Suction refrigeration system and method with gas trap for removing foreign gas

Abstract

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a sorption refrigeration system comprising at least an evaporator, a condenser, a sorption unit comprising a sorbent, and a gas trap comprising a collection container. The invention is characterized in that the gas trap is positioned fluidly between the first container and the second container, in which a liquid that sorbs the refrigeration process can flow between the first container and the gas trap and between the gas trap and the second container. In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for removing foreign gases from a refrigeration circuit using a sorption refrigeration system according to the invention.

Description

[0001] illustrate

[0002] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a sorption refrigeration system comprising at least one evaporator, a condenser, a sorption unit comprising a sorbent, and a gas trap comprising a collection vessel. The present invention is characterized in that the gas trap is fluidly positioned between a first vessel and a second vessel, wherein liquid from the sorption refrigeration process can flow between the first vessel and the gas trap, and between the gas trap and the second vessel.

[0003] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for removing foreign gases from a refrigeration circuit using the gas trap according to the invention.

[0004] Background and prior art

[0005] Refrigeration systems (also called chillers) are well known in the art and have become an integral part of everyday life, as well as in important branches of industry. In particular, there are a variety of designs and operating modes of chillers that meet individual requirements and are used for different cooling purposes.

[0006] A particular type of refrigerator is the so-called sorption refrigerator (also sorption refrigeration system). This latter type of refrigerator can be further subdivided into absorption refrigerators and adsorption refrigerators. Furthermore, thermally driven absorption and adsorption refrigeration systems are known in the prior art, which operate in a vacuum, since they operate, for example, with water or alcohol as a refrigerant. So-called gas traps are known in the prior art for achieving this vacuum, and in particular for maintaining it. Gas traps serve to maintain the vacuum by keeping permeating gases, so-called inert gases or foreign gases or non-condensable gases (synonymous terms), away from the internal process and / or enclosing them in a separate volume.

[0007] Known gas traps for absorption refrigeration systems and adsorption refrigeration systems sometimes differ significantly in the way they work. As known to those skilled in the art, an absorption refrigeration system refers to a refrigeration system that generally works with a liquid and its vapor, i.e., a refrigeration system that works with an absorbent, usually a liquid, that absorbs the vapor refrigerant in its volume. Absorption refrigeration systems that work with solid crystals of salt are also known. As understood by those skilled in the art, an adsorption refrigeration system refers to a refrigeration system that works with a solid working medium (also called adsorbent) that accumulates the refrigerant vapor on its surface, i.e., on the solid adsorbent.

[0008] Absorption refrigeration systems typically consist of two vessels operating at two different pressures: a high-pressure vessel, where the desorber and condenser are located, and a low-pressure vessel, where the absorber and evaporator are located. When providing refrigeration, the refrigerant evaporates in the vacuum on the evaporator surface, and the vapor flows to the absorber, where it is absorbed. If the system contains non-condensable gases, these gases are carried along with the flow to the absorber and accumulate on the liquid surface, disrupting mass transfer. This can have the disadvantage of reducing the performance of the refrigeration system. The same situation can occur in the high-pressure vessel. If non-condensable gases are present, they flow from the desorber to the condenser along with the desorbed refrigerant vapor. Since these gases do not condense, they remain on the condenser surface and disrupt the condensation process.

[0009] Since even small amounts of non-condensable gases can severely disrupt the process, they must be kept out of or removed from the system. Consequently, the proportion of gases in the vapor space is typically very small, making their removal difficult. Continuously extracting vapors and gases from the system and removing them to the environment would result in significant refrigerant losses and high costs due to the operation of the vacuum pump.

[0010] One method for removing non-condensable gases from the absorption refrigeration process of an absorption refrigeration system without directly transferring them to the environment is known in the prior art from US 2009 / 0217680 A1. An absorbent-refrigerant solution is pumped from the absorber to the desorber using a pump. The liquid mixture flows into a T-piece and is split there. The split creates a vacuum at the second inlet of the T-piece, which draws non-condensable gases from the container. The liquid and gas flow into a separator, where the gas is again separated from the liquid and collected in a collection container. The liquid is then returned to the refrigeration process.

[0011] In adsorption refrigeration systems, there is no liquid adsorbent-refrigerant solution, which is why non-condensable gases must be discharged in a different way. The patent specifications in EP 2357433A1 and WO 2014 / 041083A1 also use a collection container separated from the refrigeration process. In both inventions, the gas trap is located above the condenser sump or at the same level as the condenser sump, and the gas flows into the collection container through a valve together with the refrigerant vapor, wherein the liquid is kept separately in the condenser. The vapor condenses in the collection container, while the gas remains in a gaseous form. In both inventions, the condensate is returned to the condenser sump via the same pipeline (EP 2357433A1) or via a separate pipeline (WO 2014 / 041083A1). A float valve (EP 2357433 A1) or a controllable valve (WO 2014 / 041083 A1) for closing the inlet is proposed.

[0012] US2013 / 0239595A1 discloses an adsorption refrigerator comprising at least one adsorber / desorber unit, an evaporator / condenser unit, and a vacuum vessel. The vacuum vessel is connected to the condenser unit of the adsorption refrigerator via a vapor-permeable connection. The vacuum vessel comprises a discharge device and at least one cooling element, wherein at least one component for shutting off or regulating the flow is present in the connection. In particular, the connection is disposed between the evaporator unit and the vacuum vessel. The illustration in US2013 / 0239595A1 shows the connection extending into the liquid storage tank of the vacuum vessel (inert gas trap).

[0013] DE 102008002319 A1 describes an absorption air conditioning liquid tank for storing refrigerant or absorbent. The tank has an inlet for supplying the refrigerant or absorbent, which exhibits a higher temperature than the refrigerant or absorbent stored in the liquid tank. The inlet has a liquid guide section along which the supplied refrigerant or absorbent is guided before reaching the tank contents, spatially separated from the tank contents and thermally coupled thereto. The described tank operates in conjunction with a throttle valve.

[0014] DE 102014205086 B3 relates to a passive two-phase cooling circuit having an evaporator and a condenser for cooling the coolant conveyed in the circuit. An evaporator supply line and an evaporator discharge line are connected to the evaporator, and similarly, a condenser supply line and a condenser discharge line are connected to the condenser. The evaporator supply line, evaporator discharge line, condenser supply line, and condenser discharge line are connected to a common evaporation vessel. During operation of the cooling circuit, the condenser discharge line forms a column of liquid coolant, which serves as a liquid seal and a hydrodynamic vibration damper. In the described cooling circuit, a siphon tube serves as a gas seal to prevent the passage of gas.

