System to perform a vapor compression refrigeration cycle using water as the refrigerant

Abstract

A system to perform a vapor compression refrigeration cycle using water as the refrigerant is provided and includes an evaporator to output water vapor having a water vapor temperature of a first temperature and a water vapor pressure of a first pressure, a condenser to output liquid water at a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, and a second pressure, which is higher than the first pressure and a compressor, operably disposed downstream from the evaporator and upstream from the condenser, to compress the water vapor to thereby increase the water vapor temperature from the first temperature and to thereby increase the water vapor pressure from the first pressure by at least a 7:1 ratio.

1 . A system to perform a vapor compression refrigeration cycle using water as the refrigerant, the system comprising:
 an evaporator to output water vapor having a water vapor temperature of a first temperature and a water vapor pressure of a first pressure;   a condenser to output liquid water at a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, and a second pressure, which is higher than the first pressure; and   a compressor, operably disposed downstream from the evaporator and upstream from the condenser, to compress the water vapor to thereby increase the water vapor temperature from the first temperature and to thereby increase the water vapor pressure from the first pressure by at least a 7:1 ratio.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein a specific volume of the water vapor at an inlet of the compressor is about 2,400-2,500 ft 3 /Ibm. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the water vapor pressure is increased by at least an 8:1 ratio. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the water vapor pressure is increased by at least a 10:1 ratio. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a heat exchanger coupled to or disposed downstream from the condenser. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid expansion device operably disposed downstream from the condenser and upstream from the evaporator to expand the liquid water to thereby decrease a fluid pressure thereof 
     
     
         7 . A system to perform a vapor compression refrigeration cycle using water as the refrigerant, the system comprising:
 an evaporator to output water vapor having a water vapor temperature of a first temperature and a water vapor pressure of a first pressure;   a condenser to output liquid water at a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, and a second pressure, which is higher than the first pressure; and   a supersonic compressor, operably disposed downstream from the evaporator and upstream from the condenser, to supersonically compress the water vapor to thereby increase the water vapor temperature from the first temperature and to thereby increase the water vapor pressure from the first pressure by at least a 7:1 ratio.   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein a specific volume of the water vapor at an inlet of the supersonic compressor is about 2,400-2,500 ft 3 /Ibm. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the water vapor pressure is increased by at least an 8:1 ratio. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the water vapor pressure is increased by at least a 10:1 ratio. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 7 , further comprising a heat exchanger coupled to or disposed downstream from the condenser. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 7 , further comprising a fluid expansion device operably disposed downstream from the condenser and upstream from the evaporator to expand the liquid water to thereby decrease a fluid pressure thereof. 
     
     
         13 . A system to perform a vapor compression refrigeration cycle using water as the refrigerant, the system comprising:
 an evaporator to vaporize liquid water to produce water vapor and to output the water vapor having a water vapor temperature of a first temperature and a water vapor pressure of a first pressure;   a condenser to output liquid water at a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, and a second pressure, which is higher than the first pressure; and   a supersonic compressor assembly having a first stage centrifugal compressor and a second stage supersonic compressor, operably disposed downstream from the evaporator and upstream from the condenser, to supersonically compress the water vapor to thereby increase the water vapor temperature from the first temperature and to thereby increase the water vapor pressure from the first pressure by at least a 7:1 ratio.   
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein a specific volume of the water vapor at an inlet of the supersonic compressor assembly is about 2,400-2,500 ft 3 /lbm. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the water vapor pressure is increased by at least an 8:1 ratio. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the water vapor pressure is increased by at least a 10:1 ratio. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the first temperature is about 45 degrees Fahrenheit and the first pressure is about 0.1-0.2 pounds per square inch, and wherein the water vapor temperature is increased from the first temperature to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the water vapor pressure is increased from the first pressure to about 1-2 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the first temperature is about 45 degrees Fahrenheit and the first pressure is about 0.15 pounds per square inch, and
 wherein the water vapor temperature is increased from the first temperature to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the water vapor pressure is increased from the first pressure to about 1.5 pounds per square inch.   
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 13 , further comprising a heat exchanger coupled to or disposed downstream from the condenser. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 13 , further comprising a fluid expansion device operably disposed downstream from the condenser and upstream from the evaporator to expand the liquid water to thereby decrease a fluid pressure thereof.