Apparatus for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system and a refrigeration or heat pump system

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system. The apparatus includes an outer casing comprising a longitudinally cylindrical shell (2) and end plates (3a, 3b) disposed at both ends of the shell, and at least three units of a refrigeration or heat pump system disposed inside the same common outer casing, the units being selected from a collection of an evaporator, a superheater, an economizer, a condenser, a desuperheater, a subcooler, and an oil cooler.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system according to the independent claims, and to a refrigeration or heat pump system. Background Technology

[0002] In short, a typical refrigeration system consists of a compressor that delivers compressed refrigerant to a condenser. The refrigerant travels from the condenser through an expansion device to an evaporator, and then returns from the evaporator to the compressor. These types of vapor compression refrigeration systems are closed systems in which the refrigerant circulates and undergoes a phase change. The circulating refrigerant is compressed to a higher pressure, which also results in a higher temperature. The hot, compressed refrigerant gas then condenses at the temperature and pressure at which its available cooling medium (such as cooling water or cooling air) would condense. This is one stage in a vapor compression refrigeration system where the circulating refrigerant dissipates heat from the system, and the dissipated heat is carried away.

[0003] The above provides a brief understanding of the basic concepts of refrigeration systems. Of course, refrigeration systems are used in combination with many construction variations and optional devices and features. For example, an enhancement technique called an economizer cycle has been used in refrigeration systems. The economizer loop increases the capacity and efficiency of the refrigeration system. Superheaters are also often used in conjunction with evaporators. Refrigeration systems may also include desuperheaters and subcoolers to improve refrigerant condensation. Furthermore, since the compressor requires oil to function properly, the system typically includes an oil separator and an oil cooler.

[0004] Heat pump systems include the same main components as refrigeration systems and therefore employ the same vapor compression cycle as refrigeration systems but in the opposite direction.

[0005] Typically, all components of a refrigeration or heat pump system are separately positioned as their own devices. These types of systems are generally complex. Therefore, the space required for a refrigeration or heat pump system, both in terms of area and height, is significant. The separate positioning of the refrigeration or heat pump units also requires piping for circulating refrigerant from one unit to another, which further increases the space required for this arrangement. Therefore, there is a need for a simpler and more cost-effective heat exchanger structure in which two or more units of a refrigeration or heat pump system are combined in a common unit.

[0006] Patent publication WO2013 / 150175 discloses an apparatus that includes an evaporator and a condenser inside an outer casing, such that the evaporator and condenser are separated from each other by a partition wall. Summary of the Invention

[0007] One object of the present invention is to reduce or even eliminate the problems mentioned above in the prior art.

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system, particularly in a vapor compression cycle, which combines three or more units of the refrigeration or heat pump system into a common unit, and thus makes it possible to reduce the size of the refrigeration or heat pump system and simplify installation.

[0009] One object of the present invention is particularly to provide a compact device for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system that reduces the number of separate devices in the system.

[0010] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for use in refrigeration or heat pump systems that can be easily manufactured using a portion of a standard-sized heat exchanger.

[0011] To achieve, in particular, the objectives presented above, the invention is characterized by the content presented in the characterizing portion of the appended independent claims. The other dependent claims present some preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0012] Typical devices according to the invention for use in refrigeration or heat pump systems include

[0013] - The outer casing, comprising a longitudinally cylindrical shell and end plates arranged at both ends of the shell, and

[0014] - At least three units of a refrigeration or heat pump system arranged inside the same common outer casing, the units being selected from a combination of evaporator, superheater, economizer, condenser, desuperheater, subcooler, oil cooler, and storage tank.

[0015] The device includes

[0016] (i) At least a first plate group and a second plate group, having their own inlet and outlet connections, and arranged adjacent to each other inside a common outer casing to form the first and second units of the system, and further, a third unit of the system is formed to the first plate group and / or the second plate group by arranging baffles inside the flow passages of the plate groups, or

[0017] (ii) Two separate portions of the outer casing, formed by arranging a first partition wall between the portions inside the outer casing, wherein the first portion of the outer casing comprises at least two units of the system, the units of said portion being formed by the following

[0018] - At least a first plate group and a second plate group are arranged adjacent to each other inside the portion of the outer casing to form a first unit and a second unit of the system, wherein the plate groups have their own inlet and outlet connections, or

[0019] - At least one plate assembly is arranged inside the portion of the outer casing, wherein at least one baffle is arranged inside the flow path of the plate assembly for forming at least two units of the system to the plate assembly inside the portion of the outer casing.

