Abstract: A vapour compression system, in which the pressure and flow rate of refrigerant in components of the system to control and to optimise use of heat-transfer surfaces and to minimise power consumption, comprises a compressor 1, a condenser 5, a two-section evaporator 15, and a needle float valve 13 for maintaining a pressure differential between the condenser and the evaporator. The two section evaporator comprises a first section 17 which receives refrigerant from the condenser and which partially evaporates it to discharge two-phase refrigerant into a reservoir 23 in which liquid refrigerant is collected and from which low pressure refrigerant vapour is supplied to the compressor, and a second section 19 which receives liquid refrigerant from the reservoir and evaporates it at least partially.

Abstract: A vapour compression system, in which the pressure and flow rate of refrigerant in components of the system to control and to optimize use of heat-transfer surfaces and to minimize power consumption, comprises a compressor 1, a condenser 5, a two-section evaporator 15, and a needle float valve 13 for maintaining a pressure differential between the condenser and the evaporator. The two section evaporator comprises a first section 17 which receives refrigerant from the condenser and which partially evaporates it to discharge two-phase refrigerant into a reservoir 23 in which liquid refrigerant is collected and from which low pressure refrigerant vapour is supplied to the compressor, and a second section 19 which receives liquid refrigerant from the reservoir and evaporates it at least partially.

Abstract: A baffle system for use on a plate for mass transfer operations comprises at least one channel, the surface of the channel through which a two-phase mixture of liquid and vapor leaves the channel having a plurality of holes. A deflector is immediately adjacent to each hole, and the deflector is in line to deflect the two-phase mixture towards one end of the channel. A liquid return zone is defined by the space between two channels and laterally adjacent to each other. Disengaged liquid from the two-phase mixture collects in the liquid return zones and passes through slots in the channel sides to re-enter the channel. The baffle system has an inlet weir which blocks off one end of the or each two-phase channel, so that inlet liquid is fed to the liquid return zones. An outlet weir blocks off the other end of the or each two-phase channel and the liquid return zones.