Abstract: A sorber for sorbing a vapor into (absorber) or out of (desorber) a liquid sorbent comprised of a sequential plurality of highly effective and intensified locally cocurrent sorptions, but with non-cocurrent flow of vapor and liquid between the individual sorptions. The structure containing the locally cocurrent upflow is preferably comprised of enhanced heat transfer surface, making the sorption diabatic, further enhancing the intensification, and improving the sorption efficiency. Referring to FIG. 12 , vertical cylinders (70) and (71) form an annular space within which desorption occurs, powered by external heat source (72) and internal heat recuperation (77). The liquid portion of the annulus is divided into multiple compartments by folded rectangular fin (73). The space above fin (73) allows pressure equalization of all compartments. Each compartment is divided by insert (80) into separate vapor-liquid riser channels and a liquid downcomer channel.

Abstract: A triple-effect cycle is disclosed which avoids the two primary limitations of currently known triple-effect cycles: super-atmospheric pressures and/or low pressure absorbers that operate without mass transfer enhancers. The cycle is comprised of two hermetic loops--one a conventional LiBr double-effect loop, and the other a single-effect loop which overlaps the high pressure portion of the double-effect loop, and exchanges heat with it at three locations. Referring to FIG. 3, the latent heat exchanges are with absorber 302, condenser 304, and evaporator 305 of the single-effect loop. Sensible heat losses are reduced by incorporating inter-loop condensate-to-solution sensible heat exchanger 314. The inter-loop CSSHX also applies to other triple-effect cycles.

Abstract: A non-adiabatic vapor-liquid contact device is disclosed which achieves high heat transfer effectiveness without sacrificing mass transfer effictiveness. Referring to FIG. 2, a helical coil of crested tubing 84 is contained within the annualr space between shrouds 82 and 83. Liquid flows downward through the annulus, and vapor flows countercurrently upward. The mass exchanging fluids pass through the space between tube crests and the shroud, achieving very effective mixing. Heat transfer fluid is flowed through the tubing via connections 87 and 88.

Abstract: A rotary sorption heat pump for heating or cooling comprised of a plurality of sorption modules, each of which has at least two different zones of heat and mass transfer. The sorption modules are mounted to a frame which is adapted for rotation. Thermosyphons are used to transfer heat between different zones of sorption modules.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are disclosed for sorption heat pumping at high efficiency in a smooth and continuous manner using a multiplicity of stationary triplex sorption modules. The hermetically sealed trisorption modules, each of which contains at least two solid sorbents, are free of pumps, valves, restrictors, or any similar devices for flow control of refrigerant or sorbent. The apparatus contains no moving parts beyond a small number of control and motive devices for the heat transfer fluids. The preferred refrigerant is ammonia and the preferred sorbents are the solid type with monovariant equilibrium, e.g., BaCl.sub.2, SrCl.sub.2, CaCl.sub.2, MnCl.sub.2, FeCl.sub.2 and SrBr.sub.2.The apparatus is preferably adapted for residential or small-scale commercial space-conditioning applications, and operates at double-effect efficiency in both the heating and cooling modes without inter-module heat transfer.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are disclosed for sorption heat pumping at high efficiency in a smooth and continuous manner using a multiplicity of intermittent cycle triplex sorption modules. The hermetically sealed trisorption modules, each of which contains at least two solid sorbents, are free of pumps, valves, restrictors, or any similar devices for flow control of refrigerant or sorbent. The preferred refrigerant is ammonia and the preferred sorbents are the solid type with monovariant equilibrium, e.g., BaCl.sub.2, SrCl.sub.2, CaCl.sub.2, MnCl.sub.2, FeCl.sub.2 and SrBr.sub.2. The apparatus is preferably adapted for residential or small-scale commercial space-conditioning applications, and operates at double-effect efficiency in both the heating and cooling modes without inter-module heat transfer.

Abstract: Intermittent sorption cycles with fixed heat supply and removal and comprised of a generator/absorber (4), a condenser (2), and a receiver/evaporator (10) are adapted and simplified so as to require at most only two control valves (8) and (15) for their operation. With an integral thermosyphon (6) for absorption heat removal, only a single refrigerant charge is necessary. The two valves are advantageously combined into a single three-way ball valve, and key gravity drains (14) and (17) are provided. Applications include hot water heating, solar refrigeration, and steam generation.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are disclosed for increasing the sorbate content of a sorbent liquid beyond the level possible at a defined absorbing temperature and pressure. Specific useful results obtainable thereby are an increase in the efficiency of thermally actuated absorption processes such as absorption compression and absorption heat pumping. The improvement allows greater temperature overlap between generator and absorber, ambient responsive performance, and virtualy elimination of the need for rectification. Referring to FIG. 1b, the useful result is obtained by pressurizing (1) and splitting (2) the sorbent to supply an absorber (3) with cooling (4) and a generator (5) with heating (6), and routing (7) generator sorbate vapor to the absorber to achieve increased dilution therein.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are disclosed for increasing the efficiency of thermally powered absorption heat pumps which use volatile absorbents. The improvement reduces rectification losses in absorption cycles having at least two generators operating at different pressures. In FIG. 1, the rectifier (7) for the higher pressure generator (1) is refluxed at least in part by exchanging latent heat (9) between rectifier vapor and absorbent solution at the approximate pressure of the lower pressure generator.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are disclosed for increasing the quantity of heat exchange possible between the temperature overlap portions of a generator and an absorber in an absorption cycle compressor or heat pump. Referring to FIG. 1, the heat duty of Generator-Absorber Heat Exchange (GAX) absorber 4 is increased and the heat duty of GAX desorber 6 is decreased by branching sorbent flow from absorber 4 at point 7, and circulating the branch flow by pump 10 to externally-heated desorber 1.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are disclosed for a new absorption heat pump cycle which achieves a COP of approximately one and a half times that achievable in a single-effect cycle, at generator temperatures substantially less than the minimum required for double-effect operation. This is done by providing two internally heated generators (108 and 109 of FIG. 1) in addition to the externally-heated generator (110); plus at least two separate and distinct absorbent solution circulating loops (112-114 and 120-122); and a transfer of vapor from one of the generators (108) to one of the absorbers (116).

