Vapor compression refrigerant system with secondary modulating heat transfer

Abstract

A vapor compression refrigeration system having an air dehumidifying system and a heat transfer system. The dehumidifying system has a refrigerant circuit and an air circulating system transporting air from an enclosed space at least partly through the refrigerant circuit and back to the enclosed space. The refrigerant circuit carries a phase change refrigerant which picks up heat from the air passing through the air circulating system. The heat transfer system carries a fluid that will not freeze below the ambient temperature. A heat exchanger connects the refrigerant circuit to the heat transfer system to pass heat from the phase change refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit to the fluid in the heat transfer system. At least one heat removal unit in the heat transfer system to remove heat from the fluid.

1 . A vapor compression refrigeration system having an air dehumidifying system and a heat transfer system; the dehumidifying system has a refrigerant circuit and an air circulating system transporting air from an enclosed space at least partly through the refrigerant circuit and back to the enclosed space; the refrigerant circuit carrying a phase change refrigerant which picks up heat from the air passing through the air circulating system; the heat transfer system carrying a fluid that will not freeze below the ambient temperature; a heat exchanger connecting the refrigerant circuit to the heat transfer system to pass heat from the phase change refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit to the fluid in the heat transfer system; at least one heat removal unit in the heat transfer system to remove heat from the fluid. 
     
     
         2 . A vapor compression refrigeration system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the heat removal unit is a preheat coil, the preheat coil located in the air circulating system for preheating air added to the circulating air; and a valve in the heat transfer system for controlling circulation of the fluid to the preheat coil. 
     
     
         3 . A vapor compression refrigeration system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the heat removal unit comprises a reheat coil; the reheat coil located in the air circulation system for reheating air that has passed through the refrigerant circuit. 
     
     
         4 . A vapor compression refrigeration system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the heat removal unit comprises a fluid cooler adjacent the air circulating system for transferring heat from the fluid to outside air passing through the fluid cooler. 
     
     
         5 . A vapor compression refrigeration system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the enclosed space is an indoor swimming pool and the heat removal unit comprises a pool water heater. 
     
     
         6 . A vapor compression refrigeration system as claimed in  claim 4  including a second heat removal unit in the heat transfer system and a three way modulating mixing valve selectively controlling fluid flow between the fluid cooler and the second heat removal unit. 
     
     
         7 . A vapor compression refrigeration system as claimed in  claim 5  including a second heat removal unit in the heat transfer system and a three way modulating mixing valve selectively controlling fluid flow between the pool water heater and second heat removal unit. 
     
     
         8 . A vapor compression refrigeration system as claimed in  claim 6  including a third heat removal unit in the heat transfer system and a second three way modulating mixing valve selectively controlling, along with the first three way modulating mixing valve, fluid flow between the fluid cooler and the second and third heat removal units. 
     
     
         9 . A vapor compression refrigeration system as claimed in  claim 7  including a third heat removal unit in the heat transfer unit and a second three way modulating mixing valve selectively controlling, along with the first three way modulating mixing valve, fluid flow between the pool water heater and the second and third heat removal units.