# US 5,347,815 A · Regenerative adsorbent heat pump > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,347,815 A - Document ID: US5347815A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/855,624 - Filed: 1992-04-30 - Granted: 1994-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 1992-04-30 - Assignees: California Institute of Technology - Inventors: Jack A. Jones - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5347815A ## CPC - F24F 5/00: Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00 {, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater} - F25B 17/083: {with two or more boiler-sorbers operating alternately} - F25B 17/086: {with two or more boiler-sorber/evaporator units} - Y02A 30/27: Relating to heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC] technologies - Y02B 30/00: Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC] - Y02B 30/52: Heat recovery pumps, i.e. heat pump based systems or units able to transfer the thermal energy from one area of the premises or part of the facilities to a different one, improving the overall efficiency - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS ## Abstract A regenerative adsorbent heat pump process and system is provided which can regenerate a high percentage of the sensible heat of the system and at least a portion of the heat of adsorption. A series of at least four compressors containing an adsorbent is provided. A large amount of heat is transferred from compressor to compressor so that heat is regenerated. The process and system are useful for air conditioning rooms, providing room heat in the winter or for hot water heating throughout the year, and, in general, for pumping heat from a low temperature to a higher temperature. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A regenerative sorbent heat pump process for cooling an interior space and for simultaneously regenerating at least a portion of the heat of adsorption comprising: (a) confining a sorbent in a plurality of compressor zones, the number of compressor zones being at least four; (b) introducing a working fluid vapor from an evaporization zone into at least one of the number of compressor zones and sorbing the working fluid vapor on the sorbent therein over a predetermined first temperature range and a predetermined first pressure or P.sub.L ; (c) desorbing working fluid vapor from the sorbent in at least one of the remaining number of compressor zones and removing working fluid vapor therefrom over a predetermined second temperature range which is higher than the predetermined first temperature range and at a predetermined second pressure or P.sub.H which is larger than the predetermined first pressure, a part of the predetermined first temperature range overlapping a part of the predetermined second temperature range; (d) condensing working fluid vapor removed from said at least one of the remaining number of the compressor zones at P.sub.H and transferring heat from the working fluid to the environment thereby forming a working fluid liquid; (e) evaporating the working fluid liquid and forming the working fluid vapor in the evaporation zone at P.sub.L by transferring heat from an interior space to the evaporation zone thereby cooling the interior space; (f) circulating a heat transfer fluid in a closed loop which comprises a heat removal zone and series flow through the compressor zones and preventing the heat transfer fluid from directly contacting the sorbent; (g) removing heat from the heat transfer fluid in the heat removal zone and transferring it to the environment; (h) adding heat from a heat source to a predetermined one of the compressor zones over a predetermined period of time; (i) cooling the coolest compressor further to a predetermined bottoming temperature; (j) after step (i), repeating step (h) sequentially in each of the compressor zones; (k) indirectly transferring heat from the sorbent in the compressor zones which are sorbing working fluid vapor to the heat transfer fluid and from the heat transfer fluid to the sorbent in the compressor zones which are desorbing working fluid vapor thereby regenerating heat; and, (l) maintaining the P.sub.H /P.sub.L ratio sufficiently low so that at least a portion of the heat of absorption is regenerated. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the P.sub.H /P.sub.L ratio between about 1.1 and about 10. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the P.sub.H /P.sub.L ratio between about 1.1 and about 5. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the P.sub.H /P.sub.L ratio between about 1.1 and about 3. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the P.sub.H /P.sub.L ratio sufficiently Low that about 25% of the heat of adsorption is regenerated. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the P.sub.H /P.sub.L ratio sufficiently low that about 50% of the heat of adsorption is regenerated. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the P.sub.H /P.sub.L ratio sufficiently low that about 70% of the heat of adsorption is regenerated. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the predetermined first temperature range is from at least about -18.degree. C. to no more than about 204.degree. C., wherein the predetermined second temperature range is from at Least about 38.degree. C. to no more than about 427.degree. C., and, wherein the predetermined first and predetermined second temperature ranges overlap at least about 28 Celsius degrees. