Cooling device and cooling method

Abstract

The present invention provides a cooling device that can refrigerate food and stably maintain high humidity regardless of region, date, or time. The cooling device (1) comprises: a heat exchanger (30) that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerator (40) and air circulating in a refrigerator; and an adjustment unit (50) that maintains a state in which moisture is attached to heat transfer units (31A, 32A) of the heat exchanger (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device and a cooling method, and in particular to a cooling device and a cooling method for cooling food at high humidity. Background Art

[0002] Conventional refrigerated storage facilities that utilize snow to store fresh vegetables and other products while maintaining their freshness are known in snowy areas. In such refrigerated storage facilities, vegetables and other products are stored, and the snow cools the air inside. This cold air then circulates naturally, cooling the vegetables and other products. Dissolved water is also used to humidify the interior of the refrigerated storage facility, maintaining a high humidity level.

[0003] However, if the snow melts and disappears, refrigerated storage becomes impossible. In other words, the above-mentioned refrigerated storage has the problem of being usable only in a limited area and at a limited time.

[0004] Therefore, as a means to solve this problem, refrigerated storages equipped with refrigerators and humidifiers have been put into practical use. The refrigerator is composed of, for example, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The humidifier is not particularly limited, and an example is a water spray humidifier.

[0005] In such a cold storage, vegetables etc. are stored in the cold storage, and the air in the cold storage is cooled by the refrigerant of the refrigerator, and the cold air is forced to circulate by the fan to cool the vegetables etc. At this time, the humidifier sprays water to maintain high humidity in the cold storage. Summary of the Invention

[0006] (Problems to be solved by the invention)

[0007] However, in a cold storage equipped with a refrigerator and a humidifier, since the refrigerator is used for dehumidification and the humidifier is used for humidification, there is a possibility of over-humidification and under-humidification, and high humidity cannot be maintained stably. In addition, the mist droplets discharged from the humidifier fall into the air and come into contact with vegetables, etc., which may cause corrosion and mold.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device and a cooling method that can refrigerate food while stably maintaining high humidity regardless of region, date, or time.

[0009] (Technical solutions to solve problems)

[0010] The cooling device of the present invention, which achieves the above-mentioned object, is a cooling device for cooling food in a storage container at high humidity. The cooling device comprises a heat exchange unit for exchanging heat between a medium circulating in the cooling device and air circulating in the storage container, and a conditioning unit for maintaining moisture attached to the heat transfer portion of the heat exchange unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the cooling method of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object is a cooling method for cooling food in a storage container at high humidity. The air is circulated through the heat exchange portion while being adjusted so that moisture is maintained adhering to a heat transfer portion of the heat exchange portion that exchanges heat between a medium circulating in a cooling device and air circulating in the storage container.

[0012] (Effects of the Invention)

[0013] According to the above-described cooling device and cooling method, while moisture adheres to the heat transfer portion of the heat exchanger, air circulates through the heat exchanger, thereby generating water vapor that is cooled while maintaining high humidity. This generated water vapor, which is cooled while maintaining high humidity, is then used to cool food at high humidity. This allows food to be refrigerated while maintaining stable high humidity regardless of location or time of day. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing a cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing a cooling device of a comparative example including a refrigerator and a humidifier.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a graph showing temporal changes in humidity within a storage compartment when a comparative cooling device including a refrigerator and a humidifier is used.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing a cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a heat exchange portion according to a second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram showing a cooling device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] <First embodiment>

[0021] Reference Figures 1 to 3The first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are marked with the same reference numerals and repeated descriptions are omitted. For the sake of convenience, the dimensional ratios of the drawings are exaggerated and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0022] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing a cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cooling device 800 according to a comparative example including a refrigerator 810 and a humidifier 820 . Figure 3 Graph showing temporal changes in humidity within a storage unit when a cooling device 800 of a comparative example including a refrigerator 810 and a humidifier 820 is used.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the cooling device 1 of the first embodiment includes a generating unit 10 and a housing 80. The cooling device of the embodiment of the present invention can be installed in a permanent cold storage or a truck for logistics.

