James K Gilgen

US Patent:

42067456, Jun 10, 1980

Filed:

Jul 19, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/925994

Inventors:

James K. Gilgen - Sandy UT

International Classification:

F24J 302

US Classification:

1262711

Abstract:

A solar operated chemical heat pump useful in both the heating and cooling modes. This system includes an insulated tank containing a fluid which is heated from the exterior. A heat sink in the form of a second tank is also employed. A water-ammonia solution is present in each tank, and conduit means are provided for respectively conducting the vapor of each tank into a bubble plate or similar structure of the remaining tank, this for effecting a thorough dispersion of incoming vapor into the liquid of the respective tanks. Heat from a solar heat source is used to heat the liquid of the first tank to drive off vapor under pressure so that the ammonia gas released can be bubbled through the water of the second tank. This process serves to gradually reduce the ammonium ions in the liquid of the first tank and enables the second tank to serve as a heat sink for the system. During night-time hours, when the vapor pressure in the first tank is reduced to a point below the vapor pressure in the second tank, then gaseous flow is reversed so as to produce an endothermic reaction in the second tank, whereby to draw heat from the sink area, and an exothermic reaction in the first tank so as to produce usable heat during night-time periods.