Energy-efficient refrigeration system with a rotary pressure exchanger that replaces the main flow compressor and high-pressure expansion valve

ES3074193T3Undetermined Publication Date: 2026-07-17ENERGY RECOVERY INC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
ES · ES
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
ENERGY RECOVERY INC
Filing Date
2021-07-01
Publication Date
2026-07-17

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Trans-critical carbon dioxide refrigeration systems face efficiency degradation in hot climates due to high pressure requirements, leading to increased electricity consumption and costs, as they need to operate at much larger pressures and temperatures to reject heat to hotter environments.

Method used

Replace the Joule-Thomson expansion valve with a rotary pressure exchanger and potentially the bulk flow compressor with low differential pressure circulation compressors, utilizing a refrigeration system with high and low pressure loops, and incorporating a rotary pressure exchanger to exchange pressure efficiently between refrigerants in supercritical and subcritical states.

Benefits of technology

This configuration significantly reduces energy consumption by recapturing pressure energy, increasing cooling capacity, and improving the coefficient of performance (COP) of the refrigeration system, making it more efficient and cost-effective in various climates.

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Abstract

A refrigeration system includes a rotary pressure exchanger fluidly coupled to a low-pressure circuit and a high-pressure circuit. The rotary pressure exchanger replaces a traditional bulk-flow compressor. It is configured to receive high-pressure refrigerant from the high-pressure circuit, receive low-pressure refrigerant from the low-pressure circuit, and exchange pressure between the high-pressure and low-pressure refrigerants. A first outlet stream from the rotary pressure exchanger contains the high-pressure refrigerant in a supercritical or subcritical state, and a second outlet stream contains the low-pressure refrigerant in a liquid state or in a two-phase liquid-vapor mixture.
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