Condenser and heat exchange process

Abstract

The invention relates to a condenser (1) comprising at least two condensing compartments (3), each extending along a direction of inclination (X) between an inlet (2) and an outlet (4), each condensing compartment (3) allowing the condensation of a gas to be condensed into a condensed liquid, the outlet (4) being intended to allow the discharge of said condensed liquid to the outside of the condensing compartment (3); the outlet (4) comprising a transverse wall (10) extending in a plane transverse to the direction of inclination (X), said transverse wall (10) comprising at least one discharge opening (11) having a transverse dimension of less than 2.7 mm. The invention also relates to a system for producing cold and / or heat, a method for exchanging heat, and a method for producing cold and / or heat. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Condenser and heat exchange method Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cold and / or heat production systems comprising at least one heat exchanger.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to heat exchangers, and especially condensers designed to allow the condensation of a gas into a liquid. Prior art

[0003] Cooling and / or heating systems generally comprise at least one evaporator, one compressor, one condenser, and one expansion valve. The condenser is generally designed to condense a gas introduced into a compartment of the condenser, transforming it, by heat exchange, into a liquid. The condenser compartment thus includes an inlet for introducing a gas into the compartment, this gas being intended to be at least partially condensed into a condensed liquid. The condensed liquid is then discharged from the compartment through a fluid outlet. The condenser generally comprises a plurality of compartments, each performing the function of condensing the gas into a condensed liquid.

[0004] The gas introduced through the inlet generally contains non-condensable elements that cannot be condensed by the condenser. These non-condensable elements accumulate in the condensation compartments and remain in a gaseous state. In particular, if the introduced gases include air and water vapor, the water vapor condenses, but the air (containing oxygen or nitrogen) does not. The air therefore remains in gaseous form and blocks the condensation process.

[0005] Indeed, the accumulation of non-condensable elements (on the condenser's condensation surfaces) reduces the surface area involved in condensation. The difference between the condensation temperatures and the water vapor inlet temperature of the condenser increases, which causes an increase in pressure within the condenser and a loss of condenser efficiency.

[0006] In order to limit this problem, it is known from the prior art to periodically carry out purges of non-condensable gases by opening purge valves, and by operating a pumping compressor to suck the non-condensables from the condensation compartment.

[0007] However, such a method requires controlling the quantity of non-condensables in the condensation compartment, and knowing precisely their location. Furthermore, during purging, the heat exchange process is slowed down or even stopped. The efficiency of heat exchange therefore decreases with the frequency of purging, this frequency being dependent on the flow rate of non-condensable gases in the condensing compartment.

[0008] There is therefore a need to find a device and a method for accumulating non-condensables at a determined position of the condenser in order to facilitate their extraction from the condenser.

[0009] Object of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a solution that addresses all or part of the aforementioned problems.

[0011] This objective can be achieved by implementing a condenser comprising at least two condensation compartments, each extending along a direction of inclination between an inlet and an outlet, each condensation compartment having internally a heat exchange surface intended to allow the condensation of a gas to be condensed into a condensed liquid, the inlet being intended to allow the introduction of said gas to be condensed into the condensation compartment, the outlet being intended to allow the evacuation of said condensed liquid to the outside of the condensation compartment; the outlet comprising a transverse wall extending in a plane transverse to the direction of inclination, said transverse wall comprising at least one evacuation opening having a transverse dimension less than 2.7 mm.

[0012] The arrangements described above allow for the design of a condenser in which the outlet is sized to localize the non-condensable gases at outlet 4 and to prevent the introduction of non-condensables into the condenser from the outlet while still allowing the condensate to drain. Indeed, the presence of a drain opening with a transverse dimension smaller than the capillary length of the condensate (in the case of water) allows the condensate to plug the drain opening. The plug thus formed naturally blocks the non-condensables at the outlet and can also prevent the introduction of non-condensable gases from outside the condensing compartment into it. This is particularly advantageous when the internal pressures in two adjacent condensing compartments are different.

[0013] The condenser may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the transverse dimension is less than the capillary length of the condensed liquid.