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the predetermined first temperature range is from at least about -18.degree. C. to no more than about 204.degree. C., wherein the predetermined second temperature range is from at least about 32.degree. C. to no more than about 316.degree. C., and, wherein the predetermined first and predetermined second temperature ranges overlap at least about 56 Celsius degrees. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the predetermined first temperature range is From at least about -18.degree. C. to no more than about 204.degree. C., wherein the predetermined second temperature range is from at Least about 38.degree. C. to no more than about 260.degree. C., and, wherein the predetermined first and predetermined second temperature ranges overlap at least about 56 Celsius degrees. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the predetermined first temperature range is from at least about 10.degree. C. to no more than about 177.degree. C., wherein the predetermined second temperature range is from at least about 38.degree. C. to no more than about 232.degree. C., and, wherein the predetermined first and predetermined second temperature ranges overlap at least about 83 Celsius degrees. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the working fluid is selected from the group consisting of fluorine substituted ethanes, and, fluorine and chlorine substituted ethanes. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the working fluid is selected from the group consisting of 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, ammonia, and water. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the sorbent selected from the group consisting of activated carbons, zoolites, silica gels and alumina. ### Claim 15 A regenerative sorbent heat pump process for cooling an interior space and for simultaneously regenerating at least a portion of the heat of adsorption comprising: (a) confining a sorbent in a plurality of compressor zones, the number of compressor zones being at least four; (b) introducing a working fluid vapor from an evaporation zone into at least one of the number of compressor zones and sorbing the working fluid vapor on the sorbent therein over a predetermined first temperature range and a predetermined first pressure or P.sub.L ; (c) desorbing working fluid vapor from the sorbent in at least one of the remaining number of compressor zones and removing working fluid vapor therefrom over a predetermined second temperature range which is higher than the predetermined first temperature range and at a predetermined second pressure or P.sub.H which is higher than the predetermined first pressure, a part of the predetermined first temperature range overlapping a part of the predetermined second temperature range; (d) condensing working fluid vapor removed from said at least one of the remaining number of the compressor zones at P.sub.H and transferring heat from the working fluid to the environment thereby forming a working fluid liquid; (e) evaporating the working fluid liquid and forming the working fluid vapor in the evaporation zone at P.sub.L by transferring heat from an interior space to the evaporation zone thereby cooling the interior space; (f) circulating a heat transfer fluid in a closed loop which comprises a heat removal zone and series flow through the compressor zones and preventing the heat transfer fluid from directly contacting the sorbent; (g) removing heat from the heat transfer fluid in the heat removal zone before it flows to a predetermined one of the compressor zones and transferring the removed heat to the environment; (h) cooling the coolest compressor further to a predetermined bottoming temperature; (i) after step (h), repeating step (g) sequentially for each of the compressor zones; (j) adding heat from a heat source to a predetermined one of the compressor zones over a predetermined period of time; (k) repeating step (j) sequentially in each of the compressor zones; (l) indirectly transferring heat from the sorbent in the compressor zones which are sorbing working fluid vapor to the heat transfer fluid and from the heat transfer fluid to the sorbent in the compressor zones which are desorbing working fluid vapor thereby regenerating heat; and, (m) maintaining the P.sub.H /P.sub.L ratio sufficiently low so that at least a portion of the heat of adsorption is regenerated. ### Claim 16 A regenerative sorbent heat pump process for cooling an interior space and for simultaneously regenerating at least a portion of the heat of adsorption comprising: (a) confining a sorbent in a plurality of compressor zones, the number of compressor zones being at least four; (b) introducing a working fluid vapor from an evaporation zone into at least one of the number of compressor zones and sorbing the working fluid vapor on the sorbent therein over a predetermined first temperature range and a predetermined first pressure or P.sub.L ; (c) desorbing working fluid vapor from the sorbent in at least one of the remaining number of compressor zones and removing working fluid vapor therefrom over a predetermined second temperature range which is higher than the predetermined first temperature range and at a predetermined second pressure or P.sub.H which is higher than the predetermined first pressure, a part of the predetermined first temperature range overlapping a part of the predetermined second temperature