WO2024156918A1

WO2024156918A1 - Method and sorption refrigeration system with a gas trap for removing foreign gases

Info

Publication number: WO2024156918A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/052026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roland Kühn; Kilian Mähne
Original assignee: Coolar UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
Priority date: 2023-01-27
Filing date: 2024-01-29
Publication date: 2024-08-02
Also published as: DE102023102022A1

Abstract

A first aspect of the invention relates to a sorption refrigeration system, comprising at least one evaporator, a condenser, a sorption unit comprising a sorbent and a gas trap comprising a collecting container. The invention is characterized in that the gas trap is positioned fluidically between a first container and a second container, wherein a liquid of the sorption refrigeration process can flow between the first container and the gas trap and between the gas trap and the second container. A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for removing a foreign gas from a refrigeration circuit using the sorption refrigeration system according to the invention.

Description

PROCESS AND SORPTION COOLING SYSTEM WITH A GAS TRAP FOR THE REMOVAL OF FOREIGN GASES

DESCRIPTION

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a sorption refrigeration system comprising at least one evaporator, one condenser, one sorption unit comprising a sorbent and a gas trap comprising a collecting container. The invention is characterized in that the gas trap is positioned fluidically between a first container and a second container, wherein a liquid of the sorption refrigeration process can flow between the first container and the gas trap and between the gas trap and the second container.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for removing a foreign gas from a refrigeration circuit using the gas trap according to the invention.

Background and state of the art

Refrigeration systems (also known as chillers) are well known in the state of the art and are an indispensable part of everyday life, as well as in important branches of industry. In particular, there are a number of different designs and functions of chillers that meet individual requirements and are used for different cooling purposes.

A specific type of refrigeration machine is the so-called sorption refrigeration machine (also sorption refrigeration system). The latter type of refrigeration machine can in turn be divided into absorption and adsorption refrigeration systems. Furthermore, thermally driven absorption and adsorption refrigeration systems are known in the state of the art, which work in a vacuum because they are operated with water or alcohols as a coolant, for example. In order to obtain, and in particular to maintain, this vacuum, so-called gas traps are known in the state of the art. Gas traps serve to maintain the vacuum by keeping penetrating gases, so-called inert or foreign gases or non-condensable gases (synonymous terms), away from the internal processes and/or enclosing them in a separate volume.

The known gas traps for absorption refrigeration systems and adsorption refrigeration systems differ considerably in their functionality. The average expert knows that an absorption refrigeration system is a refrigeration system that typically works with liquids and their vapors, i.e. with a normally liquid absorbent that absorbs the vaporous refrigerant in its volume. Absorption refrigeration systems are also known that work with solid crystals of salts. The expert understands an adsorption refrigeration system to be a refrigeration system that works with a solid working medium (also known as an adsorbent) that deposits the refrigerant vapor on its surface, i.e. a solid adsorbent.

Absorption refrigeration systems typically comprise two vessels in which two different pressures prevail: the high-pressure vessel, in which the desorber and the condenser are located, and the low-pressure vessel, in which the absorber and the evaporator are located. When providing cold, the refrigerant evaporates in a vacuum on the surface of the evaporator and the vapor flows to the absorber, where it is absorbed. If non-condensable gases are present in the system, they are carried along by the flow to the absorber and settle on the liquid surface, disrupting the mass transport. This can have the disadvantage of reducing the performance of the refrigeration system. The same can happen in the high-pressure vessel. If non-condensable gases are present, they flow with the desorbed refrigerant vapor from the desorber to the condenser. Since these gases do not condense, they remain on the condenser surface and disrupt the condensation process.

Since even small amounts of non-condensable gases can seriously disrupt the process, they must be kept out of the system or removed. Therefore, the proportion of gases in the vapor space is usually very small, making removal difficult. Permanently extracting vapor and gases from the system and discharging them into the environment would lead to a significant loss of refrigerant and to high costs due to the operation of a vacuum pump.

One way of removing the non-condensable gases from the absorption refrigeration process of an absorption refrigeration system without transporting them directly to the environment is known in the prior art from US 2009/0217680 A1. The absorbent-refrigerant solution is pumped from the absorber to the desorber using a pump. The liquid mixture flows into a T-piece and is diverted there. The diversion creates a negative pressure at the second inlet of the T-piece, through which the non-condensable gas is sucked out of the container. Liquid and gas flow into a separator, in which the gas is separated from the liquid again and collected in a collecting container. The liquid is returned to the refrigeration process.

In an adsorption refrigeration system, there is no liquid sorbent-refrigerant solution, which is why non-condensable gases must be removed in another way. In the documents EP 2357433 A1 and WO 2014/041083 A1, collection containers that are separate from the refrigeration process are also used. In both inventions, the gas trap is located above or at the same level as the condenser sump and the gas flows together with the refrigerant vapor through a valve into the collection container, with the liquid remaining separately in the condenser. The vapor condenses in the collection container, while the gas remains gaseous. In both inventions, the condensate is returned to the condenser sump either via the same line (EP 2357433 A1) or a separate line (WO 2014/041083A1). To shut off the inlet, float valves (EP 2357433 A1) or controllable valves (WO 2014/041083 A1) are proposed.

US 2013/0239595 A1 discloses an adsorption refrigeration machine comprising at least one adsorber/desorber unit, an evaporator/condenser unit and a vacuum vessel. The vacuum vessel is connected to a condenser unit of the adsorption refrigeration machine via vapor-open connecting means. The vacuum vessel has a drain device and at least one cooling element, wherein at least one component for shutting off or regulating the flow is present in the connecting means. In particular, a connecting means is attached between the evaporator unit and the vacuum vessel. In the illustrations US 2013/0239595 A1 states that the connecting means penetrates into a liquid sump of the vacuum vessel (inert gas trap).

DE 102008002319 A1 describes an absorption air conditioning system liquid tank for storing coolant or absorbent with an inlet for supplying coolant or absorbent that has a higher temperature than a coolant or absorbent stored in the liquid tank. The inlet has a liquid guide path along which supplied coolant or absorbent is guided spatially separated from the tank contents and in thermal coupling to them before reaching the tank contents. The tank described works with throttle valves.

DE 102014205086 B3 relates to a passive two-phase cooling circuit with an evaporator and a condenser for a coolant guided in the cooling circuit. An evaporator supply line and an evaporator discharge line are connected to the evaporator and, analogously, a condenser supply line and a condenser discharge line are also connected to the condenser. The evaporator supply line, the evaporator discharge line, the condenser supply line and the condenser discharge line are connected to a common damping container. When the cooling circuit is in operation, the condenser discharge line forms a liquid column of liquid coolant, which takes on the function of a liquid seal and that of a fluid-dynamic vibration damper. In the cooling circuit described, a siphon is used as a gas seal to prevent the passage of gas.

