Patent · US Expired

Discontinuous cryogenic mixed gas refrigeration system and method

US6644067B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
21References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 9, 2001
Grant dateNov 11, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 9, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25B2500/26
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A closed circuit refrigeration system of successive coalescent/depth filters provides the almost total removal of liquid refrigerants from a refrigeration gas stream. The liquid refrigerant so extracted is then be returned to the suction side through a metering device such as a capillary line to provide intermediate cooling of the oncoming discharge gas. The auto cascade system utilizes short path plate heat exchangers. The properties of coalescent/depth filters place a physical barrier between the differing temperature/pressure regimes on the discharge side of the system. The provision of a start valve in a line connecting the gas discharge path and the return path close to the cryo-coil enables the use of hermetic compressors and eliminates the requirement for supplementary pressure vessels within auto-cascade cryogenic refrigeration systems.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.