Method for handling refrigerant and device thereof
Patent Information
- Application Number
- KR1020250031621
- Authority / Receiving Office
- KR · KR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-18
Smart Images
Figure P1020250031621_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technology Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for treating a refrigerant, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for recovering, treating, and injecting a refrigerant of an air conditioning system. Background Technology
[0002] Conventional refrigerant treatment technologies involve processes for recovering used refrigerants from air conditioning systems for disposal or reuse. However, these refrigerant reuse methods are generally limited to recovering a single refrigerant, filtering or purifying it to remove impurities, and replenishing lost amounts before reinjecting it into the air conditioning system.
[0003] Recently, mixed refrigerants, which combine two or more refrigerants, are being introduced to improve the efficiency of air conditioning systems. However, in the case of mixed refrigerants, a problem arises where some components deteriorate or are lost, preventing the initially supplied mixed refrigerant from fully exhibiting its performance. The problem to be solved
[0004] The present disclosure may provide a method and apparatus for recovering, treating, and injecting refrigerant of an air conditioning system.
[0005] The problems to be solved through various embodiments are not limited to those mentioned, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem
[0006] According to one embodiment, a refrigerant treatment method may be provided, comprising: a step of storing a mixed refrigerant recovered from an air conditioning system in a storage tank; a step of obtaining material refrigerants and a mixing ratio for the original mixed refrigerant before deterioration of the mixed refrigerant recovered in the storage tank; a step of providing single refrigerants corresponding to the material refrigerants from at least one material refrigerant tank to a mixing container according to the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio of the original mixed refrigerant; and a step of injecting the mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system.
[0007] Herein, the refrigerant treatment method may further include the step of discharging the recovered mixed refrigerant from the storage tank to a discharge tank; and the step of forming a vacuum in the storage tank from which the mixed refrigerant has been discharged.
[0008] Here, the discharge step and the storage step can generate a flow of the recovered mixed refrigerant using the same compressor.
[0009] Here, in the storage step, the mixed refrigerant of the air conditioning system is transferred to the storage tank through the compressor and at least one pipe connected to the compressor, and in the discharge step, the mixed refrigerant of the storage tank can be transferred to the discharge tank through the compressor and part of the at least one pipe connected to the compressor.
[0010] Here, the acquiring step may analyze the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant flowing into or stored in the storage tank, identify the initial mixed refrigerant based on the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant, and determine the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio for the initial mixed refrigerant.
[0011] Here, the initial mixed refrigerant can be identified based on the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the storage tank.
[0012] Here, the step of providing the above may sequentially provide the single refrigerants to the mixing container according to the descending order of density, input amount, vaporization potential, and liquefaction potential.
[0013] Here, the method may further include a step of vacuuming the air conditioning system at a preset time after the storage step and before the injection step.
[0014] Here, when a vacuum is formed in the air conditioning system, the injection step may inject the blended mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system based on the pressure difference between the air conditioning system and the mixing container.
[0015] Here, the injection step may inject the blended mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system through at least one selected from the low-pressure line and the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system by operating a refrigerant pump disposed in an injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system.
[0016] According to another embodiment, a refrigerant processing device may be provided, comprising: a storage tank for storing a mixed refrigerant recovered from an air conditioning system; a mixing container for mixing the mixed refrigerant; at least one material refrigerant tank for supplying a single refrigerant to the mixing container; a refrigerant pump for supplying the mixed refrigerant mixed in the mixing container to the air conditioning system; and a processing unit for storing the mixed refrigerant from the air conditioning system in the storage tank, obtaining the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio for the initial mixed refrigerant recovered in the storage tank before deterioration, providing single refrigerants corresponding to the material refrigerants from the at least one material refrigerant tank to the mixing container according to the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio of the initial mixed refrigerant, and processing the mixed refrigerant to be injected into the air conditioning system through the refrigerant pump.
[0017] Herein, the refrigerant processing device further includes a discharge tank in which the refrigerant is stored; and the processing unit can discharge the recovered mixed refrigerant from the storage tank to the discharge tank and form a vacuum in the storage tank from which the mixed refrigerant has been discharged.
[0018] Here, the refrigerant treatment device includes a compressor that generates a flow of refrigerant; and the treatment unit can generate a flow of mixed refrigerant recovered from the air conditioning system and a flow of mixed refrigerant discharged to the discharge tank using the compressor.
[0019] Here, the processing unit transfers the mixed refrigerant of the air conditioning system to the storage tank through the compressor and at least one pipe connected to the compressor, and transfers the mixed refrigerant of the storage tank to the discharge tank through the compressor and a part of the at least one pipe connected to the compressor.
[0020] Here, the processing unit can analyze the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant flowing into or stored in the storage tank, identify the initial mixed refrigerant based on the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant, and determine the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio for the initial mixed refrigerant.
[0021] Here, the processing unit can identify the initial mixed refrigerant based on the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the storage tank.
[0022] Here, the processing unit can sequentially provide the single refrigerants to the mixing container according to the descending order of density, input amount, vaporization potential, and liquefaction potential.
[0023] Here, the processing unit can vacuum the air conditioning system at a preset time before injecting the mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system after storing the recovered mixed refrigerant in the storage tank.
[0024] Here, when a vacuum is formed in the air conditioning system, the processing unit can inject the blended mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system based on the pressure difference between the air conditioning system and the mixing container.
[0025] Here, the processing unit can operate the refrigerant pump disposed in the injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system to inject the blended mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system through at least one selected from the low-pressure line and the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system. Effects of the invention
[0026] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant treatment method and the apparatus have the effect of maximizing the performance of an air conditioning system by mixing the refrigerant according to the mixing ratio of the original mixed refrigerant before deterioration and injecting it into the air conditioning system when the composition or components of the recovered mixed refrigerant have deteriorated.
[0027] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant treatment method and the apparatus have the effect of maintaining refrigerant performance in an air conditioning system and preventing system malfunction caused by the deterioration of the quality of the mixed refrigerant by precisely adjusting the mixing ratio of material refrigerants mixed in a mixing container. Brief explanation of the drawing
[0028] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the components of a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates detailed components of a refrigerant treatment unit in a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates the flow of an operation for performing refrigerant treatment in a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates the flow of operation for forming a vacuum in an air conditioning system in a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit that recovers refrigerant from an air conditioning system connected to a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit that vacuums an air conditioning system connected to a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit that mixes a new refrigerant in a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit that injects a blended refrigerant into a connected air conditioning system in a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 illustrates the flow of an operation for performing refrigerant discharge in a refrigerant treatment device according to an actual embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit that discharges recovered refrigerant from a storage tank to a discharge tank in a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 illustrates the flow of an operation to form a vacuum in a storage tank in a refrigerant processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Specific details for implementing the invention
[0029] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. In the following, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.
[0030] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used to describe various elements, components, and / or sections, it goes without saying that these elements, components, and / or sections are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one element, component, or section from another. Accordingly, it goes without saying that the first component or first section below may be the second component or second section within the technical scope of the present invention.
