Low charge packaged refrigeration systems

Abstract

A packaged, pumped liquid, recirculating refrigeration system with charges of 10 lbs or less of refrigerant per ton of refrigeration capacity. The compressor and related components are situated in a pre-packaged modular machine room, and in which the condenser is mounted on the machine room and the evaporator is close coupled to the pre-packaged modular machine room. Prior art large receiver vessels may be replaced with a single or dual phase cyclonic separator also housed in the pre-packaged modular machine room.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method for reducing the amount of refrigerant per ton of refrigeration capacity in a refrigeration system having an evaporator, liquid/vapor separator, a compressor, a condenser, and a collection vessel, said method comprising packaging said compressor, said liquid vapor separator and said collection vessel in a pre-fabricated modular machine room, shipping said pre-fabricated modular machine room containing said compressor, said liquid vapor separator and said collection vessel to an installation site, mounting said condenser on a roof of said pre-fabricated modular machine room, and connecting said evaporator to said pre-fabricated modular machine room via refrigerant line. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein said evaporator is mounted in a pre-fabricated modular evaporator room. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein said pre-fabricated modular evaporator room is installed adjacent to said pre-fabricated modular machine room. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein said evaporator is mounted in a refrigerated space directly beneath said pre-fabricated modular machine room. 
     
     
         27 . A method for reducing the amount of refrigerant per ton of refrigeration capacity in a refrigeration system having an evaporator, liquid/vapor separator, a compressor, a condenser, and a collection vessel, said method comprising shipping a pre-fabricated modular machine room containing said compressor, said liquid vapor separator and said collection vessel to an installation location, installing a pre-fabricated modular machine room including said compressor at said installation location, said liquid vapor separator and said collection vessel, and connecting said evaporator to said pre-fabricated modular machine room using refrigerant line. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27 , comprising installing a pre-fabricated modular evaporator room adjacent to said pre-fabricated modular machine room. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 27 , comprising installing said evaporator in a refrigerated space directly beneath said pre-fabricated modular machine room. 
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein said condenser is located inside said pre-fabricated modular machine room. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein said condenser is an air-cooled condenser comprising coils and fans, and wherein said method comprises mounting said condenser on top of said pre-fabricated modular machine room.