Heat exchange system

Abstract

A modular heat exchange system having a refrigerant system for cycling a refrigerant through a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, a heat source circulation system which circulates a heat exchange fluid, and a heat sink circulation system which circulates a heat absorption fluid, wherein the refrigerant cycles through the evaporator in a direction parallel relative to a direction of circulation of the heat exchange fluid flowing concurrently through the evaporator, and wherein the refrigerant flows through the condenser in a direction opposite relative to the circulation direction of the heat absorption fluid flowing concurrently through the condenser. In another aspect, the heat source circulation system includes a heat source and a fluid flow conduit connecting the heat source to the evaporator. In another aspect, the heat sink circulation system includes a heat sink and a hot fluid flow conduit connecting the heat sink to the condenser.

1 . A modular heat exchange system comprising:
 a refrigerant system which cycles a refrigerant through a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator;   a heat source circulation system which circulates a heat exchange fluid; and   a heat sink circulation system which circulates a heat absorption fluid,   wherein the refrigerant cycles through the evaporator in a direction that is parallel relative to a direction of circulation of the heat exchange fluid flowing concurrently through the evaporator, and   wherein the refrigerant flows through the condenser in an a direction opposite relative to a circulation direction of the heat absorption fluid flowing concurrently through the condenser.   
     
     
         2 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant is R- 410 A. 
     
     
         3 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange fluid is water. 
     
     
         4 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat absorption fluid is water. 
     
     
         5 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 1 , further comprising a high pressure conduit connecting the compressor to the expansion valve, wherein the condenser comprises a coiled tubular section, and the high pressure conduit passes through an interior of the coiled tubular section of the condenser. 
     
     
         6 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 1 , further comprising a low pressure conduit connecting the expansion valve to the compressor, wherein the evaporator comprises a coiled tubular section, and the low pressure conduit passes through an interior of the coiled tubular section of the evaporator. 
     
     
         7 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat source circulation system further comprises a heat source and a fluid flow conduit connecting the heat source to the evaporator. 
     
     
         8 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 7 , wherein the heat source is a body of water. 
     
     
         9 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 8 , wherein the body of water is contained in a heat source storage tank. 
     
     
         10 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first circulation pump which circulates the heat exchange fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat sink circulation system further comprises a heat sink and a hot fluid flow conduit connecting the heat sink to the condenser. 
     
     
         12 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 11 , wherein the heat sink is a body of water. 
     
     
         13 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 12 , wherein the body of water is contained in a heat sink storage tank. 
     
     
         14 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second circulation pump which circulates the heat absorption fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage tank connected to the heat sink by a closed-loop circulation system, wherein a fluid in the storage tank receives thermal energy from the heat sink through a heat exchange process. 
     
     
         16 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 15 , wherein the fluid in the storage tank is water. 
     
     
         17 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 1 , wherein a refrigerant charge in the refrigerant system is reduced to increase a discharge temperature of the refrigerant leaving the compressor. 
     
     
         18 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic control unit controlling operation of the compressor. 
     
     
         19 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure control device and a pressure transducer, wherein the pressure transducer senses a pressure at a specific point of the refrigerant flow and the pressure control device controls the compressor based on the pressure sensed. 
     
     
         20 . The modular heat exchange system of  claim 1 , further comprising a generator, wherein the generator supplies power to the compressor and at least one circulation pump to operate the heat exchange system.