Gas hydrate cool storage system
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsMark P. Ternes, Robert J. Kedl
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Abstract
This invention is a process for formation of a gas hydrate to be used as a cool storage medium using a refrigerant in water. Mixing of the immiscible refrigerant and water is effected by addition of a surfactant and agitation. The difficult problem of subcooling during the process is overcome by using the surfactant and agitation and performance of the process significantly improves and approaches ideal.
Claims9
A process for formation of a gas hydrate to be used as a cool storage medium comprising:
- partially filling a container with water, a refrigerant capable of forming a gas hydrate and a surfactant;
- agitating said water, refrigerant and surfactant at a rate sufficient to effect mixing thereof;
- lowering the pressure within said container by vapor removal until the temperature and pressure for formation of gas hydrate is reached.
A vapor-compression heat pump system comprising a compressor, a condensor and an expansion device in combination with a crystallizer;
- said crystallizer comprising:
- a tank;
- a cool storage medium disposed within said tank consisting of refrigerant, water and surfactant;
- means for agitating said cool storage medium;
- means for adjusting the temperature and pressure of said cool storage medium;
- an outlet valve at the top of said tank to release vapor from said tank to said compressor;
- an inlet valve at the base of said crystallizer to admit liquid and vapor from said expansion device;
- and
- means for transferring heat to and from said cool storage medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.