[0024] The generating unit 10 generates water vapor which is cooled while maintaining high humidity by bringing the moisture adhering to the heat transfer units 31A and 32A of the heat exchange unit 30 into contact with the air flowing into the generating unit 10. Figure 1 As shown, the generating unit 10 includes a fan 20, a heat exchange unit 30, a refrigerator 40, an adjustment unit 50, and a housing 60. The fan 20 and the heat exchange unit 30 are covered by a housing 80. The housing 80 is composed of a heat insulating wall.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the fan 20 is provided above the heat exchange portion 30. The fan 20 draws in the air that has been cooled with high humidity for the food and blows it toward the heat exchange portion 30. That is, the fan 20 draws in the air that has been cooled with high humidity for the food from above and blows it downward (see FIG. Figure 1 Here, high humidity cooling refers to cooling under a humidity of 80% or more.

[0026] The heat exchange unit 30 exchanges heat between the refrigerant (equivalent to the medium) cooled by the cooling devices 1 and 2 and the air circulating in the storage, and cools the air flowing through the heat exchange unit 30. Figure 1 As shown, the heat exchange portion 30 includes a heat exchanger 31 and a non-woven fabric filter 32 .

[0027] In the first embodiment, the heat exchanger 31 is a fin-coil type. To increase the heat transfer coefficient of the heat exchanger 31, it is preferable to reduce the diameter of the fin coils and increase the number of rows and layers of fin coils to reduce the fin pitch. It should be noted that the diameter of the fin coils, the number of rows and layers of fin coils, and the fin pitch are not particularly limited.

[0028] The surface of the fin coil heat exchanger 31 serves as a heat transfer portion 31A that transfers the coolant's heat to the air. The heat transfer portion 31A of the heat exchanger 31 is maintained in a state where the air and moisture contained in the food adhere to each other by the adjustment portion 50 .

[0029] The nonwoven filter 32 is provided to extend the distance of air movement. Furthermore, the surface of the nonwoven filter 32 forms a heat transfer portion 32A that transfers the refrigerant's heat to the air. Heat transfer portion 32A of the nonwoven filter 32 maintains the air and moisture contained in the food in an adhered state through a conditioning unit 50.

[0030] The cooling device 1 is called "indirect expansion cooling method (indirect expansion type)". The refrigerator 40 cools the refrigerant, exchanges heat with the cold and hot medium (brine or CO2), uses a pump to transfer the cooled cold and hot medium, and uses the heat exchanger 31 to cool the air.

[0031] The adjustment unit 50 maintains moisture contained in the air and food adhering to the heat transfer section 31A of the heat exchanger 31 and the heat transfer section 32A of the non-woven fabric filter 32. Specifically, the adjustment unit 50 adjusts the inlet temperature T1 of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerator 40 entering the heat exchange section 30 and the rotational speed of the fan 20 to maintain moisture contained in the air and food adhering to the heat transfer section 31A of the heat exchanger 31 and the heat transfer section 32A of the non-woven fabric filter 32. Furthermore, the adjustment unit 50 instructs the valve to switch the refrigerant in the same direction or in the opposite direction to the air flow, thereby circulating the refrigerant. The adjustment unit 50 is a CPU.

[0032] The adjustment unit 50 adjusts the inlet temperature T1 of the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerator 40 upon entering the heat exchange unit 30 so as to minimize the temperature difference (ΔTm) between the temperature T2 (coil surface temperature) of the heat transfer portion 31A of the heat exchanger 31 and the temperature T3 of the intake air. For example, if the temperature T3 of the air entering the fan 20 is 2°C and the temperature T4 of the air blown out of the fan 20 through the heat exchange unit 30 is 0.5°C, the adjustment unit 50 adjusts the inlet temperature T1 of the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerator 40 upon entering the heat exchange unit 30 to -0.5°C.

[0033] In this way, the adjustment unit 50 can appropriately suppress the dehumidification accompanying cooling when passing through the heat exchange unit 30 by reducing the temperature difference (ΔTm) between the temperature T2 of the heat transfer unit 31A of the heat exchanger 31 (the surface temperature of the coil) and the temperature T3 of the inhaled air, thereby maintaining high humidity.

[0034] In addition, the adjustment unit 50 preferably maintains the heat transfer parts 31A and 32A of the heat exchange part 30 in a state where moisture does not freeze and is attached. By maintaining the state where moisture is attached, the heat transfer coefficient of the heat transfer parts 31A and 32A of the heat exchange part 30 can be set to a predetermined value (for example, 30 W / (m 2 ·K)) or more, the air can be cooled appropriately.

