Water Cooled Microchannel Condenser

Abstract

The present application provides a condenser for a cascade refrigeration system. The condenser may include an outer shell, a microchannel coil, an ammonia refrigerant flowing through the microchannel coil, and a water based coolant flowing through the outer shell for heat exchange with the ammonia refrigerant.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A condenser for a cascade refrigeration system, comprising:
 an outer shell;   a microchannel coil;   an ammonia refrigerant flowing through the microchannel coil; and   a water based coolant flowing through the outer shell for heat exchange with the ammonia refrigerant.   
     
     
         2 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell comprises a plate like shape. 
     
     
         3 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell comprises a cylinder like shape. 
     
     
         4 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell comprises an interior fluid space. 
     
     
         5 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell comprises a shell fluid inlet and a shell fluid outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell comprises a plurality of flow directors therein. 
     
     
         7 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the microchannel coil comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         8 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the microchannel coil comprises a microchannel fluid inlet and a microchannel fluid outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the microchannel coil floats within the outer shell. 
     
     
         10 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the water based coolant comprises glycol. 
     
     
         11 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the ammonia refrigerant exchanges heat with the water based coolant within the outer shell. 
     
     
         12 . The condenser of  claim 1 , wherein the ammonia refrigerant condenses within the outer shell. 
     
     
         13 . A cascade refrigeration system, comprising:
 a low side cycle; and   a high side cycle;   the high side cycle comprising a water cooled, microchannel heat exchanger.   
     
     
         14 . The cascade refrigeration system of  claim 13 , wherein the high side cycle comprises an ammonia refrigerant or a carbon dioxide refrigerant. 
     
     
         15 . The cascade refrigeration system of  claim 13 , wherein the water cooled, microchannel heat exchanger comprises an outer shell and a microchannel coil therein. 
     
     
         16 . The cascade refrigeration system of  claim 15 , wherein the outer shell comprises a plate like shape or a cylinder like shape. 
     
     
         17 . The cascade refrigeration system of  claim 15 , wherein the outer shell comprises a shell fluid inlet and a shell fluid outlet. 
     
     
         18 . The cascade refrigeration system of  claim 15 , wherein the microchannel coil comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         19 . The cascade refrigeration system of  claim 15 , wherein the microchannel coil comprises a microchannel fluid inlet and a microchannel fluid outlet. 
     
     
         20 . A cascade refrigeration system, comprising:
 a low side cycle;   the low side cycle comprising a carbon dioxide refrigerant; and   a high side cycle;   the high side cycle comprising an ammonia refrigerant and a water cooled condenser with a microchannel coil therein.