US1926278A - Method and apparatus for refrigerating and carbonating - Google Patents

Description

Sept. i2, i933. J. c. GoosMANN 1,926,278

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERITINCT AND CARBONATING Filed May 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Prawn Auand Swihh /l 0%" il /fo ,0% e/Q f( S14/vento@ JIJ-S7915 C'. Goos/norm /vis @lm/Hugs Sept. l2, 1933. J. c. GooslMANN 1,926,278

i METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATING AND CARBONATING Filed May 10. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvENToR 60 Jie n0. mmarm. BYS gaJ-X his A oRNEY.

Patented Sept. 1.2, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REFRIGER- ATING AND CARBONATING This invention relates in general to a method and apparatus by means of which liquids and solids may be refrigerated and, if desired, liquids carbonated.

One of the objects of'this invention is the pro vision of a refrigerating and carbonating apparatus employing a solid refrigerant, such as solid carbon dioxide. l

a further object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus by means of which a solid refrigerant, such as solid carbon dioxide, is changed to the gaseous phase, then changed to the `iiduid phase, employed as a `refrigeratirdig medium while in the liquid phase and then changed again to the gaseous phase to be used for impregnating and carbonating purposes.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus for utilizing reirigerating media, such as carbon dioxide, in accordancawith the above phase changes.

A still further object oi this invention is to einploy a reirigerating apparatus employing solid carbon dioxide or similar solid refrigerating media and/a circulating liquid refrigerant.

These and many other objects as will appear from vthe following disclosure are attained by -means ci the method and apparatus of this in vention.

This invention resides substantially'in the combination, construction, arrangement, relative location of parts, steps and series of steps, all as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.

' Referring to the drawings;

Figure l is-a diagrammatic view with some parts in cross-section of a combined reirgerating 4 and carbonating or impregnating apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view with parts in cross-section of a refrigerating apparatus employing a solid refrigerating medium and a liquid circulating medium.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view with some parts in cross-section of a modified form of refrigerat ing apparatus employing the principles of this invention.

The prime purpose of this invention is to provide arefrigerating and liquid impregnatingor carbonating apparatus for the use o! a solid refrigerating medium such as, for example, solid carbon dioxide or other solidified gases. In the formof apparatus shown' in Fig. 1, both refrigerating and liquid impregnating apparatus have been shown in a single system, but it is, of course, apparent that a. complete system employing the principles of this invention need only comprise either the refrigerating apparatus alone'or the liquid cooling and impregnating apparatus alone.

In the apparatus in Fig. 2, a solid refrigerating medium is employed in conjunction with a liquid circulating medium of different characteristics. Thus the solid refrigerating medium can'be solid @o carbon dioxide, and the liquid circulating medium can be ethane, ethyl or methyl chloride; sulphur dioxide or, in fact, any other suitable liquid.

The apparatus and method oi this invention will bel best understood by direct reference to @5 the disclosure in the drawings and a description of the operation of the apparatus disclosed therein. fit l is shown a suitably constructed chamber which may be in best practice covered with heat insulating material. This chamber is im provided with a cover 2 which may be closed in gas tight relation with the chamber by means of any suitable locking mechanism 3. The con fined volume formed by this closed chamber has been indicated by the reference letter A. At d a5- is a pressure control valve connected to the in terior of the chamr and oi adjustable construction, so that it will automatically maintain any desired gas pressure within the chamber. Such a valve is ofA well lniown construction in a@ many forms and need not he described in detail here. Near'the top of chamber' i. is an exit port 5 to which is connected a pipe t which terminates in the cylinder of pump '1. Pump 7 is of the ordinary type which takes in the medium being` @5 pumped on the suction stroke and expels it on the compression stroke. The delivery port of the pump is connected by pipe 8 to one end of the pipe coil 94 disposed within chamber 1. The other end of the coil 9 is connected by pipe 10 to the co inlet of the oat valve 14. The oat valve 14 is shown disposed within the refrigerating chamber 13. At 12 is diagrammatically illustrated a iluid pressure operated switch which controls the circuit for the motor which operates the o5 pump 7. .The uid pressure actuated switch 12 has been shown diagrammatically, since many forms of it are well known ir.` the art. A pipe 11 extends from pipe 10l to the uid pressure actuated member of switch 12.