range; (d) condensing working fluid vapor removed from said at least one of the remaining number of the compressor zones at P.sub.H and transferring heat from the working fluid to the environment thereby forming a working fluid liquid; (e) evaporating the working fluid liquid and forming the working fluid vapor in the evaporation zone at P.sub.L by transferring heat from an interior space to the evaporation zone thereby cooling the interior space; (f) circulating a first heat transfer fluid in a closed loop which comprises a heat removal zone and series flow through the compressor zones and preventing the first heat transfer fluid from directly contacting the sorbent; (g) indirectly transferring heat from the first heat transfer fluid in the heat removal zone before it flows to a predetermined one of the compressor zones to a second heat transfer fluid; (h) removing heat from a second heat transfer fluid and transferring it to the environment; (i) adding heat from a heat source to a predetermined one of the compressor zones over a predetermined period of time; (j) cooling the coolest compressor further to a predetermined bottoming temperature; (k) after step (j), repeating step (i) sequentially in each of the compressor zones; (l) indirectly transferring heat from the sorbent in the compressor zones which are sorbing working fluid vapor to the first heat transfer fluid and from the first heat transfer fluid to the sorbent in the compressor zones which are desorbing working fluid vapor thereby regenerating heat; and, (m) maintaining the P.sub.H /P.sub.L ratio sufficiently low so that at least a portion of the heat of adsorption is regenerated. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The process of claim 16, further comprising repeating step (g) sequentially for each of the compressor zones. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The process of claim 16, wherein adding heat from a heat source to a predetermined one of the compressor zones over a predetermined period of time is performed by adding heat to a third heat transfer fluid, and, indirectly transferring heat from the third heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid before it enters the predetermined one of the compressor zones. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The process of claim 18, further comprising repeating step (g) sequentially for each of the compressor zones. ### Claim 20 A regenerative sorbent heat pump system comprising: a working fluid being operable for being sorbed by a sorbent; a plurality of compressors, the number of compressors being at least four, each of the compressors having a sorbent contained within the compressor, and a heat conductive passageway having an inlet and an outlet, the heat conductive passageway for flowing a heat transfer fluid through the compressor and for indirectly transferring heat between the sorbent and the heat transfer fluid without the heat transfer fluid being in contact with the sorbent; means for removing high temperature, high pressure working fluid vapor from each of the compressors; condensing means for transferring heat from the working fluid to a low temperature heat sink, and, for condensing working fluid vapor to form a low temperature, high pressure working fluid liquid; evaporating means for converting low temperature, high pressure working fluid liquid to low temperature, low pressure working fluid vapor, and, for transferring heat from a low temperature source external of the system to the working fluid; liquid conveying means for conveying low temperature, high pressure working fluid liquid from the condensing means to the evaporating means; vapor conveying means for conveying low temperature, low pressure working fluid vapor into each of the compressors; a first heat transfer fluid and a second heat transfer fluid; a plurality of indirect heat exchange means, the number of indirect heat exchange means being equal to the number of the compressors, each of the indirect heat exchange means having a first channel for flowing the first heat transfer fluid, and a second channel for flowing the second heat transfer fluid, the channels being isolated from fluid communication with each other, the first channel being in heat conductive communication with the second channel, each of the channels having an inlet and an outlet; a train formed by connecting in alternating order, the first channels of the indirect heat exchange means to the heat conductive passageways, the train having an inlet which is also the inlet of the first channel of the first-in-the-series of indirect heat exchange means of the train, and, the train having an outlet which is also the outlet of the heat conductive passageway of the last-in-the-series of compressors of the train; first pumping means for pumping the first heat transfer fluid around the train, the outlet of the first pumping means being connected to the train inlet and the train outlet being connected to the first pumping means inlet; second pumping means for pumping the second heat transfer fluid; connecting means for connecting the outlet of the second pumping means to the inlet of the second channel of each of the internal heat exchange means, and for connecting the outlet of each of the second channels thereof to the second pumping means inlet; flow control mean for directing the second heat transfer fluid from the second pumping means to the second channel of a predetermined one of the indirect heat exchange means in a predetermined order thereby defining a flow cycle, and, for enabling heat transfer between the first heat transfer fluid in the first channel thereof and the second heat transfer fluid in the second channel thereof; primary heating means for heating each of the compressors; heat control means for controlling the heating period of the primary heating means in each of the compressors thereby defining a heating cycle; and, heat discharge means for transferring heat from the second heat transfer fluid in the connecting means from the second channels to the second pump means, to a low temperature heat sink thereby providing a regenerative sorbent heat pump system. