Method and apparatus for measuring and improving efficiency in refrigeration systems
AssigneeHudson Technologies, Inc.
InventorsKevin Zugibe, Douglas Schmidt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for optimizing an efficiency of a refrigeration system, comprising means for measuring a refrigeration efficiency of an operating refrigeration system; means for altering a process variable of the refrigeration system during efficiency measurement; and a processor for calculating a process variable level which achieves an optimum efficiency. The process variables may include refrigerant charge and refrigerant oil concentration in evaporator.
Claims34
A method for determining an efficiency of operation of a chiller comprising a compressor, a refrigerant, a lubricating oil adapted to lubricate the compressor, a condenser and an evaporator, the chiller removing a heat load from a process through the evaporator, comprising:
- (a) concurrently:
- (i) determining an efficiency of operation of an operating chiller;
- (ii) changing at least one operational parameter of the evaporator which alters an efficiency thereof, the at least one operational parameter relating to one or more of the group consisting of migration of oil to the evaporator, a buildup of non-condensable gas in the refrigerant, and moisture in the refrigerant;
- and
- (iii) changing a load on the operating chiller;
- and
- (b) predicting at least one of:
- a most efficient state of the operating chiller, and an efficient change in at least one operational parameter, with respect to the at least one operational parameter and with respect to the load.
An apparatus for determining an efficiency of operation of a chiller comprising a compressor, a refrigerant, a lubricating oil adapted to lubricate the compressor, a condenser and an evaporator, said apparatus comprising a processor for concurrently determining an efficiency of operation of an operating chiller, monitoring a changing at least one operational parameter of the evaporator which alters and efficiency thereof, and monitoring a changing heat load on the evaporator during said operation, and predicting at least one of a most efficient state of the operating chiller, and an efficient change in at least one operational parameter, with respect to the at least one operational parameter and with respect to the heat load, the at least one operational parameter relating to one or more of the group consisting of migration of oil to the evaporator, a buildup of non-condensable gas in the refrigerant, and moisture in the refrigerant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.