US 8,739,562 B2 · System for limiting pressure differences in dual compressor chillers

Abstract

Systems for limiting pressure differences in dual compressor chillers are provided. To achieve the efficiency benefits of series flow chillers within a single unit, an evaporator and/or a condenser may be partitioned into separate chambers by a baffle. Process fluid may then flow through one chamber of the evaporator and/or condenser prior to entering the other. This configuration creates a pressure differential between chambers which may reduce compressor head and result in greater chiller efficiency. However, to maintain the structural integrity of the evaporator and/or condenser baffle, a system for limiting this pressure differential may be employed. This system may include an evaporator pressure equalization valve, a common liquid line, or an equalizing line between separate liquid lines. Methods of operating dual compressor chillers using these systems are also provided.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A refrigeration system comprising:

a condenser configured to condense a refrigerant;
an evaporator configured to evaporate the refrigerant to extract heat from a process fluid, the evaporator being separated into first and second evaporator chambers by an evaporator baffle, the first evaporator chamber operating at a first pressure during operation and the second evaporator chamber operating at a second pressure during operation;
a first compressor coupled to the first evaporator chamber for compressing vapor phase refrigerant for delivery to the condenser;
a second compressor coupled to the second evaporator chamber for compressing vapor phase refrigerant for delivery to the condenser;
and
means for limiting a difference between the first and second pressures, wherein the means for limiting the difference between the first and second pressures comprises a pressure equalizing conduit in fluid communication between refrigerant conduits upstream of the evaporator.

3 more elements

A refrigeration system comprising:

a condenser having a condenser baffle separating a first condenser chamber and a second condenser chamber;
an evaporator having an evaporator baffle separating a first evaporator chamber and a second evaporator chamber, wherein the first evaporator chamber is in fluid communication with the first condenser chamber, and the second evaporator chamber is in fluid communication with the second condenser chamber;
a first compressor in fluid communication with the first condenser chamber and the first evaporator chamber;
a second compressor in fluid communication with the second condenser chamber and the second evaporator chamber;
wherein the first condenser chamber, the first evaporator chamber and the first compressor comprise a first refrigerant circuit, and the second condenser chamber, the second evaporator chamber and the second compressor comprise a second refrigerant circuit, the first refrigerant circuit being configured to operate at first pressures and temperatures, and the second refrigerant circuit being configured to operate at second pressures and temperatures higher than the first pressures and temperatures;
and further comprising a refrigerant interconnect in fluid communication between the first and second refrigerant circuits and configured to limit a pressure difference between the first and second pressures.

3 more elements

A method of operating a dual compressor chiller comprising:

compressing refrigerant in a first compressor, the first compressor being in fluid communication with a first chamber of a condenser;
condensing the refrigerant in the first chamber of the condenser, the first chamber of the condenser being in fluid communication with a first chamber of an evaporator;
evaporating the refrigerant in the first chamber of the evaporator, the first chamber of the evaporator being in fluid communication with the first compressor;
compressing refrigerant in a second compressor, the second compressor being in fluid communication with a second chamber of the condenser;
condensing the refrigerant in the second chamber of the condenser, the second chamber of the condenser being in fluid communication with a second chamber of the evaporator;
evaporating the refrigerant in the second chamber of the evaporator, the second chamber of the evaporator being in fluid communication with the second compressor;
and
combining the refrigerant from the first chamber of the evaporator with the refrigerant from the second chamber of the evaporator.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System for limiting pressure differences in dual compressor chillers

Life of this patent

System for limiting pressure differences in dual compressor chillers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20