[0031] The terms used herein are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text. As used herein, "comprises" and / or "made of" do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, actions, and / or elements to the mentioned components, steps, actions, and / or elements.
[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) may be used in a meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise.
[0033] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, since the drawings attached to this specification serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept together with the detailed description, the present disclosure shall not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.
[0034] The present disclosure may describe a refrigerant treatment method and an apparatus thereof. Herein, the apparatus (refrigerant treatment apparatus) may be configured to recover, treat, and inject refrigerant from an air conditioning system connected to the outside of the apparatus.
[0035] Here, an air conditioning system connected to the outside of the device can be described as an air conditioning system that performs cooling or heating using a refrigerant, such as a means of transportation like automobiles, ships, and airplanes, as well as an air conditioning system included in buildings such as buildings and houses.
[0036] According to various embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerant recovered from an air conditioning system, newly blended, and injected into the air conditioning system can be described as a mixed refrigerant in which two or more material refrigerants are mixed.
[0037] Here, the material refrigerant may include at least one refrigerant among various refrigerants, such as natural refrigerants, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants, hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants, hydrocarbon refrigerants that are not natural refrigerants, halons, or perfluorocarbon (PFC) refrigerants.
[0038] Hereinafter, in order to clearly explain embodiments of the present invention, the mixed refrigerant may be described using a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant (zeotropic refrigerant) in which two or more refrigerants are mixed and a temperature gradient may appear during the condensation and evaporation processes due to differences in physical properties such as vapor pressure. However, the mixed refrigerant is not limited thereto and may be composed of a refrigerant that includes an azeotropic mixed refrigerant, or a refrigerant in which a constant composition ratio is maintained and no temperature gradient appears during the condensation and evaporation processes.
[0039] Hereinafter, to explain a refrigerant treatment method and the apparatus thereof, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the components of a refrigerant treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates the detailed components of a refrigerant treatment unit in a refrigerant treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates the flow of operations for performing refrigerant treatment in a refrigerant treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates the flow of operations for forming a vacuum in an air conditioning system in a refrigerant treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit for recovering refrigerant from a connected air conditioning system in a refrigerant treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit for vacuuming a connected air conditioning system in a refrigerant treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit for blending a new refrigerant in a refrigerant treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit injecting a blended refrigerant into a connected air conditioning system in a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 illustrates the flow of an operation for performing refrigerant discharge in a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit in discharging recovered refrigerant from a storage tank to a discharge tank in a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 illustrates the flow of an operation for forming a vacuum in a storage tank in a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0040] First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a device (refrigerant processing device) (100) according to various embodiments of the present invention may be configured to include at least one of a processing unit (110), a storage unit (120), a communication unit (130), and a refrigerant processing unit (140).
[0041] According to one embodiment, the processing unit (110) can control the operation of the refrigerant processing unit (140). The storage unit (120) can store data for the operation of the processing unit (110). The communication unit (130) can communicate with a component inside the device or an external device (e.g., an air conditioning system) based on the control of the processing unit (110). The refrigerant processing unit (140) can perform the operation of recovering refrigerant from a connected air conditioning system based on the control of the processing unit (110), processing (e.g., blending) the recovered refrigerant, and injecting the blended refrigerant into the air conditioning system.
[0042] The configuration and operation of the processing unit (110), storage unit (120), communication unit (130), or refrigerant processing unit (140) can be described in detail below.
[0043] First, the processing unit (110) is configured to include at least one processor and can process various data for the operation of the device (100) through at least one program (application, tool, plugin, software, etc.).
[0044] The processing unit (110) can control the operation or function of components included in the device (100) (or connected to the device (100)) (e.g., storage unit (120), communication unit (130), or refrigerant processing unit (140), etc.). At this time, the processing unit (110) can transmit and receive data with the components through the communication unit (130).
[0045] The storage unit (120) may be configured to include volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a computer-readable recording medium. In this case, the computer-readable recording medium may store a computer program for the device (100) to perform an operation based on various embodiments.
[0046] For example, the storage unit (120) may store various data that is transmitted or processed by at least one component of the device (100) (e.g., the processing unit (110) or the communication unit (130), etc.). The data may include, for example, a program for processing control commands, data processed through the program, or related input and output data.
[0047] According to one embodiment, the storage unit (120) may store at least one program for controlling the operation of the refrigerant processing unit (140).
[0048] Additionally, the storage unit (120) may include an artificial neural network algorithm for processing control commands, a blockchain algorithm, a deep learning algorithm, a regression analysis algorithm, and an artificial intelligence algorithm based on at least some of the related mechanisms, operators, language models, and big data.
[0049] The communication unit (130) establishes a wired communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the internal components of the device (100) and / or the device (100) and at least one other device (e.g., a user device, or a server), and can support communication through the established communication channel.
[0050] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the refrigerant treatment unit (140) can be explained in more detail.
[0051] First, the refrigerant processing unit (140) may be configured to include a storage tank (ST) for recovering and storing refrigerant from an air conditioning system, a mixing container for mixing refrigerant according to a mixing ratio before the components of the recovered refrigerant deteriorate, a refrigerant pump (RP) for injecting the mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system, and a discharge tank (DT) for storing refrigerant discharged from the storage tank (ST).
[0052] According to one embodiment for explaining the refrigerant treatment unit (140) in more detail, the refrigerant treatment unit (140) includes a recovery pipe (P1) for recovering refrigerant from an air conditioning system, and the recovery pipe (P1) may be configured to store the recovered refrigerant in a storage tank (ST) by passing through a stabilization chamber (DOA chamber) (DOA) for stabilizing the state of the refrigerant recovered from the air conditioning system, a compressor (M1) for compressing the refrigerant to high temperature and high pressure, and a condenser (CDS) for changing the phase of the gaseous refrigerant into a liquid.
[0053] In describing various embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerant treatment unit (140) may be configured to include various pipes. In this case, the pipes may be composed of hard pipes such as iron, stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, copper, PVC, etc., and soft pipes such as rubber, Teflon, nylon, silicone, synthetic resin, metal braid, etc. Additionally, the pipes may include pipes formed by mixing hard pipes and soft pipes (or mixing the materials thereof).
[0054] Additionally, the refrigerant processing unit (140) further includes an internal discharge pipe (P7) for moving the recovered refrigerant (stored refrigerant) from the storage tank (ST) to the stabilization chamber (DOA), and an external discharge pipe (P8) for moving the refrigerant to the discharge tank (DT), and may be configured to operate the compressor (M1) so that the recovered refrigerant from the storage tank (ST) is stored in the discharge tank (DT).
[0055] Additionally, the refrigerant processing unit (140) may include at least one material tank (MT) in which a material refrigerant for mixing a new refrigerant is stored, a mixing pipe (P4) connecting the material tank (MT) and a mixing container (MC), and a mixing container (MC) for mixing the refrigerant, and may be configured so that the material refrigerant of the material tank (MT) is mixed in the mixing container (MC).
