US20110225995A1

US20110225995A1 - System and Method for Air Shockwave Defrosting

Info

Publication number: US20110225995A1
Application number: US12/727,575
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter Ying Ming Pao
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-19
Filing date: 2010-03-19
Publication date: 2011-09-22

Abstract

A system may include an apparatus for defrosting and/or clearing debris from a refrigeration component using pressurized dry air. The apparatus may include an air compressor that generates pressurized air. The air may be filtered (before or after compressing) to remove moisture and/or other contaminants to thereby generate pressurized dry air. The apparatus may include a reservoir, coupled to the air compressor, for storing the pressurized dry air. The reservoir may be coupled to one or more air distribution manifolds coupled to the reservoir. Each of the one or more air distribution manifolds may be coupled to an air discharge component such as an air pipe or tube. The air discharge component may receive the pressurized air from the air exhaust and may discharge the pressurized air through a plurality of orifices to the refrigeration component thereby defrosting and/or clearing debris from the refrigeration component.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates generally to improving refrigeration efficiency and more particularly to defrosting and clearing debris from a refrigeration component using a pressurized dry gas, such as air.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In conventional refrigeration systems, a refrigerant in vapor form is heated at a compressor. The heated vapor is circulated from the compressor to a condenser, which cools the heated vapor into a liquid. The liquid refrigerant is circulated to an evaporator, where the liquid expands and cools. Typically, a fan draws air through tubing and fins of the evaporator thereby cooling the air. This cooled air may be used to refrigerate or otherwise lower the temperature of ambient air. Using these systems, frozen foods or other items may be refrigerated in an enclosure such as a freezer.
However, one problem with conventional refrigeration systems is that frost and/or debris carried by the air drawn through the tubing and fins of the evaporator oftentimes builds up on the outside surfaces of the evaporator, including the tubing and fins. The frost and/or debris causes blocking air flow, which reduces efficiency of these conventional refrigeration systems. Conventional systems address this problem by defrosting the evaporator.
One method of defrosting the evaporator includes operating a freezer in a defrost cycle or operation. An example defrost cycle circulates hot gas refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator (instead of to the condenser as occurs during normal operation) in order to melt frost that forms on the outside surfaces of the evaporator during normal operation. Such a method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,594 to Pao, entitled “Method and apparatus for controlling refrigeration systems,” which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. During both normal and defrost operation, the hot gas from the compressor first passes through a water drain pan and through a coil tubing and fins and the defrost water is drained to the outside of the freezer as defrost water during the defrost cycle. Such a system is shown in the American Society of Heat & Refrigeration Engineering (ASHRAE) System Manual, Chapter 27.14: Liquid Recirculation and Evaporator Piping, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Another method for defrosting the evaporator includes using electric heating elements that heat the evaporator.
These and other conventional methods of defrosting an evaporator involve periodically shutting down the refrigeration system in order to defrost the evaporator, wasting time and energy during the defrosting cycle. When such systems are used for frozen food processing, for example, such a shutdown increases food processing time and cost.
These and other drawbacks exist.
What is needed is an efficient method of defrosting a refrigeration component such as an evaporator, while reducing or eliminating defrosting cycles and maintaining refrigeration efficiency without shutting down refrigeration systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention addressing these and other drawbacks of conventional refrigeration system relates to systems, apparatuses and methods that defrost and/or clear debris from a refrigeration component such as an evaporator. For example, a cleaning apparatus for defrosting and/or clearing debris from the refrigeration component uses a pressurized gas, such as air. The cleaning apparatus may include an air compressor. The air compressor may pressurize the air. The pressurized air may be filtered to remove moisture and/or other contaminants to thereby generate pressurized dry air from the air compressor. The apparatus may include a reservoir coupled to the air compressor. The reservoir may receive and store the pressurized dry air from the air compressor. The reservoir may be coupled to one or more air distribution manifolds coupled to the reservoir. Each of the one or more air distribution manifolds may be coupled to an air discharge component such as an air pipe or tube. The air discharge component may receive the pressurized air from the air exhaust and may discharge the pressurized air through a plurality of orifices to the refrigeration component thereby cleaning the refrigeration component without interrupting operation of the refrigeration component.
In some implementations of the invention, the cleaning apparatus may be integrated with the refrigeration component. For example, the air discharge component may include one or more tubes that have orifices through which pressurized air is discharge. The one or more tubes may be integrated with or otherwise alongside one or more tubes of an evaporator.
