Absorption cooling system with refrigerant management for dilution and part load operation

摘要

An absorption provided with a refrigerant management method and apparatus for temporarily storing liquid refrigerant during cooling mode operation and releasing refrigerant to the evaporator sump as needed to prevent refrigerant pump cavitation during periods of part load operation and causing dilution of solution in the absorber when the system is shut down. The refrigerant is stored in a tank located in the evaporator, with the tank fluidly communicating with the evaporator sump both by way of a side opening in the tank and by way of overflowing the tank. Refrigerant replenishment to the tank occurs during normal operation either by refrigerant flow from the condenser or by way of a bleed line from the refrigerant pump.