[0020] And the second part of the outer casing includes at least one unit of the system, or

[0021] (iii) The outer casing has at least three separate parts, which are formed by arranging a first partition wall and a second partition wall between the parts inside the outer casing, and each of the parts includes at least one unit of the system.

[0022] Especially in vapor compression-based systems where the circulating refrigerant undergoes a phase change during circulation, the device of the present invention can be used as a component of a refrigeration or heat pump system. A typical refrigeration or heat pump system according to the present invention includes the device according to the present invention.

[0023] This invention is based on a compact structure for use in refrigeration or heat pump systems. The device according to the invention comprises at least three units of a refrigeration or heat pump system within the same common housing. These units are selected from an assembly consisting of an evaporator, superheater, economizer, condenser, desuperheater, subcooler, oil cooler, and reservoir. Each unit of the refrigeration system selected from the assembly of evaporator, superheater, economizer, condenser, desuperheater, subcooler, and oil cooler comprises stacked heat exchange plates (i.e., plate assemblies). The invention provides a structure in which the units can be arranged within the same common housing and provides a compact structure. The device according to the invention requires less space and less piping to circulate refrigerant from one unit to another. The device according to the invention is also easily assembled into a refrigeration or heat pump system.

[0024] When different units of a refrigeration or heat pump system are based on the use of the same type of plate assembly, they can be easily arranged adjacent to each other inside the same common outer casing, or a plate assembly can be divided into different functional units of the system. More units can be arranged inside the same outer casing by dividing the inner side of the casing into two, three, or more separate sections, each section potentially comprising one, two, or more units of the refrigeration or heat pump system. Units of the refrigeration or heat pump system can be arranged adjacent to each other in the same stacked heat exchange plates, and typically adjacent units are selected according to the flow sequence within the refrigeration or heat pump system, or based on the temperature variations required by the heat exchangers of said units.

[0025] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes at least three units selected from an evaporator, a superheater, an economizer, a condenser, a desuperheater, a subcooler, and an oil cooler, and said units of a refrigeration or heat pump system are arranged in adjacent first and second plate groups arranged inside a cylindrical outer casing. The adjacent plate groups have their own inlet and outlet connections, i.e., they have their own group-side circulation. A third unit of the system is formed to the first and / or second plate groups by arranging a baffle inside a flow path of said plate groups, for forming the third unit to the same plate groups. The apparatus according to this embodiment provides a simple and compact structure in which adjacent plate groups providing certain units of a refrigeration or heat pump system are arranged inside the same common outer casing.

[0026] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes at least three units selected from an evaporator, a superheater, an economizer, a condenser, a desuperheater, a subcooler, an oil cooler, and a storage tank. The units of the refrigeration or heat pump system are arranged in two separate portions of an outer casing, which are formed by arranging a partition wall between the portions on the inner side of the outer casing. Thus, the partition wall horizontally divides the inner side of the outer casing into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the outer casing includes at least two units of the refrigeration or heat pump system, wherein the portion includes at least two units of the system, and the units of the portion are formed by the following...

[0027] - At least a first plate group and a second plate group are arranged adjacent to each other inside the portion of the outer casing to form a first unit and a second unit of the system, wherein the plate groups have their own inlet and outlet connections, or

[0028] - At least one plate assembly is arranged inside the portion of the outer casing, wherein at least one baffle is arranged inside the flow path of the plate assembly for forming at least two units of the system to the plate assembly inside the portion of the outer casing.

[0029] Furthermore, the second part of the outer casing includes at least one unit of the system.

