Abstract: A plant having a process portion is described, which is supplied with primary operating energy via a heat supply portion. The heat supply portion simultaneously serves to utilize the waste heat released by the process. The heat supply portion includes a combination of a heat transformer and a heat pump, furnishes the input heat energy required by the process portion to the process portion, accepts the output heat energy from the process portion, and in turn releases waste heat at a temperature range that is lower than the output heat temperature range of the process portion. By means of this combination, unusually high energy savings can be achieved.

Abstract: Multi-stage apparatuses are described, which operate with absorption cycles, can be used for harnessing heat energy and/or work and are distinguished by high efficiency and/or high adaptability. The apparatuses operate with a working fluid which can be absorbed in an absorbent and include as their primary components so-called exchange units, and possibly at least one pressure machine in addition. The term "exchange unit" is intended to encompass absorbers, condensers, resorbers, evaporators, desorbers and absorbers such as are conventional in absorber and resorber machines; the term "pressure machines" is intended to encompass compressors and expansion machines. Preferred forms of embodiment of the present apparatus are heat pumps, which can be adapted over wide ranges to variable outdoor temperatures and variable heat requirements.

Abstract: A multi-effect heat pump comprises at least three pairs of exchange units A, B; C, D; E, F, i.e. units which operate as generator, condenser, evaporator or absorber in at least two interconnected heat-pump circuits. Each pair operates in a different pressure range and the exchange units of each pressure range operate in different temperature ranges. An exchange unit (B) operating as condenser in an upper pressure range is adapted to deliver heat of condensation to a first exchange unit (C) operating as a second generator in a medium pressure range, and a second exchange unit (E) operating as absorber in a lower pressure range is adapted to deliver heat of absorption to a second exchange unit (D) operating in said medium pressure range. Means (84, 160, 166) are provided for selectively enabling and disabling alternatively the transfer of heat to said first exchange unit (C) or to said second exchange unit (D) to adapt the operation of the heat pump to varying conditions and demands.

Abstract: A heat pump for heating and/or refrigeration comprises a combination of a working fluid circuit including a steam ejector or a heat operated piston heat pump device and absorption heat pump section. The first circuit is energized with relatively high-grade, input heat and produces lower-grade output heat. The output heat energizes the absorption heat pump section. The combination provides for efficient use of the available energy (exergy) of the input heat.

Abstract: Process for storing heat and for upgrading its temperature, in which a working substance is expelled from an absorbing substance by means of heat of a predetermined intermediate temperature range, the vapor of the working substanced generated during the expulsion step being condensed at a comparatively low temperature and the condensed working substance being evaporated in the intermediate temperature range and being absorbed in the absorbing substance under an increased pressure and at a relatively high temperature while generating heat of absorption, in which a zeolite is used as the absorbing substances and water is used as the working substance.

Abstract: In a system with at least one absorption heat pump, a working medium is generated in a generator or explusion unit by the input of heat energy of relatively high temperature, from an absorption material. The generated working medium is condensed in a condenser and then undergoes expansion in an expansion unit. The expanded, condensed working medium is evaporated in an evaporator with the input of heat energy at a relatively low temperature and the evaporated working medium is absorbed again, in an absorber, in the absorption material. The heat energy, used for generation of the working medium from the absorption material, is so stored for the heat pump that the heat energy, as taken from the store, is on hand at a temperature which is high enough for the generation of working medium from the absorption material.The heat store may preferably take the form of a sorption store, comprising a zeolite as sorption material and forming a part of a further discontinuously operated absorption heat pump.

Abstract: Thermodynamic process for exploiting thermal energy available at high temperatures, where a multiple-substance working medium is decomposed in a high temperature range by this high-temperature thermal energy into a condensed (solid or liquid) first component and a gaseous second component and these two components are again united in a low temperature range, releasing effective heat. The multiple-substance working medium contains one of the combinations CaO/H.sub.2 O and metal/hydrogen, where the term "metal" comprises metallic chemical elements and alloys which combine with hydrogen under positive heat of reaction.