The outlet port of the iioat valve 14 is connected to one end of the refrigerating coil 15. The other end of these coils is connected to the thermostatic valve 16 which has also been disclosed diagrammatically, since numerous forms of it. are well known in the art. A thermostatic tube .1'7 exposed to the temperature within the refrigerating chamber 13 isV connected to the thermostatic valve in a. manner obvious to those skilled in the art. The confined space provided by the reirigerating chamber 13 has been indicated bythe reference letter B. Valve 16 is/conset. The inlet port oi' oat valve'2l is connected to pipe by pipe 22. At 23 is a liquid cooling and gas impregnating or carbonating tank. This tank is divided by means oi' the wall 25 into a lower chamber C and an upper chamber D. The

wall has an opening through the center as is 4clear from the drawings. Arranged in chamber C is a pipe coil 24 which is connected at one end to pipe 20. A liquid inlet connection to cham-l ber C is shown at 26. At 27 is a thermostatic valve which connects with chamber C through pipe 28 and which also connects with this cham# ber through passage 29, so that the i'iuid in charnber C may ilow through valve 27 to control its operation. It has the purpose of controlling the ow of refrigerant through coil 24 with relation to the temperature of the liquid in chamber C.

The outlet of coil 24 is connected topipe 30 through valve 27.- ;Pipe 30 is connected to pressure regulating valve 46. This valve is provided with a pressuregauge 47 and is connected to chamber D by pipe 48. Near the bottom of chamber D is the uid outlet pipe 50. 31 represents a closure member which ilts over the opening of wall 25. The closure member 31 is secured to a vertical pipe 32 which opens into chamber C at its lower end. In this pipe is a valve 34 which is operated by means of the oat 33 which slides vertically on pipe 32. The valve 34 is operated by` lever 38 which is connected by the link 37 to lever 36 which is pivoted at one end on the iioat and at its other end on link which in turn is supported at its upper end on the pipe. The top of tank 23 is provided with a cover 43 through which extends a centering and securing means for the vupper end oi pipe 32. This means consists oi' a rod having a conical end for engagement with the upper end oi pipe 32 and for closing the end thereof.. The rod is operated by the hand lwheel 44 and may be moved vertically by reason of its threaded engagement with the hole in the cover through which it passes. Secured to the `vertical pipe 32 are a series o! pans. The pans usually but not necessarily of the diaphragm type which may be adjusted so that they will not operate to permit the escape of gas or liquid until a predetermined pressure is exceeded. Likewise, the float valves 14 and 21 are oi usual and wellknown construction for maintaining a predeterf mined liquid level. jThe thermostatic valves 16 and 27 are also of well-known construction as is the thermostatic control tube 1 7.

: 'I'he operation of this apparatus is'as follows:

First, it may be pointed out that refrigerating chamber B may be used in the system without the liquid cooling and impregnating tank 23. Likewise, the reirigerating chamber E may be eliminated and only the tank 23 employed. They are both shown in the same system to illustrate the economy of thepresent invention in utilizingone lsoince of solid refrigerating medium ior refrigerating. cooling and impregnating materials.

While the operation of this apparatus will be described 'in' connection with solid carbon dioxide, it may be pointed out that any suitable solidied gas may be employed. Solid carbon dioxide is 'placed in chamber A in the form of small pieces or lumps which are piled within and around the coil 9..' Cover 2 is then closed and sealed by means of the vlocking means 3. As the solid carbon dioxide evaporatesthe gas formed is withdrawn through port 5 and pipe 6 by vmeans of pump 7. The gas is compressed and delivered through pipe 8 to coil 9. This gas travelling through the coil 9 embedded in the' cold solid carbon dioxide is condensed. The heat of compression taken on by the gas is exchanged through the walls oi coil 9 and supplies the heat of vaporization i'or the solid carbon dioxide. As a result the gas in coil 9 is sumciently chilled to liquey it. As an actual matter oi' fact. coil 9 may be called a condenser coil. It may be well to point out here that although a pump 7 is shown for insuring circulation ofthe gas and liquid, it is not essential since such circulation may be secured by the temperature gradient in the cycle, `es will be described in connection with Figure 3.