With the known solutions from the state of the art, only very small amounts of non-condensable gases are removed from the refrigeration circuit because the proportion of gas in the steam is very small and the gases are only removed together with the steam flow, the specific volume of which is also very large. Since large amounts of non-condensable gases are present when a refrigeration system is put into operation, removing these gases with the gas traps revealed in them would take a very long time, which is why direct suction with a vacuum pump is often used, with the corresponding loss of refrigerant.

During plant operation, gas cushions often form when the steam flow presses non-condensable gases onto solid or liquid surfaces, such as in the condenser sump in an adsorption refrigeration plant. These gas cushions cannot be removed by gas traps as are known from the state of the art. The plant must, for example, be brought to a standstill so that the gases that have aggregated in the gas cushion can be evenly distributed in the containers and then removed again using the devices and processes described above.

Furthermore, it is known from the state of the art that in adsorption refrigeration systems the gas trap must always be at least partially above the liquid level of the condenser. However, this has the disadvantage that the positioning of the gas trap in the system is inflexible. Therefore, there is a need in the state of the art to provide gas traps for sorption refrigeration systems, which enable a more efficient removal of foreign gases and increase the flexibility of use, especially in adsorption refrigeration systems.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, one object of the invention is to provide and integrate gas traps for sorption refrigeration systems, which should enable particularly efficient removal of foreign gases and enable more flexible positioning of the gas trap in the sorption refrigeration system. Furthermore, a more optimal method should also be provided in order to be able to remove foreign gases from the refrigeration circuit in the context of sorption refrigeration systems.

Summary of the invention

The object is solved by the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

In a first aspect, the invention preferably relates to a sorption refrigeration system comprising at least one evaporator, a condenser, a sorption unit comprising a sorbent and a gas trap comprising a collecting container, wherein a coolant can flow within a refrigeration circuit between the condenser and the evaporator and can be used in the evaporator to extract heat from an environment and the gas trap is present for removing at least one foreign gas, characterized in that the gas trap is fluidically positioned between a first container and a second container, wherein a liquid working medium can flow between the first container and the second container and a connecting means between the first container and the gas trap opens into a liquid sump.

Furthermore, the invention preferably relates to a sorption refrigeration system comprising at least one evaporator, a condenser, a sorption unit comprising a sorbent and a gas trap comprising a collecting container, a liquid sump which is present in the gas trap (7) and an inlet and an outlet on the gas trap, wherein the gas trap is present for removing at least one foreign gas, characterized in that the gas trap is fluidically positioned between a first container and a second container, wherein a liquid can flow from the first container into the second container, wherein the sorption refrigeration system is designed such that the liquid flows from the first container via a connecting means and the inlet into the gas trap and then the liquid flows from the gas trap via the outlet and a further connecting means to the second container and the outlet arises from the liquid sump of the gas trap.

The terms “first container” and “first receptacle” as well as “second container” and “second receptacle” can be used synonymously in the context of the invention.

The liquid preferably refers to a liquid working medium in the sorption refrigeration system. The liquid or the liquid working medium can preferably be the coolant and/or a solvent. The liquid is in particular a solvent or sorbent, when the gas trap is installed fluidically between an absorber and desorber of a sorption refrigeration system.

The fact that the outlet originates from the liquid sump of the gas trap preferably means that the outlet of the gas trap is arranged such that it is present up to a height level of the liquid sump within the gas trap.

The preferred gas trap and sorption refrigeration system have proven to be particularly advantageous in many aspects, which are explained in more detail below.

A particularly great advantage here is that a surprisingly efficient removal of foreign gases is made possible, which is particularly due to the positioning of the gas trap between the first container and the second container. The preferred components of the sorption refrigeration system, which can form the first container and the second container, will be discussed in more detail later.

The non-condensable gases, which are in the first container or as a gas cushion on or in a liquid sump of the first container, are flushed into the gas trap together with the liquid (the liquid refrigerant or possibly liquid sorbent). Surprisingly, this has proven to be particularly effective, although the specific volume of the liquid is very small compared to the very large specific volume of the foreign gases and vapors. This also advantageously allows the non-condensable gases, which are difficult to remove as a gas cushion, to be transferred to the gas trap. Since the inlet into the gas trap is preferably at the point where the non-condensable gases are pushed by the vapor flow, there is both a slightly increased pressure and an increased proportion of non-condensable gases at this point, which means that the non-condensable gases can be removed from the refrigeration circuit much more quickly. Surprisingly, it was found that with the gas trap according to the invention and in particular with the method according to the invention for removing foreign gases from the sorption refrigeration process, gas cushions can also be removed, which typically accumulate on the solid surfaces within the sorption refrigeration system and are particularly difficult to remove.

Another great advantage is that the hydrostatic pressure built up in the collecting tank means that a larger amount of non-condensable gas can be stored than is possible in state-of-the-art gas traps, as the increased pressure increases the density of the gases and vapors and the specific volume is smaller. This positive effect is further increased the more non-condensable gases are present in the first container. As the amount of non-condensable gases increases, the pressure in the first container also increases, as the condensation or sorption of the vapor (vaporous refrigerant) is inhibited and the additional partial pressure of the non-condensable gases increases, reinforcing this increase in pressure.

Thus, the effectiveness of gas removal is significantly increased by the preferential placement of the gas trap between the first container in terms of flow and the second container, the more non-condensable gases penetrate or are present in the sorption refrigeration system. This effect is particularly pronounced in adsorption refrigeration systems, where in which the non-condensable gases ultimately always collect in the condenser, which then represents the first container in the invention. In addition, adsorption refrigeration systems preferably work cyclically, with the condenser pressure becoming very high at the beginning of a cycle in particular, and foreign gases are thus transported particularly effectively into the gas trap, which can no longer disrupt the process in the further course of the cycle. In an absorption refrigeration system, the gases also collect in the absorber or on the liquid absorbent-refrigerant solution contained therein, which means that this can also form the first container in the sense of the invention. The pressure in the absorber is typically lower than in the condenser, which is why the particularly effective separation of the non-condensable gases of the preferred gas trap in the absorber is particularly advantageous compared to the prior art.