[0030] In a second embodiment of the invention, the second part of the outer casing includes at least one unit of a refrigeration or heat pump system. The first part of the outer casing may include two or more units of a refrigeration or heat pump system, which are formed by two or more adjacent plate groups and / or baffles arranged inside the flow channels of the plate groups.

[0031] According to a third embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes at least three units selected from an assembly consisting of an evaporator, a superheater, an economizer, a condenser, a desuperheater, a subcooler, an oil cooler, and a storage tank. The units of the refrigeration or heat pump system are arranged in at least three separate portions of an outer casing, each portion being formed by arranging a first partition wall and a second partition wall between portions inside the outer casing. Thus, the partition walls horizontally divide the inner side of the outer casing into a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. Each portion includes at least one unit of the system.

[0032] In one embodiment, the device may include three or more partition walls, wherein the device includes four or more separate sections of the outer casing.

[0033] The unit of the device according to the invention, selected from an assembly of evaporators, superheaters, economizers, condensers, desuperheaters, subcoolers, and oil coolers, is constructed using welded plates and shell-type heat exchangers. The use of standard-sized heat exchange plates and a common outer casing provides a cost-effective way to produce vapor compression-based refrigeration or heat pump systems.

[0034] The device according to the invention is typically used in large-scale refrigeration or heat pump systems. The device according to the invention can be part of an industrial-scale refrigeration or heat pump system. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which...

[0036] Figure 1 A cross-section of a device according to a first embodiment of the present invention for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system is shown.

[0037] Figure 2 The diagram shows the connection to the liquid refrigerant container according to the application. Figure 1 The device,

[0038] Figure 3 A cross-section of a device according to a second embodiment of the present invention for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system is shown.

[0039] Figure 4 A cross-section of a device according to a third embodiment of the present invention for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system is shown, and...

[0040] Figure 5 A cross-section of another device according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system. Detailed Implementation

[0041] In the device according to the invention, at least three units of a refrigeration or heat pump system are arranged inside the same common outer casing. The at least three units of the refrigeration or heat pump system are selected from a collection consisting of an evaporator, superheater, economizer, condenser, desuperheater, subcooler, oil cooler, and reservoir. In embodiments of the invention, the at least three units of the refrigeration or heat pump system are selected from a collection consisting of an evaporator, superheater, economizer, condenser, desuperheater, subcooler, and oil cooler, and the device may further include at least one reservoir; that is, the at least three units of the refrigeration or heat pump system are selected from a collection consisting of an evaporator, superheater, economizer, condenser, desuperheater, subcooler, oil cooler, and optionally a reservoir. A unit refers to a device of the refrigeration or heat pump system. A unit selected from a collection consisting of an evaporator, superheater, economizer, condenser, desuperheater, subcooler, and oil cooler comprises stacked plate heat exchange plates. Typically, these units of the device according to the invention are based on plate and shell type heat exchangers. Alternatively, a unit may be a reservoir. A reservoir refers to a space, also known as a container or chamber, for holding liquids or gases. Typically, a reservoir is a space with wall circulation and has inlet and / or outlet connections. In embodiments of the invention, the reservoir may be a space with an outer casing or an outer casing and a partition wall circulation. It may be, for example, a reservoir for oil or refrigerant. The refrigeration or heat pump system according to the invention refers to all types of refrigeration or heat pump systems comprising at least three units selected from an evaporator, superheater, economizer, condenser, desuperheater, subcooler, oil cooler, and reservoir. An apparatus according to the invention may be part of a refrigeration or heat pump system. A refrigeration or heat pump system includes at least one apparatus according to the invention.

[0042] The device according to the invention includes an outer casing comprising a longitudinally cylindrical shell and end plates disposed at both ends of the shell. The cylindrical shell is generally horizontal, and the end plates of the outer casing are vertical. In this context, the term "longitudinal direction" of the outer casing or cylindrical shell generally refers to a horizontal direction. For example, if the cylindrical shell of the outer casing is a straight cylinder, its longitudinal direction is the same as the direction of the central axis of said cylinder.

[0043] In the device according to the invention, the outer casing functions as a pressure vessel. Therefore, the device according to the invention provides three or more functional units of a refrigeration or heat pump system inside a pressure vessel.