In other words, the gas produced in chamber A could be directly conducted into coil 9 through which it will flowdownwardly and condense by reason of its own pressure. However, to accelerate the ilowof-the medium and to insure definitely the change in condition from vapor into liquid, the use of a compressor, such as illustrated, is at least desirable even it not entirely necessary. The valve 4 acts to maintain a predetermined'gas pressure within the chamber A and-permits the escape of excess gas when this pressure is exceeded. The condensed liquid then tlowsdown through pipe 10. Ii' the pressure in pipe 10 exceeds a predetermined amount, the

pressure actuated switch 12 opens a circuit to the motor which drivesl the compressor shutting it down until such time as the pressure within pipe 10 falls sui'iiciently to permit switch l2 to close. The liquid flowing through pipe 10 is delivered to both float valves 1,4 and 21. These iloat valves maintain a predetermined liquid level therein and n allow the wet vapors coming of! the liquid to enter thecooling pipes 15 and 24. The cold liquid in pipe 15 serves to cool chamber B, and similarly the liquid in coil 24 cools the liquid in chamber C which is delivered therein through pipe 26. This liquid may, for example, be water which it is desired to carbonate. The temperature in chamber B is controlled by thermostatic valve 16 which receives the vapors coming from coil l5. A further control is effected by the thermostatic tube 17 which is located within chamber B so as to be subject to the temperature therein. The

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gases which exit from the thermostatic valve 16- are conducted through pipes 18 and 20 to the coils 24. Any surplus gas in these pipes is expelled through the exhaust valve 19. The gas and liquid carbon dioxide delivered to coil 24 .1 serves to cool the water as vit passes through carbonating pressure. It is interesting to point out here that as is well known, the cooler a liquid is the more easily it may be impregnated with gas for a given pressure. Thus the cooling coils 24 are utilized to chill the water to be impregnatecl with gas to thus aid in its absorption of gas-in chamber D. The w'ater passes from cham--v ber C upwardly through pipe 32 and is delivered into pans through openings 39. It then trlckles over the edge of pans 40 into pans 41 and falls over the edge of them to the bottom of chamber D. During this movement of the water, carbon dioxide gas from chamber D is absorbed by it. Float valve 33 operates to maintain a desired water level within chamber D. The gas impregnated `or carbonated water is drawn off through the discharge pipe 50. As pointed out before, valve 4.2 actsto relieve chamber D of any excessive pressure. The outlet from coil '24 is also controlled by the thermostatic valve 27, as well as the pressure regulating valve '46, and since the gas volume coming throughthe refrigerating coils is ample a constant gas pressure is maintained in chamber D.

It is only when both float valves 14 and .2l are shut off that the pressure in pipe l1 builds up sufficiently to open switch 12.

It will be apparent then by means of this ap paratus that solid carbon dioxide may be ernployed to do useful refrigerating worl: in the most effective manner. f y

The apparatus shown in Fig. 2 comprises a refrigerating chamber Within which materials to be kept cool may be placed. A smaller closed chamber 61 is provided eitherwithin or outside or" the chamber 60 and within which solid carhon dioxide in the form of small pieces may be placed. Within chamber 6l is a pipefcoil 62 which is connected by pipe 63 to the cooling' coils 64. The outlet of cooling coils 6i delivers into a float valve chamber 65 through a small control valve 67. The valve 67 is operated by means of a suitable oat 66 by means of which the desired liquid level may be maintained. .An--V other refrigerating coil @Sis connected at one end at the top oi the float valve and at the other end with the top of coil 62. A therrnostatic controldevice oi'ofell-known construction indi-a cated at 69 is connected to the coil 68 and ar ranged so as to be subject to-the temperature within the rerigerating chamber 60.' A suitable refrigerating liquid, such as already disclosed as, for example, ethane, is provided within the coils 62, 6e and oli. The vapors given ofi by this liquid pass :from float valve chamber 65 into pipe coil 68. This gas is relatively c olcl and acts to chill cham her 6o. The gases then flow into coil o2 Where they are iiqueiled by reason of their loss of heat to the solid carbon dioxide Within chamber iii. The liquid then ovvs down throughpipe o3 into the float valve. Employing a float valve in the manner disclosed maires it possible to deliver to coils et the cooling medium in the i'orrn of riet vapors which come off the surface of the liquid body within the valve. The therinostatic control valve 69 shuts o the circulation in the coils when the temperature in the cabinet is at a sufficiently lov.v value. When the temperature rises above a predetermined value, the valve opens to again permit circulation in the pipes.

lt is apparent that there is no moving force in a system oi this type other than that produced hy the temperature difference inthe solid carbon dioxide casing and the airv in the outer cabinet 6o. With this arrangement, there are practically no moving parts and no apparatus, such as' pumps and motors, required to effect its `operation. y