[0015] With the known solutions of the prior art, only very small amounts of non-condensable gases are removed from the refrigeration circuit, since the gas content in the steam is very small and the gases are removed only with the steam flow, which also has a very large specific volume. Since a large amount of non-condensable gases is present when the refrigeration system is commissioned, removing these gases with the gas traps disclosed therein would take a very long time, which is why direct extraction using a vacuum pump is often used, with the corresponding loss of refrigerant.

[0016] During system operation, when the vapor flow presses non-condensable gases onto solid or liquid surfaces, such as in the condenser sump of an adsorption refrigeration system, a gas cushion is typically generated. These gas cushions cannot be removed using gas traps known in the prior art. For example, the system must be stopped so that the gas that has accumulated in the gas cushion is evenly distributed in the container and can then be discharged again using the above-mentioned equipment and process.

[0017] It is also known from the prior art that the gas trap in an adsorption refrigeration system must always be at least partially above the liquid level of the condenser. However, this has the disadvantage that the positioning of the gas trap in the system is not flexible.

[0018] Therefore, there is a need in the prior art to provide a gas trap for an adsorption refrigeration system, which can more effectively remove foreign gas and increase the flexibility of use, especially in an adsorption refrigeration system.

[0019] Purpose of the present invention

[0020] The object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide and integrate a gas trap for a sorption refrigeration system that is particularly effective in removing foreign gas and allows for more flexible positioning of the gas trap in the sorption refrigeration system. Furthermore, a more optimized process is to be provided for removing foreign gas from the refrigeration circuit in the case of a sorption refrigeration system. Summary of the Invention

[0021] This object is achieved by the independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0022] In a first aspect, the present invention preferably relates to a sorption refrigeration system comprising at least an evaporator, a condenser, a sorption unit comprising a sorbent and a gas trap comprising a collecting container, wherein a refrigerant can flow within a refrigeration circuit between the condenser and the evaporator and can be used in the evaporator to extract heat from the environment, and a gas trap is present for removing at least one foreign gas, the sorption refrigeration system being characterized in that the gas trap is fluidly positioned between a first container and a second container, wherein a liquid working medium can flow between the first container and the second container, and a connection device between the first container and the gas trap opens into a liquid storage tank.

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention preferably relates to a sorption refrigeration system comprising at least an evaporator, a condenser, a sorption unit comprising a sorbent and a gas trap, the gas trap comprising a collecting container, a liquid storage tank present in the gas trap (7) and an inlet and an outlet on the gas trap, wherein the gas trap is present for removing at least one foreign gas, the sorption refrigeration system being characterized in that the gas trap is fluidly positioned between a first container and a second container, wherein liquid can flow from the first container into the second container, wherein the sorption refrigeration system is configured such that liquid flows from the first container into the gas trap via a connecting device and an inlet, and then the liquid flows from the gas trap into the second container via an outlet and a further connecting device, and the outlet emerges from the liquid storage tank of the gas trap.

[0024] The liquid preferably refers to the liquid working medium in a sorption refrigeration system. The liquid or liquid working medium can preferably be a refrigerant and / or a solvent. In particular, if the gas collector is fluidly mounted between the absorber and the desorber of the sorption refrigeration system, the liquid is a solvent or a sorbent.

[0025] The fact that the outlet originates from the liquid sump of the gas trap preferably means that the outlet of the gas trap is arranged such that it is present up to a height level of the liquid sump within the gas trap.

[0026] The preferred gas capture and sorption refrigeration system has proven to be particularly advantageous in a number of respects, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0027] A particularly great advantage here is the surprisingly effective removal of foreign gases that is possible, in particular due to the positioning of the gas trap between the first and second containers. Preferred components that can constitute the sorption refrigeration system of the first and second containers will be discussed in more detail below.

[0028] The non-condensable gases located in the first container or located as a gas cushion on or in the liquid storage tank of the first container are flushed into the gas trap together with the liquid (liquid refrigerant or liquid sorbent, if applicable). Surprisingly, this has proven to be particularly effective despite the very small specific volume of the liquid compared to the very large specific volume of the foreign gas and vapor. This means that even non-condensable gases that are difficult to remove as a gas cushion can be advantageously transferred to the gas trap. Since the inlet of the gas trap is preferably at the point where the non-condensable gases are pushed by the vapor flow, there is a slightly higher pressure and a higher proportion of non-condensable gases at this point, which means that the non-condensable gases can be removed from the refrigeration circuit more quickly. Surprisingly, it turns out that with the gas trap according to the invention, in particular with the method according to the invention for removing foreign gases from a sorption refrigeration process, it is also possible to remove gas cushions, which usually accumulate on solid surfaces in sorption refrigeration systems and are particularly difficult to remove.

[0029] Furthermore, advantageously, the hydrostatic pressure accumulated in the collection vessel allows for the storage of larger quantities of non-condensable gas than is possible in prior art gas traps, due to the greater density of the gas and vapor and, due to the increased pressure, a smaller specific volume. This positive effect is further enhanced the more non-condensable gas is present in the first vessel. As the amount of non-condensable gas increases, the pressure in the first vessel also increases, as condensation or sorption of vapor (vapor refrigerant) is suppressed, and the additional partial pressure of the non-condensable gas enhances this pressure increase.

[0030] Therefore, due to the preferred fluidic positioning of the gas trap between the first and second containers, the more non-condensable gas permeates or is present in the sorption refrigeration system, the more significantly the gas removal efficiency increases. This effect is particularly pronounced in adsorption refrigeration systems, where non-condensable gas ultimately accumulates in the condenser, which represents the first container in the present invention. Furthermore, adsorption refrigeration systems preferably operate in cycles, where the condenser pressure is particularly high at the beginning of the cycle, and thus foreign gas is removed particularly effectively into the gas trap, which no longer interrupts the process further in the cycle. In absorption refrigeration systems, gas also accumulates in the absorber or in the liquid absorbent-refrigerant solution contained therein, which also constitutes the first container within the meaning of the present invention. The pressure in the absorber is generally lower than that in the condenser, which is why the particularly effective removal of non-condensable gas from the absorber by the preferred gas trap is particularly advantageous compared to the prior art.

[0031] Furthermore, it is a significant advantage that the sorption refrigeration system is not limited to a specific type and / or operating mode. Instead, the sorption refrigeration system can advantageously be an absorption refrigeration system or an adsorption refrigeration system. It has been recognized that effective removal of non-condensable gases from the refrigeration cycle can be achieved if a gas trap is placed between a first and second fluidically positioned container, and in particular, regardless of whether the liquid is a refrigerant or a solvent.

[0032] The preferred sorption refrigeration system advantageously enables reliable and rapid removal of non-condensable gases from the sorption refrigeration system, which also applies to system operation. The preferred sorption refrigeration system can advantageously be provided at low cost and operated cost-effectively, thereby achieving process efficiency with respect to the cooling environment. In particular, performance degradation caused by extraneous gases over time, which occurs without a gas trap, is advantageously prevented.

