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An apparatus for optimizing an efficiency of a refrigeration system, comprising means for measuring a refrigeration efficiency of an operating refrigeration system: means for altering a process variable of the refrigeration system during efficiency measurement: and a processor for calculating a proc

An apparatus for optimizing an efficiency of a refrigeration system, comprising means for measuring a refrigeration efficiency of an operating refrigeration system: means for altering a process variable of the refrigeration system during efficiency measurement: and a processor for calculating a process variable level which achieves an optimum efficiency. The process variables may include refrigerant charge and refrigerant oil concentration in evaporator.

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What is claimed is: 1. A method for improving efficiency of a set of operating conditions of an evaporator, the set of operating conditions comprising at least a ratio of at least one volatile refrigerant and at least one non-volatile component, comprising determining, a cost of operation under a p

What is claimed is: 1. A method for improving efficiency of a set of operating conditions of an evaporator, the set of operating conditions comprising at least a ratio of at least one volatile refrigerant and at least one non-volatile component, comprising determining, a cost of operation under a plurality of sets of operating conditions; determining a cost of altering the set of operating conditions from an initial state to a target state; determining a cost effectiveness of an alteration in operating conditions from an initial state to a target state; and outputting an optimal target state based on an initial state and the cost effectiveness determination. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said determining a cost of operation step occurs during normal operation of the evaporator. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cost of altering a set of operating conditions comprises an energy cost. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cost of altering a set of operating conditions comprises a service cost. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said determining a cost of operation comprises an evolutionary optimization process. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a cost of operation under a plurality of sets of operating conditions varies non-monotonically with respect to at least one parameter. 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of performing a fractional distillation of a mixture of components in the evaporator, to alter a ratio of at the least one volatile refrigerant and the at least one non-volatile component, to achieve an optimal target state. 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of continuously seeking to maintain an optimal target state. 9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of periodically adjusting the set of conditions to obtain an optimal target state. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the evaporator receives a flow of volatile component and non-volatile component from a condenser during operation. 11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of remediating an accumulation of non-volatile component in the evaporator to achieve an target state. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein an optimal target state comprises a non-zero concentration of non-volatile component in the evaporator. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the set of operating conditions comprises a charge level of non-volatile component. 14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of modeling performance of the evaporator, based at least on said determining a cost of operation. 15. An apparatus for improving operating efficiency of an evaporator having a set of operating conditions comprising at least a ratio of at least one volatile refrigerant and at least one non-volatile component, comprising: an input for receiving information relating to a cost of operation, under a plurality of sets of operating conditions; a processor for: determining a cost of altering the set of operating conditions from an initial state to a target state and determining a cost effectiveness of an alteration in operating conditions from an initial state to a target state based on the input; and a memory for storing an optimal target state based on an initial state and the cost effectiveness determination. 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the input receives power consumption information. 17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the input receives heat load information. 18. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the input receives power cost information. 19. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said processor employs an evolutionary optimization algorithm. 20. The apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a fractional distillation system for separating a mixture of components in the evaporator, to alter a ratio of at the least one volatile refrigerant and the at least one non-volatile component, to achieve an optimal target state. 21. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the set of operating conditions comprises a charge level of non-volatile component.