Abstract: A regenerative type of refrigeration system recirculates a mixture of R-134a, R-32 and R-125 through first and second series condensers. In order to increase the concentration of the high-boiling point R-134a, the liquid output of a liquid-vapor separator receives a super-heated mixture vapor tapped from the output of the compressor. An adjustable valve controls the amount of the super heated mixture vapor which is injected to vary the concentration of R-134a in the recirculation line. Liquified R-134a passes through a secondary expansion valve and a secondary evaporator, reducing to an intermediate pressure, and enters a vortex tube, thus bypassing the main evaporator. Subsequently, the suction pressure of the compressor increases, increasing the EER of the refrigeration system. The recirculating concept is also applicable to a single refrigerant system.

Abstract: A drying structure and process has a wet or damp mass to be dried in a container. Hot dry gas is fed into the container to flow over and/or through the mass to be dried, and the vapor-containing gas which is produced by contact with the mass is discharged from the container to the input of a vortex tube. The vortex tube separates the humid vapor into a liquid which may be discharged, and a dried gas which is recirculated back to the container for further drying of the mass.

Abstract: A regenerative type of refrigeration system recirculates a mixture of R-134a, R-32 and R-125 through first and second series condensers. A first vortex tube is connected to the inlet of the first condenser and a second vortex tube is connected at the outlet of the first condenser to provide a vapor path from a compressor through the condensers to an expansion device and evaporator. The liquid inlet of a first vortex tube and a liquid outlet of a second vortex tube are connected together to define a closed recirculation path around the first condenser for liquified R-134a.