PATENT

A MULTI-EFFECT COOLING SYSTEM UTILIZING HEAT FROM AN ENGINE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An absorption cooling system provides a method of cooling using a primary heat source as a primary energy source. Absorption systems function in a similar manner to vapor

compression systems. However, instead of using a compressor to compress refrigerant and supply the refrigerant to a condenser, absorption systems use a solution circuit. The solution

circuit consists of an absorber and a generator (also known as a desorber) supplied with an absorbent. The absorbent absorbs the refrigerant in the absorber and desorbs the refrigerant in

the generator, thus bringing the refrigerant from a low pressure, low temperature state to a high

pressure, high temperature state. The generator then supplies the refrigerant to a condenser.

Multi-effect absorption systems function in a similar manner to the basic single effect

absorption system. However, they include at least two generators and either an additional

absorber, an additional condenser or both. Multi-effect absorption systems are typically more

efficient than single effect absorption systems because they use heat dissipated from the

additional absorber, additional condenser or both and apply that heat to one of the generators for

use during the desorbing process.

An adsorption cooling system provides a method of cooling using a primary heat source

as a primary energy source. Adsorption systems function in a similar manner to absorption systems. However, instead of using an adsorber and generator, the adsorption system uses two

adsorber chambers operated in bi-directional modes. In one mode, the first adsorber chamber

adsorbs refrigerant from an evaporator while the second adsorber chamber desorbs refrigerant;

which is then supplied to a condenser and the evaporator in turn. In another mode, the second

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adsorber chamber adsorbs refrigerant from the evaporator while the first adsorber chamber

desorbs refrigerant; which is then supplied to the condenser and the evaporator in turn. In both

modes, heat provides the energy for desorbing the refrigerant from the adsorber chamber.

Multi-effect adsorptions systems function in a similar manner to the basic single effect

adsorption system. However, they include at least another set of adsorber chambers. Multi-effect

adsorption systems are typically more efficient than single effect adsorption systems because they

use heat dissipated from the additional adsorber or other elements and apply that heat to one of

the desorbing adsorber chambers for use during the desorbing process.

In multi-effect cooling systems, the use of waste heat generated by elements of the multi-

effect cooling system itself improves the coefficient of performance. However, additional

improvement of the coefficient of performance would be useful.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an example, a method of operating a multi-effect cooling system uses

heat generated from an engine having an exhaust system and cooling system. The multi-effect

cooling system includes a primary desorber and a secondary desorber. The primary desorber is

heated using heat from the exhaust system. The secondary desorber is heated using heat from the cooling system.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the

accompanying figures in which like numeral references refer to like elements, and wherein:

Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic illustration of a multi-effect cooling system

according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a simplified model of an absorption system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows a simplified model of an absorption system in accordance with another

embodiment of the invention;

Figures 4A and 4B, collectively, show a simplified model of an adsorption system in

accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

Figures 5 A and 5B, collectively, show a simplified model of an adsorption system in

accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode depicting a manner in which a

multi-effect cooling system may be implemented according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode depicting a manner in which a

multi-effect cooling system may be implemented according to another embodiment of the

invention;

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Figure 8 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode depicting a manner in which a

multi-effect cooling system may be implemented according to another embodiment of the

invention;

Figure 9 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode depicting a manner in which a

multi-effect cooling system may be implemented according to another embodiment of the

invention; and

Figure 10 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode depicting a manner in which a

multi-effect cooling system may be implemented according to another embodiment of the

invention.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the operation of a multi-effect cooling system is

described by referring mainly to examples thereof. In the following description, numerous

specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples. It will

be apparent however, to one of ordinary skill in the art, that the examples described herein may

be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods

and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the examples

described herein.

Throughout the present disclosure, reference is made to a primary desorber and a

secondary desorber. Generally, a desorber may be defined as a device in a cooling system for

desorbing refrigerant from a substance. The primary desorber may be defined as any desorber in

a multi-effect cooling system that operates at a higher temperature and/or pressure than another

desorber in the multi-effect cooling system. The secondary desorber may be defined as any

desorber in a multi-effect cooling system that operates at a lower temperature and/or pressure

than another desorber in the multi-effect cooling system.

In absorption type multi-effect cooling systems, the primary desorber is a primary

generator that desorbs refrigerant from an absorbent while the secondary desorber is a secondary

generator that desorbs refrigerant from an absorbent. The secondary generator operates at a lower

temperature and/or pressure than the primary generator. The refrigerant may be water while the

absorbent may be lithium bromide (Li-Br).

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In adsorption type multi-effect cooling systems, the primary desorber is one of at least two

primary adsorber chambers that desorbs refrigerant from an adsorbent while the secondary

desorber is one of at least two secondary adsorber chambers that desorbs refrigerant from an

adsorbent. The refrigerant may be water while the adsorbent may be silica gel.

Reference is also made to heat generated by an engine having an exhaust system and a

cooling system. The heat generated by the engine may be defined as any heat produced as a

result of fuel combustion by the engine. The engine may be any liquid cooled combustion engine

that produces heat. The exhaust system may be defined as a system of pipes or conduits that

carry waste gases and heat from the combustion engine to a predetermined location, usually

outside of a compartment housing the engine. The cooling system may be defined as a system of

pipes or conduits that carry a liquid from the engine to a radiator, which cools the liquid and

returns it to the engine, in order to reduce the engine's temperature. In regards to the engine,

reference is also made to a vehicle having the engine. The vehicle maybe defined as any mobile

apparatus including an engine as defined above. For example, the vehicle may be a boat,

airplane, truck, car, train, or any other mobile device having an engine that generates heat.

According to an example of the invention, a multi-effect cooling system operates to cool

an area. The area may include an insulated room or container for holding items (food and

medicine are examples) at a predetermined temperature. The area may also include a room or

container for holding heat producing devices such as electrical equipment. Additionally, the area

may include a room or compartment occupied by a humans or animals. For example, the area

maybe the interior of apassenger car, a cabin on an airplane, a room located within a cruise ship,

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a data center located on a tractor-trailer, or simply an insulated storage compartment. The multi-

effect cooling system may be located on a vehicle or on a static structure such as a building.

