U.S. patent application number 15/696450 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-07 for refrigeration system with integrated air conditioning by a high pressure expansion valve.
The applicant listed for this patent is Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC. Invention is credited to Fardis Najafifard, Shitong Zha.
Application Number | 20190072299 15/696450 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63294085 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190072299 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Najafifard; Fardis ; et
al. |
March 7, 2019 |
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED AIR CONDITIONING BY A HIGH
PRESSURE EXPANSION VALVE
Abstract
A system includes a flash tank coupled to refrigeration cases,
and the flash tank houses a first refrigerant. The system further
includes a gas cooler to cool the first refrigerant, a heat
exchanger coupled to an air conditioning system, and a first high
pressure expansion valve coupled to the gas cooler. The first high
pressure expansion valve reduces a pressure of the first
refrigerant flowing from the gas cooler to the heat exchanger. The
system includes a second high pressure expansion valve coupled to
the gas cooler, which reduces a pressure of the first refrigerant
flowing from the gas cooler to the flash tank. The heat exchanger
is coupled to the first high pressure expansion valve, and the heat
exchanger receives the first refrigerant from the high pressure
expansion valve, receives a second refrigerant from an air
conditioning system, and provides cooling to the second refrigerant
using the first refrigerant.
Inventors: |
Najafifard; Fardis;
(Decatur, GA) ; Zha; Shitong; (Snellville,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC |
Stone Mountain |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63294085 |
Appl. No.: |
15/696450 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 2600/2513 20130101;
F25B 2700/1933 20130101; F25B 2341/0661 20130101; F25B 2400/0401
20130101; F25B 2400/23 20130101; F25B 2309/061 20130101; F25B
2400/054 20130101; F25B 2341/066 20130101; F25B 9/008 20130101;
F25B 7/00 20130101; F25B 25/005 20130101; F25B 2400/075 20130101;
F25B 2400/13 20130101; F25B 1/10 20130101; F25B 41/04 20130101;
F25B 49/02 20130101; F25B 40/00 20130101; F25B 2600/2501 20130101;
F25B 5/02 20130101; F25B 41/062 20130101; F25B 2400/22 20130101;
F25B 2700/21163 20130101; F25B 2400/061 20130101; F25B 2700/21175
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25B 9/00 20060101
F25B009/00; F25B 5/02 20060101 F25B005/02; F25B 41/04 20060101
F25B041/04; F25B 41/06 20060101 F25B041/06 |
Claims
1. A system, comprising; a flash tank coupled to one or more
refrigeration cases, the flash tank configured to house a first
refrigerant; a gas cooler configured to cool the first refrigerant
to a first temperature; a heat exchanger coupled to an air
conditioning system; a first expansion valve coupled to the gas
cooler, the first expansion valve configured to reduce a pressure
of the first refrigerant flowing from the gas cooler to the heat
exchanger; a second expansion valve coupled to the gas cooler, the
second expansion valve configured to reduce a pressure of the first
refrigerant flowing from the gas cooler to the flash tank; wherein
the heat exchanger is coupled to the first expansion valve, the
heat exchanger configured to: receive the first refrigerant from
the first expansion valve; receive a second refrigerant from an air
conditioning system, the second refrigerant associated with an air
conditioning load; and provide cooling to the second refrigerant
using the first refrigerant; a sensor associated with one or more
compressors, the sensor configured to measure the air conditioning
load of the air condition system; and a controller coupled to the
sensor and the first expansion valve, the controller configured to:
receive air conditioning load information for the air condition
system; determine an amount of the first refrigerant to supply to
the heat exchanger based on the air conditioning bad information;
and instruct the first expansion valve to direct the determined
amount of the first refrigerant to the heat exchanger.
2. (canceled)
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a compressor coupled
to the flash tank, the heat exchanger, and the gas cooler, the
compressor configured to: receive the first refrigerant from the
Hash tank and the heat exchanger; compress the first refrigerant;
and provide the first refrigerant to the gas cooler.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a first refrigeration
case coupled to the flash tank, the first refrigeration case being
cooled by the first refrigerant from the flash tank; a second
refrigeration case coupled to the flash tank, the second case being
cooled by the first refrigerant from the flash tank; a first
compressor coupled to the first refrigeration case, the first
compressor configured to compress the first refrigerant from the
first refrigeration case; and a second compressor coupled to the
second refrigeration case and the first compressor, the second
compressor configured to compress the first refrigerant from the
second refrigeration case and the first refrigerant from the first
compressor.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first expansion valve is
configured to direct a flow of the first refrigerant towards the
heat exchanger.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first refrigerant comprises a
carbon dioxide (CO2) refrigerant.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second refrigerant comprises
glycol water.
8. A method of configuring a system, comprising: coupling a flash
tank to one of more refrigeration cases, the flash tank configured
to house a first refrigerant; coupling a first high pressure
expansion valve coupled to a gas cooler, the gas cooler configured
to cool the first refrigerant to a first temperature, the first
high pressure expansion valve configured to reduce a pressure of
the first refrigerant flowing from the gas cooler to the heat
exchanger; coupling a second high pressure expansion valve to the
gas cooler, the second high pressure expansion valve configured to
reduce a pressure of the first refrigerant flowing from the gas
cooler to the flash tank; and coupling a heat exchanger is the
first high pressure expansion valve, the heat exchanger configured
to: receive the first refrigerant from the first high pressure
expansion valve; receive a second refrigerant from an air
conditioning system, the second refrigerant associated with an air
conditioning load; and provide cooling to the second refrigerant
using the first refrigerant.
9. The method of claim 8, feather comprising coupling a controller
to the heat exchanger and the first high pressure expansion valve,
the controller configured to: determine the air conditioning load
associated with the second refrigerant; based on the air
conditioning: load associated with the second refrigerant,
determine an amount of the first refrigerant needed to provide
cooling to the second refrigerant; and instruct the first high
pressure expansion valve to reduce the pressure of the amount of
the first refrigerant to the heat exchanger.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising coupling a parallel
compressor to the flash tank, the heat exchanger, and the gas
cooler, the parallel compressor configured to: receive the first
refrigerant from the flash lank and the heat exchanger; compress
the first refrigerant; and provide the first refrigerant to the gas
cooler.
11. The method of claim 8, farther comprising: coupling a low
temperature refrigeration case to the flash tank, the low
temperature refrigeration case being cooled by the first
refrigerant from the flash tank; coupling a medium temperature
refrigeration case to the flash tank, the medium temperature case
being cooled by the first refrigerant from the flash tank; coupling
a low temperature compressor to the low temperature refrigeration
case, the low temperature compressor configured to compress the
first refrigerant from the low temperature refrigeration case; and
coupling a medium temperature compressor to the medium temperature
refrigeration case and the low temperature -compressor, the medium
temperature compressor configured to compress the first refrigerant
from the medium temperature refrigeration case and the first
refrigerant from the low temperature compressor.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the first high pressure
expansion valve is configured to direct a flow of the first
refrigerant towards the heat exchanger.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the first refrigerant comprises
a carbon dioxide (CO2) refrigerant.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the second refrigerant comprises
glycol water.