[0015] By "capillary length" of a liquid, we mean a length of a volume of liquid for which the capillary forces in that volume are equal to those of gravity. This capillary length for a given liquid is calculated by the following formula: i _ Œ, where y is the surface tension, ρ is the density of the liquid, and where g is gravitational acceleration.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the drainage opening is a circular opening. In this case, the transverse dimension is equal to the diameter of said circular opening.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the gas to be condensed comprises, or is made up of, water vapor.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the condensed liquid comprises, or is made up of, liquid water.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the outlet is in the form of a plate oriented transversely to the direction of inclination. For example, the fluid outlet is substantially perpendicular to the direction of inclination.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a ratio of a surface of the transverse wall to a surface of the evacuation opening is greater than 10, or greater than 100, or greater than 1000. The surfaces of the transverse wall and of the evacuation opening being counted in the transverse plane.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the direction of inclination forms a non-zero angle with respect to a horizontal direction, the inlet being arranged above the outlet in the direction of gravity.

[0022] Thus, each condensation compartment is arranged so as to allow the flow of the condensed liquid along the direction of inclination, towards the outlet.

[0023] By "gravity", we mean the gravitational acceleration due to weight.

[0024] By "horizontal" direction, we mean a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the direction of inclination forms a slope of at least 2% with respect to the horizontal.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the evacuation opening is provided through the outlet, for example through the transverse wall.

[0027] According to one embodiment, each condensation compartment includes a fluid reservoir, disposed at the outlet, said fluid reservoir being intended to allow the accumulation of condensed liquid at the outlet opening.

[0028] Thus, the fluid reservoir makes it possible to increase the amount of condensed liquid stored at the outlet, which allows a condensed liquid plug to form. capable of compensating for larger pressure differences between two condensation compartments.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the drain opening is located inside the fluid reservoir

[0030] Thus, the positioning of the drain opening allows the condensed liquid to form a liquid plug, preventing the introduction of non-condensables between two condensation compartments.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the fluid reservoir comprises water. In other words, water is contained in the fluid reservoir.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the outlet separates the fluid reservoir between an internal part included in the condensation compartment, and an external part disposed outside the condensation compartment.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the fluid reservoir includes a shoulder separating the fluid reservoir between a bottom reservoir part, and a surface reservoir part, said surface reservoir part being disposed above the bottom reservoir part in the direction of gravity, the discharge opening being entirely contained within the bottom reservoir part.

[0034] In this way, it is possible to drain the condensed liquid contained in the surface section of the tank, while retaining the condensed liquid in the bottom section of the tank. The barrier function for the ingress of non-condensable gases can thus be maintained, while allowing the drainage of excess condensed liquid. The condensation function is therefore more efficient.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the fluid reservoir is in the form of a cavity comprising a reservoir opening open in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity, the reservoir opening having a peripheral rim, said peripheral rim comprising a flow portion disposed on the side opposite the condensation compartment relative to the discharge opening, the flow portion being disposed strictly below the rest of the peripheral rim in the direction of gravity.

[0036] In this way, the condensed liquid present in the fluid reservoir can flow naturally out of the fluid reservoir by gravity.

[0037] In other words, the fluid reservoir is hollow in shape and open in the opposite direction to the direction of gravity.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the peripheral rim is positioned entirely above the discharge opening in the direction of gravity. Thus, the fluid reservoir is able to retain sufficient condensed liquid at all times to block the discharge opening.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the transverse wall comprises a contact surface that is at least partly hydrophilic.

[0040] Thus, it is possible to increase the surface tension between the fluid and the transverse wall in order to improve the blocking function of non-condensables when the condensed fluid is at the level of the discharge opening.

[0041] By "hydrophilic surface" is meant a surface such that a wetting angle formed between said surface and the condensed liquid is less than 90°.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the condensation compartments have a general prismatic shape characterized by a base profile and a generatrix such that the prismatic shape is generated by the rectilinear translation of said base profile along said generatrix.

[0043] Thus, the manufacture of the condensation compartments is facilitated. According to one embodiment, the generatrix is ​​parallel to or coincides with the direction of inclination. In this way, and synergistically, the flow of the condensed liquid in the condensation compartments is facilitated and more efficient.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the basic profile is a square, a circle or a rectangle.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the condenser further comprises a device for pumping configured to allow the application of a vacuum at the discharge opening and outside the condensation compartment.