[0056] Additionally, the refrigerant treatment unit (140) includes an injection pipe (P2) connected to a mixing container (MC), and the injection pipe (P2) may be configured to inject the mixed refrigerant of the mixing container (MC) into the air conditioning system through a refrigerant pump (RP).
[0057] As described above, in order to effectively perform at least some of the operations of refrigerant recovery, vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system, refrigerant mixing, refrigerant injection, and refrigerant discharge, the refrigerant treatment unit (140) may be configured to include at least one additional component.
[0058] To explain in more detail, the return pipe (P1) can be connected to the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP) and / or the high side pipe (HSP).
[0059] According to one embodiment, the recovery pipe (P1) may be connected to the low-pressure pipe (LSP) through a low-pressure manifold valve (V1). The low-pressure manifold valve (V1) may be configured to control the refrigerant flow in the low-pressure pipe (LSP) (or the low-pressure line of the air conditioning system).
[0060] The low-pressure side piping (LSP) may be configured to include a low-pressure side service coupling (SC1), one end of which is connected to a low-pressure side manifold valve (V1) as described above, and the other end of which is connected to a low-pressure line of the air conditioning system. Additionally, the low-pressure side piping (LSP) may be configured to include a low-pressure side pressure gauge (G1) for measuring the refrigerant pressure of the low-pressure side piping (LSP) (or the low-pressure line of the air conditioning system).
[0061] In addition, the recovery pipe (P1) has a high / low pressure solenoid valve (high / low s olenoid v It can be connected to the high-pressure piping (HSP) through the alve)(SV8) and the high-pressure side manifold valve (V2). The high-pressure side manifold valve (V2) can be configured to control the refrigerant flow in the high-pressure piping (HSP) (or the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system).
[0062] The high-pressure side piping (HSP) may be configured to include a high-pressure side service coupling (SC2), one end of which is connected to a high-pressure side manifold valve (V2) and the other end of which is connected to a high-pressure line of the air conditioning system. Additionally, the high-pressure side piping (HSP) may be configured to include a high-pressure side pressure gauge (G2) for measuring the refrigerant pressure of the high-pressure side piping (HSP) (or the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system).
[0063] Additionally, the high-pressure side piping (HSP) can be connected to the injection piping (P2) through the high-pressure side manifold valve (V2). Furthermore, the injection piping (P2) can be connected to the low-pressure side piping (LSP) through the high-pressure / low-pressure solenoid valve (SV8) and the low-pressure side manifold valve (V1).
[0064] The high / low pressure solenoid valve (SV8) may be configured to control the refrigerant flow between the recovery pipe (P1) and the high-pressure side pipe (HSP) (e.g., shut off or open), or to control the refrigerant flow between the injection pipe (P2) and the low-pressure side pipe (LSP) (e.g., shut off or open).
[0065] To explain in more detail, the high pressure / low pressure solenoid valve (SV8) can control the connection between the low pressure side pipe (LSP) and the high pressure side pipe (HSP) so that, in the process of recovering the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the recovery pipe (P1), the refrigerant of the air conditioning system is recovered through the low pressure side pipe (LSP) or the refrigerant of the air conditioning system is recovered through the low pressure side pipe (LSP) and the high pressure side pipe (HSP).
[0066] In addition, the high pressure / low pressure solenoid valve (SV8) can control the connection between the low pressure side pipe (LSP) and the high pressure side pipe (HSP) so that, during the process of injecting refrigerant into the air conditioning system through the injection pipe (P2), the blended refrigerant is injected into the air conditioning system through the high pressure side pipe (HSP), or the blended refrigerant is injected into the air conditioning system through the low pressure side pipe (LSP) and the high pressure side pipe (HSP).
[0067] The recovery pipe (P1) may be configured to include at least one of a low pressure switch (LP) that detects the low pressure line status of the air conditioning system (e.g., whether the refrigerant pressure drops below a preset pressure) through the low pressure side pipe (LSP) and / or blocks the flow of refrigerant, a recovery solenoid valve (SV1) that controls the flow of refrigerant, a check valve 1 (CV1) that prevents backflow of refrigerant, and a regulator (RG) that controls the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the low pressure side pipe (LSP).
[0068] Additionally, the refrigerant processing unit (140) may include a vacuum pump (VP) for discharging air and moisture from the air conditioning system. Here, the refrigerant processing unit (140) may include a vacuum pump hose (P3) connecting the recovery pipe (P1) and the vacuum pump (VP) between the low-pressure switch (LP) and the recovery solenoid valve (SV1), and the vacuum pump hose (P3) may be configured to include a vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2) that controls the operation of the vacuum pump (VP).
[0069] The stabilization chamber (DOA) may include a filter (or damper) that filters out impurities such as air, oil, and fine particles that are introduced along with the refrigerant during the refrigerant recovery process. For example, the stabilization chamber (DOA) may include an oil separator (discharge oil (or de-oiling) accumulator) that separates and discharges oil contained in the refrigerant.
[0070] Additionally, the stabilization chamber (DOA) may include a heat exchanger for stabilizing the state of the refrigerant. Here, the heat exchanger of the stabilization chamber (DOA) may be configured to stabilize the state of the refrigerant, such as by partially separating the internal gaseous and / or liquid refrigerant, adjusting the temperature uniformly, adjusting the flow rate so that the refrigerant flowing to the compressor has a uniform flow, or mitigating the occurrence of shocks (pressure spikes).
[0071] Additionally, to discharge the separated oil to the outside of the device (100), the refrigerant treatment unit (140) may be configured to include at least some of an oil drain solenoid valve (SV6) that discharges the oil separated from the stabilization chamber to the outside of the device (100), an oil pressure switch (OP) that monitors the pressure of the separated oil and controls the oil drain solenoid valve (SV6) according to a preset pressure, and a check valve 3 (CV3) that prevents the oil discharged through the oil drain solenoid valve (SV6) from flowing back into the stabilization chamber (DOA). Here, the oil drain solenoid valve (SV6), the oil pressure switch (OP), or the check valve 3 (CV3) may be configured inside or outside the stabilization chamber (DOA).
[0072] Additionally, between the stabilization chamber (DOA) and the compressor (M1), the chamber may be configured to include at least some of a moisture filter (F1) that removes moisture and / or impurities contained in the recovered refrigerant flowing toward the compressor (M1), an oil separator (OS) that filters out oil and / or impurities from the refrigerant, and a compressor equalization solenoid valve (SV4) that maintains the equilibrium (equilibrium state) of the internal pressure of the compressor.
[0073] Additionally, between the stabilization chamber (DOA) and the storage tank (ST), at least a portion of a check valve 1 (CV1) that prevents the refrigerant flowing from the stabilization chamber (DOA) toward the condenser (CDS) from flowing back into the stabilization chamber (DOA), a high pressure switch (HP) that detects a pressure rise in the refrigerant flow (e.g., refrigerant flow after the compressor (M1)) and controls the internal pressure of the piping, a storage tank pressure gauge (G3) that measures the internal pressure of the storage tank (ST), and a storage tank vapor pipe (P5) that connects the condenser (CDS) and the storage tank (ST) and is configured to move the refrigerant in a liquid state from the condenser (CDS) to the storage tank (ST) and to move the refrigerant in a gaseous state to the condenser (CDS).