15. A system, comprising: a high pressure expansion valve
configured to reduce a pressure of a first refrigerant; a heat
exchanger coupled to the high pressure expansion valve; a
controller coupled to the high pressure expansion valve and
configured to: determine an air conditioning load associated with a
second refrigerant; based on the air conditioning load associated
with the second refrigerant, determine an amount of the first
refrigerant needed to provide cooling to the second refrigerant;
and instruct the high pressure expansion, valve to reduce the
pressure of the amount of the first refrigerant and direct the
amount of the first refrigerant to the heat exchanger; and wherein
the heat exchanger is configured to: receive the amount of the
first refrigerant from the high pressure expansion valve; receive
the second refrigerant from an air conditioning system; and provide
cooling to the second refrigerant using the first refrigerant,
1. The system of claim 15, further comprising a parallel compressor
coupled to the flash tank, the heat exchanger, and the gas cooler,
the parallel compressor configured to: receive the first
refrigerant from the flash tank and the heat exchanger; compress
the first refrigerant; and provide the first refrigerant to the gas
cooler.
17. The system of claim 15, further comprising: a low temperature
refrigeration case coupled to the flash tank, the low temperature
refrigeration case being cooled by the first refrigerant from the
flash tank; a medium temperature refrigeration case coupled to the
flash tank, the medium temperature case being cooled by the first
refrigerant from the flash tank; a low temperature compressor
coupled to the low temperature refrigeration case, the low
temperature compressor configured to compress the first refrigerant
from the low temperature refrigeration case; and a medium
temperature compressor coupled to the medium temperature
refrigeration case and the low temperature compressor, the medium
temperature compressor configured to compress the first refrigerant
from the medium temperature refrigeration case and the first
refrigerant from the low temperature compressor.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the first high pressure
expansion, valve is configured to direct a flow of the first
refrigerant towards the heat exchanger.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein the first refrigerant comprises
a carbon dioxide (CO2) refrigerant.
20. The system of claim 15, wherein the second refrigerant
comprises glycol water.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to a refrigeration system.
More specifically, this disclosure relates to a refrigeration
system with integrated air conditioning by a high pressure
expansion valve.
[0002] Refrigeration systems can be used to regulate the
environment within an enclosed space. Various types of
refrigeration systems, such as residential and commercial, may be
used to maintain cold temperatures within an enclosed space such as
a refrigerated case. To maintain cold temperatures within
refrigerated cases, refrigeration systems control the temperature
and pressure of refrigerant as it moves through the refrigeration
system.
SUMMARY
[0003] In certain embodiments, a system includes a flash tank
coupled to one or more refrigeration cases, and the flash tank
houses a first refrigerant. The system further includes a gas
cooler configured to cool the first refrigerant to a first
temperature, a heat exchanger coupled to an air conditioning
system, and a first high pressure expansion valve coupled to the
gas cooler. The first high pressure expansion valve reduces a
pressure of the first refrigerant flowing from the gas cooler to
the heat exchanger. The system further includes a second high
pressure expansion valve coupled to the gas cooler, which reduces a
pressure of the first refrigerant flowing from the gas cooler to
the flash tank. The heat exchanger is coupled to the first high
pressure expansion valve, and the heat exchanger is configured to
receive the first refrigerant from the first high pressure
expansion valve, receive a second refrigerant from an air
conditioning system, and provide cooling to the second refrigerant
using the first refrigerant.
[0004] In some embodiments, a method of configuring a system
includes coupling a flash tank to one or more refrigeration cases,
where the flash tank is configured to house a first refrigerant.
The method further includes coupling a first high pressure
expansion valve coupled to a gas cooler, where the gas cooler is
configured to cool the first refrigerant to a first temperature.
The first high pressure expansion valve is configured to reduce a
pressure of the first refrigerant flowing from the gas cooler to
the heat exchanger. The method also includes coupling a second high
pressure expansion valve to the gas cooler, where the second high
pressure expansion valve is configured to reduce a pressure of the
first refrigerant flowing from the gas cooler to the flash tank.
Finally, the method includes coupling a heat exchanger to the first
high pressure expansion valve, where the heat exchanger configured
to receive the first refrigerant from the first high pressure
expansion valve, receive a second refrigerant from an air
conditioning system, the second refrigerant associated with an air
conditioning load, and provide cooling to the second refrigerant
using the first refrigerant.
[0005] In certain embodiments, a system includes a high pressure
expansion valve configured to reduce a pressure of a first
refrigerant, and a heat exchanger coupled to the high pressure
expansion valve. The system further includes a controller coupled
to the high pressure expansion valve and configured to determine an
air conditioning load associated with a second refrigerant. The
controller also, based on the air conditioning load associated with
the second refrigerant, determines an amount of the first
refrigerant needed to provide cooling to the second refrigerant.
Finally, the controller may instruct the high pressure expansion
valve to reduce the pressure of the amount of the first refrigerant
and direct the amount of the first refrigerant to the heat
exchanger. The heat exchanger is configured to receive the amount
of the first refrigerant from the high pressure expansion valve,
receive the second refrigerant from an air conditioning system, and
provide cooling to the second refrigerant using the first
refrigerant.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure,
reference is now made to the following description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example
refrigeration system, according to some embodiments;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example
refrigeration system, according to some embodiments;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an
example refrigeration system;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an
example refrigeration system; and
[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a controller of a
refrigeration system, according to certain embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Cooling systems may cycle a refrigerant to cool various
spaces. For example, a refrigeration system may cycle refrigerant
to cool spaces near or around refrigeration loads. In certain
installations, such as at a grocery store for example, a
refrigeration system may include different types of loads. For
example, a grocery store may use medium temperature loads and low
temperature loads. The medium temperature loads may be used for
produce and the low temperature loads may be used for frozen foods.
Cooling the refrigeration load causes the refrigerant to expand and
to increase in temperature. The refrigeration system compresses and
cools the refrigerant discharged from the refrigeration load so
that cool liquid refrigerant can be recirculated through the
refrigeration system to keep the refrigeration load cool.
[0013] To compress the refrigerant, the refrigeration system
includes one or more compressors. Examples of compressors include
one or more LT compressors configured to compress refrigerant from
the LT case and an MT compressor configured to compress refrigerant
from the MT case. The compressors may also include one or more
parallel compressors. Generally, a parallel compressor operates "in
parallel" to another compressor (such as an MT compressor) of the
refrigeration system, thereby reducing the amount of compression
that the other compressor needs to apply. This may lower the energy
consumed by a refrigeration system.