[0033] As mentioned at the outset, in the context of the present invention, a sorption refrigeration system preferably refers to a specific design variant of a refrigerator or refrigeration system. Depending on the phase of the sorbent or how the refrigerant vapor is incorporated into the sorbent, sorption refrigeration systems are divided into absorption refrigeration systems and adsorption refrigeration systems. In absorption refrigeration machines, a liquid sorbent is usually used, in which the refrigerant is dissolved. The absorbent can also be present as a solid, for example, if it is a crystalline salt that absorbs the refrigerant in its structure or volume. In adsorption refrigeration machines, a solid sorbent is used, on whose surface the refrigerant is deposited.

[0034] Therefore, the sorbent is preferably a substance in a substantially solid or liquid phase, which is enriched with the refrigerant flowing in the refrigeration circuit. The sorption unit preferably refers to a component having a sorbent.

[0035] Terms such as substantially, approximately, about, approximately, etc. preferably describe a tolerance range of less than ±40%, preferably less than ±20%, particularly preferably less than ±10%, even more preferably less than ±5%, and in particular less than ±1%, and always include the exact value. Partially preferably describe a tolerance range of at least ±5%, particularly preferably at least ±10%, in particular at least ±20%, and in some cases at least ±40%.

[0036] For the purposes of the present invention, a refrigeration circuit preferably refers to the circulation of a refrigerant between preferred components of a sorption refrigeration system. Preferred components through which the refrigerant flows within the refrigeration circuit are, for example, a condenser and an evaporator for a substantially liquid refrigerant and one or more sorption units for a substantially gaseous or sorbed refrigerant.

[0037] The preferably compressed refrigerant preferably enters a condenser, where it is preferably substantially cooled at a constant pressure. The refrigerant liquefies due to the heat extraction. Within the refrigeration circuit, the refrigerant then reaches an evaporator. Preferably, the refrigerant is brought to a lower pressure before being transferred to the evaporator. This causes the refrigerant to boil, i.e., evaporate, which preferably occurs within the evaporator. The refrigerant extracts the heat it needs from the surroundings, causing the surroundings to cool down. The surroundings within the meaning of the present invention particularly refer to the area to be cooled by the preferred sorption refrigeration system. For example, the surroundings can refer to a portion of space and / or another device, such as the interior of a refrigerator to be cooled or a cold water circuit in which its liquid is cooled by the evaporator.

[0038] In another preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the liquid refrigerant can flow into a gas trap together with the foreign gas in order to remove the foreign gas from the refrigeration circuit, wherein the foreign gas can preferably be introduced into a collection container. Alternatively, the foreign gas can also be conveyed to the collection container via a liquid sorbent.

[0039] A gas trap preferably refers to a component of a sorption refrigeration system specifically designed to remove non-condensable gases. The gas trap itself preferably comprises a structure substantially corresponding to a container. Preferably, the gas trap comprises a collection container. Preferably, foreign gas can be introduced into the collection container. Advantageously, the foreign gas can be retained within the collection container for an extended period of time, thereby enhancing the reliability of the preferred sorption refrigeration system. In addition to the collection container, the gas trap may also comprise additional components.

[0040] Preferably, a connection device is present between the first container and the gas trap, wherein the connection device preferably opens into the liquid sump of the gas trap. The term liquid sump particularly refers to that portion of a component of the sorption refrigeration system where liquid is present. The term gas trap liquid sump can also be used synonymously for the liquid present in the gas trap. This expression can be applied similarly to other components of the sorption refrigeration system in which liquid may be present at least temporarily. For example, the term condenser liquid sump can also be used for the liquid in the condenser, without limiting the choice of terminology used to describe the condenser.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the connection between the first container and the gas trap opens into the liquid reservoir of the gas trap. Opening into the liquid reservoir of the gas trap offers additional advantages. For example, because the mouth of the connection is substantially surrounded by the liquid within the gas trap, the connection itself advantageously achieves greater stability. Furthermore, this advantageously enables improved transfer of foreign gas into the gas trap, particularly by enabling reliable flow into the collection container. Furthermore, since foreign gas cannot flow directly back into the connection through the liquid reservoir and thus into the first container, it is prevented from returning to the first container. Due to the flow into the reservoir, the connection always remains at least partially filled with liquid, ensuring pressure separation between the first container and the gas trap. Based on the hydrostatic pressure, the first container can maintain a lower pressure than the gas trap itself, which advantageously ensures consistent system performance even when larger amounts of foreign gas have accumulated in the gas trap. Due to the hydrostatic pressure separation, the gas trap can be placed below the liquid sump of the first vessel, a radical departure from conventional arrangements. This significantly increases the flexibility of component placement in the sorption circuit. This flexibility opens up entirely new placement options, particularly in adsorption refrigeration systems where the condenser typically forms the first vessel.

[0042] For the purposes of this invention, the term "fluidic" refers to the direction of flow of a liquid or vapor (e.g., a refrigerant or a solution). Those skilled in the art will recognize that in typical refrigeration systems, particularly sorption refrigeration systems, it is common for the refrigerant to flow from the condenser to the evaporator. Therefore, the condenser is fluidically located upstream of the evaporator.

[0043] In particular, it is preferred that the first container is located fluidly upstream of the second container.The first container and the second container represent a solution that may be provided by preferred components of the sorption refrigeration system.

[0044] In another preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that

[0045] - the first vessel is a condenser and the second vessel is an evaporator, or

[0046] - the first vessel is an evaporator and the second vessel is a condenser, or

[0047] - the first vessel is an absorber and the second vessel is a desorber, or

[0048] - the first vessel is a desorber and the second vessel is an absorber, or

[0049] - The first container is an evaporator-condenser unit and the second container is also an evaporator-condenser unit.

[0050] It has been recognized that there are a variety of options for the first and second containers between which a gas trap may be fluidly positioned to enable reliable and efficient removal of non-condensable gases from the refrigeration circuit, in stark contrast to the prior art.

[0051] Thus, at least five variants are available for implementing the gas trap in the preferred sorption refrigeration system, thereby enabling further degrees of freedom in positioning and process control compared to the prior art.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the gas trap is positioned between the condenser and the evaporator. Thus, the refrigerant flows from the condenser to the gas trap, wherein non-condensable gases remain in the gas trap, in particular in a collecting container, wherein the refrigerant flows onwards to the evaporator.

