Abstract: Described herein is apparatus and a method for eliminating water trapped in a refrigerator system. The apparatus includes means to insert heated, dry gas, such as nitrogen, into the low side valve of the refrigeration system. The gas may be to a temperature between 175 and 220 degrees F. and is inserted until the pressure of the gas within the system is equal to between 35 and 65 PSI. The device includes appropriate temperature and pressure metering means for controlling both the temperature and pressure of the gas inserted. After the heated nitrogen gas is inserted into the refrigeration system, the compressor is turned on and allowed to run for approximately ten minutes and the heated nitrogen gas absorbs any water vapor in the refrigeration system. Thereafter the high side valve is opened and the escaping nitrogen containing the absorbed water escapes from the system. Then the refrigerant is added and when it begins escaping from the open high side valve, the high side valve is closed.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery and purification system is disclosed for recovering refrigerant from a heat pump, air conditioner, or other vapor compression refrigerant system into a storage tank while concurrently purifying the recovered refrigerant of impurities and contaminates. The refrigerant recovery and purification system comprises a pair of accumulators connected in line between the compressor and the refrigerant system being evacuated. The output of the compressor is then connected to a heat exchanger positioned within each of the accumulators. The output of the heat exchangers are then connected to a condenser. The accumulators, having the heat exchangers positioned therein, function to distill the refrigerant flowing therethrough to separate the oil, together with the impurities and contaminates normally contained in the refrigerant, thereby purifying the refrigerant being evacuated.

Abstract: A refrigeration system is disclosed having a purge system with means for monitoring operation of the purge system and for taking corrective action in response to excessive purge system operation. Preferably, the monitoring means is a microcomputer control system for monitoring purge pump operation to determine if the purge pump has operated continuously for a period of time greater than a predetermined amount of time. If the purge pump has operated continuously for a period of time greater than the predetermined amount of time, then the microcomputer control system overrides normal purge pump operation and maintains the purge pump inoperative for a selected time period before attempting to resume normal operation. The microcomputer control system counts the number of consecutive times that normal purge pump operation is overridden and totally disables the purge system if the number of consecutive overrides exceeds a preselected number.

Abstract: Refrigeration fluid compositions for refrigeration and air-conditioning circuits include a usual refrigerant fluid together with a liquid, hydrolyzable organosilane which exists as a liquid in the liquid phase of the air conditioning or refrigeration circuit, and which is capable of removing moisture from the interior of the circuit without forming a solid upon hydrolyzation.

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 combined filter and filter-drier, for the suction side of refrigeration and air conditioning systems, comprises a dual filter system straddling a cylindrical plug of dessicant. Upstream of the dessicant, a rigidly built primary filter assembly comprises an inlet deflector and a stepped filter. Downstream of the dessicant, a secondary filter assembly comprises an outlet filter pad which is compressed by a coaxially disposed spring near the inlet of the filter/filter-drier. The inlet deflector is preferably triangular in shape and is disposed transversely to the inlet.

Abstract: A liquid sight monitor including an internal sight tube surrounded by an external sight tube, the ends therebetween being spaced apart by inserts including "O" rings sealing against both tubes. The internal annulus between the tubes can be environmentally purged. A protective shield can be provided, which also provides mounting flanges for supporting the overall apparatus in position for metering the system.

Abstract: The operation of a prior art freezer installation for freezing food can be improved by:(1) providing air curtains at the doors of the freezer;(2) using a pulse bag filter for separating ice from the air leaving the freezer; and(3) ensuring that the air leaving the freezer is colder than -80.degree. F.

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: The operation of a prior art freezer installation for freezing food can be improved by:(1) improved refrigeration techniques;(2) providing air curtains at the doors of the freezer;(3) using a pulse bag filter for separating ice from the air leaving the freezer; and(4) ensuring that the air leaving the freezer is colder than -80.degree. F.