[0014] In a conventional transcritical booster refrigeration
system, such as a carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) transcritical booster
refrigeration system, the refrigerant works to cool various loads
in the LT case and the MT case, while there may be a separate air
conditioning system to cool any surrounding areas. For example, in
a grocery store, the produce and frozen foods may be cooled using a
transcritical booster refrigeration system, while the rest of the
store (e.g., the aisle, registers, etc.) are cooled to a lesser
extent by an air conditioning system. This requires additional
components and energy to cool the refrigerant of both the air
conditioning system and the refrigeration system separately. Thus,
there is a desire for a system that may integrate the refrigeration
system and air conditioning system, specifically using a heat
exchanger to cool the refrigerant from the air conditioning system
with the refrigerant from the refrigeration system.
[0015] Embodiments of the present disclosure and its advantages are
best understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings,
like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the
various drawings.
[0016] This disclosure introduces multiple embodiments that may
facilitate integrating the refrigeration system and air
conditioning system. One embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1, which
integrates an air conditioning system and a refrigeration system
using a high pressure expansion valve and heat exchanger. FIG. 3
illustrates a method of integration that may utilize one or more
components of FIG. 1. A particular embodiment is illustrated in
FIG. 2, which integrates an air conditioning system and a
refrigeration system using parallel solenoid valves, a check valve,
and a heat exchanger. FIG. 4 illustrates a method of integration
that may utilize one or more components of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating example system 100
according to some embodiments. System 100 includes a gas cooler
130, one or more high pressure expansion valves 135 and 150, flash
tank 105, one or more expansion valves 110 corresponding to one or
more evaporators 115 (also referred to as refrigeration cases 115),
one or more compressors 120, electronic expansion valve 106, and AC
heat exchanger 140. Particular embodiments may include controller
111.
[0018] In general, system 100 integrates a refrigeration system and
an air conditioning system by utilizing the refrigerant of the
refrigeration system to cool the refrigerant of the air
conditioning system. Specifically, system 100 is configured to
cycle refrigerant such that MT case 115b and LT case 115a remain
cooled to a certain temperature (e.g., to keep frozen foods frozen
or refrigerated), and such that the refrigerant may be directed by
high pressure expansion valve 150 to AC heat exchanger 140 and
provide cooling to a second refrigerant associated with an air
conditioning system.
[0019] First valve 110a may be configured to discharge
low-temperature liquid refrigerant to first evaporator 115a (also
referred to herein as low-temperature ("LT") case 115a). Second
valve 110b may be configured to discharge medium-temperature liquid
refrigerant to evaporator 115b (also referred to herein as
medium-temperature ("MT") case 115b). In certain embodiments, LT
case 115a and MT case 115b may be installed in a grocery store and
may be used to store frozen food and refrigerated fresh food,
respectively.
[0020] In some embodiments, first evaporator 115a may be configured
to discharge warm refrigerant vapor to first compressor 120a (also
referred to herein as an LT compressor 120a) and second evaporator
115b may be configured to discharge warm refrigerant vapor to a
second compressor 120b (also referred to herein as an MT compressor
120b). In such a refrigeration system, first compressor 120a
provides a first stage of compression to the warmed refrigerant
from the LT case 115a and discharges the compressed refrigerant to
second compressor 120b.
[0021] For example, in certain embodiments, the compressed
refrigerant discharged from first compressor 120a joins the warm
refrigerant discharged from MT case 115b and flows to second
compressor 120b for compression. The inlet to second compressor
120b may be referred to as MT suction. The refrigerant discharged
from second compressor 120b may then be discharged to gas cooler
130 for cooling. At this phase the refrigerant is at a high
pressure and high temperature (e.g., 92 bar and 120 degrees
Celsius).
[0022] Gas cooler 130 discharges refrigerant, which may continue to
high pressure expansion valve 135. High pressure expansion valve
135 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, which results in a
mixture of vapor and liquid refrigerant. The mixed-state
refrigerant then flows from high pressure expansion valve 135
through flash tank 105 where it is separated into vapor (i.e.,
flash gas) and liquid refrigerant.
[0023] The liquid refrigerant flows from the flash tank 105 to one
or more of the cases 115 through expansion valves 110 and the cycle
begins again. The vapor refrigerant flows from the flash tank 105
to one or more of MT compressor 120b or parallel compressor 120c
when parallel compressor 120c is in operation.
[0024] A second high pressure expansion valve 150, similar to valve
135, reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, which results in a
mixture of vapor and liquid refrigerant. However, the refrigerant
then flows from high pressure expansion valve 150 to heat exchanger
140. High pressure expansion valve 150 directs an amount of the
flow of refrigerant to heat exchanger 140 so that it may provide
cooling for an AC load from an air conditioning system. In some
embodiments, controller 111 may use the AC load to determine the
amount of refrigerant necessary to provide adequate cooling and may
direct high pressure expansion valve 150 to redirect that amount of
refrigerant, as discussed further below. By only redirecting a
portion of refrigerant flow from gas cooler 130, system 100
efficiently allows refrigerant to provide cooling to the AC load
through heat exchanger 140 without requiring all of the refrigerant
to be redirected away from flash tank.
[0025] AC heat exchanger 140 may comprise a plate heat exchanger,
such as a brazed plate heat exchanger, a shell and tube heat
exchanger, or any other heat exchanger suitable for cooling
refrigerant. Although illustrated as a single heat exchanger in
FIG. 1, this is not meant to be limiting, and system 100 may
include any number of heat exchangers 140. Heat exchanger 140 may
be used to exchange heat between the refrigerant in system 100 and
a second refrigerant used in the air conditioning system that has
an AC load (e.g., the temperature load/requirement to sufficient
cool an enclosed space). Heat exchanger 140 comprises two
refrigerant inlets and two refrigerant outlets. A first refrigerant
inlet is coupled to gas cooler 130 through high pressure expansion
valve 150. A second refrigerant inlet has an AC load from air
conditioning system. The refrigerant received at the first
refrigerant inlet is used to cool the refrigerant received at the
second refrigerant inlet. The second refrigerant outlet discharges
the cooled refrigerant from the second refrigerant inlet to the AC
system to provide cooled air to an enclosed space (e.g., grocery
store). The second refrigerant outlet may lead to an evaporator in
the air conditioning system such that the refrigerant may cool down
the building or enclosed space. The first refrigerant outlet
discharges the refrigerant from the first refrigerant inlet towards
parallel compressor 120c and then back to gas cooler 130.
[0026] In some embodiments, heat exchanger 140 receives the
refrigerant from high pressure expansion valve 150. High pressure
expansion valve may be opened and closed such that it directs a
particular amount of the refrigerant from gas cooler 130 to heat
exchanger 140. In some embodiments, heat exchanger 140 also
receives a second refrigerant from an air conditioning system,
where the air conditioning system has an AC load (e.g., cooling an
enclosed space to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, providing medium cooling).
