FR3122248A1 - Thermal machine with compressor powered by a manometric column - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal machine (200, 210) comprising a closed circuit in which a refrigerant fluid circulates comprising a compressor (201, 211) capable of compressing the refrigerant fluid, a condenser (202, 212) capable of condensing the refrigerant , an expander (203, 213) capable of expanding the refrigerant fluid and an evaporator (204, 214) capable of evaporating the refrigerant fluid, wherein the compressor (201, 211) comprises a delivery pump (1) of the type with a motor enclosure (2) and a motor piston (13) fed by a pressure column and at least one multiplier chamber (5, 6) and as many multiplier pistons (52, 62), capable of compressing the refrigerant. Abstract Figure: Figure 2

Description

Thermal machine with compressor powered by a manometric column

The invention relates to a thermal machine, intended to produce cold or heat.

It is known to make a thermal machine or cold group. Such a thermal machine comprises a closed circuit in which a refrigerant fluid circulates. Said circuit comprises, in sequence in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant, a compressor, a first exchanger or condenser, an expansion valve and a second exchanger or evaporator. The compressor is capable of drawing in the refrigerant at low pressure and low temperature, compressing it to produce refrigerant at high pressure and high temperature. The refrigerant is then passed to the condenser which cools the refrigerant by supplying heat to the outside. The refrigerant is then passed to an expansion valve which expands the refrigerant by reducing its pressure. The refrigerant is then passed to the evaporator which heats up the refrigerant by cooling the exterior. The refrigerant is then sent back to the compressor.

Such a thermal machine is thus able to produce cold, at the level of the evaporator and/or heat, at the level of the condenser.

If the condenser, expansion valve and evaporator are passive elements, energy must be supplied for the compressor to operate. Also, depending on the energy used, the cost of cold production can be measured by the energy spent to operate the compressor. Thus, in a refrigerator, electrical energy is consumed to operate the compressor and produce cold.

It is also known, from document WO 2020152402 of the applicants, a pressure pump capable of being supplied by a manometric column. Such a pump is conventionally used for pumping or lifting water, for example for irrigation, but also for consumption. The operating fluid is water from the manometric column. The discharge fluid is irrigation or drinking water. Such a pump is advantageous in that it operates using gravity energy from a manometric column, easily renewable and therefore substantially free.

Also, the ingenuity of the present invention consists in using said pump, powered by a manometric column, to form the compressor and compress the refrigerant of a thermal machine, in order to produce cold and/or heat from renewable energy, abundantly available and therefore substantially free.

For this, the subject of the invention is a thermal machine comprising a closed circuit in which a refrigerant fluid circulates comprising, in sequence in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid, a compressor capable of sucking in the refrigerant fluid at low pressure and low temperature, compressing it to produce refrigerant at high pressure and high temperature, a first heat exchanger between refrigerant and first medium or condenser capable of condensing the refrigerant by cooling it by supplying heat to the first medium, an expansion valve capable of expanding the refrigerant by reducing its pressure and a second heat exchanger between refrigerant and second medium or evaporator capable of evaporating the refrigerant by heating it by absorbing heat from the medium, and transmitting it again to the compressor, where the compressor comprises a pressure pump of the type having a driving chamber and a driving piston powered by r a pressure column and at least one multiplier chamber and as many multiplier pistons, capable of compressing the refrigerant.

