Stirling refrigeration system
A Stirling refrigeration system is disclosed that comprises a Stirling unit having a hot end and a cold end. In addition, the Stirling refrigeration system includes a hot heat exchanger fluidically coupled to the hot end and configured to release the heat form the hot end, wherein the hot heat exchanger and the hot end define a hot circuit for a first refrigerant to flow therein. Further, the Stirling refrigeration system includes a cold heat exchanger fluidically coupled to the cold end and configured to remove the heat from the cold end, wherein the cold heat exchanger and the cold end define a cold circuit for a second refrigerant to flow therein. One of the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant comprises a two-phase low GWP refrigerant.
1 . An apparatus for cooling a space, the apparatus comprising:
a Stirling refrigeration system configured to maintain temperature of the space below a first temperature, the Stirling refrigeration system comprising:
a Stirling unit comprising a hot end and a cold end;
a hot heat exchanger fluidically coupled to the hot end and configured to release the heat form the hot end, wherein the hot heat exchanger and the hot end defining a hot circuit for a first refrigerant to flow therein;
a cold heat exchanger fluidically coupled to the cold end and configured to release the heat form the cold end, wherein the cold heat exchanger and the cold end defining a cold circuit for a second refrigerant to flow therein, wherein at least one of the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant comprises a two-phase low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant; and
a vapour compression refrigeration system configured to maintain temperature of the space below a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature.
2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the low GWP refrigerant has a GWP of 0 to 150.
3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant includes R471A, R516A, R455A, R454C, R454A, R1132, R1234ze, R1234yf, R290, R600, R600a, R744, R1270, or R480A refrigerant.
4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the vapour compression refrigeration comprises:
a compressor configured to compress a third refrigerant.
5 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the hot circuit further comprises:
a first hose configured to couple an inlet port of the hot end to an outlet port of the hot heat exchanger;
a first pump having an inlet port and an outlet port;
a second hose configured to couple an inlet port of the first pump to an outlet port of the hot end; and
a third hose configured to couple the outlet port of the first pump to an inlet port of the hot heat exchanger.
6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cold circuit further comprises:
a first hose configured to couple an inlet port of the cold end to an outlet port of the cold heat exchanger;
a second pump having an inlet port and an outlet port;
a second hose configured to couple an inlet port of the second pump to an outlet port of the cold end; and
a third hose configured to couple the outlet port of the second pump to an inlet port of the cold heat exchanger.
7 . The apparatus according to claim 6 , comprising a reservoir fluidically coupled to the first hose of the cold circuit and configured to store the second refrigerant for supplying to the cold circuit.
8 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the hot circuit further comprises:
a first hose configured to couple an inlet port of the hot end to an outlet port of the hot heat exchanger; and
a second hose configured to couple an outlet port of the hot end to an inlet port of the hot heat exchanger.
9 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cold circuit further comprises:
a first hose configured to couple an inlet port of the cold end to an outlet port of the cold heat exchanger; and
a second hose configured to couple an outlet port of the cold end to an inlet port of the cold heat exchanger.
10 . An apparatus for cooling a space, the apparatus comprising:
a Stirling refrigeration system configured to maintain temperature of the space below a first temperature, the Stirling refrigeration system comprising:
a Stirling unit comprising a hot end and a cold end; and
a two-phase low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant; and
a vapour compression refrigeration system configured to maintain temperature of the space below a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature.
11 . The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the Stirling refrigeration system further comprises:
a hot heat exchanger and a cold heat exchanger;
wherein the hot heat exchanger and the hot end define a hot circuit for a first refrigerant to flow therein; and
wherein the cold heat exchanger and the cold end define a cold circuit for a second refrigerant to flow therein.