Abstract: A evaporator for use in a refrigerating cycle in an air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle. The evaporator is provided with a heat exchanger and an evaporator. The heat exchanger has an inlet passageway for leading the refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator, and an outlet passageway for leading the refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor. A heat exchange between the inlet refrigerant and the outlet refrigerant at the heat exchanger part takes place, so that a combined gas-liquid state refrigerant is introduced into the outlet passageway of the heat exchanger from the evaporator, whereby a superheating state of the refrigerant is generated in the outlet passageway, and a result, no superheating action occurs in the evaporator, and thus the refrigerant in the evaporator is kept at a constant temperature, whereby the cooling efficiency of the evaporator is increased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling and filling a cryogen reservoir with liquid cryogen from the gas/liquid discharge of a heat exchanger. The cryogen reservoir has a cryogen liquid retaining material and a temperature sensing means remote from the heat exchanger. The gas/liquid discharge is located in a region within the reservoir proximate to the temperature sensing means. At least a portion of the discharge is passed through the liquid retaining material to be absorbed, thereby.

Abstract: This invention provides for improved sterol nucleators of ice crystals. The improvement is the use of water stable crystalline forms of the sterols. These forms advantageously provide predictable nucleation temperatures which are stable for long periods of time, especially where the water is repeatedly frozen and thawed. In commercial ice making systems, the selection of stable forms of sterols having high nucleation temperatures provide great savings in construction and energy costs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering supercritical fluids uses one or two high pressure vessels. Each vessel is cooled below the critical temperature of the fluid while the vessel is being filled. The inlet is then closed and the vessel is heated to attain a predetermined pressure. The outlet of the vessel is then opened and supercritical fluid flows from the vessel for use in various processes such as extraction or chromatography. As the fluid flows from the high pressure vessel, the pressure is controlled by adjusting the temperature of the high pressure vessel. Usually, the temperature of the vessel will be increased as the supercritical fluid exits from the vessel. When two high pressure vessels are used, the vessels can be refilled on an alternating basis so that a continuous supply of supercritical fluid can be made available as long as it is required. The high pressure vessels can be two pieces of stainless steel tubing.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for refrigerators having two or more compartments maintained at different temperatures comprises separate cycles for each compartment, each cycle in turn comprising separate evaporator means, heat exchanger means and compressor. To provide for cycle separation, the condenser may be split into separate units, connected by phase separators where appropriate. The system is particularly designed for use in connection with mixed, nonazeotropic refrigerants.

Abstract: A process for producing liquid carbon dioxide. A process stream which comprises carbon dioxide, balance substantially nitrogen and water, is cooled so that a minor amount of the water is condensed out. The process stream is compressed so that substantially all of the water but trace amounts is condensed out. Next, the process stream is cleaned to remove the trace amounts of water, any long-chain hydrocarbons present and any particulates present. The process stream is then separated into a nitrogen-rich gaseous stream and a carbon dioxide-rich gaseous stream. The carbon dioxide-rich gaseous stream is then compressed and the nitrogen-rich gaseous stream is expanded to produce an expanded nitrogen-rich gaseous stream. The energy of the expanding is used to compress the carbon dioxide-rich gaseous stream. The compressed carbon dioxide-rich gaseous stream is cooled to liquefy the carbon dioxide in the stream and reduce the temperature of the gaseous nitrogen in the stream.

Abstract: First and second indirect contact condensing heat exchangers are used to separate gases from a mixture of condensible and non-condensible gases, such as the vapor from the last stage of a black liquor evaporation plant of a pulp mill. The mixture of gases passes over the first heat exchanger to cool and condense, producing a first condensate and a first remaining gas stream. The condensate is removed from the first remaining gas stream, the gas stream then being passed over the second heat exchanger. A medium for absorbing at least one non-condensible gas in the first gas stream--such as an NaOH liquid solutino--is passed over the surface of the second heat exchanger to absorb gas, and produce a second remaining gas stream (containing primarily air). The second gas stream is separated from the solution with absorbed gas. The solution with absorbed gas may be used as white liquor in kraft pulping in a pulp mill, without concentrating the solution.