[0053] If evaporator-condenser units are preferably used, a gas trap can be arranged between two of these units so that liquid refrigerant can always flow from the evaporator-condenser unit that is currently (or at that moment or at that operating time point) operating as a condenser via the gas trap, thereby releasing and storing foreign gas in the gas trap, to the evaporator-condenser unit that is currently operating as an evaporator.

[0054] If the gas trap is fluidly located between the evaporator and the condenser, the liquid is preferably a refrigerant. In particular, in adsorption refrigeration systems, components are preferably used for multiple purposes, so that the condenser and evaporator can be configured as a common evaporator-condenser unit that operates as either a condenser or an evaporator, depending on the process step. The gas trap according to the present invention can particularly preferably be fluidly arranged between two evaporator-condenser units. The gas trap can also preferably be arranged so that the evaporator-condenser unit serves as both the first container and the second container.

[0055] In another preferred embodiment, the gas trap is fluidly mounted between the absorber and the desorber.This embodiment is particularly preferred for use in absorption refrigeration systems.

[0056] The absorber is part of a sorption refrigeration system, where the gaseous refrigerant produced in the evaporator is absorbed by the sorbent and thus enriched. The enriched sorbent is then pumped into the desorber. The desorber performs the opposite function of the absorber. It "boils" the refrigerant from the sorbent by applying heat. Heat is provided by a medium such as, but not limited to, hot water or steam.

[0057] Furthermore, it may be preferred that the gas trap is fluidly located between the desorber and the absorber, and the solvent flows therethrough, or that the gas trap is located between the condenser and the absorber, and the refrigerant flows therethrough.

[0058] In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the gas trap has an inlet, wherein preferably at the inlet or at the connection between the first container and the inlet there is an inlet shut-off device for controlling the inflow of foreign gas, wherein preferably the inlet shut-off device is a pressure-operated valve, particularly preferably a check valve.

[0059] The inlet preferably refers to a region of the gas trap through which non-condensable gas can flow into the gas trap. Preferably, the inlet is in the form of an opening, wherein the gas trap is fluidically connected to the first container at its inlet via a connection device. A fluid connection preferably refers to a connection that allows a fluid (in this case, a refrigerant or a liquid solution) to flow between the first container and the gas trap. The fluid connection is particularly provided by the connection device. The connection device can preferably be in the form of a tube and / or a hose.

[0060] The inlet shut-off device is a component of the preferred sorption refrigeration system that regulates the flow of foreign gas into the gas trap. Advantageously, this improves the overall control of the cooling process that the preferred sorption refrigeration system is intended to achieve. Furthermore, it particularly prevents foreign gas introduced into the gas trap from flowing back into the first container, thereby increasing the reliability of the preferred sorption refrigeration system. By using the pressure-operated check valve according to the present invention, liquid can advantageously always flow into the gas trap together with the foreign gas as soon as the static pressure of the fluid, together with the pressure in the first container, exceeds the pressure inside the gas trap. However, foreign gas and liquid can no longer flow back into the first container.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the inlet shut-off device is in the form of a pressure-operated valve. In the context of the present invention, a pressure-operated valve is understood to mean a valve of this type which can be operated essentially by means of the static and / or dynamic pressure of the fluid. The pressure-operated valve is preferably configured in such a way that it opens automatically when a certain pressure difference exists between the two sides of the valve. The pressure difference should preferably be as small as possible, so that in particular no active pressure reduction should result. The pressure-operated non-return valve should preferably only open when the pressure gradient is in the intended flow direction of the liquid, and not open when the pressure gradient is opposite to the intended flow direction. Advantageously, this means that no additional energy supply is required to control the inflow into the gas trap, since the fluid, in particular the refrigerant and the foreign gas, is automatically allowed to pass through the inlet shut-off device via the pressure conditions in the preferred sorption refrigeration system, but not to flow back.

[0062] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pressure-operated valve is a check valve. Check valves have proven to be particularly advantageous for providing an inlet shut-off device. In addition to their advantageously simple installation, check valves also contribute to the compact design of the preferred sorption refrigeration system, since the operation of the check valve requires no external components.

[0063] It is particularly advantageous if the gas trap is arranged between the first container and the second container so that the liquid from the first container can enter the second container only when it flows through the gas trap and releases any extraneous gases before flowing into the second container. Due to the increased flow rate of this preferred arrangement, non-condensable gases can be removed from the first container particularly effectively, in particular those non-condensable gases that are present as a gas cushion in the liquid reservoir or on a solid surface.

[0064] In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the connection between the first container and the inlet of the gas trap and / or the connection between the outlet of the gas trap and the second container is at least partially configured as a siphon.

[0065] In another preferred embodiment, the connection between the outlet of the gas trap and the second container can be designed completely as a siphon.

[0066] For the purposes of the present invention, a siphon is preferably a connection device, a component of a connection device and / or a portion of a connection device, which preferably exhibits a bend, preferably a U-shaped or horizontal S-shaped bend. The bend of the siphon is preferably filled with a liquid, which can be a refrigerant, and is repeatedly filled with liquid during operation due to the flow direction of the process fluid and therefore always represents a reliable resistance to foreign gas in the flow direction and thus prevents a backflow of foreign gas.

[0067] The siphon is particularly preferably located in the gas trap. This advantageously saves space, simplifies installation, and increases safety in terms of stability. One reason for this latter advantage is that the gas trap shields the siphon, preventing it from being damaged from the outside. If the siphon ends inside the gas trap in the gas trap's sump, liquid can advantageously be fed into the siphon from both flow directions.

[0068] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inlet shut-off device is in the form of a non-return valve, and at least a portion of the connection between the first container and the gas trap is in the form of a siphon. Furthermore, it is preferred that the non-return valve is fluidically arranged first, and the connection is in a liquid reservoir, which in a preferred embodiment is maintained at a constant liquid level by a float valve.

[0069] The float valve preferably forms an outlet shutoff device, which advantageously ensures that liquid is retained to form a liquid sump. In this case, the collection container of the gas trap can advantageously be arranged more flexibly in the sorption refrigeration system. Furthermore, the preferred siphon connection device is particularly robust, as it is no longer empty. If the siphon is emptied in the flow direction by a large amount of foreign gas, there is always enough liquid in the sump to refill the siphon. Surprisingly, with this preferred arrangement, the gas trap with the float valve can also serve as a throttling device and pressure separator between the first and second containers, which is particularly advantageous if the first container is a condenser and the second container is a condenser.

[0070] In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the inlet of the connecting device to the inlet of the gas trap is present below the liquid level of the first container.