Particular characteristics or embodiments, which can be used alone or in combination, are:
- the thermal machine further comprises a pneumatic motor supplied via an inlet pipe with the refrigerant coming from the compressor and rejecting the refrigerant via an outlet pipe, the pneumatic motor comprising a throttle at its exhaust forming the expansion valve, the outlet pipe surrounding the inlet pipe so as to form a first exchanger or condenser, the outlet pipe serving the second exchanger or evaporator,
- the outlet pipe is insulated,
- the thermal machine further comprises an electric generator driven by the pneumatic motor,
- the refrigerant is dry air without carbon dioxide,
- the closed refrigerant circuit is pre-compressed at a high pressure, preferably equal to 40 bars,
- the second medium, cooled by the second exchanger or evaporator, circulates in a closed circuit,
- the pressure pump comprises a drive enclosure inside which a drive piston slides along an axis alternately between a first end position and a second end position under the action of a pressurized operating fluid, the motor piston separating the motor enclosure into a first motor chamber and a second motor chamber, a first multiplier chamber comprising an inlet and an outlet and a second multiplier chamber comprising an inlet and an outlet, for respectively receiving and evacuating a delivery fluid , a first multiplier piston, connected to the driving piston, sliding in the first multiplier chamber to ensure the compression of the delivery fluid in the first multiplier chamber, a second multiplier piston, connected to the driving piston, sliding in the second multiplier chamber to ensure the compression of the discharge fluid in the first multiplica chamber trice, an alternate fluid distribution device for alternating the direction of circulation of the operating fluid in the motor enclosure and the direction of sliding of the motor piston, the first motor chamber comprising a first inlet for receiving the operating fluid during a first dispensing cycle and the second motor chamber including a first outlet for discharging operating fluid during a first dispensing cycle, the second motor chamber including a second inlet for receiving operating fluid during a second dispensing cycle distribution and the first motor chamber comprising a second outlet for evacuating the operating fluid during a second dispensing cycle, the alternate distribution device comprising at least one shutter device comprising four movable shutter members of the first and second inlets and first and second outputs and at least one configured trigger to actuate said closure members between two positions of closure and opening respectively, the alternate dispensing device being operable between: - a first arrangement associated with the first dispensing cycle in which the driving piston moves towards its second position, two of the moving parts close the second inlet and the second outlet respectively, and the other two moving parts respectively open the first inlet and the first outlet, - a second arrangement associated with the second timing cycle in which the driving piston moves towards its first position, two of the movable members block the first inlet and the first outlet respectively, and the two other movable members respectively open the second inlet and the second outlet,
- the trigger is configured to be actuated by the driving piston, at least when the latter is in one of its end positions,
- the manometric column comprises a pipe branching from a river, between an upstream capture and a downstream return, the pressure pump being connected in series, the upstream of the pipe being connected to the first and to the second inlets and the downstream of the pipe being connected to the first and to the second outlets, via a first pressure regulator,
- the manometric column comprises a pipeline branching from a river, between an upstream capture and a downstream return, the pressure pump being connected in bypass, an upstream tapping connecting the pipeline to the first and to the second inlets and a downstream tapping connecting the pipe at the first and second outlets, the pipe further comprising a second pressure regulator between the upstream tapping and the downstream tapping,
- the pipe further comprises a third pressure regulator, arranged downstream of the downstream tapping.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended figures in which:

shows a block diagram of a single expansion heat engine,

shows a block diagram of a Joule-Thomson expansion machine,

shows, in cutaway view, a pressure pump capable of being supplied by a manometric column,

shows a first installation diagram of such a thermal machine,

shows a second installation diagram of such a thermal machine.

With reference to the , a thermal machine 200 comprises a closed circuit in which a refrigerant circulates. This circuit comprises, in sequence in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant, a compressor 201, a condenser 202, an expansion valve 203 and an evaporator 204.

Compressor 201 is capable of drawing in the low pressure, low temperature refrigerant from evaporator 204, compressing it to produce high pressure, high temperature refrigerant. Due to its circulation, induced by the compressor 201, the refrigerant then reaches the condenser 202.

Condenser 202 is a first heat exchanger between the refrigerant fluid and a first medium. The first medium can be another separate circuit or simply an external medium surrounding the condenser 202, such as ambient air. The condenser 202 is capable of condensing the refrigerant by cooling it. This is done by taking cold from the first medium, or by supplying heat to the first medium. The refrigerant continues to circulate to reach the expansion valve 203.

The expansion valve 203 is typically a calibrated hole allowing the refrigerant to pass. The expander 203 is able to expand the refrigerant by reducing its pressure. The expansion thus achieved is the main source of cold production. The refrigerant continues to circulate to reach the evaporator 204.

The evaporator 204 is a second heat exchanger between the refrigerant and a second medium. The second medium can be another separate circuit or simply an external medium surrounding the evaporator 204, such as ambient air. The evaporator 204 is capable of evaporating the refrigerant by heating it by absorbing heat from the second medium.

