Refrigerating system evaporator direct expansion liquid supply separation type liquid separation device
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- QINGDAO XUECHENG REFRIGERATION ENGINEERING CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing direct expansion refrigerant distribution devices are unable to stably, effectively, and equally distribute the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to all evaporation heat exchange pipelines, resulting in some pipelines not fully utilizing their cooling function, affecting cooling efficiency and increasing power loss.
The system employs a gas-liquid separator, a main inlet pipe for mixing liquid, a gas-liquid remixing device, and a hydrocyclone. The hydrocyclone generates a centrifugal force field to achieve gas-liquid separation, and the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is evenly distributed to the evaporation heat exchange pipeline through a symmetrically structured outlet pipe and liquid inlet hole.
It achieves stable and uniform distribution of gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, improves the efficiency of the refrigeration system, increases the cooling capacity, reduces power loss, and lowers the system failure rate.
Smart Images
Figure CN122083550A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigerant separation device technology, and more particularly to a direct expansion liquid supply separation device for evaporators in refrigeration systems. Background Technology
[0002] There are three methods for supplying liquid to the low-pressure evaporator in a mechanical refrigeration system: the first is direct expansion supply using pressure difference; the second is gravity supply using liquid level difference; and the third is forced supply using pump power. Among these, direct expansion supply suffers from poor uniformity of the gas-liquid two-phase mixture flowing to each evaporator heat exchanger tube because the refrigerant supplied to the evaporator is a gas-liquid two-phase mixture. This problem is critically related to whether the evaporator's refrigerant evaporation heat exchange performance can be fully realized. If the liquid distribution is uneven, meaning that more or less some heat exchanger tubes receive no refrigerant liquid and are entirely filled with gas, these evaporator heat exchanger tubes that are entirely filled with gas or have only a small amount of liquid cannot perform refrigerant boiling refrigeration or only provide minimal refrigeration, leading to refrigeration failure in parts of the evaporator's heat exchange area. This situation will significantly reduce the efficiency of the entire refrigeration system, reduce the cooling capacity, increase power loss, and increase the system's failure rate.
[0003] Traditionally, there are three main types of liquid distribution devices for direct expansion refrigerant supply: the first type is the centrifugal distributor, which suffers from high structural precision requirements and unstable distribution efficiency with changes in refrigeration load; the second type is the orifice plate distributor, which is extremely sensitive to the inlet condition (dryness) and requires strict installation levelness, as well as extremely high machining precision for each orifice, with even slight deviations leading to uneven distribution; the third type is the Venturi (pressure-reducing) distributor, which suffers from insufficient stability in distribution performance, large pressure drop, and relatively high energy consumption. Therefore, this invention improves the liquid distribution device for direct expansion refrigerant supply, enabling stable, effective, and equal distribution of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to all evaporation heat exchange lines, allowing all evaporation heat exchange lines to fully utilize their refrigeration function. Summary of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to a direct expansion liquid supply separation device for evaporators in a refrigeration system, which solves the problem that in the application of previous direct expansion liquid supply separation devices, it is difficult to stably, effectively and equally distribute the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to all evaporation heat exchange pipelines, resulting in the inability to fully utilize the refrigeration effect of all pipelines.
[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a liquid separation device for direct expansion evaporator supply in a refrigeration system, specifically comprising: a gas-liquid separation tank, a main inlet pipe for mixing liquid, a gas-liquid remixing device, and a hydrocyclone. A sealed top cover is welded to the top of the gas-liquid separation tank, and the main inlet pipe for mixing liquid is connected to the sealed top cover. The main inlet pipe for mixing liquid penetrates the sealed top cover, and multiple liquid outlets are provided on the lower outer circumferential surface of the main inlet pipe for mixing liquid. A gas-liquid remixing device is installed at the bottom of the gas-liquid separation tank, and the gas-liquid remixing device includes multiple outlet pipes arranged in a ring array and connected to the bottom of the gas-liquid separation tank. Inlet holes are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the outlet pipes, and both the inlet holes and outlets are located inside the lower side of the gas-liquid separation tank. A hydrocyclone is provided on the outer side of the lower end of the main inlet pipe for mixing liquid.
[0006] Furthermore, the lower end of the main inlet pipe and the upper end of the outlet pipe are both located inside the gas-liquid separator, and the main inlet pipe and the gas-liquid separator are on the same axis.