In addition, it is also a great advantage that the sorption refrigeration system is not limited to a specific type and/or mode of operation. Instead, the sorption refrigeration system can advantageously be an absorption refrigeration system or an adsorption refrigeration system. It has therefore been recognized that efficient removal of non-condensable gases from the refrigeration circuit can be made possible if the gas trap is installed between the first container in terms of flow and the second container, and this is particularly independent of whether the liquid is a refrigerant or a solvent.

The preferred sorption refrigeration system advantageously enables reliable and rapid removal of non-condensable gases from the sorption refrigeration system, which is also suitable for plant operation. The preferred sorption refrigeration system can advantageously be provided with little effort and operated cost-effectively, so that process efficiency is achieved with regard to cooling the environment as such. In particular, the drop in performance that is caused over time by foreign gases without a gas trap is advantageously prevented.

As mentioned at the beginning, in the sense of the invention, a sorption refrigeration system preferably refers to a specific design variant of a refrigeration machine or refrigeration system. Depending on the phase of the sorbent or how the refrigerant vapor is bound in the sorbent, the sorption refrigeration system is divided into absorption and adsorption refrigeration systems. In the absorption refrigeration machine, a liquid sorbent is typically used, in the volume of which the refrigerant dissolves. The absorbent can also be in the form of a solid, for example if it is a crystalline salt, in the structure or volume of which the refrigerant is absorbed. In the adsorption refrigeration machine, a solid sorbent is used, on the surface of which the refrigerant accumulates.

The sorbent is therefore preferably a substance in a substantially solid or liquid phase that is enriched by the coolant flowing in the refrigeration circuit. The sorption unit preferably refers to the component that has the sorbent.

Terms such as substantially, approximately, about, ca. and etc. preferably describe a tolerance range of less than ± 40%, preferably less than ± 20%, particularly preferably less than ± 10%, even more preferably less than ± 5% and in particular less than ± 1% and always include the exact value. Partially preferably describes a tolerance range of up to at least ± 5%, particularly preferably at least ± 10% and in particular at least ± 20%, in some cases at least ± 40%.

In the sense of the invention, the refrigeration circuit preferably refers to the transport of the coolant between preferred components of the sorption refrigeration system, which takes place repeatedly. Preferred components through which the coolant flows within the refrigeration circuit are, for example, the condenser and the evaporator for the essentially liquid coolant and the sorption unit or sorption units for the essentially vaporous or sorbed coolant.

Preferably, coolant, which is preferably compressed, enters the condenser, where it is preferably cooled essentially under constant pressure. The heat removal causes the coolant to liquefy. The coolant then reaches the evaporator in the refrigeration circuit. Preferably, before the coolant is transferred to the evaporator, the coolant is expanded to a lower pressure. As a result, the coolant begins to boil, i.e. to evaporate, which preferably takes place within the evaporator. The coolant extracts the heat required for this from the environment, so that the environment cools down. The environment in the sense of the invention therefore means in particular an area that is to be cooled by the preferred sorption refrigeration system. The environment can, for example, represent a spatial section and/or another device, such as a refrigerator interior in which the cooling is to take place or a cold water circuit whose liquid is cooled by the evaporator.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that, in order to remove the foreign gas from the refrigeration circuit, coolant in the liquid phase can flow into the gas trap together with the foreign gas, wherein the foreign gas can preferably be introduced into the collecting container. Alternatively, the foreign gases can also be transported into the collecting container by a liquid sorbent.

The gas trap preferably refers to the component of the sorption refrigeration system which is dedicated to the removal of non-condensable gases. The gas trap itself preferably comprises a structure which essentially corresponds to a container. The gas trap preferably comprises a collecting container. The foreign gas can preferably be introduced into the collecting container. The foreign gas can advantageously remain within the collecting container over a long period of time, so that the reliability of the preferred sorption refrigeration system is promoted. In addition to the collecting container, the gas trap can comprise further components.

Preferably, there is a connecting means between the first container and the gas trap, wherein the connecting means preferably opens into a liquid sump of the gas trap. The term liquid sump refers in particular to the proportion of liquid that is present in a component of the sorption refrigeration system. In the case of the liquid that is present in the gas trap, the term gas trap liquid sump can also be used synonymously. The term can be applied analogously to other components of the sorption refrigeration system, in in which a liquid can be present at least temporarily. For example, the term condenser liquid sump can also be used for the liquid in the condenser, without restricting the choice of terminology to describe the situation to the condenser.

In a preferred embodiment, the connecting means between the first container and the gas trap opens into a liquid sump of the gas trap. If the connecting means between the first container and the gas trap opens into a liquid sump of the gas trap, this is also associated with further advantages. This advantageously achieves the effect that the connecting means itself achieves greater stability, since the mouth of the connecting means is essentially surrounded by the liquid within the gas trap. Furthermore, a better transfer of foreign gas into the gas trap is advantageously enabled, in particular in that a reliable introduction into the collecting container is made possible. Furthermore, a return of the foreign gases back into the first container is prevented, which cannot flow directly through the liquid sump back into the connecting means and thus the first container. A further advantage arises from the fact that the connecting means always remains at least partially filled with liquid due to the introduction into the sump, which ensures a pressure separation between the first container and the gas trap. Depending on the hydrostatic pressure, the first container can have a lower pressure than the gas trap itself, which advantageously enables a constant system output, even if large amounts of foreign gases have already accumulated in the gas trap. Due to the hydrostatic pressure separation, the gas trap can be arranged significantly below the liquid sump of the first container, in a complete departure from the state of the art, which significantly increases the flexibility of the arrangement of the components in the sorption circuit. This flexibility offers completely new arrangement options, particularly in adsorption refrigeration systems, where the condenser typically forms the first container.

In the sense of the invention, the term "fluid-wise" is related to the direction of flow of the liquid or vapor, e.g. the coolant or the solution. The average person skilled in the art knows that in refrigeration systems in general, especially in sorption refrigeration systems, the formulation is common that the coolant flows from the condenser to the evaporator. Accordingly, the condenser is located fluidically before the evaporator.

In particular, it is preferred that the first container is located fluidically upstream of the second container. The first container and the second container represent formulations that can be provided by preferred components of the sorption refrigeration system.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the first container is a condenser and the second container is an evaporator, or the first container is an evaporator and the second container is a condenser, or the first container is an absorber and the second container is a desorber, or the first container is a desorber and the second container is an absorber, or the first container is an evaporator-condenser unit and the second container is also an evaporator-condenser unit. It was recognized that there are several options for the first vessel and the second vessel, between which the gas trap can be fluidically positioned, to enable reliable and efficient removal of non-condensable gases from the refrigeration circuit, which represents a complete departure from the state of the art.