[0035] Here, for example, Figure 2 As shown, in the case of a cooling device 800 having a refrigerator 810 and a humidifier 820, dehumidification is performed by the refrigerator 810, and humidification is performed by the humidifier 820, so as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, humidity is uneven, making it impossible to maintain a stable high humidity. As a result, vegetables, for example, may shrink due to drying out or develop mold due to condensation. Furthermore, when mist is sprayed from humidifier 820, fog may form inside the storage, potentially impairing visibility. Furthermore, the mist sprayed from humidifier 820 may cause frost to form on refrigerator 810, preventing the refrigerator from cooling during the defrosting period to defrost the resulting frost.

[0036] In contrast, the cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment reduces ΔTm, appropriately suppressing dehumidification during cooling and maintaining high humidity. Furthermore, the cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment utilizes moisture contained in food and air rather than spraying mist, thereby preventing a decrease in visibility. Furthermore, the cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment utilizes moisture contained in air and food rather than spraying mist, thereby reducing the likelihood of frost formation.

[0037] Furthermore, when the surface of the fin-coil heat exchanger 31 is wetted using the sprinkler disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-45878, the sprinkler is incorporated into the equipment, making the cooling device as a whole larger. In addition, water needs to be introduced from the outside, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

[0038] In contrast, the cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment does not require a sprinkler, but instead utilizes moisture contained in air and food to wet the heat transfer portion 31A of the fin-coil heat exchanger 31. Therefore, a sprinkler is unnecessary, simplifying the equipment.

[0039] The adjustment unit 50 adjusts the rotational speed of the fan 20 to adjust the air velocity entering the heat exchanger 31 so as to prevent moisture adhering to the heat transfer portion 31A of the fin-coil heat exchanger 31 from evaporating and maintain a moist state. The air velocity entering the heat exchanger 31 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2.5 m / s or less, for example. By setting the air velocity to 2.5 m / s or less, the heat transfer portion 31A of the heat exchanger 31 can be properly maintained in a moist state.

[0040] Next, refer to Figure 1 , a cooling method of the cooling device 1 of the first embodiment will be described as Example 1. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the adjustment unit 50 adjusts the inlet temperature T1 of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerator 40 into the heat exchange unit 30 to -0.5° C. so that the heat transfer parts 31A and 32A of the heat exchange unit 30 will not freeze.

[0042] In this state, the adjustment unit 50 circulates the refrigerant in the direction that matches the air flow direction (from top to bottom).

[0043] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 50 adjusts the rotation speed of the fan 20 so that the front wind speed of the air entering the heat exchanger 31 is 2.5 m / s or less.

[0044] In this state, air is circulated within casing 80. For example, air drawn into outer shell 60 at a temperature T3 of 2°C is cooled in heat exchange section 30 while maintaining a high humidity. As a result, it is blown out of casing 60 as water vapor at a temperature T4 of 0°C and a humidity of 100%. Furthermore, vegetables and the like arranged within casing 80 are cooled at high humidity. When the water vapor used for high-humidity cooling returns to casing 60, for example, its temperature T4 is 0.5°C, its T3 is 2°C, and its humidity is 92%.

[0045] Next, refer to Figure 1 , a cooling method of the cooling device 1 of the first embodiment will be described as Example 2. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, the adjustment unit 50 adjusts the inlet temperature T1 of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerator 40 into the heat exchange unit 30 to -0.3° C. so that the heat transfer parts 31A and 32A of the heat exchange unit 30 will not freeze.

[0047] In this state, the adjustment unit 50 circulates the refrigerant in the direction opposite to the direction of air flow (from top to bottom). In other words, the refrigerant circulates in the reverse direction relative to the direction of air flow.

[0048] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 50 adjusts the rotation speed of the fan 20 so that the front wind speed of the air entering the heat exchanger 31 is 2.5 m / s or less.

[0049] In this state, air is circulated within casing 80. For example, air drawn into outer shell 60 at a temperature T3 of 2°C is cooled in heat exchange section 30 while maintaining a high humidity. As a result, it is blown out of casing 60 as water vapor at a temperature T4 of 0°C and a humidity of 100%. Furthermore, high-humidity cooling is performed on vegetables and the like placed within casing 80. When the water vapor used for high-humidity cooling returns to casing 60, its temperature T3 is, for example, 2°C and its humidity is 92%.

