US 4,646,541 AGranted

Absorption refrigeration and heat pump system

AssigneeColumbia Gas System Service Corporation

InventorsEdward A. Reid, Jr., F. Bert Cook, Edward M. Winter, Edgar M. Purvis, Jr., Horatio H. Krause, Jr.

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Abstract

This invention relates to a cooling and heating system which operates on the absorption and phase change heat exchange principle. More particularly it relates to a continuous heat actuated, air cooled, double effect generator cycle, absorption system. In further aspects, this invention relates to a system constructed for use with an absorption refrigeration solution pair consisting of a nonvolatile absorbent and a highly volatile refrigerant which is highly soluble in the absorbent. A disclosed refrigerant pair are ammonia as the refrigerant and sodium thiocyanate as the absorbent. An absorption cycle is disclosed using the thermo physical properties of sodium thiocyanate/ammonia, absorption/refrigerant pair. Also disclosed is the construction and configuration of a reverse cycle air cooled double effect generator absorption refrigeration system for use with the sodium thiocyanate/ammonia refrigeration pair, as well as subcompositions, subsystems and components that improve the system efficiency and reduce cost.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An absorption refrigeration and/or heating system in connection with a primary source of heat, a cooling or heating load, and a heat sink or secondary source, to selectively provide heat to or remove heat from the load comprising:

(a) a multiple effect generator means having multiple desorber components to apply the primary source of heat to an absorption solution pair comprising a highly volatile refrigerant, and an absorbent and to desorb refrigerant from the pair;
(b) a first heat exchanger means connected between the multiple desorber components of the generator means, and a second heat exchanger means, the first heat exchanger means being constructed to exchange heat between the heat sink or secondary source in proximity thereto and the refrigerant therein;
and the second heat exchanger means being constructed to exchange heat between the load and the refrigerant therein, each heat exchanger means selectively connectable to the multiple desorber components of the generator means to operate as either a condensor or an evaporator;
(c) valve means in the connections between the multiple desorber components of the generator means, the first heat exchanger means, and the second heat exchanger means, selectively:
(i) to cool the load by directing the refrigerant from the multiple desorber components of the generator means through the first heat exchanger means to cool the refrigerant by heat exchange with the heat sink, and to direct the refrigerant from the first heat exchanger means to the second heat exchanger means to cool the load by heat exchange between the refrigerant and the load upon expansion of the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger means, or
(ii) to heat the load by directing the refrigerant from the multiple components of the generator means through the second heat exchanger means to heat the load by exchange of heat from the refrigerant fluid to the load, and to direct the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger means to the first heat exchanger means to heat the refrigerant by exchange of heat with the secondary heat source;
(d) an absorber means selectively connectable to the first or second heat exchanger according to whichever heat exchanger is functioning as the evaporator;
and
(e) a pump means connected between the absorber means and the generator means to transfer solution flow to the generator means at higher pressure.

6 more elements

(a) a multiple effect generator means to heat an absorbent solution pair comprising a nonvolatile sorbent and a highly volatile refrigerant which is soluble in the absorbent, and to desorb refrigerant from the pair, the generator means comprising a first vessel constructed to receive sufficient heat of combustion to desorb refrigerant from the pair, and at least one additional vessel connected to the first vessel to receive the refrigerant and exchange heat from the refrigerant to the solution pair to further desorb refrigerant from the solution pair;
(b) a first heat exchanger means connected between the first and second effect generator means and a second heat exchanger means, the first heat exchanger means being constructed to exchange heat between the heat sink or secondary source in proximity thereto and the refrigerant therein;
and the second heat exchanger means being constructed to exchange heat between the load and the refrigerant therein, each heat exchanger means selectively connectable to the first and second generator means;
(c) valve means in the connections between the first and second effect generator means, the first heat exchanger means, and the second heat exchanger means, selectively:
(i) to cool the load by directing the refrigerant from the first and second effect generator means through the first heat exchanger means to cool the refrigerant by heat exchange with the heat sink, and to direct the refrigerant from the first heat exchanger means to the second heat exchanger means to cool the load by heat exchange between the refrigerant and the load upon expansion of the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger means, or
(ii) to heat the load by directing the refrigerant from the first and second effect generator means through the second heat exchanger means to heat the load by exchange of heat from the refrigerant fluid to the load, and to direct the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger means to the first heat exchanger means to heat the refrigerant by exchange of heat with the heat sink;
(d) an absorber means selectively connectable by the valve means to the second heat exchanger means when the second heat exchanger means is cooling the load according to (c)(i) or to the first heat exchanger means when the second heat exchanger means is heating the load according to (c)(ii);
and
(e) a pump means connected between the absorber means and the first generator means to transfer the strong solution to the first generator means at higher pressure.

6 more elements

An absorption refrigeration and/or heating system in connection with a primary source of heat, a cooling or heating load, and ambient air as a heat sink or secondary source, to selectively provide heat to or remove heat from the load, comprising:

(a) a multiple effect generator means to heat an absorbent solution pair comprising a nonvolatile sorbent and a highly volatile refrigerant which is soluble in the absorbent, and to desorb refrigerant from the pair, the generator means comprising a first vessel constructed to receive sufficient heat of combustion to desorb refrigerant from the pair, and at least one additional vessel connected to the first vessel to receive the refrigerant and exchange heat from the refrigerant to the solution pair to further desorb refrigerant from the solution pair;
(b) a first heat exchanger means connected between the first generator means and at least one additional generator means and a second heat exchanger means, the first heat exchanger means being constructed to exchange heat between the the ambient air in proximity thereto and the refrigerant therein, and the second heat exchanger means being constructed to exchange heat between the load and the refrigerant therein, each heat exchanger means selectively connectable to the generator means;
(c) valve means in the connections between the generator means, the first heat exchanger means, and the second heat exchanger means, selectively:
(i) to cool the load by directing the refrigerant from the generator means through the first heat exchanger means to cool the refrigerant by heat exchange with the ambient air, and to direct the refrigerant from the first heat exchanger means to the second heat exchanger means to cool the load by heat exchange between the refrigerant and the load upon expansion of the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger means, or
(ii) to heat the load by directing the refrigerant from the generator means through the second heat exchanger means to heat the load by exchange of heat from the refrigerant fluid to the load, and to direct the refrigerant from the second heat exchanger means to heat the refrigerant by exchange of heat with the ambient air;
(d) an absorber means selectively connectable by the valve means to the second heat exchanger means when the second heat exchanger means is cooling the load according to (c)(i) or to the first heat exchanger means when the second heat exchanger means is heating the load according to (c)(ii);
(e) a pump means connected between the absorber means and the first generator means to transfer the strong solution to the first generator means at higher pressure;
and
(f) recuperator means in the connection between the pump means and generator means and in a connection between the generator means and the absorber means, for the conduction of heat between the generator means and the absorber means, for the conduction of heat between the solution pair flow streams at different temperatures in the connections.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.