Accordingly, there are at least five variants for implementing the gas trap in the preferred sorption refrigeration system, thus allowing further degrees of freedom in positioning and process control compared to the state of the art.

In a preferred embodiment, the gas trap is positioned between the condenser and the evaporator. Accordingly, the refrigerant flows from the condenser to the gas trap, with the non-condensable gases remaining within the gas trap, in particular the collecting container, and the refrigerant flows on to the evaporator.

If evaporator-condenser units are preferably used, the gas trap can be arranged between two of these units, so that the liquid refrigerant can always flow from the evaporator-condenser unit currently operating as a condenser (or at that moment or at that operating time) via the gas trap, releasing and storing the foreign gases in the gas trap, to the evaporator-condenser unit currently operating as an evaporator.

If the gas trap is fluidically located between an evaporator and a condenser, the liquid is preferably a coolant. In adsorption refrigeration systems in particular, components are preferably used for multiple purposes, so that the condenser and evaporator can be designed as a common evaporator-condenser unit, which works either as a condenser or evaporator depending on the process step. The gas trap according to the invention can here particularly preferably be arranged fluidically between two evaporator-condenser units. The gas trap can preferably also be arranged so that an evaporator-condenser unit functions simultaneously as both the first container and the second container.

In a further preferred embodiment, the gas trap is fluidically mounted between the absorber and the desorber. This embodiment is particularly preferred in absorption refrigeration systems.

The absorber is the section of the sorption refrigeration system in which gaseous refrigerant, which is created in the evaporator, is absorbed by the sorbent and thus enriched. The enriched sorbent is then pumped into the desorber. The desorber has the opposite function of the absorber. The refrigerant is "boiled out" of the sorbent by adding heat. The heat is added, for example - but is not limited to - via media such as hot water or steam.

Furthermore, it may be preferred that the gas trap is fluidically located between the desorber and the absorber and is flowed through by the solvent or is located between the condenser and the absorber and is flowed through by the refrigerant. In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the gas trap has an inlet, wherein an inlet shut-off for controlling the introduction of the foreign gas is preferably present at the inlet or at a connecting means between the first container and the inlet, wherein the inlet shut-off is preferably a pressure-operated valve, particularly preferably a check valve.

The inlet preferably designates the area of the gas trap through which the non-condensable gases can flow into the gas trap. The inlet is preferably in the form of an opening, with the gas trap being in a flow connection with the first container via a connecting means at its inlet. Flow connection preferably means a connection in order to be able to allow a fluid, in this case the coolant or a liquid solution, to flow between the first container and the gas trap. The flow connection is provided in particular by the connecting means. The connecting means can preferably be designed as a pipe and/or hose.

The inlet shut-off refers to a component of the preferred sorption refrigeration system which enables a regulated introduction of the foreign gas into the gas trap. This advantageously improves the overall control of the cooling process which the preferred sorption refrigeration system strives for. Furthermore, it also prevents the foreign gas introduced into the gas trap from flowing back into the first container, so that the reliability of the preferred sorption refrigeration system is also increased. By using the pressure-operated check valve according to the invention, liquid can advantageously always flow into the gas trap together with the foreign gases as soon as the hydrostatic pressure together with the pressure in the first container exceeds the pressure inside the gas trap, but the foreign gases and the liquid no longer flow back into the first container.

In a preferred embodiment, the inlet shut-off is a pressure-operated valve. In the sense of the invention, a pressure-operated valve refers to a valve of this type which can be operated essentially by hydrostatic and/or hydrodynamic pressure. A pressure-operated valve is preferably designed in such a way that it opens automatically when there is a certain pressure difference between the two sides of the valve. The pressure difference should preferably be as small as possible so that in particular no active pressure reduction should be brought about. A pressure-operated check valve should preferably only open when the pressure gradient is in the intended flow direction of the liquid, but not when the pressure gradient is opposite to the intended flow direction. Advantageously, this means that no additional energy supply is required to control the flow into the gas trap, since the fluids, in particular the coolant and foreign gas, are automatically allowed to pass through the inlet shut-off via the pressure conditions in the preferred sorption refrigeration system, but cannot flow back.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pressure-operated valve is a check valve. A check valve has proven to be particularly advantageous for providing the inlet shut-off. In addition to the advantageously simple installation, a check valve also has an effect on the design in terms of compactness of the preferred Sorption refrigeration system because no external parts are required to operate the check valve.

This is particularly advantageous if the gas trap is arranged fluidically between the first and second containers in such a way that the liquid from the first container can only reach the second container when it flows through the gas trap and releases all foreign gases there before flowing on into the second container. Due to the increased flow velocity of this preferred arrangement, non-condensable gases can be removed particularly effectively from the first container, especially those which are present as gas cushions on the liquid sump or on solid surfaces.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that a connecting means between the first container and an inlet of the gas trap and/or a connecting means between an outlet of the gas trap and the second container is at least partially designed as a siphon.

In a further preferred embodiment, the connecting means between the outlet of the gas trap and the second container can be designed entirely as a siphon.

In the sense of the invention, a siphon preferably refers to a connecting means, a component of the connecting means and/or a section of the connecting means, which preferably has a bend, preferably a U-shaped or horizontal S-shaped bend. The bend of the siphon is preferably filled with a liquid, which can be the coolant, and is repeatedly refilled with liquid during operation due to the flow direction of the process fluids and thus always represents a reliable resistance for foreign gases against the flow direction and thus prevents a backflow of the foreign gases.

It is particularly preferred if the siphon is located in the gas trap. This advantageously saves space, simplifies installation and increases safety in terms of durability. The latter advantage is due, among other things, to the fact that the gas trap provides a shield for the siphon, so that the siphon cannot be damaged from the outside. If the siphon ends in the sump within the gas trap, then the liquid can advantageously be supplied to the siphon from both flow directions.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inlet shut-off is in the form of a check valve and at least one section of the connecting means between the first container and the gas trap is in the form of a siphon. It is also preferred that the check valve is arranged first in terms of flow and that the connecting means is in a liquid sump, which in a preferred embodiment is kept at a constant fill level by a float valve.

The float valve preferably forms an outlet shut-off, which advantageously ensures that liquid remains to form the liquid sump. In this case, the collecting container of the gas trap can advantageously be arranged in the sorption refrigeration system in a much more flexible manner. Furthermore, the preferred siphon of the connecting means is particularly robust, as it can then no longer be emptied. because there is always enough liquid left in the sump to refill the siphon if the siphon is emptied by large amounts of foreign gases in the direction of flow.