A still further modified form of construction employing the principles of this `invention has been set forth in detail in Fig. 3. The well-known second law of thermo-dynamics states that heat cannot be transferred from one condition of temperature to a higher temperaturecondition without the expenditure of external energy. In this modiiied form oi. device an arrangement has been provided in which the heat abstracted from the space or materials being refrigerated is employed' in practical construction will be made so that the cover may be easily placed on and removed therefrom. "The essential thing is that this chamber be gas tight when in use. Within the chamber is the condensing coil 62 which is open to the interior of the chamber at-its upper end through the inlet 76. The lower end of thecondenser coil is connected by pipe 63 to the liquid cooling coils 6e. Liquid coils 64 delivered into the iioat valve 65 and the delivery of liquid thereto is controlled by the valve 67 and the float mechanisrn 6d. Connected to the top of the float valve is a discharge pipe which is connected. to the cooling coils 6d. The upper end i7 of the cooling coils 68 connects with one end of the coil 'lo which encircles the metallic chamber 6l in close proximity or in actual contact therewith. At 'le is the delivery pipe from the coil 7e. @hamber di and its surrounding coil 'le are preferably enclosed within a casing of heat insulating mate rial of any suitable type, as shown at 75. lill though the chamber di has been shown within the cabinet do, it is not at all necessary to place it therein, aithough it is desirable to do so. The outlet of coils (it is controlled by means ci' the thermostatic. valve o@ which is subject to the temperature within the cabinet oil. By means of this control valve the iflow of vapor from the coils dit is interrupted when the interior ol the cabinet and its contents are at a predetermined temperature. f

in operation, lumps ci solid refrigerant are placed withinchaniher el and around the conlensing coils d2. The vapor coming on? irons the refrigerant, which may he solid carbon dioxide, passes into the condensing coil d2 through the inlet ol. .es in the case with chamber l o Fig. E

l and chamber el ci Fia'. the temperatures and pressures within chamber di of 3 are such that the gas, given ofi? by the carbon dioxide, as it dot-ts through the condensing coil 62 is condensed into liquid form. ofi eifecting sorse refrigeration and is delivered into the float valve, where the liquid is mainl-- The Wet through the coll lloana supplies heat to the chainj The liquid flows through lil@ Mii

ber 8l to eiect further evaporation of the solid carbon dioxide therein. The gas is then delivered through outlet 'i9 either to the atmosphere or to a suitable container or receptacle or even to a gasometer. Withvthis arrangement then it will be apparent that the heat which is abstracted from chamber and the articles therein by the vapor in coils, 68 is employed to do useful work in effecting more rapid evaporation of the solid carbon dioxide in chamber 6l.

In the systems disclosed, it is apparent that the apparatus is adaptable for use in eiecting low temperature refrigeration within stationary or portable refrigerators, such as those used in the home or on trucks, refrigerator railway cars and other carriers. In fact, the pinciples of this invention `may readily be applied to any form of refrigerating chamber and gas impregnating or carbonating apparatus.

It will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure that I have devised an apparatus involving certain principles of construction and operation which may be embodied in many physical forms without departing from these principles, II do not therefore, desire to be strictly limited to the disclosure given for purposes of illustration, but rather to the scope of the appended claims.l

What I seek to secure by United States Letters Patent is: l

1. The method of preparing'a liquid cooling medium for refrigerating purposes by utilizing a solid refrigerant which sublimes, comprising the steps of sublimating a solid refrigerant and circulating the gas formed in heat exchange relation with the remaining medium to effect condensation of the gas to liquid form to provide a liquid cooling medium.

2. 'I'he method ci employing solid carbon di oxide for refrigerating purposes comprising the steps of sublimating a mass of solid carbon dioxide, circulating the carbon dioxide gas formed throughl the remaining mass, and condensing the circulating gas to form liquid carbon dioxide for cooling purposes by heat exchange with the remaining mass.

3. The method of employing solid carbon dioxide for refrigerating purposes comprising the steps of gradually sublimating a mass of solid carbon dioxide, circulating lthe carbon dioxide gas formed through the unsublimated mass, condensing the circulating gas to form liquid carbon dioxide for cooling purposes by heat exchange vwith the unsublimated mass,` and circulating the 'liquid carbon dioxide in heat exchange relation vapor in the cooling coil.

5.*In la refrigerating apparatus,the combination comprising a condenser coil andA a. cooling coil connected together to provide a circulating system, a chamber to receive the cooling coil, a container for the condenser coil adapted to hold solid carbon dioxide, said condenser being open to the container, and means in the circulating system for insuring the delivery of wet vapor to insuring the delivery of wet vapors thereto.

Leggere the cooling coil, said circulating system being provided to conduct a readily vaporizable liquid.

