Refrigeration – Processes – Circulating external gas
Patent
1992-10-27
1995-09-12
Capossela, Ronald G.
Refrigeration
Processes
Circulating external gas
62532, F25J 500
Patent
active
054488923
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
The methods and apparatuses of the present invention are to be used in providing systems for cool thermal storage, either long term storage such as seasonal storage or short term storage such as day by day storage. Some of the systems can also be used to accomplish purification of dilute aqueous and non-aqueous solutions.
The current market for cool thermal storage is created by electric utilities. The benefits derived by the utility may include increased revenue, lower cost production, or shifting summer demand. Electric utilities supplement persuasive marketing programs with attractive utility rates to sell the cool thermal storage concept. Many utilities will contribute cash rebates on the basis of "Avoided demand" for thermal storage systems.
Electric utilities generate power from several different energy sources with energy cost ranging from low cost hydro and nuclear to expensive gas turbines. Many lower energy cost nuclear and hydro plants have excess capacity during off-peak hours (typically 9 pm to 9 am), while the cost of operating gas turbines for peaking often exceeds revenue from the power they generate. Lowering on-peak daytime demand and increasing off-peak nighttime demand enhances utility profitability. Load management just makes good economic sense. Cool thermal storage contributes to improved load management. The capital cost of cool thermal storage systems can be offset by utility savings passed on to the owner. The vehicle to pass on savings may be high daytime demand charges that are waived during off-peak hours, discounts for off-peak power or cash rebates for comfort systems that move the power requirements from on-peak hours to off-peak hours.
A system of the present invention may serve as a dural purpose system for cool storage and water purification. It is particularly effective in treating dilute solutions. Polluted waters containing toxic pollutants in low concentrations are produced from various sources, such as underground waters, industrial waste waters and nuclear waste waters. Such waste water can be treated to produce usable water. A dual purpose system has tremendous advantages over conventional cool storage systems and conventional water purification systems.
2. Background Art
Since a dual purpose system of the present invention can provide both cool thermal storage and water purification, prior art on cool thermal storage and water purification by vacuum freezing are reviewed in the following:
Cool Thermal Storage
Chilled water, ice, or other phase change materials can be used as a cool storage medium. Prior art on chilled water storage, ice storage and eutectic hydrate salt storage is outlined.
Chilled Water Storage
Conceptually, chilled water storage appears to be a simple design. Water stores heat by increasing its temperature. The specific heat of water is one Btu per degree Fahrenheit per pound. 12000 degree Fahrenheit pounds are required to store one tonhour of cooling. Chilled water storage is traditionally designed on a 20 degree Fahrenheit temperature rise, which equates to almost 10 cubic feet of water per tonhour. Chillers have very little difficulty cooling water to the minimum design temperature, typically 40.degree. F.
Chilled water at around 4.5.degree. C. (40.1.degree. F.) may be produced by absorption refrigeration or mechanical compression refrigeration. Major manufacturers of absorption refrigeration machines are Carrier Corporation of Syracuse, New York and Trane Company of Le Crosse, Wis. Major manufacturers of mechanical compression water chillers are York Company of York Pennsylvania and Trane Company of Le Crosse, Wis. An absorption chiller usually uses a lithium bromide-water mixture as the working medium. A mechanical chiller uses a centrifugal compressor, screw compressor or reciprocating compressor and Freon as the refrigerant.
Ice Storage
The latent heat of fusion or the heat absorbed by one pound of ice when it melts is 144 Btu. This equates to less than 1.5 cubic fee
REFERENCES:
patent: 4810274 (1989-03-01), Cheng et al.
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