[0071] Advantageously, when liquid refrigerant accumulates in the liquid sump of the first container (e.g., a condenser), this allows the inlet shut-off device to be flushed or actuated due to the hydrostatic force of the column of liquid refrigerant above the inlet shut-off device. This has the advantage of removing foreign gas present in the first container or foreign gas present as a gas cushion and flushed into the gas trap by the liquid flow. In particular, a high proportion of foreign gas, especially the gas cushion, can be reliably introduced from the first container into the gas trap, which significantly improves the efficiency of the sorption refrigeration system in removing foreign gas. The effective removal of foreign gas is further enhanced if the inlet of the gas trap is located below the liquid sump of the first container.

[0072] In another preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the gas trap has an outlet, wherein an outlet shut-off device is present at the outlet or at the connection device between the outlet and the second container to prevent foreign gas from being introduced into the second container, wherein preferably, the outlet shut-off device is configured as a float valve.

[0073] The outlet preferably refers to the area of ​​the gas trap through which a flow connection exists between the gas trap and the second container. Preferably, the outlet is in the form of an opening, wherein the gas trap is flow-connected to the second container via a connection device, so that refrigerant or solution can flow from the first container into the gas trap and then into the second container. The gas trap can be used particularly efficiently if the liquid can be transferred from the first container to the second container solely via the connection to the gas trap, so that foreign gas always enters the gas trap rather than the second container.

[0074] An outlet shut-off device is a preferred component of a sorption refrigeration system. In particular, it prevents foreign gas from returning from the gas trap via the outlet to the refrigeration circuit. Furthermore, the amount of liquid remaining in the gas trap can be advantageously adjusted by the positioning, type, and / or geometry of the outlet shut-off device. For example, the outlet shut-off device can be attached below or in the lower region of the collecting container and / or be in the form of a float valve.

[0075] The amount of liquid refrigerant that always remains in the gas trap can be dictated by the positioning of the outlet or the type and geometry of the valve.

[0076] In a preferred embodiment, the outlet shut-off device is in the form of a float valve. A float valve is a valve controlled by a float, which in the context of the present invention can be operated in such a way that the valve opens when a certain liquid level is exceeded, but closes again when the liquid level drops below the (target) level. In the context of the present invention, configuring the outlet shut-off device as a float valve has proven to be particularly advantageous, as it prevents the return of foreign gas into the refrigeration circuit via the second container in a particularly reliable manner, while continuing to ensure the flow of refrigerant within the refrigeration circuit. In addition, the mechanical operating principle of the float valve is extremely useful for the preferred sorption refrigeration system, as no external energy supply (e.g., via an electric current supply) is required to achieve the operation of the outlet shut-off device. This therefore leads to a significant improvement in any maintenance that may be required for the preferred sorption refrigeration system.

[0077] In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the gas trap has an outlet cut-off container, wherein preferably an outlet cut-off device is present in the outlet cut-off container.

[0078] A preferred outlet shutoff container is one in which the outlet shutoff device is installed or integrated. Advantageously, this provides optimized storage space for the outlet shutoff device, allowing the size and / or effectiveness of the outlet shutoff device to be advantageously adjusted to the size of the gas trap. Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous that the collection container and the outlet shutoff device can be spatially separated if they are connected via a connecting device. In particular, the float valve can preferably be located in the outlet shutoff container.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the liquid sump of the second vessel is higher than the liquid sump present in the gas trap.

[0080] This represents a significant advantage over the prior art, as the preferred gas trap thus enables completely free arrangement of the first and second containers relative to one another. While in the prior art, the second container, located fluidly downstream of the first container, and / or its liquid sump, could only be higher than the liquid sump of the first container if the pressure in the first container was permanently significantly higher than the pressure in the second container in order to prevent liquid from flowing back into the first container, the positions of the two containers of the sorption refrigeration circuit can be chosen more freely. Specifically, the liquid sump of the first container can be located significantly lower than the liquid sump of the second container, even if the pressure in the first container is only temporarily higher than that in the second container. Due to the preferred configuration of the gas trap, especially when provided with an inlet shut-off device, particularly preferably configured as a check valve, even if the sump of the second container is higher than the sump of the first container, the liquid remains completely contained in the sump of the second container, even if additional pressure fluctuations occur in either the first or second container. Consequently, the fill levels of the two containers are advantageously decoupled from potential pressure fluctuations in the sorption refrigeration system; the "connecting pipe principle" is eliminated. The filling level changes only due to desired evaporation, condensation or sorption of the refrigerant, or liquid can only flow from the first container to the second container, and no longer undesirably vice versa.

[0081] In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the gas trap has an inlet shut-off device and an outlet shut-off device, wherein the inlet shut-off device and / or the outlet shut-off device are preferably present in the gas trap.

[0082] Including an inlet and outlet shut-off device in the gas trap has proven to be particularly advantageous. This allows for a very compact design of the gas trap. This simplifies installation in sorption refrigeration systems and improves implementation in adsorption systems with smaller dimensions.

[0083] In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the gas trap has an inlet shut-off device and / or an outlet shut-off device, wherein the inlet shut-off device and / or the outlet shut-off device are located outside the gas trap.

[0084] Positioning the inlet and outlet shut-off devices outside the gas trap is also advantageous in the context of the present invention. This provides greater flexibility in the positioning of the inlet and outlet shut-off devices, allowing for optimal regulation of the supply of refrigerant to and from the gas trap, depending on the scope and application of the sorption refrigeration system. In addition to controlling foreign gas, the inlet and outlet shut-off devices also advantageously allow for regulation of the refrigerant that may be in the gas trap.

[0085] Furthermore, it may be preferred that only one shut-off component is present in the gas trap, while the other shut-off component is located outside the gas trap. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet shut-off device is located inside the gas trap, and the outlet shut-off device is located outside the gas trap. In another preferred embodiment, the inlet shut-off device is located outside the gas trap, and the outlet shut-off device is located inside the gas trap. Therefore, if one of the shut-off components is located inside the gas trap and the other is located outside the gas trap, a technical compromise between flexibility regarding the positioning of the shut-off components (inlet shut-off device or outlet shut-off device) and the compactness of the gas trap can also be advantageously achieved.

[0086] In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the sorption unit can be heated via an external heat circuit, so that the refrigerant in the sorption unit can be desorbed from the sorbent.

[0087] The sorbent is preferably present in a sorption unit, which is also an important component of the sorption refrigeration system. The refrigerant is preferably sorbed in a suitable sorbent. Those skilled in the art can implement the refrigerant with any suitable sorbent in the preferred sorption refrigeration system.

[0088] In an absorption chiller, the sorbent essentially completely absorbs the vapor refrigerant, which evaporates in the evaporator, thereby extracting heat from the environment. The absorbent binds the refrigerant vapor within itself. The mixture then preferably flows through a heat exchanger, through which the hot absorbent also flows. The latter transfers thermal energy to the mixture in order to preheat it in an energy-saving manner. This results in an increase in pressure and temperature. When the solvent becomes saturated after a period of time, it can no longer absorb the refrigerant vapor, so that a preferred component (such as a solvent pump) transports the mixture to a desorber (also referred to as a desorber) in the next step. Here, further heating is preferably performed so that the refrigerant vapor is separated from the solvent. The regenerated hot absorbent then transfers the remaining energy from the absorber to the cold mixture of refrigerant and solvent via a heat exchanger.