6. In a reirigerating apparatus 'of the type described, the combination with a condenser coil and a cooling coil connected together to provide a circulating system, lof a chamber for the condenser coil, said condenser coil communicating with the interior of the chamber, a cabinet within which the cooling coil is kplaced and a valve in the connection between the coils for controlling the supply of refrigerant tothe cooling coil.

'7. `In a refrige'rating apparatus of the type' described, the combination comprising a condenser coil and a cooling coil connected together, a chamber for the condenser coil, the condenser coil communicating with the interior ci the chamber, a cabinet for the cooling coil, and means connected ahead of the cooling coil for 8. In a refrigerating apparatus of the type de-s @d scribed, the combination comprising a condenser coil and a cooling coil connected together, a chamber for the condenser coil to receive solidcarbon dioxide, a connection between the interior of the chamber and the condenser coil, means. in 10@ said connection for withdrawing the gaseous carbcn dioxide from the chamber and delivering it to thecondenser coil, and a cabinet to receive the cooling coil.

9. In a refrigerating apparatus or" the type de- 1 scribed, the combination com rising a condensercoil and a cooling coil connected together, a chamber for the condenser coil to receive solid carbon dioxide, a connection between the interior of thechamber and the condenser coil, means lli) in said connection for withdrawing the gaseous carbon dioxide from the chamber and delivering it to the condenser coil, a cabinet to receive the cooling coil, and a float valve connected to the cooling coil for controlling the flow of liquid carbon dioxide thereto.

l0. In a refrigerating apparatus of the type described, the combination comprising a condenser coil and a cooling coil connected together, a chamber for the condenser coil to receive solid carbon dioxide, a connection between the interior of the chamber and the condenser coil, means in said connection for withdrawing the gaseous carbon dioxide from the chamber and delivering it to the cndenser coil, a cabinet to receive the cooling coil, a float valve connected to the cooling coil for controlling the iiow of liquid carbondioxide thereto, and means connected to the cooling coil and exposed to the temperature conditions within the cabinet for controlling the ow ofliquid and'vapor therethrough.

1'1. A refrigerating method for eilecting the cooling of a space or articles comprising the steps of sublimating a solid refrigerant within a conned space, conducting the vapor formed in close proximity to the unsublimated solid to condense the vapor into a liquid, evaporating the liquid within the space or near the articles to cool them andl conducting the warm vapor adjacent the unsubnmad solid to supply the heat of sublimation thereto.

12. In -a refrigerating apparatus of the type described, the combination comprising a cabinet to be refrigerated, a chamber, a. condensing coil within the chamber and open to the interior thereof, a cooling coil within the cabinet connected to the condenser coil, 'a control valve in the connection between the coils and a third coil connected to the outlet of the ycooling coll, said maaar@ third coil being in heat exchange relation with said chamber.

3. In a refrigerating device as described, time combination comprising a chamber to receive a solid refrigerant, a condensing coil Within said chamber arid open to the interior thereof, a con tairler providing a space to be refrigerated, coolu ing coil in said container, a connection between condensing coils and the cooling coil including fluid con l means for insuring' tbe presence of vapor wit the cooling coil.,` arid a time" coil connected 'i tre cooling coil alici 'placed exchange 2 -tioii with respect to elia-ml supply lice. to eect evaacratiori oi? tire solid reii'ia'erc therein.

lei lo a i t od preparing ating med' which svi" e solid, sublimate i 'tl a closed.

the gas foil ed lieat exchange re itil the remaiiiirig solid out oi direct corftact therewith to condense tlie space alle l eretici@ cycle a solid.

refrigerant, which sublimes as the source for cooling relatively Warm substances, the steps of prou ducing cold gas from the solid by sublimation, condensing the gas, absorbing heat from the substance by heat transfer to the liquid and supply ing the heat thus absorbed by the gas to effect .further sublimation of the solid refrigerant.

lo. A metlriod of preparing liquid carbon dioxide from solid carbon dioxide which comprises sub-- limating solid carbon dioxide to Vform carbon dioxide gas and circulating the carbon dioxide gas iii lieat exchange relation with tlie remaining solid to condense the gas to liquid form and supply beat for further sublimation oi the solid.

l. .e method of preparing liquid carbon dioxide from solid carbon dioxide'wbich comprises sub limating solid carbon dioxide to produce carbon dioxide gas, compressing the gas thus producedi `circulating the compressed gas in heat exchange relation with the remaining solid to liquey it by abstraction of the heat o compression from the gas and effecting further sublimation of tbe solid with the abstracted heat of compression.

JUST'S C. @CGSB/KANN.

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