Heat exchanger 140 may receive all of the second refrigerant from
air conditioning system, or simply a portion of it, depending on
the AC load. In some embodiments, the AC load may be determined by
measuring the superheat of the refrigerant exiting heat exchanger
140. Finally, in some embodiments, heat exchanger 140 may provide
cooling to the second refrigerant (e.g., AC refrigerant, glycol
water) using the first refrigerant (e.g., CO2 from system 100), as
explained above. By using heat exchanger 140, a transcritical
booster system and an air conditioning system may be integrated to
create system 100. Combining transcritical booster system and an
air conditioning system into integrated system 100 reduces the
number of components required (e.g., flash tank 105, gas cooler
130), the energy expended to cool refrigerant for an AC system, and
the resources in maintaining two separate systems rather than one
integrated system.
[0027] In some embodiments, refrigeration system 100 may be
configured to circulate natural refrigerant such as carbon dioxide
(CO.sub.2). Some embodiments may use any suitable refrigerant.
Natural refrigerants may be associated with various environmentally
conscious benefits (e.g., they do not contribute to ozone depletion
and/or global warming effects). As an example, certain embodiments
can be implemented in a transcritical refrigeration system (i.e., a
refrigeration system in which the heat rejection process occurs
above the critical point) comprising a gas cooler and circulating
the natural refrigerant CO.sub.2.
[0028] As discussed above, refrigeration system 100 includes one or
more compressors 120. Refrigeration system 100 may include any
suitable number of compressors 120. Compressors 120 may vary by
design and/or by capacity. For example, some compressor designs may
be more energy efficient than other compressor designs and some
compressors 120 may have modular capacity (i.e., capability to vary
capacity). As described above, compressor 120a may be an LT
compressor that is configured to compress refrigerant discharged
from an LT case (e.g., LT case 115a) and compressor 120b may be an
MT compressor that is configured to compress refrigerant discharged
from an MT case (e.g., MT case 115b).
[0029] In some embodiments, refrigeration system 100 includes a
parallel compressor 120c. Parallel compressor 120c may be
configured to provide supplemental compression to refrigerant
circulating through refrigeration system 100. For example, parallel
compressor 120c may be operable to compress refrigerant after it
exits heat exchanger 140 before returning to gas cooler 130. As
another example, parallel compressor 120c may be operable to
compress vapor (e.g., flash gas) from flash tank 105 before
returning it to gas cooler 130. In some embodiments, parallel
compressor 120c may receive the first refrigerant from flash tank
105 and/or heat exchanger 140. Parallel compressor 120c may
compress the refrigerant and prove the first refrigerant to gas
cooler 130 such that refrigerant may be cooled and directed back to
flash tank 105. By adding parallel compressor 120c, system 100
consumes less energy. Rather than feeding the refrigerant exiting
heat exchanger back through flash tank 105, expansion valve 106,
and MT compressor 120b, the refrigerant goes through parallel
compressor 120c and straight back to gas cooler 130. This pathway
through parallel compressor 120c eliminates the need to drop the
pressure of the refrigerant first before entering compression
(e.g., through MT compressor 120b), instead, the refrigerant is
immediately compressed without changing its pressure, thus
conserving the energy it would use to change the pressure.
[0030] As depicted in FIG. 1, refrigeration system 100 may include
one or more gas coolers 130 in some embodiments. Gas cooler 130 is
configured to receive compressed refrigerant vapor (e.g., from MT
and parallel compressors 120b, 120c) and cool the received
refrigerant. In some embodiments, gas cooler 130 is a heat
exchanger comprising cooler tubes configured to circulate the
received refrigerant and coils through which ambient air is forced.
Inside gas cooler 130, the coils may absorb heat from the
refrigerant and rejects to ambient, thereby providing cooling to
the refrigerant.
[0031] In some embodiments, refrigeration system 100 includes
electronic expansion valve 106. Expansion valve 106 controls the
flow of refrigerant. Expansion valve 106 may comprise a
thermostatic expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve, or any
other suitable expansion valve. Expansion valve 106 may be
configured to direct the flash gas from flash tank 105 to be
compressed at MT compressor 120b and then cooled by gas cooler 130.
In this way, the flash gas from flash tank 105 may be compressed,
then cooled, and directed through high pressure expansion valve 135
such that it is in liquid and vapor mixture form when it is
returned to flash tank 105. The liquid may be directed through MT
liquid line and LT liquid line in order to cool MT case 115b and LT
case 115a.
[0032] Refrigeration system 100 may include a flash tank 105 in
some embodiments. Flash tank 105 may be configured to receive
mixed-state refrigerant and separate the received refrigerant into
flash gas and liquid refrigerant. Typically, the flash gas collects
near the top of flash tank 105 and the liquid refrigerant is
collected in the bottom of flash tank 105. In some embodiments, the
liquid refrigerant flows from flash tank 105 and provides cooling
to one or more evaporates (cases) 115 and the flash gas flows to
one or more compressors (e.g., MT compressor 120b and/or parallel
compressor 120c) for compression.
[0033] Refrigeration system 100 may include one or more evaporators
115 in some embodiments. As depicted in FIG. 1, the refrigeration
system includes two evaporators 115 (LT case 115a and MT case
115b). As described above, LT case 115a may be configured to
receive liquid refrigerant of a first temperature and MT case 115b
may be configured to receive liquid refrigerant of a second
temperature, wherein the first temperature (e.g., -29.degree. C.)
is lower in temperature than the second temperature (e.g.,
-7.degree. C.). As an example, an LT case 115a may be a freezer in
a grocery store and an MT case 115b may be a cooler in a grocery
store.
[0034] In some embodiments, the liquid refrigerant leaves flash
tank 105 through a first line to the LT case and a second line to
the MT case. When the refrigerant leaves flash tank 105, the
temperature and pressure in the first line may be the same as the
temperature and pressure in the second line (e.g., 4.degree. C. and
38 bar). Before reaching cases 115, the liquid refrigerant may be
directed through one or more expansion valves 110 (e.g., 110a and
110b of FIG. 1). In some embodiments, each valve may be controlled
(e.g., by controller 111 described below) to adjust the temperature
and pressure of the liquid refrigerant.
[0035] For example, valve 110a may be configured to discharge the
liquid refrigerant at -29.degree. C. to LT case 115a and valve 110b
may be configured to discharge the liquid refrigerant at -7.degree.
C. to MT case 115b. In some embodiments, each evaporator 115 is
associated with a particular valve 110 and the valve 110 controls
the temperature and pressure of the liquid refrigerant that reaches
that evaporator 115.
[0036] Refrigeration system 100 may include at least one controller
111 in some embodiments. Controller 111 may be configured to direct
the operations of the refrigeration system. Controller 111 may be
communicably coupled to one or more components of the refrigeration
system (e.g., flash tank 105, expansion valves 110, evaporators
115, compressors 120, gas cooler 130, high pressure expansion valve
150, high pressure expansion valve 135, heat exchanger 140, and any
refrigeration lines of system 100).
[0037] Controller 111 may be configured to control the operations
of one or more components of refrigeration system 100. For example,
controller may instruct high pressure expansion valve 150 to direct
an amount of refrigerant to heat exchanger 140. As another example,
controller 111 may be configured to turn parallel compressor 120c
on and off. As another example, controller 111 may be configured to
open and close valve(s) 150, 135, 106, and 110. As another example,
controller 111 may be configured to adjust a set point for the
pressure of flash tank 105.