[0074] Here, the storage tank (ST) is connected to a purge pipe (P6) that conveys air to an outlet configured to discharge air (and / or gas) from the storage tank (ST), and the purge pipe (P6) may be connected to an air purge solenoid valve (SV7) for discharging some of the air (and / or gas).
[0075] Additionally, the storage tank (ST) may be configured with an inlet for refrigerant to flow in and an outlet for refrigerant to be discharged at the top. Here, the inlet at the top of the storage tank (ST) is connected to the storage tank steam pipe (P5), and an inlet solenoid valve (SV9) for controlling the flow of refrigerant flowing in from the storage tank steam pipe (P5) may be configured. Furthermore, the outlet at the top of the storage tank (ST) is connected to the internal discharge pipe (P7), and an outlet solenoid valve (SV10) for controlling the flow of refrigerant flowing out through the internal discharge pipe (P7) may be configured.
[0076] Additionally, the storage tank (ST) may be configured to include an inlet solenoid valve (SV9) that controls the flow of refrigerant entering from the storage tank steam pipe (P5), and an outlet solenoid valve (SV10) that controls the flow of refrigerant exiting through the discharge pipe (P7).
[0077] Additionally, the recovered refrigerant from the storage tank (ST) can be configured to be transferred to the discharge tank (DT) through the discharge pipe (P7).
[0078] To explain in more detail, in the refrigerant processing unit (149), at least some of the pipes used to recover refrigerant from the air conditioning system and transfer it to the storage tank (ST) (e.g., recovery pipe (P1), storage tank steam pipe (P5), etc.) can be used to transfer the refrigerant recovered in the storage tank (ST) to the discharge tank (DT). For example, the path (e.g., refrigerant discharge line) can be configured so that the refrigerant recovered in the storage tank (ST) flows through the internal discharge pipe (P7) to the discharge tank (DT) via the stabilization chamber (DOA), compressor (M1), condenser (CDS), and discharge tank (DT).
[0079] Here, the external discharge pipe (P8) can be connected between the high-pressure switch (HP) and the storage tank pressure gauge (G3). According to another embodiment, the external discharge pipe (P8) can be connected between the high-pressure switch (HP) and the storage tank steam pipe (P5).
[0080] Here, the external discharge pipe (P8) between the high-pressure switch (HP) and the discharge tank (DT) may be configured to include a discharge manifold valve (V4) that controls the flow of refrigerant so that the recovered refrigerant passing through the high-pressure switch (HP) flows into the external discharge pipe (P8), a discharge pressure gauge (G4) that measures the internal pressure of the external discharge pipe (P8) (and / or discharge line) through which the recovered refrigerant flows, and a discharge service coupling (SC3) that connects the external discharge pipe (P8) to the discharge tank (DT).
[0081] Additionally, the material refrigerant of at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) can be configured to move to a mixing container (MC) through a mixing pipe (P4).
[0082] To explain in more detail, the refrigerant processing unit (140) may be configured to include a 3-way valve (3-way v / v) connecting a mixing pipe (P4) between at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) and a mixing container (MC). Here, the 3-way valve (3-way v / v) can control the movement of material refrigerant from at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) toward the mixing container (MC).
[0083] Additionally, at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) and a three-way valve (3-way v / v) may be configured to include a solenoid valve (SV) that controls the flow of the material refrigerant.
[0084] Here, if at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) is composed of multiple tanks, a check valve between the multiple tanks (MT) and the 3-way valve (3-way v / v) may be configured in each of the multiple tanks (MT). In this case, the mixing pipe (P4) may be integrated from the solenoid valves into a single pipe (common pipe) and connected to the 3-way valve (3-way v / v).
[0085] Each of the multiple material refrigerant tanks can store each of the single refrigerants that serve as the material for the mixed refrigerant.
[0086] Additionally, the refrigerant treatment unit (140) may include a flow meter (FM) for measuring the flow rate of the refrigerant (e.g., material refrigerant) flowing into the mixing container (MC).
[0087] Additionally, the injection pipe (P2) may be configured to include a refrigerant pump (RP) that generates (or supports) the flow of the blended refrigerant injected from the mixing container (MC) into the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system.
[0088] Additionally, between the mixing container (MC) and the refrigerant pump (RP) of the injection pipe (P2), at least some of the following may be included: a charging solenoid valve (SV3) that controls the flow of refrigerant discharged from the mixing container (MC); a sight glass (SG) installed to allow visual inspection of the refrigerant status from the side of the injection pipe (P2); and a check valve (CV2) that prevents the mixed refrigerant from flowing back from the refrigerant pump (RP) toward the mixing container (MC).
[0089] Additionally, the refrigerant processing unit (140) may include a reservoir (RSV) in which oil (or lubricating oil) is stored to supply oil (or lubricating oil) necessary for the operation of the refrigerant (e.g., the flow of refrigerant in an air conditioning system). To this end, between the mixing container (MC) and the refrigerant pump (RP), it may be configured to include at least a portion of an oil injection valve (V3) for injecting oil from the reservoir (RSV) into an injection pipe (P2) and a check valve 3 (CV3) for preventing oil from flowing back toward the reservoir (RSV).
[0090] With reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the refrigerant treatment unit (140) has been described. Hereinafter, in describing the operation of the refrigerant treatment device (100) with reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 9, the refrigerant treatment unit (140) can be described by dividing it into a refrigerant recovery unit (201), a vacuum treatment unit (203), a refrigerant mixing unit (205), a refrigerant injection unit (207), and a refrigerant discharge unit (209), as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11.
[0091] Here, the refrigerant recovery unit (201), vacuum treatment unit (203), refrigerant mixing unit (205), refrigerant injection unit (207), and refrigerant discharge unit (209) may be distinguished based on the refrigerant recovery of the refrigerant treatment unit (140), vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system, refrigerant mixing, refrigerant injection, and refrigerant discharge operations.
[0092] The refrigerant treatment unit (140), the refrigerant recovery unit (201) configured in the refrigerant treatment unit (140), the vacuum treatment unit (203), the refrigerant mixing unit (205), the refrigerant injection unit (207), and the refrigerant discharge unit (209), or each of these components may operate based on the control of the treatment unit (110).
[0093] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2, FIGS. 3 to 8, the operation of the device (100) recovering refrigerant from the air conditioning system, mixing new refrigerant, and injecting the mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system can be described in more detail.
[0094] First, the low-pressure side service coupling (SC1) of the refrigerant processing unit (140) may be connected to the low-pressure line of the air conditioning system (e.g., low-pressure line coupling), and the high-pressure side service coupling (SC2) may be connected to the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system (e.g., high-pressure line coupling).
[0095] With reference to the refrigerant recovery unit (201) of FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 5, the operation of recovering refrigerant from an air conditioning system can be explained. According to one embodiment, the processing unit (110) can recover refrigerant from the air conditioning system and store it in a storage tank (step 301).
