Method of operating an assembly of heat exchangers for subcritical and transcritical conditions, and an assembly of heat exchangers

Abstract

The present invention refers to a method of operating an assembly ( 1 ) of heat exchangers ( 2 ) for subcritical and transcritical conditions, by initially arranging at least two heat exchangers ( 2 ) in parallel for the subcritical condition.

1 . A method of operating an assembly of heat exchangers for subcritical and transcritical conditions, by initially arranging at least two heat exchangers in parallel for the subcritical condition, comprising: arranging at least one heat exchanger at a transcritical condition in series with the other heat exchangers, and arranging an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends of the assembly, and switching the heat exchangers between being arranged in parallel to being arranged in series by closing a first conduit connecting said inlet to a first duct of each heat exchanger, after the first heat exchanger and between every second heat exchanger, and a second conduit connecting said outlet to a second duct of each heat exchanger, between the other heat exchangers. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: providing said heat exchangers with a dual-circuit for heat transfer between two essentially liquid media, such as a refrigerant and a brine, and switching each circuit between being arranged in parallel to being arranged in series. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , further comprising: arranging all heat exchangers in series at a transcritical condition. 
     
     
         4 . An assembly of heat exchangers having an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends of the assembly, a first conduit connected to said inlet and to a first duct of each heat exchanger and a second conduit connected to said outlet and a second duct of each heat exchanger, wherein a valve is located in the first conduit after the first heat exchanger and between every second heat exchanger and in the second conduit between the other heat exchangers, and wherein the heat exchangers are arranged in parallel having all valves in an open position and in series having all valves in a closed position.