Vapor refrigeration system and method for using same

Abstract

A refrigeration system may comprise a fluid tank for storing a supply of water. A water pump may be fluidly coupled to the fluid tank, configured to circulate water from the fluid tank. An eductor may be in fluid communication with the water pump, the eductor may be operative to create a vacuum by utilizing a flow of water from the water pump. A vacuum chamber may be fluidly connected to the eductor, wherein the vacuum chamber may be structured to facilitate the evaporation of water under vacuum conditions to absorb heat from a refrigerant. A heat exchanger may be in thermal communication with the vacuum chamber, the heat exchanger may be configured to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the evaporated water. A condenser may be fluidly connected to the vacuum chamber, configured to condense the evaporated water and to discharge the heat absorbed from the refrigerant.

The following is claimed 
     
         1 . A refrigeration system, comprising:
 a tank for storing a fluid supply;   a fluid pump fluidly coupled to the tank, configured to circulate water from the water tank;   an eductor in fluid communication with the fluid pump, the eductor being operative to create a vacuum by utilizing a flow of fluid from the fluid pump;   a vacuum chamber fluidly connected to the eductor, wherein the vacuum chamber is structured to facilitate evaporation of the fluid under vacuum conditions to absorb heat from a refrigerant;   a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the vacuum chamber, the heat exchanger being configured to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the evaporated fluid; and   a condenser fluidly connected to the tank, the condenser being configured to condense the evaporated fluid and to discharge the heat absorbed from the refrigerant.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid pump is characterized by a variable flow rate to control a volume of fluid supplied to the eductor based on operational demands of the system. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is one of the following:
 water,   ammonia,   carbon dioxide, or   a synthetic refrigerant.   
     
     
         4 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum chamber includes a float mechanism to maintain a predetermined level of the fluid within the chamber, ensuring consistent evaporation. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is specifically configured for use with a CO2 refrigerant in a subcritical state, facilitated by a cooling effect of the evaporated fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control unit programmed to monitor and adjust pressure within the vacuum chamber, flow rate of the fluid pump, and temperature of the condenser. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a vapor separation tank positioned between the eductor and the tank, the vapor separation tank being configured to separate entrained liquid from vapor. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to operate as a high stage in a cascade refrigeration system with a secondary refrigerant circuit. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a liquid ring vacuum pump or other style of pump or mechanism, as an alternative mechanism for maintaining vacuum within the vacuum chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is adapted to facilitate heat exchange between the evaporated water and a secondary refrigerant in a cascade refrigeration cycle. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the system maintains similar vacuum levels throughout. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a bypass valve system for selectively isolating components of the system during maintenance operations. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configurable to operate in multiple modes to accommodate varying environmental conditions and cooling load requirements. 
     
     
         14 . A refrigeration system, comprising:
 a water tank configured to store water;   a first water pump fluidly coupled to the water tank;   a first eductor fluidly connected to the first water pump, the first eductor configured to create a vacuum using water from the first water pump;   an evaporator fluidly connected to the first eductor, the evaporator configured to facilitate water evaporation under vacuum conditions;   a second water pump fluidly coupled to the water tank;   a second eductor fluidly connected to the second water pump; and   a condenser fluidly connected to the second eductor and to the water tank, the condenser configured to receive water vapor from the water tank and condense the water vapor.   
     
     
         15 . The refrigeration system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a pressure line fluidly connecting the first water pump to the evaporator;   a solenoid valve positioned in the pressure line; and   a needle valve positioned in the pressure line downstream of the solenoid valve.   
     
     
         16 . The refrigeration system of  claim 14 , further comprising a vapor line fluidly connecting a top portion of the water tank to the condenser. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigeration system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the second water pump is configured to provide motive water to the second eductor;   the second eductor is configured to receive condensed water from the condenser and mix the condensed water with the motive water; and   the second eductor is configured to return the mixed condensed water and motive water to the water tank.   
     
     
         18 . The refrigeration system of  claim 14 , wherein the evaporator is configured to cool incoming air by evaporating water under vacuum conditions. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigeration system of  claim 14 , wherein the condenser is configured to subcool water in the water tank by drawing vapor from a top portion of the water tank. 
     
     
         20 . The refrigeration system of  claim 14 , wherein the first eductor and the second eductor are configured to operate based on a venturi effect to create vacuum conditions.