Surprisingly, due to this preferred arrangement, the gas trap with the float valve can additionally serve as a throttling device and pressure separation between the first and second containers, which is particularly advantageous when the first container is a condenser and the second container is a condenser.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the inlet into the connecting means for the inlet of the gas trap is located below a liquid level of the first container.

Advantageously, the inlet shut-off can be flowed through or actuated due to the hydrostatic forces of the liquid refrigerant column above the inlet shut-off when liquid refrigerant accumulates in the liquid sump of the first container, for example the condenser. This advantageously removes foreign gases that are in the first container or are present as gas cushions, which are flushed into the gas trap by the flow of the liquid. In particular, high proportions of foreign gases, in particular gas cushions, can be reliably introduced from the first container into the gas trap, which significantly improves the efficiency of the sorption refrigeration system with regard to the removal of foreign gases. The effective removal of foreign gases is further increased when the inlet to the gas trap is located below the liquid sump of the first container.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the gas trap has an outlet, wherein an outlet shut-off is present at the outlet or at a connecting means between the outlet and the second container to prevent the introduction of the foreign gas into the second container, wherein the outlet shut-off is preferably designed as a float valve.

The outlet preferably designates the area of the gas trap through which there is a flow connection between the gas trap and the second container. The outlet is preferably in the form of an opening, with the gas trap being in a flow connection with the second container via a connecting means, so that the flow of the coolant or solution from the first container into the gas trap and then into the second container is enabled. The gas trap can be used particularly effectively if liquid can be transported from the first to the second container exclusively via the connection to the gas trap, so that foreign gases always get into the gas trap but not into the second container.

The outlet shut-off is a component of the preferred sorption refrigeration system. The outlet shut-off serves the particular function of preventing the return of foreign gas from the gas trap via the outlet into the refrigeration circuit. Furthermore, the amount of liquid that should remain in the gas trap can be advantageously regulated by positioning, type and/or geometry of the outlet shut-off. For example, the outlet shut-off can be installed below or in the lower area of the collecting tank and/or can be a float valve. By positioning the outlet or by the type and geometry of the valve, the amount of liquid refrigerant that always remains in the gas trap can be specified.

In a preferred embodiment, the outlet shut-off is a float valve. A float valve refers to a valve controlled by a float, which in the sense of the invention can be operated in such a way that the valve opens when a certain level is exceeded, but closes again when the (target) level is not reached. The design of the outlet shut-off as a float valve has proven to be particularly advantageous in the context of the invention, since a particularly reliable prevention of the foreign gas being returned to the refrigeration circuit via the second container is avoided, while at the same time the flow of the coolant within the refrigeration circuit is still ensured. Furthermore, the mechanical functional principle of the float valve is extremely useful for the preferred sorption refrigeration system, since no external energy supply, for example via a power supply, is required to enable the outlet shut-off to operate. This therefore achieves a significant improvement in terms of any maintenance that may be required for the preferred sorption refrigeration system.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the gas trap has an outlet shut-off container, wherein an outlet shut-off is preferably present in the outlet shut-off container.

The preferred outlet shut-off container refers to a component in which the outlet shut-off is introduced or integrated. This advantageously provides a more optimal storage space for the attachment of the outlet shut-off, so that the dimension and/or effect of the outlet shut-off can be advantageously adapted depending on the size of the gas trap and, particularly advantageously, the collection container and outlet shut-off can be spatially separated from one another if they are connected to one another via a connecting means. In particular, it can be preferred that the float valve is present in an outlet shut-off container.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid sump of the second container is higher than the liquid sump present in the gas trap.

This represents a significant advantage over the prior art, since the preferred gas trap allows a completely free arrangement of the first container and the second container relative to one another. While in the prior art the second container, which is located behind the first container in terms of flow, and/or its liquid sump could only be located higher than the liquid sump in the first container if the pressure in the first container is permanently significantly higher than in the second container, in order to prevent the liquid from flowing back into the first container, the position of the two containers of the sorption refrigeration circuit can be chosen much more freely and in particular the liquid sump of the first container can be located significantly below the liquid sump of the second container, even if the pressure in the first container is only temporarily higher than in the second container. Due to the preferred embodiment of the gas trap, in particular with the inlet shut-off, which is particularly preferably designed as a check valve, the liquid remains completely in the sump of the second container even if the The sump of the second container is higher than the sump of the first container, even if there are additional pressure fluctuations in the first or second container. The filling level of the two containers is thus advantageously decoupled from possible pressure fluctuations in the sorption refrigeration system; the "principle of communicating tubes" is eliminated. The filling levels only change due to the desired evaporation, condensation or sorption of the coolant, or the liquid can only flow from the first into the second container, but no longer the other way around, which is undesirable.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the gas trap has an inlet shut-off and an outlet shut-off, wherein preferably the inlet shut-off and/or the outlet shut-off are present in the gas trap.

The incorporation of the inlet shut-off and the outlet shut-off in the gas trap has proven to be particularly advantageous. This gives the gas trap a very compact design. This advantageously simplifies installation in the sorption refrigeration system and improves implementation in sorption systems with smaller dimensions.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the gas trap has an inlet shut-off and/or an outlet shut-off, wherein the inlet shut-off and/or the outlet shut-off is located outside the gas trap.

The installation of the inlet shut-off and outlet shut-off outside the gas trap is also advantageous for the context of the invention. This provides greater flexibility with regard to the positioning of the inlet shut-off and outlet shut-off, so that the regulation of the supply of the coolant into and out of the gas trap can be optimally adapted depending on the size and application of the sorption refrigeration system. In addition to controlling the foreign gas, the inlet shut-off and outlet shut-off also advantageously enable regulation of the coolant that may be in the gas trap.

Furthermore, it may be preferred that only one of the shut-off components is present in the gas trap, while the other shut-off component is mounted outside the gas trap. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet shut-off is present in the gas trap and the outlet shut-off is present outside the gas trap. In a further preferred embodiment, the inlet shut-off is present outside the gas trap and the outlet shut-off is present inside the gas trap. Thus, a technical compromise between the flexibility with regard to the positioning of the shut-off component (inlet shut-off or outlet shut-off) and the compactness of the gas trap can also be achieved advantageously if one of the shut-off components is present inside the gas trap and the other shut-off component is mounted outside the gas trap.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the sorption unit can be heated via an external heat circuit, so that the coolant can be desorbed from the sorption agent in a sorption unit.

The sorbent is preferably present in the sorption unit, which is also an important component of the sorption refrigeration system. The refrigerant is preferably sorbed in a suitable sorbent. The average person skilled in the art is able to implement the refrigerant together with the possibly suitable sorbent in the preferred sorption refrigeration system.

