Apparatus and method for automatically purging an absorption cooling system

An absorption cooling system, comprising:

• a) a high pressure side and a low pressure side, the absorption cooling system operating by the circulation of an absorption refrigerant and an absorbent solution;
• b) a first path connecting and adapted for transferring noncondensible gas from the low pressure side to the high pressure side;
• c) a purge refrigeration system operating by the circulation of a purge refrigerant different from the absorption refrigerant;
• d) a purge tank;
• e) a second path connecting the high pressure side of the absorption cooling system to the purge tank and allowing for the flow of noncondensible gas and absorption refrigerant into the purge tank where the absorption refrigerant is condensed in heat exchange relationship with the purge refrigerant of the purge refrigeration system and separated from the noncondensible gas;
• f) a third path allowing for the purging of the separated noncondensible gas from the purge tank.

A method of removing noncondensible gas from an absorption cooling system having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, the absorption cooling system operating by the circulation of an absorption refrigerant and an absorbent solution, comprising the steps of:

• (a) collecting noncondensible gas in the low pressure side of the absorption cooling system;
• (b) providing a purge refrigeration system operating by the circulation of a purge refrigerant different from the absorption refrigerant;
• (c) directing the noncondensible gas and the absorption refrigerant to a purge tank where the absorption refrigerant is condensed in heat exchange relationship with the purge refrigerant of the purge refrigeration system and separated from the noncondensible gas;
• (d) collecting the separated noncondensible gas in the purge tank;
• (e) periodically purging the separated noncondensible gas from the purge tank.