Abstract: This process includes the following steps: (a) the feed natural gas (101) is introduced into a first distillation column (31) which produces, as top product, a pretreated natural gas (111), which pretreated natural gas (111) no longer contains practically any C6+ hydrocarbons; (b) the pretreated natural gas (111) is introduced into an NGL recovery unit (19) comprising at least a second distillation column (49), so as to produce, on the one hand, as column top product, a purified natural gas (151) and, on the other hand, an NGL cut (15); and (c) the said liquefiable natural gas (161) is formed from the purified natural gas (151) resulting from step (b).

Abstract: A cryocooler system having at least one flow straightener which has a system of grooves on its perforated surface for enhancing gas flow uniformity through the system wherein pulsing gas which does not initially pass through the flow straightener through a perforation flows along the surface of the flow straightener within a groove prior to passing through a perforation and is effectively redistributed across the surface of the flow straightener and thus the cross section of the regenerator or thermal buffer tube.

Abstract: A portable personal cooling device substantially utilizing components typical in gas refrigerant air conditioning. The device is worn as a backpack, with adjustable shoulder straps for user size variations. Gas refrigeration provides effective cooling even in conditions of high humidity and temperature extremes. The device is compact, lightweight, and includes on/off and temperature control. Cooling is powered by a rechargeable battery or standard AC voltage, along with a transformer. The compressor is powered by the fan motor. A base for removably fitting the housing's base insert provides for upright storage and use of the device when not being worn.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor having a compressor housing and operable to compress a flow of refrigerant. A pump is operable to provide a flow of oil to the compressor. A portion of the oil mixes with the flow of refrigerant and the remainder of the oil flows into the compressor housing. A valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. When in the closed position, the valve is operable to inhibit the addition of oil above a predetermined level within the housing.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling an ambient to be cooled, a cooler and a method of controlling a cooling control system are described. The cooling control system comprises a variable capacity compressor and a controller, the controller measuring the load of the compressor by means of the measurement of the electric current and verifying the temperature condition in the cooler ambient and actuating on the cooling capacity of the compressor, the compressor being controlled to actuate in cycles, the cooling capacity being altered in function of an evolution of the load of the compressor along the cooling cycles in combination with an evolution of the temperature condition in the cooled ambient.

Abstract: A heat pump, and in particular a heat pump for heating a hot water supply is provided with an improved defrost mode. The defrost mode is actuated to remove frost from an outdoor evaporator that may accumulate during cold weather operation. An algorithm for operation of the defrost mode is developed experimentally by seeking to maximize the heat transfer provided by the refrigerant. A heating system condition is experimentally related to the heat transfer capacity. One then maximizes the average heat transfer capacity to determine the optimum initiation point for the defrost mode. Further, protections are included into the defrost mode. When the heat pump is utilized to heat hot water, methods are provided to prevent the water that remains in the heat exchanger from becoming unduly heated. In one method, the water pump may be periodically operated to move the water.

Abstract: A system and humidity control method is provided for a multi-stage cooling system having two or more refrigerant circuits that balances humidity control and cooling demand. Each refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. A hot gas reheat circuit having a hot gas reheat coil is connected to one of the refrigerant circuits and is placed in fluid communication with the output airflow from the evaporator of that refrigerant circuit to provide additional dehumidification to the air when humidity control is requested. The hot gas reheat circuit bypasses the condenser of the refrigerant circuit during humidity control. Humidity control is performed during cooling operations and ventilation operations. During a first stage cooling operation using only one refrigerant circuit and having a low cooling demand, the request for humidity control activates the hot gas reheat circuit for dehumidification and activates a second refrigerant circuit to provide cooling capacity.

Abstract: There is provided a heating medium circulating apparatus which is small and which does not require a very large installation space. In a heating medium circulating apparatus wherein a temperature controlling object being an object to be temperature-controlled, a main heat exchanger 88 for carrying out main heat exchange with a heating medium, and a circulating pump 84 are provided in a heating medium circulating system 78, a sub-heat exchanger 96 using a thermoelectric element 100 is provided in the heating medium circulating system downstream of the main heat exchanger to control the temperature of the heating medium. Thus, the apparatus itself is small, and the installation space is not very large.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to determine the pressure of a supercritical refrigerant within a heat exchanger of a transcritical vapor compression system. A plurality of measurements, e.g., temperature, are obtained at spaced locations on the heat exchanger and the location of the minimum temperature gradient, i.e., maximum specific heat value of the refrigerant, is determined (“the inflection point”). Obtaining the refrigerant temperature at the inflection point allows the refrigerant pressure to be determined. Alternatively, the temperature of the refrigerant at a second point can be determined together with the change in specific enthalpy between the inflection point and the second point to thereby determine the pressure of the refrigerant. The system can be regulated by controlling the location of the inflection point or by controlling the temperature difference of the refrigerant at the inflection point and a second point, e.g., the outlet of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: In a first broad aspect, the invention provides an apparatus usable with a liquid. The apparatus includes a container for receiving the liquid and an object. The object is substantially buoyant and supportable by the liquid while being at least in part submerged into the liquid. A first magnet is mounted to the object, the first magnet defining first magnet first and second magnetic poles having opposed polarities. A second magnet is movable over a predetermined path relatively to the container. The second magnet defines second magnet first and second magnetic poles having opposed polarities. Moving the second magnet over the predetermined path modifies the magnetic fields present substantially adjacent the first magnet, thereby causing a force onto the object.

