GB635948A - Process and apparatus for generating cold - Google Patents

Abstract

635,948. Refrigerating. NAAMLOOZE VENNOOTSCHAP DE BATAAFSCHE PETROLEUM MAATSCHAPPIJ. Oct. 31, 1947, No. 29143. Convention date, Nov. 14, 1946. [Class 29] For generating cold a volume of gas undergoes the following processes in a closed cycle. Phase I: The volume of gas is contained under a pressure P in a hot cylinder 2. Phase II: The gas is transferred to a cold cylinder 1 at constant pressure being cooled in a conduit 3 containing regenerative material. Phase III: The gas is expanded to a lower pressure p by moving up the piston 14 whereby part of the gas produces cold in the cylinder 1 and the rest flows to the cylinder 2 being heated in the conduit 3. Phase IV: The part of the gas left in the cylinder 1 is transferred at constant pressure p to the cylinder 2 being heated in the conduit 3 The gas is then compressed to the initial pressure P in the cylinder 2 by the piston 14, thus completing the cycle, the heat of compression being removed. In a practical embodiment (Fig. 2, not shown) the cylinder 1 is replaced by several cylinders connected in parallel and operating at different temperatures. Fig. 3 shows a modification of the diagrammatic apparatus shown in Fig. 1, the cylinder 1 being replaced by a horizontal cylinder 6 containing a displacer 5 having regenerator surfaces 3'. Fig. 4 shows a stepped cylinder 6 and displacer 5. Other embodiments showing displacers having regenerator surfaces operating at a series of different temperatures are described. Instead of the compression being intermittent, a continuously acting compressor may feed into pressure reservoirs which are connected to the regenerator at the proper times by valves. By operating two similar machines in antiphase, the regenerator may be dispensed with. The apparatus may be used for liquefying gases.