Providing Heat Recovery

The invention relates to a refrigeration system and a refrigeration method for providing heat recovery.

Cooling circuits of refrigeration installations can include heat recovery units which utilize the heat from the compressed hot refrigerant discharged from the compressor for heating. One example of such heat recovery is to use such heat to heat up water which can be used as warm or hot water for domestic use.

The demand for such warm or hot water for domestic use can vary substantially for different buildings and applications, and can vary significantly over time.

US 2009/1201 10 A1 discloses a method for providing controllable amounts of heat recovery from a refrigerant circuit. The method comprises the steps of providing a cooling circuit comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator connected in series by refrigerant flow lines; providing a heat recovery circuit comprising a heat recovery heat exchanger, the heat recovery circuit being connected to the cooling circuit so that the heat recovery heat exchanger is in parallel with the condenser, and the heat recovery heat exchanger being in heat exchange relationship with a fluid to be heated based upon an end-user demand for heat; and selectively flowing refrigerant through the condenser of the cooling circuit in a cooling mode and the heat recovery heat exchanger of the heat recovery circuit in a heat recovery mode so as to maintain temperature of the fluid within a temperature band around a set point provided by the end user. A desired amount of between 0 and 100% of the system's heat transfer capability can be transferred to the fluid to be heated by periodically switching ("cycling") between the cooling mode and the heat recovery mode. This makes it necessary to perform multiple switching operations and results in changes of the heat transfer over time which leads to a continuously changing operation of the system and a quite complex control. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide an energy-efficient refrigeration circuit and method with an improved control of the heat transferred from the refrigeration circuit to a heat recovery system, while providing sufficient flexibility to meet individual and changing heat demands on the heat recovery system side.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention comprise a refrigeration circuit circulating a refrigerant and comprising in the direction of flow of the refrigerant: at least one compressor; at least one heat rejecting heat exchanger; at least one expansion device; and at least one evaporator. A refrigeration circuit according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention further comprises at least one heat recovery heat exchanger having a refrigeration circuit side and heat recovery system side and being configured to transfer heat between the refrigeration circuit side and the heat recovery system side. The refrigeration circuit side is fluidly connected in parallel to the at least one heat rejecting heat exchanger of the refrigeration circuit for flowing circulating refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit side of the at least one heat recovery heat exchanger. The refrigeration circuit further comprises at least one regulation valve, which is configured to regulate the flow of refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration circuit side of the at least one heat recovery heat exchanger. The at least one regulation valve is switchable between an open position, in which the regulation valve is completely open, a closed position, in which the regulation valve is completely closed, and at least one intermediate position, in which the regulation valve is partially open having an opening degree / opening cross section which is smaller than in the open position.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention further include a method of operating a refrigeration circuit with a circulating refrigerant and comprising in the flow- direction of the refrigerant least one compressor; at least one heat rejecting heat exchanger; at least one expansion device; at least one evaporator and at least one heat recovery heat exchanger, which comprises a refrigeration circuit side and heat recovery system side and is configured to transfer heat from the circulating refrigerant to a heat recovery system. The refrigeration circuit side of the heat recovery heat exchanger is connected in parallel to the heat rejecting heat exchanger for flowing refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit side. A regulation valve is configured to regulate the flow of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit side of the heat recovery heat exchanger and the method comprises the step of regulating the flow of refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration circuit side of the heat recovery heat exchanger by controlling the regulation valve to be switched between an open position, in which the regulation valve is completely open, a closed position, in which the regulation valve is completely closed, and at least one intermediate position in which the regulation valve is partially open having an opening degree / opening cross section which is smaller than in the open position.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed figures.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary refrigeration circuit and part of an exemplary heat recovery system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of an exemplary refrigeration circuit and part of an exemplary heat recovery system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of an exemplary refrigeration circuit and part of an exemplary heat recovery system according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a schematic view of an exemplary refrigeration circuit and part of an exemplary heat recovery system according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

A first embodiment of a refrigeration circuit 101 is depicted in the middle and right-hand sides of figure 1 inside the box surrounded by a dashed line. On the left-hand side of the figure part of a heat recovery system 14 is shown.

