Process and apparatus to improve the power factor of compressor-operated (hybrid) refrigerators or heat pumps functioning with solution cycle

摘要

A process for the operation of hybrid compression-absorption heat pumps or refrigerators with the use of fluid medium containing a mixture of differently volatile components (typically two) easily soluble in each other. During heat extraction, in a first counter current heat exchange, vapor of the more volatile component is partially dissolved in the liquid of the less volatile component. Simultaneously, an additional portion of the volatile component is condensed. Importantly, the medium is discharged from the first heat exchange in a stage of incomplete dissolution/condensation of the vapor phase. The combined medium is expanded and absorbs heat in a second counter current heat exchange phase, during which the more volatile component is both expelled from the solution and evaporated. A counter current heat exchanger is connected between the first and second heat exchangers, and uses low pressure medium exiting from the second heat exchange to effect cooling and thus further dissolution and condensation of the high pressure medium exiting from the first heat exchange.