The refrigerant continues its course and is transmitted again to the compressor 201.

Such a thermal machine 200, operating in a cyclic manner, makes it possible to produce heat at the level of the condenser 202 and cold at the level of the evaporator 204.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the compressor 201 is produced by a pressure pump 1 of the type with a motor enclosure 2 and a motor piston 13 fed by a manometric column and with two multiplier chambers 5, 6 and two multiplier pistons 52, 62 , capable of compressing the refrigerant.

Such a pump 1, invented by the applicants, is described in detail in document WO 2020152402, to which reference will be made with advantage.

The thermal machine 200 of the is a simple or direct expansion machine. It is still possible to make an indirect expansion machine or Joule Thomson. As illustrated in , such a machine 210 incorporates all the characteristics of a thermal machine 200 with direct expansion. It comprises a closed circuit in which a refrigerant fluid circulates. This circuit comprises, in sequence in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid, a compressor 211, a condenser 212, an expander 213 and an evaporator 214. It also comprises a pneumatic motor 215. This pneumatic motor 215 is supplied via a pipe inlet 216 by the refrigerant coming from the compressor 211. It rejects the refrigerant via an outlet pipe 217. The pneumatic motor 215 comprises a throttle at its exhaust, that is at the level of its outlet. This restriction forms the expansion valve 213. The expansion cools the refrigerant. The outlet pipe 217 surrounds the inlet pipe 216 and has with the latter a large common heat exchange surface, so as to form a first exchanger between the inlet pipe 216 and the outlet pipe 217. This exchanger holds instead of condenser 212. The outlet pipe 217 joins a second exchanger which acts as an evaporator 214. Also, the thermal machine 210 has all the characteristics of a direct expansion thermal machine 200.

According to another characteristic, in the thermal machine 210 the outlet pipe 217, at least in the part where it envelops the inlet pipe 216, is insulated, in order to limit the heat exchanges with the ambient environment and favor the exchanges between the inlet pipe 216 and outlet pipe 217.

In the case of a Joule Thomson type expansion, it is advantageous, for the performance of the heat engine, that the pneumatic motor 215 is braked by a resistive torque. Also, according to another characteristic, the thermal machine 210 also advantageously comprises an electric generator 218 driven by the pneumatic motor 215. This has the double advantage of improving the thermal operation of the thermal machine 210 while allowing cogeneration of electricity.

This electricity can advantageously be used to ensure the distribution of the cold produced, by circulation in the secondary cooling circuit 219.

According to another feature, the thermal machine 210 operates with air as the refrigerant. This air is advantageously dry so as not to risk producing ice. This air is still stripped of all carbon dioxide, so as not to risk producing dry ice. Such a refrigerant is particularly advantageous in that it is environmentally friendly and does not cause any danger in the event of a leak.

It is known that the same amount of energy is needed to compress a gas from 1 to 10 bars or from 10 to 100 bars. However, the production of cold resulting from the expansion in the second case, produces 10 times more cold than in the first case. Also, it is advantageous for the closed circuit containing the discharge fluid, here either the refrigerant, to be pre-compressed at a high pressure, preferably equal to 40 bar.

It has been seen that the cold is available at the level of the evaporator 214. This evaporator 214 is a heat exchanger between the refrigerant fluid and a second medium. This second medium can be the outside air directly around the evaporator 214. According to another characteristic, the second medium, cooled by the second exchanger or evaporator 214, preferentially circulates in a closed secondary cooling circuit 219 . Such a characteristic makes it possible to diffuse, by means of a circulation of the second medium, the cold produced by the thermal machine 210 in more distant places in order to cool them. In this case the second medium is advantageously a heat transfer liquid.

Whether it is a heat engine 200 with simple expansion or a heat machine 210 with Joule Thomson expansion, the compressor 201, 211 is a pressure pump 1 capable of operating with the energy supplied by a manometric column.