The refrigeration circuit 101 comprises in flow direction of a refrigerant as indicated by arrows three compressors 4a, 4b, 4c connected in parallel for compressing the refrigerant to a relatively high pressure. The skilled person will easily understand that the number of three compressors 4a, 4b, 4c is only exemplary and any suitable number of compressors 4a, 4b, 4c including only one compressor 4a may be used, and that compressors connected in series can be provided as well.

A pressure line 2 attaches to the outlet side of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c and branches into a first pressure line portion 2a leading to conventional air-cooled heat rejecting heat exchangers 6, 6a, 6b and into a second pressure line portion 2b leading to a refrigeration circuit side 12a of a heat recovery heat exchanger 12.

The high pressure refrigerant leaving the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c flowing through the second pressure line portion 2b and the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 arranged downstream of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c transfers heat to a heat receiving fluid flowing, as indicated by the arrow, through the heat recovery system side 12b of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12. The flow of the heat receiving fluid is driven by a fluid pump 20. A heat receiving fluid temperature sensor 28 is arranged in the fluid conduit 19 connected to the heat recovery system side 12b of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12, particularly at a position behind the heat recovery system side 12b, in order to measure the temperature of the heat receiving fluid leaving the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 that has been warmed up against the hot compressed refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12.

The flow of high pressure refrigerant flowing through the second pressure line portion 2b and the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 is controlled by means of a first regulation valve 16 which is arranged downstream of the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12.

The first regulation valve 16 is switchable between an open position, in which the first regulation valve 16 is completely open, a closed position, in which the first regulation valve 16 is completely closed and does not allow any refrigerant to flow through the refrigeration circuit side 12a of a heat recovery heat exchanger 12, and at least one intermediate position, in which the first regulation valve 16 is partially open with a smaller opening degree as in the completely open position in order to allow a throttled flow of refrigerant to flow through the refrigeration circuit side 12a of a heat recovery heat exchanger 12.

Thus, the amount of heat transfer from the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration circuit 101 to the heat receiving fluid flowing in the heat recovery system 14 via the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 may be controlled by means of the first regulation valve 16. In an embodiment the first regulation valve 16 comprises a plurality of intermediate positions, each of the intermediate positions representing a different opening degree / cross section allowing a fine adjustment of the amount of compressed hot refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12.

In another embodiment the opening degree / cross section of the first regulation valve 16 is continuously adjustable between the closed position and the completely open position allowing to continuously regulate the flow of refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12.

As the first regulation valve 16 is arranged downstream and not upstream of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12, it does not act as a throttle in the second portion 2b of the pressure line 2 upstream of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 even when it is switched to an intermediate position. Such a throttle located upstream of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 would undesirably expand the high pressure refrigerant before entering the heat recovery heat exchanger 12.

A refrigerant temperature sensor 24 and a refrigerant pressure sensor 26 are arranged in the second portion 2b of the pressure line 2 in order to measure the temperature and, respectively, the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12.

In the first embodiment shown in figure 1, the temperature sensor 24 is arranged downstream of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 in order to measure the temperature of the refrigerant after it has been cooled down in the refri- geration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 in heat exchange against the heat receiving fluid flowing through the heat recovery system side 12b of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12.

In the embodiment shown in the figure, the pressure sensor 26 is arranged upstream of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12. It is, however, possible, to arrange the pressure sensor 26 downstream of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12, as well, as long as it is arranged upstream of the first regulation valve 16.

By means of a refrigerant line 17 the outlet side of the first regulation valve 16 is fluidly connected to an inlet side arranged at an upper portion of a receiver 7. The receiver 7 is configured for collecting the refrigerant. Typically liquid refrigerant collects at the bottom portion of the receiver 7 and gaseous refrigerant collects in an upper gas space of the receiver 7.

An outlet of the receiver 7 is fluidly connected to an expansion device 8 by means of an receiver outlet line 11. Liquid refrigerant leaving the receiver 7 is expanded by the expansion device 8 and evaporated in an evaporator 10 which is arranged and fluidly connected downstream of the expansion device 8. When the refrigerant is evaporated in the evaporator 10 it transfers coldness to and absorbs heat from the environment before flowing back to the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c through the suction line connecting the evaporator 10 to the inlet side of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c.