The multi-effect cooling system operates utilizing heat generated from an engine having

an exhaust system and a cooling system. In general, the multi-effect cooling system includes a

primary desorber and a secondary desorber and makes use of heat generated in one component to

supply heat to the secondary desorber in order to increase the coefficient of performance for the

entire system, hi this manner, the total amount of energy required for cooling is reduced which

saves money for the user and reduces strain on environmental resources, such as, coal, oil, and

natural gas. The coefficient of performance for a multi-effect cooling system may be further

increased by applying additional heat to the secondary desorber from another source. In the

multi-effect cooling system, the primary desorber operates using heat from the exhaust system of

the engine (in temperatures ranging from 300 to 800 degrees Celsius) while the secondary

desorber operates using heat from the cooling system of the engine (in temperatures ranging from

80 to 90 degrees Celsius) in addition to heat generated from other components in the multi-effect

cooling system.

hi an example, the multi-effect cooling system may be a multi-effect absorption system

including a primary generator (as the primary desorber), a secondary generator (as the secondary

desorber), a primary condenser, a secondary condenser, an absorber, and an evaporator. The

primary generator operates using heat from the exhaust system while the secondary generator

operates using heat from the cooling system, hi addition, the secondary generator may also

operate using heat collected from the primary condenser. Under some circumstances, waste heat

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produced from a device being cooled by the multi-effect cooling system may be used to operate

the secondary generator.

In another example, the multi-effect cooling system may be a multi-effect absorption

system including a primary generator (as the primary desorber), a secondary generator (as the

secondary desorber), a condenser, a primary absorber, a secondary absorber, and an evaporator.

The primary generator operates using heat from the exhaust system while the secondary generator

operates using heat from the cooling system. In addition, the secondary generator may also operate using heat collected from the primary absorber. Under some circumstances, waste heat

produced from a device being cooled by the multi-effect cooling system may be used to operate

the secondary generator.

In another example, the multi-effect cooling system may be a multi-effect adsorption

system including a primary adsorber chamber (as the primary desorber), a secondary adsorber

chamber (as the secondary desorber), a primary condenser, a secondary condenser, another

primary adsorber chamber, another secondary adsorber chamber, and an evaporator. The primary

adsorber chamber operates using heat from the exhaust system while the secondary adsorber

chamber operates using heat from the cooling system. In addition, the secondary adsorber

chamber may also operate using heat collected from the primary condenser. Under some

circumstances, waste heat produced from a device being cooled by the multi-effect cooling

system may be used to operate the secondary adsorber chamber.

In another example, the multi-effect cooling system may be a multi-effect adsorption

system including a primary adsorber chamber (as the primary desorber), a secondary adsorber

chamber (as the secondary desorber), a condenser, another primary adsorber chamber, another

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secondary adsorber chamber, and an evaporator. The primary adsorber chamber operates using

heat from the exhaust system while the secondary adsorber chamber operates using heat from the

cooling system, hi addition, the secondary adsorber chamber may also operate using heat

collected from the primary adsorber chamber. Under some circumstances, waste heat produced

from a device being cooled by the multi-effect cooling system may be used to operate the

secondary adsorber chamber.

In any of the examples described above, heat maybe generated from components of the

multi-effect cooling system such as condensers and absorbers. Efficiencies maybe improved by

dissipating this heat to the environment using air moving relative to a vehicle or water in contact

with the vehicle. For example, moving air channeled through a radiator may dissipate heat

generated by a condenser and thus increase the overall efficiency of the multi-effect cooling

system. Li another example, a heat exchanger, such as a heat transfer plate, in contact with a

body of water, such as an ocean or lake, may dissipate heat generated by an absorber and may

thus increase the overall efficiency of the multi-effect cooling system.

According to examples of the invention, total efficiency of the engine and multi-effect

cooling system, taken as a unit, may be increased through a variety of manners. For instance,

heat from the exhaust system would normally be wasted. However, the primary desorber of the

multi-effect cooling system uses the exhaust heat to operate. Therefore, the engine does not need

to operate additional electrical power generators or compressors to cool an area, thus reducing the

total load on the engine. In addition, extra energy used to cool the engine itself, such as energy

used to operate a radiator fan, is reduced by using heat from the cooling fluid to operate the

secondary desorber. This provides a dual benefit by reducing energy consumption of the engine

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and increasing the coefficient of performance of the multi-effect cooling system. Additionally,

using heat from the cooling system may reduce the amount of heat supplied to the primary

desorber from the exhaust system. This may reduce pressure in the exhaust system reducing the

engine's workload and thus increasing the engine's efficiency.

With reference first to Figure 1, there is shown a block diagram of a vehicle or static

structure 100 having an engine 102, a multi-effect cooling system 104, and a cooled area 106.

The engine 102 includes an exhaust system 108 and a cooling system 110. The multi-effect

cooling system 104 includes a primary desorber 112, a secondary desorber 114, and an evaporator

116. The exhaust system 108 supplies heat to the primary desorber 112 in any one of a variety of

manners. One example includes routing hot exhaust gasses through a conduit represented by

arrow 118 to a heat exchanger 120 that then provides heat to the primary desorber 112. The hot

exhaust gasses may then be routed to the environment through a conduit designated by arrow

122. In addition or alternatively, the hot exhaust gases may be routed back to the exhaust system

108 through a conduit designated by arrow 124 for further processing through a catalytic

converter or muffler.

The cooling system 110 supplies heat to the secondary desorber 114 in any one of a

variety of manners. One example includes routing hot cooling fluid through a conduit

represented by arrow 126 to a heat exchanger 128 that then provides heat to the secondary

desorber 114. The cooling fluid may then be routed back to the cooling system 110 through a

conduit designated by arrow 130.

The multi-effect cooling system 104 may include additional components as shown and

described in Figures 2-5B. The additional components may vary in number and type depending

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on the type of multi-effect cooling system 104 employed in the vehicle or static structure 100.

