Heat pump freeze drying system

摘要

The invention provides a "COORDINATED HEAT PUMP SYSTEM" which simultaneously satisfies the thermal needs of both the heat source and the heat sink. The heat pump system of the present invention is adapted to continuously withdraw heat from a heat source and continuously deliver heat at a required rate to a heat sink such that the ratio of heat delivered to heat withdrawn may be controlled by a cooling means, said heat pump system comprising a compressor adapted to compress at least a portion of refrigerant vapor from an evaporator thereof wherein a refrigerant withdraws heat from said heat source, a condenser in which refrigerant vapor so compressed is condensed and delivers heat at the required rate, cooling means for balancing the rates of heat delivery and heat withdrawal, and an expansion valve for expanding liquid refrigerant from said condenser into said evaporator. The invention also provides an evacuation system for use in vacuum drying having particular application to freeze-drying which comprises a system of absorber-regenerator-condenser units interlinked by coordinated heat pump systems whereby to provide for stable operation of the aforesaid freeze-drying operation and require a minimum of processing energy and power in the freeze-drying or vacuum drying process.