As illustrated in , such a pressure pump 1 comprises a drive enclosure 2 inside which a drive piston 13 slides along an axis X alternately between a first end position P1 and a second end position P2. This alternating sliding is produced by the action of a pressurized operating fluid. The motor piston 13 separates the motor enclosure 2 into a first motor chamber 3 and a second motor chamber 4. The pump 1 also comprises a first multiplier chamber 5 comprising an inlet 50 and an outlet 51. Optionally, it may also comprise a second multiplier chamber 6 comprising an inlet 60 and an outlet 61. The inlets 50, 60 make it possible to receive a discharge fluid. The outlets 51, 61 allow the discharge fluid to be evacuated.

In the thermal machine, the two inputs 50, 60 are advantageously connected to the output of the closed circuit coming from the evaporator 204, 214. This connection is made, as illustrated in , advantageously via non-return valves, arranged in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant. Similarly, the two outputs 51, 61 are advantageously connected to the input of the closed circuit joining the condenser 202, 212. This connection is made, as illustrated in , advantageously via non-return valves, arranged in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant.

A first multiplier piston 52, connected to the driving piston 13 slides in the first multiplier chamber 5 to ensure the compression of the delivery fluid in the first multiplier chamber 5. Similarly, a second multiplier piston 62, connected to the driving piston 13, slides in the second multiplier chamber 6 to ensure the compression of the discharge fluid in the first multiplier chamber 5.

A first operating circuit is thus distinguished, comprising a driving enclosure 2 in which an operating fluid circulates, here typically water from a manometric column. This alternately mobilizes the driving piston 13. Due to its mechanical connection with the multiplier pistons 52, 53, the movement of the driving piston 13 is transmitted to the multiplier pistons 52, 53. A second delivery circuit, fluidically isolated from the operating circuit, comprises the multiplier chambers 5, 6, in which circulates a discharge fluid, here the refrigerant. The movement of the multiplier pistons 52, 53 makes it possible to compress the refrigerant.

The pump 1 converts pressure energy from the manometric column, into an alternating translation of the driving piston 13. This alternation is obtained by means of an alternating fluid distribution device to alternate the direction of circulation of the operating fluid in the 'drive enclosure 2 and alternate the direction of sliding of the drive piston 13. This is carried out according to a periodic succession comprising alternately a first dispensing cycle and a second dispensing cycle.

The first motor chamber 3 includes a first inlet E1 to receive the operating fluid during a first dispensing cycle and the second motor chamber 4 includes a first outlet S1 to evacuate the operating fluid during the first dispensing cycle. Thus, during a first dispensing cycle, the driving piston 13 moves in a first direction.

The second motor chamber 4 includes a second inlet E2 to receive the operating fluid during a second dispensing cycle and the first motor chamber 3 includes a second outlet S2 to evacuate the operating fluid during a second dispensing cycle. Thus, during a second dispensing cycle, the driving piston 13 moves in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.

To obtain this alternation, the distribution device alternates between a distribution of operating fluid through the first inlet E1 with recovery through the first output S1 and a distribution of operating fluid through the second inlet E2 with recovery through the second output S2. For this, the alternate distribution device comprises at least one shutter device 7 comprising four movable shutter members 70-73 of the first and second inputs E1, E2 and the first and second outputs S1, S2 and at least one trigger 8 , 9 configured to actuate said shutter members 70-73 between two positions respectively shutter and open.

The alternate dispensing device is operable between a first arrangement, associated with the first dispensing cycle, in which the driving piston 13 moves towards its second position P2 and a second arrangement, associated with the second dispensing cycle, in which the driving piston 13 moves to its first position P1.

In the first arrangement, two of the moving parts 71, 72 respectively block the second input E2 and the second output S2, and the other two moving parts 70, 73 respectively open the first input E1 and the first output S1.

In the second arrangement, two of the moving parts 70, 73 respectively block the first input E1 and the first output S1, and the other two moving parts 71, 72 respectively open the second input E2 and the second output S2.

Said at least one trigger 8, 9 actuates said obturation members 70-73 and makes it possible to pass alternately from the first arrangement to the second arrangement.