For example, absorption systems use absorbers and generators while adsorption systems use

adsorber chambers for both adsorption and desorption processes. Some of the additional

components, designated by box 132, produce heat that is dissipated to the environment, shown by

arrow 134, through a heat exchanger 136.

In one example, the heat exchanger 136 may represent a pyroelectric device that may be

used to generate electricity to charge batteries or provide additional electrical power to various

other components from the heat dissipated by the component 132. Examples of suitable

pyroelectric devices maybe found in co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application

Serial Number: 10/678,268, filed on October 6, 2003, and entitled, "Converting Heat Generated

By A Component To Electrical Energy," the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by

reference in its entirety.

The multi-effect cooling system 104 provides cooling to (removes heat from) the cooled

area 106 using the evaporator 116 through any one of a variety of manners. In one example, the

evaporator 116 may exchange heat through a heat exchanger 138 removing heat from a fluid that

is then routed to the cooled area 106 through a conduit designated by arrow 140. The fluid

absorbs heat from the cooled area 106 and is routed back to the heat exchanger 138 through a

conduit designated by arrow 142.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a simplified model of a multi-effect absorption

system 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. The multi-effect absorption system

200 illustrated in Figure 2 is a double-effect double-condenser absorption system and includes an

evaporator 202, an absorber 204, a secondary generator 206 (also known as a secondary desorber

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114 shown in Figure 1 ), a primary generator 208 (also known as a primary desorber 112 shown in

Figure 1), a primary condenser 210 and a secondary condenser 212. In general, absorption

systems use a refrigerant and an absorbent. For example, an absorption system may use an

ammonia/water combination, a water/lithium bromide combination, or the like. The refrigerant

vaporizes in the evaporator 202 thereby absorbing heat Q _E 216 from, for instance, cooling fluid

heated by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in Figure 1. The vaporized refrigerant

flows to the absorber 204, as indicated by the arrow 218, and the vaporized refrigerant is

absorbed into the absorbent contained in the absorber 204, thereby dissipating heat Q _A 220. The

heat Q _A 220 maybe dissipated to the environment through heat exchanger 136 shown in Figure

1.

The absorbent and the absorbed refrigerant flow through the secondary generator 206

through operation of a pump 222 and then to the primary generator 208 through operation of a

pump 224, as indicated by the arrows 226 and 228 respectively. Alternatively, the absorbent and

the absorbed refrigerant may flow to the primary generator 208 directly through operation of a pump and direct line (not shown). Heat Qp 230 is supplied into the primary generator 208 from

the exhaust system 108 shown in Figure land the heat Qp 230 desorbs some of the vaporized

refrigerant from the absorbent in the primary generator 208. The desorbed refrigerant flows to

the primary condenser 210, as indicated by the arrow 232, which condenses the refrigerant and

dissipates heat Q _PC 234. The condensed refrigerant flows from the primary condenser 210 to the

secondary condenser 212 through a valve 236, as indicated by the arrow 238.

The absorbent with the remainder of the absorbed refrigerant then flows from the primary

generator 208 to the secondary generator 206 through a valve 240, as indicated by the arrow 242.

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Heat Q _PC 234 dissipated from the desorbed refrigerant is supplied from the primary condenser

210 to the secondary generator 206. In addition, heat Qcs 244 collected from the cooling system

110 of the engine 102 shown in Figure 1 is also supplied to the secondary generator 206. The

heat Q _PC 234 and Qcs 244 desorbs additional refrigerant from the absorbent in the secondary

generator 206. Through use of the heat Qcs 244 received from the cooling system 110, the

amount of heat necessary for the primary generator 208 may be reduced.

The additional desorbed refrigerant then flows to the secondary condenser 206, as

indicated by the arrow 246, which condenses the refrigerant and dissipates heat Qsc 248. The

heat Qsc 248 may be dissipated to the environment through the heat exchanger 136 shown in

Figure 1. The condensed refrigerant from the primary condenser 210 contained in the secondary

condenser 212 mixes with the refrigerant condensed from the secondary condenser 212. The

mixed condensed refrigerant then flows through a valve 250 back to the evaporator 202, as

indicated by the arrow 252. Through operation of the above-identified process, the refrigerant is

returned to a lower temperature and lower pressure state to thereby cool the cooled area 106. The

above-identified process may then be repeated on a substantially continuous basis to provide heat removal from the cooled area 106 through the evaporator 202.

The absorbent separated from the absorbed refrigerant in the secondary generator 206

flows back to the absorber 204 through a valve 254 as indicated by the arrow 256. In this regard,

the absorbent may be re-used in absorbing the vaporized refrigerant received from the evaporator

202.

Figure 3 shows a simplified model of a multi-effect absorption system 300 according to

another embodiment of the invention. The multi-effect absorption system 300 illustrated in

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Figure 3 is a double-effect double-absorber absorption system and includes an evaporator 302, a

secondary absorber 304, a primary absorber 306, a secondary generator 308 (also known as a

secondary desorber 114 shown in Figure 1), a primary generator 310 (also known as a primary

desorber 112 shown in Figure 1), and a condenser 312. m general, absorption systems use a

refrigerant and an absorbent as described hereinabove. The refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporator

302 thereby absorbing heat Q _E 314 from, for instance, cooling fluid heated by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in Figure 1. The vaporized refrigerant flows to the secondary

absorber 304, as indicated by the arrow 316, and a portion of the vaporized refrigerant is

absorbed into a secondary absorbent contained in the secondary absorber 304, thereby dissipating

heat Q _SA 318. The heat Q _SA 318 may be dissipated to the environment through the heat exchanger 136 shown in Figure 1.

The absorbent and the absorbed refrigerant flow to the secondary generator 308 through

operation of a pump 320, as indicated by the arrow 322. The remaining refrigerant flows to the

primary absorber 306, as indicated by the arrow 324, and the remaining refrigerant is absorbed

into a primary absorbent contained in the primary absorber 306, thereby dissipating heat Q _PA 326.

The heat Q _PA 326 is supplied to the secondary generator 308.

