GB1324502A - Refrigeration apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1324502 Cold accumulators BRITISH OXYGEN CO Ltd 19 Aug 1970 [19 Aug 1969] 41285/69 Heading F4H A closed cycle refrigeration apparatus includes a cold accumulator having a packing material containing one or more anhydrous halides of divalent iron, nickel or cobalt. The packing material, having a particle size of at least 100 microns, is preferably arranged in layers, the material in each layer having a higher thermal capacity at successively lower temperatures. As shown, an upper layer 36 of lead shot occupies 50% of the bed; a middle layer 38 of encapsulated ferrous bromide occupies 25%; and a bottom layer 40 of encapsulated ferrous iodide also occupies 25% of the bed. In operation, with piston 2 at its lowest position, the valve 24 allows high pressure gas to pass from conduit 20 into conduit 28. Part of the high pressure gas passes through conduit 30 into chamber 16, raising the pressure in chamber 16, and the remainder passes through the regenerator 32 absorbing cold stored in the regenerator 32 from a previous cycle and then through conduit 34 to chamber 18. The valve 24 is then rotated to a position in which the chamber 14 and conduit 26 are connected to conduit 22. Consequently the piston moves upwardly, gas from chamber 16 passing through the regenerator 32 via conduits 30 and 34 to chamber 18. The valve 24 is next rotated to a position in which the conduit 28 is connected to conduit 22. Gas from chambers 16 and 18 expands to the outlet pressure and cools. The valve 24 is finally rotated, conduit 20 is connected to conduit 26, the conduit 28 remaining connected to conduit 22. The piston 2 moves downwardly, pushing further cold gas from 18 through the regenerator 32.