Moreover, according to another characteristic, said at least one trigger 8, 9 is configured to be actuated by the driving piston 13, when the latter moves towards one of its end positions P1, P2 and at least when the latter reaches one of its end positions P1, P2. This makes it possible to carry out the alternation: the motor piston 13, when it reaches the end of its travel in the end position P1 or P2, actuates at least one trigger 8, 9 which changes the arrangement. The change in arrangement causes a change in the direction of sliding of the motor piston 13, which will in turn actuate at least one trigger 8, 9, and so on.

It has been seen that the thermal machine 200, 210 draws its energy from a manometric column. Such a manometric column continuously supplies with an operating fluid, conventionally water, under a pressure allowing the pump 1 to operate.

Such a manometric column is conventionally produced by a waterfall, the difference in height of water bringing, in a continuous manner, a difference in pressure.

According to a first characteristic, illustrated in , a manometric column comprises a pipe 220 diverting from a river, between an upstream capture and a downstream restitution. The pressure pump 1 is connected in series, the upstream of the pipe 220 being connected to the first and the second inputs E1, E2 and the downstream of the pipe 220 being connected to the first and the second outputs S1, S2 , via a first pressure regulator 223. This assembly is more particularly suited to a public network pipeline of small or medium section.

According to another characteristic, illustrated in , the manometric column comprises a pipe 220 diverting from a river, between an upstream capture and a downstream restitution. The pressure pump 1 is connected in bypass, an upstream tapping 221 connecting the pipe 220 to the first and to the second inlets E1, E2 and a downstream tapping 222 connecting the pipe 220 to the first and to the second outputs S1, S2, the pipe 220 further comprising a second pressure regulator 224 between the upstream tapping 221 and the downstream tapping 222. This assembly is more particularly suited to a large-section public network pipe.

According to another characteristic, the pipe 220 also includes a third pressure regulator 225, arranged downstream of the downstream tapping 222.

In the foregoing, a pressure regulator 223, 224, 225 means any device capable of reducing the pressure in a controlled manner, such as a pressure regulator, a pressure reducer or any other equivalent device. Its function is to maintain a pressure difference between its upstream and its downstream, so as not to risk stopping pump 1 in the event of equilibrium of the upstream and downstream pressures.

Such a manometric column is typically created by a relief of the river present between the upstream capture and the downstream restitution. It is easy to set up in a country with such relief. The energy, provided by gravity, is infinitely renewable here and thus appears to be almost free. The invention is thus particularly advantageous in that it allows production of cold and/or heat, as well as possibly cogeneration of electricity from available and free energy. In addition, all the water captured upstream is fully returned downstream. The thermal machine does not consume any water. It only takes its mechanical energy.

The invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description. This must be considered as illustrative and given by way of example and not as limiting the invention to this description alone. Many variant embodiments are possible.

Claims (12)