[0046] Thus, it is possible to remove a quantity of condensed liquid at the discharge opening to extract all or part of the condensed liquid. In other words, the pumping device is designed to draw in all or part of the condensed liquid by applying a vacuum at the discharge opening.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the pumping device is intended to draw the condensed liquid present in the surface reservoir part.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the condenser includes a purge device, the condenser in which the outlet further includes a purge opening in fluidic connection with the purge device, said purge device being configured to allow the application of a vacuum at the level of the purge opening, via the purge opening.

[0049] Thus, the purging device is capable of sucking up any non-condensables introduced into the condensation compartment.

[0050] Generally, the drain opening includes the purge opening. In other words, the purge opening is the same as the drain opening.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the outlet includes a purge opening separate from the discharge opening, which is disposed above the discharge opening in the direction of gravity. Thus, during condensation, if the condensed liquid is positioned at the level of the discharge opening, and if the non-condensable gases are positioned at the at the level of the purge opening, then it is possible to evacuate the non-condensables, without removing the condensed liquid at the level of the drain opening.

[0052] Although the removal of non-condensable gases can be achieved by a venting device, other types of gas removal devices can also be provided. For example, each condensing compartment can include a vent opening. The vent openings can be connected by elements presenting calibrated pressure drops to the passage of the non-condensable gas, leading to a non-condensable gas collection volume that is maintained at a pressure lower than that of the condensing compartments.

[0053] The object of the invention can also be achieved through the implementation of a cold and / or heat production system comprising at least one condenser as described above.

[0054] The above provisions make it possible to propose a cold production system in which the condenser includes means for evacuating non-condensables from the condenser, which allows for a more efficient heat exchange.

[0055] The object of the invention can also be achieved through the implementation of a heat exchange process implemented by a condenser as described above, the heat exchange process comprising the following steps: - a fluid inlet stage, in which a gas to be condensed is introduced into the condenser's condensation compartments through the inlets; - a condensation stage, in which the gas to be condensed is condensed on the heat exchange surfaces, thus forming, by condensation, the condensed liquid; - an evacuation stage, in which the condensed liquid is evacuated from the condensation compartments through the outlets.

[0056] The arrangements described above make it possible to propose a heat exchange process allowing the evacuation of the condensed liquid, preventing or limiting the penetration of non-condensable gases into the condensation compartments through each outlet.

[0057] The heat exchange process may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the heat exchange process further includes a pumping step, in which the pumping device applies a vacuum at the level of at least one of the discharge openings and outside the condensation compartments, so as to draw through said at least one discharge opening, all or part of the condensed liquid as well as part of a gas present in the condensation compartment associated with this discharge opening.

[0059] Thus, the heat exchange process makes it possible to remove any excess volume of condensed liquid, for example, all of the condensed liquid, as well as any non-condensable gases located near the discharge opening. Alternatively, the pumping step can be implemented to draw only a portion of the condensed liquid, so as to retain another portion at the discharge opening to form a liquid plug, blocking the entry of non-condensable gases through this discharge opening into the condensing compartments, including non-condensables that may originate from another of the condensing compartments.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the heat exchange process further includes a purging step, in which the purging device applies a vacuum inside the condensation compartments, via the purge opening.

[0061] Thus, the heat exchange process makes it possible to evacuate a gas at the level of the purge opening, for example if it contains non-condensable gases.

[0062] The object of the invention can also be achieved through the implementation of a cold and / or heat production process implemented by a cold and / or heat production system as described above, the cold and / or heat production process comprising the heat exchange process.

[0063] The provisions described above make it possible to propose a process for producing cold and / or heat in which the non-condensable gases entering or present in the condenser can be evacuated, which makes it possible to achieve a more efficient production of cold and / or heat.

[0064] Brief description of the drawings

[0065] Other aspects, objectives, advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0066] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a condenser according to a a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0067] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an outlet of a condensation compartment according to a first particular embodiment of the invention.

[0068] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an outlet of a condensation compartment according to a second particular embodiment of the invention.

[0069] [Fig.4] Fig.4 schematically illustrates a heat exchange process according to a particular embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0070] In the figures and throughout the description, the same reference numerals represent identical or similar elements. Furthermore, the various elements are not drawn to scale in order to enhance the clarity of the figures. Moreover, the different embodiments and variations are not mutually exclusive and may be combined.