[0038] In some embodiments, controller 111 may further be
configured to receive information about the refrigeration system
from one or more sensors. As an example, controller 111 may receive
information about the ambient temperature of the environment (e.g.,
outdoor temperature) from one or more sensors. As another example,
controller 111 may receive information about the system load from
sensors associated with compressors 120. As yet another example,
controller 111 may receive information about the temperature and/or
pressure of the refrigerant from sensors positioned at any suitable
point(s) in the refrigeration system (e.g., temperature at the
outlet of gas cooler 130 , suction pressure of MT compressor 120b,
pressure of flash tank 105, temperature or pressure at heat
exchanger 140, etc.).
[0039] In some embodiments, controller 111 may be configured to
determine the AC load from air conditioning system. Controller 111
may receive information about refrigerant exiting or entering heat
exchanger 140 (e.g., refrigerant for AC system and/or for
transcritical system) and determine the superheat associated with
the refrigerant. Using the superheat, controller 111 may determine
the AC load that needs to be met such that air conditioning system
adequately cools an enclosed space (e.g., grocery store, ice cream
shop).
[0040] In some embodiments, controller 111 may be configured to
determine the amount of refrigerant to be supplied to heat
exchanger 140 to meet the AC load. The amount of refrigerant may be
a volume amount, the temperature of the refrigerant, the pressure
of the refrigerant, or any other characteristic associated with the
refrigerant that renders it able to meet the AC load.
[0041] In some embodiments, controller 111 may be configured to
instruct high pressure expansion valve 150 to direct an amount of
refrigerant to heat exchanger 140. Controller 111 may instruct high
pressure expansion valve 150 to open and close such that the amount
of refrigerant is directed to heat exchanger 140. Controller 111
may also operate high pressure expansion valve to drop the pressure
of the refrigerant to an amount or pressure necessary to meet the
AC load. For example, the carbon dioxide entering heat exchanger
140 after going through high pressure expansion valve 150 may be at
30 degrees Fahrenheit and in liquid and vapor mixture form. Then,
heat exchanger 140 is able to cool the second refrigerant in the
air conditioning system using the first refrigerant from system
100. This provides an integrated, combined system that is operable
to cool specific cases (e.g., for frozen items or refrigerated
items) as well as provide air conditioning to the larger store or
enclosed space (ice cream shop, grocery store). This integrated
system reduces or eliminates the components and energy necessary to
independently cool the refrigerant in AC system.
[0042] As described above, controller 111 may be configured to
provide instructions to one or more components of the refrigeration
system. Controller 111 may be configured to provide instructions
via any appropriate communications link (e.g., wired or wireless)
or analog control signal. As depicted in FIG. 1, controller 111 is
configured to communicate with components of the refrigeration
system. For example, in response to receiving an instruction from
controller 111, refrigeration system 100 may adjust an amount of
refrigerant flowing through high pressure expansion valve 150. In
some embodiments, controller 111 includes or is a computer
system.
[0043] This disclosure recognizes that a refrigeration system, such
as that depicted in FIG. 1, may comprise one or more other
components. As an example, system 100 may provide subcooling to the
first refrigerant before it enters AC heat exchanger 140. As
another example, the refrigeration system may comprise one or more
suction accumulators in some embodiments. Some systems may include
a booster system with ejectors. One of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that the refrigeration system may include other
components not mentioned herein.
[0044] When one component of system 100 is referred to as coupled
to another component of system 100, the two components may be
directly or indirectly coupled. For example, flash tank 105 may be
coupled to evaporators 115a and 115b via a refrigerant line
(illustrated as connecting lines with arrows indicating the
direction of refrigerant flow) through expansion valves 110a and
110b. As another example, gas cooler 130 may be coupled to flash
tank 105 and heat exchanger 140 via refrigerant lines through high
pressure expansion valves 135 and 150, respectively.
[0045] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the
systems described herein without departing from the scope of the
disclosure. For example, system 100 may include any number of
controllers 111, heat exchangers 140, flash tanks 105, evaporators
115, expansion valves 110, and compressors 120 . The components may
be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations may be
performed by more, fewer, or other components. Additionally, the
operations may be performed using any suitable logic comprising
software, hardware, and/or other logic.
[0046] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating example system 200
according to some embodiments. System 200 includes a gas cooler
230, flash tank 205 one or more expansion valves 210 corresponding
to one or more evaporators 215 (also referred to as refrigeration
cases 215), one or more compressors 220, high pressure expansion
valve 235, check valve 280, flash gas bypass valve 206, heat
exchanger 245, one or more solenoid valves 250 , temperature probe
260 AC heat exchanger 240, and three way valve 290. Particular
embodiments may include controller 111.
[0047] In general, system 200 integrates a refrigeration system and
an air conditioning system by utilizing the refrigerant of the
refrigeration system to cool the refrigerant of the air
conditioning system. Specifically, system 200 is configured to
cycle refrigerant such that MT case 215b and LT case 215a remain
cooled to a certain temperature (e.g., to keep frozen foods frozen
or refrigerated), and such that the refrigerant may be directed by
one or more solenoid valves 250 to AC heat exchanger 240 and
provide cooling to a second refrigerant associated with an air
conditioning system.
[0048] In some embodiments, certain components of FIG. 2 may
operate as certain components described in FIG. 1. Specifically gas
cooler 230 ay operate as gas cooler 130 of FIG. 1, flash tank 205
may operate as flash tank 105 of FIG. 1, one or more expansion
valves 210 corresponding to one or more evaporators 215 (also
referred to as refrigeration cases 215) may operate as expansion
valves 110 and evaporators 115 of FIG. 1, one or more compressors
220 may operate as compressors 120 of FIG. 1, flash gas bypass
valve 206 may operate as electronic expansion valve 106 of FIG. 1,
and high pressure expansion valve 235 may operate as high pressure
expansion valve 135 of FIG. 1. Although these may be described in
more detail below, the descriptions of the components from FIG. 1
are incorporated here for the corresponding components of FIG.
2.
[0049] In some embodiments, refrigeration system 200 may be
configured to circulate natural refrigerant such as carbon dioxide
(CO.sub.2). Some embodiments may use any suitable refrigerant.
Natural refrigerants may be associated with various environmentally
conscious benefits (e.g., they do not contribute to ozone depletion
and/or global warming effects). As an example, certain embodiments
can be implemented in a transcritical refrigeration system (i.e., a
refrigeration system in which the heat rejection process occurs
above the critical point) comprising a gas cooler and circulating
the natural refrigerant CO.sub.2.
[0050] In some embodiments, temperature probe 260, may be a
component configured to determine the temperature of the
refrigerant in the refrigerant line it is coupled to. For example,
temperature probe 260 may determine the temperature of the first
refrigerant exiting AC heat exchanger 240, which entered from
solenoid valve(s) 250. In some embodiments, temperature probe 260
is coupled to controller 211 and may send data regarding the
temperature of the refrigerant leaving AC heat exchanger 240 to
controller 211.