[0007] Furthermore, the upper end of the main mixing pipe is connected to the expansion valve at the high-pressure liquid outlet of the refrigeration system, and the lower end of the outlet pipe is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the evaporator heat exchange pipeline.
[0008] Furthermore, a sealing cap is fixedly connected to the lower end of the main mixing pipe, the sealing cap is located below the liquid outlet, and both the sealing cap and the liquid outlet are located above the liquid inlet.
[0009] Furthermore, a sealing reinforcement kit is welded to the outside of the main mixing pipe on the top of the sealing cover, and an annular fixing plate is provided at the lower end of the sealing reinforcement kit. The bottom end face of the annular fixing plate is welded to the upper end face of the sealing cover. The sealing reinforcement kit and the annular fixing plate are integrally formed, and multiple reinforcing ribs are arranged in an annular array between the outer peripheral surface of the sealing reinforcement kit and the upper end face of the annular fixing plate.
[0010] Furthermore, the outlet pipes are arranged in a ring array at the bottom of the gas-liquid separator, and the upper end of the outlet pipes is set with a chamfer. The chamfers at the upper ends of multiple outlet pipes and the liquid inlet holes are all distributed in a clockwise direction.
[0011] Furthermore, a sealing and reinforcing kit is welded to the outside of the outlet pipe, and an annular connecting plate is provided at the upper end of the sealing and reinforcing kit. The upper surface of the annular connecting plate is welded to the bottom end face of the gas-liquid separator. The sealing and reinforcing kit and the annular connecting plate are integrally formed, and reinforcing plates are arranged in an annular array between the outer circumference of the sealing and reinforcing kit and the bottom end face of the annular connecting plate.
[0012] Furthermore, the hydrocyclone includes multiple arc-shaped guide plates, which are fixedly connected in a ring array to the outer circumference of the lower end of the main mixing pipe. The gas-liquid two-phase mixed fluid discharged from the arc-shaped guide plates in the hydrocyclone rotates counterclockwise, and the arc-shaped guide plates are located above the sealing cover.
[0013] This invention provides a liquid separator for direct expansion evaporator supply in a refrigeration system, which has the following advantages: This invention, through the installation of a gas-liquid separator, a main inlet pipe for mixing liquid, and a gas-liquid remixing device, allows the high-pressure liquid refrigerant to be throttled by an expansion valve into a low-pressure, low-temperature gas-liquid two-phase mixture. This mixture then enters the gas-liquid separator through the main inlet pipe and the liquid outlet. Inside the separator, the gas and liquid are completely separated, with the gas accumulating at the top and the liquid at the bottom. Subsequently, the gas and liquid are drawn out and mixed through the upper end of the outlet pipe and the liquid inlet hole, respectively. Because all outlet pipes have the same structure and all liquid inlet holes have the same diameter, the liquid supply and gas intake to each heat exchange pipe of the evaporator remain consistent, avoiding uneven liquid distribution caused by changes in the refrigeration system's heat load. Thus, this invention can stably, effectively, and equally distribute the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to all evaporation heat exchange pipes, allowing each evaporation heat exchange pipe to fully exert its refrigeration function. This ensures high refrigeration efficiency, increases refrigeration capacity, reduces power loss, and lowers the system failure rate.
[0014] In addition, by setting up a hydrocyclone, when the gas-liquid two-phase mixed fluid enters the gas-liquid separator through the liquid outlet, it generates high-speed counterclockwise rotation under the guiding action of multiple arc-shaped guide plates of the hydrocyclone, forming a strong centrifugal force field, which makes the less dense gas and the more dense liquid separate more quickly and thoroughly, thereby significantly enhancing the gas-liquid separation effect and further improving the gas-liquid separation efficiency and stability. Attached Figure Description
[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the accompanying drawings of the present invention will be briefly described below.
[0016] In the attached diagram: Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of this application is shown; Figure 2 A structural schematic diagram of this application is shown from the bottom view; Figure 3 This paper shows a schematic diagram of the disassembled structure of the gas-liquid separator and the sealed top cover of this application. Figure 4 This diagram shows a partial cross-sectional view of the gas-liquid separator and the sealed top cover of this application. Figure 5 This is a partially cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the gas-liquid separator and the outlet pipe of this application; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of the inlet mixing pipe, outlet, sealing cap, and cyclone separator of this application is shown.