[0096] To explain in more detail, the processing unit (110) operates the compressor (M1) to form a refrigerant flow for recovering refrigerant from the air conditioning system, and can recover the refrigerant from the air conditioning system through the low-pressure side pipe (LSP).
[0097] Additionally, although not illustrated in FIG. 4, the processing unit (110) may open the high-pressure / low-pressure solenoid valve (SV8) to recover the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the low-pressure side pipe (P1) and / or the high-pressure side pipe (P2).
[0098] Here, the recovered refrigerant passes through a stabilization chamber (DOA) to remove oil and impurities, and by heat-exchanging the refrigerant compressed into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas through a compressor during the recovery stage with the incoming refrigerant, the state of the refrigerant entering the compressor is converted to a gaseous state, thereby allowing only gaseous refrigerant to be delivered to the compressor (M1). Additionally, during this process, the refrigerant passes through a moisture filter to remove moisture contained in the refrigerant.
[0099] The processing unit (110) can compress the refrigerant recovered through the compressor (M1) and transfer the refrigerant, which has been converted into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous state during the compression process, to the condenser (CDS).
[0100] High-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant introduced into the condenser (CDS) releases heat and condenses into a liquid state, and the condensed refrigerant can be introduced into the storage tank (ST) and stored.
[0101] A flow meter (not shown) for measuring the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the storage tank (ST) may be installed at the inlet of the storage tank (ST). Through this, the processing unit (110) can measure the amount (e.g., mass) of the recovered refrigerant flowing into the storage tank (ST).
[0102] The processing unit (110) measures the pressure inside the storage tank (ST) through the storage tank pressure gauge (G3), and if the pressure inside the storage tank (ST) exceeds a preset pressure, it can control the air purge solenoid valve (SV7) to discharge the air inside the storage tank (ST).
[0103] According to one embodiment, the refrigerant processing unit (140) may be configured to include at least one component analyst (CA) for analyzing the components of the refrigerant. For example, a component analyst capable of analyzing gas components may be placed (or connected) inside the storage tank (ST). The processing unit (110) may discharge the gas (e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2) (R744) gas) introduced into the storage tank (ST) based on information about the gas refrigerant obtained through the component analyst (e.g., type and / or amount (e.g., mass) of the gas refrigerant).
[0104] The processing unit (110) can discharge CO2 gas along with the air inside the storage tank (ST). At this time, the processing unit (110) can measure the amount (e.g., mass) of the discharged CO2 gas and set it as the amount of CO2 gas loss of the recovered refrigerant.
[0105] According to the above description, although the processing unit (110) is described as recording the amount of CO2 gas emitted, it is not limited thereto, and gases that can be materials for mixed refrigerants (e.g., propane (C3H8) (R290), isobutane (C4H8) 10 It is also possible to measure emissions for )(R600a) etc.) and record the measured emissions.
[0106] Accordingly, the recovered refrigerant in liquid form can be stored in the storage tank (ST).
[0107] Afterward, the operation of vacuuming the air conditioning system can be explained with reference to the vacuum processing unit (203) of FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 6. According to one embodiment, the processing unit (110) can perform vacuuming of the air conditioning system using the low-pressure side pipe (LSP) and the high-pressure side pipe (HSP) (step 401).
[0108] To explain in more detail, the processing unit (110) can operate the vacuum pump (VP) while the recovery solenoid valve (SV1) blocks the flow of refrigerant toward the stabilization chamber (DOA) and the high pressure / low pressure solenoid valve (SV8) is open.
[0109] Through this, the low-pressure side piping (LSP) and the high-pressure side piping (HSP), a part of the recovery piping (P1) connected to the low-pressure side piping (LSP) and / or the high-pressure side piping (HSP), and the refrigerant circulation line of the air conditioning system (refrigerant circulation line including a high-pressure line and a low-pressure line) can be formed into a vacuum.
[0110] In the vacuum process, impurities (e.g., gas, fine particles, moisture, etc.) inside the air conditioning system, the low-pressure side piping (LSP) where a vacuum is formed, and the high-pressure side piping (HSP) can be discharged to the outside of the device (100) through a vacuum pump (VP) (or an air purge solenoid valve (SV7), etc.).
[0111] At the time of terminating the vacuum process, a vacuum state can be maintained for at least a portion of the air conditioning system, the low-pressure side piping (LSP) and high-pressure side piping (HSP) between the air conditioning system and the vacuum pump (VP), and the recovery piping (P1) and / or injection piping (P2) based on the structure and operation of at least one valve (e.g., check valve 1 (CV1), check valve 2 (CV2), etc.).
[0112] However, not limited to this, the processing unit (110) can maintain a vacuum state by controlling at least one valve (e.g., recovery solenoid valve (SV1) of the recovery pipe (P1), vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2), etc.) required to maintain a vacuum state between the air conditioning system and the low-pressure side pipe (LSP) and the high-pressure side pipe (HSP) between the air conditioning system and the vacuum pump (VP), or by controlling elements such as the refrigerant pump (RP) of the injection pipe (P2).
[0113] The processing unit (110) can terminate the embodiment of FIG. 4 when it performs the operation of step 401.
[0114] As described above, the vacuum treatment operation (step 401) of the air conditioning system can be performed after the refrigerant is recovered from the air conditioning system of step 301. However, the vacuum treatment operation can be performed at a predetermined time after the refrigerant is recovered (after step 301) and before the blended refrigerant described later is injected into the air conditioning system (before step 309).
[0115] Subsequently, with reference to the refrigerant blending section (205) of FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 7, the operation of blending a new refrigerant based on the refrigerant recovered from the air conditioning system can be described. According to one embodiment, the processing section (110) can obtain material refrigerants and a blending ratio for the initial mixed refrigerant before the refrigerant recovered in the storage tank deteriorates (step 303).
[0116] According to one embodiment, the recovered refrigerant may be a refrigerant in which at least some of the components of the material refrigerants constituting the refrigerant have deteriorated, or at least some of the material refrigerants have been lost (and / or lost, hereinafter referred to as lost).
[0117] Here, the recovered refrigerant is a mixed refrigerant as described above, and the material refrigerant may be a single refrigerant or a compound refrigerant produced by a chemical reaction of at least two refrigerants.
[0118] Therefore, the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant may deviate from the mixing ratio set for the refrigerant in its state before deterioration (the mixing ratio of the initial mixed refrigerant), such as when at least some of the material refrigerants constituting the recovered refrigerant undergo decomposition and deformation due to reduced chemical stability, or when some of the material refrigerants are lost due to the structural stability of the air conditioning system.
[0119] Accordingly, the processing unit (110) can obtain the material refrigerants constituting the refrigerant before it deteriorates (initial mixed refrigerant) and the mixing ratio of the material refrigerants in order to mix a new refrigerant to be injected into the air conditioning system to replace the recovered refrigerant.
