Refrigeration circuit with heat recovery module

Abstract

A refrigeration circuit ( 1 ) configured for circulating a refrigerant an comprises in the direction of flow of the refrigerant: at least one compressor ( 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d ); at least one heat recovery heat exchanger ( 4 ); at least one gas cooler/condenser ( 10 ); at least one evaporator associated expansion device ( 18 ); at least one receiver ( 14 ); and at least one evaporator ( 20 ). The refrigeration circuit ( 1 ) further comprises a gas/liquid separator ( 8 ) having a refrigerant inlet line ( 7 ) fluidly connected to an outlet-side of the at least one heat recovery heat exchanger ( 4 ); an gaseous phase outlet line ( 9 ) fluidly connected to an inlet side of the at least one gas cooler/condenser ( 10 ); and an liquid phase outlet line ( 13 ) fluidly connected to the receiver ( 14 ).

1 . A refrigeration circuit configured for circulating a refrigerant and comprising in the direction of flow of the refrigerant:
 at least one compressor;   at least one heat recovery heat exchanger;   a gas/liquid separator;   at least one gas cooler/condenser;   a receiver; and   at least one evaporator with at least one evaporator associated expansion device fluidly connected upstream thereof;   wherein the gas/liquid separator comprises
 a refrigerant inlet line fluidly connected to an outlet-side of the at least one heat recovery heat exchanger; 
 a gaseous phase outlet line fluidly connected to an inlet side of the at least one gas cooler/condenser; and 
 a liquid phase outlet line fluidly connected to the receiver; and 
   at least one switchable valve configured for selectively opening and closing the liquid phase outlet line of the gas/liquid separator.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The refrigeration circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising a liquid level sensor, which is configured for detecting the amount of liquid refrigerant present in the gas/liquid separator, and a control unit, which is configured for operating the at least one switchable valve based on the amount of liquid refrigerant detected by the liquid level sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigeration circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the switchable valve is switchable between a closed state and at least two different open states. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigeration circuit of  claim 1 , comprising at least two switchable valves, which are connected in parallel. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigeration circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one gas cooler/condenser is arranged at a level above the level of the heat recovery heat exchanger. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigeration circuit of  claim 1  comprising at least one high-pressure expansion device fluidly connected between the gas cooler/condenser and the receiver. 
     
     
         8 . A refrigeration circuit configured for circulating a refrigerant and comprising in the direction of flow of the refrigerant:
 at least one compressor;   at least one heat recovery heat exchanger;   a gas/liquid separator;   at least one gas cooler/condenser;   a receiver having a flash gas tapping line fluidly connecting an upper portion of the receiver to an inlet side of the at least one compressor; and   at least one evaporator with at least one evaporator associated expansion device fluidly connected upstream thereof;   wherein the gas/liquid separator comprises
 a refrigerant inlet line fluidly connected to an outlet-side of the at least one heat recovery heat exchanger; 
 a gaseous phase outlet line fluidly connected to an inlet side of the at least one gas cooler/condenser; and 
 a liquid phase outlet line fluidly connected to the receiver. 
   
     
     
         9 . The refrigeration circuit of  claim 8 , in which a flash gas expansion device is arranged within the flash gas tapping line. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigeration circuit of  claim 9 , in which the flash gas tapping line comprises a flash gas heat-exchanger which is arranged downstream of the flash gas expansion device and configured for heat-exchange of the flash gas with refrigerant flowing from the receiver to the evaporator. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a refrigeration circuit comprising:
 compressing a refrigerant;   providing heat recovery heat-exchange between the compressed refrigerant and an external heat recovery fluid;   separating the compressed refrigerant into a gaseous component and a liquid component, wherein
 the gaseous component is cooled and/or condensed and delivered into a receiver; and 
 the liquid component is delivered directly into the receiver through at least one switchable valve configured for selectively opening and closing; and 
   expanding and evaporating liquefied refrigerant taken from the receiver.   
     
     
         12 . The method of operating a refrigeration circuit of  claim 11 , wherein separating the compressed refrigerant into a gaseous component and a liquid component is performed within a gas/liquid separator, the liquid component is collected within the gas/liquid separator and the method further comprises determining the amount of liquid refrigerant collected within the gas/liquid separator. 
     
     
         13 . The method of operating a refrigeration circuit of  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises transferring liquid refrigerant from the gas/liquid separator to the receiver when the level of liquid refrigerant collected with the gas/liquid separator exceeds a predetermined level. 
     
     
         14 . The method of operating a refrigeration circuit of claim  11  further comprising:
 tapping gaseous refrigerant from the receiver; 
 expanding the tapped gaseous refrigerant; and/or 
 providing heat-exchange between the expanded tapped gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant delivered from the receiver. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of operating a refrigeration circuit of  claim 11 , wherein the cooled and/or condensed refrigerant is partially expanded before being delivered into the receiver. 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a refrigeration circuit comprising:
 compressing a refrigerant via at least one compressor;   providing heat recovery heat-exchange between the compressed refrigerant and an external heat recovery fluid;   separating the compressed refrigerant into a gaseous component and a liquid component, wherein
 the gaseous component is cooled and/or condensed and delivered into a receiver; and 
 the liquid component is delivered directly into the; and 
   expanding and evaporating liquefied refrigerant taken from the receiver; and   connecting an upper portion of the receiver to an inlet side of the at least one compressor.