[0017] List of reference numerals 1. Gas-liquid separator; 101. Sealed top cover; 2. Main inlet pipe for mixed liquid; 201. Outlet; 202. Sealing cap; 203. Sealing reinforcement kit; 204. Annular fixing plate; 205. Reinforcing rib; 3. Gas-liquid remixing device; 301. Outlet pipe; 302. Sealing and reinforcing kit; 303. Annular connecting plate; 304. Reinforcing plate; 305. Liquid inlet; 4. Hydrocyclone. Detailed Implementation
[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the described embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0019] Example 1: Please refer to Figures 1 to 6 : This invention proposes a direct expansion liquid supply separation device for a refrigeration system evaporator, comprising: a gas-liquid separation tank 1, a main inlet liquid supply pipe 2, a gas-liquid remixing device 3, and a hydrocyclone 4. A sealing top cover 101 is welded to the top of the gas-liquid separation tank 1, and the main inlet liquid supply pipe 2 is connected to the sealing top cover 101. The main inlet liquid supply pipe 2 penetrates the sealing top cover 101, and multiple liquid outlets 201 are opened on the lower outer circumferential surface of the main inlet liquid supply pipe 2. A gas-liquid remixing device 3 is installed at the bottom of the gas-liquid separation tank 1, and the gas-liquid remixing device 3 includes multiple outlet pipes 301. The outlet pipes 301 are arranged in a ring array and connected to the bottom of the gas-liquid separation tank 1. Liquid inlet holes 305 are opened on the outer circumferential surface of the outlet pipes 301, and both the liquid inlet holes 305 and the liquid outlets 201 are located inside the lower side of the gas-liquid separation tank 1. By adopting the above technical solution, during use, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant is throttled by the expansion valve and becomes a low-pressure, low-temperature gas-liquid two-phase mixture. It enters the gas-liquid separator 1 through the inlet liquid pipe 2 and the outlet liquid port 201. In the tank, the gas and liquid are completely separated, with the gas accumulating at the top and the liquid at the bottom. Subsequently, the gas and liquid are drawn out and mixed through the upper end of the outlet pipe 301 and the liquid inlet hole 305, respectively. Since the outlet pipes 301 have the same structure and the liquid inlet holes 305 have the same diameter, the liquid supply and gas intake to each heat exchange pipe of the evaporator are equal. This avoids uneven liquid distribution caused by changes in the heat load of the refrigeration system. As a result, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant can be stably, effectively and equally distributed to all evaporation heat exchange pipes, allowing each evaporation heat exchange pipe to fully perform its refrigeration function, ensuring that the refrigeration system has high refrigeration efficiency, increasing refrigeration capacity, reducing power loss and lowering the system failure rate.
[0020] The lower end of the main inlet pipe 2 and the upper end of the outlet pipe 301 are both located inside the gas-liquid separator 1. The main inlet pipe 2 and the gas-liquid separator 1 are on the same axis, so that the main inlet pipe 2 is located at the center of the axis of the gas-liquid separator 1.
[0021] The upper end of the main pipe 2 for mixing liquid is connected to the expansion valve at the high-pressure liquid outlet of the refrigeration system, and the lower end of the outlet pipe 301 is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the evaporator heat exchange pipeline.
[0022] A sealing cap 202 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the main pipe 2 for inlet of mixed liquid. The sealing cap 202 is located below the outlet 201, and both the sealing cap 202 and the outlet 201 are located above the inlet hole 305. The sealing cap 202 is used to seal the lower end of the main pipe 2 for inlet of mixed liquid.
[0023] A sealing reinforcement kit 203 is welded to the outside of the main mixing pipe 2 on the top of the sealing top cover 101. An annular fixing plate 204 is provided at the lower end of the sealing reinforcement kit 203. The bottom end face of the annular fixing plate 204 is welded to the upper end face of the sealing top cover 101. The sealing reinforcement kit 203 and the annular fixing plate 204 are integrally formed, which improves the fixing strength of the main mixing pipe 2 and makes the main mixing pipe 2 more secure on the sealing top cover 101. Multiple reinforcing ribs 205 are arranged in an annular array between the outer peripheral surface of the sealing reinforcement kit 203 and the upper end face of the annular fixing plate 204. The setting of the reinforcing ribs 205 further improves the fixing strength of the main mixing pipe 2.