The skilled person will easily understand that although the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure comprises only one expansion device 8 and only one evaporator 10 any suitable number of expansion devices 8 and evaporators 10 may be used.

After having left the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c, the portion of the refrigerant which does not flow through the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 flows through the second portion 2a of the pressure line 2 to at least one heat rejecting heat exchanger 6 which is configured to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the environment. The heat is for example transferred to ambient air or a cooling water circuit connected to the heat rejecting heat exchanger 6. If the heat is transferred to ambient air, the at least one heat rejecting heat exchanger 6 may comprise at least one fan in order to suck or blow ambient air through the heat rejecting heat exchanger 6 in order to enhance the transfer of heat from the refrigerant to the environment.

In the embodiment shown in the figure, two heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b are provided, which are connected parallel to each other. Respective switch- able valves 5a, 5b are provided at the inlet sides of each of the heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b in order to selectively activate and deactivate the respective heat rejecting heat exchanger 6a, 6b.

The two heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b may be either separate, individual heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b of a common heat rejecting heat exchanger 6.

The switchable valves 5a, 5b, which may be implemented as motor-actuated ball valves, are respectively switchable only between a completely open and a completely closed position. Switching one of the switchable valves 5a, 5b to a partially opened position would provide a throttle within the pressure line 2a upstream of the at least one heat rejecting heat exchanger 6 which would act as an expansion device expanding the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit 101. This expansion is undesirable at a position upstream of the heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b as it would negatively affect the efficiency of the at least one heat rejecting heat exchanger 6.

The outlet sides of the heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b are fluidly connected by means of heat exchanger outlet lines 3a, 3b and a receiver inlet line 3 to the receiver 7 for delivering the refrigerant leaving the heat rejecting heat exchangers) 6a, 6b to the receiver 7. Thus the portion of refrigerant flowing through the first pressure line portion 2a, the switchable valves 5a, 5b and the heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b mixes in the receiver 7 with the portion of refrigerant flowing through the second pressure line portion 2b, the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12, and the first regulation valve 16, before the refrigerant is delivered to the expansion device 8 and the evaporator 10, as described before. Providing at least two heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b in parallel which may be selectively activated and/or deactivated by respectively associated switchable valves 5a, 5b allows to adjust the heat rejecting capacity provided by the heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b to changing needs.

The two heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b may have the same heat rejecting capacity allowing to switch the heat rejecting capacity provided by the heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b between the full available heat rejecting capacity (100%), when both switchable valves 5a, 5b are open and both heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b are active, and half of the maximum heat rejecting capacity (50%) available, when only one of the switchable valves 5a, 5b is open and the second switchable valve 5a, 5b is closed so that only one of the heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b is active.

In another exemplary embodiment the heat rejecting capacity of a second of the heat rejecting heat exchangers 6b or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b may be twice as large as the heat rejecting capacity of a first one of the heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b in order to allow to switch between one third (33%) of the maximum heat rejecting capacity by respectively activating only the first one of the heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b, two thirds (66%) of the maximum heat rejecting capacity by activating only the second one of the heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b, or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b and full (100%) heat rejecting capacity by activating both heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b.

Of course, heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b with any other heat rejecting capacity ratio can be provided, and further heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b or heat rejecting heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b may be added in order to allow an even finer adjustment of the heat rejecting capacity provided by the heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b. A flash gas tap line 9 fluidly connects the upper gas space portion of the receiver 7 to the inlet side of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c allowing to transfer flash gas from the receiver 7 directly to the inlet side of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c in order to enhance the performance of the refrigeration circuit 101.

The system further comprises a control unit 22, which is connected by electrical lines, which are not shown in the figure, to the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c, the switchable valves 5a, 5b, the first regulation valve 16 and/or the fluid pump 20 in order to control the operation of said devices.

The control unit 22 may operate based on the temperature and pressure values measured by the heat receiving fluid temperature sensor 28, the refrigerant temperature sensor 24 and/or the refrigerant pressure sensor 26.

