Abstract: Refrigerant compositions containing polymeric oil-return agents which solubilize or disperse mineral and synthetic oil lubricants with hydrofluorocarbon and hydrofluorocarbon/hydrochlorofluorocarbon-based refrigerants are disclosed. These polymeric oil-return agents, such as copolymers of fluorinated and non-fluorinated methacrylates, as a small proportion of an overall refrigerant composition, permit efficient return of mineral and synthetic oil lubricants from non-compressor zones back to a compressor zone in a refrigeration system operating with hydrofluorocarbon and hydrofluorocarbon/hydrochlorofluorocarbon-based refrigerants.

Abstract: There is disclosed an novel refrigeration apparatus and a method of refrigeration. The novel refrigeration apparatus comprises a desorber/evaporator, a gas/liquid compressor operatively connected to said desorber/evaporator, a resorber/condenser operatively connected to said gas/liquid compressor, an expansion device operatively connected to said resorber/condenser and to said desorber/evaporator and a circulating refrigerant comprising carbon dioxide and a liquid co-fluid in which the carbon dioxide is differentially soluble. The refrigeration method comprises compressing carbon dioxide gas and a liquid co-fluid in a gas/liquid compressor to an increased pressure, such that carbon dioxide at least partially dissolves in the liquid co-fluid, and reducing the pressure on the liquid co-fluid containing the dissolved carbon dioxide so that dissolved carbon dioxide comes out of solution with the liquid co-fluid, and recirculating the gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid co-fluid to the gas/liquid compressor.

Abstract: There is disclosed an novel refrigeration apparatus and a method of refrigeration. The novel refrigeration apparatus comprises a desorber/evaporator, a scroll compressor operatively connected to said desorber/evaporator, a resorber/condenser operatively connected to said compressor, an expansion device operatively connected to said resorber/condenser and to said desorber/evaporator and a circulating refrigerant comprising carbon dioxide and a liquid co-fluid in which the carbon dioxide is differentially soluble. The refrigeration method comprises compressing carbon dioxide gas and a liquid co-fluid in a scroll compressor to an increased pressure, such that carbon dioxide at least partially dissolves in the liquid co-fluid, and reducing the pressure on the liquid co-fluid containing the dissolved carbon dioxide so that dissolved carbon dioxide comes out of solution with the liquid co-fluid, and recirculating the gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid co-fluid to the scroll compressor.

Abstract: A method of separating an immiscible lubricant from a liquid refrigerant in a refrigerating system including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator, wherein the expansion device is connected to the condenser by a liquid refrigerant flow line for liquid refrigerant and immiscible lubricant. The method comprising slowing the rate of flow of the liquid refrigerant and immiscible lubricant between the condenser and the expansion device such that the liquid refrigerant and the immiscible lubricant separate based upon differences in density. The method also comprises collecting the separated immiscible lubricant in a collection chamber in fluid communication with the separated immiscible lubricant. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of separating an immiscible lubricant from a liquid refrigerant in a refrigerating system including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator, wherein the expansion device is connected to the condenser by a liquid refrigerant flow line for liquid refrigerant and immiscible lubricant. The method comprising slowing the rate of flow of the liquid refrigerant and immiscible lubricant between the condenser and the expansion device such that the liquid refrigerant and the immiscible lubricant separate based upon differences in density. The method also comprises collecting the separated immiscible lubricant in a collection chamber in fluid communication with the separated immiscible lubricant. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a refrigeration lubricant for use with R-134a refrigerant. The lubrication composition of the invention combines a polyalkylene glycol synthetic lubricant or a polyolester synthetic lubricant with conventional mineral oil. The composition has enhanced lubricity which is unexpected in view of the fact that mineral oil is known to be incompatible with R-134a refrigerant. The lubricant compositions of the present invention are useful to replace the R-12 refrigerant lubricants which are presently in use.

Abstract: A monitor for a vapor compression refrigerant system using halocarbon refrigerants that accumulates contaminant gases present or generated in an operating system and provides a readout indicative of the presence of significant amounts of contaminant gases which readout serves to provide an indication of an incipient malfunction of the refrigerant system. Embodiments of the monitor are disclosed which provide continuous and automatice purging of the contaminant gases from the system using perm-selective membranes with or without provision for providing indicia of the presence or build-up of contaminant gases in the monitor.

Abstract: A monitor for a vapor compression refrigerant system that accumulates contaminant gases generated in an operating system and provides a readout indicative of the presence of significant amounts of contaminant gases which readout serves to provide an indication of an incipient malfunction of the refrigerant system. Embodiments are disclosed which provide selective accumulation and/or analysis of contaminant gases to provide an indication of both the existence and general nature of the incipient malfunction.

Abstract: A combination thermal energy storage material capable of functioning in two discrete temperature ranges and comprised of two constituents, one of which has a phase change in the low temperature range between about 35.degree. F. and about 55.degree. F., and the other of which has a phase change in the high temperature range of between about 90.degree. F. and about 130.degree. F. Both temperature ranges are selected to correspond with the operable and desirable ranges for a heat pump operation. The two constituents are selected to be non-reactive with one another and in the mixture maintain independent phase change characteristics. However, the mixture itself alters in some cases, depending upon concentration, the melting points of each member of the pair so that the transition temperatures of the phase changes in the mixture are somewhat different and somewhat lower than the phase changes characteristic of the independent constituents and is dependent upon the concentration of the constituents in the mixture.