The primary absorbent with the remaining refrigerant flow to the primary generator 310

through operation of apump 328, as indicated by the arrow 330. Heat Qp 332 is supplied to the

primary generator 310 from the exhaust system 108 shown in Figure 1 and the heat Qp 332

desorbs most of the refrigerant from the primary absorbent in the primary generator 310. The

desorbed refrigerant flows to the secondary generator 308, as indicated by the arrow 334. The

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primary absorbent flows through valve 336 to the primary absorber 306, as indicated by the arrow

338, for re-use in the primary absorber 306.

As indicated hereinabove, heat Q _PA 326 dissipated from the desorbed refrigerant is

supplied from the primary absorber 306 to the secondary generator 308. In addition, heat Qcs

340 collected from the cooling system 110 of the engine 102 shown in Figure 1 is also supplied

to the secondary generator 308. The heat Q _PA 326 and heat Qcs 340 desorbs refrigerant from the

secondary absorbent at the secondary generator 308. Through use of the heat Qcs 340 received from the cooling system 110, the amount of heat necessary for the primary generator 310 may be

reduced.

The secondary absorbent then flows through valve 342 to the secondary absorber 304, as

indicated by the arrow 344, for re-use in the secondary absorber 304. The desorbed refrigerant

from the primary generator 310 contained in the secondary generator 308 mixes with the

refrigerant desorbed at the secondary generator 308. The combined refrigerant then flows to the

condenser 312, as indicated by the arrow 346. The condenser 312 generally operates to condense

the combined refrigerant and thereby dissipate heat Qc 348. The heat Qc 348 may be dissipated

to the environment through heat exchanger 136 shown in Figure 1. The condensed refrigerant

then flows through valve 350 back to the evaporator 304, as indicated by the arrow 352. Through

operation of the above-identified process, the refrigerant is returned to a lower temperature and

lower pressure state to thereby cool the cooled area 106. The above-identified process may then

be repeated on a substantially continuous basis to provide heat removal from the cooled area 106

through the evaporator 302.

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Referring now to Figures 4A and 4B, there is shown, collectively, a simplified model of a

multi-effect adsorption system 400 according to an example of the invention. Figure 4A shows

the forward cycle while Figure 4B shows the reverse cycle. Some components in the multi-effect

adsorption system 400 function as desorbers in the forward cycle and then function as adsorbers

in the reverse cycle. As a consequence, some items in Figures 4A and 4B are located in different

positions in the simplified model. The multi-effect adsorption system 400 operates according to

a reversible process, a forward cycle and a reverse cycle, each of which provides cooling by

removing heat in the evaporator 402. The multi-effect adsorption system 400 is a double-effect

double-condenser adsorption system and includes an evaporator 402, a first primary adsorber

chamber (PACl) 404, a second primary adsorber chamber (PAC2) 406 (also known as the

primary desorber 112 shown in Figure 1), a first secondary adsorber chamber (SACl) 408, a

second secondary adsorber chamber (SAC2) 410 (also known as a secondary desorber 114 shown

in Figure 1), a primary condenser 412 and a secondary condenser 414. In general, adsorption

systems use a refrigerant and an adsorbent. For example, an adsorption system may use water

and silica gel or Kansi carbon combinations.

In the multi-effect adsorption system 400, the first primary adsorber chamber (PACl)

404 and the second primary adsorber chamber (PAC2) 406 may be formed as two separate

chambers arranged in such a manner as to transfer heat between one another. Similarly, the first

secondary adsorber chamber (SACl) 408 and the second secondary adsorber chamber (SAC2)

410 may be formed as two separate chambers arranged in such a manner as to transfer heat

between one another.

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Referring now to the forward cycle illustrated in Figure 4A, some of the refrigerant

vaporizes in the evaporator 402, thereby absorbing heat Q _E 416 from, for instance, cooling fluid

heated by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in Figure 1. The vaporized refrigerant

flows to the first secondary adsorber chamber 408, as indicated by the arrow 418, and the

vaporized refrigerant is adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in the first secondary adsorber

chamber 408, thereby dissipating heat Q _SA 420. Additionally, more of the refrigerant vaporizes

in the evaporator 402 thereby absorbing heat Q _E 416 from, for instance, cooling fluid heated by

adsorbing heat from the cooled area 106 shown in Figure 1. The vaporized refrigerant flows to

the first primary adsorber chamber 404, as indicated by the arrow 422, and the vaporized

refrigerant is adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in the first primary adsorber chamber 404,

thereby dissipating heat Q _PA 424. The heat Q _SA 420 and Q _PA 424 may be dissipated to the

environment through the heat exchanger 136 shown in Figure 1.

The refrigerant adsorbed into the first secondary adsorber chamber 408 and the first

primary adsorber chamber 404 originated from the second secondary adsorber chamber 410 and

the second primary adsorber chamber 406, respectively. Some of the refrigerant is desorbed

from the second primary adsorber chamber 406. Heat Qp 426 is supplied into the second primary

adsorber chamber 406 from the exhaust system 108 shown in Figure 1 and the heat Qp 426

desorbs some of the refrigerant from the adsorbent in the second primary adsorber chamber 406.

The desorbed refrigerant flows to the primary condenser 412 as indicated by the arrow 428 which

condenses the refrigerant and dissipates heat Q _PC 430. The condensed refrigerant flows from the

primary condenser 412 to the secondary condenser 414, as indicated by the arrow 432.

