Suction compressor temperature regulator device for transcritical and subcritical r-744 compressors

Abstract

A suction compressor temperature regulator device, for use with at least one compressor of a R-744 refrigeration system, includes a heating mechanism located upstream of the at least one compressor of the refrigeration system, in a suction line thereof, for locally controlling the temperature of a R-744 fluid of the refrigeration system. The heating mechanism is typically in a form of a heat exchanger connected to the suction line and using a heating fluid to transfer heat therefrom to the R-744 fluid at the heat exchanger.

1 . A suction compressor temperature regulator device for use with at least one compressor of a R-744 refrigeration system, said device comprising:
 a heating mechanism located upstream of the at least one compressor of the refrigeration system, in a suction line of the at least one compressor for locally controlling the temperature of a R-744 fluid of the refrigeration system.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the heating mechanism is in a form of a heat exchanger connected to the suction line and using a heating fluid, wherein heat from the heating fluid is transferrable to the R-744 fluid at the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the heating mechanism includes a heating fluid circuit with heating fluid modulating valve regulating a rate of heating fluid circulating through the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the modulating valve is controlled by a temperature of the R-744 fluid flowing in the suction line between the heat exchanger and the at least one compressor. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the heating fluid circuit includes a pressure regulating valve located downstream of the modulating valve and upstream of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one compressor is a transcritical compressor, the suction line is a transcritical suction line, the heat exchanger is a transcritical heat exchanger, and the heating fluid modulating valve is a transcritical heating fluid modulating valve;
 the heating fluid circuit of the device further including a subcritical heating fluid modulating valve regulating a rate of heating fluid circulating through a subcritical heat exchanger connected to a subcritical suction line of at least one subcritical compressor for transferring heat to the R-744 fluid thereat.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the subcritical modulating valve is controlled by a temperature of the R-744 fluid flowing in the subcritical suction line between the subcritical heat exchanger and the at least one subcritical compressor. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the pressure regulating valve is located downstream of the transcritical and subcritical modulating valves and upstream of the transcritical and subcritical heat exchangers. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the heating fluid circuit is part of a heat reclaim circuit of the refrigeration system. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the heating fluid reaches the heat exchanger before reaching a heat recuperator of the heat reclaim circuit. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the heat recuperator is located between the at least one compressor and a gas cooler of the refrigeration system such that heat from the compressed R-744 fluid is transferred to the heating fluid of the heat reclaim circuit. 
     
     
         12 . A R-744 refrigeration system having at least one compressor and a suction compressor temperature regulator device as claimed in  claim 1  for use therewith. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the heating mechanism is in a form of an electrical heating device located at the suction line for transferring heat to the R-744 fluid thereat.