Abstract: An outdoor unit for an air conditioner allows condensed water generated from an outdoor heat exchanger to be easily discharged, and prevents coldness from the outdoor heat exchanger from being transmitted to a bottom of the outdoor unit, thus preventing freezing of the condensed water on the bottom. The outdoor unit includes a cabinet having a bottom panel, an outdoor heat exchanger installed in the cabinet, and a support member made of heat insulating material supporting the outdoor heat exchanger with a spacing between a lower end of the outdoor heat exchanger and the bottom panel of the cabinet, to prevent condensed water generated from the outdoor heat exchanger from freezing.

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation system that optimizes the recovery of argon includes an air intake, a high-pressure distillation column, a low-pressure distillation column, a crude argon distillation column, and a controller that automatically controls the composition of the raw argon stream to decrease the concentration of oxygen in the stream while preventing the concentration of nitrogen in the crude argon stream from exceeding a selected value. In addition, the controller also controls the composition of the crude argon stream until an oxygen concentration of the crude argon stream reaches a selected value. The controller may include a multivariable predictive controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure for separating oil from a refrigerant gas containing the oil. The refrigerant gas is discharged from a refrigerant compressor which forms a part of refrigerating cycle to an external refrigerant circuit. The oil separation structure includes a separation chamber in which the oil is separated from the discharge refrigerant gas having a cylindrical inner surface, and a plurality of introduction passages through which the discharge refrigerant gas is introduced into the separation chamber. The oil is separated by centrifugal action from the discharge refrigerant gas by turning the discharge refrigerant gas introduced into the separation chamber along the cylindrical inner surface.

Abstract: A refrigerator which includes a main body having a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, an evaporating unit provided in the main body, and a first duct and a second duct in communication with the evaporating unit to guide cooling air generated from the evaporating unit to the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment of the main body, respectively, wherein the second duct is provided around a edge of a rear of the refrigerating compartment of the main body and having a cooling air supply hole to supply the cooling air to the refrigerating compartment. Thus, according to the present invention, the cooling air is supplied from the edge of the rear of the refrigerating compartment, thereby providing the duct of a simple structure and facilitating a refrigerating efficiency.

Abstract: An air conditioner having a plurality of outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units with a common piping connected via a common piping to transfer refrigerant therebetween, the air conditioner including a first outdoor unit to provide heat, a second outdoor unit to defrost a heat exchanger of the second outdoor unit, and a first refrigerant guide unit in the second outdoor unit to guide a flowing direction of the refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant discharged from the first outdoor unit is circulated through the heat exchanger of the second outdoor unit.

Abstract: In a compressor control system for a vehicle air conditioner, a hybrid ECU of the vehicle controls a rotation speed of a compressor electric motor. In this case, an output circuit, which outputs a driving signal for driving the compressor electric motor, only needs to be newly provided in the hybrid ECU when a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle is manufactured based on an engine vehicle. Therefore, a high cost is not caused even when the output circuit is provided in the hybrid ECU which should be newly designed and manufactured. In addition, because the output circuit does not need to be provided in an air-conditioning ECU which is an existing component of the engine vehicle, the air-conditioning ECU in the engine vehicle can be directly applied to that in the hybrid vehicle without a substantial hardware change. Therefore, design cost can be reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for delivering an ultra high purity fluid comprising at least one component to a point of use at a required pressure without mechanical pumping. In one embodiment, a high purity feed comprising at least one component in gaseous or liquid form is charged into a vessel and at least partially converted to a solid phase source. As the feed is converted to a solid phase source, additional feed may be added until the vessel is at least substantially filled with a solid phase source or slush. Once filled, the solid phase source or slush may be isochorically heated whereby the solid phase source is converted to a product at an elevated pressure.

Abstract: A vapor compression system includes a main vapor compression circuit having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator serially connected by main refrigerant lines, the compressor having a suction port, a main discharge port and an intermediate port, and the main refrigerant lines being communicated with the main discharge port and the suction port; a bypass circuit communicated between the intermediate port and the suction portion; and a superheat sensing device positioned to sense superheat in a combined flow from the main vapor compression circuit and the bypass circuit. A method of operation of the system is also provided. The benefits of enhanced system and compressor performance, improved compressor reliability and extended system operating envelope are readily obtained.

Abstract: A cooling unit wherein devices are divided so as to be installed in each of an outdoor unit and indoor unit, for downsizing the indoor unit and reducing its pipe-line cost. The cooling unit disposes a compressor, a condenser and a liquid receiver R in the outdoor unit, and disposes an expansion means and an evaporator in the indoor unit. The outdoor unit comprises a first bypass pipe closed by a first bypass valve so as to open/close freely. The indoor unit comprises a second bypass pipe, which is closed by a second bypass valve so as to open/close freely. The units are connected by a liquid pipe used as a supply line for refrigerant or hot gas by selecting a refrigerant supply line among the bypass valves and the open/close valves, and by a gas pipe communicating the evaporator to the compressor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fractionating a gas produced by the pyrolysis of hydrocarbons (1) for the recovery of C2 and higher hydrocarbons, in particular ethylene and ethane, comprising an operation (70) for compressing and drying gas (1) as a result of it passing into a series of compressors (3, 10, 17, 24, 36), an operation (80) for progressively cooling and partially liquefying the gas produced by compression and drying operation (70) as a result of it successively passing into a cryogenic exchanger (62), and a distillation operation (90) in a column (64), and the corresponding installation. According to the invention, cryogenic exchanger (62) is cooled by at least one cooling liquid (400) which is liquid natural gas (LNG).