[0089] In contrast to absorption chillers, which typically operate with a liquid sorbent, adsorption chillers use a solid sorbent, or adsorbent, onto which the refrigerant is adsorbed and desorbed. Heat is added during desorption, while heat is removed during adsorption. In principle, cooling occurs in the same manner, but not continuously, as the adsorbent cannot be circulated in its solid aggregate state.

[0090] The present invention offers additional advantages, particularly for adsorption refrigeration systems. Because the adsorbent is immobile, removing foreign gas that accumulates on the adsorbent is particularly difficult. In this case, the adsorption refrigeration system can be designed as a circuit in which vapor flows from the evaporator into the adsorber during adsorption and then from the adsorber into the condenser during desorption. The condenser and evaporator do not necessarily have to be identical components, although in many common adsorption refrigeration systems of the prior art, the evaporator often also serves alternately as the condenser. The condenser is preferably connected to the evaporator via a liquid line, with a preferred gas trap arranged within the liquid line, whereby the condenser then constitutes the first container and the evaporator the second. This circuit automatically transports the foreign gas cushion from the adsorbent into the condenser and from the condenser into the gas trap. If a dual-chamber system is used, in which one container is always in condensing mode and the other in evaporating mode, the gas trap according to the present invention can also be effectively used in adsorption refrigeration systems in which the evaporator also serves as the condenser; the gas trap can then again be effectively positioned between the two containers. As known to those skilled in the art, an adsorption refrigeration system comprising an evaporator / condenser / sorber unit is typically used in such dual-chamber operation.

[0091] Although foreign gases are more difficult to remove due to the discontinuous operation of the adsorption refrigeration system, the gas trap according to the present invention offers further advantages precisely due to this discontinuous operation. Due to the discontinuous operation, the temperatures and pressures in all components within the cooling cycle vary greatly. On the one hand, this can lead to significant fluctuations in the filling levels of the condenser and evaporator. As mentioned above, if the fluid connection from the first container to the second container is made solely via the gas trap according to the present invention, these significant fluctuations are offset by the pressure decoupling due to the preferred intermediate connection of the gas trap. High pressures are particularly high in the desorber and condenser at the start of the desorption cycle, compressing the vapor and, in particular, the foreign gases. Therefore, the preferred gas trap allows for particularly efficient removal of foreign gases from the adsorber and condenser, particularly at the start of the desorption cycle, and thus no longer interferes with the further course of regeneration. The increased pressure at the start of desorption offers another advantage, as the higher pressure compresses not only the vapor and foreign gases in the adsorber and condenser, but also in the gas trap according to the present invention, which is why the foreign gas content in the gas collection vessel of the gas trap increases. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the greater the proportion of foreign gas in the system, the higher the condensation pressure. The higher the condensation pressure, the greater the foreign gas absorption capacity of the preferred gas trap. Therefore, if particularly large amounts of foreign gas must be removed, the effectiveness of the preferred gas trap automatically increases due to the physical processes and the circuit according to the present invention. Thus, the effect of the attached preferred gas trap is synergistic.

[0092] In another preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that a pressure reducing valve, a heating element and / or a vacuum pump are operatively connected to the gas trap for removing foreign gases from the adsorption refrigeration system.

[0093] The above-described options for removing foreign gas have proven to be advantageous because they make it possible to remove at least some of the foreign gas from the gas trap particularly easily, quickly, reliably, and thus permanently, from the preferred sorption refrigeration system. A certain proportion of the foreign gas can advantageously be removed from the gas trap, for example if the gas trap or the collecting container is already sufficiently filled with non-condensable gas, or the foreign gas can be completely removed from the gas trap.

[0094] Advantageously, this prevents the gas trap from being completely filled with non-condensable gases, which reduces the risk that its functionality can no longer be guaranteed. For this purpose, it may be preferred that there is a vent line at the top of the gas trap, via which the non-condensable gases can be extracted, for example, with a vacuum pump, or can be discharged via a pressure relief valve and / or with the aid of a heating element.

[0095] In another preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the sorption refrigeration system is an adsorption refrigeration system or an absorption refrigeration system.

[0096] This advantageously means that the sorption refrigeration system is not limited to a specific operating mode. Instead, it is advantageous to recognize that the positioning of the gas trap between the first container and the second container specifically enables the safe removal of foreign gases from the refrigeration circuit. The operating principles on which absorption refrigeration systems and adsorption refrigeration systems are based have been outlined above and are also generally known to a person skilled in the art, so they will not be explained further. However, the fact that the preferred positioning of the gas trap between the first container and the second container removes foreign gases from the refrigeration circuit in the described advantageous manner is not obvious to a person skilled in the art. In particular, gas traps in the prior art are often applied to a certain category of sorption refrigeration systems, so that it is not obvious to recognize that the positioning of the gas trap between the first container and the second container can be applied to both absorption refrigeration systems and adsorption refrigeration systems. In addition, the positioning of gas traps for absorption refrigeration systems and adsorption refrigeration systems is limited to certain containers and / or positions within the refrigeration system.

[0097] In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the connection between the condenser and the evaporator is designed as a throttling device.

[0098] In the context of the present invention, this preferably means that in a sorption refrigeration system, preferably no separate components for throttling purposes are present in the connection, in particular in the connection between the condenser and the evaporator, but that the connection itself primarily performs the throttling task. This advantageously makes the connection a main throttling device, with which the pressure upstream and downstream of the connection can preferably be adjusted.

[0099] In another preferred aspect, the present invention relates to a method for removing foreign gas from a refrigeration circuit, the method comprising the steps of:

[0100] a) providing a sorption refrigeration system as described above,

[0101] b) fluidly positioning a gas trap comprising an inlet and an outlet between the first container and the second container,

[0102] The foreign gas is made to pass through the liquid working medium from the refrigeration circuit, and the liquid working medium and the foreign gas flow into the gas trap together. The inlet and outlet blocking devices prevent the foreign gas from entering or flowing back into the refrigeration circuit.

[0103] Furthermore, the present invention preferably relates to a method for removing foreign gas from a refrigeration circuit, the method comprising the following steps:

[0104] a) providing a sorption refrigeration system as described above,

[0105] b) fluidly positioning a gas trap comprising an inlet and an outlet between the first container and the second container,

[0106] The foreign gas from the refrigeration circuit is made to flow through the liquid, the fluid and the foreign gas enter the gas trap, and the foreign gas is prevented from entering the refrigeration circuit by the inlet shutoff device and the outlet shutoff device.