[0050] As described above, the cooling device 1 of the first embodiment is a cooling device 1 that cools food in a storage container at high humidity. The cooling device 1 includes a heat exchange unit 30 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant circulating in the cooling device 1 and the air circulating in the storage container, and an adjustment unit 50 that maintains moisture attached to the heat transfer units 31A and 32A of the heat exchange unit 30. By circulating air through the heat exchange unit 30, water vapor is generated that is cooled while maintaining high humidity. The cooling device 1 thus configured can refrigerate food while stably maintaining high humidity, regardless of region or time of day.

[0051] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 50 maintains moisture contained in the air and food attached to the heat transfer units 31A and 32A. The cooling device 1 thus configured can maintain moisture attached to the heat transfer units 31A and 32A of the heat exchange unit 30 without using a sprinkler, thereby simplifying the equipment.

[0052] The cooling device 1 also includes a fan 20 that draws in air from the storage chamber, where the food has been cooled at a high humidity, and sends it to the heat exchange section 30. The fan 20, the heat exchange section 30, and an outlet for the water vapor cooled while maintaining a high humidity are arranged in sequence from the air intake. With this configuration of the cooling device 1, since the heat generated by the fan is removed by the heat exchange section, the air cooled while maintaining a high humidity can be circulated more appropriately. It should be noted that the outlet for the water vapor cooled while maintaining a high humidity can be blown out from either the top or the bottom.

[0053] In addition, the direction of the flow of the cooled air while maintaining high humidity is the same as the direction in which the refrigerant flows. According to this structure, freezing is less likely to occur, so the air can be cooled preferably.

[0054] Moreover, the heat exchange part 30 has the heat exchanger 31 and the nonwoven fabric filter 32. According to this structure, since the nonwoven fabric filter 32 is provided, the humidity of air can be made high more appropriately.

[0055] As described above, the cooling method of the first embodiment is a method for cooling food within a refrigerator at high humidity. The heat transfer sections 31A and 32A of the heat exchanger 30, which exchanges heat between the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerator 40 and the air circulating within the refrigerator, are adjusted so that the air remains moist. This air is then circulated through the heat exchanger 30, generating water vapor that is cooled while maintaining high humidity. This cooling method allows food to be refrigerated while maintaining a stable high humidity, regardless of location or time of day.

[0056] <Second embodiment>

[0057] Next, refer to Figure 4 、 Figure 5 The second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Components identical to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing a cooling device 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the heat exchange unit 130 of the second embodiment. The cooling device 2 of the second embodiment differs from the cooling device 1 of the first embodiment in the arrangement direction of the heat exchange unit and the like.

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the cooling device 2 according to the second embodiment includes a generating unit 110 and a housing 80. Hereinafter, each structure will be described.

[0059] The generating unit 110 generates water vapor which is cooled while maintaining high humidity by bringing the moisture attached to the heat exchange unit 130 into contact with the air flowing into the generating unit 110. Figure 4 As shown, the generator 110 includes a fan 20, a pre-filter 70, a heat exchanger 130, a condensing unit 140, a regulator 50, and a housing 60. The fan 20, the pre-filter 70, and the heat exchanger 130 are covered by a housing 80.

[0060] like Figure 4 As shown, the fan 20 is provided on the left side (the air inlet side) of the heat exchange unit 130. The fan 20 draws in the air after the food has been cooled with high humidity and blows it toward the pre-filter 70 and the heat exchange unit 130. That is, the fan 20 draws the air after the food has been cooled with high humidity from the pre-filter 70 to the heat exchange unit 130. Figure 4 Intake air from the upper left and send it to the upper right (refer to Figure 4 In this way, by configuring the wind to be transported in the horizontal direction, water 130 can be appropriately stored in the heat exchange portion.

[0061] The condensing unit 140 includes a compressor and a condenser. The cooling device 2 of the second embodiment is called a "direct expansion cooling system (DX)" and directly cools the air by expanding the refrigerant near the space to be cooled to exchange heat via refrigerant piping.

[0062] The prefilter 70 is disposed between the fan 20 and the heat exchange unit 130. The prefilter 70 collects dust and straightens the air flowing through the housing 60. As the prefilter 70, for example, a filter similar to the nonwoven fabric filter described in the first embodiment can be used.

[0063] The heat exchanger 130 exchanges heat between the refrigerant cooled by the condensing unit 140 and the air circulating in the storage, thereby cooling the air flowing through the heat exchanger 130. The heat exchanger 130 of the cooling device 2 of the second embodiment is a microchannel heat exchanger. Figure 5 The structure of the heat exchange unit 130 will be described. Figure 5 This is a diagram when the heat exchange unit 130 is viewed from the pre-filter 70 side.

