IMPROVED OPERATION OF A REFRIGERANT SYSTEM

摘要

A method and system for operating a refrigerant system having a reciprocating compressor with a main cylinder module and an economizer cylinder module includes regulating a flow of refrigerant into the main cylinder module and regulating a flow of refrigerant into the economizer cylinder module. The main cylinder module and the economizer cylinder module have separate inlet and outlet discharge streams. The flow through each module is regulated as a function of an operating mode of the refrigerant system, which includes various modes of loading and unloading based, in part, on a cooling demand. In some embodiments, the refrigerant system may include a connector refrigerant line configured to redirect refrigerant from the economizer cylinder module to the main cylinder module or from the main cylinder module to the economizer cylinder module.