[0071] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the invention relates firstly to a condenser 1, for example, for a cooling and / or heating system. The invention also relates to such a cooling and / or heating system.

[0072] As can be seen in [Fig. 1], the condenser 1 comprises at least two condensing compartments 3, each extending along a direction of inclination X between an inlet 2 and an outlet 4. Generally, the directions of inclination X of the condensing compartments 3 are parallel to each other; therefore, reference is made in the remainder of the description to a single direction of inclination X. [Fig. 1] illustrates, in particular, an embodiment in which the condenser 1 comprises eight condensing compartments 3 extending parallel to each other along their direction of inclination X. For the sake of clarity in [Fig. 1], numerical references have been given for only two of the condensing compartments 3.

[0073] Advantageously, the inclination direction X forms a non-zero angle with respect to a horizontal direction, the inlet 2 being arranged above the outlet 4 in the direction of gravity. More precisely, the inclination direction X can form a slope of at least 2% with respect to the horizontal. Thus, each condensation compartment 3 is arranged so as to allow the flow of a condensed liquid along the inclination direction X, towards the outlet 4. By "gravity," we mean the gravitational acceleration due to gravity, and by "horizontal" direction, we mean a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

[0074] To facilitate the manufacture of the condensing compartments 3, it is advantageous to provide that the condensing compartments 3 have a general prismatic shape characterized by a base profile and a generatrix such that the prismatic shape is generated by the rectilinear translation of said base profile along said generatrix. For example, the generatrix may be parallel to or coincide with the direction of inclination X. Thus, and synergistically, the flow of the condensed liquid in the condensing compartments 3 is facilitated and made more efficient. Generally, the base profile is a square, a circle, or a rectangle.

[0075] Each condensation compartment 3 has internally a heat exchange surface s3 intended to allow the condensation of a gas to be condensed to form the condensed liquid. The inlet 2 of each condensation compartment 3 is intended to allow the introduction of said gas to be condensed into the condensation compartment 3, and the outlet 4 of each condensation compartment 3 is intended to allow the discharge of said condensed liquid to the outside of the condensation compartment 3. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the gas to be condensed comprises, or is composed of, water vapor. Thus, the condensed liquid comprises, or is composed of, liquid water.

[0076] As illustrated more precisely in Figures 2 and 3, each outlet 4 comprises a transverse wall 10 extending in a plane transverse to the direction of inclination X. For example, the outlet 4 may be in the form of a plate oriented transversely to the direction of inclination X, and more particularly substantially perpendicular to the direction of inclination X. Thus the transverse wall 10 is arranged to at least partially close the condensation compartment 3 on one side.

[0077] The transverse wall 10 further comprises at least one drainage opening 11 having a transverse dimension less than 2.7 mm. Generally, the drainage opening 11 is provided through the outlet 4, for example through the transverse wall 10, so that the transverse wall 10 completely seals the condensation compartment 3 on the side of the outlet 4, except for the drainage opening 11. Thus, the outlet 4 of the condensation compartment 3 is sealed by the transverse wall 10, and the fluid drainage is controlled by the drainage opening 11.

[0078] Advantageously, a ratio of a surface of the transverse wall 10 to a surface of the evacuation opening 11 is greater than 10, or greater than 100, or greater than 1000. The surfaces of the transverse wall 10 and of the evacuation opening 11 being counted in the transverse plane.

[0079] In order to avoid creating a discontinuity around the perimeter of the drainage opening 11, the drainage opening 11 may be a circular opening. In this case, the transverse dimension is equal to the diameter of said circular opening.

[0080] It may also be provided that the transverse wall 10 includes a contact surface slO that is at least partially hydrophilic. Thus, it is possible to increase the surface tension between the fluid and the transverse wall 10 in order to improve the blocking function of non-condensable liquids when the condensed fluid is at the level of the discharge opening 11. A "hydrophilic surface" is understood to mean a surface such that the wetting angle formed between said surface and the condensed liquid is less than 90°. Those skilled in the art may also refer to ISO 304-1985(2) concerning the definition of a hydrophilic surface.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the transverse dimension of the discharge opening 11 can be chosen so as to be less than the capillary length of the condensed liquid. By "capillary length" of a liquid, we mean a length of a liquid volume for which the capillary forces in that volume are equal to those of gravity. This capillary length is calculated for a given liquid using the following formula: λ = μ₀ [Z], where λ is the surface tension, ρ is the density of the liquid, and g is the gravitational acceleration. In the particular case of water, λ is equal to 72 × 10³ N / m, ρ is equal to 1000 kg / m³, g is equal to 9.81 m / s², and λ is therefore equal to 2.7 mm.