In an absorption chiller, the sorbent absorbs essentially all of the vaporous refrigerant, which evaporates in the evaporator and thereby extracts heat from the environment. The absorbent binds the refrigerant vapor within itself. The mixture then flows preferably through a heat exchanger, which is also flowed through by the hot absorbent. The latter releases thermal energy to the mixture in order to preheat it in an energy-saving manner. This causes pressure and temperature to rise. Since the solvent is saturated after a while, it can no longer absorb refrigerant vapor, so preferred components, such as solvent pumps, convey the mixture in the next step to the so-called desorber (also known as an expeller). Here it is preferably heated further, causing the refrigerant vapor to separate from the solvent. The regenerated hot absorbent then releases the remaining energy via a heat exchanger to the cold mixture of refrigerant and solvent from the absorber.

In contrast to an absorption chiller, which typically works with a liquid sorbent, an adsorption chiller has a solid sorbent, the adsorbent, on which the coolant is adsorbed or desorbed. Heat is added to the process during desorption and removed during adsorption. Cooling is basically the same, but discontinuous, since the adsorbent cannot be circulated in a circuit in its solid state.

The present invention has additional advantages, particularly for adsorption refrigeration systems. Since the adsorbent does not flow, the removal of foreign gases that accumulate on the adsorbent is particularly difficult. In this case, the adsorption refrigeration system can be designed as a circuit in which the vapor flows from the evaporator into an adsorber during adsorption and then flows from the adsorber into a condenser during desorption, whereby the condenser and evaporator do not have to be the same component, although in many common adsorption refrigeration systems from the prior art the evaporator is usually used alternately as a condenser. The condenser is preferably connected to the evaporator via a liquid line, within which the preferred gas trap is arranged, whereby the condenser then forms the first container and the evaporator the second container. Through this circuit, foreign gas cushions are automatically transported from the adsorbent into the condenser and from there into the gas trap. Even in an adsorption refrigeration system in which the evaporator is also used as a condenser, the gas trap according to the invention can be used effectively if a two-chamber system is used in which one container is always in condensation mode when the other is in evaporation mode; then the gas trap can again be effectively placed between these two containers. The average person skilled in the art will know that an adsorption refrigeration system which comprises an evaporator/condenser-sorber unit is typically used in such a two-chamber operation. Although foreign gases are more difficult to remove due to the discontinuous operation of adsorption refrigeration systems, this discontinuous operation results in further advantages for the gas trap according to the invention. Due to the discontinuous operation, the temperatures and pressures in all components change very significantly within a cooling cycle. On the one hand, this can lead to significant fluctuations in the fill levels in the condenser and evaporator, which, as described above, are counteracted by the pressure decoupling due to the interposition of the preferred gas trap if the fluidic connection from the first to the second container is made exclusively via the gas trap according to the invention. Particularly at the beginning of the desorption cycle, particularly high pressures occur in the desorber and condenser, which compress the vapor and in particular also the foreign gas, whereby the foreign gas is particularly effectively removed from the sorber and condenser by the preferred gas trap, particularly at the beginning of the desorption cycle, and can therefore no longer disrupt the further course of the regeneration. A further advantage results from the increase in pressure at the start of desorption in that at the higher pressure not only the steam and the foreign gas are compressed in the sorber and condenser, but also in the gas trap according to the invention, which is why the capacity of foreign gas in the gas collection container of the gas trap is increased. Those skilled in the art know that the greater the proportion of foreign gases in the system, the higher the condensation pressure. And the higher the condensation pressure, the higher the absorption capacity of foreign gases by the preferred gas trap. The preferred gas trap therefore automatically increases its effectiveness due to physical processes and the circuitry according to the invention when a particularly large number of foreign gases have to be removed. The effect of the preferred gas trap is therefore synergistic.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that a pressure relief valve, a heating element and/or a vacuum pump are operatively connected to the gas trap for removing the foreign gas from the sorption refrigeration system.

The options mentioned for removing the foreign gas have proven to be advantageous in that they can remove at least parts of the foreign gas from the gas trap and thus permanently from the preferred sorption refrigeration system in a particularly simple, quick and reliable manner. In this case, a part of the foreign gas can be advantageously removed from the gas trap, for example if the gas trap or the collecting container is already sufficiently filled with non-condensable gases, and the foreign gas can also be completely removed from the gas trap.

This can advantageously prevent the gas trap from being completely filled with the non-condensable gases, thereby reducing the risk that its function could no longer be guaranteed. For this purpose, it may be preferable for there to be an exhaust line on the top of the gas trap, through which the non-condensable gases can be sucked out, for example with a vacuum pump, or can be released via an overpressure valve and/or with the help of a heating element. In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that the sorption refrigeration system is an adsorption refrigeration system or an absorption refrigeration system.

This means that the sorption refrigeration system is not limited to a specific mode of operation. Instead, it was advantageously recognized that the positioning of the gas trap between the first container and the second container in particular enables foreign gases to be safely removed from the refrigeration circuit. The functional principles on which absorption and adsorption refrigeration systems are based were outlined above and are essentially known to the average person skilled in the art, so they will not be explained further. However, the fact that the preferred positioning of the gas trap between the first container and the second container removes foreign gases from the refrigeration circuit in the advantageous manner described was not obvious to the person skilled in the art. In particular, gas traps in the prior art were often applied to a certain class of sorption refrigeration systems, so it was unlikely that the positioning of the gas trap between the first container and the second container could be used in both absorption refrigeration systems and adsorption refrigeration systems. Furthermore, the positioning of the gas trap for absorption and adsorption refrigeration systems was limited to certain containers and/or positions within the refrigeration system.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sorption refrigeration system is characterized in that a connecting means between the condenser and the evaporator is designed as a throttle device.

In the context of the invention, this preferably means that in the sorption refrigeration system there is preferably no separate component for the purpose of throttling in the connecting means, in particular arranged in the connecting means between the condenser and the evaporator, but rather the connecting means itself primarily takes on the throttling task. This advantageously makes it possible for the connecting means to represent a primary throttling device with which the pressure in, before and after the connecting means can preferably be regulated.

In a further preferred aspect, the invention relates to a method for removing a foreign gas from a refrigeration circuit comprising the following steps: a) providing a sorption refrigeration system as described above, b) positioning a gas trap comprising an inlet and an outlet fluidically between a first container and a second container, so that the foreign gas from a refrigeration circuit flows through a liquid working medium together with the foreign gas into the gas trap and entry or backflow of the foreign gas into the refrigeration circuit is prevented by an inlet shut-off and an outlet shut-off.

