System and method for selective heating and cooling

Abstract

A combined heating/cooling system and method is provided wherein an absorption tank ( 20 ) houses a refrigerant and absorbant mixture composition. A boiler ( 50 ) heats the pressurized mixture composition and vaporizes the refrigerant. Heated absorbant is passed back through a heat exchanger ( 40 ) to be delivered back into absorption tank ( 20 ) and the vaporized refrigerant is directed to a closed-loop thermal exchange system for selectively heating and cooling ambient air. The mixture may be a composition of NMP as the absorbant and HFC-245fa as the refrigerant. When such a composition is employed, pressure may be reduced such that less expensive construction materials, such as aluminum, may be incorporated into the boiler fluid circuit, such as in the heat exchanger ( 40 ).

1 . A combined heating/cooling system comprising: 
 (a) an absorption tank for containing a refrigerant and an absorbant mixture composition,    (b) a pump in fluid communication with said absorption tank for pressurizing said mixture composition to produce a high pressure mixture composition;    (c) a heat exchanger fluidly coupled to said pump for passing said high pressure mixture composition therethrough;    (d) a boiler for heating said high pressure mixture composition, said boiler vaporizing said refrigerant and egressing on a first boiler conduit line, said heated absorbant being passed to said heat exchanger on a second boiler conduit line for insert into said absorption tank;    (e) a closed-loop thermal exchange system for selectively heating and cooling ambient air.    
   
   
       2 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an expansion valve being positioned between said heat exchanger and said absorption tank, whereby said heated absorbant passes through said expansion valve prior to reinsertion in said absorbant tank.  
   
   
       3 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said closed-loop thermal exchange system comprises: 
 (a) a first selector valve for diverting the vaporized refrigerant from said scroll expander through (1) a cooling cycle or (2) a heating cycle;    (b) a first liquid-vapor converter fluidly coupled to said first converter valve for (1) converting said refrigerant vapor to a liquid in said cooling cycle and (2) converting said liquid refrigerant to a vapor in the heating cycle;    (c) a second liquid-vapor converter fluidly coupled to said first liquid vapor converter for (1) converting said liquid refrigerant to a vapor in the cooling cycle and (2) converting the vapor refrigerant to a liquid refrigerant in the heating cycle;    (d) a second selector valve fluidly coupled to said second liquid-vapor converter for (1) receiving refrigerant vapor in said cooling cycle and directing said refrigerant vapor into said absorption tank, and (2) diverting said refrigerant vapor from said first selector valve to said second liquid-vapor converter in said heating cycle;    (e) a first air to liquid contactor member for receiving (1) a heated brine solution from said first liquid-vapor connector and expelling heated air in cooling cycle and (2) a cooled brine solution from said first liquid-vapor converter and expelling cooled air, said brine solution being heated in the heating cycle;    (f) a second heat exchanger coupled to said first air to liquid contactor and said liquid-vapor converter for (1) cooling said brine solution in said cooling cycle and (2) heating said brine solution in said heating cycle; and,    (g) a second air to liquid contactor fluidly coupled to said second liquid-vapor converter for (1) inputting cooled brine solution and expelling cooling air in the cooling cycle and (2) inputting heated brine solution and expelling heated air.    
   
   
       4 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 3  further comprising a first expansion valve being positioned between said heat exchanger and said absorption tank, whereby said heated absorbant passes through said expansion valve prior to reinsertion in said absorbant tank.  
   
   
       5 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 3  wherein a second expansion valve is fluidly connected between said first liquid-vapor converter and said second liquid-vapor converter.  
   
   
       6 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 3  further comprising a pump for driving brine solution through said second liquid-vapor converter.  
   
   
       7 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said refrigerant and absorbant mixture composition has a refrigerant concentration in the range of 30 to 50%.  
   
   
       8 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said heat exchanger heats said refrigerant and absorbant mixture composition to approximately 100° C.  
   
   
       9 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said vaporized refrigerant is super-heated by said boiler to a temperature in the range of 20 to 30° C. above the saturation temperature of said vaporized refrigerant.  
   
   
       10 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 3  wherein said brine solution comprises a salt dissolved in water.  
   
   
       11 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 10  wherein said salt is selected from the group consisting of: lithium chloride, lithium bromide, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride and glycol.  
   
   
       12 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 3  wherein said first and second air to liquid contactor members are formed of honeycombed absorptive material.  
   
   
       13 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said refrigerant is an HFC-245fa.  
   
   
       14 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said absorbant includes NMP.  
   