Abstract: In an apparatus for use for servicing air conditioning equipment, particularly in an automobile, the apparatus includes a container or cannister having a flow tube centrally located within it, extending from its upper closure member to within proximity of its base, with the upper section of the container being removable, and having a filter located therein. During usage, the container is useful for draining the refrigerant and lubricant from an automobile air conditioning system, with the refrigerant filtering through the filter, while the lubricant is collected within the container, and can be reused. The container also includes a magnetic member associated with the base to assure stable attachment of the apparatus to any metallic supporting surface during usage.

Abstract: A refrigeration purging system for the removal of non-condensible gases such as air and condensible contaminants such as water is disclosed. A portion of the refrigerant in the refrigeration system is placed in a first purge chamber which condenses the refrigerant and condensible contaminants such as water leaving non-condensibles such as air and a small portion of the refrigerant at the top of the chamber. The non-condensibles and remaining refrigerant is extracted from the first chamber pumped to a higher pressure and passed to a second purged chamber wherein the remaining refrigerant is condensed and returned to the first purged chamber. The non-condensible gases remaining are released to the atmosphere. The condensible contaminants are extracted from the first purged chamber and the condensed refrigerant is returned to the refrigeration system.

Abstract: A filter-drier block for use in refrigeration systems to filter and remove moisture from the refrigerant fluid, and the method of making the block. The block is comprised of granular adsorbent material bound together to form a rigid block by the use of phenolic resin and polyisocyanate binders and characterized by a low pressure drop for fluid passing through the block. The method of making the block includes the steps of mixing dry adsorbent granules with solutions of the two binders, blow molding the mixture into a block, curing the resins with an alkaline gas, purging the block of the gas by passing air through the block, and heating the block to drive off the solvents for the binders. The invention also includes a refrigeration system utilizing the block.

Abstract: A cascade heat exchange system in which the heat given off in condensing a superheated vaporized refrigerant is used to vaporize carbon dioxide and to add sensible heat to a water system. The superheated discharge vapor of a refrigeration system is pumped into the shell side of a heat exchange vessel, where evaporative tube bundles absorb heat from the refrigerant. In one tube bundle, liquid carbon dioxide flowing through the tubes is vaporized. Another tube bundle receiving heat from the refrigerant is used to heat water for industrial use. The vaporized refrigerant leaving the heat exchange vessel shell having become desuperheated and de-oiled since giving off heat to the tube bundles is then condensed for continued use in the refrigeration cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing air conditioner efficiency comprising means and method to cool the high temperature high pressure gas output of the air conditioning unit compressor pump at or before the unit condenser utilizing water which has been pre-treated to retain particulate matter dissolved and suspended therein in order that scale not be formed upon the high pressure tubing and fins of the condenser. As a result of the cooling, the air conditioning unit operates with increased efficiency and reduced compressor head pressures for longer life. Additionally, means and method are provided for controllably regulating the flow of the cooling water and spray to protect the compressor from damage as a result of the increased efficiency.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of preventing the formation of moisture on the exterior of an air conditioning unit. Condensate collected at the evaporator and discharged into the condenser section of the unit absorbs heat energy eliminating cold spots on the exterior surface of the unit where moisture may condense. A condensate collection pan having various flow barriers is utilized to route the cold condensate from the evaporator along a tortuous path in heat exchange relationship with ambient air. Heat energy is transferred from the ambient air to the condensate in the condensate collection pan thereby acting to increase the temperature of the condensate prior to it being discharged into the condenser section.

Abstract: Material is cooled by direct contact with CO.sub.2, and the CO.sub.2 vapor is recovered. A coolant reservoir is created in a holding tank wherein CO.sub.2 vapor, CO.sub.2 liquid and solid CO.sub.2 exist in equilibrium in the form of slush plus vapor. Liquid CO.sub.2 is supplied to a cooling chamber to cool the material by direct contact, creating contaminated CO.sub.2 vapor. The contaminated CO.sub.2 vapor is removed and directed to the coolant reservoir to condense the CO.sub.2 vapor and any contaminants which liquefy at temperatures above -69.degree. F. by melting solid CO.sub.2. Clean CO.sub.2 vapor and any noncondensables are withdrawn from the holding tank and the withdrawn CO.sub.2 vapor is reliquefied and returned to the CO.sub.2 storage vesssel. Condensable contaminants are periodically removed from the holding tank by heating to a temperature where they can be blown out the bottom.