[0120] According to one embodiment, the processing unit (110) can determine the material refrigerants constituting the refrigerant before deterioration (initial mixed refrigerant) of the recovered refrigerant (mixed refrigerant) and the mixing ratio (mixing ratio of material refrigerants) based on user input received through an input unit (not shown).
[0121] When the processing unit (110) obtains an identification code of the refrigerant before deterioration (e.g., an identification code of the mixed refrigerant) through user input, it can identify the first mixed refrigerant corresponding to the obtained identification code through the mixed refrigerant blending ratio list and determine the material refrigerants constituting the first mixed refrigerant and the blending ratio (the blending ratio of the material refrigerants).
[0122] To this end, the storage unit (120) may be in a state where a list of mixed refrigerant blending ratios is stored. Here, the list of mixed refrigerant blending ratios may be in a state where at least some information is stored among a plurality of mixed refrigerants, identification codes for the mixed refrigerants, material refrigerants for each of the mixed refrigerants, blending ratios of the material refrigerants, and the rate of potential for deterioration (or loss) of the material refrigerants (e.g., deterioration rate or loss rate).
[0123] However, not limited thereto, the processing unit (110) may also identify the initial mixed refrigerant based on the recovered refrigerant of the storage tank (ST). To this end, the processing unit (110) may check the mixing ratio of the refrigerant flowing into (or in a state of flowing into) the storage tank (ST).
[0124] To this end, a component analyzer (CA) for analyzing the components of the refrigerant recovered in the storage tank (ST) may be installed (or connected).
[0125] Here, the component analyzer (CA) can analyze the components of the refrigerant stored inside the storage tank (ST). More specifically, the component analyzer (CA) can be configured to analyze the components of the liquid refrigerant. However, the component analyzer (CA) may be configured to analyze the components of the gaseous refrigerant, or it may be configured as a multi-phase component analyzer that analyzes components for various phases, such as liquid and gaseous states.
[0126] Based on this, the processing unit (110) can check the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio of the material refrigerants for the refrigerant recovered in the storage tank (ST).
[0127] Here, as described above, the component analyzer configured for gas discharge may be a component analyzer (CA) inside the storage tank (ST). However, the component analyzer for gas discharge may be configured independently of the component analyzer (CA) inside the storage tank (ST). For example, the component analyzer for gas discharge may be placed in the purge pipe (P6) or in the outlet connected to the purge pipe (P6) in the storage tank (ST).
[0128] Additionally, the component analyzer (CA) may be configured to analyze the components of the refrigerant (e.g., liquid refrigerant) flowing into the storage tank (ST) from the storage tank steam pipe (P5).
[0129] The processing unit (110) can identify the first mixed refrigerant of the recovered refrigerant by checking the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant and checking the mixing ratio most similar to the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant mixing ratio list.
[0130] Additionally, the processing unit (110) can identify the initial mixed refrigerant by identifying specific material refrigerants among the recovered refrigerants that are set to have a high probability of deterioration (or loss) and calculating the predicted amount of deterioration (or loss) (e.g., mass) according to the probability of deterioration (or loss) of the specific material refrigerants.
[0131] At this time, if the material refrigerant in a gaseous state is discharged while the refrigerant recovered in the storage tank (ST) is stored, the discharge amount of the material refrigerant in a gaseous state can be included in the amount of deterioration (or loss) to identify the initial mixed refrigerant.
[0132] Subsequently, the processing unit (110) can provide single refrigerants corresponding to the material refrigerants from at least one material refrigerant tank to a mixing container according to the material refrigerants of the refrigerant before deterioration (initial mixed refrigerant) and the mixing ratio of the material refrigerants as described above (step 305). Here, at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) may be positioned at a height higher than the height of the mixing container.
[0133] To explain in more detail, the processing unit (110) can select the tanks in which the corresponding material refrigerant is stored among the material refrigerant tanks (MT) according to the material refrigerants constituting the initial mixed refrigerant, and control the valve (e.g., solenoid valve (SV)) for each tank to supply the material refrigerant to the mixing container (MC).
[0134] The processing unit (110) can sequentially provide the material refrigerants determined to be mixed to the mixing container (MC) in order (descending order) according to density, input amount (ratio in the mixing ratio of the initial mixed refrigerants), refrigerants with a high probability of vaporization (e.g., refrigerants with a low boiling point and a high probability of existing in a gaseous state at room temperature), or refrigerants with high pressure characteristics and difficult to liquefy (e.g., CO2 refrigerants).
[0135] At this time, the processing unit (110) measures the amount (e.g., mass) of each material refrigerant supplied to the mixing container (MC) through a flow meter (FM), and can control the valve (e.g., solenoid valve (SV)) of the material refrigerant tank (MT) so that the calculated amount to satisfy the initial mixing ratio of the mixed refrigerants is accurately introduced into the mixing container (MC).
[0136] Based on this, a mixed refrigerant (mixed refrigerant) having the same mixing ratio as the initial mixed refrigerant can be produced in the mixing container (MC).
[0137] Afterward, the operation of injecting the blended refrigerant into the air conditioning system can be explained with reference to the refrigerant injection unit (207) of FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 8. According to one embodiment, the processing unit (110) can inject the generated blended refrigerant into the air conditioning system (step 307).
[0138] To explain in more detail, the processing unit (110) can operate a refrigerant pump (RP) to transfer the mixed refrigerant stored in the mixing container (MC) to the air conditioning system.
[0139] At this time, the processing unit (110) can control at least one valve placed between the mixing container (MC) and the air conditioning system (e.g., opening the charging solenoid valve (SV3) and opening the high / low pressure solenoid valve (SV8)).
[0140] Through this, the blended refrigerant of the mixing container (MC) can be injected into the air conditioning system through the low-pressure side piping (LSP) and the high-pressure side piping (HSP).
[0141] At this time, the processing unit (110) can control at least some of the valves among the recovery solenoid valve (SV1) and the vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2) to a closed state to prevent the mixed refrigerant injected into the air conditioning system from flowing toward the stabilization chamber (DOA) and / or the vacuum pump (VP), or control a valve (not shown) configured to control the flow of refrigerant between the low-pressure side manifold valve (V1) and the low-pressure switch (LP) to a closed state.
[0142] However, not limited to this, the processing unit (110) may also inject the mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system through the high-pressure side service coupling (SC2) by controlling the high-pressure / low-pressure solenoid valve (SV8) to be closed.
[0143] At this time, the processing unit (110) can selectively open and close the high-pressure / low-pressure solenoid valve (SV8) based on the flow rate, pressure, or internal pressure received from the air conditioning system of the mixed refrigerant flowing through the injection pipe (P2).
[0144] In this way, the processing unit (110) can inject the blended refrigerant into the air conditioning system through the high-pressure side pipe (HSP) by opening and closing the high-pressure / low-pressure solenoid valve (SV8), or inject the blended refrigerant into the air conditioning system through the low-pressure side pipe (LSP) and the high-pressure side pipe (HSP).