   
       15 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 14  wherein said absorbant further includes at least one stabilizer.  
   
   
       16 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 (a) a scroll expander fluidly coupled to said boiler for receiving said vaporized refrigerant; and,    (b) an induction generator rotationally coupled to said scroll expander for producing electrical power.    
   
   
       17 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 3  further comprising: 
 (a) a scroll expander fluidly coupled to said boiler for receiving said vaporized refrigerant; and,    (b) an induction generator rotationally coupled to said scroll expander for producing electrical power.    
   
   
       18 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 15  wherein said at least one stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of: 
 microalkanes and phosphates.    
   
   
       19 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein both of said high pressure mixture composition and said heated absorbant passing through said heat exchanger is maintained at a pressure of below 100 psi.  
   
   
       20 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said absorbant includes NMP and said refrigerant includes HFC-245fa.  
   
   
       21 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said heat exchanger is constructed from aluminum.  
   
   
       22 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said aluminum has been treated by etching and passivation.  
   
   
       23 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein said aluminum was passivated through the application of one of the group consisting of a chromic acid, a non-chromic acid, nitric acid, and fluorine gas.  
   
   
       24 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein said passivated surface is sealed by one of the group consisting of a saline surface treatment, a sol-gel, and a paint.  
   
   
       25 . A method of heating/cooling including the steps of: 
 (a) providing a mixture of a refrigerant composition and an absorbant;    (b) heating said refrigerant and absorbant mixture;    (c) vaporizing said refrigerant composition;    (d) selectively passing said vaporized refrigerant through (1) a cooling cycle for exiting cooled air, and (2) a heating cycle for exiting heated air.    
   
   
       26 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 20  further comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a first liquid-vapor converter;    (b) converting said (1) refrigerant vapor to a liquid in said cooling cycle within said first liquid-vapor converter, and (2) liquid refrigerant to a vapor in the heating cycle within said first liquid-vapor converter;    (c) providing a second liquid-vapor converter;    (d) converting said (1) liquid refrigerant to a vapor in the cooling cycle within said second liquid-vapor converter, and (2) refrigerant vapor to a liquid refrigerant in the heating cycle within said second liquid-vapor converter;    (e) directing (1) said refrigerant vapor into said heated refrigerant and absorbant mixture in said cooling cycle, and (2) said refrigerant vapor to said second liquid-vapor converter in said heating cycle;    (f) providing first and second air to liquid contactor members;    (g) providing a brine solution;    (h) passing said brine solution through said first air to liquid contactor member, (1) heated air being expelled in said cooling cycle, and (2) cooled air being expelled in said heating cycle;    (i) (1) cooling said brine solution in said cooling cycle, and (2) heating said brine solution in said heating cycle;    (j) passing (1) cooled brine solution through said second air to liquid contactor member in said cooling cycle and expelling cooled air, and (2) heated brine solution through said second air to liquid contactor member in said heating cycle and expelling heated air.    
   
   
       27 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 25  wherein, following said step of vaporizing said refrigerant composition, said absorbant is collected.  
   
   
       28 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 27  wherein, prior to collection of said absorbant, said absorbant is depressurized.  
   
   
       29 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 26  further comprising the step of providing a fluid pump.  
   
   
       30 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 29  wherein said brine solution is charged by said fluid pump and directed through said second liquid-vapor converter.  
   
   
       31 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 26  further comprising the step of providing an expansion valve fluidly connected to said first and second liquid-vapor converters.  
   
   
       32 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 31  wherein said expansion valve depressurizes said liquid refrigerant flowing therethrough.  
   
   
       33 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 25  further comprising the steps of: 
 (a) following the step of vaporizing said refrigerant composition, passing said vaporized refrigerant composition through a scroll expander; and,    (b) generating electrical power from a generator connected to said scroll expander.    
   
   
       34 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 26  further comprising the steps of: 
 (a) following the step of vaporizing said refrigerant composition, passing said vaporized refrigerant composition through a scroll expander; and,    (b) generating electrical power from a generator connected to said scroll expander.    
   
   
       35 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 25  where said mixture providing step includes the step of providing HFC-245fa to said refrigerant composition and NMP to said absorbant.  
   
   
       36 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 35  further including the steps of: 
 providing a heat exchanger; and    preheating said refrigerant and absorbant mixture in said heat exchanger prior to said refrigerant and absorbant mixture heating step.    
   
   
       37 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 36  where said heat exchanger providing step includes the step of constructing said heat exchanger from aluminum.  
   