[0082] Advantageously, each condensation compartment 3 can include a fluid reservoir 30, located at the outlet 4. This fluid reservoir 30 can be designed to allow the accumulation of condensed liquid at the discharge opening 11. For example, the fluid reservoir 30 contains water, and therefore water is contained within the fluid reservoir 30. The fluid reservoir 30 increases the amount of condensed liquid stored at the outlet 4, thereby forming a condensed liquid plug capable of compensating for larger pressure differences between two condensation compartments 3. In other words, the liquid plug ensures the immersion of the discharge opening 11.

[0083] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the transverse wall 10 separates the fluid reservoir 30 between an internal part 30i included in the condensation compartment 3, and an external part 30e disposed outside the condensation compartment 3. The discharge opening 11 is then disposed inside the fluid reservoir 30.

[0084] Advantageously, the fluid reservoir 30 may include a shoulder 31 separating the fluid reservoir 30 into a bottom reservoir portion 30f and a surface reservoir portion 30s, said surface reservoir portion 30s being disposed above the bottom reservoir portion 30f in the direction of gravity, the discharge opening 11 being entirely contained within the bottom reservoir portion 30f. In this way, it is possible to discharge the condensed liquid contained in the surface reservoir portion 30s, while retaining the condensed liquid in the bottom reservoir portion 30f. The ingress barrier function 2 for non-condensable gases can thus be maintained, while allowing the discharge of excess condensed liquid. The condensation function is therefore more efficient.

[0085] The fluid reservoir 30 is generally in the form of a cavity comprising a reservoir opening 33 open in a direction opposite to the direction of the gravity. In other words, the fluid reservoir 30 is hollow and open in the opposite direction to the direction of gravity.

[0086] The reservoir opening 33 may have a peripheral rim 35 comprising a flow portion 37 located on the side opposite the condensation compartment 3 to the discharge opening 11. This flow portion 37 is located directly below the rest of the peripheral rim 35 in the direction of gravity. Alternatively, the peripheral rim 35 may be located entirely above the discharge opening 11 in the direction of gravity. Thus, the fluid reservoir 30 is able to retain sufficient condensed liquid at all times to block the discharge opening 11, and the condensed liquid in the fluid reservoir 30 can flow naturally out of the fluid reservoir 30 by gravity on the side of the flow portion 37, thereby siphoning the fluid reservoir 30 through the discharge opening 11.The provisions described above prevent the accumulation of water in the condensation compartment 3 by accumulation of condensate.

[0087] As illustrated in the embodiment of [Fig. 3], the condenser 1 may further include a pumping device PI configured to allow the application of a vacuum at the discharge opening 11 and outside the condensing compartment 3. The pumping device PI is then intended to draw the condensed liquid present in the surface reservoir portion 30s. Thus, it is possible to remove a quantity of condensed liquid at the discharge opening 11 to extract all or part of the condensed liquid. In other words, the pumping device PI is intended to draw all or part of the condensed liquid by applying a vacuum at the discharge opening 11.

[0088] Furthermore, the outlet 4 may include a purge opening 13 in fluidic connection with a purge device P2 configured to allow the application of a vacuum at the purge opening 13, via the purge opening 13. Generally, and as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the discharge opening 11 may include the purge opening 13. In other words, the purge opening 13 may be the same as the discharge opening 11. The purge device P2 may be the same as the pumping device PI, or a different device.

[0089] Alternatively, and as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the drain opening 13 can be separate from the discharge opening 11. The drain opening 13 can be positioned above the discharge opening 11 in the direction of gravity. Thus, during condensation, if the condensed liquid is positioned at the level of the discharge opening 11, and if the non-condensable gases are positioned at the level of the drain opening 13, then it is possible to discharge the non-condensable gases without removing the liquid. condensed at the level of the evacuation opening 11. Thus, the purge device P2 is able to aspirate any non-condensables introduced into the condensation compartment 3.