[0051] In some embodiments, one or more solenoid valves 250 may
direct liquid refrigerant from flash tank 205 to AC heat exchanger
24 . The one or more solenoid valves 250 may be coupled to flash
tank 205 and AC heat exchanger 240. In some embodiments, system 200
may comprise one, two, three, or any number of solenoid valves 250.
In some embodiments, solenoid valves 250 re opened and closed to
control the flow of refrigerant from flash tank 205 to AC heat
exchanger 240. For example, opening solenoid valves 250a and 250b
will result in more refrigerant being directed to AC heat exchanger
240 than if only solenoid valve 250a were open.
[0052] In some embodiments, the one or more solenoid valves 250 may
be configured to reduce a pressure of the refrigerant flowing from
flash tank 205. For example, solenoid valve 250 may reduce the
pressure of the refrigerant by 3-5 pounds per square inch (psi).
Reducing the pressure may lower the temperature of the refrigerant
for AC heat exchanger 240. However, because the refrigerant is
being used for an air conditioning load (e.g., 37 degrees
Fahrenheit), it does not need to be as cold as a refrigerant being
used for a LT case 215a (frozen items around 30 degrees Fahrenheit
or below) or MT case 215b (refrigerated items around 30-37 degrees
Fahrenheit). Thus, solenoid valve 250 need not reduce the pressure
of the refrigerant the same amount that other valves may. Further,
because the refrigerant exiting AC heat exchanger 240 (now in vapor
form) is joined with refrigerant exiting flash tank 205 via check
valve 280 before entering heat exchanger 245 and compressor 220, it
is beneficial for the two refrigerants to maintain about the same
pressure (within 5-7 psi). Because solenoid valves 250 reduce the
pressure of a refrigerant by less than some other valves, the
refrigerants from AC heat exchanger 240 and check valve 280
maintain about the same pressure and move through the refrigerant
lines evenly. Further, solenoid valves 250 may be cheaper and
simpler to operate than some other valves. In some embodiments,
solenoid valves 250 may be replaced by other valves configured to
provide varying amounts of refrigerant to AC heat exchanger 240 and
to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant, as described above. As
one example, system 200 may include a stepper valve in addition to
or instead of one or more solenoid valves 250.
[0053] In some embodiments, AC heat exchanger 240 may comprise a
plate heat exchanger, such as a brazed plate heat exchanger, a
shell and tube heat exchanger, or any other heat exchanger suitable
for cooling refrigerant. Although illustrated as a single heat
exchanger in FIG. 2, this is not meant to be limiting, and system
200 may include any number of heat exchangers 240 to provide
cooling for the AC load. In some embodiments, AC heat exchanger 240
may operate may operate as AC heat exchanger 140 of FIG. 1.
Further, AC heat exchanger 240 may be used to exchange heat between
the refrigerant in system 200 and a second refrigerant used in the
air conditioning system that has an AC load (e.g., the temperature
load/requirement to sufficient cool an enclosed space). Heat
exchanger 240 comprises two refrigerant inlets and two refrigerant
outlets. A first refrigerant inlet is coupled to flash tank 205
through one or more solenoid valves 250. A second refrigerant inlet
has an AC load from air conditioning system. The refrigerant
received at the first refrigerant inlet (e.g., from solenoid valves
250) is used to cool the refrigerant received at the second
refrigerant inlet (e.g., from air conditioning system). The second
refrigerant outlet may lead to an evaporator in the air
conditioning system such that the refrigerant may cool down the
building or enclosed space. The first refrigerant outlet discharges
the refrigerant from the first refrigerant inlet towards heat
exchanger 240, parallel compressor 220c, and then back to gas
cooler 230.
[0054] In some embodiments, AC heat exchanger 240 is coupled to one
or more solenoid valves 250a-c such that it may receive an amount
of the first refrigerant from the one or more solenoid valves
250a-c. As explained above, solenoid valves 250a-c may be opened
and closed so that a specific amount of the first refrigerant is
delivered to AC heat exchanger 240.
[0055] In some embodiments, AC heat exchanger 240 is coupled to an
air conditioning system, or at least one component of an air
conditioning system, so that it may receive a second refrigerant.
For example, air conditioning system may use glycol water as a
refrigerant to provide cooling to an enclosed space. The second
refrigerant may be associated with an air conditioning load (AC
load) to indicate the amount that the second refrigerant needs to
be cooled to provide proper cooling to the enclosed space. For
example, the AC load may be a specific temperature, a degree of
load (high, medium, low), or any other rating system that indicates
the amount of cooling required. Once AC heat exchanger 240 receives
the second refrigerant, it cools the second refrigerant using the
first refrigerant (e.g., carbon dioxide) the is circulated through
system 200.
[0056] In some embodiments, system 200 may comprise an additional
heat exchanger 245. In some embodiments, heat exchanger 245 may
comprise a plate heat exchanger, such as a brazed plate heat
exchanger, a shell and tube heat exchanger, or any other heat
exchanger suitable for cooling refrigerant. Heat exchanger 245 may
be used to exchange heat between the vapor refrigerant flowing from
flash tank 205 and the refrigerant coming from gas cooler 230.
Having this additional heat exchanger 245 allows for the vapor
refrigerant flowing from flash tank 205 to undergo additional
cooling before being compressed in parallel compressor 220c and
helps with efficiency.
[0057] In some embodiments, check valve 280 may control the flow
and pressure of the refrigerant leaving flash tank 205 and flowing
to the refrigerant line exiting AC heat exchanger 240. For example,
check valve 280 may be a 0.3-1 bar check valve. In some
embodiments, check valve 280 directs the flow of refrigerant such
that the amount being processed by parallel compressor 220c is
about the same as the refrigerant being processed by MT compressor
220b. In some embodiments, as the AC load changes, check valve 280
may direct more or less flow from flash tank 205 to parallel
compressor 220c. For example, as the AC load increases (e.g., in
hot months), solenoid valves 250 may deliver additional refrigerant
to AC heat exchanger 240, and thus to parallel compressor 220c.
[0058] In some embodiments, check valve 280 also regulates the
pressure of refrigerant leaving flash tank 205. Check valve 280 may
decrease the pressure of vapor leaving flash tank 205 such that it
is at about the same pressures as the vapor exiting AC heat
exchanger 240. Because the refrigerant from check valve 280 and the
refrigerant from AC heat exchanger 240 are joined in a refrigerant
line before entering parallel compressor 220c (via heat exchanger
245), they need to have about the same pressure so that the
refrigerant flows through system 200 evenly.
[0059] In some embodiments, three way valve 290 may direct the flow
of refrigerant from LT compressor 220a. Three way valve 290 may
deliver some refrigerant to MT compressor 220b and some refrigerant
to a refrigerant line that is processed by parallel compressor 220c
via heat exchanger 245 . For example, in colder months, the AC load
may be less and AC heat exchanger 240 may require less refrigerant.