[0145] As described above, the blended refrigerant can be smoothly injected into the circulation line of the air conditioning system due to the pressure difference formed between the air conditioning system and the mixing container (MC) caused by the opening of the charging solenoid valve (SV3) in the vacuum air conditioning system, and the forced pumping of the blended refrigerant caused by the operation of the refrigerant pump (RP).
[0146] Additionally, the processing unit (110) can open the oil injection valve (V3) according to the flow of the blended refrigerant to add oil from the reservoir (RSV) to the blended refrigerant. Through this, during the process of injecting the blended refrigerant into the air conditioning system, a pressure difference is formed between the reservoir (RSV) and the blended refrigerant due to the flow of the blended refrigerant, and the oil stored in the reservoir (RSV) can flow into the injection pipe (P2). The oil flowing into the injection pipe (P2) can be mixed with the blended refrigerant and injected into the air conditioning system.
[0147] The processing unit (110) can measure the amount (e.g., mass) of refrigerant flowing into the air conditioning system while the blended refrigerant is being injected into the air conditioning system, and control the injection of the blended refrigerant to be in a set amount. To this end, a flow meter for measuring the amount of refrigerant injected into the air conditioning system may be placed in the injection pipe (P2).
[0148] Based on this, the blended refrigerant can be uniformly distributed into the air conditioning system. In this process, the processing unit (110) receives the pressure inside the air conditioning system measured through the pressure gauge of the air conditioning system and, if necessary, can control the air conditioning system to operate stably by adjusting the injection speed of the refrigerant.
[0149] As described above, the piping connecting the mixing container (MC) to the high-pressure side service coupling (SC2) was described as the high-pressure side piping (HSP); however, the section including the piping from the mixing container (MC) to the refrigerant pump (RP) can be defined and described as the injection piping.
[0150] After the refrigerant injection is completed, the processing unit (110) can prevent backflow of the refrigerant by controlling at least one valve (e.g., vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2), or charging solenoid valve (SV3), or oil injection valve (V3), etc.) to block the connection between the mixing container (MC) and the air conditioning system.
[0151] The processing unit (110) can terminate the embodiment of FIG. 3 when it performs the operation of step 307.
[0152] According to various embodiments, the processing unit (110) can transfer the refrigerant recovered in the storage tank (ST) to the discharge tank (DT). Here, the discharge tank (DT) may be configured to be detachable for disposal or reprocessing of the recovered refrigerant. Additionally, the processing unit (110) can treat the storage tank (ST) to a vacuum state after the recovered refrigerant has been discharged.
[0153] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2, 9 to 11, the operation of the device (100) moving the refrigerant from the storage tank (ST) to the discharge tank (DT) and vacuuming the storage tank (DT) can be described in more detail.
[0154] Referring to the refrigerant discharge unit (209) of FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 10, the operation of discharging the recovered refrigerant from the storage tank (ST) to the discharge tank (DT) can be explained. According to one embodiment, the processing unit (110) can discharge the recovered mixed refrigerant from the storage tank to the discharge tank (step 901).
[0155] To explain in more detail, the processing unit (110) can operate the compressor (M1) with the inlet solenoid valve (SV9) of the storage tank (ST) closed and the outlet solenoid valve (SV10) open.
[0156] At this time, the recovered refrigerant inside the storage tank (ST) flows to the stabilization chamber (DOA) through the internal discharge pipe (P7) according to the operation of the compressor (M1), and passes through the compressor (M1), the stabilization chamber (DOA), and the condenser (CDS) to enter the external discharge pipe (P8), and can be transferred to the discharge tank (DT) through the discharge manifold valve (V4) and the discharge service coupling (SC3).
[0157] Accordingly, the device (100) can perform the operation of transferring the recovered refrigerant from the storage tank (ST) to the discharge tank (DT) by utilizing the configuration of the compressor (M1) and the recovery pipe (P1) for recovering the refrigerant from the air conditioning system.
[0158] Afterward, with reference to the refrigerant discharge section (209) of FIG. 2 and FIG. 11, the operation of forming a vacuum in the storage tank (ST) can be explained. According to one embodiment, the processing section (110) can form a vacuum in the storage tank from which the refrigerant has been discharged (step 903).
[0159] To this end, the processing unit (110) can confirm that all the refrigerant stored in the storage tank (ST) has been transferred to the discharge tank (DT) based on the pressure inside the storage tank (ST) or the internal pressure of the discharge pipe (e.g., internal discharge pipe (P7) or external discharge pipe (P8)).
[0160] To explain in more detail, the processing unit (110) can determine that the transfer of refrigerant in the storage tank (ST) is completed when it confirms that the internal pressure of the storage tank (ST) is lowered to a preset minimum reference pressure or lower. Additionally, the processing unit (110) can determine that the transfer of refrigerant in the storage tank (ST) is completed when it confirms that the internal pressure of the internal discharge pipe (P7) and the external discharge pipe (P8) is sequentially lowered to a preset minimum reference pressure or lower.
[0161] When the operation of transferring the refrigerant from the storage tank (ST) to the discharge tank (DT) is completed, the processing unit (110) can open the inlet solenoid valve (SV9) of the storage tank (ST) and close the outlet solenoid valve (SV10).
[0162] Additionally, the processing unit (110) can operate the vacuum pump (VP) with the recovery solenoid valve (SV1) (and / or the low-pressure side manifold valve (V1), high-pressure side manifold valve (V2), etc.) closed. Accordingly, a vacuum is formed in the path from the storage tank (ST) to the vacuum pump (VP), which includes the internal discharge pipe (P7) and the vacuum pump pipe (P3), and the storage tank (ST) can be formed into a vacuum state.
[0163] During the vacuum process, impurities (e.g., gas, fine particles, moisture, etc.) inside the storage tank (ST) can be discharged to the outside of the device (100) through a vacuum pump (VP) (or an air purge solenoid valve (SV7), etc.).
[0164] The processing unit (110) can terminate the embodiment of FIG. 9 by performing the operation of step 903.
[0165] At least some of the refrigerant discharge operation (step 901) and the vacuum treatment operation of the storage tank (ST) (step 903) described above may be performed at a preset time after the refrigerant is recovered (after step 301) and before the vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system (before step 401). However, not limited thereto, at least some of the refrigerant discharge operation (step 901) and the vacuum treatment operation of the storage tank (ST) (step 903) may be performed after the blended refrigerant is injected into the air conditioning system (after step 307).
[0166] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant treatment method and the apparatus have the effect of maximizing the performance of an air conditioning system by mixing the refrigerant according to the mixing ratio of the original mixed refrigerant before deterioration and injecting it into the air conditioning system when the composition or components of the recovered mixed refrigerant have deteriorated.
[0167] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant treatment method and the apparatus have the effect of maintaining refrigerant performance in an air conditioning system and preventing system malfunction caused by the deterioration of the quality of the mixed refrigerant by precisely adjusting the mixing ratio of material refrigerants mixed in a mixing container.
[0168] Although the embodiments described above have been explained with reference to limited drawings, those skilled in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the various embodiments.
