Discrete constant pressure system for staging solid-vapor compounds

• US 5,263,330 A
• Filed: 12/20/1991
• Issued: 11/23/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rocky Research (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rocky Research (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Rockenfeller, Uwe, Kirol, Lance D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sollecito, John M.
• Application Number:
  US07/813,283
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 62/102, 62/106, 62/480, 62/478, 62/112, 62/114, 62/335, 62/101, 165/104.12, 252/67, 252/69
• US Class Current: 62/102
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 17/083 with two or more boiler-sorbers operating alternately
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/27 Relating to heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC] technologies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/00 Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/62 Absorption based systems

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a plurality of two or more reaction chambers, each having a different compound therein comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, each of said compounds having a different gaseous refrigerant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant, and having an ascending order of gaseous reactant vapor pressure wherein the adsorption temperature of a lower vapor pressure compound at adsorption temperature of a lower vapor pressure compound at adsorption pressure is at least 8°°C. higher than the desorption temperature of the next successive higher vapor pressure compound at desorption pressure, means for directing heat transfer fluid to an from said reaction chambers whereby heat from an exothermic adsorption reaction is directed to a reaction chamber for driving an endothermic desorption reaction, and heat exchange means for selectively recovering and/or adsorbing heat from said reaction chambers, refrigerant condenser means comprising a single condenser or two or more condensers, each operating at a different temperature, and refrigerant evaporator means comprising a single evaporator or two or more evaporators, each operating at a different temperature. Other improvements comprise a vapor recuperator and a liquid subcooler.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of two or more reaction chambers each of said chambers having a different compound therein comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, each of said compounds having a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant therein, wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, a lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide, and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc. cadmium, and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt,

heating means for introducing heat into at least one of said chambers, means for supplying a heat transfer fluid to and from said reaction chambers, and means for directing the heat transfer fluid through said reaction chambers in thermal communication with said compounds therein whereby heat from an exothermic reaction is directed to a reaction chamber for driving an endothermic reaction,

flow directing means for directing relatively heated gaseous reactant from one or more desorbing reaction chambers to receiving means and directing relatively cool gaseous reactant from receiving means to one or more adsorbing reaction chambers, and

a heat exchanger cooperating with said flow directing means for transferring heat between said heated gaseous reactant and said relatively cool gaseous reactant.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receiving means comprises one or more condensers for receiving said relatively heated gaseous reactant and one or more evaporators for supplying relatively cool gaseous reactant.

3. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receiving means comprises means for adsorbing and desorbing said gaseous reactant.

4. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for directing heat transfer fluid through said reaction chambers comprises multiple channel means capable of directing different heat transfer fluids therethrough in thermal communication with said compounds during adsorption and desorption reactions in said reaction chambers.

5. An apparatus of Claim 1, wherein at least one of said compounds comprises:

CaCl₂ . 4-8 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 2-4 (NH₃) and mixtures thereof, SrCl₂ . 1-8 (NH₃), BaCl₂ . 0-8 (NH₃), LiCl . 0-3 (NH₃), SrBr₂ . 2-8 (NH₃), CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), CoCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), CoBr₂ . 2-6(NH₃), NiCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), FeCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), CuSO₂ . 2-4(NH₃), NaBF₂ . 0.5-2.5 (NH₃), NaBr . 0-5.25 (NH₃), and CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃) or CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) and mixtures thereof.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of two or more reactors each having a different compound therein comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, each of said compound having a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant therein, wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, a lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide, and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt;

heating means for introducing heat into at least one of said reactors, means for supplying a heat transfer fluid to and from said reactors, and means for directing the heat transfer fluid through said reactors in thermal communication with said compounds therein whereby heat from an exothermic reaction is directed to a reactor for driving an endothermic reaction;

one or more condensers for condensing gaseous reactant desorbed from said compounds, and first means for directing said gaseous reactant from said reactors to said condenser;

one or more evaporators for said gaseous reactant, and second means for directing said gaseous reactant from said evaporator to said reactors; and

a heat exchanger cooperating with said first means and said second means for transferring heat therebetween.