In this example, less refrigerant is flowing from flash tank 205 to
parallel compressor 220 (via heat exchanger 245 and AC heat
exchanger 240), and more may be flowing through MT and LT liquid
lines. Three way valve 290 may direct an amount of refrigerant
(e.g., all, some, or little) from LT compressor 220a to flow
through parallel compressor 220c to keep parallel compressor 220c
operating.
[0060] Refrigeration system 200 may include at least one controller
211 in some embodiments. Controller 211 may be configured to direct
the operations of refrigeration system 200. Controller 211 may be
communicably coupled to one or more components of the refrigeration
system (e.g., flash tank 205, expansion valves 210, evaporators
215, compressors 220, gas cooler 230, heat exchanger 240, solenoid
valves 250, check valve 280, three way valve 290, and any
refrigeration lines of system 200).
[0061] Controller 211 may be configured to control the operations
of one or more components of refrigeration system 200. For example,
controller may instruct one or more solenoid valves 250 to direct
an amount of refrigerant to heat exchanger 24 . As another example,
controller 211 may be configured to turn parallel compressor 220c
on and off. As another example, controller 211 may be configured to
open and close valve(s) 250, 235, 206, and 210 . As another
example, controller 211 may be configured to adjust a set point for
the pressure of flash tank 205.
[0062] In some embodiments, controller 211 may further be
configured to receive information about the refrigeration system
from one or more sensors. As an example, controller 211 may receive
information about the ambient temperature of the environment (e.g.,
outdoor temperature) from one or more sensors. As another example,
controller 211 may receive information about the system load from
sensors associated with compressors 220. As yet another example,
controller 211 may receive information about the temperature and/or
pressure of the refrigerant from sensors positioned at any suitable
point(s) in the refrigeration system (e.g., temperature at outlet
of AC heat exchanger 240 using temperature probe 260, temperature
at the outlet of gas cooler 230, suction pressure of MT compressor
220b, pressure of flash tank 205, temperature or pressure at heat
exchanger 240, etc.).
[0063] In some embodiments, controller 211 may determine a
temperature of the first refrigerant in the refrigerant line
exiting heat exchanger 240. Controller 211 may determine the
temperature using data received from temperature probe 260 or any
other means of detecting the temperature. The temperature may
indicate whether AC heat exchanger 240 requires more or less
refrigerant from solenoid valves 250 in order to sufficiently cool
the second refrigerant from the air conditioning system to meet the
AC load.
[0064] In some embodiments, based on the temperature of the first
refrigerant in the refrigerant line exiting the heat exchanger,
controller 211 determines a number of the one or more solenoid
valves to open. For example, when temperature probe 260 is above a
certain threshold, controller 211 may determine that there is not
enough refrigerant being used to cool the second refrigerant from
the air conditioning system and meet the AC load. Thus, controller
211 may instruct that an additional solenoid valve 250b be opened.
Once solenoid valve 250b is opened, additional refrigerant may be
passed through AC heat exchanger 240 such that the refrigerant can
provide additional cooling to the second refrigerant from the air
conditioning system with the AC load. Because there is additional
refrigerant to provide cooling, the refrigerant will not lose as
much heat, and thus the temperature of the refrigerant leaving heat
exchanger 240 will be at a lower temperature than when only one
solenoid valve 250a was open. In some embodiments, controller 211
may determine the amount the temperature is above a threshold and
use that to determine the number of solenoid valves to open. For
example, if the threshold is 35 degrees Fahrenheit, and the
temperature of the refrigerant exiting AC heat exchanger 240 is 38
degrees Fahrenheit, then controller 211 may determine that another
solenoid valve 250 needs to be opened. Once controller 211
determines how many solenoid valves 250 to open, controller 211
sends an instruction to the solenoid valves 250 to open. For
example, if solenoid valve 250a is open, and controller 211
determines that one more valve 250 needs to be opened, it may send
an instruction to solenoid valve 250c to open.
[0065] This disclosure recognizes that a refrigeration system, such
as system 200 depicted in FIG. 2, may comprise one or more other
components. As another example, the refrigeration system may
comprise one or more suction accumulators in some embodiments
(e.g., parallel compressor 220c suction may add an accumulator).
Some systems may include a booster system with ejectors. One of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the refrigeration
system may include other components not mentioned herein.
[0066] When one component of system 200 is referred to as coupled
to another component of system 200, the two components may be
directly or indirectly coupled. For example, flash tank 205 may be
coupled to evaporators 215a and 215b via a refrigerant line
(illustrated as connecting lines with arrows indicating the
direction of refrigerant flow) through expansion valves 210a and
210b. As another example, gas cooler 230 may be coupled to flash
tank 205 via refrigerant lines through high heat exchanger 245 and
high pressure expansion valve 235.
[0067] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the
systems described herein without departing from the scope of the
disclosure. For example, system 200 may include any number of
controllers 211, heat exchangers 240 and 245, flash tanks 205,
evaporators 215, expansion valves 210, and compressors 220. The
components may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations
may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. Additionally,
the operations may be performed using any suitable logic comprising
software, hardware, and/or other logic.
[0068] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating method 300 of operating
an example refrigeration system. Generally, method 300 utilizes the
refrigerant from the refrigeration system to cool the refrigerant
from the air conditioning system, resulting in an efficient
integrated system. Method 300 begins at step 302 , in some
embodiments, where a first refrigerant is cooled. In some
embodiments, a gas cooler may provide cooling to the first
refrigerant (e.g., the carbon dioxide used in the refrigeration
system).
[0069] At step 304, in some embodiments, method 300 determines
whether an AC load is present. The AC load may be the temperature
demand for an air conditioning system. If there is no AC load
present (e.g., no air conditioning is needed for an enclosed
space), then method 300 waits at step 304 and continues to test
whether an AC load is present. Once method 300 it determines there
is an AC load present, it continues to step 306, in some
embodiments, where method 300 determines the AC load associated
with a second refrigerant. The second refrigerant and the AC load
may further be associated with an air conditioning system. By
understanding the AC load, method 300 may then, at step 308 in some
embodiments, determine an amount of the first refrigerant needed to
provide sufficient cooling to the second refrigerant based on the
AC load. Method 300 may determine the amount of refrigerant as a
volume of refrigerant, a pressure of refrigerant, a temperature or
refrigerant, a number of valves to open to deliver the refrigerant
(thus increasing and/or decreasing the volume of refrigerant based
on the number of valves opened or closed), and/or a length of time
to leave a valve open (e.g., increasing the volume of refrigerant
the longer the valve is open).
[0070] At step 310, in some embodiments, method 300 instructs a
valve to reduce the pressure of the first refrigerant. As the
refrigerant flows through the valve (e.g., high pressure expansion
valve 150 of FIG. 1), the pressure may be reduced in order to cool
the refrigerant further and/or so that the pressure of the
refrigerant matches the pressure of the refrigerant elsewhere in
the system (e.g., exiting heat exchanger).