The control unit 22 may be realized in the form of a single control unit 22 or by a plurality of (sub-)control units 22a, 22b, each of the (sub-)control units 22a, 22b being configured to control different portions of the system. In particular, a first (sub-)control unit 22a may be provided for controlling the refrigeration circuit 101 and a second (sub-)control unit 22b may be provided for controlling the heat recovery system 14.

The control unit 22 may be configured to selectively switch the system between different modes in order to adjust the heat delivered from the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit 101 to the heat receiving fluid of the heat recovery system 14 according to the actual heat demand on the side of the heat recovery system 14.

In a first mode of operation, all the heat produced by the refrigeration circuit 101 is consumed by the heat recovery system 14. In this case, the first regulation valve 16 is open and both switchable valves 5a, 5b are closed so that all the high pressure refrigerant leaving the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c flows through the second portion 2b of the pressure line 2 and the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 where it transfers its heat to the heat receiving fluid which is pumped by means of the fluid pump 20 through the heat recovery system side 12b of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12. In a second mode of operation, the heat generated within the refrigeration circuit 101 exceeds the heat demand of the heat recovery system 14. In this case, the first regulation valve 16 is controlled in order to adjust the flow of refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 and thereby the amount of heat transferred to the heat receiving fluid flowing through the heat recovery system side 12b of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 to match the actual demand of the heat recovery system 14. Any additional heat, which is not consumed by the heat recovery system 14 is transferred to the environment by means of the heat rejecting heat exchanger(s) 6a, 6b. In particular, those heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b or heat rejecting heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b are activated by means of the switchable valves 5a, 5b that are necessary for transferring the remaining heat from the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit 101 to the environment.

If the heat rejecting capacity of one heat rejecting heat exchanger 6a, 6b or heat rejecting heat exchanger portion 6a, 6b is not sufficient in order to transfer all remaining heat from the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit 101 , at least one additional heat rejecting heat exchanger 6a, 6b or heat rejecting heat exchanger portion 6a, 6b or all heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b / heat rejecting heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b are activated.

In a third mode of operation, no heat is demanded by the heat recovery system 14. In this case the first regulation valve 16 is closed completely so that no refrigerant is flowing through the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12. In this case, all the heat generated by the operation of the refrigeration circuit 101 is transferred from the refrigerant to the environment by means of at least one activated heat rejecting heat exchanger 6 or heat rejecting heat exchanger portion 6a, 6b. Likewise, those heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b or heat rejecting heat exchanger portion 6a, 6b are activated by means of the switchable valves 5a, 5b that are necessary for transferring the heat from the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit 101 to the environment. The temperature of the heat receiving fluid flowing through the heat recovery system 14 is further adjustable by regulating the flow of the heat receiving fluid through the heat recovery system side 12b of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 by means of the fluid pump 20.

The described first embodiment allows to accurately adjust the heat which is recovered by means of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 and transferred to the heat recovery system 14. It eliminates the problem of a two-phase refrigerant flow leaving the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 if the heat demand of the heat recovery system 14 is not big enough for absorbing all the heat generated by the operation of the refrigeration circuit 101. Thus, a refrigeration circuit 101 according to the disclosed first embodiment does not need a liquid separator in order to separate the liquid phase refrigerating portion and the gaseous phase refrigerating portion from the circulating refrigerant. This reduces the costs of the refrigerating circuit 101.

The control of the refrigeration circuit 101 and/or the heat recovery system 14 can be effected by appropriate software running in the control unit 22. This avoids negative influences which may occur during operation on an end-user's side like changes of the demanded heat. The embodiment allows to use the heat rejecting heat exchanger 6 with two lockable coils avoiding the problem of holding the high pressure in the system on the required level during cold year seasons (winter mode).

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a refrigeration circuit 102. As the second embodiment shown in figure 2 is very similar to the first embodiment shown in figure 1, the same features are denoted by the same reference signs and features which have not been changed with respect to the first embodiment will not be discussed in detail again.