Abstract: A cryogenic distillation process for the production of oxygen and nitrogen is provided, which entails:a) providing a feed stream of clean, dry and compressed air,b) cooling at least a fraction of the compressed air and introducing the same into a high pressure column, and separating the same into nitrogen-rich stream at the top of the column and an oxygen-rich stream at the bottom of the column, wherein the overhead of the high pressure column exchanges heat with both the bottom of the low pressure column and the bottom of an intermediate column,c) introducing at least a fraction of the oxygen-rich stream into the intermediate column to afford a top liquid fraction A and a bottom liquid fraction B, the overhead of the intermediate column exchanging heat with the low pressure column at a location above the bottom reboiler of the low pressure column, wherein the pressure of the intermediate column is lower than the high pressure column but higher than the low pressure column,d) introducing at least a fraction o

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system wherein condensed heat pump fluid is subcooled in the upper portion of an argon column, cools incoming feed, and is compressed and then condensed against cryogenic rectification plant bottoms for reboil thus improving reflux ratios and increasing argon recovery.

Abstract: A cold plate for cooling different beverages drawn from supply cylinders, the cold plate being formed by a rectangular base over which is a run-off roof defined by sloping end and side sections. Embedded in the cold plate are cooling coils terminating in input and output terminals that project from the underside of the base, the coil inputs being coupled by upstream lines to respective supply cylinders, the coil outputs being coupled by downstream lines to a soda gun to selectively dispense the beverages. The cold plate is received in the well of a thermally-insulated sink having an open bottom bordered by a rectangular ledge. The base of the cold plate is seated on the ledge in spaced relation to the sides of the well to define a gutter in which there is a water drain. The sink is filled with ice cubes that cover the exposed surfaces of the cold plate and are in heat-exchange relationship with the cooling coils to cool the beverages flowing therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for recovering argon from a feed mixture comprising argon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and hydrogen which comprises the steps of (a) purifying the feed mixture to remove contaminants, (b) compressing the purified feed mixture to a separation pressure, and (c) passing the compressed purified feed mixture through a pressure swing adsorption system to separate carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and all or most of the nitrogen from the mixture as adsorbed products and to produce an argon-rich fraction as a non-adsorbed product. The argon-rich fraction from step (c) may be further purified by passing the fraction to a cryogenic fractional distillation system to separate hydrogen and any remaining nitrogen from the fraction as a distillate product and to produce a pure argon product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a food processing system and method for refrigerating articles of food. The food processing system includes at least two cooling stages formed by a cryogenic freezer and a hydrocooler. The cryogenic freezer receives the articles of food and transfers heat from the articles of food to the cryogen so that the articles of food are refrigerated. After the transfer of heat from the articles of food to the cryogen, the cryogen boils off to form cryogenic vapor. The hydrocooler receives the articles of food prior to the cryogenic freezer and transfers heat from the articles of food to supplied cooling water. Such heat transfer reduces the quantity of cryogen required to refrigerate the articles of food. Additionally, an eductor is connected to a pump and to vent line from the cryogenic freezer.

Abstract: A refrigeration expansion valve meters the flow of refrigerant therethrough through a flexible orifice that varies in cross sectional area as a function of the pressure differential across the valve. The flexible orifice is provided in a tubular elastomeric element that is supported at opposite ends by rigid support means. A rigid spacer means is provided for engaging the support means to prevent the pressure differential of the refrigeration system from exerting an axial force on the flexible flow metering element.