In some implementations of the invention, the cleaning apparatus may be removably coupled to the refrigeration component. For example, the air discharge component may be housed in a portable cleaning apparatus that is placed nearby the refrigeration component or other target to be defrosted or cleared of debris. The portable cleaning apparatus may be removed and placed nearby another refrigeration component to be defrosted or cleared of debris.
Various other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent through the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the drawings attached hereto. It is also to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and not restrictive of the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for defrosting and removing debris from a refrigeration subsystem, according to various implementations of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of air delivery manifold, air discharge components, and orifices, according to various implementations of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of air delivery manifold, air discharge components, and orifices, according to various implementations of the invention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate various angular discharges of pressurized air from an air discharge component and orifice, according to various implementations of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional illustration of an inline configuration and self-cleaning of air discharge components, according to various implementations of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional illustration of a staggered configuration and self-cleaning of air discharge components, according to various implementations of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a process for cleaning heat exchange component, according to various implementations of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 100 for defrosting and removing debris from a refrigeration subsystem 110, according to various implementations of the invention. System 100 may include, among other things, a defrosting apparatus 120 that “cleans” (i.e., defrosts or otherwise removes debris from) refrigeration subsystem 110 by discharging pressurized air toward various portions of refrigeration subsystem 110 that may build up frost or other debris.
According to various implementations of the invention, refrigeration subsystem 110 may include, among other things, a compressor 112, a condenser 114, an evaporator 116, a heat exchange component 118, and a fan 119. Refrigeration subsystem 110 may pass a refrigerant 101 as a hot gas to condenser 114, where refrigerant 101 may cool to a liquid. The liquid may be passed from condenser 114 to evaporator 116. Evaporator 116 includes heat exchange component 118, where heat from ambient air may be exchanged or otherwise transferred to heat exchange component 118. Heat exchange component 118 may include, for example, one or more heat exchange tubes through which refrigerant 101 is circulated, heat exchange plates, or other structure for heat exchange. In some implementations, heat exchange component 118 may include a tube and fin design as known in the art. Fan 119 may circulate the heat-exchanged (refrigerated) air from evaporator 116, thereby providing the refrigerated air. As would be appreciated “evaporator” 116 may be any component or subsystem where heat exchange for refrigeration takes place.
During operation of refrigeration subsystem 110, frost or other debris may build up around heat exchange component 118 or other portion of evaporator 116. According to various implementations of the invention, defrosting apparatus 120 cleans heat exchange component 118 by discharging pressurized air 138 (illustrated in FIG. 1 as pressurized air 138A, 138B, and 138C) toward heat exchange component 118, thereby defrosting or otherwise dislodging debris from heat exchange component 118.
According to various implementations of the invention, defrosting apparatus 120 may include, among other things, an air compressor 122, a filter 124, a reservoir 126, a control valve 128, a processor 130, an air distribution manifold 132 and a plurality of air discharge components 134 (illustrated in FIG. 1 as component 134A, component 134B, and component 134C) each having one or more orifices 136 (illustrated in FIG. 1 as orifice 136A, 136B, and 136C). Air compressor 122 may generate pressurized air 138 to be stored in reservoir 126. A non-limiting example includes generating and storing pressurized air 138 at approximately 100 to 200 pounds-per-square-inch (PSI). In some implementations, air filter 124 may be coupled to air compressor 122 and may filter out moisture or other contaminants from the air before pressurized air is provided to reservoir 126. In these implementations, reservoir 126 stores pressurized dry air, which may minimize clogging of air discharge components 134 and/or orifices 136 with ice or other contaminants. As used herein, the terms “pressurized air” and “pressurized dry air” are used interchangeably unless explicitly indicated otherwise. In some implementations, air filter 124 may treat pressurized air 138 to approximately −40 F dew point. This dew point is a non-limiting example; other example dew points may be used as would be appreciated.
In some implementations, control valve 128 may be coupled to reservoir 126 and to air distribution manifold 132. In these implementations, control valve 128 may control delivery of pressurized air 138 from reservoir 126 to air distribution manifold 132. For example, control valve 128 may include a solenoid valve that when in a closed state prevents pressurized air 138 from entering air distribution manifold 132. When in an open state, control valve 128 may cause pressurized air 138 to enter air distribution manifold 132. In some implementations, control valve 128 may open then rapidly close a valve gate (not illustrated in FIG. 1), causing rapid firing of pressurized air 138 into air distribution manifold 132 and air discharge components 134 through orifices 136, thereby creating a shockwave of pressurized air 138 that removes frost and/or other debris from a target such heat exchange component 118. For example, control valve 128 may rapidly open then re-close the valve gate for approximately 500 to 3,000 milliseconds according to particular needs. In some implementations, the rapid firing may occur periodically (i.e., at different times) over approximately a one hour to 24 hour duration period according to particular needs. As would be appreciated, the foregoing example times and ranges of times are non-limiting examples. For example, the time for rapid opening then re-closing and/or duration period may be a function of a rate of frost buildup, food freezing process, and/or other factors.