The second embodiment of the refrigeration circuit 102 differs from the first embodiment in that the refrigerant line 17, which is fluidly connected to the outlet side of the first regulation valve 16, is not connected to the receiver inlet line 3 upstream of the receiver 7 but to the receiver outlet line 11 fluidly connecting the outlet provided at the bottom of the receiver 7 to the expansion device 8. Thus, contrary to the first embodiment, in operation the refrigerant delivered from the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 is not fed into the receiver 7 together with the refrigerant delivered from the heat rejecting heat exchanger 6. Instead, the refrigerant leaving the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 is delivered directly to the expansion device 8 via the refrigerant line 17 and the receiver outlet line 11. The configuration according to the second embodiment shown in figure 2 may provide a more stable operation of the refrigeration circuit 102 showing less fluctuations than the configuration according to the first embodiment shown in figure 1.

In a further embodiment, which is not shown in the figures, the refrigerant line 17 may be connected directly to the receiver 7.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a refrigeration circuit 103. Again, features which are identical to the features of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference signs and will not be discussed in detail again.

In the refrigeration circuit 103 according to the third embodiment a second regulation valve 30 is arranged in the receiver inlet line 3 upstream of the receiver 7. Contrary to the first and second embodiments, the refrigeration circuit 103 according to the third embodiment does not comprise switchable valves 5a, 5b respectively arranged upstream of the heat rejecting heat exchanger(s) 6, 6a, 6b or portions 6a, 6b of the heat rejecting heat exchanger 6 in order to selectively activate and deactivate the individual heat rejecting heat exchanger(s) 6a, 6b or portions 6a, 6b of the heat rejecting heat exchanger 6, respectively.

The refrigerant line 17 fluidly connects the outlet side of the first regulation valve 16 to the outlet side of the receiver 7. In an alternative configuration the refrigerant line 17 may be connected directly to the receiver or to the inlet side of the receiver 7 similar to the embodiment shown in figure 1. In particular, the refrigerant line 17 may be connected to a portion of the receiver inlet line 3 connecting the second regulation valve 30 with the inlet side of the receiver 7. The second regulation valve 30 is switchable between a fully open position, in which the second regulation valve 30 is completely open, and at least one intermediate position, in which the second regulation valve 30 is partially open providing a smaller opening than in the completely open position, in order to allow a throttled flow of refrigerant to flow from the heat rejecting heat exchanger 6 to the receiver 7.

The second regulation valve 30 thus allows to selectively control the flow of refrigerant flowing through the heat rejecting heat exchanger(s) 6, 6a, 6b or portions 6a, 6b of the heat rejecting heat exchanger 6, respectively, in order to adjust the heat rejecting capacity provided by the heat rejecting heat exchanger(s) 6, 6a, 6b to varying needs.

In consequence, in this embodiment there is no need for expensive switchable valves 5a, 5b arranged upstream of the heat rejecting heat exchanger(s) 6, 6a, 6b or portions 6a, 6b of the heat rejecting heat exchanger 6, respectively, in order to selectively activate and deactivate individual heat rejecting heat exchangers) 6, 6a, 6b or portions 6a, 6b of the heat rejecting heat exchanger 6. Thus, the refrigeration circuit 103 according to the third embodiment may be produced at lower costs than a refrigeration circuit 101, 102 according to the first and second embodiments.

In a possible embodiment the opening degree / cross section of the second regulation valve 30 is continuously adjustable between a completely closed position and the fully open position in order to allow to continuously control the flow of refrigerant flowing through the heat rejecting heat exchanger(s) 6, 6a, 6b or portions 6a, 6b of the heat rejecting heat exchanger 6. Such a continuously adjustable second regulation valve 30 permits to adjust the heat rejecting capacity provided by the heat rejecting heat exchanger(s) 6, 6a, 6b continuously.

Since in the third embodiment the second regulation valve 30 is arranged downstream of the heat rejecting heat exchanger(s) 6, 6a, 6b, the problem of providing a throttle within the pressure line 2a, which acts as an expansion device and expands the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit 103, as it has been discussed with respect to the first embodiment, does not occur.

Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a refrigeration circuit 104. Again, features which are identical to the features of the previous embodiments are denoted by the same reference signs and will not be discussed in detail again.