[0169] For example, appropriate results can be achieved even if the described techniques are performed in a different order than described, or if the components of the described system, structure, system, circuit, etc. are combined or assembled in a form different from described, or are replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents.
[0170] Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims shall also be considered to fall within the scope of the claims set forth below. Explanation of the symbols
[0171] 100: Refrigerant treatment unit 110: Processing unit 120: Storage section 130: Communications Department 140: Refrigerant Treatment Unit 201: Refrigerant Recovery Unit 203: Air Conditioning System Vacuum Processing Unit 205: Refrigerant Blending Section 207: Refrigerant injection section ST: Storage tank DT: Discharge tank MC: Mixed container RP: Refrigerant pump DOA: Stabilization Chamber VP: Vacuum pump OS: Oil Separator CDS: Condenser M1: Compressor FM: Flow meter SC1: Low-voltage service coupling SC2: High-pressure side service coupling SC3: Discharge Service Coupling LSP: Low-pressure side piping HSP: High-pressure side piping H1: Recovery piping H2: Injection pipe H3: Vacuum pump piping H4: Mixing pipe H5: Storage tank steam piping H6: Purge piping H7: Internal exhaust pipe H8: External discharge pipe SG: Sight Glass V1: Low-pressure side manifold valve V2: High-pressure side manifold valve V3: Oil filler valve V4: Discharge manifold valve SV1: Recovery solenoid valve SV2: Vacuum pump solenoid valve SV3: Charging solenoid valve SV4: Compressor balancing solenoid valve SV6: Oil drain solenoid valve SV7: Air purge solenoid valve SV8: High / Low Pressure Solenoid Valve SV9: Inlet solenoid valve SV10: Outflow solenoid valve CV1: Check valve 1 CV2: Check valve 2 CV3: Check valve 3 LP: Low-pressure switch HP: High-pressure switch OP: Oil pressure switch G1: Low-pressure side pressure gauge G2: High-pressure side pressure gauge G3: Storage Tank Pressure Gauge G4: Discharge pressure gauge F1: Moisture filter MT: Material refrigerant tank RG: Controller 3-way valve
Claims
Claim 1 A refrigerant treatment method comprising: a step of storing a mixed refrigerant recovered from an air conditioning system in a storage tank; a step of obtaining material refrigerants and a mixing ratio for the original mixed refrigerant before deterioration of the mixed refrigerant recovered in the storage tank; a step of providing single refrigerants corresponding to the material refrigerants from at least one material refrigerant tank to a mixing container according to the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio of the original mixed refrigerant; and a step of injecting the mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system. Claim 2 A refrigerant treatment method according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of discharging the recovered mixed refrigerant from the storage tank to a discharge tank; and a step of forming a vacuum in the storage tank from which the mixed refrigerant has been discharged. Claim 3 A refrigerant treatment method according to paragraph 2, wherein the discharge step and the storage step generate a flow of the recovered mixed refrigerant using the same compressor. Claim 4 A refrigerant treatment method according to paragraph 3, wherein the storage step involves transferring the mixed refrigerant of the air conditioning system to the storage tank through the compressor and at least one pipe connected to the compressor, and the discharge step involves transferring the mixed refrigerant of the storage tank to the discharge tank through the compressor and at least one pipe connected to the compressor. Claim 5 A refrigerant treatment method according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring step comprises analyzing the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant flowing into or stored in the storage tank, identifying the initial mixed refrigerant based on the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant, and determining the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio for the initial mixed refrigerant. Claim 6 A refrigerant treatment method according to claim 5, which identifies the initial mixed refrigerant based on the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the storage tank. Claim 7 A refrigerant treatment method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing the above is to sequentially provide the single refrigerants to the mixing container in descending order of density, input amount, vaporization potential, and liquefaction potential. Claim 8 A refrigerant treatment method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of vacuuming the air conditioning system at a preset time after the storage step and before the injection step. Claim 9 A refrigerant treatment method according to claim 8, wherein, in a state where a vacuum is formed in the air conditioning system, the injection step involves injecting the blended mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system based on the pressure difference between the air conditioning system and the mixing container. Claim 10 A refrigerant treatment method according to claim 1, wherein the injection step involves injecting the blended mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system through at least one selected from the low-pressure line and the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system by the operation of a refrigerant pump disposed in an injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system. Claim 11 A refrigerant processing device comprising: a storage tank for storing a mixed refrigerant recovered from an air conditioning system; a mixing container for mixing the mixed refrigerant; at least one material refrigerant tank for supplying a single refrigerant to the mixing container; a refrigerant pump for supplying the mixed refrigerant mixed in the mixing container to the air conditioning system; and a processing unit for storing the mixed refrigerant from the air conditioning system in the storage tank, obtaining the material refrigerants and mixing ratios for the initial mixed refrigerant before deterioration of the mixed refrigerant recovered in the storage tank, providing single refrigerants corresponding to the material refrigerants from the at least one material refrigerant tank to the mixing container according to the material refrigerants and mixing ratios of the initial mixed refrigerant, and processing the mixed refrigerant to be injected into the air conditioning system through the refrigerant pump. Claim 12 A refrigerant treatment device according to claim 11, further comprising a discharge tank in which a refrigerant is stored; wherein the treatment unit discharges the recovered mixed refrigerant from the storage tank to the discharge tank and forms a vacuum in the storage tank from which the mixed refrigerant has been discharged. Claim 13 A refrigerant treatment device according to claim 12, comprising a compressor that generates a flow of refrigerant; wherein the treatment unit generates a flow of mixed refrigerant recovered from the air conditioning system and a flow of mixed refrigerant discharged to the discharge tank using the compressor. Claim 14 In claim 13, the processing unit transfers the mixed refrigerant of the air conditioning system to the storage tank through the compressor and at least one pipe connected to the compressor, and transfers the mixed refrigerant of the storage tank to the discharge tank through the compressor and at least one pipe connected to the compressor. Claim 15 A refrigerant treatment device according to claim 11, wherein the processing unit analyzes the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant flowing into or stored in the storage tank, identifies the initial mixed refrigerant based on the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant, and determines the material refrigerants and the mixing ratio for the initial mixed refrigerant. Claim 16 In paragraph 15, the processing unit is a refrigerant processing device that identifies the initial mixed refrigerant based on the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the storage tank. Claim 17 A refrigerant processing device according to claim 11, wherein the processing unit sequentially supplies the single refrigerants to the mixing container in descending order of density, input amount, vaporization potential, and liquefaction potential. Claim 18 In claim 11, the processing unit vacuums the air conditioning system at a preset time before injecting the blended mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system after storing the recovered mixed refrigerant in the storage tank. Claim 19 A refrigerant treatment device according to claim 18, wherein, when a vacuum is formed in the air conditioning system, the treatment unit injects the blended mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system based on the pressure difference between the air conditioning system and the mixing container. Claim 20 A refrigerant processing device according to claim 11, wherein the processing unit operates the refrigerant pump disposed in the injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system to inject the blended mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system through at least one selected of the low-pressure line and the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system.