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, wherein the number of compressors is four. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, wherein the number of compressors is six. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, further comprising heat exchanger means for the indirect transfer of heat between the low temperature, high pressure working fluid liquid in the liquid conveying means and the low temperature, low pressure working fluid vapor in the vapor conveying means. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, further comprising means for coordinating the flow cycle and the heating cycle. ### Claim 25 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, further comprising auxiliary heat exchanger means for indirectly exchanging heat between the first heat transfer fluid flowing to the train and the first heat transfer fluid flowing from the train. ### Claim 26 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, further comprising means for transferring heat from the first heat transfer fluid flowing from the train to a low temperature heat sink. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The system of claim 25, further comprising means for transferring heat from the first heat transfer fluid flowing from the auxiliary heat exchanger means to a low temperature heat sink. ### Claim 28 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, wherein the working fluid is sorbed over a predetermined first temperature range from at least about -18.degree. C. to no more than about 204.degree. C. wherein the working fluid is desorbed over a predetermined second temperature range from at least about 38.degree. C. to no more than about 427.degree. C., and, wherein the predetermined. First and predetermined second temperature ranges overlap at least about 28 Celsius degrees. ### Claim 29 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, wherein the working fluid selected From the group consisting of fluorine substituted ethanes, fluorine and chlorine substituted ethanes, and, wherein the sorbent is selected From the group consisting activated carbons. ### Claim 30 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, wherein the primary heating means comprises a heating device between each of the compressors in the train and between the first pumping means outlet and the inlet to the heat conductive passageway of each compressor, the heating devices for heating the first heat transfer fluid before it is introduced into the compressor for which it is intended, the thusly heated first heat transfer fluid thereby heating said compressor. ### Claim 31 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of second indirect heat exchange means, the number of second indirect heat exchange means being equal to the number of the compressors, each of the second indirect heat exchange means having a first channel for flowing a heat transfer fluid, and a second channel for flowing a heat transfer fluid, the channels thereof being isolated from communication with each other, the first channel thereof being in heat conductive communication with the second channel thereof, each of the channels thereof having an inlet and an outlet; wherein the train includes the first channels of the second indirect heat exchange means connected, relative to the heat conductive passageways, in alternating order before each of the heat conductive passageways; and, further comprising third pumping means for pumping a third heat transfer fluid; second connecting means for connecting the outlet of the third pumping means to the inlet of the second channel of each of the second internal heat exchange means, and for connecting the outlet of each of the second channels thereof to the third pumping means inlet; and, flow control means for directing the third heat transfer fluid from the third pumping means to the second channel of a predetermined one of the second indirect heat exchange means in a predetermined order thereby defining a second flow cycle, and, for enabling heat transfer between the first heat transfer fluid in the first channel thereof and the third heat transfer fluid in the second channel thereof; and, wherein the primary heating means includes a heating device in the second connecting means for heating the third heat transfer fluid before it is introduced into the second channel of a predetermined one of the second indirect heat exchange means; and, wherein the heat control means includes means for controlling the temperature of the third heat transfer fluid heated by the heating devices. ### Claim 32 A regenerative sorbent heat pump system comprising: a working fluid being operable for being sorbed by a sorbent; a plurality of compressors, the number of compressors being at least four, each