In the fourth embodiment, the refrigeration circuit 104 does not comprise first and/or second regulation valves 16, 30. Instead, a three-way regulation valve 32 connecting the refrigerant line 17 originating from the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 to the receiver outlet line 1 1 is arranged in the receiver outlet line 1 1.

The three-way regulation valve 32 is configured to adjust the amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration circuit side 12a of the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 in order to control the capacity of the heat recovery system 14 according to the user's actual demands. The three-way regulation valve 32 according to the fourth embodiment thus provides the functionality of the first regulation valve 16 according to the first three embodiments.

The three-way regulation valve 32 is further configured to adjust the flow of refrigerant flowing from the receiver 7 via the receiver outlet line 11 to the expansion device 8 in order to control the cooling capacity of the refrigeration circuit

104. This provides the same functionality as the second regulation valve 30 according to the third embodiment.

Thus, in the fourth embodiment the functionalities of the first regulation valve 16 and of the second regulation valve 30 are combined in a single (three-way) valve 32.

As the range of adjustment provided by the three-way regulation valve 32 arranged downstream of the receiver 7 may be not as wide as the range provided by the second regulation valve 30 according to the third embodiment, which is arranged upstream of the receiver 7, the refrigeration circuit 104 of the fourth embodiment may additionally comprise switchable valves 5a, 5b provided at the respective inlet sides of each of the heat rejecting heat ex- changers 6a, 6b or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b in order to selectively activate and deactivate the respective heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b, as it has been discussed with respect to the first and second embodiments.

Controlling the switchable valves 5a, 5b for selectively activating and deactivating the respective heat rejecting heat exchangers 6a, 6b or heat exchanger portions 6a, 6b may provide a stepwise control of the cooling capacity of the refrigeration circuit 104 over a wide range. Controlling the three-way regulation valve 32, which may be implemented as a continuously controllable regulation valve 32, additionally allows a fine grain control of the cooling capacity of the refrigeration circuit 104.

By combining the wide range control provided by means of the switchable valves 5a, 5b with the fine grain control provided by the three-way regulation valve 32, the cooling capacity of the refrigeration circuit 104 shown in figure 4 may be controlled smoothly over a wide range.

In an alternative embodiment, which is not shown in the figures, the three-way regulation valve 32 may be arranged in the receiver inlet line 3 upstream of the receiver 7, i.e. at the position of the second regulating valve 30 according to the third embodiment, in order to deliver the refrigerant delivered from the heat recovery heat exchanger 12 into the receiver 7 similar to the first embodiment shown in figure 1.

With the exemplary embodiments, as described herein, a stable and safe operation of the refrigeration circuit is ensured while the heat recovery system is active and is supplied with the necessary heat through the heat recovery heat exchanger.

The control is comparably simple. If the regulation valve has been set to the appropriate position in order to effect the required heat exchange to the heat recovery system side by means of the heat recovery heat exchanger and, if applicable, the respective heat-rejecting heat exchanger has been activated in addition in order to transfer the remaining heat to the environment, the system is running in a stable and constant manner. The only changes in operation will be caused by changes in demand on the heat recovery system side or at the evaporators. The number of switching operations is reduced to a minimum.

According to exemplary embodiments, as described herein, all the heat generated by the refrigeration circuit is recovered, which contributes to a high energy efficiency.

In an embodiment the regulation valve is switchable between the open position, the closed position and at least one intermediate position dependent on the heat demand on the heat recovery system side of the heat recovery heat exchanger. This allows to regulate the heat transferred to the heat recovery system by means of the regulation valve to match the actual heat demand of an end-user connected to the heat recovery system.

In an embodiment the regulation valve comprises a plurality of intermediate positions. This allows a fine adjustment of the refrigerant flow flowing through the refrigeration circuit side of the heat recovery heat exchanger and thereby the heat transferred to the heat recovery system.

In an embodiment the opening degree (cross section) of the regulation valve is continuously variable between the closed position and the (completely) open position. This allows to continuously adjust the heat transferred from the refrigeration circuit to the heat recovery system.

In an embodiment the regulation valve is arranged downstream of the heat recovery heat exchanger. This avoids that a partially opened regulation valve, i.e. a regulation valve which has been switched to an intermediate position, acts as a throttle partially expanding the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit upstream of the heat recovery heat exchanger and thereby degenerating the efficiency of the heat recovery heat exchanger.