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Likewise, some of the refrigerant is desorbed from the second secondary adsorber

chamber 410. The heat Q _PC 430 is supplied to the second secondary adsorber chamber 410 along

with the heat Qcs 434 from the cooling system 110 shown in Figure 1 and together desorb some

of the refrigerant from the adsorbent in the second secondary adsorber chamber 410. The

desorbed refrigerant flows to the secondary condenser 414 as indicated by the arrow 436 which

condenses the refrigerant and dissipates heat Qsc 438. The condensed refrigerant then flows from the secondary condenser 414 to the evaporator 402, as indicated by the arrow 440. The heat

Qsc 438 may be dissipated to the environment through the heat exchanger 136 shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the reverse cycle illustrated in Figure 4B, some of the refrigerant

vaporizes in the evaporator 402 thereby absorbing heat Q _E 416 from, for instance, cooling fluid

heated by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in Figure 1. The vaporized refrigerant

flows to the second secondary adsorber chamber (S AC2) 410, as indicated by the arrow 418, and

the vaporized refrigerant is adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in the second secondary

adsorber chamber 410, thereby dissipating heat Q _SA 420. Additionally, more of the refrigerant

vaporizes in the evaporator 402 thereby absorbing heat Q _E 416 from, for instance, cooling fluid

heated by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in Figure 1. The vaporized refrigerant

flows to the second primary adsorber chamber (PAC2) 406, as indicated by the arrow 422, and

the vaporized refrigerant is adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in the second primary adsorber

chamber 406, thereby dissipating heat Q _PA 424. The heat Q _S A 420 and the heat Q _PA 424 maybe

dissipated to the environment through the heat exchanger 136 shown in Figure 1.

The refrigerant adsorbed into the second secondary adsorber chamber 410 and the second

primary adsorber chamber 406 originated from the first secondary adsorber chamber (SAC1)4O8

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and the first primary adsorber chamber (PACl) 404, respectively. Some of the refrigerant is

desorbed from the first primary adsorber chamber 404. Heat Qp 426 is supplied into the first

primary adsorber chamber 404 from the exhaust system 108 shown in Figure 1 and the heat Q _P

426 desorbs some of the refrigerant from the adsorbent in the first primary adsorber chamber 404.

The desorbed refrigerant flows to the primary condenser 412 as indicated by the arrow 428

which condenses the refrigerant and dissipates heat Qpc 430. The condensed refrigerant flows

from the primary condenser 412 to the secondary condenser 414, as indicated by the arrow 432.

Likewise, some of the refrigerant is desorbed from the first secondary adsorber chamber

408. The heat Q _PC 430 is supplied to the first secondary adsorber chamber 408 along with the

heat Qcs 434 from the cooling system 110 shown in Figure land together desorb some of the

refrigerant from the adsorbent in the first secondary adsorber chamber 408. The desorbed

refrigerant flows to the secondary condenser 414 as indicated by the arrow 436 which condenses

the refrigerant and dissipates heat Qsc 438. The condensed refrigerant then flows from the

secondary condenser 414 to the evaporator 402, as indicated by the arrow 440. The heat Qsc 438

may be dissipated to the environment through the heat exchanger 136 shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figures 5 A and 5B, there is shown, collectively, a simplified model of a

multi-effect adsorption system 500 according to an example of the invention. Figure 5A shows

the forward cycle while Figure 5B shows the reverse cycle. Some components in the multi-effect

adsorption system 500 function as desorbers in the forward cycle and then function as adsorbers

in the reverse cycle. As a consequence, some items in Figures 5 A and 5B are located in different

positions in the simplified model. The multi-effect adsorption system 500 operates according to

a reversible process, a forward cycle and a reverse cycle, each of which provides cooling by

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removing heat in an evaporator 502. Figure 5 A shows the forward cycle while Figure 5B shows

the reverse cycle. The multi-effect adsorption system 500 is a double-effect single-condenser

adsorption system and includes an evaporator 502, a first primary adsorber chamber (PACl) 504,

a second primary adsorber chamber (PAC2) 506 (also known as the primary desorber 112 shown

in Figure 1), a first secondary adsorber chamber (SACl) 508, a second secondary adsorber

chamber (SAC2) 510 (also known as a secondary desorber 114 shown in Figure 1), and a

condenser 512. hi general, adsorption systems use a refrigerant and an adsorbent. For example,

an adsorption system may use water and silica gel or Kansi carbon combinations.

hi the multi-effect adsorption system 500, the first primary adsorber chamber (PACl) 504

and the second primary adsorber chamber (PAC2) 506 may be formed as two separate chambers

arranged in such a manner as to transfer heat between one another. Similarly, the first secondary

adsorber chamber (SACl) 508 and the second secondary adsorber chamber (SAC2) 510 may be

formed as two separate chambers arranged in such a manner as to transfer heat between one

another.

Referring now to the forward cycle illustrated in Figure 5 A, some of the refrigerant

vaporizes in the evaporator 502 thereby absorbing heat Q _E 514 from, for instance, cooling fluid

heated by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in Figure 1. The vaporized refrigerant

flows to the first secondary adsorber chamber 508, as indicated by the arrow 516, and the

vaporized refrigerant is adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in the first secondary adsorber

chamber 508, thereby dissipating heat Q _S A 518. The heat Q _SA 518 may be dissipated to the

environment through the heat exchanger 136 shown in Figure 1. Additionally, more of the

refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporator 502 thereby absorbing heat Q _E 514 from, for instance,

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cooling fluid heated by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in Figure 1. The

vaporized refrigerant flows to the first primary adsorber chamber 504, as indicated by the arrow

520, and the vaporized refrigerant is adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in the first primary

adsorber chamber 504, thereby dissipating heat Q _PA 522.

The refrigerant adsorbed into the first secondary adsorber chamber 508 and the first

primary adsorber chamber 504 originated from the second secondary adsorber chamber 510 and the second primary adsorber chamber 506, respectively. Some of the refrigerant is desorbed

from the second primary adsorber chamber 506. Heat Qp 524 is supplied into the second primary

adsorber chamber 506 from the exhaust system 108 shown in Figure 1 and the heat Qp 524

desorbs some of the refrigerant from the adsorbent in the second primary adsorber chamber 506.

The desorbed refrigerant flows to the condenser 512 as indicated by the arrow 526 which

condenses the refrigerant and dissipates heat Qc 528.

