Generator including a rectification function, an absorption machine comprising said generator and a method of producing refrigerant vapour by said generator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Absorption machines using refrigerant and absorbent couples like ammonia and water face challenges in achieving pure refrigerant vapor due to trace absorbent presence, leading to power loss and instability, especially at low evaporation temperatures, and require complex rectification processes that increase machine size and energy losses.

Innovation Solution

A compact generator design integrating a desorber and rectifier with falling film and adiabatic plates, respectively, allows for simultaneous refrigerant vapor production and purification, reducing bulk and hydrodynamic losses by eliminating separate components and optimizing heat and mass exchanges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a separate rectifier component is added to eliminate absorbent traces from refrigerant vapor, then refrigerant purity is improved, but device complexity and machine size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerant vapor purityVSAvoidmachine structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the rectifier and generator into a single integrated component where the rectifier is positioned directly at the generator outlet. This merging eliminates the need for separate rectification equipment while maintaining the function of removing absorbent traces from refrigerant vapor, thus improving purity without increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated rectifier-generator component performs multiple functions simultaneously: the generator produces refrigerant vapor through desorption while the integrated rectifier concurrently purifies the vapor by separating absorbent traces. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the absorption machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If a fluidically connected rectifier is added to purify refrigerant vapor, then refrigerant quality is improved, but loss of energy increases due to longer hydraulic path and reduced heat exchange efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerant vapor qualityVSAvoidheat exchange efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the rectifier directly with the generator outlet, the patent minimizes the hydraulic path length for refrigerant vapor. This direct connection eliminates energy losses associated with longer fluid paths and maintains efficient heat exchange, while still achieving effective purification of the refrigerant vapor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional rectification with condensers is used to remove absorbent, then refrigerant purity is improved, but loss of energy increases due to pressure drop from viscous friction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerant purityVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the condenser component from the rectification process. Instead of using conventional condensation-based rectification that creates pressure drops, the invention employs a direct rectification method at the generator outlet that removes absorbent traces without requiring condensation, thereby avoiding the associated energy losses from viscous friction and pressure drop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This integrated solution enhances refrigerant vapor purity, reduces machine size and energy losses, and lowers costs by simplifying the absorption machine's design and improving thermal efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the working solution formed by the mixture between the refrigerant and the absorbent after absorption is heated (for example thanks to a solar energy input), in a component known as the generator, to carry out a desorption of the refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal desorption: Desorption

Implementation Method 2

an adiabatic rectifier comprising a plurality of adiabatic plates and intended for the elimination of traces of absorbent vapor in the refrigerant vapor produced in the first zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdiabatic cooling: Adiabatic Cooling

Implementation Method 3

One principle of rectification consists of cooling this gaseous phase to condense only a fraction, knowing that these condensates are highly concentrated in absorbent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

the desorber comprises a falling film plate exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 5

a mass transfer by absorption of the refrigerant (for example ammonia) towards the absorbent (for example water) carried out in a component of the machine known as the absorber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMass transfer by absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3885672B1Generator including a rectification function, an absorption machine comprising said generator and a method of producing refrigerant vapour by said generator
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP3885672B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3885672B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3885672B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a generator (1) for absorption machine comprising a frame (100) defining an internal volume comprising a first zone (101) comprising a desorber configured to receive a working solution comprising a refrigerant and an absorbent and intended for the production of refrigerant vapor characterized in that the frame (100) comprises a second zone (102) arranged above the first zone (101) comprising an adiabatic rectifier and intended for the elimination of trace absorbent vapor in the refrigerant vapor produced in the first zone (101).