Precool/subcool thermal transfer system and method, and condenser therefor

摘要

To increase the thermal efficiency of the heat pump system a precooler (post heater) heat exchanger 24 and a subcooler heat exchanger 26 are connected in fluid communication with the refrigerant input and output, respectively, of the condenser 16 (evaporator 60) of a heat transfer system 12. A fluid, such as water, is forced through the subcooler heat exchanger 26 and then through the precooler (post heater) heat exchanger 24 to be in a heat exchanging relationship with the refrigerant flowing therethrough.;The flow rate of the water flowing through the apparatus may be regulated so that the refrigerant is precooled to approximately its saturated-vapor state and subcooled when the system 12 is operating in a cooling mode and such that the refrigerant is post heated to at least a saturated-vapor state and subcooled when the system 12 is operating in a heating mode.