Refrigeration load reduction system and methods

Abstract

A refrigeration load reduction system can include a primary container having gas permeable openings therein. A granular composition is retained within the container. The granular composition is a granular mixture of a sodium carbonate mineral and a mono-, di- or tricarboxylic acid. Typically, the sodium carbonate mineral is a trona mineral, although other minerals can be used singly or in combination with trona. A method of reducing refrigeration load can include orienting the refrigeration load reduction system within a fluid circulation path of a refrigeration unit adapted to cool a refrigeration chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigeration load reduction system, comprising:
 a. a primary container having gas permeable openings therein; and   b. a granular composition retained within the container, said granular composition comprising a granular mixture of a sodium carbonate mineral and a mono-, di- or tricarboxylic acid, wherein the sodium carbonate mineral is a member selected from the group consisting of trona, gaylussite, natron, prissonite, northupite, nahcolite, thermonatrite, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the primary container is a flexible packet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible packet is formed of a plastic film having perforations therein. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible packet is formed of a porous fabric. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the primary container is a rigid box which includes a closeable access opening adapted to allow replacement of the granular composition. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the rigid box is shaped to fit within a refrigeration intake unit. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the rigid box is shaped to be oriented within a refrigeration chamber adjacent a refrigeration unit. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a secondary container adapted to receive and retain at least one primary container. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the secondary container is an apertured tube. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mono-, di- or tricarboxylic acids have the general formula:
   (HOOC)—R—(COOH) x-1  
   where x is an integer of 1, 2 or 3, and R is a saturated or unsaturated, straight, or branched carbon chain having one to eighteen carbon atoms, or an aromatic moiety having six to eighteen carbon atoms which may be substituted or unsubstituted by OH, COOH, COOM, COOR′, —OR′ substituents, where M can be an alkali or alkaline earth metal, and where R′ can be saturated or unsaturated, straight, or branched carbon chain having from one to eight carbons, an aromatic moiety having six to eighteen carbon atoms which may be substituted by alkyl groups having one to eight carbons, OH, COOH, COOM, COOR′, —OR′ substituents, and M can be an alkali or alkaline earth metal.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mono-, di- or tricarboxylic acid is a member selected from the group consisting of citric acid and salicylic acid. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the granular mixture has a w/w ratio of mineral to acid of 200:1 to 5:1. 
     
     
         13 . A method of reducing refrigeration load, comprising orienting a refrigeration load reduction system within a fluid circulation path of a refrigeration unit adapted to cool a refrigeration chamber, said refrigeration load reduction system including:
 a. a primary container having gas permeable openings therein; and   b. a granular composition retained within the container, said granular composition comprising a granular mixture of a sodium carbonate mineral and a mono-, di- or tricarboxylic acid.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the refrigeration load reduction system is oriented within the refrigeration chamber adjacent the refrigeration unit. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the refrigeration load reduction system is oriented within an air intake of the refrigeration unit. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid circulation path is air and the refrigeration unit is a compressor driven heat exchanger. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the refrigeration load reduction system is oriented adjacent perishable food products within the refrigeration chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid circulation path is liquid and the refrigeration unit is a chiller tank. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the refrigeration load reduction system is oriented adjacent a circuit board of the refrigeration unit. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid circulation path is liquid blood work and the refrigeration unit is a blood cooler. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the sodium carbonate mineral is a member selected from the group consisting of trona, gaylussite, natron, prissonite, northupite, nahcolite, thermonatrite, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mono-, di- or tricarboxylic acids have the general formula:
   (HOOC)—R—(COOH) x-1  
   where x is an integer of 1, 2 or 3, and R is a saturated or unsaturated, straight, or branched carbon chain having one to eighteen carbon atoms, or an aromatic moiety having six to eighteen carbon atoms which may be substituted or unsubstituted by OH, COOH, COOM, COOR′, —OR′ substituents, where M can be an alkali or alkaline earth metal, and where R′ can be saturated or unsaturated, straight, or branched carbon chain having from one to eight carbons, an aromatic moiety having six to eighteen carbon atoms which may be substituted by alkyl groups having one to eight carbons, OH, COOH, COOM, COOR′, —OR′ substituents, and M can be an alkali or alkaline earth metal.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mono-, di- or tricarboxylic acid is a member selected from the group consisting of citric acid and salicylic acid.