Likewise, some of the refrigerant is desorbed from the second secondary adsorber

chamber 510. The heat Q _PA 522 is supplied to the second secondary adsorber chamber 510 along

with the heat Qcs 530 from the cooling system 110 shown in Figure 1 and together desorb some

of the refrigerant from the adsorbent in the second secondary adsorber chamber 510. The

desorbed refrigerant flows to the condenser 512 as indicated by the arrow 532 which condenses

the refrigerant and dissipates heat Qc 528. The condensed refrigerant then flows from the

condenser 512 to the evaporator 502, as indicated by the arrow 534. The heat Qc 528 may be

dissipated to the environment through the heat exchanger 136 shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the reverse cycle illustrated in Figure 5B, some of the refrigerant

vaporizes in the evaporator 502 thereby absorbing heat Q _E 514 from, for instance, cooling fluid

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heated by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in Figure 1. The vaporized refrigerant

flows to the second secondary adsorber chamber 510, as indicated by the arrow 516, and the

vaporized refrigerant is adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in the second secondary adsorber

chamber 510, thereby dissipating the heat Q _S A 518. The heat Q _SA 518 may be dissipated to the

environment through heat exchanger 136 shown in Figure 1. Additionally, more of the

refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporator 502 thereby absorbing heat Q _E 514 from, for instance,

cooling fluid heated by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in Figure 1. The

vaporized refrigerant flows to the second primary adsorber chamber 506, as indicated by the

arrow 520, and the vaporized refrigerant is adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in the second

primary adsorber chamber 506, thereby dissipating the heat Q _P A 522.

The refrigerant adsorbed into the second secondary adsorber chamber 510 and the second

primary adsorber chamber 506 originated from the first secondary adsorber chamber 508 and the

first primary adsorber chamber 504, respectively. Some of the refrigerant is desorbed from the

first primary adsorber chamber 504. Heat Qp 524 is supplied into the first primary adsorber

chamber 504 from the exhaust system 108 shown in Figure 1 and the heat Qp 524 desorbs some

of the refrigerant from the adsorbent in the first primary adsorber chamber 504. The desorbed

refrigerant flows to the condenser 512 as indicated by the arrow 526 which condenses the

refrigerant and dissipates heat Qc 528.

Likewise, some of the refrigerant is desorbed from the first secondary adsorber chamber

508. The heat Q _P A 522 is supplied to the first secondary adsorber chamber 508 along with the

heat Qcs 530 from the cooling system 110 shown in Figure land together desorb some of the

refrigerant from the adsorbent in the first secondary adsorber chamber 508. The desorbed

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refrigerant flows to the condenser 512 as indicated by the arrow 532 which condenses the

refrigerant and dissipates heat Qc 528. The condensed refrigerant then flows to the evaporator

502, as indicated by the arrow 534. The heat Qc 528 may be dissipated to the environment

through the heat exchanger 136 shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode 600 depicting a manner in which a

multi-effect cooling system maybe implemented in accordance with an example of the invention.

The following description of the operational mode 600 is made with reference to the block diagram 100 illustrated in Figure 1, and thus makes reference to the elements cited therein. The

following description of the operational mode 600 is one manner in which the multi-effect

cooling system 104 may be implemented, hi this respect, it is to be understood that the following

description of the operational mode 600 is but one manner of a variety of different manners in

which such a multi-effect cooling system 104 may be operated.

hi the operational mode 600, the multi-effect cooling system 104 is operated utilizing heat

from the engine 102. The exhaust system 108 heats the primary desorber 112 at step 602. The

cooling system 110 heats the secondary desorber 114 at step 604. Manners in which heat from

the engine 102 maybe transferred to the multi-effect cooling system 104 are described in greater

detail with respect to Figure 1. In addition, the exhaust system 108 and the cooling system 110

provide substantially all of the power used to operate the multi-effect cooling system 104.

Figure 7 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode 700 depicting a manner in which

a multi-effect cooling system may be implemented according to an example of the invention.

The following description of the operational mode 700 is made with reference to the block

diagram 100 and schematic illustration 200 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, respectively, and thus

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makes reference to the elements cited therein. The following description of the operational mode

700 is one manner in which the multi-effect cooling system may be implemented, m this respect,

it is to be understood that the following description of the operational mode 700 is but one

manner of a variety of different manners in which such a multi-effect cooling system 104 maybe

operated.

In the operational mode 700, the exhaust system 108 of the engine 102 heats the primary

generator 208 of the multi-effect absorption system 200 at step 702. The heat Qp 230 provides

the primary source of energy to the multi-effect absorption system 200 for cooling the cooled area

106. The cooling system 110 of the engine 102 heats the secondary generator 206 of the multi-

effect absorption system 200 at step 704. The heat Qcs 244 provides a secondary source of

energy to the multi-effect absorption system 200. Additionally, heat dissipated by the primary

condenser 210 may be collected at step 706. The collected heat may then be transferred to the

secondary generator 206 to provide an additional source of energy to the multi-effect absorption

system 200 at step 708. The heat may be collected and transferred in a variety of manners

including, but not limited to, using heat pipes and/or thermosiphons (not shown) to collect and

transfer heat from the primary condenser 210 to the secondary generator 206. For example, an

evaporator of the heat pipe or thermosiphon maybe wrapped around the primary condenser 210

while a condenser of the heat pipe or thermosiphon may be wrapped around the secondary

generator 206.

In any respect, during operation of the multi-effect absorption system 200, both the

secondary condenser 212 and the absorber 204 produce heat Qsc 248 and heat QA 220,

respectively, which may be dissipated to the environment in a variety of manners. For instance,

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the heat exchanger 136 may disperse the heat Qsc 248 and/or the heat Q _A 220 to the environment

using air moving relative to the vehicle 100 having the engine 102 at step 710. Step 710 may be

implemented if the vehicle is a ship, automobile, train, airplane, or any other mobile vehicle. In

another example, the heat exchanger 136 may disperse the heat Qsc 248 and/or heat QA 220 to

the environment using water in contact with the vehicle 100 having the engine 102 at step 712.

Step 712 may be implemented if the vehicle is a ship, submarine, amphibious vehicle, or any

other vehicle which moves in an aquatic environment. In another example, heat Qsc 248 and

heat QA 220 may be converted into electricity using a pyroelectric device at step 714, in manners

as described herein above with respect to the heat exchanger 136.

Figure 8 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode 800 depicting a manner in which a

multi-effect cooling system maybe implemented in accordance with an example of the invention.

