US 4,972,679 AGranted

Absorption refrigeration and heat pump system with defrost

AssigneeColumbia Gas Service Corporation

InventorsStephen E. Petty, F. Bert Cook

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Abstract

An integrated three-chamber absorption refrigeration and heat pump system with improved defrost capabilities having a solution pair including a material of unusable fluid stability at higher temperatures when manipulated in an apparatus and system to take advantage of its properties. Disclosed materials of a solution pair for operation as part of the system of this invention are ammonia as the refrigerant and sodium thiocyanate as the absorbent. A heat transfer sub-system is provided, for conveying a working fluid between the components, having multiple switchable valve means, including first, second, and third valve members selectively switchable to convey the working fluid from the cooling mode to the heating mode and vice versa, as well as to the defrost mode.

Claims15

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, including components 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 condenser means connected to the multiple desorber components of the generator means;
(c) an evaporator means connected to the condenser means;
(d) an absorber means connected to the evaporator means;
(e) a pump means connected between the absorber means and the generator means to transfer solution to the generator means at higher pressure;
and
(f) a heat transfer subsystem for conveying a working fluid and between the components and having multiple switchable valve means, including first, second and third valve members selectively switchable to convey transfer fluid:
(i) in the one cooling mode, to cool the load by directing the working fluid between heat exchange with the condenser means, the absorber means, and with a first heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship to the heat sink, while directing the working fluid between heat exchange with the evaporator means and a second heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the load, or
(ii) in the heating mode, to heat the load by directing the working fluid between heat exchange with the condenser means the absorber means and the second heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the load, while directing the working fluid between heat exchange with the evaporator means, and the first exchanger means in heat exchange with the load;
and
(g) a pump means connected between the members of the second subsystem to convey the working fluid through the subsystem.

8 more elements

(a) A multiple effect generator means to heat an absorbent 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 condenser means connected to the at least one additional desorber components of the generator means;
(c) an evaporator means connected to the condenser means;
(d) an absorber means connected to the evaporator means;
(e) a pump means connected between the absorber means and the generator means to transfer solution to the generator means at higher pressure;
and
(f) a heat transfer subsystem for conveying a working fluid between the components and having multiple switchable valve means, including first, second and third valve members selectively switchable to convey transfer fluid:
(i) in the one cooling mode, to cool the load by directing the working fluid between heat exchange with the condenser means, the absorber means, and a first heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship to the heat sink, while directing the working fluid between heat exchange with the evaporator means and a second heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the load, or
(ii) in the heating mode, to heat the load by directing the working fluid between heat exchange with the condenser means, the absorber means, and the second heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the load, while directing the working fluid between heat exchange with the evaporator means, and the first exchanger means in heat exchange with the load;
and
(g) a pump means connected between the members of the second subsystem to convey the working fluid through the subsystem.

8 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 condenser means connected to the at least one additional desorber components of the generator means;
(c) an evaporator means connected to the condenser means;
(d) an absorber means connected to the evaporator means;
(e) a pump means connected between the absorber means and the generator means to transfer solution to the generator means at higher pressure;
and
(f) a heat transfer subsystem for conveying a working fluid between the components and having multiple switchable valve means, including first, second and third valve members selectively switchable to convey transfer fluid:
(i) in the one cooling mode, to cool the load by directing the working fluid between heat exchange with the condenser means, the absorber means, and a first heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship to the heat sink, while directing the working fluid between heat exchange with the evaporator means and a second heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the load, or
(ii) in the heating mode, to heat the load by directing the working fluid between heat exchange with the condenser means, the absorber means, and the second heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the load, while directing the working fluid between heat exchange with the evaporator means, and the first exchanger means in heat exchange with the load;
and
(g) a pump means connected between the members of the second subsystem to convey the working fluid through the subsystem.
(h) recuperator means in the connection between the pump means and the generator means and in the connection between the generator means and the absorber means for the conduction of heat between the generator means and the absorber means, and for the conduction of heat between the solution pair flow streams at different temperatures in the connections.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.