High temperature refrigeration cycle method and apparatus

Abstract

A refrigeration apparatus for removing heat from a high temperature region. The refrigeration apparatus wherein the high temperature region is a stream of fluid having a temperature above 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat from the high temperature region is used to evaporate the refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle.

1 . A heat exchange apparatus comprising: 
 a fluid stream in the range of 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 200 degrees Fahrenheit;    a refrigeration apparatus that includes an evaporator positioned in the fluid stream, the evaporator removing heat from the fluid stream.    
   
   
       2 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the refrigeration apparatus further comprises a compressor for compressing the refrigerant.  
   
   
       3 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the refrigeration apparatus further comprises a plurality of compressors for compressing the refrigerant.  
   
   
       4 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the refrigerant is water.  
   
   
       5 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the refrigerant is an azetrope.  
   
   
       6 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the refrigerant is an azetrope of ethanol and water.  
   
   
       7 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the refrigerant is an azetrope that is a mixture of two fluids, wherein the ratios of the two fluids in the refrigerant is selected to evaporate in a given fluid stream.  
   
   
       8 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the condensor includes a heat exchanger, the heat removed at the condensor being used to heat another fluid.  
   
   
       9 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the refrigeration apparatus is used to generate steam.  
   
   
       10 . A plant for the production of ethanol comprising: 
 a fluid stream having a temperature in the range from 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 400 degrees Fahrenheit; and    a heat exchanger in the fluid stream, the heat exchanger including a closed loop system for removing heat from the fluid stream.    
   
   
       11 . The plant of  claim 10  wherein the closed loop system includes a refrigerant.  
   
   
       12 . The plant of  claim 10  wherein the plant includes a dryer for driving water from a mash, the fluid stream including water and heat from the dryer.  
   
   
       13 . The plant of  claim 10  wherein the heat exchanger includes a first refrigeration loop and a second refrigeration loop.  
   
   
       14 . The plant of  claim 13  wherein the first refrigeration loop is cascaded with the second refrigeration loop.  
   
   
       15 . The plant of  claim 13  further comprising a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger acting as the condensor for one of the first refrigeration loop or the second refrigeration loop and acting as the evaporator for the other of the first refrigeration loop or the second refrigeration loop.  
   
   
       16 . The plant of  claim 10  wherein the refrigeration loop is associated with a distillation portion of the ethanol plant.  
   
   
       17 . The plant of  claim 10  wherein the refrigeration loop is associated with a distillation portion of the ethanol plant.  
   
   
       18 . The plant of  claim 17  wherein a latent vapor phase is extracted and the temperature is raised to provide heat for another processes with system COP's of from 3-12:1 ratios.  
   
   
       19 . The plant of  claim 10  wherein the compressor has increased energy efficiency in the form of lower compressor energy as the temperature-pressure rises in the refrigerant stream.