[0024] The outlet pipes 301 are arranged in a ring array at the bottom of the gas-liquid separator 1. The upper ends of the outlet pipes 301 are beveled. The beveled ends of multiple outlet pipes 301 and the liquid inlet holes 305 are all distributed in a clockwise direction. (See details...) Figure 3 and Figure 4 This configuration allows the chamfer to face the gas and the inlet hole 305 to face the liquid, so that the gas-liquid two-phase mixed fluid, which is guided counterclockwise by the arc-shaped guide plate in the hydrocyclone 4, can enter the inlet hole 305 (liquid enters the inlet hole 305) and the upper end of the outlet pipe 301 (gas enters the upper end of the outlet pipe 301) more smoothly, respectively. The number of outlet pipes 301 can be adapted according to the number of evaporator pipes, and the diameter of the outlet pipe 301 and the main pipe 2 for mixing liquid can be selected according to the actual situation.
[0025] A sealing and reinforcing kit 302 is welded to the outside of the outlet pipe 301. An annular connecting plate 303 is provided at the upper end of the sealing and reinforcing kit 302. The upper end face of the annular connecting plate 303 is welded to the bottom end face of the gas-liquid separator 1. The sealing and reinforcing kit 302 and the annular connecting plate 303 are integrally formed to improve the fixing strength of the outlet pipe 301 and make the outlet pipe 301 more secure at the bottom of the gas-liquid separator 1. Reinforcing plates 304 are arranged in an annular array between the outer peripheral surface of the sealing and reinforcing kit 302 and the bottom end face of the annular connecting plate 303, which further improves the fixing strength of the outlet pipe 301.
[0026] Example 2, based on Example 1, such as Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, a hydrocyclone 4 is provided on the lower exterior of the main mixing pipe 2. The hydrocyclone 4 includes multiple arc-shaped guide plates, which are fixedly connected to the outer circumference of the lower end of the main mixing pipe 2 in a ring array. The gas-liquid two-phase mixed fluid discharged by the arc-shaped guide plates in the hydrocyclone 4 rotates counterclockwise. The arc-shaped guide plates are located above the sealing cover 202. By adopting the above technical solution, when the gas-liquid two-phase mixed fluid enters the gas-liquid separator 1 through the liquid outlet 201, it generates high-speed counterclockwise rotation under the guiding action of multiple arc-shaped guide plates in the hydrocyclone 4, forming a strong centrifugal force field, which makes the gas with lower density and the liquid with higher density more rapid and thorough, thereby effectively enhancing the gas-liquid separation effect and further improving the gas-liquid separation efficiency and stability.
[0027] The working principle of this invention is as follows: In use, firstly, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant, after being throttled by an expansion valve and other throttling devices, becomes a low-pressure, low-temperature gas-liquid two-phase mixed fluid. Then, it enters the gas-liquid separator 1 through the inlet mixing pipe 2 and the outlet 201. Inside the gas-liquid separator 1, the gas and liquid components are completely separated; the gas accumulates at the top of the separator 1, while the liquid accumulates at the bottom. Next, the gas and liquid are mixed and drawn out through the upper end of the outlet pipe 301 and the inlet hole 305, respectively. The gas enters the outlet pipe 301 from the upper end, while the liquid enters the outlet pipe from the inlet hole 305. Within 301, the liquid is finally delivered to the evaporator heat exchanger pipes. Since each outlet pipe 301 has the same structure and the inlet holes 305 on multiple outlet pipes 301 have the same diameter, the liquid supply and gas intake to each heat exchanger pipe of the evaporator are equal. This also avoids uneven distribution caused by changes in the heat load of the refrigeration system. As a result, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant can be stably, effectively and equally distributed to all evaporator heat exchanger pipes, so that all evaporator heat exchanger pipes can fully exert their refrigeration function. This ensures that the entire refrigeration system has high refrigeration efficiency, increases refrigeration capacity, reduces power loss, and lowers the failure rate of the refrigeration system.
[0028] When the gas-liquid two-phase mixed fluid enters the gas-liquid separator 1 through the liquid outlet 201, it will rotate rapidly under the guidance of multiple arc-shaped guide plates of the hydrocyclone 4, forming a strong centrifugal force field, which makes the less dense gas and the more dense liquid separate more quickly and thoroughly, thereby further increasing the gas-liquid separation effect.
[0029] The following points should be noted in this article: 1. The accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention only involve the structures involved in the embodiments of the present invention; other structures can refer to general designs.
[0030] 2. Where there is no conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features thereof can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.