In some implementations, control valve 128 may be communicably coupled to processor 130, which may include a programmed logic controller and/or other circuitry or logic that controls opening and closing of control valve 128. In some implementations, processor 130 may be programmed with or otherwise execute instructions to cause defrosting apparatus 120 to clean refrigeration subsystem 110 at different times. In some implementations, processor 130 may cause control valve 128 to discharge pressurized air 138 upon receipt of a command to initiate cleaning. In some implementations, the command may originate from a user operating a user interface, a sensor that senses a level of frost and/or debris build-up on refrigeration subsystem 110 (user interface and sensor not illustrated in FIG. 1), or other entity that initiates cleaning of refrigeration subsystem 110. In some implementations, processor 130 may cause control valve 128 to discharge pressurized air 138 at various intervals and/or other time. In some implementations, processor 130 may cause defrosting apparatus 120 to clean different parts of refrigeration subsystem 110 as described in further detail below.
According to various implementations of the invention, air distribution manifold 132 may be coupled to air discharge components 134. Air discharge components 134 may be any size, shape, or configuration through which pressurized air 138 may flow from air distribution manifold 132 as appropriate. For example, air discharge components 134 may include tubular (pipe-like structures), planar sheets, or other shape and/or configuration. Although illustrated in FIG. 1 as different tubes, air discharge components 134 may be formed from a single (or any number) of tubes that are joined to one another.
According to various implementations of the invention, orifices 136 may include or be formed from an opening in air discharge components 134; a nozzle; or other structure through which pressurized air 138 is discharged from air discharge components 134. Orifices 136 may be any size or shape suitable to discharge pressurized air 138.
According to various implementations of the invention, orifices 136 may be collectively configured in any geometric pattern. In other words, two or more orifices 136 may be positioned with respect to one another to provide a particular spray pattern to discharge pressurized air 138. In some implementations, orifices 136 may be positioned along air discharge components 134 to achieve the particular spray pattern. In some implementations, an angular discharge of each of orifices 136 may be oriented to achieve the particular spray pattern. The “angular discharge” refers to the direction in which pressurized air 138 is discharged from an orifice 136 to a target, such as heat exchange component 118. Thus, by positioning orifices 136 and/or adjusting the angular discharge of orifices 136, various spray patterns may be achieved. In some implementations, varying the position and/or angular discharge of orifices 136 provides flexibility in placement of air discharge components 134 relative to heat exchange component 118.
In operation, air compressor 122 may generate pressurized air 138. Before or after compressing, air filter 124 may filter the air, thereby providing pressurized dry air, which is stored in reservoir 126. Processor 130 may provide an indication 131 to control valve 128. In response to indication 131, control valve 128 rapidly opens and re-closes a valve to thereby cause pressurized dry air to enter air distribution manifold 132 and air discharge component 134. Air discharge component 134 discharges the pressurized dry air 138 through a plurality of orifices 136 to thereby clean heat exchange component 118.
Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, in some implementations, a plurality of air distribution manifolds 132 may each be coupled to respective air discharge components 134. In these implementations, different air distribution manifolds 132 may clean different portions of heat exchange component 118 based on a positioning of air discharge components 134 in relation to heat exchange component 118. In some implementations, each air distribution manifold 132 may be coupled to a respective control valve 128. Thus, each air distribution manifold 132 may be separately controlled. In some implementations, different parts of heat exchange component 118 may be cleaned. In some implementations, all or part of heat exchange component 118 may be cleaned based on data from sensors indicating that frost and/or debris has built up on at least a portion of heat exchange component 118.
Although illustrated in FIG. 1 as separate subsystems, refrigeration subsystem 110 and defrosting apparatus 120 may be integrated. For example, air discharge components 134 may be integrally formed alongside or otherwise adjacent to heat exchange component 118. Furthermore, at least a portion of refrigeration subsystem 110 and at least a portion of defrosting apparatus 120 may be housed substantially within the same housing, thereby forming a self-defrosting refrigeration apparatus.
