Energy recovery system for absorption heat pumps

Abstract

An improvement in an absorption refrigeration and/or heating system including apparatus (157) to convert the pressure energy and/or phase change energy in the solution and/or refrigerant of the absorption system into mechanical energy, with additional apparatus to replace or supplement the externally supplied mechanical energy motive device (152) in the system with the converted mechanical energy. The system includes a first positive displacement pump (98) for conveying the absorbent solution from the absorber to the generator with first positive displacement apparatus (98) driven by a motive device (152) that is activated by the externally supplied energy. A second pump (158) is provided that is driven by the system pressure energy. Each of the pumping apparatus is being independently driven and connected to the other only by fluid connection.

We claim: 
     
       1. In an absorption refrigeration and/or heating system having components connected in series, including at least one generator, a condenser, an evaporator, and an absorber, wherein refrigerant is absorbed and desorbed or expelled in an absorbent solution, and the application of heat and externally supplied mechanical energy is combined and converted to pressure energy that is applied to, or removed, from a solution of refrigerant and absorbent, and having means to recover a portion of the pressure energy for addition to the mechanical energy, the improvement comprising: (a) means to convert the pressure energy and/or phase change energy in the solution and/or refrigerant to mechanical energy,   (b) means to replace or supplement the externally supplied mechanical energy in the system with the converted mechanical energy,   (c) said system including first positive displacement pump means for conveying the absorbent solution from the absorber to the at least one generator means, with said first pump means driven by a motive means that is activated by the externally supplied mechanical energy, and   (d) a second pump means driven and controlled by the system pressure energy, as determined by the first positive displacement pump means with each pumping means independently driven, and connected to the other, only by fluid connection means.   
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first pump means is an electric motor driven rotary pump. 
     
     
       3. The system and improvement of claim 1 wherein each pump means includes an inlet and an outlet; and the outlet of the first pump means is in fluid connection with the inlet of the second pump means.   
     
     
       4. The system of claim 3 wherein the second pump means is a reciprocating pump.