub.1) exchange units, and
• the pressure machine is an expansion machine and means for heat exchange is provided within the apparatus between no more than one pair of exchange units.

A multistage heat energy utilizing apparatus (FIG. 5a, FIG. 6, FIG. 7) comprising first to sixth exchange units (A-F)

• said first to third exchange units (A to C) operating in a first, relatively high pressure range and relatively high, medium and low temperature ranges, respectively, of this pressure range,
• said fourth to sixth exchange units (D to F) operating in a second, relatively low pressure range and relatively high, medium and low temperature ranges, respectively, of this pressure range,
• said first, second, fifth and forth exchange units (A-B-E-D) forming a first working fluid circuit,
• said second, third, sixth and fifth exchange units (B-C-F-E) forming a second working fluid circuit,
• each of working fluid circuits comprising an exchange unit operating as generator, an exchange unit operating as condensor, and exchange unit operating as evaporator, and an exchange unit operating as absorber;
• wherein further at least one condition of the following set of conditions is fulfilled:
• (a) at least said first working fluid circuit (A, B, D, E) operates in accordance with the principle of the heat transformer;
• (b) means for heat exchange between at least one pair of exchange units operating in said first and second pressure range is provided and at least one exchange unit of such pair is additionally provided with means for heat-exchange with a heat carrier medium supplied from an external source;
• (c) said first working fluid circuit (A, B, D, E) operates on the principle of the heat pump and comprises means to vary the heat supplied to its generator (A), and said second working fluid circuit (B, C, E, F) operates in accordance with the principle of the heat transformer;
• (d) means for heat exchange is provided between said fourth exchange unit (D) and said third exchange unit (C');
• (e) said first and fourth exchange units (A, D) are coupled by an absorption circuit which comprises an aqueous salt solution;
• (f) a first absorbent circuit (22 in FIG. 6) is provided between said first and fourth exchange units (A, D);
• a second absorbent circuit (24) is provided between said second and fifth exchange units (B, E), and
• said absorbent circuits (22, 24) are connected by conduit means (22h, 24f) comprising valve means (22i, 24g) for selectively transferring absorbent between said absorbent circuits;
• (g) a valve is coupled between a working fluid output conduit (12) of said first exchange unit (A) and a working fluid input conduit (20) of said fourth exchange unit (FIG. 7),
• (h) means for heat exchange between said second (B) and fourth (D) exchange units is provided,
• said first (A), second (B), fifth (E) and fourth (D) exchange units are connected in series in an absorbent circuit, and at least one of said second (B) and fifth (E) exchange units is connectd both to the exchange unit (A;
• D) operating in the high temperature range and the exchange unit (C, F) operating in the low temperature range of the same pressure range by an individual working fluid conduit;
• (i) at least one of said second (B) and fifth (E) exchange units is connected to operate as rectification means for working fluid generated in the exchange unit (A, D, resp.) operating in the high temperature range of the same pressure range.

A multistage heat energy utilizing apparatus (FIG. 5b, FIG. 9) comprising six exchange units (A-F) which are comprised in first and second working fluid circuits (A, B, C, D;

• C, D, E, F) and at least one absorbent circuit, in which circuits the pressure and temperature levels of the working fluid are changed by supplying or withdrawing available energy, the term "exchange unit" including units operating as generator, condensator, evaporator and absorber,
• said first and second exchange units operating in a first, relatively high pressure range, and relatively high and low temperature ranges, respectively of this pressure range;
• said third and fourth exchange units (C, D) operating in a second, intermediate pressure range, and relatively high and low temeprature ranges, respectively, of this pressure range, and
• said fifth and sixth exchange units (E, F) operating in a third, relatively low pressure range, and relatively high and low temeprature ranges, respectively of this pressure range;
• the working fluid flowing in said first and second working fluid circuits with first (n) and second (m) flow rates, respectively, a positive sign of a flow rate figure indicating a circuilation idrection the sense of a heat pump and a negative sign of a flow rate figure indicating circulation of the working fluid in the sense of a heat transformer,
• characterized by means to operate the apparatus in at least one of the following operating conditions:
• (a) n larger than zero, m smaller than zero (FIG. 5d, range 4);
• (b) n and m both smaller than zero, excluding the range (range 5 in FIG. 5d) for values of n which are equal or larger than .mu.;
• .mu. consisting of the values of n which reslut when said third exchange unit (C) and said second exchange unit (B) are thermally coupled for full heat exchange, and excluding those values of m and n, which result, when said forth and fifth exchange units are thermally coupled for full heat exchange;
• (c) m larger than zero, n smaller than zero;
• (range 8 in FIG. 5d);
• (d) means for heat exchange is provided between said fifth and fourth exchange unit and at least one of these exchange units is provided with means for heat exchange with a heat carrier medium supplied from an external source;
• (e) heat exchange means is provided both between said fifth and fourth exchange units, and between said third and second exchange units,
• (f) means for heat exchange is provided between said second heat exchange unit (B) and said fifth exchange unit (E').