[0107] The preferred method has proven to be extremely advantageous for removing foreign gas from the refrigeration circuit of a sorption refrigeration system. In particular, the effective and reliable removal of foreign gas is achieved due to the positioning of the gas trap between the first container and the second container, since the foreign gas is flushed into the gas trap together with the liquid and is retained therein.

[0108] The inlet blocking device advantageously prevents foreign gas from returning to the first container. Similarly, the outlet blocking device advantageously prevents foreign gas from entering the second container. This allows the foreign gas to be safely stored within the gas trap, ensuring that the refrigeration cycle of the sorption refrigeration system is not interrupted in any way by foreign gas.

[0109] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the technical features, definitions and advantages applicable to the preferred embodiments of the preferred sorption refrigeration system also apply to the preferred method of removing foreign gas from the refrigeration cycle, and vice versa.

[0110] Aspects according to the invention will be explained in more detail below using examples without being limited to these examples.

[0111] Attached photos BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0112] Figure 1 express Figure 1 is an illustration of the preferred positioning of the gas trap between two containers.

[0113] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a gas trap according to the present invention in a sorption refrigeration system.

[0114] Figure 3 It is a preferred embodiment of a gas trap including a siphon tube, a check valve, a float valve and a suction valve.

[0115] Figure 4 It is a preferred embodiment of the adsorption refrigeration system in which the inlet shut-off device and the outlet shut-off device are integrated into the gas trap.

[0116] Figure 5 The invention is a preferred embodiment of a sorption refrigeration system comprising a gas collector having a hydrostatic pressure throttle valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0117] Figure 1 A gas trap 7 is shown in a fluid arrangement between two containers 5 and 3, which has proven to be particularly advantageous for removing non-condensable gases from the refrigeration circuit of a sorption refrigeration system. In particular, the only direct connection between the two containers 5 and 3 is through the gas trap 7. For example, the first container is the condenser 5 and the second container is the evaporator 3. The non-condensable gases are flushed out of the condenser 5 along with the refrigerant into the gas trap 7, where they remain and can no longer enter the rest of the refrigeration circuit of the sorption refrigeration system 1.

[0118] Figure 2 A portion of a preferred embodiment of a sorption refrigeration system 1 with an embodiment of a gas trap 7 is schematically depicted. The portion of the sorption refrigeration system shown comprises an evaporator 3 and a condenser 5. Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the condenser 5 serves as the first container, while the evaporator 3 serves as the second container. A gas trap 7 is also present, which serves to remove foreign gas from the refrigeration circuit. In the sorption refrigeration system 1, the gas trap 7 is fluidly positioned between the first and second containers, with the refrigerant continuing to flow between the first and second containers within the refrigeration circuit. Thus, the gas trap 7 is fluidly located between the condenser 5 and the evaporator 3.

[0119] Advantageously, due in particular to the positioning of the gas trap between the condenser 5 (as first container) and the evaporator 3 (as second container), foreign gases (synonymous with non-condensable gases) can be removed surprisingly effectively.

[0120] The gas trap 7 has an inlet 13 and an outlet 21. The gas trap 7 is connected to the condenser 5 at the inlet 13 via a connecting device. The connecting device 12 between the condenser 5 and the gas trap 7 opens into the liquid sump 11 of the gas trap 7. This advantageously results in greater stability of the connection between the condenser 5 and the gas trap 7, since the opening of the connecting device 12 is essentially surrounded by the liquid sump 11. Furthermore, opening the connecting device into the liquid sump 11 is advantageous since the inflow of non-condensable gases is improved. In particular, a more efficient inflow of non-condensable gases into the gas trap 7 is possible since the connecting device 12 always remains partially filled with liquid refrigerant due to the opening into the liquid sump 11, and thus no foreign gases can flow back into the condenser 5. Instead, the foreign gases collect in the collecting container 9.

[0121] The non-condensable gases present in the condenser 5 or present as a gas cushion on or in the liquid sump 19 of the condenser 7 are flushed into the gas trap 7 together with the refrigerant. This allows even non-condensable gases that are difficult to remove as a gas cushion to be advantageously transferred to the gas trap 7. The outlet of the condenser 5 is located in the region into which the non-condensable gases are pushed by the vapor flow, resulting in a slight increase in pressure and an increase in the proportion of non-condensable gases, allowing the non-condensable gases to be removed from the refrigeration circuit particularly quickly. If the condenser 5 is regularly emptied completely or almost completely into the evaporator 3 or the gas trap 7, the outlet of the condenser 5 can be arranged at the bottom of the liquid sump 19 in order to transfer as much foreign gas as possible to the gas trap 7.

[0122] It is also advantageous that, because the density of the gas and vapor is greater due to the increased pressure, a particularly large amount of non-condensable gas can be stored in the collecting container 9 due to the hydrostatic pressure that develops in the connection 12 to the gas trap 7. This positive effect is further enhanced the more non-condensable gas is present in the condenser 5. As the amount of non-condensable gas increases, the pressure in the condenser 7 also increases, because the condensation of the vapor (refrigerant) is suppressed, and the additional partial pressure of the non-condensable gas strengthens this pressure increase.

[0123] The inventors have recognized that the more non-condensable gas that enters or is present in the sorption refrigeration system 1, the more effective the gas removal by fluidly installing the gas trap 7 between the first and second containers (in this case, the condenser 5 and the evaporator 3). This effect is particularly evident in adsorption refrigeration systems, in which non-condensable gas always eventually accumulates in the condenser 5 as the first container, and due to the discontinuous operation of the absorption refrigeration system, in particular at the beginning of regeneration, a significant increase in pressure occurs, which further increases the amount of foreign gas that rushes into the gas trap 7.

[0124] Another major advantage of the gas trap 7 is that it is not limited to a specific operating mode of the sorption refrigeration system 1. Instead, the sorption refrigeration system 1 may advantageously be an absorption refrigeration system or an adsorption refrigeration system.

[0125] Overall, the gas trap 7 in the sorption refrigeration system 1 is able to remove non-condensable gases reliably and quickly, which also applies to system operation. The sorption refrigeration system 1 and the gas trap 7 can advantageously be provided with little effort and operated cost-effectively, so that this also achieves efficiency with respect to the cooling environment.