   
       38 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 37  where said heat exchanger construction step includes the steps of etching and passivating exposed surfaces of the aluminum.  
   
   
       39 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 38  where said passivating step includes the step of applying one of the group consisting of chromic acid, non-chromic acid, nitric acid and fluorine gas.  
   
   
       40 . The method of heating/cooling as recited in  claim 38  further including the step of sealing said passivated aluminum by one of the group consisting of silane surface treatment, sol-gel treatment and painting.  
   
   
       41 . A combined heating/cooling system comprising: 
 (a) an absorption tank for containing a refrigerant and an absorbant mixture composition,    (b) a pump in fluid communication with said absorption tank for pressurizing said mixture composition to produce a high pressure mixture composition;    (c) a heat exchanger fluidly coupled to said pump for passing said high pressure mixture composition therethrough;    (d) a boiler for heating said high pressure mixture composition, said boiler vaporizing said refrigerant and egressing on a first boiler conduit line, said heated absorbant being passed to said heat exchanger on a second boiler conduit line for insert into said absorption tank, said refrigerant and said absorbant both passing back through said boiler prior exiting said boiler, said absorbant and said refrigerant releasing thermal energy within said boiler;    (e) a condenser for receiving said vaporized refrigerant and condensing said vaporized refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant, ambient air passing through said condenser and removing thermal energy released during the condensation of said refrigerant;    (f) an expansion valve for receiving said liquid refrigerant, said expansion valve depressurizing said liquid refrigerant and creating a mixture of vaporized refrigerant and liquid refrigerant;    (g) an evaporator for receiving said mixture of vaporized refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, said evaporator converting said mixture into pure vaporized refrigerant, ambient air passing through said evaporator, said ambient air being cooled by said conversion into said pure vaporized refrigerant, said evaporator expelling cooled air into the environment, said pure vaporized refrigerant being delivered back into said absorption tank.    
   
   
       42 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 41  wherein said refrigerant is an HFC-245fa.  
   
   
       43 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 41  wherein said absorbant includes NMP.  
   
   
       44 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 43  wherein said absorbant further includes at least one stabilizer.  
   
   
       45 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 43  wherein said at least one stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of: nitroalkanes and phosphates.  
   
   
       46 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 41 , wherein both of said high pressure mixture composition in said heated absorbant passing through said heat exchanger is maintained at a pressure of below 100 psi.  
   
   
       47 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 46 , wherein said absorbant includes NMP and said refrigerant includes HFC-245fa.  
   
   
       48 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 47 , wherein said heat exchanger is constructed from aluminum.  
   
   
       49 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 47 , wherein said aluminum has been treated by etching and passivation.  
   
   
       50 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 49 , wherein said aluminum was passivated by the application of one of the group consisting of chromic acid, non-chromic acid, nitric acid and fluorine gas.  
   
   
       51 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 49 , wherein said passivated surface is sealed by one of the group consisting of a silane surface treatment, a sol-gel, and a paint.  
   
   
       52 . A combined heating/cooling system comprising: 
 (a) an absorption tank for containing a refrigerant and an absorbant mixture composition,    (b) a pump in fluid communication with said absorption tank for pressurizing said mixture composition to produce a high pressure mixture composition;    (c) a heat exchanger fluidly coupled to said pump for passing said high pressure mixture composition therethrough;    (d) a boiler for heating said high pressure mixture composition, said boiler vaporizing said refrigerant and egressing on a first boiler conduit line, said heated absorbant being passed to said heat exchanger on a second boiler conduit line for insert into said absorption tank;    (e) a scroll expander for receiving said vaporized refrigerant, said vaporized refrigerant driving said scroll expander;    (f) a compressor mechanically driven by said scroll expander, said compressor pressurizing said vaporized refrigerant;    (g) a condenser for receiving said pressurized vaporized refrigerant output by said compressor, said condenser condensing said pressurized vaporized refrigerant to form liquid refrigerant;    (h) an expansion valve for receiving said liquid refrigerant, said expansion valve reducing pressure of said liquid refrigerant;    (i) an evaporator for receiving said liquid refrigerant and vaporizing said liquid refrigerant, said evaporator expelling vaporized refrigerant which is driven back to said compressor.    
   