Abstract: A scroll type compressor having a pair of scroll type compression units which are encased in the same casing so as to make a common use of a lubricating oil reservoir provided in the casing, wherein the compression units have compression elements, drive shafts, driving motors and other components which are of the same constructions and specifications, and wherein each of the compression units are adapted to be driven selectively by commercial electrical power or through a frequency-variable inverter so as to operate at different speeds. Since both compression units can be made up from the same components such as the compression elements, loads in the production, service and administration, are greatly reduced contributing to a reduction in the labor and cost, while eliminating any mounting error.

Abstract: A food freezer for continuous freezing of food products utilizing a helical conveyor for transporting the food products through an enclosure having a first cooling zone in which the food products are cooled sufficiently to freeze the exterior surface, and a second cooling zone in which the interior of the food products are frozen. Refrigeration apparatus cools an atmosphere gas within the enclosure and baffle means directs the coldest gas through the food products in the first cooling zone and the gas from the first cooling zone is circulated to the second cooling zone where it passes across the food products in a direction opposite to the direction of travel through the second cooling zone.

Abstract: A receiver dehydrator for a refrigeration system for heating and cooling accommodates flow in either direction. It comprises a canister with openings near the top for coupling to refrigerant lines, and tubes inside the canister extending from the openings to tube mouths at the bottom of the canister for either intake or withdrawal of liquid. A baffle between the mouths allows liquid passage from either mouth to the other but inhibits flow of gas bubbles. The baffle has many perforations for liquid flow and an inclined vane outside each opening directs rising bubbles away from the perforations to encourage migration to the top of the canister. Alternate perforations have vanes on opposite sides of the baffle for gas-liquid separation in either flow direction. A desiccant bag between each tube mouth and the baffle further aids in such migration.

Abstract: A cooling system inside a beverage can bottom which is activated by pressing a bubble or combination or bubbles formed in the top of the can. The bubbles are internally connected to pin rods interconnected to one or more capsules located in the bottom of the can. The capsules contain a gas, usually in a liquid form such as liquid nitrogen or air. Pressure on a bubble causes the pin rod to activate a capsule or capsules thereby releasing gas into a closed loop plate system positioned within the can. The gas is of a type which causes the plate system to cool, thereby cooling the beverage in contact with the plate system.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapid chilling of bottles and cans having a main bowl (46) and an inner bowl (48) in the main bowl. A basket (90) is mounted in the inner bowl and is adapted to receive bottles (92) to be chilled. The inner bowl has an opening (66) at its lower end. An agitator (88) driven by a submerged motor (86) assists in the circulation of cooling fluid in the main bowl and the inner bowl. The inner bowl has openings (76) near its upper end. Cooling fluid passes through these openings and into the gap between the inner bowl and the main bowl. Refrigeration coils (80) cool the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a metal strip moving horizontally along a roller conveyor has a plurality of water boxes (4) arranged between the rollers (1,2,3) of the roller conveyor and each having upwardly directed outlet ducts (6) from which cooling water is projected onto the underside of the metal strip. The ducts (6) are parallel to each other and uniformly spaced across the width of the strip. To improve cooling, particularly its uniformity, the outlet ducts (6) are all shaped and oriented so as to project the cooling water with a component of motion opposite to the direction of movement of the metal strip, and each water box (4) is shaped and located relative to the next preceding roller (1,2,3) in the direction of movement of the metal strip so that during operation the water projected from each water box also cools said next preceding roller.

Abstract: A refrigerant expansion device including a body having a flow passage extending therethrough which may pass refrigerant in either direction. A piston is slideably mounted in the flow passage for movement between a first position and a second position in response to the direction of refrigerant flow through the flow passage. The piston has a metering port extending therethrough for metering the flow of refrigerant when the piston is moved to the first position responsive to the flow of refrigerant in one direction through the metering device. The piston also includes at least one flow channel substantially parallel to the metering port for passing a substantially unrestricted flow of refrigerant when the piston is moved away from the first position in the direction of the second position responsive to the flow of refrigerant in the opposite direction. Means are provided for moving the piston, against the flow of refrigerant in the one direction away from the first position.