Carbon dioxide refrigeration cycle

摘要

A refrigeration cycle is operated in conjunction with various thermodynamic cycle working fluid circuits to cool a target fluid that may be used in a separate system or duty. In one embodiment, the refrigeration cycle includes an ejector that extracts a motive fluid from the working fluid cycles in order to entrain a suction fluid that is also extracted from the working fluid circuits. Expanding the suction fluid reduces the pressure and temperature of the suction fluid for cooling the target fluid in an evaporator, which evaporates the suction fluid before being entrained into the ejector by the motive fluid. A mixed fluid is discharged from the ejector and injected into the working fluid circuits upstream from a condenser that cools the mixed fluid and the working fluid circulating throughout the working fluid circuits.

主权项

1. A working fluid circuit for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, comprising:
a pump configured to circulate a working fluid through the working fluid circuit; a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the pump and in thermal communication with a heat source, the heat exchanger being configured to transfer thermal energy from the heat source to the working fluid; a condenser fluidly coupled to the pump and configured to cool the working fluid before returning the working fluid to the pump for recirculation; an ejector fluidly coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to receive a motive fluid and a suction fluid, the motive fluid being a portion of the working fluid discharged from the heat exchanger and the suction fluid being a portion of the working fluid discharged from the condenser, wherein the ejector discharges a mixed fluid into or adjacent an inlet of the condenser; an expansion valve fluidly coupled to the condenser and configured to receive and expand the suction fluid; and an evaporator in fluid communication with the expansion valve and having a target fluid circulating therein, the evaporator configured to transfer thermal energy from the target fluid to the suction fluid while cooling the target fluid.