Abstract: A refrigeration purge system comprising a purge drum coupled to receive purge gas from a primary refrigeration system. The purge gas includes a primary refrigerant component and a noncondensable component. The purge system also includes a secondary refrigeration system which uses a secondary refrigerant. The secondary refrigerant and the purge gas are passed in heat exchange relationship in the purge drum to condense the primary refrigerant component of the purge gas. The condensed primary refrigerant is then returned to the primary refrigeration system, and the noncondensable component is expelled from the purge drum.

Abstract: Material is cooled by direct contact with CO.sub.2, and the CO.sub.2 vapor is recovered. A coolant reservoir is created in a holding tank wherein CO.sub.2 vapor, CO.sub.2 liquid and solid CO.sub.2 exist in equilibrium in the form of slush plus vapor. Liquid CO.sub.2 is supplied to a cooling chamber to cool the material by direct contact, creating contaminated CO.sub.2 vapor. The contaminated CO.sub.2 vapor is removed and directed to the coolant reservoir to condense the CO.sub.2 vapor and any contaminants which liquefy at temperatures above -69.degree. F. by melting solid CO.sub.2. Clean CO.sub.2 vapor and any noncondensables are withdrawn from the holding tank and the withdrawn CO.sub.2 vapor is reliquefied and returned to the CO.sub.2 storage vessel. Condensable contaminants are periodically removed from the holding tank by heating to a temperature where they can be blown out the bottom.

Abstract: In a refrigerant system utilizing flexible hoses extending between the compressor and the other heat exchanger components, dehydration apparatus to remove moisture from the refrigerant which has passed from the atmosphere into the refrigerant system through the flexible hoses. The dehydrator includes water-impermeable housing means for a desiccant material, such as silica gel, which encircles portions of flexible hose to create a low humidity environment thereabout. Moisture in the system migrates through the flexible hose portion to the dry atmosphere produced by the desiccant material in response to the differential humidity.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for cleaning the icemaker of a beverage dispensing machine having a carbonator in which carbonated water is introduced into the icemaker and into the water feeder tank and is allowed to stand for a period of time sufficient to dissolve or loosen bacterial slime and accumulated lime, after which time the carbonated water is drained and the system is flushed with still water. In one embodiment of the invention the feeder tank and icemaker are drained and carbonated water is introduced. In another embodiment carbon dioxide from the carbonator is introduced directly into the water in the icemaker and water feeder tank.

Abstract: An alcohol circuit for use in an absorption refrigeration system for circulating alcohol through the system along an independent path of travel which prevents the alcohol from stagnating within the evaporator section of the system. Further means are provided to precondition the alcohol prior to its introduction into the absorber section to enhance the effective use of this additive within this section.

Abstract: The specification and drawings disclose a method and apparatus for taking a sample of oil from the refrigerant fluid circulating in a refrigeration unit of the type including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. A pressure chamber is provided which may be conveniently connected to cause the hot vapor gas coming from either the compressor or condenser and pass through the chamber. As the hot vapor gas enters the chamber it is impinged against a baffle causing the oil within the vapor gas to collect as droplets and flow to the bottom of the chamber. The oil free refrigerant vapor gas is thereafter extracted from the chamber and returned to the refrigeration unit at a point on the low pressure side of either the compressor or condenser. The extraction from the chamber takes place at a point below the level at which the vapor gas is supplied to the chamber and at the opposite side of the baffle. The collected oil level within the chamber is regulated by the level of extraction.

Abstract: A series of air-cooled, vertical condensing tubes extend upwardly from a horizontal header to which refrigerant vapor is supplied. The vapor flows upwardly from the header through the condensing tubes and forms, on the tubes' internal surfaces, condensate which then flows downwardly into the header and eventually through the header's outlet. With this arrangement, the customary top header is not needed.

Abstract: Flow control for a cryostat in which the refrigerant flow rate is controlled by adding a contaminant to the refrigerant.