Secondary loop refrigeration system

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for using certain hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) as low temperature heat transfer media in secondary loop refrigeration systems. These materials exhibit a low, somewhat linear Temperature Difference Factor over the temperature range of −15° C. to −65° C., making them ideal for use as low temperature heat transfer media. The HFEs of the present invention are nonflammable, nontoxic, environmentally benign, and have a high heat transfer capacity and low viscosity over the required operating temperatures. Furthermore, since these materials have high boiling points and low freezing points, they are not prone to phase changes over the required operating temperatures, and do not require pressurized systems.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A refrigeration system, comprising: 
       a display case for displaying refrigerated goods;  
       firstsecond heat transfer means for transferring heat from said display case to a firstsecond heat transfer medium; and  
       secondfirst heat transfer means for transferring heat from said firstsecond heat transfer medium to a secondfirst heat transfer medium; wherein said secondfirst heat transfer means cools said firstsecond heat transfer medium to less than about −15° C., and wherein said firstsecond heat transfer medium comprises an ether of the formula  
       
         
           R 1 —O—R 2    
         
       
       wherein R 1  and R 2  are alkyl groups, and wherein at least one of R 1  and R 2  is at least partially fluorinated. 
     
     
       2. The refrigeration system of claim  1 , wherein R 1  is a perfluorinated alkyl group. 
     
     
       3. The refrigeration system of claim  1 , wherein R 1  and R 2  are short chain alkyl groups, and wherein R 1  is perfluorinated. 
     
     
       4. The refrigeration system of claim  1 , wherein said ether is selected from the group consisting of C 3 F 7 OCH 3 , C 4 F 9 OCH 3 , and C 4 F 9 OC 2 H 5 . 
     
     
       5. The refrigeration system of claim  1 , wherein said second  first heat transfer medium comprises ammonia. 
     
     
       6. The refrigeration system of claim  1 , further comprising: 
       accelerating means for accelerating the rate at which heat is transferred from said heat source to said first  second heat transfer medium.  
     
     
       7. The refrigeration system of claim  6 , wherein said accelerating means induces a turbulent flow in the atmosphere between said heat source and said first  second heat transfer means. 
     
     
       8. The refrigeration system of claim  7 , wherein said accelerating means comprises a high velocity fan. 
     
     
       9. The refrigeration system of claim  1 , wherein said first heat transfer medium and said second heat transfer medium are disposed in separate refrigeration loops. 
     
     
       10. The refrigeration system of claim  1 , wherein said first  second heat transfer means comprises a refrigeration coil disposed in said display case. 
     
     
       11. A refrigeration system, comprising: 
       a display case for displaying refrigerated goods;  
       a first refrigeration loop with a first refrigerant disposed therein;  
       a second refrigeration loop with a first refrigerant disposed therein;  
       a refrigeration coil, in open communication with said second refrigeration loop, for transferring heat from said display case to said second refrigerant; and  
       a heat exchanger for transferring heat from said second refrigerant to said first refrigerant;  
       wherein said first  second refrigerant comprises a fluorinated ether.  
     
     
       12. The refrigeration system of claim  11 , wherein said refrigeration coil is disposed in said display case. 
     
     
       13. The refrigeration system of claim  11 , further comprising: 
       a compressor for transferring heat from said first refrigerant to the ambient atmosphere.  
     
     
       14. In combination with the refrigeration system of claim  11 , a building defining an interior space and an exterior space, wherein said display case is disposed in said interior space and said compressor is disposed in said exterior space. 
     
     
       15. The combination of claim  14 , wherein said first refrigeration loop is disposed primarily in said exterior space and said second refrigeration loop is disposed primarily in said interior space. 
     
     
       16. The refrigeration system of claim  11 , wherein said first  second refrigerant is cooled to less than about −15° C. 
     
     
       17. The refrigeration system of claim  11 , wherein said first  second refrigerant is cooled to less than about −25° C. 
     
     
       18. The refrigeration system of claim  11 , wherein said ether is selected from the group consisting of C 3 F 7 OCH 3 , C 4 F 9 OCH 3 , and C 4 F 9 OC 2 H 5 . 
     
     
       19. The refrigeration system of claim  11 , wherein said first refrigerant comprises ammonia. 
     
     
       20. The combination of claim  11 , wherein said first refrigerant comprises ammonia, wherein said fluorinated ether is selected from the group consisting of C 3 F 7 OCH 3 , C 4 F 9 OCH 3 , and C 4 F 9 OC 2 H 5 , and wherein said second refrigerant is cooled to less than about −15° C. 
     
     
       21. The combination of claim  20 , wherein said second refrigerant is cooled to less than about −25° C.