[0031] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A refrigeration system evaporator direct expansion liquid supply separation and distribution device comprising: The gas-liquid separation tank (1), the mixed liquid inlet main pipe (2), the gas-liquid remixing device (3) and the cyclone (4) are characterized in that the gas-liquid separation tank (1) is welded with a sealing top cover (101) at the top, the sealing top cover (101) is connected with the mixed liquid inlet main pipe (2), the mixed liquid inlet main pipe (2) penetrates through the sealing top cover (101), a plurality of liquid outlets (201) are arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the mixed liquid inlet main pipe (2); the gas-liquid separation tank (1) is installed with the gas-liquid remixing device (3) at the bottom, the gas-liquid remixing device (3) comprises a plurality of outlet pipes (301), the outlet pipes (301) are connected in penetration at the bottom of the gas-liquid separation tank (1) in a ring array shape, a liquid inlet hole (305) is arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the outlet pipe (301), and the liquid inlet hole (305) and the liquid outlet (201) are both located inside the gas-liquid separation tank (1) on the lower side; the lower end of the mixed liquid inlet main pipe (2) is provided with the cyclone (4) outside.
2. A liquid separating device for a direct expansion refrigeration system evaporator according to claim 1, wherein: The lower end of the mixed liquid inlet main pipe (2) and the upper end of the outlet pipe (301) are both located inside the gas-liquid separation tank (1), and the mixed liquid inlet main pipe (2) is on the same axis as the gas-liquid separation tank (1).
3. A liquid line separating device for a direct expansion refrigeration system evaporator according to claim 1, wherein: The upper end of the mixed liquid inlet main pipe (2) is connected with the expansion valve of the high-pressure liquid outlet end of the refrigeration system, and the lower end of the outlet pipe (301) is connected with the refrigerant inlet of the evaporator heat exchange pipeline.
4. A liquid line separating device for a direct expansion refrigeration system evaporator according to claim 1, wherein: The lower end of the mixed liquid inlet main pipe (2) is fixedly connected with a sealing cover (202), the sealing cover (202) is located below the liquid outlet (201), and the sealing cover (202) and the liquid outlet (201) are both located above the liquid inlet hole (305).
5. A liquid line separating device for a direct expansion refrigeration system evaporator according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing reinforcing sleeve (203) is welded on the top of the sealing top cover (101) outside the mixed liquid inlet main pipe (2), the lower end of the sealing reinforcing sleeve (203) is provided with a ring-shaped fixed plate (204), and the bottom end surface of the ring-shaped fixed plate (204) is welded with the upper end surface of the sealing top cover (101); the sealing reinforcing sleeve (203) and the ring-shaped fixed plate (204) are an integral molding structure, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs (205) are arranged in a ring array shape between the outer circumferential surface of the sealing reinforcing sleeve (203) and the upper end surface of the ring-shaped fixed plate (204).
6. A liquid line separating device for a direct expansion refrigeration system evaporator according to claim 1 wherein: The outlet pipes (301) are distributed in a ring array shape at the bottom of the gas-liquid separation tank (1), the upper end of the outlet pipe (301) is provided with a cut corner, and the cut corners of the upper ends of the plurality of outlet pipes (301) and the liquid inlet hole (305) are all distributed in a clockwise direction.
7. A liquid line separating device for a direct expansion refrigeration system evaporator according to claim 1 wherein: The outlet pipe (301) is welded with a sealing reinforcing sleeve (302) outside, the sealing reinforcing sleeve (302) is provided with a ring-shaped connecting plate (303) at the upper end, and the upper end surface of the ring-shaped connecting plate (303) is welded with the bottom end surface of the gas-liquid separation tank (1); the sealing reinforcing sleeve (302) and the ring-shaped connecting plate (303) are an integral molding structure, and a reinforcing plate (304) is arranged in a ring array shape between the outer circumferential surface of the sealing reinforcing sleeve (302) and the bottom end surface of the ring-shaped connecting plate (303).
8. A direct expansion liquid separating device for a refrigeration system evaporator according to claim 4 wherein: The hydrocyclone (4) includes multiple arc-shaped guide plates, which are fixedly connected in a ring array to the outer circumference of the lower end of the main mixing pipe (2). The gas-liquid two-phase mixed fluid discharged by the arc-shaped guide plates in the hydrocyclone (4) rotates counterclockwise. The arc-shaped guide plates are located above the sealing cover (202).