Abstract: A reaction turbine is used in a refrigeration (or heat pump) process, to improve efficiency.

Abstract: Reaction turbine and pump apparatus includes:(a) a first nozzle or nozzles to receive heated fluid for expansion therein to form a two-phase discharge of gas and liquid,(b) a separator rotor having an axis and a rotating surface located in the path of said discharge for supporting a layer of separated liquid on said surface,(c) the rotor having a reaction nozzle or nozzles to communicate with said layer to receive liquid therefrom for discharge in a direction or directions developing torque acting to rotate the rotor,(d) and a pump associated with and driven by the rotor, the pump including an annular rim surface to receive impingement of liquid to be pumped, the liquid collecting as a rotating ring on the rim surface.In addition, the rim surface may be integral with the separator rotor; and the heated fluid may consist of a low vapor pressure fluid component which remains liquid and a high vapor pressure fluid component which at least partially vaporizes in the first nozzle or nozzles.

Abstract: A reaction turbine is used in a refrigeration (or heat pump) process, to improve efficiency.

Abstract: Steam is produced from aqueous brine, by a process that employs hot fluid, nozzle means and rotary separator means. Process steps include:(a) transferring heat from said hot fluid to said brine,(b) passing the heated brine in pressurized state to the nozzle means for flow therethrough, and expanding the flow therein thereby to form steam and liquid droplets, and(c) causing said expanded flow to rotate the rotary separator means for forming a layer of said brine on the separator means and accompanied by steam separation and for subsequent removal.The liquid from the rotating layer and/or the separated steam may be used to drive turbine means; the hot fluid may comprise combustion products from a combustion source; and several stages of separators may be employed.