Chiller with hybrid falling film evaporator
US5839294A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2339/0242
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vapor compression refrigeration system for cooling a liquid in which there is a spray dispenser for distributing liquid refrigerant over the tubes in a shell-and-tube type evaporator. The differential pressure in the refrigerant flow loop across the evaporator is the sole means of producing a flow through the spray dispenser. The evaporator is operated as a hybrid falling film heat exchanger, that is, in a semi-flooded condition. The lower portion of the evaporator shell is flooded with liquid refrigerant to wet the lower tubes in the tube bundle while the tubes in the upper portion are wetted only by refrigerant spray from the spray dispenser. The system is operated in a steady state condition whereby at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the tubes in the evaporator operate in a flooded heat transfer mode. The system allows a reduction in the amount of refrigerant charge in the system while at the same time avoiding the use of a recirculating system and pump.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.