of the compressors having a sorbent contained within the compressor, and a heat conductive passageway having an inlet and an outlet, the heat conductive passageway for flowing transfer fluid through the compressor and for indirectly transferring heat between the sorbent and the heat transfer fluid without the heat transfer fluid being in contact with the sorbent; means for removing high temperature, high pressure working fluid vapor from each of the compressors; condensing means for transferring heat from the working fluid to a low temperature heat sink, and, for condensing working fluid vapor to form a low temperature, high pressure working fluid liquid; evaporating means for converting low temperature, high pressure working fluid liquid to low temperature, low pressure working fluid vapor, and, for transferring heat from a low temperature source external of the system to the working fluid; liquid conveying means for conveying low temperature, high pressure working fluid liquid from the condensing means to the evaporating means; vapor conveying means for conveying low temperature, low pressure working fluid vapor into each of the compressors; a heat transfer fluid; a plurality of indirect heat exchange means, the number of indirect heat exchange means being equal to the number of the compressors, each of the indirect heat exchange means having a first channel for flowing the heat transfer fluid, and a second channel for flowing the heat transfer fluid, the channels being isolated from immediate fluid communication with each other, the first channel being in heat conductive communication with the second channel, each of the channels having an inlet and an outlet; a train formed by connecting in alternating order, the first channels of the indirect heat exchange means to the heat conductive passageways, the train having an inlet which is also the inlet of the first channel of the first-in-the-series of the indirect heat exchange means of the train, and, the train having an outlet which is also the outlet of the heat conductive passageway of the last-in-the-series of compressors of the train; pumping means for pumping the heat transfer fluid; first connecting means for connecting the outlet of the pumping means to the inlet of each of the second channels; second connecting means for connecting the outlet of each of the second channels to the train inlet; third connecting means for connecting the train outlet to the pumping means inlet; flow control means for directing the heat transfer fluid from the pumping means to the second channel of a predetermined one of the indirect heat exchange means in a predetermined order thereby defining a flow cycle, and, for enabling heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid in the first channel thereof and the heat transfer fluid in the second channel thereof; primary heating means for heating each of the compressors; heat control means for controlling the heating period of the primary heating means in each of the compressors thereby defining a heating cycle; and, heat discharge means for transferring heat from the heat transfer fluid in the second connecting means to a low temperature heat sink thereby providing a regenerative sorbent heat pump system. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The system of claim 32, further comprising auxiliary heat exchanger means for indirectly exchanging heat between the heat transfer fluid in the second connecting means and the heat transfer fluid in the third connecting means. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The system of claim 32, further comprising means for transferring heat from the heat transfer fluid in the third connecting means to a low temperature heat sink. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The system of claim 33, further comprising means for transferring heat from the heat transfer fluid flowing from the auxiliary heat exchanger means in the third connecting means to a low temperature heat sink. ### Claim 36 (depends on 32) The system of claim 32, wherein the primary heating means comprises a heating device between each of the compressors in the train and between the pumping means outlet and the inlet to the heat conductive passageway of each compressor, the heating devices for heating the heat transfer fluid before it is introduced into the compressor of which it is intended, the thusly heated heat transfer fluid thereby heating said compressor. ### Claim 37 A regenerative sorbent heat pump system comprising: a working fluid being operable for being sorbed by a sorbent; a plurality of compressors, the number of compressors being at least four, each of the compressors having a sorbent contained within the compressor, and a heat conductive passageway having an inlet and an outlet, the heat conductive passageway for flowing a heat transfer fluid through the compressor and for indirectly transferring heat between the sorbent and the heat transfer fluid without the heat transfer fluid being in contact with the sorbent; means for removing high temperature, high pressure working fluid vapor from each of the compressors; condensing means for transferring heat from the working fluid to a low temperature heat sink, and, for condensing working fluid vapor to form a low temperature, high pressure working fluid liquid; evaporating means for converting low temperature, high pressure working fluid liquid to low temperature, low pressure working fluid vapor, and, for