Flow control at flash tank of open cycle vapor compression heat pumps

摘要

An arrangement of controls for a vapor compression open cycle industrial process heat pump permits the level of liquid and fluid pressure in a flash tank to be simultaneously and independently monitored and regulated to assure efficient operation of the system and to prevent equipment failure. Liquid level sensing means send a signal to a modulatable valve associated with a liquid discharge pump to maintain the liquid in the flash tank at an optimum level. At the same time, fluid pressure sensing means send a signal to a modulatable inlet throttle valve to regulate fluid pressure in the tank by regulating fluid as required, to maintain tank fluid pressure at the desired level.