A multistage heat energy utilizing apparatus (FIG. 5c, FIG. 1Oa) comprising first, second, third and fourth exchange units and a pressure machine unit, said units being comprised in a pressure machine circuit and in an absorber circuit, said absorber circuit including a working fluid circuit (A, B, C, D) and at least one absorbent circuit, the pressure and temperature levels of the working fluid being changed in said circuits by supplying or withdrawing available energy, the term "exchange unit" including units operating as generator, condensator, evaporator and absorber, and the term "pressure meachine" including compressors and expansion machines,

• the working fluid circulating in said absorber circuit (A, B, C, D) with a first flow rate (m) and the working fluid circulating in said pressure machine circuit (A, C, K) with the second flow rate (n);
• a positive sign of m and n defining a circulation of the working fluid in the sense of a heat pump;
• wherein the flow rate (m) of the working fluid in said absorber circuit, and the flow rate (n) of the working fluid in said pressure machine circuit are chosen such that the apparatus is adapted to operate with at least one of the following conditions fulfilled:
• (a) m and n both larger than zero and m larger than or equal to n;
• (b) m smaller than zero;
• n larger than zero;
• (c) m and n both smaller than zero, and at least one of said second and third exchange units being in heat exchange relationship with an external heat exchange medium;
• (d) said first to fourth exchange units (A to D) are connected in series in an absorbent circuit;
• (e) said first to fourth exchange units (A to D) are connected in series in an absorbent circuit and a pair of exchange units operating in different pressure ranges are in heat-exchange relationship.

A multistage heat energy utilizing apparatus comprising a plurality of exchange units which operate in three different pressure ranges and which are comprised in first and second working fluid circuits and at least one absorbent circuit, in which circuits the pressure and temperature levels of the working fluid are changed by supplying and withdrawing available energy, the term "exchange unit" including units operating as generator, condensor, evaporator and absorber;

• said first working fluid circuit (A in FIG. 3) comprising first, second, third and fourth exchange units (A.sub.1, A.sub.2, A.sub.3, A.sub.4) of which
• said first unit A.sub.1 operates in a relative high temperature range of a first pressure range, which is a relatively high pressure range of said first working fluid circuit,
• said second unit A.sub.2 operates in relatively low temperature range of said first pressure range,
• said third unit A.sub.3 operates in a relatively low temperature range of a second pressure range which is a relatively low pressure range of said first working fluid circuit, and
• said fourth unit A.sub.4 operating in a relatively high temperature range of said second pressure range;
• said second working fluid circuit (B) comprising fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth exchange units (B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3, B.sub.4) of which
• said fifth unit B.sub.1 operates in a relatively high temperature range of a third pressure range which is a relatively high pressure range of said first working fluid circuit,
• said sixth unit B.sub.2 operates in a relatively low temperature range of said third pressure range,
• said seventh unit B.sub.3 operating in a relatively low temperature range of a fourth pressure range which is the relatively low pressure range of said working fluid circuit, and
• said eighth unit B.sub.4 operating in a relatively high temperature range of said fourth pressure range;
• said first and second working fluid circuits having one exchange unit in common so that a specific exchange unit operates as exchange unit both in said first and second working fluid circuits, which therefore comprise in total seven exchange units, and wherein means for internal heat exchange is provided between at least two exchange units.

A multistage heat energy utilizing apparatus comprising a plurality of exchange units, the term "exchange unit" including units operating as generator, condensator, evaporator and absorber, said exchange units forming first and second absorber circuits, each of which including an exchange unit operating as generator, an exchange unit operating as condensor, an exchange unit operating as evaporator, and an exchange unit operating as absorber,

