Refrigeration cycles with liquid-liquid phase transitions

摘要

The present invention pertains to cooling, heating, and refrigeration cycles using, for example, phase transitions to pump heat. Embodiments of the present invention may comprise systems, methods, or processes for liquid-liquid phase transition refrigeration cycles pumping heat across temperature differences greater than the adiabatic temperature change of a liquid-liquid phase transition within said liquid-liquid phase transition refrigeration cycle. Embodiments of the present invention also may comprise powering said liquid-liquid phase transition refrigeration cycle using electricity, heat, ‘cold’, the mixing of a saltwater and freshwater, the mixing of high osmotic pressure liquid and low osmotic pressure liquid, or a combination thereof.