| abstract |
This invention relates to a highly efficient refrigeration system and process, employing two absorption refrigeration cycles in series operation, the first cycle comprising an ammonia-aqueous ammonia system and the second cycle comprising a novel absorption system and process, driven by low-grade heat and operated at pressures substantially below atmospheric, which provides cooling at temperatures as low as about -12 DEG C. to about +15 DEG C. Solutions of normally liquid, mutually soluble compounds, having substantially different boiling points, are employed as refrigerant and absorbent. Typically, the absorbent comprises a distillation bottoms fraction containing from about 65 to about 95 mole % of the higher-boiling compound and the refrigerant comprises a distillation overhead fraction containing from about 93 to about 99 mol. % of the lower-boiling compound. Heat pumped up in the first ammonia cycle is absorbed in the second cycle by refrigerant at the coolant temperature achieved therein. |