• further comprising at least one further circuit selected from the group comprising absorber and pressure machine circuits;
• the term "pressure machine" including compressors and expansion machines, all of said circuits being coupled with each other by at least one exchange unit which is common to at least two circuits;
• with the exception of any apparatus from the group of apparatus' comprising
• (a) apparatus (FIG. 44a) having at least four pairs of exchange units operating in successively lower pressure ranges, each pair comprising an exchange unit operating in a lower temperature range and an exchange unit operating in a higher temperature range of the respective pressure range, wherein the exchange units operating in the lower temperature range of adjacent pressure ranges are coupled with each other, and the exchange units operating in the higher temperature range of adjacent pressure ranges are coupled with each other;
• (b) apparatus (FIG. 44b) comprising a pair of exchange units operating in a first, highest pressure range, three exchange units operating in a second pressure range, second and third pairs of exchange units operating in a third and fourth pressure range, respectively said first, second, third and fourth pressure ranges comprise successively lower pressures, each of said first, second and third pairs of exchange units comprising an exchange unit operating in a relatively high temperature range and an exchange unit operating in a relatively low temperature range, and said second pressure range comprising an exchange unit operating in a relatively high temperature range, an exchange unit operating in a relatively low temperature range and an exchange unit operating in an intermediate temperature range, wherein the exchange unit operating in the relatively high temperature range of said first pressure range is connected to said exchange unit operating in said second pressure range and intermediate temperature range;
• and the exchange units of said second and third pairs which operate in said relatively low temperature range are interconnected, and the exchange units of said second and third pairs which operate in said relatively high temperature range are interconnected;
• (c) an apparatus (FIG. 44f) comprising a first pair of exchange units operating in a first, highest pressure range and relatively high and low temperature ranges;
• three exchange units in each of a second and third successively lower pressure range and relatively low, intermediate and high temperature ranges of the respective pressure range, and a second pair of exchange units operating in a fourth, lowest pressure range and relatively high and low temperature ranges of this pressure range, wherein the exchange units of each pressure range are connected with each other, the exchange units operating in the highest temperature range of said first and second pressure ranges are connected to the exchange unit operating in the intermediate temperature range of the respective lower pressure ranges, and the exchange unit operating in the highest temperature range of said third pressure range is connected to the exchange unit operating in the relatively high temperature range of said fourth pressure range;
• (d) apparatus (FIG. 44g) comprising four pairs of exchange units operating in first to fourth, successively lower pressure ranges, respectively, and each pressure range comprising an exchange unit operating in a relatively high temperature range and an exchange unit operating in a relatively low temperature range;
• the exchange units of each pressure range being connected with each other;
• the exchange units operating in the high temperature range of each pressure range are connected with each other, and the exchange unit operating in the low temperature range of each pressure range are connected with each other;
• and wherein means for heat transfer from the exchange unit operating in the low temperature range of said first pressure range to the exchange unit operating in the high temperature range of said second pressure range is provided, and means for heat transfer from the exchange unit operating in the low temperature range of said second pressure range to the exchange unit operating in the high temperature range of said third pressure range is provided;
• (e) apparatus (FIG. 44h) comprising three pairs of exchange units operating in first, second and third, successively lower pressure ranges, a seventh exchange unit operating in a fourth, lowest pressure range, an expansion machine connected between the exchange unit operating the higher temperature range of said third pressure range and the exchange unit operating in the fourth, lowest pressure range;
• means for transferring heat from the exchange unit operating in the low temperature range of said first, highest pressure range to the exchange unit operating in the temperature range of said second pressure range;
• means for transferring heat from the exchange unit operating in the low temperature range of said second pressure range to the exchange unit operating in the high temperature range of said third pressure range, and means for transferring heat from said seventh exchange unit to the exchange unit operating in the low temperature range of said third pressure range.

A multistage heat energy utilizing apparatus (FIGS. 25 and 30) including a first working fluid circuit comprising six exchange units connected in series to form a single working fluid circuit (as shown in FIG. 17), said six exchange units comprising first, second and third pairs of exchange units operating in first, second and third, successively lower pressure ranges;

• said apparatus further including at least one further working fluid circuit selected from the group comprising an absorber circuit and a pressure machine circuit comprising an individual pressure machine;
• each circuit comprising at least one exchange unit which also belongs to another circuit so that all of the circuits are connected with each other;
• with the exception of an apparatus comprised in the group of apparatus' including
• (a) an apparatus (FIG. 44c) comprising a first pair of exchange units operating in as first, highest pressure range, second, third and at least one further pair of exchange units operating in successively lower pressure ranges, each pair comprising an exchange unit operating in a relatively high temperature range and an exchange unit operating in a relatively low temperature range;
• wherein the exchange unit of the lower temperature range of said second pressure range is connected to the exchange unit of the higher temperature range of said first pressure range by an absorbent circuit, and the exchange units operating in the lower temperature range of said first, third and any further pressure ranges are coupled with each other and the exchange units operating in the high temperature range of said second, third and any further pressure ranges are coupled with each other,
• (b) apparatus comprising first, second and third exchange units operating in a relatively high, an intermediate, and a relatively low temperature ranges, respectively, of a first pressure range;
• forth and fifth exchange units operating in relatively high and relatively low temperature ranges of a second pressure range, which is lower than said first pressure range, and sixth, seventh and eighth exchange units operating in relatively high, intermediate and relatively low temperature ranges, respectively, of a third pressure range, which is lower than said second pressure range, said first, second, seventh and sixth exchange units being connected in series in a first absorption circuit;
• said second, third, fifth, forth, eighth and seventh exchange units being serially connected in the order named in a second absorption circuit, and all of said first to eighth exchange units being free of means for heat exchange with another of said first to eighth exchange units.