transferring heat from a low temperature source external of the system to the working fluid; liquid conveying means for conveying low temperature, high pressure working fluid liquid from the condensing means to the evaporating means; vapor conveying means for conveying low temperature low pressure working fluid vapor into each of the compressors; a heat transfer fluid; a plurality of indirect heat exchange means, the number of indirect heat exchange means being equal to the number of the compressors, each of the indirect heat exchange means having a first channel for flowing a primary portion of the heat transfer fluid, and a second channel for flowing a secondary portion of the heat transfer fluid, the channels being isolated from fluid communication with each other, the first channel being in heat conductive communication with the second channel, each of the channels having an inlet and an outlet; a train formed by connecting in alternating order, the first channels of the indirect heat exchange means to the heat conductive passageways, the train having an inlet which is also the inlet of the first channel of the first-in-the-series of indirect heat exchange means of the train, and, the train having an outlet which is also the outlet of the heat conductive passageway of the last-in-the-series of compressors of the train; first pumping means for pumping the primary portion of a heat transfer fluid around the first train, the outlet of the first pumping means being connected to the train inlet and the train outlet being connected to the first pumping means inlet; second pumping means for pumping the secondary portion of the heat transfer fluid; connecting means for connecting the outlet of the second pumping means to the inlet of the second channel of each of the internal heat exchange means, and for connecting the outlet of each of the second channels thereof to the second pumping means inlet; flow control means for directing the secondary portion of the heat transfer fluid from the second pumping means to the second channel of a predetermined one of the indirect heat exchange means in a predetermined order thereby defining a flow cycle, and, for enabling heat transfer between the primary portion of the heat transfer fluid in the first channel thereof and the secondary portion of the heat transfer fluid in the second channel thereof; primary heating means for heating each of the compressors; heat control means for controlling the heating period of the primary heating means in each of the compressors thereby defining a heating cycle; means for transferring heat from the primary portion of the heat transfer fluid flowing from the train to a low temperature heat sink; and, heat discharge means for transferring heat rom the secondary portion of the heat transfer fluid in the connecting means from the second channels to the second pump means, to a low temperature heat sink thereby providing a regenerative sorbent heat pump system. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The system of claim 37, wherein the primary pumping means is also the secondary pumping means. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The system of claim 37, wherein the primary heating means comprises a heating device between each of the compressors in the train and between the first pumping means outlet and the train inlet, the heating devices for heating the first heat transfer fluid before it is introduced into the compressor for which it is intended the thusly heated first heat transfer fluid thereby heating said compressor. ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) The system of claim 37, further comprising auxiliary heat exchanger means for indirectly exchanging heat between the primary portion of the heat transfer fluid flowing to the train and the primary portion of the heat transfer fluid flowing from the train. ### Claim 41 A regenerative sorbent heat pump system for regeneration of at least a portion of the heat of adsorption comprising: a working fluid being operable for being sorbed by a sorbent over a predetermined first temperature range thereby producing a heat of adsorption, and for being desorbed from the sorbent over a predetermined second temperature range which is higher than the predetermined first temperature range, a part of the predetermined first temperature range overlapping a part of the predetermined second temperature range thereby enabling regeneration of at least a portion of the heat of adsorption; a plurality of compressors, the number of compressors being at least four, each of the compressors having a sorbent contained within the compressor, and a heating conductive passageway having an inlet and an outlet, the heat conductive passageway for flowing a heat transfer fluid through the compressor and for indirectly transferring heat between the sorbent and the heat transfer fluid without the heat transfer fluid being in contact with the sorbent; means for removing high temperature, high pressure working fluid vapor from each of the compressors; condensing means for transferring heat from the working fluid to a low temperature heat sink, and, for condensing working fluid vapor to form a low temperature, high pressure working fluid liquid; evaporating means for converting low temperature, high pressure working fluid liquid to low temperature, low pressure working fluid vapor, and, for transferring heat from a low temperature source external of the system to the