In an embodiment the refrigeration circuit comprises at least two heat rejecting heat exchangers or heat rejecting heat exchanger portions. This allows to adjust the amount of heat rejected by the heat rejecting heat exchanger(s) by selectively activating and/or deactivating one or more of the heat rejecting heat exchangers or heat rejecting heat exchanger portions, respectively. In an embodiment at least two of the heat rejecting heat exchangers or heat rejecting heat exchanger portions have different capacities. This provides additional options for adjusting the capacity provided by the activated heat rejecting heat exchangers or heat rejecting heat exchanger portions by activating an appropriate group of heat rejecting heat exchangers or heat rejecting heat exchanger portions.

In an embodiment a second heat rejecting heat exchanger or heat rejecting heat exchanger portion has a capacity which is twice as large as the capacity of a first heat rejecting heat exchanger or heat rejecting heat exchanger portion. This provides even more options for adjusting the capacity provided by the activated heat rejecting heat exchangers or heat rejecting heat exchanger portions by activating an appropriate group of heat rejecting heat exchangers or heat rejecting heat exchanger portions.

In an embodiment the refrigeration circuit comprises at least one switchable valve which is configured to control the flow of refrigerant flowing through a corresponding heat rejecting heat exchanger or heat rejecting heat exchanger portion. This allows to adjust the capacity provided by the heat rejecting heat exchangers or heat rejecting heat exchanger portions by opening and/or closing selected switchable valves.

In an embodiment a switchable valve is respectively associated to each of the heat rejecting heat exchangers or heat rejecting heat exchanger portions. This allows to activate and/or deactivate each of the heat rejecting heat exchangers or heat rejecting heat exchanger portions individually in order to adjust the capacity provided by the heat rejecting heat exchangers or heat rejecting heat exchanger portions.

In an embodiment at least one of the switchable valves is switchable only between a completely open and a completely closed position. This avoids that a partially opened switchable valve acts as a throttle expanding the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration circuit upstream of the respective heat rejecting heat exchanger which would negatively effect the heat transferred from the refrigerant to the environment by means of the heat rejecting heat exchanger. In one embodiment at least one of the switchable valves is a motor-actuated ball valve. This allows to conveniently open and close the switchable valve.

In one embodiment the at least one switchable valve is arranged upstream of the corresponding heat rejecting heat exchanger in order to allow to block the flow of refrigerant flowing into the respective heat rejecting heat exchanger.

In one embodiment the at least one switchable valve is arranged downstream of the corresponding heat rejecting heat exchanger in order to avoid that the switchable valve acts as an expansion device expanding the high pressure refrigerant upstream of the respective heat rejecting heat exchanger.

In one embodiment the at least one switchable valve is a second regulation valve, which is switchable between an open position and at least one partially closed position in order to allow to regulate the flow of refrigerant flowing through the corresponding heat rejecting heat exchanger.

In one embodiment the at least one switchable valve comprises a plurality of different partially closed positions in order to allow to gradually regulate the flow of refrigerant flowing through the corresponding heat rejecting heat exchanger.

In one embodiment the opening degree of the at least one switchable valve is continuously variable in order to allow to continuously regulate the flow of refrigerant flowing through the corresponding heat rejecting heat exchanger.

In one embodiment the refrigeration circuit comprises a receiver arranged between the at least one heat rejecting heat exchanger and the expansion device in order to receive and collect the refrigerant delivered by the at least one heat rejecting heat exchanger. A receiver in particular allows to buffer an additional amount of refrigerant which is actually not needed for the operation of the refrigeration circuit.

In one embodiment the outlet side of the first regulation valve is fluidly connected to the outlet side of the receiver. Connecting the outlet side of the first reg- ulation valve to the outlet side of the receiver allows a very stable operation of the refrigeration circuit with only small fluctuations.

In one embodiment the outlet side of the first regulation valve is fluidly connected to the inlet side of the receiver. Connecting the outlet side of the first regulation valve to the inlet side of the receiver provides an alternative embodiment of the refrigeration circuit in which the refrigerant delivered from the first regulation valve may be collected within the receiver.