As used herein to describe various components and implementations of the invention, “air” may include ambient air as well other gas or combination of gases suitable for use with the various components and implementations described. For example, implementations of “air” manifolds described herein may be “gas” manifolds. Furthermore, various implementations of air/gas manifolds may use compressed gasses other than air compressed from ambient air that is suitable to be discharged through orifices described herein. In some implementations, for example, various air/gas manifolds described herein may be removably or fixedly coupled to a pressurized gas container storing a compressed or pressurized gas.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of air delivery manifold 132, air discharge components 134, and orifices 136, according to various implementations of the invention. In some implementations, air discharge components 134 (illustrated in FIG. 2 as tube 134A and tube 134B) are tubular (i.e., substantially cylindrical) structures such as pipes that include orifices 136 (illustrated in FIG. 2 as orifice 136A, 136B, 136C, and 136D). In some implementations, pressurized air 202 enters air distribution manifold 132 and circulates to tube 134A and to tube 134B. Pressurized air 202 may then be discharged through orifices 136. Solely for illustrative purposes and not intended to be limiting, orifice 136A is illustrated as a nozzle or protrusion through which pressurized air 202 is discharged while orifices 136B-D are illustrated as openings in tube 134A. In some implementations, all orifices 136 may be nozzles, openings, other structures through which pressurized air 202 is discharged, or any combination of the foregoing.
In some implementations, orifices 136 may be positioned to direct pressurized air 202 toward a target. The target may be, for example, heat exchange component 118 illustrated in FIG. 1, another tube 134, or other suitable target that may be defrosted and/or cleared of debris. For example, orifice 136A and 136C may be positioned to discharge pressurized air 202 toward heat exchange component 118. Orifice 136B and orifice 136D may be positioned to discharge pressurized air 202 toward another tube 134B, thereby providing a “self-clean” function. Thus, a first tube 134 may clean another tube 134. Although not illustrated in FIG. 2, tube 134B may similarly include an orifice that discharges pressurized air 202 toward tube 134A. Thus, in some implementations two air discharge components 134 may clean one another.
It should be noted that the particular configuration (i.e., positions and orientations) of orifices 136 and number of air discharge components 134 illustrated in FIG. 2 and other drawing figures are non-limiting examples. Other configurations of orifices 136 and number of air discharge components 134 may be used as would be appreciated.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of air delivery manifold 132, air discharge components 134, and orifices 136, according to various implementations of the invention. In some implementations, air discharge components 134 (illustrated in FIG. 3 as plate 134C and plate 134D) are plate-like (i.e., substantially rectangular) structures that include orifices 136 (illustrated in FIG. 2 as orifice 136A, 136B, 136C, and 136D). In some implementations, pressurized air 202, enters air distribution manifold 132 and circulates to plate 134C and plate 134D. Pressurized air 202 may then be discharged through orifices 136 (illustrated in FIG. 3 as orifice 136E, orifice 136F, orifice 136G, and orifice 136H).
FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate various angular discharges 404 (illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C as angular discharges 404A, 404B, and 404C) of pressurized air 202 from an air discharge component 134 and orifice 136, according to various implementations of the invention. In some implementations, orifice 136 may be positioned and oriented within air discharge component 134 so that pressurized air 202 is discharged in a direction indicated by the arrow. Angular discharges 404 are non-limiting examples and may include other directions as would be appreciated.
In some implementations orifice 136 may be oriented so that the direction of pressurized air 202 has different angular discharges 404 with respect to a hypothetical axis system (illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C as axis 402A and 402B, which are substantially orthogonal to one another). Angular discharges 404 may be described with respect to axis 402A and/or axis 402B. Different angular discharges 404 may be achieved by using different manufacturing techniques to construct air discharge component 134. In some implementations, air discharge component 134 may be bored into (creating orifice 136) at different angles, thereby creating directional openings through which pressurized air 202 is discharged at a particular discharge angle 404. In some implementations, orifice 136 may be a nozzle that is directionally pointed such that pressurized air 202 is discharged at a particular discharge angle 404. In some implementations, the nozzle may be fixed or may be movable about one or more degrees of freedom to achieve discharge angle 404.
In some implementations, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, angular discharge 404A with respect to axis 402B is substantially 180 degrees. In other words, the direction of pressurized air 202 that is discharged from orifice 136A is substantially along a plane that is parallel to axis 402B and substantially intersects a center of air discharge component 134. In this implementation, air discharge component 134 may be positioned substantially adjacent to a target such as heat exchange component 118 along the same plane so that air discharge component 134 discharges pressurized air 202 toward heat exchange component 118 at a 180 degree discharge angle with respect to axis 402B.
The foregoing example is non-limiting. Orifice 136 in this and other drawing figures may be positioned at different positions so that the hypothetical plane does not intersect the center of air discharge component 134, as would be appreciated.