[0044] The various units of the refrigeration or heat pump system according to the invention, selected from an assembly of evaporators, superheaters, economizers, condensers, desuperheaters, subcoolers, and oil coolers, are formed by stacked heat exchanger plates; that is, each unit comprises a plate assembly formed by heat exchanger plates having at least two openings and arranged on top of each other. The plate assembly includes ends in the direction of the heat exchange plates and an outer surface defined by the outer edges of the heat exchange plates. In embodiments of the invention, the two ends of the plate assembly may include separate support end plates. The plate assembly consists of several plate pairs. Each plate pair is generally formed by two heat exchange plates attached together at least at their outer periphery. Each heat exchange plate has at least two openings for the flow of a heat exchange medium. Adjacent plate pairs are attached to each other by attaching the openings of two adjacent plate pairs to each other. The internal portions of the plate pairs are arranged to connect with each other via flow paths formed by the openings of the heat exchange plates. In the plate assembly, the heat exchange medium can flow from one plate pair to another via the openings. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the heat exchange plates are generally circular heat exchange plates, wherein the plate assembly is predominantly cylindrical in shape. The plate assembly can also be formed from, for example, semi-circular or elliptical heat exchange plates. The longitudinal direction of the plate assembly is the same as the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shell. In the device according to an embodiment of the invention, the plate assembly is mainly cylindrical in shape, wherein the longitudinal direction of the plate assembly corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shell.

[0045] The plate heat exchanger arrangement according to the invention includes inlet and outlet connections for each plate group, which are connected to the flow path of the plate group. The main loop of the plate group is thus formed between the inlet and outlet connections of the plate group. In the space between the plate pairs, the inlet and outlet connections of the secondary loop are arranged to connect to the inside of the outer casing. Typically, the main and secondary loops of the plate group are separated from each other, meaning that the heat exchange medium flowing in the inner portion of one plate group cannot mix with the heat exchange medium flowing in the outer casing, and cannot mix with the heat exchange medium flowing in the inner portion of another plate group.

[0046] According to embodiments of the invention, the plate assembly structure provides a fully welded structure that does not affect the pressure sealing of the device. The plate assembly according to the invention may also be semi-welded, or may include seals between the plates.

[0047] The plate assembly according to the invention may include different numbers of plate pairs formed by heat exchange plates. The size of the plate assembly of the unit can be determined based on the needs of the application.

[0048] The refrigeration or heat pump system according to the invention includes at least one device according to the invention. Furthermore, the refrigeration system includes all necessary components of the system, such as a compressor, an expansion device, piping for circulating the refrigerant, etc., as well as units not part of the device according to the invention. The vapor compression refrigeration or heat pump system according to the invention is a closed-loop system in which the refrigerant circulates in a closed loop and undergoes a phase change.

[0049] In the vapor compression refrigeration or heat pump system according to the present invention, the refrigerant can be any suitable refrigerant.

[0050] There are many variations in arranging at least three units of a refrigeration or heat pump system in the device of the present invention. The device according to the invention may include at least three units of a refrigeration or heat pump system inside a common outer casing, wherein the inner side of the outer casing is also common to all units, or the inner side of the outer casing is divided into at least two or three separate portions by an intermediate wall. When the inner side of the outer casing is divided by an intermediate wall to form two parts of the outer casing, two units of the refrigeration or heat pump system are arranged inside the first part of the outer casing, and the second part of the outer casing includes at least one unit of the refrigeration or heat pump system. When the inner side of the outer casing is divided by two intermediate walls to form three parts of the outer casing, at least one unit of the refrigeration or heat pump system is arranged inside each of the respective parts of the outer casing. In embodiments, the device may include three or more partition walls, wherein the device includes four or more separate portions of the outer casing. These different embodiments according to the invention are described in more detail below.

[0051] According to the first embodiment of the present invention

[0052] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes at least three units selected from an assembly consisting of an evaporator, a superheater, an economizer, a condenser, a desuperheater, a subcooler, and an oil cooler, and said units of a refrigeration or heat pump system are arranged inside a common cylindrical outer casing. The apparatus may further include a storage tank. In an embodiment, one or more storage tanks may also be arranged inside the outer casing.