The following description of the operational mode 800 is made with reference to the block

diagram 100 and schematic illustration 300 illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, respectively, and thus

makes reference to the elements cited therein. The following description of the operational mode

800 is one manner in which the multi-effect cooling system 104 may be implemented. In this respect, it is to be understood that the following description of the operational mode 800 is but

one manner of a variety of different manners in which such a multi-effect cooling system maybe

operated.

In the operational mode 800, the exhaust system 108 of the engine 102 heats the primary

generator 310 of the multi-effect absorption system 300 at step 802. The heat Qp 322 provides

the primary source of energy to the multi-effect absorption system 300 for cooling the cooled area

106. The cooling system 110 of the engine 102 heats the secondary generator 308 of the multi- HP 200403429-1 26

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effect absorption system 300 at step 704. The heat Qcs 340 provides a secondary source of

energy to the multi-effect absorption system 300. Additionally, heat dissipated by the primary

absorber 306 may be collected at step 806. The collected heat may then be transferred to the

secondary generator 308 to provide an additional source of energy to the multi-effect absorption

system 300 at step 808. The heat may be collected and transferred in a variety of manners

including, but not limited to, using heat pipes and/or thermosiphons (not shown) to collect and

transfer heat from the primary absorber 306 to the secondary generator 308. For example, an

evaporator of the heat pipe or thermosiphon may be wrapped around the primary absorber 306

while a condenser of the heat pipe or thermosiphon may be wrapped around the secondary

generator 308.

In any regard, during operation of the multi-effect absorption system 300, both the

condenser 312 and the secondary absorber 318 produce heat Qc 348 and heat Q _SA 318,

respectively, which may be dissipated to the environment in a variety of manners. For instance,

the heat exchanger 136 may disperse the heat Qc 348 and/or the heat Q _SA 318 to the environment

using air moving relative to the vehicle 100 having the engine 102 at step 810. Step 810 maybe

implemented if the vehicle is a ship, automobile, train, airplane, or any other mobile vehicle. In

another example, the heat exchanger 136 may disperse the heat Qc 348 and/or heat Q _SA 318 to

the environment using water in contact with the vehicle 100 having the engine 102 at step 812.

Step 812 may be implemented if the vehicle is a ship, submarine, amphibious vehicle, or any

other vehicle which moves in an aquatic environment. In another example, heat Qc 348 and heat

Q _S A 318 maybe converted into electricity using a pyroelectric device at step 814.

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Figure 9 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode 900 depicting a manner in which a

multi-effect cooling system maybe implemented according to an example of the invention. The

following description of the operational mode 900 is made with reference to the block diagram

100 and schematic illustration 400 illustrated in Figures 1 and 4A-4B, respectively, and thus

makes reference to the elements cited therein. The following description of the operational mode

900 is one manner in which the multi-effect cooling system 104 may be implemented. In this

respect, it is to be understood that the following description of the operational mode 900 is but

one manner of a variety of different manners in which such a multi-effect cooling system 104

may be operated.

In the operational mode 900, the exhaust system 108 of the engine 102 heats the second

primary adsorber chamber 406 of the multi-effect adsorption system 400 at step 902. The heat

Q _P 426 provides the primary source of energy to the multi-effect adsorption system 400 for

cooling the cooled area 106. The cooling system 110 of the engine 102 heats the second

secondary adsorber chamber 410 of the multi-effect adsorption system 400 at step 904. The heat

Qcs 434 provides a secondary source of energy to the multi-effect adsorption system 400.

Additionally, heat dissipated by the primary condenser 412 may be collected at step 906. The

collected heat may then be transferred to the second secondary adsorber chamber 410 to provide

an additional source of energy to the multi-effect adsorption system 400 at step 908. The heat

maybe collected and transferred in a variety of manners including, but not limited to, using heat

pipes and/or thermosiphons to collect and transfer heat from the primary condenser 412 to the

secondary adsorber chamber 410. For example, an evaporator of the heat pipe or thermosiphon

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may be wrapped around the primary condenser 412 while a condenser of the heat pipe or

thermosiphon may be wrapped around the secondary adsorber chamber 410.

hi any respect, during operation of the multi-effect adsorption system 400, the secondary

condenser 438, the first secondary adsorber chamber 408, and the first primary adsorber chamber

404 produce heat Qsc 438, heat Q _SA 420, and heat Q _PA 424, respectively, which may be dissipated to the environment in a variety of manners. For instance, the heat exchanger 136 may

disperse the heat Qsc 438, the heat Q _SA 420, and/or the heat Q _PA 424 to the environment using air

moving relative to the vehicle 100 having the engine 102 at step 910. Step 910 may be

implemented if the vehicle is a ship, automobile, train, airplane, or any other mobile vehicle. In

another example, the heat exchanger 136 may disperse the heat Qsc 438, the heat Q _SA 420, and/or

the heat Q _PA 424 to the environment using water in contact with the vehicle 100 having the

engine 102 at step 912. Step 912 may be implemented if the vehicle is a ship, submarine,

amphibious vehicle, or any other vehicle which moves in an aquatic environment. In another

example, heat Q _SA 420 and heat Q _P A 424 may be converted into electricity using a pyroelectric

device at step 914.

Figure 10 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode 1000 depicting a manner in

which a multi-effect cooling system may be implemented according to an example of the

invention. The following description of the operational mode 1000 is made with reference to the

block diagram 100 and schematic illustration 500 illustrated in Figures 1 and 5A-5B,

respectively, and thus makes reference to the elements cited therein. The following description of

the operational mode 1000 is one manner in which the multi-effect cooling system 104 may be

implemented. In this respect, it is to be understood that the following description of the

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operational mode 1000 is but one manner of a variety of different manners in which such a multi-

effect cooling system 104 maybe operated.

In the operational mode 1000, the exhaust system 108 of the engine 102 heats the second

primary adsorber chamber 506 of the multi-effect adsorption system 500 at step 1002. The heat

Qp 524 provides the primary source of energy to the multi-effect adsorption system 500 for

cooling the cooled area 106. The cooling system 110 of the engine 102 heats the second

secondary adsorber chamber 510 of the multi-effect adsorption system 500 at step 1004. The

heat Qcs 530 provides a secondary source of energy to the multi-effect adsorption system 500.