In one embodiment the first regulation valve is a three-way regulation valve, which is configured for controlling the flow of refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration circuit side of the at least one heat recovery heat exchanger and for controlling the flow of refrigerant from/to the receiver. This allows to simultaneously control the flow of refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration circuit side of the at least one heat recovery heat exchanger and the flow of refrigerant flowing from/to the receiver with a single valve. The use of a three-way regulation valve reduces the complexity and the manufacturing costs of the refrigeration circuit.

In a further embodiment the heat recovery system comprises at least one fluid pump which is configured to pump a heat receiving fluid through the heat recovery system side of the heat recovery heat exchanger. This supports the flow of the heat receiving fluid through the heat recovery heat exchanger and enhances the transfer of heat from the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit to the heat receiving fluid.

An embodiment comprises a control unit which is configured for controlling at least the regulation valve. This allows to control the amount of heat transferred to the heat receiving fluid by controlling the at least one regulation valve.

An embodiment comprises a control unit which is configured for controlling the operation of the at least one compressor. This allows to control the refrigeration capacity of the refrigeration circuit in operation. The control unit may be provided by a single control unit or by a couple of (sub-)control units, each of the (sub-)control units being designated to a specific task or a group of specific tasks. In particular, a first (sub-)control unit may by designated to control the refrigeration circuit while a second (sub-)control unit is designated to control the heat recovery system. The (sub-)control units may be connected to each other in order to exchange signals coordinating their operation.

An embodiment comprises at least one refrigerant temperature sensor which is configured to measure the temperature of the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit. This allows to control the refrigeration circuit and the regulation valve based on the temperature of the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit.

An embodiment comprises at least one refrigeration pressure sensor which is configured to measure the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration circuit allowing to control the operation of the refrigeration circuit based on the measured pressure of the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit.

In an embodiment a fluid temperature sensor which is configured to measure the temperature of the heat receiving fluid circulating through the heat recovery system side of the heat recovery heat exchanger is provided allowing to control the operation of the refrigeration circuit based on the measured temperature of the heat receiving fluid flowing through the heat recovery system side of the heat recovery heat exchanger.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at first the regulation valve is switched to the position by which the heat exchange in the heat recovery heat exchanger meets the required heat demand, and then remaining heat, if present, is transferred to the environment by one or more of the heat rejecting heat exchangers. Thereby the heat demand in the heat recovery system is always met, and the heat rejecting heat exchanger(s) only have to be operated if there is remaining heat that is not utilized by the heat recovery system. The method of operating a refrigeration circuit according to an embodiment of the invention comprises to control the regulation valve in dependency of the heat demand on the heat recovery system side of the heat recovery heat exchanger in order to transfer exactly the demanded amount of heat to the heat recovery system.

In an embodiment the regulation valve is controlled depending on the temperature and/or the pressure of the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit in order to optimize the amount of heat transferred to the heat recovery system.

In an embodiment the method includes to control the flow of fluid through the heat rejecting heat exchanger in order to adjust the cooling capacity of the refrigeration circuit.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Reference Numerals

2 pressure line

2a first portion of the pressure line 2b second portion of the pressure line

3 receiver inlet line

3a, 3b heat exchanger outlet line

4a, 4b, 4c compressor

5a, 5b switchable valve

6 heat rejecting heat exchanger

6a, 6b heat rejecting heat exchanger or

heat rejecting heat exchanger portion

7 receiver

8 expansion device

9 flash gas tap line

10 evaporator

1 1 receiver outlet line

12 heat recovery heat exchanger

12a refrigeration circuit side of the

heat recovery heat exchanger

12b heat recovery system side of the

heat recovery heat exchanger

14 heat recovery system

16 first regulation valve

17 refrigerant line

19 fluid line

20 fluid pump

22 control unit

22a first (sub-)control unit

22b second (sub-)control unit

24 refrigerant temperature sensor

26 refrigerant pressure sensor

28 heat receiving fluid temperature sensor

30 second regulation valve

32 three-way regulation valve

101 , 102, 103, 104 refrigeration circuit