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown, the heat exchange unit 130 includes: two refrigerant headers 131 and 132; a plurality of heat transfer tubes 133 connecting the refrigerant headers 131 and 132 and arranged in the vertical direction; and fins 134 arranged between the heat transfer tubes 133 in a manner that contacts the heat transfer tubes 133.

[0065] Air is blown from the back side of the heat exchange unit 130 by the fan 20 ( Figure 4 Left side) to the front side ( Figure 4 Air is blown in the direction of the heat exchanger 133 (right side of the heat exchanger 133) and flows between the fins 134. On the other hand, the refrigerant flowing in the condensing unit 140 flows into the refrigerant header 131 serving as the refrigerant inlet side, flows through the refrigerant flow path formed inside the heat transfer tube 133, and flows to the refrigerant header 132 serving as the refrigerant outlet side.

[0066] The refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path exchanges heat with the air via the heat transfer tubes 133 and the fins 134 .

[0067] The surfaces of fins 134 serve as heat transfer units that transfer the heat of the refrigerant to the air. The surfaces of fins 134 maintain the state of adhesion between air and moisture contained in food by adjusting units 50. Fins 134 are arranged in the horizontal direction.

[0068] With this configuration of heat exchanger 130, condensation forms on the horizontally arranged fins 134 due to the dew point difference between the temperature of the fins 134 during heat transfer from the refrigerant and the temperature of the air they contact. The narrow spacing between fins 134 creates surface tension, which causes condensation to adhere to and remain on the fins 134. Consequently, the air blown out of heat exchanger 130 maintains a high humidity. Furthermore, if the wind speed is too high while passing through heat exchanger 130, condensation will scatter. Therefore, it is preferable to appropriately control the rotation speed of fan 20.

[0069] like Figure 4 As shown, the generating unit 110 has: a first path 210 through which the refrigerant circulates from the compressor and the condenser toward the heat exchange unit 130; a second path 220 through which the refrigerant circulates from the heat exchange unit 130 toward the compressor; and a third path 230 that connects the compressor (discharge side) and the second path 220 and supplies the warm heat generated by the compressor to the second path 220.

[0070] An expansion valve 240 is provided in the first path 210. The expansion valve 240 reduces the temperature of the refrigerant by expanding the refrigerant that is compressed by the compressor and gasified, liquefied in the condenser, and flows into the expansion valve 240.

[0071] A first regulating valve 250 is provided in the second path 220. The first regulating valve 250 regulates the pressure in the second path 220 and the temperature of the refrigerant circulating in the second path 220. The first regulating valve 250 regulates the pressure in the second path 220 so that the evaporation pressure of the refrigerant in the evaporator is within a certain range, thereby adjusting the saturation temperature of the refrigerant circulating in the second path 220.

[0072] A second regulating valve 260 is provided in third path 230. Second regulating valve 260 adjusts the amount of warm heat supplied to second path 220. This allows the refrigerant gas in second path 220 to be supplied with a desired amount of warm heat from the refrigerant that has passed through the third path, been compressed by the compressor, and vaporized. This allows the superheat of the refrigerant gas circulating in second path 220 to be controlled, improving cooling performance.

[0073] Next, refer to Figure 4 The cooling method of the cooling device 2 of the second embodiment will be described as an example. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0074] The adjustment unit 50 adjusts the rotation speed of the fan 20 so that the front wind speed of the air entering the pre-filter 70 is 1.5 to 2.5 m / s or less. At this time, the internal circulation air volume in the housing 80 is 20 to 40 m / s. 3 / min / kw.

[0075] The adjustment unit 50 adjusts the opening of the expansion valve 240 within a range of 5 to 95%. Furthermore, with the temperature inside the storage tank at 0°C and the humidity at 90% or higher, the adjustment unit 50 adjusts the refrigerant's evaporation temperature to -1.0 to -0.2°C. For example, if R410 is used as the refrigerant, the pressure adjustment of the first adjustment valve 250 is adjusted within a range of 6.7 to 6.9 bar. Furthermore, the adjustment unit 50 adjusts the amount of heat in the second adjustment valve 260.

