US 5,689,971 A · Absorption cooling system utilizing helical absorbers

Abstract

A fluid heat exchange apparatus is disclosed that can be used as an absorber in an absorption cooling system. The compact absorber design uses concentric thermally conductive cylinders to form alternating annular passages for a heat transfer fluid and a solution. The heat transfer fluid passages contain a generally helical coil. The generally helical coil distributes the heat transfer fluid in a generally helical path between the thermally conductive cylinders. The solution passages also contain a generally helical coil. However, the solution passage coils are grooved rods. The grooved rods allow solution to flow between the rods and the walls of the cylinders. The solution flows down the cool walls of the thermally conductive cylinders. Simultaneously, refrigerant vapor flows upward in a generally helical path within the solution passages and is absorbed into the solution droplets. Further, an absorption cooling system is disclosed that utilizes multiple helical absorbers.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An absorber for use in an absorption cooling system comprising:

a plurality of substantially concentric cylinders defining a plurality of annular spaces between the cylinders;
the annular spaces including a solution space for carrying a solution and an adjacent heat transfer fluid space for carrying a heat transfer fluid, the cylinder between the solution space and heat transfer fluid space being thermally conductive to allow heat transfer between the solution and the heat transfer fluid;
a first generally helical coil rod located in the solution space and defining a first generally helical passage within the solution space;
and
a second generally helical coil rod located in the heat transfer fluid space and defining a second generally helical passage within the heat transfer fluid space.

2 more elements

An absorption cooling system comprising:

a generator;
a condenser;
an evaporator;
a first absorber having a plurality of substantially concentric cylinders defining a plurality of first absorber annular spaces between the cylinders;
the first absorber annular spaces including a solution space for carrying a solution and an adjacent heat transfer fluid space for carrying a heat transfer fluid, the cylinder between the solution space and the heat transfer fluid space being thermally conductive to allow heat transfer between the solution and the heat transfer fluid;
a first generally helical coil rod located in the solution space and defining a first generally helical passage within the solution space;
a second generally helical coil rod located in the heat transfer fluid space and defining a second generally helical passage within the heat transfer fluid space;
and
a second absorber having a weak solution space and a strong solution space in heat exchange relationship.

6 more elements

A method of absorbing a vapor in solution comprising the steps of:

providing a first absorber having a plurality of substantially concentric cylinders defining a plurality of annular spaces between the cylinders, the concentric cylinders having a substantially vertical axis, the annular spaces including a solution space and an adjacent heat transfer fluid space, the cylinder between the solution space and the heat transfer fluid space being thermally conductive;
providing a first generally helical coil rod in the solution space to define a first generally helical passage within the solution space;
providing a second generally helical coil rod in the heat transfer fluid space to define a second generally helical passage within the heat transfer fluid space;
directing a solution downward in the first generally helical passage;
directing a vapor upward in the first generally helical passage to at least partially absorb the vapor in the solution to create a strong solution;
directing a heat transfer fluid upward in the second generally helical passage in heat exchange relationship with the solution and the vapor to facilitate absorption of the vapor into the solution.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Absorption cooling system utilizing helical absorbers

Life of this patent

Absorption cooling system utilizing helical absorbers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17