[0090] Although the removal of non-condensable gases can be achieved by a purge device P2, it is also possible to provide other types of gas removal devices. For example, when the condensing compartments 3 include purge openings 13, these purge openings 13 can be connected by elements having calibrated pressure drops to the passage of the non-condensable gas, to a non-condensable gas collection volume which is maintained at a pressure lower than that of the condensing compartments.

[0091] The arrangements described above allow for the design of a condenser 1 in which the outlet 4 is sized to localize the non-condensable gases at the outlet 4, and to prevent the introduction of non-condensables into one or more of the condensing compartments 3 comprising the condenser 1 from the outlet 4, while still allowing the condensed liquid to be discharged. Indeed, the presence of a discharge opening 11 with a transverse dimension smaller than the capillary length of the condensed liquid (in the case of water) allows said condensed liquid to plug the discharge opening 11. The plug thus formed naturally blocks the non-condensables at the outlet 4 and can also prevent the introduction of non-condensable gases from outside the condensing compartment 3 into it.This is particularly advantageous in cases where the internal pressures in two nearby condensation compartments are different.

[0092] The provisions described above also allow for the proposal of a cold production system in which the condenser 1 includes means for evacuating non-condensables from the condenser 1, which allows for a more efficient heat exchange, because the condensation surfaces are free of non-condensable gases and are therefore directly accessible by the gas to be condensed.

[0093] With reference now to [Fig.4], the invention also relates to a heat exchange method implemented by a condenser 1 as described above.

[0094] The heat exchange process comprises the following steps: - a fluid inlet stage El, in which a gas to be condensed is introduced into the condensation compartments 3 of the condenser 1 through the inlets 2; - a condensation stage E2, in which the gas to be condensed is condensed on the heat exchange surfaces s3, thus forming, by condensation, the condensed liquid; - an evacuation stage E3, in which the condensed liquid is evacuated from the condensation compartments through outlets 4, in particular by siphoning through the evacuation openings.

[0095] The heat exchange process may also include a pumping step E4, in which the pumping device PI applies a vacuum at the level of at least one of the discharge openings 11 and outside the condensation compartments 3, so as to draw through said at least one discharge opening 11, all or part of the condensed liquid as well as part of a gas present in the condensation compartment 3 associated with this discharge opening 11. Thus, the heat exchange process makes it possible to evacuate any excess volume of condensed liquid, for example all of the condensed liquid, as well as the non-condensable gases located near the discharge opening 11.Alternatively, the pumping step E4 can be implemented to draw off only a portion of the condensed liquid, so as to retain another portion at the discharge opening 11 to form a liquid plug, blocking the entry 2 of non-condensable gases into the condensing compartments. For example, it is possible, during the pumping step E4, to retain sufficient condensed liquid in the fluid reservoir 30 up to the level of the bottom reservoir portion 30f, to maintain a fluid plug at the discharge opening 11 when the pumping step ceases.

[0096] Finally, the heat exchange process may include a purge step E5, in which the purge device P2 applies a vacuum inside the condensation compartments, via the purge opening 13. Thus, the heat exchange process makes it possible to evacuate a gas at the level of the purge opening 13, for example if it contains non-condensable gases.

[0097] Although [Fig.4] illustrates an embodiment in which the pumping steps E4 and purging steps E5 are carried out between the condensation steps E2 and evacuation steps E3, they can be implemented at other times in the process as long as condensed liquid and / or non-condensable gases are present in the condensation compartment 3.

[0098] Moreover, it is possible that the pumping step E4 and the purging step E5 are the same, and / or that the evacuation step E3 includes one or both of the pumping steps E4 and the purging step E5.

[0099] The arrangements described above make it possible to propose a heat exchange process allowing the evacuation of the condensed liquid, preventing or limiting the penetration of non-condensable gases into the condensation compartments through each outlet 4.

[0100] Finally, the invention also relates to a method for producing cold and / or heat implemented by a cold and / or heat production system as described above. The cold and / or heat production method includes the heat exchange process, and in particular the pumping step E4 and the purging step E5 described above.