[0126] A connection device at the outlet 21 of the gas trap 7 provides a connection between the gas trap 7 and the evaporator 3. In addition to the collecting container 9, the gas trap 7 also includes an outlet shutoff container 25, in which a float valve 23 is located. The outlet shutoff container 25 provides optimal storage space for the outlet shutoff valve, which is in the form of a float valve 23. Configuring the outlet shutoff device as a float valve 23 has proven particularly advantageous for sorption refrigeration systems 1, as it reliably prevents foreign gas from returning to the refrigeration circuit via the second container (here, the evaporator 3), while still ensuring the flow of refrigerant within the refrigeration circuit. Furthermore, the underlying mechanical operating principle of the float valve 23 is advantageous for sorption refrigeration systems 1, as the outlet shutoff device does not require an external energy supply.

[0127] Figure 3A preferred embodiment of the gas trap 7 is shown, in which the connection is configured as a siphon 17. In particular, the connection between the gas trap 7 and the condenser 5, as well as the connection between the gas trap 7 and the evaporator 3, is in the form of a siphon. The inlet shutoff device is a check valve 15 and is present in the connection to the condenser 5, while the outlet shutoff device is a float valve 23 and is installed in the connection between the gas trap 7 and the evaporator 3. This means that the check valve 15, serving as the inlet shutoff device, and the float valve 23, serving as the outlet shutoff device, are separate from the collecting container 9 of the gas trap 7. Advantageously, this provides greater flexibility regarding the positioning of the inlet and outlet shutoff devices, allowing the regulation of the refrigerant supply to and from the gas trap 7 to be optimally adjusted, for example, depending on the size and application of the sorption refrigeration system. An additional outlet valve 30 at the upper end of the collecting container 9 allows foreign gas to be removed from the gas trap 7, thereby further increasing its capacity for foreign gas.

[0128] Figure 4 Another embodiment of a sorption refrigeration system, in particular a gas trap 7, is shown. Here, the check valve 15 is integrated as an inlet shutoff device within the gas trap 7, and the float valve 23 is integrated as an outlet shutoff device within the gas trap 7. Advantageously, due to the integration of the inlet and outlet shutoff valves within the gas trap 7, the gas trap 7 has a very compact design. This simplifies installation, for example, in a sorption refrigeration system and further improves cooling in environments with smaller dimensions.

[0129] Figure 5 The arrangement of (a portion of) a first container 5, a second container 3, and a gas trap 7 of a sorption refrigeration system 1 is shown, which features an arrangement that departs from the prior art. Because the gas trap 7 includes an inlet shutoff device 15 and an outlet shutoff device in the form of a float valve 23, the first container 5 can be located below the second container 3. Specifically, the sump 19 of the first container can be located below the sump 27 of the second container, without the sump 27 being able to drain into either the gas trap 7 or the first container 5. The gas trap 7 can be freely arranged above or below the respective liquid sump 19 or 27. The collecting container 9 can also be arranged completely separate from the two containers, but should always be located above the connecting line between the float valve container 13 and the collecting container 9, as well as above the liquid sump 11 of the float valve container 13. As an example, the inlet of the second container 3 opens into the liquid sump 27, but it can also be located above the liquid sump. This arrangement is an example of how the gas trap 7 can be used to provide greater design flexibility for a sorption refrigeration system.

[0130] Reference Signs List

[0131] 1. Adsorption refrigeration system (part)

[0132] 3 evaporator

[0133] 5. Condenser

[0134] 7Gas collector

[0135] 9 collection container

[0136] 11 Liquid storage tank of gas collector

[0137] 12 Connection to gas trap

[0138] 13 Entrance

[0139] 15 Check valve

[0140] 17 Siphon

[0141] 19 The first container, in particular the liquid storage tank of the condenser

[0142] 21 Exit

[0143] 23 Float valve

[0144] 25 Export cut-off container

[0145] 26 A connecting device at the outlet of the gas trap, which is configured as a hydrostatic throttle valve

[0146] 27 The second container, in particular the liquid storage tank of the evaporator.

Claims

1. A sorption refrigeration system (1), comprising at least an evaporator (3), a condenser (5), a sorption unit comprising a sorbent, and a gas trap (7), wherein the gas trap (7) comprises a collecting container (9), a liquid storage tank (11) present in the gas trap (7), and an inlet (13) and an outlet (21) on the gas trap (7), wherein the gas trap (7) is used to remove at least one foreign gas, Its characteristics are: The gas trap (7) is fluidly positioned between a first container (3, 5) and a second container (5, 3), wherein liquid can flow from the first container (3, 5) into the second container (5, 3), wherein the sorption refrigeration system (1) is configured such that the liquid flows from the first container (3, 5) via a connection device and the inlet (13) into the gas trap (7), and the liquid then flows out of the gas trap (7) via the outlet (21) and a further connection device to the second container (5, 3), and the outlet (21) emerges from a liquid sump (7) of the gas trap (7).

2. The sorption refrigeration system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: The first container is a condenser (5), and the second container is an evaporator (3), or The first container is an evaporator (3), and the second container is a condenser (5), or The first vessel is an absorber and the second vessel is a desorber, or The first vessel is a desorber and the second vessel is an absorber, or The first vessel is an evaporator-condenser unit and the second vessel is also an evaporator-condenser unit.

3. Adsorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that: At the inlet or at the connection between the first container and the inlet (13), there is an inlet shut-off device for controlling the inflow of foreign gas, wherein the inlet shut-off device is preferably a pressure-operated valve, particularly preferably a non-return valve (15).

4. Adsorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The connection between the first container and the inlet of the gas trap and / or the connection between the outlet of the gas trap and the second container is at least partially configured as a siphon (17).

5. Adsorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The inlet (13) of the gas trap (7) is present below the liquid level (19) of the first container.

6. Adsorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that: An outlet cutoff device is provided at the outlet (21) or at a connection device between the outlet (21) and the second container to prevent foreign gas from flowing into the second container, wherein the outlet cutoff device is preferably configured as a float valve (23).

7. Adsorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The gas trap (7) has an outlet cut-off container (25), wherein the outlet cut-off device is preferably present in the outlet cut-off container (25).

8. Adsorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The gas trap (7) has an inlet shut-off device and an outlet shut-off device, wherein the inlet shut-off device and / or the outlet shut-off device are preferably present in the gas trap.

9. Adsorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The sorption refrigeration system (1) has an inlet shut-off device and / or an outlet shut-off device, wherein the inlet shut-off device and / or the outlet shut-off device are located outside the gas trap.

10. A method for removing foreign gas from a refrigeration circuit, comprising the following steps: a) providing a sorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, b) fluidly positioning a gas trap (7) comprising an inlet (13) and an outlet (21) between the first container and the second container, Foreign gas from the refrigeration circuit is made to flow through the liquid phase refrigerant, the liquid phase refrigerant enters the gas trap (7) together with the foreign gas, and the foreign gas is prevented from entering the refrigeration circuit by the inlet blocking device and the outlet blocking device.

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