[0053] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, at least a first plate group and a second plate group, each having its own inlet and outlet connections, are arranged adjacent to each other inside a common outer casing to form a first unit and a second unit of a refrigeration or heat pump system. At least the first plate group or the second plate group includes a baffle inside the flow path of the plate group for forming a third unit of the system onto the plate group.

[0054] According to an embodiment, adjacent first and second plate groups, each having its own inlet and outlet connections, are separated by an intermediate plate arranged between units formed by the adjacent plate groups. If the first and second plate groups have the same diameter defined by the outer edges of the heat exchange plates, they can be formed into identical stacked heat exchange plates by simply arranging an intermediate plate between the heat exchange plates, wherein the intermediate plate closes the connection through the flow path from one unit to another. Alternatively, adjacent first and second plate groups, each having its own inlet and outlet connections, are formed by a single plate group, and a baffle is arranged into the flow path of the plate group to close the flow connection between the plate groups, wherein the plate group is divided into a first and second plate group, i.e., the baffle closes the connection through the flow path from one unit to another. In this specification, these plate group portions in a stacked heat exchange plate separated from each other by an intermediate plate or baffle in the flow path are referred to as different plate groups.

[0055] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a first plate group and a second plate group each include their own inlet and outlet connections, which are arranged to connect to an internal portion of the plate group. A main circuit of the first plate group is formed between the inlet and outlet connections of the plate group. A main circuit of the second plate group is located between the inlet and outlet connections of the plate group.

[0056] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the first plate group and / or the second plate group can be further divided into separate units of a refrigeration or heat pump system by arranging baffles inside the flow channels of the plate group, wherein two or more shell sides (flow through the same plate group) can be formed by one plate group, and thus one plate group can include two or more units, i.e., the functions of a refrigeration or heat pump system. In embodiments of the invention, the first plate group and / or the second plate group includes one or more baffles for forming multiple shell sides into the plate group.

[0057] According to an embodiment of the invention, adjacent first and second plate groups have substantially the same diameter defined by the outer edge of the heat exchange plate.

[0058] In an embodiment, where the first and second plate groups have substantially the same diameter defined by the outer edges of the heat exchange plates, at least one inlet or outlet connection of the second plate group, divided into at least two units by baffles, includes a connecting pipe disposed inside the flow passage of the first plate group between an end plate of the outer casing and an intermediate plate or baffle between the units. One end of the connecting pipe is attached to the intermediate plate to form a connection to the second plate group, and a second end of the connecting pipe extends through the end plate of the outer casing. This dual-connecting-pipe structure (i.e., a connection to the two plate groups through an opening in the end plate) makes it possible to arrange at least three units to two adjacent plate groups having the same outer diameter. One end of the connecting pipe is tightly attached to the intermediate plate or baffle, or may be attached to a seal to form a connection to the second plate group, wherein the heat exchange media inside the plate groups are not mixable with each other. According to an embodiment of the invention, a partition plate disposed between adjacent plate groups has a thickness of approximately 5 to 20 mm. The partition plate is substantially thicker than the heat exchange plates of the plate groups and the supporting end plates of the plate groups. A baffle is any suitable structure arranged inside a flow channel to close the connection of the flow path from one unit to another.

[0059] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the first and second plate groups may be formed from plate groups having different diameters defined by the outer edges of the heat exchange plates. In an embodiment of the invention, the first and second plate groups are arranged adjacent to each other inside a common outer casing, and the first plate group has a diameter defined by the outer edges of the heat exchange plates that is smaller than the diameter of the second plate group. According to an embodiment of the invention, an intermediate plate arranged between adjacent plate groups has a size that at least corresponds to the size of the plate group with the larger diameter. In an embodiment of the invention, the intermediate plate has a size in which the intermediate plate is connected to the inner surface of the outer casing from at least one edge. The intermediate plate between adjacent plate groups makes it possible to provide a compact construction even when the plate groups have different sizes defined by the diameters of the heat exchange plates. In an embodiment of the invention, the intermediate plate is arranged to extend from the outer surface of the plate group to the inner surface of the shell at one side of the plate group, and thus the intermediate plate forms multiple shell passes for the heat exchange medium in the shell side. According to an embodiment of the invention, the intermediate plate arranged between adjacent plate groups has a thickness of about 20 to 100 mm. The intermediate plate will support the structure of the plate group and improve its pressure resistance.

