Refrigeration system and a method for operating such system

Abstract

This invention relates to a refrigeration system comprising one compressor ( 10 ) that via a closed circuit containing a circulating refrigerant is connected to a condenser ( 14, 14 a ) and two or more evaporators ( 21, 28 ). The circuit comprises a container ( 19, 19 a ) or the like communicating with the condenser ( 14, 14 a ) and has at least a first outlet communicating with at least one evaporator ( 21 ) via a first valve ( 22, 22 a ). The container ( 19, 19 a ) is arranged to receive and temporarily store a container ( 19, 19 a ) is arranged to receive and temporarily store a certain volume of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser. The container ( 19, 19 a ) is also provided with at least a second outlet ( 26, 26 a ) communicating with one or several of the additional evaporators ( 28 ) to circulate the remaining part of the refrigerant through the at least one of the last mentioned evaporators ( 28 ) when said volume has been stored in the container ( 19, 19 a ), said second outlet ( 26, 26 a ) being positioned above said first outlet.

1 . Refrigeration system comprising one compressor ( 10 ) that via a closed circuit containing a circulating refrigerant is connected to a condenser ( 14 ,  14   a ) and two or more evaporators ( 21 , 28 ) characterized in that the circuit comprises a container ( 19 ,  19   a ) or the like communicating with the condenser ( 14 , 14   a ) and having at least a first outlet communicating with at least one evaporator ( 21 ) via a first valve ( 22 , 22   a ) or the like, the container ( 19 , 19   a ) being arranged to receive and temporarily store a certain volume of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser, the container ( 19 , 19   a ) also being provided with at least a second outlet ( 26 , 26   a ) communicating with one or several of the additional evaporators ( 28 ) to circulate the remaining part of the refrigerant through the at least one of the last mentioned evaporators ( 28 ) when said volume has been stored in the container ( 19 , 19   a ), said second outlet ( 26 , 26   a ) being positioned above said first outlet.  
   
   
       2 . Refrigeration system according to  claim 1  characterized in that a second valve ( 29 , 29   a ) or the like is arranged at the second outlet ( 26 , 26   a ).  
   
   
       3 . Refrigeration system according to any of claims  1 - 2  characterized in that the circuit is provided with a T-piece ( 17 ) constituting a part of the container ( 19 , 19   a ).  
   
   
       4 . Refrigeration system according to  claim 1  characterized in that the container ( 19   a ) is an integrated part of the condenser ( 14   a ).  
   
   
       5 . Refrigeration system according to  claim 4  characterized in that the container ( 19   a ) is the lower part of the condenser ( 14   a ).  
   
   
       6 . Refrigeration system according to  claim 1  characterized in that the circuit comprises at least one suction pipe ( 11 ) arranged between the evaporators ( 21 ,  28 ) and the compressor ( 10 ) the suction pipe being arranged in heat exchange relationship with the container ( 19 ,  19   a ).  
   
   
       7 . Method for operating a refrigeration system which is provided with a closed circuit containing a refrigerant that in the vapor state is compressed to a high pressure gas, that the gas is allowed to gradually condense characterized in that a part of the condensate is temporarily collected as a non-circulating, hidden volume for later evaporation in a first evaporator and that at least a part of the remaining refrigerant is circulated through a second evaporator when the hidden volume has been filled.