[0101] The arrangements described above make it possible to propose a process for producing cold and / or heat in which the non-condensable gases entering or present in the condenser 1 can be evacuated, which makes it possible to achieve a more efficient production of cold and / or heat.

Claims

Demands

1. Condenser (1) comprising at least two condensation compartments (3) each extending along a direction of inclination (X) between an inlet (2) and an outlet (4), each condensation compartment (3) having internally a heat exchange surface (s3) intended to permit the condensation of a gas to be condensed into a condensed liquid, the inlet (2) being intended to permit the introduction of said gas to be condensed into the condensation compartment (3), the outlet (4) being intended to permit the discharge of said condensed liquid to the outside of the condensation compartment (3); the outlet (4) comprising a transverse wall (10) extending in a plane transverse to the direction of inclination (X), said transverse wall (10) comprising at least one discharge opening (11) having a transverse dimension less than 2.7 mm.

2. Condenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the tilt direction (X) forms a non-zero angle with respect to a horizontal direction, the inlet (2) being disposed above the outlet (4) in the direction of gravity.

3. Condenser (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein each condensation compartment (3) comprises a fluid reservoir (30), disposed at the outlet (4), said fluid reservoir (30) being intended to allow the accumulation of condensed liquid at the discharge opening (11).

4. Condenser (1) according to claim 3, wherein the discharge opening (11) is disposed inside the fluid reservoir (30)

5. Condenser (1) according to claim 4, wherein the fluid reservoir (30) comprises a shoulder (31) separating the fluid reservoir (30) between a bottom reservoir portion (30f), and a surface reservoir portion (30s), said surface reservoir portion (30s) being disposed above the bottom reservoir portion (30f) in the direction of gravity, the discharge opening (11) being entirely contained within the bottom reservoir portion (30f).

6. Condenser (1) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the fluid reservoir (30) is in the form of a cavity comprising a reservoir opening (33) open in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity, the reservoir opening (33) featuring a peripheral rim (35), said peripheral rim (35) comprising a flow portion (37) disposed on the side opposite the condensation compartment (3) relative to the discharge opening (11), the flow portion (37) being disposed strictly below the rest of the peripheral rim (35) in the direction of gravity.

7. Condenser (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the transverse wall (10) comprises a contact surface (s 10) at least partly hydrophilic.

8. Condenser (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the condensation compartments (3) have a general prismatic shape characterized by a base profile and a generatrix such that the prismatic shape is generated by the rectilinear translation of said base profile along said generatrix.

9. Condenser (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a pumping device (PI) configured to allow the application of a vacuum at the discharge opening (11) and outside the condensation compartment (3).

10. Condenser (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a purge device (P2), condenser (1) in which the outlet (4) further comprises a purge opening (13) in fluidic connection with the purge device (P2), said purge device (P2) being configured to permit the application of a vacuum at the level of the purge opening (13), via the purge opening (13).

11. A cooling and / or heating production system comprising at least one condenser (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A heat exchange method implemented by a condenser (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the heat exchange method comprising the following steps: • a fluid inlet step (E1), in which a gas to be condensed is introduced into the condensing compartments (3) of the condenser (1) through the inlets (2); • a condensation step (E2), in which the gas to be condensed is condensed on the heat exchange surfaces of heat (s3), thus forming by condensation, the condensed liquid; • an evacuation stage (E3), in which the condensed liquid is evacuated out of the condensation compartments through the outlets (4).

13. A heat exchange method according to claim 12, implemented by a condenser (1) according to claim 9, further comprising a pumping step (E4), in which the pumping device (PI) applies a vacuum at the level of at least one of the discharge openings (11) and outside the condensation compartments (3), so as to draw through said at least one discharge opening (11), all or part of the condensed liquid as well as part of a gas present in the condensation compartment (3) associated with this discharge opening (11).

14. A heat exchange method according to any one of claims 12 or 13, implemented by a condenser (1) according to claim 10, further comprising a purge step (E5), in which the purge device (P2) applies a vacuum inside the condensation compartments, via the purge opening (13).

15. A method for producing cold and / or heat implemented by a cold and / or heat production system according to claim 11, the cold and / or heat production method comprising the heat exchange method according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

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