A multistage heat energy utilizing apparatus (FIGS. 31 and 34) comprising a plurality of exchange units and at least one pressure machine unit comprised in an absorber circuit and a pressure machine circuit, said circuits comprising at least one exchange unit in common, the term "exchange unit" including units operating as generator, condensator, evaporator, and absorber and the term "pressure machine unit" including compressors and expansion machines;

• said apparatus further comprising at least one further circuit selected from the group comprising absorber circuits and pressure machine circuits;
• said circuits being coupled with each other by exchange units which are common to at least two of said circuits;
• with the exception of apparatus (FIG. 44h) comprising three pairs of exchange units operating in first, second and third, successively lower pressure ranges, a seventh exchange unit operating in a fourth, lowest pressure range, an expansion machine connected between the exchange unit operating the higher temperature range of said third pressure range and the exchange unit operating in the fourth, lowest pressure range;
• means for transferring heat from the exchange unit operating in the low temperature range of said first, highest pressure range to the exchange unit operating in the temperature range of said second pressure range;
• means for transferring heat from the exchange unit operating in the low temperature range of said second pressure range to the exchange unit operating in the high temperature range of said third pressure range, and means for transferring heat from said seventh exchange unit to the exchange unit operating in the low temperature range of said third pressure range.

A multistage heat energy utilizing apparatus comprising third to eighth exchange units which are comprised in first, second, and third absorber circuits and at least one absorbent circuit in which circuits the pressure and temperature levels of the working fluid are changed by supplying and withdrawing available energy, the term "exchange unit" including units operating as generator, condensator, evaporator and absorber;

• said first absorber circuit comprising said first and second exchange units which operate in a relatively high and relatively low temperature ranges, respectively of a first, low pressure range and said third and fourth exchange units which operate in an intermediate and a relatively low temperature range of a second, higher pressure range;
• said second absorber circuit comprising said third and fourth exchange units and said fifth and sixth exchange units which operate in intermediate and relatively low temperature ranges of a third, relatively highest pressure range;
• said third absorber circuit comprising said third and fifth exchange units and said seventh exchange unit which operates in a relatively high temperature range of said second pressure range, and said eighth exchange unit which operates in a relatively high temperature range of said third relatively high pressure range;
• said apparatus further comprising means for heat exchange between said third and sixth exchange units and means for heat exchange between said fifth and seventh exchange units.

A multistage heat energy utilizing apparatus (FIGS. 45a and 45d) comprising first to sixth exchange units which are comprised in first and second working fluid circuits and at least one absorbent circuit in which circuits the pressure and temperature levels of the working fluid are changed by supplying and withdrawing available energy, the term "exchange unit" including units operating as generator, condensator, evaporator, and absorber;

• said first circuits comprising said first and second exchange units (A, B) which operate in relatively high and relatively low temperature ranges, respectively of a first pressure range and said second and third exchange units (C, D) operating in relatively high and relatively low temperature ranges of a second, pressure range, which is lower than said first pressure range and said second circuit comprising said third and fourth exchange units (C, D) and said fifth and sixth exchange units (E, F) which operate in relatively high and relatively low temperature ranges, respectively of a third, pressure range which is lower than said second pressure range;
• said apparatus further comprising
• an additional condensor (G) operating in a fourth pressure range which is higher than said first pressure range;
• a compressor having an inlet connected to an exchange unit operating in said first pressure range, and an exit connected to said additional condensor;
• said additional condensor being connected to said second exchange unit (B), and
• means for heat exchange between said additional condensor (G) and said first exchange unit (A).

A multistage heat energy utilizing apparatus comprising first to fourth pairs of exchange units operating in first to fourth, successively lower pressure ranges, respectively and each comprising an exchange unit operating in a relatively high temperature range and an exchange unit operating in a relatively low temperature range of the respective pressure range;

• the exchange units of each pressure range being connected with each other;
• the exchange units operating in the higher temperature ranges of said first to fourth pressure ranges being coupled with each other;
• the exchange units operating in the lower temperature ranges of said first to fourth pressure ranges being coupled with each other;
• wherein means for heat exchange is provided between two exchange units operating in different pressure ranges, and
• wherein the apparatus comprises no more than one heat exchange means of the group of heat exchange means including
• (a) means for heat exchange from the exchange unit operating in the low teperature range of the first pressure range to the exchange unit operating in the high temperature range of said second, lower pressure range;
• (b) means for heat exchange from the exchange unit operating in the low temperature range of said second pressure range to the exchange unit in the high temperature range of said third pressure range.