[0071] At step 312, in some embodiments, method 300 directs the
amount of the first refrigerant to the heat exchanger, and at step
314, in some embodiments, method 300 receives the amount of the
first refrigerant. The first refrigerant may be received at heat
exchanger (e.g., AC heat exchanger 140 of FIG. 1). In some
embodiments, the valve that reduces the pressure of the first
refrigerant in step 310 also directs the flow of refrigerant to the
heat exchanger. Once the first refrigerant is received by the heat
exchanger, it may be used to provide cooling.
[0072] At step 316, in some embodiments, method 300 receives the
second refrigerant from the air conditioning system and provides
cooling to the second refrigerant using the first refrigerant at
step 318. The temperature of the first refrigerant may be lower
than the temperature of the second refrigerant such that heat may
be transferred from the second refrigerant to the first
refrigerant. This may result in the second refrigerant being cooled
to a temperature that it may cycle through the air conditioning
system and provide cooling to an enclosed space. After the second
refrigerant is cooled, the method ends.
[0073] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method
300 depicted in FIG. 3. Method 300 may include more, fewer, or
other steps. For example, steps may be performed in parallel or in
any suitable order, and steps may be omitted. While the examples
discussed in method 300 included various components of systems 100
and 200 performing the steps, any suitable component or combination
of components may perform one or more steps of the method.
[0074] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating method 400 of operating
an example refrigeration system. Generally, method 400 utilizes the
refrigerant from the refrigeration system to cool the refrigerant
from the air conditioning system, resulting in an efficient
integrated system. Method 400 begins at step 402, in some
embodiments, where a first refrigerant is housed. In some
embodiments, the first refrigerant may be housed in a flash tank,
gas cooler, or any component of a refrigeration system configured
to house a first refrigerant.
[0075] At step 404, in some embodiments, method 404 determines
whether an AC load is present. In some embodiments, one or more
aspects of step 404 may be implemented using one or more techniques
discussed above with respect to step 304 of method 300, illustrated
in FIG. 3. Once method 400 determines there is an AC load present,
it continues to step 406 where it determines the temperature of the
first refrigerant in the refrigerant line exiting the heat
exchanger. The temperature of the first refrigerant may indicate to
what extent the first refrigerant was needed to cool the second
refrigerant from an air conditioning system. For example, if the
second refrigerant enters a heat exchanger at 40 degrees Fahrenheit
and needs to be cooled to 37 degrees Fahrenheit, then it will cause
the first refrigerant from the refrigeration system to be warmer.
Thus, as the temperature of the first refrigerant exiting heat
exchanger goes up, the more refrigerant needed to sufficiently cool
the second refrigerant from the air conditioning system.
[0076] At step 408, in some embodiments, method 400 determines the
number of valves to open based on the temperature determined in
step 406. In some embodiments, the higher the temperature, the more
valves that need to be opened. If more valves are open, then more
refrigerant may be supplied to the heat exchanger. That additional
refrigerant will be able to cool the second refrigerant from the
air conditioning system more efficiently, and thus it will not
increase as much in temperature (as measured in step 406).
[0077] At step 410, in some embodiments, method 400 instructs the
number of valves to open that were determined in step 408 A
controller may instruct the valves to open. Once the valves are
open, method 400 directs the first refrigerant to the heat
exchanger in step 412 and at step 414 method 400 receives the first
refrigerant. The first refrigerant may be received at heat
exchanger (e.g., AC heat exchanger 140 of FIG. 1 or AC heat
exchanger 240 of FIG. 2). Once the first refrigerant is received by
the heat exchanger, it may be used to provide cooling.
[0078] At step 416, in some embodiments, method 400 receives the
second refrigerant from the air conditioning system and provides
cooling to the second refrigerant using the first refrigerant at
step 418 The temperature of the first refrigerant may be lower than
the temperature of the second refrigerant such that heat may be
transferred from the second refrigerant to the first refrigerant.
This may result in the second refrigerant being cooled to a
temperature that it may cycle through the air conditioning system
and provide cooling to an enclosed space. In some embodiments, one
or more aspects of steps 412, 414, 416, and 418 may be implemented
using one or more techniques discussed above with respect to steps
312, 314, 316, and 318, respectively of method 300, illustrated in
FIG. 3. After the second refrigerant is cooled, the method
ends.
[0079] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method
300 depicted in FIG. 4. Method 400 may include more, fewer, or
other steps. For example, steps may be performed in parallel or in
any suitable order, and steps may be omitted. While examples
discussed included various components of systems 100 and 200
performing the steps, any suitable component or combination of
components may perform one or more steps of the method.
[0080] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a controller of a
refrigeration system, according to certain embodiments. Controller
111 of FIG. 5 be similar to controller 111 of FIG. 1 and/or
controller 211 of FIG. 2, according to certain embodiments of the
present disclosure. Controller 111 may comprise one or more
interfaces 510, memory 520, and one or more processors 530.
Interface 6510 may comprise hardware and/or software. Interface 510
receives input (e.g., sensor data or system data), sends output
(e.g., instructions), processes the input and/or output, and/or
performs other suitable operation. As examples, interface 510
receives information from sensors, such as information about the
temperature of the refrigerant, receives information about the air
conditioning load, and can instructions, such as instructing valves
to open and close.
[0081] Processor 530 may include any suitable combination of
hardware and software implemented in one or more modules to execute
instructions and manipulate data to perform some or all of the
described functions of controller 111. In some embodiments,
processor 530 may include, for example, one or more computers, one
or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more
microprocessors, one or more applications, one or more application
specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field
programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and/or other logic. As examples,
processor 530 may determine a temperature of the refrigerant,
determine the amount of refrigerant needed to be used by a heat
exchanger, and/or determine a number of valves to open to supply
sufficient refrigerant to a heat exchanger.
[0082] Memory (or memory unit) 520 stores information. As an
example, a memory may store temperature values, AC loads over time,
and information about refrigerant. Memory 520 may comprise one or
more non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable, and/or
computer-executable storage media. Examples of memory 520 include
computer memory (for example, Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read
Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk),
removable storage media (for example, a Compact Disk (CD) or a
Digital Video Disk (DVD)), database and/or network storage (for
example, a server), and/or other computer-readable medium.
[0083] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the
systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without
departing from the scope of the disclosure. The components of the
systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover,
the operations of the systems and apparatuses may be performed by
more, fewer, or other components. One skilled in the art will also
understand that system 100 and 200 can include other components
that are not illustrated but are typically included with
refrigeration systems. Additionally, operations of the systems and
apparatuses may be performed using any suitable logic comprising
software, hardware, and/or other logic. As used in this document,
"each" refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of
a set.
[0084] Although this disclosure has been described in terms of
certain embodiments, alterations and permutations of the
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is
intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes,
variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications as fall
within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the above
description of the embodiments does not constrain this disclosure.
Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are possible without
departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
* * * * *