Thermal machine (200, 210) comprising a closed circuit in which a refrigerant fluid circulates comprising, in sequence in the direction of circulation of the refrigerant fluid, a compressor (201, 211) able to suck in the refrigerant fluid at low pressure and low temperature, in compressing it to produce refrigerant at high pressure and high temperature, a first heat exchanger between refrigerant and first medium or condenser (202, 212) able to condense the refrigerant by cooling it by supplying heat to the first medium, an expansion valve (203, 213) capable of expanding the refrigerant fluid by reducing its pressure and a second heat exchanger between refrigerant fluid and second medium or evaporator (204, 214) capable of evaporating the refrigerant fluid by heating it by absorbing heat from the medium, and to transmit it again to the compressor (201, 211), characterized in that the compressor (201, 211) comprises a delivery pump (1) of the type with a drive chamber (2) and a drive piston (13) fed by a pressure column and at least one multiplier chamber (5, 6) and as many multiplier pistons (52, 62), capable of compressing the refrigerant. Thermal machine (200, 210) according to the preceding claim, further comprising a pneumatic motor (215) fed, via an inlet pipe (216) by the refrigerant fluid coming from the compressor (211) and rejecting the refrigerant via a pipe outlet (217), the pneumatic motor (215) comprising a throttle at its exhaust forming the expander (213), the outlet pipe (217) surrounding the inlet pipe (216) so as to form a first exchanger or condenser (212), the outlet pipe (217) serving the second exchanger or evaporator (214). Thermal machine (200, 210) according to the preceding claim, wherein the outlet pipe (217) is insulated. Thermal machine (200, 210) according to any one of the two preceding claims, further comprising an electric generator (218) driven by the pneumatic motor (215). Thermal machine (200, 210) according to any one of the three preceding claims, in which the refrigerant is dry air without carbon dioxide. Thermal machine (200, 210) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the closed refrigerant circuit is pre-compressed at a high pressure, preferably equal to 40 bars. Thermal machine (200, 210) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the second medium, cooled by the second exchanger or evaporator (204, 214), circulates in a closed circuit (219). Thermal machine (200, 210) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the pressure pump (1) comprises a driving enclosure (2) inside which a driving piston (13) slides along an axis (X) alternately between a first end position (P1) and a second end position (P2) under the action of a pressurized operating fluid, the driving piston (13) separating the driving enclosure (2) into a first motor chamber (3) and a second motor chamber (4), a first multiplier chamber (5) comprising an inlet (50) and an outlet (51) and a second multiplier chamber (6) comprising an inlet (60) and an outlet (61), respectively to receive and evacuate a discharge fluid, a first multiplier piston (52), connected to the driving piston (13), sliding in the first multiplier chamber (5) to ensure the compression of the discharge fluid in the first multiplier chamber (5), a second multi-piston multiplier (62), connected to the driving piston (13), sliding in the second multiplier chamber (6) to ensure the compression of the delivery fluid in the first multiplier chamber (5), an alternate fluid distribution device for alternating the direction circulation of the operating fluid in the motor enclosure (2) and the direction of sliding of the motor piston (13), the first motor chamber (3) comprising a first inlet (E1) for receiving the operating fluid during a first dispensing cycle and the second motor chamber (4) including a first outlet (S1) for discharging operating fluid during a first dispensing cycle, the second motor chamber (4) including a second inlet (E2) for receiving the operating fluid during a second dispensing cycle and the first motor chamber (3) comprising a second outlet (S2) for discharging the operating fluid during a second dispensing cycle, the alternate distribution device comprising at least one shutter device (7) comprising four movable shutter members (70-73) of the first and second inlets (E1, E2) and first and second outlets (S1, S2) and at least one trigger (8, 9) configured to actuate said shutter members (70-73) between two positions respectively of shutter and opening, the alternate distribution device being actuated between: - a first arrangement associated with the first distribution cycle in which the driving piston (13) moves towards its second position (P2), two of the moving parts (71, 72) respectively block the second inlet (E2) and the second outlet (S2), and the other two moving parts (70, 73) respectively open the first inlet (E1) and the first outlet (S1), - a second arrangement associated with the second timing cycle in which the driving piston (13) moves towards its first position (P1) , two of the organs (70, 73) block the first input (E1) and the first output (S1) respectively, and the two other moving parts (71, 72) respectively open the second input (E2) and the second output (S2). Thermal machine (200, 210) according to the preceding claim, wherein the trigger (8, 9) is configured to be actuated by the driving piston (13), at least when the latter is in one of its positions (P1, P2) d 'end. Thermal machine (200, 210) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the manometric column comprises a pipe (220) diverting from a river, between an upstream capture and a downstream return, the pressure pump (1) being connected in series, the upstream of the pipeline (220) being connected to the first and to the second inlets (E1, E2) and the downstream of the pipeline (220) being connected to the first and to the second outlets ( S1, S2), via a first pressure regulator (223). Thermal machine (200, 210) according to any one of Claims 8 or 9, in which the manometric column comprises a pipe (220) diverting from a river, between an upstream capture and a downstream return, the pressure pump (1) being branch-connected, an upstream tapping (221) connecting the pipe (220) to the first and to the second inlets (E1, E2) and a downstream tapping (222) connecting the pipe (220) to the first and to the second outlets (S1, S2), the pipe (220) further comprising a second pressure regulator (224) between the upstream tapping (221) and the downstream tapping (222). Thermal machine (200, 210) according to the preceding claim, wherein the pipe (220) further comprises a third pressure regulator (225), arranged downstream of the downstream tapping (222).