The present invention pertains to systems, methods, and compositions for liquid phase change, including for active cloud point, e.g., critical solution temperature, adjustment and heating or cooling, e.g., refrigeration, cycles. In some embodiments heat is absorbed, released or both due to phase changes in a liquid system. Advantageously, the phase changes may be controlled by controlling the ingredients or amounts of certain components of the liquid system. Advantages may include lower capital expenditures, lower operating expenses, or both for a diverse and wide range of heating and cooling applications. Such applications include, for example, cooling of data centers, cooled transportation of goods, refrigeration, heat pumps, extractions, ocean thermal energy conversion, and de-icing of roads to name just a few.

An absorption subcooler comprises a first heat exchanger operable to receive refrigerant from a compressor of a refrigeration system and apply a first cooling stage to the refrigerant. The absorption subcooler is further operable to discharge the refrigerant to a gas cooler operable to apply a second cooling stage to the refrigerant.

An absorption subcooler comprises a first heat exchanger operable to receive refrigerant from a compressor of a refrigeration system and apply a first cooling stage to the refrigerant. The absorption subcooler is further operable to discharge the refrigerant to a gas cooler operable to apply a second cooling stage to the refrigerant.

A refrigeration apparatus includes a refrigeration enclosure comprising outer walls defining a hermetic interior refrigeration chamber, and a porous thermally conductive foam insert within the chamber. A desiccant enclosure includes outer walls defining a hermetic interior desiccant chamber, and a desiccant within the desiccant chamber. A fluid conduit establishes a fluid connection between the refrigeration chamber and the desiccant chamber. A control valve controls the flow of a fluid through the fluid conduit. The refrigeration enclosure and an article to be refrigerated can be placed within an outer thermally insulated cooler. A method of refrigerating an article and a human-powered refrigeration system are also disclosed.

A refrigeration apparatus includes a refrigeration enclosure comprising outer walls defining a hermetic interior refrigeration chamber, and a porous thermally conductive foam insert within the chamber. A desiccant enclosure includes outer walls defining a hermetic interior desiccant chamber, and a desiccant within the desiccant chamber. A fluid conduit establishes a fluid connection between the refrigeration chamber and the desiccant chamber. A control valve controls the flow of a fluid through the fluid conduit. The refrigeration enclosure and an article to be refrigerated can be placed within an outer thermally insulated cooler. A method of refrigerating an article and a human-powered refrigeration system are also disclosed.

The present invention pertains to systems, methods, and compositions for liquid phase change, including for active cloud point, e.g., critical solution temperature, adjustment and heating or cooling, e.g., refrigeration, cycles. In some embodiments heat is absorbed, released or both due to phase changes in a liquid system. Advantageously, the phase changes may be controlled by controlling the ingredients or amounts of certain components of the liquid system. Advantages may include lower capital expenditures, lower operating expenses, or both for a diverse and wide range of heating and cooling applications. Such applications include, for example, cooling of data centers, cooled transportation of goods, refrigeration, heat pumps, extractions, ocean thermal energy conversion, and de-icing of roads to name just a few.

The present invention pertains to systems, methods, and compositions for liquid phase change, including for active cloud point, e.g., critical solution temperature, adjustment and heating or cooling, e.g., refrigeration, cycles. In some embodiments heat is absorbed, released or both due to phase changes in a liquid system. Advantageously, the phase changes may be controlled by controlling the ingredients or amounts of certain components of the liquid system. Advantages may include lower capital expenditures, lower operating expenses, or both for a diverse and wide range of heating and cooling applications. Such applications include, for example, cooling of data centers, cooled transportation of goods, refrigeration, heat pumps, extractions, ocean thermal energy conversion, and de-icing of roads to name just a few.

In one aspect, a heat exchanger layer for an adsorption bed heat exchanger assembly is provided. The heat exchanger layer includes at least one fluid tube configured to supply a heat transfer fluid, a sorbent containment structure having a plurality of compartments, and a sorbent disposed within the plurality of compartments.

In one aspect, a heat exchanger layer for an adsorption bed heat exchanger assembly is provided. The heat exchanger layer includes at least one fluid tube configured to supply a heat transfer fluid, a sorbent containment structure having a plurality of compartments, and a sorbent disposed within the plurality of compartments.

A conditioning system for a conditioned interior space includes a vapor compression system, an evaporative cooling system, and a controller. The vapor compression system includes an evaporator, a condenser, a refrigerant active fluid for flowing between the evaporator and the condenser, a first fan to produce a first airflow toward the conditioned interior space, and a second fan for producing a second airflow from the condenser toward an exterior space. The evaporative cooling system includes a first tank containing a non-refrigerant active fluid, and a heat exchange device fluidically coupled to the first tank to receive the non-refrigerant active fluid. The first fan is positioned to produce the first airflow through the heat exchange device toward the conditioned interior space. The controller is programmed to control cooperative operation of the vapor compression system and the evaporative cooling system to condition the conditioned interior space.