In some implementations, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, angular discharge 404B with respect to axis 402B is approximately 45 degrees. In these implementations, air discharge component 134 may be positioned around a periphery of target such as heat exchange component 118 because angular discharge 404B may be configured such that the target is within the path of pressurized air 202 discharged by orifice 136B.
In some implementations, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, angular discharge 404C with respect to axis 402B is approximately 90 degrees. In these implementations, air discharge component 134 may be positioned “above” (i.e., along substantially the same plane along axis 402A) another air discharge component (not illustrated in FIG. 4C). Thus, in these implementations, air discharge component 134 may clean another air discharge component 134, thereby providing a self-cleaning function.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional illustration of an inline configuration 500 and self-cleaning of air discharge components 134, according to various implementations of the invention. In some implementations, as illustrated in FIG. 5, heat exchange component 118 may include a tubular architecture (illustrated in FIG. 5 as heat exchange components 118A, 118B, 118C, 118D, 118E, and 118F) in an inline configuration through which refrigerant is circulated. In some implementations, the tubular architecture includes a known tube and fin design. In some implementations, the position and configuration of air discharge components 134 may be an inline configuration in order to clean heat exchange component 118. For example, air discharge components 134A, 134B, and 134C may be respectively along substantially the same plane as their respective targets, heat exchange component 118D, 118E, and 118F.
In some implementations, air discharge components 134 may direct pressurized air 202 toward one another for self-cleaning as described above.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional illustration of a staggered configuration 600 and self-cleaning of air discharge components 134, according to various implementations of the invention.
In some implementations, as illustrated in FIG. 5, heat exchange component 118 may include a tubular architecture (illustrated in FIG. 5 as heat exchange components 118H, 118I, 118J, 118K, and 118L) in center-stagger configuration through which refrigerant is circulated. In some implementations, the tubular architecture includes a known tube and fin design. In some implementations, the position and configuration of air discharge components 134 may be a staggered configuration in order to clean heat exchange component 118. For example, air discharge components 134E, 134F, and 134G may be respectively along a different plane as their respective targets, heat exchange component 118D, 118E, and 118F. In these implementations, air discharge components 134E, 134F, and 134G may each discharge pressurized air 202 at angular discharges such that their respective targets are in the path of the discharged pressurized air 202.
In some implementations, air discharge components 134 may direct pressurized air 202 toward one another for self-cleaning as described above.
FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a process 700 for cleaning heat exchange component 118, according to various implementations of the invention. The described operations for the flow diagram illustrated in FIG. 6 and in other drawing figures may be accomplished using some or all of the system components described in detail above and, in some implementations, various operations may be performed in different sequences. According to various implementations of the invention, additional operations may be performed along with some or all of the operations shown in the depicted flow diagrams. In yet other implementations, one or more operations may be performed simultaneously. Accordingly, the operations as illustrated (and described in greater detail below) are examples by nature and, as such, should not be viewed as limiting.
In an operation 702, an air compressor may pressurize air. In an operation 704, the air may be filtered and/or dried to remove moisture and/or other contaminants to thereby generate pressurized dry air. In an operation 706, the pressurized dry air may be stored in a storage tank such as a reservoir. In an operation 708, a control valve may receive an indication to rapidly open then re-close. The rapid opening and re-closing of the control valve may cause the pressurized dry air to enter an air distribution manifold and air discharge components coupled thereto. The indication may be received from a processor communicably coupled to the control valve. In other words, the processor may communicate the indication, which may be an electronic control, signal, or other instruction to the control valve. The indication may be generated by the processor in response to programming or other instructions that are executed by the processor. In some implementations, the executed instructions provide commands that cause periodic (i.e., execution at intervals) opening and closing of the control valve. In some implementations, the processor generates the indication in response to a sensor signal from a sensor that indicates that at least a portion of a target such as tubes and fins of a heat exchange component (such as an evaporator) have frost or other debris buildup.
In an operation 710, the pressurized dry air is circulated through the air distribution manifold and air discharge components, where the pressurized dry air is discharged to the target. By discharging the pressurized dry air to the target, thereby defrosting and/or clearing debris from the target.
Other embodiments, uses and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification should be considered exemplary only, and the scope of the invention is accordingly intended to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cleaning a refrigeration component using pressurized air, comprising:

a reservoir that stores the pressurized air;

one or more air distribution manifolds coupled to the reservoir, each of the one or more air distribution manifolds comprising an air intake that receives the pressurized air from the reservoir and an air exhaust that outputs the pressurized air; and

at least one air discharge component coupled to each of the one or more air distribution manifolds via the air exhaust, the at least one air discharge component comprising a plurality of orifices,

wherein the at least one air discharge component receives the pressurized air from the air exhaust and discharges the pressurized air through the plurality of orifices to the refrigeration component thereby cleaning the refrigeration component.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is integrated with the refrigeration component.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is removably coupled to the refrigeration component.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of orifices are arranged in an in-line configuration relative to one another.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of orifices are arranged in a staggered configuration relative to one another.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an air compressor coupled to the reservoir, wherein the air compressor provides the pressurized air to the reservoir.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the air compressor is coupled to an air filter that removes moisture from the pressurized air provided to the reservoir, thereby providing pressurized dry air to the reservoir.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one air control valve coupled to the reservoir and the one or more air distribution manifolds, wherein the at least one air control valve controls discharge of the pressurized air from the reservoir to the one or more air distribution manifolds.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one air control valve is communicably coupled to a programmed logic controller, the programmed logic controller configured to cause the at least one air control valve to control the discharge of the pressurized air at different times.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus includes a first air control valve that controls a first air distribution manifold and a second air control valve that controls a second air distribution manifold, wherein the first air control valve controls pressurized air delivered to a first position of the refrigeration component and the second air control valve controls pressurized air delivered to a second position of the refrigeration component.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first one of the plurality of orifices is disposed to substantially face at least a second air discharge component, and wherein pressurized air discharged from the first one of the plurality of orifices cleans the second air discharge component.

12. An apparatus for cleaning a refrigeration component using pressurized gas, comprising:

one or more gas distribution manifolds adapted to be coupled to a source of pressurized gas, each of the one or more gas distribution manifolds comprising a gas intake that receives the pressurized gas and a gas exhaust that outputs the pressurized gas; and

at least one gas discharge component coupled to each of the one or more gas distribution manifolds via the gas exhaust, the at least one gas discharge component comprising a plurality of orifices,

wherein the at least one gas discharge component receives the pressurized gas from the gas exhaust and discharges the pressurized gas through the plurality of orifices to the refrigeration component thereby cleaning the refrigeration component.

13. An apparatus for cleaning a refrigeration component using pressurized gas, comprising:

a refrigeration component;

one or more air distribution manifolds coupled to the refrigeration component and a source of pressurized gas, each of the one or more air distribution manifolds comprising an air intake that receives the pressurized gas and an air exhaust that outputs the pressurized gas; and

wherein the at least one air discharge component receives the pressurized gas from the air exhaust and discharges the pressurized gas through the plurality of orifices to the refrigeration component thereby cleaning the refrigeration component.

14. A system for efficient refrigeration, comprising:

a refrigeration component;

a reservoir that stores pressurized gas;

one or more air distribution manifolds coupled to the reservoir, each of the one or more air distribution manifolds comprising an air intake that receives the pressurized gas from the reservoir and an air exhaust that outputs the pressurized gas; and

at least one air discharge tube coupled to each of the one or more air distribution manifolds via the air exhaust, the at least one air discharge tube comprising a plurality of orifices,

wherein the at least one air discharge tube receives the pressurized gas from the air exhaust and discharges the pressurized gas through the plurality of orifices to the refrigeration component thereby cleaning the refrigeration component.

15. A method for defrosting a heat exchange component of a refrigeration system by discharging pressurized dry gas from a plurality of orifices of an air discharge component, the method comprising:

receiving an indication to release the pressurized dry gas;

causing a control valve to rapidly open and close in response to the indication, wherein the control valve is coupled to a source of the pressurized dry gas and the air discharge component; and

discharging the pressurized dry gas from the plurality of orifices, wherein the discharged pressurized dry gas cleans at least a portion of the heat exchange component.