   
       53 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 52  further comprising: 
 (a) a first selector valve for receiving said vaporized refrigerant from said scroll expander, said first selector valve directing said vaporized refrigerant to said condenser, said condenser converting said vaporized refrigerant into liquid refrigerant;    (b) a second expansion valve for receiving said liquid refrigerant from said condenser, said second expansion valve decreasing pressure of said liquid refrigerant and directing said liquid refrigerant to said evaporator, said evaporator vaporizing said liquid refrigerant and delivering said vaporized refrigerant to said absorption tank.    
   
   
       54 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 52  wherein said refrigerant is HFC-245fa.  
   
   
       55 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 52  wherein said absorbant includes NMP.  
   
   
       56 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 55  wherein said absorbant further includes at least one stabilizer.  
   
   
       57 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 56  wherein said at least one stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of: 
 nitroalkanes and phosphates.    
   
   
       58 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 52 , wherein said absorbant includes NMP and said refrigerant includes HFC-245fa.  
   
   
       59 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 58 , wherein said heat exchanger is constructed from aluminum.  
   
   
       60 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 59 , wherein said aluminum is treated by etching and passivation.  
   
   
       61 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 60 , wherein said aluminum has been passivated by the application of one of the group consisting of chromic acid, non-chromic acid, nitric acid and fluorine gas.  
   
   
       62 . The combined heating/cooling system as recited in  claim 60 , wherein said passivated surface is sealed by one of the group consisting of a silane treatment, a sol-gel, and a paint.  
   
   
       63 . A cooling and power generation system comprising: 
 (a) an absorption tank for containing a refrigerant and an absorbant mixture composition,    (b) a pump in fluid communication with said absorption tank for pressurizing said mixture composition to produce a high pressure mixture composition;    (c) a heat exchanger fluidly coupled to said pump for passing said high pressure mixture composition therethrough;    (d) a boiler for heating said high pressure mixture composition, said boiler vaporizing said refrigerant and egressing on a first boiler conduit line, said heated absorbant being passed to said heat exchanger on a second boiler conduit line for insert into said absorption tank;    (e) a scroll expander fluidly coupled to said boiler for receiving said vaporized refrigerant;    (f) an induction generator rotationally coupled to said scroll expander for producing electrical power;    (g) a condenser for receiving said vaporized refrigerant, said condenser converting said vaporized refrigerant to liquid refrigerant;    (h) an evaporator for receiving said liquid refrigerant, said evaporator converting said liquid refrigerant back to said vaporized refrigerant, said conversion of said liquid refrigerant to said vaporized refrigerant drawing thermal energy from the environment, said vaporized refrigerant being returned to said absorption tank to remix with said absorbant.    
   
   
       64 . The cooling and power generation system as recited in  claim 63  wherein said absorption tank includes an air-to-liquid contactor member for drawing thermal energy from said absorption tank.  
   
   
       65 . The cooling and power generation system as recited in  claim 63  wherein a portion of said liquid absorbant released by said boiler is routed to said scroll expander for lubricating and cooling said scroll expander.  
   
   
       66 . The cooling and power generation system as recited in  claim 63  wherein an expansion valve is positioned between said heat exchanger and said absorption tank to depressurize said absorbant prior to re-insert in said absorption tank.  
   
   
       67 . The cooling and power generation system as recited in  claim 63  wherein an expansion valve is positioned between said condenser and said evaporator to depressurize said liquid refrigerant prior to entry in said evaporator.  
   
   
       68 . The cooling and power generation system as recited in  claim 63  wherein said refrigerant is HFC-245fa.  
   
   
       69 . The cooling and power generation system as recited in  claim 63  wherein said absorbant includes NMP.  
   
   
       70 . The cooling and power generation system as recited in  claim 69  wherein said absorbant further includes at least one stabilizer.  
   
   
       71 . The cooling and power generation system as recited in  claim 70  wherein said at least one stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of: nitroalkanes and phosphates.  
   
   
       72 . The cooling and power generation system as recited in  claim 63 , wherein said absorbant includes NMP and said refrigerant includes HFC-245fa.  
   
   
       73 . The cooling and power generation system as recited in  claim 72 , wherein said heat exchanger is constructed from aluminum.  
   
   
       74 . The cooling and power generation system as recited in  claim 73 , wherein said aluminum is treated by etching and passivation.  
   
   
       75 . The cooling and power generation system as recited in  claim 74 , wherein said aluminum has been passivated by the application of one of the group consisting of chromic acid, non-chromic acid, nitric acid and fluorine gas.  
   
   
       76 . The cooling and power generation system as recited in  claim 74 , wherein said passivated surface is sealed by one of the group consisting of a silane treatment, a sol-gel, and a paint.