[0076] In this state, air circulates within casing 80, with the air drawn into housing 60 first undergoing dust collection and air rectification in pre-filter 70. Furthermore, the air drawn into housing 60, for example, at a temperature T3 of 1°C, is cooled in heat exchanger 130 while maintaining a high humidity. This air is then blown out of housing 60 as water vapor at a temperature T4 of 0°C and a humidity of 90% or higher. This high-humidity cooling is then applied to vegetables and the like placed within casing 80.

[0077] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

[0078] For example, the heat exchange unit may further include a heater. In this case, in winter (negative temperature range) in cold regions such as Hokkaido, the intake air can be heated so that the temperature inside the storage becomes a predetermined temperature (for example, 0°C).

[0079] In addition, in the second embodiment described above, one microchannel heat exchanger is provided. Figure 6 As shown, two or more microchannel heat exchangers may be provided along the air flow direction. According to this structure, compared with a structure in which only one microchannel heat exchanger is provided, an increase in the volume of the entire device can be suppressed and the cooling capacity can be improved.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the heat exchange portion 30 includes the heat exchanger 31 and the nonwoven fabric filter 32 . However, the heat exchange portion may be configured only with the heat exchanger 31 without the nonwoven fabric filter 32 .

[0081] In the first embodiment described above, an indirect expansion type is employed as the cooling device 1 , but a direct expansion type may also be employed.

[0082] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, a direct expansion type is employed as the cooling device 2 , but an indirect expansion type may also be employed.

[0083] (Description of labels)

[0084] 1.2 Cooling device,

[0085] 10, 110 production department,

[0086] 20 fans,

[0087] 30, 130 heat exchange unit,

[0088] 31, 131 heat exchanger,

[0089] 31A heat transfer unit,

[0090] 32 non-woven filter,

[0091] 32A heat transfer unit,

[0092] 40 Refrigeration Machine,

[0093] 50 Adjustment Department,

[0094] 210 First Path,

[0095] 220 Second Path,

[0096] 230 The Third Path,

[0097] 240 expansion valve,

[0098] 250 First regulating valve,

[0099] 260 Second regulating valve.

Claims

1. A cooling device that cools food in a storage room at high humidity. The cooling device comprises: a heat exchange unit for performing heat exchange between a medium circulating in the cooling device and air circulating in the storage, the heat exchange unit including a heat exchanger; a fan that draws the air in the storage after the food has been cooled at a high humidity and sends the air toward the heat exchange portion; and The adjustment unit adjusts the rotation speed of the fan without using a sprinkler device to maintain the state in which moisture is attached to the heat transfer portion of the heat exchanger and minimize the temperature difference between the heat transfer portion of the heat exchanger and the temperature of the sucked air.

2. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein: The adjustment portion maintains a state in which the air and moisture contained in the food adhere to the heat transfer portion.

3. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The fan, the heat exchange portion, and an outlet for the air after heat exchange in the heat exchange portion are arranged in order from the side from which the air is sucked in the horizontal direction.

4. The cooling device according to claim 3, wherein: The cooling device further includes a pre-filter that collects dust in the air and straightens the air between the fan and the heat exchange portion.

5. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The heat exchange part is a microchannel heat exchanger.

6. The cooling device according to claim 5, wherein: The cooling device also has: A first path for the medium to circulate through the compressor and the condenser toward the microchannel heat exchanger; a second path for the medium to circulate from the microchannel heat exchanger toward the compressor; a third path connecting the compressor and the second path to supply heat generated by the compressor to the second path; an expansion valve, disposed on the first path, for expanding the medium flowing out of the condenser; a first regulating valve, disposed in the second path, for regulating the pressure in the second path; as well as The second regulating valve is provided in the third path and regulates the amount of the warm heat supplied to the second path.

7. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The fan, the heat exchange portion, and an outlet for the air that has undergone heat exchange in the heat exchange portion are arranged in this order from the upper side in the vertical direction.

8. The cooling device according to claim 7, wherein: The heat exchange portion includes a heat exchanger and a nonwoven fabric filter.

9. The cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The direction in which the air that exchanges heat in the heat exchange portion flows is the same as the direction in which the medium circulates.

10. A cooling method is a method for cooling food in a storage at high humidity. The air is circulated in the heat exchange part in a state adjusted to maintain moisture attached to the heat transfer part of the heat exchange part that exchanges heat between the medium circulating in the cooling device and the air circulating in the storage by adjusting the fan speed without using a sprinkler device and minimizing the temperature difference between the temperature of the heat transfer part of the heat exchanger and the temperature of the inhaled air. The heat exchange part has the heat exchanger.

Images