Abstract: This invention relates to ice-producing refrigerators which operate on an intermittent absorption cycle, and to solar heat collectors suitable for powering the intermittent absorption refrigerators. The refrigerators are useful for making ice and for storing vaccines and food in areas where electricity is unavailable, unreliable, or high in cost.

Abstract: The invention discloses process and apparatus for increasing the efficiency of subambient cascaded .fractional distillations such as air separation, ethane-ethylene separation, or nitrogen rejection from natural gas. The improvement provides an advantageous means of generating the optimal amount of intermediate reflux liquid for both rectifications in the cascade. Referring to FIG. 4, a latent heat exchanger (415) is provided in which a liquid from the HP rectifying section (403) of the cascade exchanges latent heat with a minor fraction of the feed gas. The condensed feed is then split by two valves (409 and 410) into respective intermediate reflux streams for both parts of the cascade (402 and 403).

Abstract: A high efficiency open-cycle absorptive approach to compressing steam or other vapor is disclosed, especially useful for industrial evaportion via recompression. Referring to FIG. 1, low pressure steam from evaporator 1 is absorbed in an aqueous absorbent solution so as to release heat in both absorber 7 and GAX exchanger 8. External heat is applied to generator 12. Steam at higher pressure is desorbed from both gnerator 12 and GAX exchanger 8, and used to heat evaporator 1. Absorber 7 heat is also used to heat and evaporate the mixture undergoing evaporation.

Abstract: The argon recovery obtainable from a dual pressure cryogenic air distillation plant for production of high purity oxygen is increased beyond present levels without offsetting incurrence of detriments such as lower O.sub.2 pressure, lower O.sub.2 or N.sub.2 recovery, less liquid recovery, or increased energy. This is done by providing an intermediate reflux condenser (component 8 of FIG. 1) in the argon sidearm 2b, and providing liquid N.sub.2 via valve 9 to said condenser, thereby increasing the reboil up both argon stripper 2a and the lower section of 2b proportional to the amount of LN.sub.2 evaporated in 8.

Abstract: A fractional distillation system is provided for fractionating unequal liquid mixtures with lower heat throughput and lower energy consumption. For mixtures in which the heavy fraction is predominant (FIG. 1), a stripper (2) pre-fractionates part of the mixture at lower pressure and at no extra energy cost by being reboiled by an intermediate condenser (3). The pre-fractionator temperature range is preferably nested within (overlapped by) the distillation column (6) temperature range.

Abstract: The invention discloses process and apparatus for separating high purity oxygen and crude argon from air by fractional distillation. The improvement, which applies to both dual pressure and triple pressure configurations, entails maximizing the distillation efficiency of both the HP rectifier (2 of FIG. 1) and the LP N.sub.2 rectifier (1a and 1b) by feeding precisely correct quantities of liquid air reflux to each via respective valves (6) and (8). In order to efficiently produce the required amount of liquid air, liquid oxygen at least 0.2 ATA above LP column pressure is evaporated by two air condensers: a total condenser (22) and a partial condenser (23).

Abstract: The invention discloses method and apparatus for achieving higher O.sub.2 delivery pressure coupled with high product recovery in cryogenic air distillation plants, without additional power consumption. Products include high purity oxygen plus coproduct argon, or medium purity oxygen plus optional coproduct nitrogen. Compander driven compressor (5) boosts the pressure of a minor fraction of air which totally condenses to evaporate LOX in evaporator (6), and liquid air is split into 2 intermediate refluxes.

Abstract: An open-cycle absorption apparatus for compressing steam from a low pressure to a higher useful pressure is disclosed. The apparatus is particularly useful for upgrading low-temperature jacket-cooling heat from an internal combustion engine to useful pressure steam, e.g., at 5 ATA (500 kPa) or higher. Simple heat-exchange apparatus is involved, using the extra temperature availability of the hot exhaust gas as the driving medium. In FIG. 1, hot exhaust gas heats absorbent solution in desorber 7, and then the absorbent solution absorbs low pressure steam from the jacket cooling circuit of engine 1 in absorber 14. Useful pressure steam is withdrawn from desorber 7 and from steam generation coil 16 in absorber 14.

Abstract: A new absorbent for water vapor is disclosed which is non-oxidizing and is suitable for use as the absorption working pair in combination with H.sub.2 O in absorption heat pumps, and also as a liquid drying agent. The absorbent is comprised of a mixture of at least two alkali metal thiocyanates, preferably KCNS and NaCNS. The preferred weight ratio is between 3 and 4, which remains liquid at all water vapor pressures above 1/16 ATA (curve "30 Na" on the Figure). Further advantages are obtainable by incorporating at least one of lithium cations, cesium cations, and hydroxide anions in the absorbent mixture.