Furthermore, the invention preferably relates to methods for removing a foreign gas from a refrigeration circuit comprising the following steps: a) providing a sorption refrigeration system as described above, b) positioning a gas trap comprising an inlet and an outlet fluidically between a first container and a second container, so that the foreign gas from the refrigeration circuit flows through a liquid together with the foreign gas into the gas trap and the entry of the foreign gas into the refrigeration circuit is prevented by an inlet shut-off and an outlet shut-off.

The preferred method has proven to be extremely advantageous for removing foreign gas from the refrigeration circuit of a sorption refrigeration system. In particular, the efficient and reliable removal of foreign gas results from the positioning of the gas trap between the first container and the second container, whereby the foreign gas is flushed into the gas trap together with the liquid and remains therein.

The inlet shut-off advantageously prevents the foreign gas from getting back into the first container. Similarly, the outlet shut-off advantageously prevents foreign gas from getting into the second container. This enables the foreign gas to be stored safely within the gas trap, so that the cooling circuit of the sorption refrigeration system is not disturbed in any way by foreign gas.

The average person skilled in the art will recognize that technical features, definitions and advantages of preferred embodiments which apply to the preferred sorption refrigeration system also apply to the preferred method for removing a foreign gas from a refrigeration cycle, and vice versa.

The aspects of the invention will be explained in more detail below using examples, without being limited to these examples.

CHARACTERS

Short description of the characters

Fig. 1 Illustration of a preferred positioning of the gas trap between two containers

Fig. 2 Schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the gas trap according to the invention in a sorption refrigeration system

Fig. 3 Preferred embodiment of the gas trap comprising a siphon as well as a check valve and a float valve and a suction valve

Fig. 4 Preferred embodiment of the sorption refrigeration system in which the inlet shut-off and outlet shut-off are integrated within the gas trap

Fig. 5 Preferred embodiment of the sorption refrigeration system comprising a gas trap with hydrostatic throttle

Detailed description of the figures

Fig. 1 shows the gas trap 7 in the flow arrangement between two containers 5 and 3, which has proven to be particularly advantageous for the removal of non-condensable gases from the refrigeration circuit of sorption refrigeration systems. In particular, the only direct connection between the two containers 5 and 3 leads exclusively through the gas trap 7. For example, the first container is the condenser s and the second container is the evaporator 3. The non-condensable gas is flushed from the condenser 5 together with the refrigerant into the gas trap 7, where it remains and can no longer penetrate into the rest of the refrigeration circuit of the sorption refrigeration system 1.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a part of a preferred embodiment of a sorption refrigeration system 1 with an embodiment of the gas trap 7. The part of the sorption refrigeration system shown comprises an evaporator s and a condenser s. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the condenser s serves as the first container, while the evaporator 3 functions as the second container. There is also a gas trap 7, which serves to remove a foreign gas from the refrigeration circuit. The gas trap 7 is fluidically positioned in the sorption refrigeration system 1 between the first container and the second container, with the refrigerant continuing to flow within the refrigeration circuit between the first container and the second container. Accordingly, in fluidic terms, the gas trap 7 is located between the condenser s and the evaporator 3.

Advantageously, a surprisingly efficient removal of foreign gases (synonym for non-condensable gases) is made possible, which is based in particular on the positioning of the gas trap between the condenser 5 (as the first container) and the evaporator 3 (as the second container).

The gas trap 7 has an inlet 13 and an outlet 21. The gas trap 7 is connected to the condenser 5 at the inlet 13 via a connecting means. The connecting means 12 between the condenser s and the gas trap 7 opens into the liquid sump 11 of the gas trap 7. This advantageously creates a higher stability of the connection between the condenser s and the gas trap 7, since the mouth of the connecting means 12 is essentially surrounded by the liquid sump 11. Furthermore, the mouth of the connecting means in the liquid sump 11 is advantageous in that the introduction of the non-condensable gas is improved. In particular, a more effective introduction of the non-condensable gas into the gas trap 7 is possible, since the connecting means 12 always remains partially filled with liquid coolant through the mouth in the liquid sump 11 and thus no foreign gases can flow back into the condenser s. Instead, the foreign gases collect in the collection container s.

The non-condensable gases which are in the condenser 5 or as a gas cushion on or in a liquid sump 19 of the condenser 7 are flushed into the gas trap 7 together with the coolant. This advantageously allows even the non-condensable gases which are difficult to remove as a gas cushion to be transferred to the gas trap 7. The outlet from the condenser s takes place in the area where the non-condensable gases are pushed by the vapor flow, so that there is a slightly increased pressure and an increased proportion of non-condensable gases, so that the non-condensable gases can be removed particularly quickly from the refrigeration circuit. If the condenser s regularly empties completely or almost completely into the evaporator 3 or the gas trap 7, the outlet from the condenser s can be arranged at the bottom of the liquid sump 19 in order to transfer as many of the foreign gases as possible into the gas trap 7. It is also advantageous that the hydrostatic pressure built up in the connecting means 12 to the gas trap 7 in the collecting container 9 allows a particularly high amount of non-condensable gases to be stored, since the increased pressure increases the density of the gases and vapors. This positive effect is further increased the more non-condensable gas there is in the condenser s. As the amount of non-condensable gases increases, the pressure in the condenser ? also increases, since the condensation of the vapor (refrigerant) is inhibited, while the additional partial pressure of the non-condensable gas occurs, reinforcing this increase in pressure.

The inventors recognized that by installing the gas trap 7 between the container that is fluidically first and the second container (here the condenser 5 and the evaporator 3), the effectiveness of gas removal is significantly increased the more non-condensable gases penetrate or are present in the sorption refrigeration system 1. This effect is particularly pronounced in adsorption refrigeration systems, in which the non-condensable gases ultimately always collect in the condenser s as the first container and there, due to the discontinuous operation of the absorption refrigeration systems, significantly increased pressures occur, particularly at the beginning of the regeneration, which further increases the amount of foreign gases that are flushed into the gas traps 7.

Another very big advantage of the gas trap 7 is that it is not limited to a specific mode of operation of the sorption refrigeration system 1. Instead, the sorption refrigeration system 1 can advantageously be an absorption refrigeration system or an adsorption refrigeration system.

Overall, the gas trap 7 in the sorption refrigeration system 1 enables reliable and rapid removal of non-condensable gases, which is also suitable for plant operation. The sorption refrigeration system 1 and gas trap 7 can advantageously be provided with little effort and can be operated cost-effectively, so that efficiency is also achieved with regard to cooling the environment as such.