working fluid; liquid conveying means for conveying low temperature, high pressure working fluid liquid from the condensing means to the evaporating means; vapor conveying means for conveying low temperature, low pressure working fluid vapor into each of the compressors; first connecting means for forming a loop of heat conductive passageways by connecting the outlet of one heat conductive passageway to the inlet of another heat conductive passageway and proceeding with such inlet-to-outlet connections until the outlet of the last heat conductive passageway is connected to the inlet of the first heat conductive passageway thereby forming a loop of heat conductive passageways; a heat transfer fluid; pumping means for pumping the a heat transfer fluid; second connecting means for connecting the outlet of the pumping means to the inlet of each of the heat conductive passageways; third connecting means for connecting the outlet of each of the heat conductive passageways to the pumping means inlet; flow control means for directing the heat transfer fluid from the pumping means to the inlet of a predetermined one of the heat conductive passageways, then around the loop passing through each of the heat conductive passageways only once, and then to the pumping means; phase timing means for redirecting the heat transfer fluid after a predetermined time interval, from the pumping means to another one of the heat conductive passageways thereby beginning a new phase, and for repeating such redirecting after such predetermined time intervals to other of the heat conductive passageways, until the heat transfer fluid is directed from the pumping means to each of the heat conductive passageways thereby completing a flow cycle; primary heating means for heating each of the compressors; heat control means for controlling the heating period of the primary heating means in each of the compressors; and, heat discharge means for transferring heat from the heat transfer fluid in the third connecting means to a low temperature heat sink thereby providing a regenerative sorbent heat pump system operable for regeneration of at least a portion of the heat of adsorption. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The process of claim 41, wherein the primary heating means comprises a heating device between each of the compressors in the loop for heating the heat transfer fluid in the first connecting means before the heat transfer fluid is introduced into the heat conductive passageway of the compressor for which it is intended thereby heating such compressor. ### Claim 43 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 further comprising, before performing step (i), heating the hottest compressor further to a predetermined topping temperature. ### Claim 44 (depends on 15) The process of claim 15 further comprising, before performing step (j), heating the hottest compressor further to a predetermined topping temperature. ### Claim 45 (depends on 16) The process of claim 16 further comprising, before performing step (j), heating the hottest compressor further to a predetermined topping temperature. ### Claim 46 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a liquid. ### Claim 47 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer fluid is selected from the group consisting of mixtures of diphenyl and diphenyl oxide, orthodichlorobenzene, ethylene glycol, methoxypropanol, and water. ### Claim 48 (depends on 15) The process of claim 15, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a liquid. ### Claim 49 (depends on 15) The process of claim 15, wherein the heat transfer fluid is selected from the group consisting of mixtures of diphenyl and diphenyl oxide, orthodichlorobenzene, ethylene glycol, methoxypropanol, and water. ### Claim 50 (depends on 16) The process of claim 16, wherein the first heat transfer fluid is a liquid. ### Claim 51 (depends on 16) The process of claim 16, wherein the first heat transfer fluid is selected from the group consisting of mixtures of diphenyl and diphenyl oxide, orthodichlorobenzene, ethylene glycol, methoxypropanol, and water. ### Claim 52 (depends on 16) The process of claim 16, wherein the second heat transfer fluid is a liquid. ### Claim 53 (depends on 16) The process of claim 16, wherein the second heat transfer fluid is selected from the group consisting of mixtures of diphenyl and diphenyl oxide, orthodichlorobenzene, ethylene glycol, methoxypropanol, and water. ### Claim 54 (depends on 16) The process of claim 16, wherein the first and second heat transfer fluid are liquids. ### Claim 55 (depends on 16) The process of claim 16, wherein the first and second heat transfer fluids are selected from the group consisting of mixtures of diphenyl and diphenyl oxide, ortho-dichlorobenzene, ethylene glycol, methoxypropanol, and water. ### Claim 56 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, wherein the first and second heat transfer fluid are liquids. ### Claim 57 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, wherein the first and second heat transfer fluids are selected from the group consisting of mixtures of diphenyl and diphenyl oxide, ortho-dichlorobenzene, ethylene glycol, methoxypropanol, and water. ### Claim 58 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, further comprising refrigerant vapor thermal regenerating. ### Claim 59 (depends on 31) The system of claim 31, further comprising means for refrigerant vapor thermal regeneration.