7. An apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for directing heat transfer fluid through said reaction chambers comprises multiple channel means capable of directing different heat transfer fluids therethrough in thermal communication with said compounds during adsorption and desorption reactions in said reaction chambers.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of two or more reactors each having a different compound therein comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, each of said compounds having a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant therein, wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, a lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide, and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium,. and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt;

heating means for introducing heat into at least one of said reactors, means for supplying a heat transfer fluid to and from said reactors, and means for directing the heat transfer fluid through said reactors in thermal communication with said compounds therein whereby heat from an exothermic reaction is directed to a reactor for driving an endothermic reaction;

one or more condensers for condensing gaseous reactant desorbed from said compounds, and first means for directing said gaseous reactant from said reactors to said condensers;

one or more evaporators for said gaseous reactant, and second means for directing said gaseous reactant from said evaporators to said reactors;

third means for directing condensed gaseous reactant from said condenser to said evaporator; and

a heat exchanger cooperating with said second means and said third means for transferring heat therebetween.

9. An apparatus of claim 8, wherein said means for directing heat transfer fluid through said reactors comprises multiple channel means capable of directing different heat transfer fluids therethrough in thermal communication with said compounds during adsorption and desorption reactions in said reactors.

10. Apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one of said compounds is selected from the group consisting of:

CaCl₂ . 4-8 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 2-4 (NH₃) and mixtures thereof, SrCl₂ . 1-8 (NH₃), BaCl₂ . 0-8 (NH₃), LiCl . 0-3 (NH₃), SrBr₂ . 2-8 (NH₃), CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), CoCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), CoBr₂ . 2- 6(NH₃), NiCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), FeCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), CuSO₄ . 2-4 (NH₃) , NaBF₄ . 0.5-2.5 (NH₃), NaBr . 0-5.25(NH₃), and CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) and mixtures thereof.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of two or more reaction chambers each of said chambers having a different compound therein comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, each of said compounds having a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant therein, wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, a lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at last one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide, and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt;

heating means for introducing heat into at least one of said chambers, means for supplying a heat transfer fluid to and from said reactors, and means for directing the heat transfer fluid through said reactors in thermal communication with said compounds therein whereby heat from an exothermic reaction is directed to a reaction chamber for driving an endothermic reaction;

one or more condensers for condensing gaseous reactant desorbed from said compounds, and first means for directing said gaseous reactant from said reactors to said condensers;

one or more evaporators for said gaseous reactant, and second means for directing said gaseous reactant from said evaporators to said reactors;

third means for directing condensed gaseous reactant from said condenser to said evaporator;

a first heat exchanger cooperating with said first means and said second means for transferring heat therebetween; and

a second heat exchanger cooperating with said second means and said third means for transferring heat therebetween.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of three or more reactors each of said reactors having a different compound therein comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, each of said compounds having a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant therein, and wherein said gaseous reactant is alternately desorbed from said adsorbent in an endothermic reaction and adsorbed on said adsorbent in an exothermic reaction;

said compounds having an ascending order to gaseous reactant vapor pressure wherein the adsorption temperature of a lower vapor pressure compound at adsorption pressure is at least 8°

C. higher than the desorption temperature of the next successive higher vapor pressure compound at desorption pressure;

wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt;

means for introducing heat into at least one of said reactors, means for supplying a heat transfer fluid to and from said reactors, and means for directing the heat transfer fluid through said reactors in thermal communication with said compounds therein, whereby heat from an exothermic reaction is directed to a reactor for driving an endothermic reaction;

means for directing gaseous reactant to and from said reactors;

heat exchange means for heating and/or cooling said heat transfer liquid and for selectively recovering and/or adsorbing heat therefrom; and

wherein the highest vapor pressure compound is selected from the group consisting of;

CaCl₂ . 4-8 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 2-4 (NH₃), mixtures thereof, and SrCl₂ . 1-8 (NH₃ ), BaCl₂ . 0-8 (NH₃) and NaBF₄ . 0.5-2.5 (NH₃).

13. Apparatus of Claim 12, wherein an intermediate stage vapor pressure compound is CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃).

14. Apparatus of Claim 13, wherein the third lower vapor pressure compound comprises a CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) or mixtures thereof.

15. Apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the highest vapor pressure compound is CaCl₂ . 4-8 (NH₃).

16. Apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the highest vapor pressure compound is CaCl₂ . 2-4 (NH₃).

17. Apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the highest vapor pressure compound is a combination of CaCl₂ . 4-8 (NH₃) and CaCl₂ . 2-4 (NH₃).

18. Apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the highest vapor pressure compound comprises CaCl₂ . 4-8 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 2-4(NH₃) or mixtures thereof.

19. Apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the highest vapor pressure compound is SrCl₂ . 1-8 (NH₃).

20. Apparatus of Claim 15, wherein an intermediate stage vapor pressure compound is CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃).

21. Apparatus of Claim 16, wherein an intermediate stage vapor pressure compound is CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃).

22. Apparatus of Claim 17, wherein an intermediate stage vapor pressure compound is CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃).

23. Apparatus of Claim 18, wherein an intermediate stage vapor pressure compound is CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃).

24. Apparatus of Claim 19, wherein an intermediate stage vapor pressure compound is CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃).

25. Apparatus Claim 12 wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) or mixtures thereof.

26. Apparatus of Claim 15, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) or mixtures thereof.

27. Apparatus of Claim 16, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) or mixtures thereof.

28. Apparatus of Claim 17, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) or mixtures thereof.

29. Apparatus of Claim 18, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) or mixtures thereof.

30. Apparatus of Claim 19, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is a combination of CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), and CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃).

31. Apparatus of Claim 20 wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl . 1-2 (NH₃), or mixtures thereof.

32. Apparatus of Claim 21, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) or mixtures thereof.

33. Apparatus of Claim 22, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) or mixtures thereof.

34. Apparatus of Claim 23, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) or mixtures thereof.

35. Apparatus of Claim 24, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) or mixtures thereof.

36. Apparatus of Claim 23, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is NiCl₂ . 2-6(NH₃).

37. Apparatus of Claim 12, wherein one or more lower stage vapor pressure compounds are selected from the group consisting of:

SrCl₂ . 1-8 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 2-4(NH₃), LiCl . 0-3(NH₃), SrBr₂ . 2-8 (NH₃), CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), FeCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), CoCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), FeBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), NiCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), CoBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), CuSO₄ . 2-4 (NH₃), , NaBF₄ . 0.5-2.5 (NH₃), NaBr . 0-5.25 (NH₃), and CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) and mixtures thereof.

38. An apparatus, comprising:

two reactors each having a different compound therein comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, each of said compounds having a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant therein, and wherein said gaseous reactant is alternately desorbed from said adsorbent in an endothermic reaction and adsorbed on said adsorbent in an exothermic reaction;

said compounds having an ascending order of gaseous reactant vapor pressure wherein the adsorption temperature of a lower vapor pressure compound at adsorption pressure is at least 8°

C. higher than the desorption temperature of the next successive higher vapor pressure compound at desorption pressure;

wherein said gaseous reactant comprises ammonia and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt;

means for introducing heat into at least one of said reactors, means for supplying a heat transfer fluid to and from said reactors, and means for directing the heat transfer fluid through said reactors in thermal communication with said compounds therein, whereby heat from an exothermic reaction is directed to a reactor for driving an endothermic reaction;

means for directing gaseous reactant to and from said reactors;

heat exchange means for heating and/or cooling said heat transfer fluid and for selectively recovering and/or adsorbing heat therefrom;

a single condenser and a single evaporator, conduit means for directing ammonia from each of said reactors to said condenser, and conduit means for directing ammonia from said evaporator to each of said reactors; and

wherein the high vapor pressure compound comprises CaCl₂ . 4-8 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 2-4(NH₃) or mixtures thereof or SrCl₂ . 1-8 (NH₃).

39. Apparatus of claim 38 wherein the low vapor pressure compound comprises CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) or mixtures thereof, CaBNr₂ .2-6 (NH₃), FeCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), or CoCl₂ .2-6(NH₃).

40. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of two or more reaction chambers, each of said chambers having a different compound therein comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, each of said compounds having a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant therein;

said compounds having an ascending order of gaseous reactant vapor pressure and wherein the adsorption temperature of a lower vapor pressure compound at adsorption pressure is at least 8°

C. higher than the desorption temperature of the next successive higher vapor pressure compound at desorption pressure;

wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, a lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, sulfide and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt,

means for directing heat transfer fluid to an from said reaction chambers whereby heat from an exothermic adsorption reaction is directed to a reaction chamber for driving an endothermic desorption reaction, and heat exchange means for selectively recovering and/or absorbing heat from said reaction chambers;

condenser means comprising a single condenser and conduit means for directing gaseous reactant from each of said reaction chambers to said condenser, or two or more condensers, each operating at a different temperature;

evaporator means comprising a single evaporator and conduit means for directing gaseous reactant from said evaporator to each of said reaction chambers, or two or more evaporators, each operating at a different temperature; and

wherein the highest vapor pressure compound is selected from the group consisting of;

CaCl₂ . 4-8 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 2-4 (NH₃), and mixtures thereof, SrCl₂ . 1-8 (NH₃), BaCl₂ . 0-8 (NH₃), LiCl . 0-3 (NH₃), SrBr₂ . 2-8 (NH₃), CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), FeCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), CoCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), and NaBF₄ . 0.5-2.5 (NH₃), and NaBr . 0-5.25 (NH₃).

41. Apparatus of Claim 40, where one or more lower vapor pressure compounds are selected from the group consisting of:

SrCl₂ . 1-8 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 2-4 (NH₃), LiCl . 0-3(NH₃), SrBr₂ . 2-8 (NH₃), CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), FeCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), NiCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), CoCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), CoBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), CuSO₄ . 2-4 (NH₃), and CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) and mixtures thereof.

42. Apparatus of Claim 40, wherein the highest vapor pressure compound is selected from the group consisting of CaCl₂ . 4-8 (NH₃) and CaCl₂ . 2-4 (NH₃), a combination thereof, and SrCl₂ . 1-8 (NH₃).

43. Apparatus of Claim 42, wherein one of the lower stage vapor pressure compounds is CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃).

44. Apparatus of Claim 42, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound comprises CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) or a combination thereof.

45. Apparatus of Claim 42, wherein the lowest vapor pressure compound is NiCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃).

46. A mechanical or pressure actuated heat pump apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of two or more reaction chambers, each of said chambers having a different compound therein comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, each of said compounds having a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant therein,

said compounds having an ascending order of adsorption temperatures at the same adsorption and desorption pressure, respectively, and wherein the lower adsorption temperature compound adsorption temperature at high reaction pressure is at least 8°

C. higher than the desorption temperature of the next successive higher adsorption temperature compound at low reaction pressure;

wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt;

means for directing heat transfer fluid to and from said reaction chambers whereby heat from an exothermic adsorption reaction is directed to a reaction chamber for driving an endothermic desorption reaction; and

wherein the lowest adsorption temperature compound is selected from the group consisting of;

CaCl₂ . 4-8 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 2-4 (NH₃), mixtures thereof, SrCl₂ . 1-8 (NH₃), BaCl₂ . 0-8 (NH₃), LiCl . 0-3 (NH₃), SrBr₂ . 2-8 (NH₃), CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), FeCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 2-6 (NH₃), NaBF₄ . 0.5-2.5 (NH₃), and NaBr . 0-5.25 (NH₃).

47. Apparatus of claim 46, wherein the lowest adsorption temperature compound is selected from the group consisting of CaCl₂ . 4-8 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 2-4 (NH₃), mixtures thereof, and SrCl₂ . 1-8 (NH₃).

48. Apparatus of claim 47, wherein one of the higher adsorption temperature compounds is CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃).

49. Apparatus of claim 47, wherein the highest adsorption temperature compound comprises CaCl₂ . 0-1 (NH₃), CaCl₂ . 1-2 (NH₃) mixtures thereof, or CaBr₂ . 2-6 (NH₃).

50. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of three or more reactors each of said reactors having a different compound therein comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, each of said compounds having a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant therein, and wherein said gaseous reactant is alternately desorbed from said adsorbent in an endothermic reaction and adsorbed on said adsorbent in an exothermic reaction;

said compounds having an ascending order of gaseous reactant vapor pressure wherein the adsorption temperature of a lower vapor pressure compound at adsorption pressure is at least 8°

C. higher than the desorption temperature of the next successive higher vapor pressure compound at desorption pressure;

wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt;

means for introducing heat into at least one of said reactors, means for supplying a heat transfer fluid to and from said reactors, and means for directing the heat transfer fluid through said reactors in thermal communication with said compounds therein, whereby heat from an exothermic reaction is directed to a reactor for driving an endothermic reaction;

means for directing gaseous reactant to and from said reactors;

heat exchange means for heating and/or cooling said heat transfer liquid and for selectively recovering and/or adsorbing heat therefrom; and

wherein said compound in at least one of said reactors comprises a calcium halide or a strontium halide.

51. A process for staging solid-vapor compound reactions, comprising:

selecting a plurality of two or more different compounds comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, wherein each of said compounds has a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant, wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, a lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide, and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt, and locating a different one of said compounds in a different one of a plurality of reactors;

in a first reaction cycle, operating a first portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in a first pressure, whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction;

in a second reaction cycle, operating said first portion of said reactors at said second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in said first pressure whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction;

directing at least a portion of the heat from an exothermic reaction to a reactor for driving an endothermic reaction;

directing gaseous reactant released from said desorbing reactors to a condenser for said gaseous reactant, direction condensed gaseous reactant from said condenser to an evaporator for said gaseous reactant, and directing evaporated gaseous reactant from said evaporator to adsorbing reactors; and

directing a first flow of said gaseous reactant from the desorbing reactor to said condenser and concurrently directing a second flow of gaseous reactant from said evaporator to the adsorbing reactor through a heat exchanger and exchanging heat between said first and second flows.

52. A process for staging solid-vapor compounds, comprising:

selecting a plurality of two or more different compounds comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, wherein each of said compounds has a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant, wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, a lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide, and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt, and locating a different one of said compounds in a different one of a plurality of reactors;

in a first reaction cycle, operating a first portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in a first pressure, whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction;

in a second reaction cycle, operating said first portion of said reactors at said second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in said first pressure whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction;

directing at least a portion of the heat from an exothermic reaction to a reaction for driving an endothermic reaction;

directing gaseous reactant released from said desorbing reactors receiving means for said gaseous reactant, and directing gaseous reactant from receiving means to adsorbing reactors; and

directing a first flow of said gaseous reactant from the desorbing reactor to a receiving mean and concurrently directing a second flow of gaseous reactant from receiving means to the adsorbing reactor through a heat exchanger and exchanging heat between said first and second flow.

53. A process for staging solid-vapor compounds, comprising:

selecting a plurality of to or more different compounds comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, wherein each of said compounds has a different gaseous reactant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant, wherein said gaseous reactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, water, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, a lower alkanol, alkylamine, polyamine, phosphine and polar refrigerant having at least one free electron pair, and said solid reactant is an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, halide, carbonate, oxalate, nitrate, nitrite, sulfide, and sulfate, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, and tin, or a double metal chloride of metals selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt, and locating a different one of said compounds in a different one of a plurality of reactors;

in a first reaction cycle, operating a first portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in a first pressure, whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction;

in a second reaction cycle, operating said first portion of said reactors at said second pressure whereby said compound therein adsorbs said gaseous reactant in an exothermic reaction, and operating said second portion of said reactors at a temperature resulting in said first pressure whereby said compound therein desorbs said gaseous reactant in an endothermic reaction;

directing at least a portion of the heat from an exothermic reaction to a reactor for driving an endothermic reaction;

directing gaseous reactant released from said desorbing reactors to condense for said gaseous reactant, directing condensed gaseous reactant from said condense to an evaporator for said gaseous reactant, and directing evaporated gaseous reactant from said evaporator to adsorbing reactors; and

directing a liquid flow of condensed gaseous reactant from said condenser to said evaporator and concurrently directing a gaseous flow of gaseous reactant from said evaporator to said adsorbing reactor through a heat exchanger and exchanging heat between said liquid flow and said gaseous flow.