Additionally, heat dissipated by the first primary adsorber chamber 504 maybe collected at step

1006. The collected heat may then be transferred to the second secondary adsorber chamber 510

to provide an additional source of energy to the multi-effect adsorption system 500 at step 1008.

The heat may be collected and transferred in a variety of manners including, but not limited to,

using heat pipes and/or thermosiphons to collect and transfer heat from the first primary adsorber

chamber 504 to the second secondary adsorber chamber 510. For example, an evaporator of the

heat pipe or thermosiphon may be wrapped around the primary absorber chamber 504 while a

condenser of the heat pipe or thermosiphon may be wrapped around the secondary adsorber

chamber 510.

In any respect, during operation of the multi-effect adsorption system 500, the condenser

528 and the first secondary adsorber chamber 508 produce heat Qc 528 and heat Q _SA 518,

respectively, which may be dissipated to the environment in a variety of manners. For instance,

the heat exchanger 136 may disperse the heat Qc 528 and/or the heat Q _SA 518 to the environment

using air moving relative to the vehicle 100 having the engine 102 at step 1010. Step 1010 may

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be implemented if the vehicle is a ship, automobile, train, airplane, or any other mobile vehicle.

In another example, the heat exchanger 136 may disperse the heat Qc 528 and/or the heat Q _SA

518 to the environment using water in contact with the vehicle 100 having the engine 102 at step

1012. Step 1012 may be implemented if the vehicle is a ship, submarine, amphibious vehicle, or

any other vehicle which moves in an aquatic environment. In another example, heat Qc 528 and

heat Q _SA 518 maybe converted into electricity using a pyroelectric device at step 1014.

The steps illustrated in the operational modes 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1000 may be implemented manually or automatically. For instance, in a manual operation, a user of the multi-

effect cooling system 104 may open or close valves that route exhaust gases and/or cooling fluid

to the desorbers thus providing the desorbers with energy to operate, hi an automatic

implementation, valves maybe controlled by a control system. Additionally, the control system

may contain a utility, program, subprogram, in any desired computer accessible medium.

Furthermore, the operational modes 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1000 may be embodied by a

computer program, which can exist in a variety of forms both active and inactive. For example,

they can exist as software program(s) comprised of program instructions in source code, object

code, executable code or other formats. Any of the above can be embodied on a computer

readable medium, which include storage devices and signals, in compressed or uncompressed

form.

Examples of suitable computer readable storage devices include conventional computer

system RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory), EPROM (erasable,

programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable, programmable ROM), and magnetic or

optical disks or tapes. Examples of computer readable signals, whether modulated using a carrier

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or not, are signals that a computer system hosting or running the computer program can be

configured to access, including signals downloaded through the Internet or other networks.

Concrete examples of the foregoing include distribution of the programs on a CD ROM or via

Internet download, hi a sense, the Internet itself, as an abstract entity, is a computer readable

medium. The same is true of computer networks in general. It is therefore to be understood that

those functions enumerated below may be performed by any electronic device capable of

executing the above-described functions.

As described hereinabove, the amount of heat supplied to the primary desorber 112 may

be reduced based upon the amount of heat supplied to the secondary desorber 114. Thus, for

instance, if a greater volume or higher temperature heat is supplied to the secondary desorber

114, the amount of heat supplied from the exhaust system 108 may be relatively reduced,

reducing the pressure in the exhaust system 108 of the engine 102 and thereby increasing

efficiency of the engine 102. Additionally, efficiency of the multi-effect cooling system 104

increases because of the increase in the coefficient of performance due to the use of heat from the

cooling system 110 of the engine 102.

For instance, an improvement to the coefficient of performance is obtained from the arrangements described above. The coefficient of performance of a multi-effect cooling

system may be given by the following equation:

EvaporatorHeatLoad Q _E

COP =

GeneratorHeatLoad Q _P

Typically, Qcs is zero in multi-effect cycles because the heat requirement in the secondary

desorber is fulfilled by Qx, heat obtained from another component. This leads to higher

coefficients of performance compared to single effect cooling cycles.

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By virtue of the arrangements described herein above, additional Qcs from the cooling

system 110 can reduce the Qp consumed by the cycle without changing the delivered cooling

(that is, Q _E ). In one respect, because any reduction in Qp will improve the COP, as shown in the

equation above, the COP may be improved with the additional Q _C s from the cooling system 110

of the engine. This change may improve the COP by as much as 100%. Therefore, according to

embodiments of the invention the COP of a multi-effect cooling system may be improved.

Additionally, the second law efficiency is improved from the arrangements shown above.

The second law efficiency (τ/π) is defined as a ratio of actual work (W) over the available work

(W _max ). The available work is defined as a product of the heat added to the system and the

Carnot efficiency. Li embodiments of the invention, the available work is the total power

supplied by the engine 102 for cooling the cooled area 106.

W max W max

In addition, the lost work (Wi _ost ) is the heat rejected to the environment times the Carnot

efficiency.

^w _hn ~ Q ⁷ I _carnot = 2 * ° — where T ₀ is the ambient temperature.

V exhaust J

Any utilization of heat (Qcs) for cooling of the cooled area 106 reduces the Wι _ost

significantly and generally improves the second law efficiency of multi-effect cooling systems.

By virtue of certain examples, heat generated through operation of an engine may be

supplied to a multi-effect cooling system, either absorption or adsorption types, to cool cooling

fluid delivered to a cooled area. Li one regard, the heat Qcs collected from the cooling system of

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the engine, reduces the amount of energy used by the engine to cool itself. The reduction

increases the efficiency of the engine. A dual efficiency increase may be obtained though

implementation of examples of the multi-effect cooling systems described herein.

What has been described and illustrated herein are examples of multi-effect cooling

systems along with some of variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set

forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will

recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the examples, which are

intended to be defined by the following claims — and their equivalents — in which all terms are

meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.

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