Condensate Heat Transfer for Transcritical Carbon Dioxide Refrigeration System

Abstract

A bottle cooler system includes means for using atmospheric water condensate from the evaporator to draw heat from the condenser.

1 . A cooler system comprising:
 a compressor ( 22 ) for driving a refrigerant along a flow path in at least a first mode of system operation;   a first heat exchanger ( 102 ) along the flow path downstream of the compressor in the first mode so as to act as a condenser;   a second heat exchanger ( 28 ) along the flow path upstream of the compressor in the first mode so as to act as an evaporator to cool contents of an interior volume of the system; and   means for using atmospheric water condensate from the second heat exchanger to draw heat from a downstream portion of the first heat exchanger.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the means comprises:
 immersion of said downstream portion ( 106 ) of the first heat exchanger ( 102 ) in a drain pan ( 122 ) of the second heat exchanger ( 28 ).   
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the means comprises at least one of:
 a wick conveying the water condensate to said downstream portion;   a wick conveying the water condensate to an airflow flowing over said downstream portion;   at least a first subportion of the downstream portion of the first heat exchanger extending upward to receive a flow of the water condendsate and guide said flow to a drain pan; and   at least a first subportion of the downstream portion of the first heat exchanger extending upward to receive a flow of the water condensate and guide said flow to a drain pan with a second subportion in the pan.   
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the means comprises:
 a sprayer for spraying the water condensate onto the first heat exchanger.   
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the means comprises:
 a counterflow heat exchange between refrigerant and a flow of the water condensate.   
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  being a self-contained externally electrically powered beverage cooler positioned outdoors. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the refrigerant comprises, in major mass part, CO 2 ; and   the first and second heat exchangers are refrigerant-air heat exchangers.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the refrigerant consists essentially of CO 2 ; and   the first and second heat exchangers are refrigerant-air heat exchangers each having an associated fan, an air flow across the first heat exchanger being an external to external flow and an airflow across the second heat exchanger being a recirculating internal flow.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  in combination with said contents which include:
 a plurality of beverage containers in a 0.3-4.0 liter size range.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  being selected from the group consisting of:
 a cash-operated vending machine;   a transparent door front, closed back, display case; and   a top access cooler chest.   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  being a transcritical system.