The connecting means at the outlet 21 of the gas trap 7 provides a connection between the gas trap 7 and the evaporator 3. In addition to the collecting container 9, the gas trap 7 comprises an outlet shut-off container 25 in which a float valve 23 is present. The outlet shut-off container 25 provides optimal storage space for the attachment of the outlet shut-off, whereby the outlet shut-off is present here as a float valve 23. The design of the outlet shut-off as a float valve 23 has proven to be particularly advantageous for the sorption refrigeration system 1, since a particularly reliable prevention of the return of the foreign gas into the refrigeration circuit via the second container (here evaporator 3) is avoided, while at the same time the flow of the coolant within the refrigeration circuit is still guaranteed. In addition, the mechanical operating principle of the float valve 23 on which it is based is useful for the sorption refrigeration system 1, since no external energy supply is required for the outlet shut-off.

Fig. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the gas trap 7, in which the connecting means is designed as a siphon 17. In particular, both the connecting means between the gas trap 7 and condenser s and the connecting means between the gas trap 7 and evaporator 3 are in the form of a siphon. The inlet shut-off is a Check valve 15 and in the connecting means, which is connected to the condenser s, while the outlet shut-off is present as a float valve 23 and is installed in the connecting means between the gas trap 7 and the evaporator 3. The check valve 15 is therefore present as an inlet shut-off and the float valve 23 as an outlet shut-off, separated from the collecting tank s of the gas trap 7. This advantageously provides greater flexibility with regard to the positioning of the inlet shut-off and outlet shut-off, so that the regulation of the supply of coolant into and out of the gas trap 7 can be optimally adapted, for example with regard to the dimensions and application of the sorption refrigeration system. Foreign gases can be removed from the gas trap 7 via the additional outlet valve 30 at the upper end of the collecting tank 9 in order to increase its capacity for foreign gases again.

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the sorption refrigeration system, in particular the gas trap 7. Here, the check valve 15 as an inlet shut-off and the float valve 23 as an outlet shut-off are integrated within the gas trap 7. Advantageously, the gas trap 7 achieves a very compact design through the integration of the inlet and outlet shut-off within the gas trap 7. This, for example, simplifies installation in the sorption refrigeration system and further improves cooling in environments with smaller dimensions.

Fig. 5 shows an arrangement of the first container 5, second container 3 and the gas trap 7 of (a part of) a sorption refrigeration system 1 with an arrangement that differs from the prior art. Due to the gas trap 7 with the inlet shut-off 15 and the outlet shut-off in the form of a float valve 23, the first container 5 can be located below the second container 3, and in particular the sump of the first container 19 below the sump of the second container 27, without the sump of 27 being able to empty into the gas trap 7 or the first container 5. The gas trap 7 can be arranged freely above or below the respective liquid sumps 19 or 27. The collecting tank 9 can also be arranged completely decoupled from the two tanks, but should always be located above the connecting line between the float valve tank 13 and the collecting tank 9 and above the liquid sump 11 of the float valve tank 13. The inlet into the second tank s opens into the liquid sump 27, for example, but can also be located above the liquid sump. This arrangement is an example of how the design of a sorption refrigeration system can be made more flexible using the gas trap 7.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 (part of a) sorption refrigeration system

3 evaporators

5 Capacitor

7 Gas trap

9 collection containers

11 Liquid sump of the gas trap

12 Gas trap connectors

13 Entrance

15 Check valve

17 Siphon

19 Liquid sump of the first container, in particular the condenser

21 Outlet

23 Float valve

25 Outlet shut-off container

26 Connecting means at the outlet of the gas trap designed as a hydrostatic throttle

27 Liquid sump of the second container, in particular the evaporator

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1 . Sorption refrigeration system (1) comprising at least one evaporator (3), one condenser (5), one sorption unit comprising a sorbent and a gas trap (7) comprising a collecting container (9), a liquid sump (11) which is present in the gas trap (7) and an inlet (13) and an outlet (21) on the gas trap (7), wherein the gas trap (7) is present for removing at least one foreign gas, characterized in that the gas trap (7) is fluidically positioned between a first container (3, 5) and a second container (5, 3), wherein a liquid can flow from the first container (3, 5) into the second container (5, 3), wherein the sorption refrigeration system (1) is designed such that the liquid flows from the first container (3, 5) via a connecting means and the inlet (13) into the gas trap (7) and then the liquid flows from the gas trap (7) flows via the outlet (21) and a further connecting means to the second container (5, 3) and the outlet (21) originates from the liquid sump (7) of the gas trap (7).

2. Sorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first container is a condenser (5) and the second container is an evaporator (3), or the first container is an evaporator (3) and the second container is a condenser (5), or the first container is an absorber and the second container is a desorber, or the first container is a desorber and the second container is an absorber, or the first container is an evaporator-condenser unit and the second container is also an evaporator-condenser unit.

3. Sorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inlet shut-off device for controlling the introduction of the foreign gas is present at the inlet or at the connecting means between the first container and the inlet (13), wherein the inlet shut-off device is preferably a pressure-operated valve, particularly preferably a check valve (15).

4. Sorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means between the first container and an inlet of the gas trap and/or the connecting means between an outlet of the gas trap and the second container is at least partially designed as a siphon (17).

5. Sorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet (13) of the gas trap (7) is below a liquid level (19) of the first container.

6. Sorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outlet shut-off is present at the outlet (21) or at a connecting means between the outlet (21) and the second container to prevent the introduction of the foreign gas into the second container, wherein the outlet shut-off is preferably designed as a float valve (23).

7. Sorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas trap (7) has an outlet shut-off container (25), wherein an outlet shut-off is preferably present in the outlet shut-off container (25).

8. Sorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas trap (7) has an inlet shut-off and an outlet shut-off, wherein preferably the inlet shut-off and/or the outlet shut-off are present in the gas trap.

9. Sorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sorption refrigeration system (1) has an inlet shut-off and/or an outlet shut-off, wherein the inlet shut-off and/or the outlet shut-off is located outside the gas trap.

10. Method for removing a foreign gas from a refrigeration circuit comprising the following steps: a) providing a sorption refrigeration system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, b) positioning a gas trap (7) comprising an inlet (13) and an outlet (21) fluidically between a first container and a second container, so that the foreign gas from the refrigeration circuit flows through the coolant in the liquid phase together with the foreign gas into the gas trap (7) and entry of the foreign gas into the refrigeration circuit is prevented by an inlet shut-off and an outlet shut-off.