[0060] Adjacent plate assemblies with different outer diameters make it easy to arrange the inlet and / or outlet connections of the larger plate assembly and the smaller plate assembly through the same end plates of the outer casing. According to an embodiment of the invention, the inlet and / or outlet connections of the larger plate assembly are arranged on the outer surface of the smaller plate assembly.

[0061] According to the invention, more than two separate plate groups may be arranged adjacently inside the same common outer casing. In embodiments of the invention, the device includes a third plate group arranged near a first or second plate group, wherein the third plate group is separated from adjacent plate groups by arranging an intermediate plate between them and / or by arranging a baffle to the flow channel of the plate group to close the flow connection between the plate groups. In embodiments, at least one plate group has a diameter larger than that of the other plate groups. According to embodiments of the invention, the inlet and outlet connections of the plate groups include connecting pipes, and they are nested, wherein the outer diameter of the inner connecting pipe is smaller than the diameter of the outer connecting pipe and the flow channel of the plate group. When the inlet and outlet connections are nested and connected to a flow channel of the plate group, the inlet connection of the plate group is formed by arranging the connecting pipe to the outlet connection of the plate group, wherein the inlet connecting pipe extends inside the flow channel of the plate group, and the outlet connecting pipe is attached to the end of the plate group to form a connection to the flow channel. According to embodiments of the invention, the intermediate plate arranged between adjacent plate groups with different diameters has a thickness of about 20 to 100 mm.

[0062] The plate assemblies according to a first embodiment of the invention can be cooled / heated using a single heat exchange medium flowing in the shell side. Regardless of the plate assembly connections, inlet and outlet connections on the shell side can be formed. In a typical embodiment of the invention, the shell side is common to system units inside the outer casing. The inlet and outlet connections for the heat exchange medium flowing inside the shell are arranged through the outer casing, typically through the shell of the outer casing. The inlet and outlet connections on the shell side can be arranged through end plates or through the shell, or any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a single heat exchange medium flows in the shell side, i.e., the shell side is common to all plate assemblies.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the present invention, separate baffles may be arranged at least on one side of the plate assembly between the outer surface of the plate assembly and the inner surface of the shell to form multiple shell passes for heat exchange medium in the shell side.

[0064] In an embodiment of the invention, when the condenser is a unit of the first embodiment, the condenser may be a unit arranged in a second plate assembly according to the first embodiment, the second plate assembly including baffles inside the flow passage of the plate assembly for dividing the plate assembly into different units. The refrigerant to be condensed may be arranged to flow inside the plate assembly, i.e., the refrigerant is a heat exchange medium partially flowing inside the plate assembly, wherein condensation occurs on the plate-shell heat exchanger side. Compared to a system in which the refrigerant is a heat exchange medium circulating on the shell side, this reduces the amount of refrigerant required in the system and minimizes pressure loss.

[0065] According to the second embodiment of the present invention

[0066] According to a second embodiment of the invention, an apparatus includes two separate portions of an outer casing, which are formed by arranging a partition wall between the portions of the outer casing inside the shell.

[0067] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the first part of the outer casing includes at least two units of a refrigeration or heat pump system, the second part of the outer casing includes at least one unit of a refrigeration or heat pump system.

[0068] In an embodiment according to the invention, the outer shell is a continuous shell from a first end plate to a second end plate, i.e., the shell is consistent along its longitudinal direction, and the shell is divided into separate portions along its longitudinal direction by partition walls between the inner portions of the shell. The partition walls are attached (preferably welded) to the inner surface of the shell. In another embodiment, the longitudinal cylindrical shell of the outer shell may be composed of two parts, wherein the shell continuously covers at least one portion of the outer shell. Especially as the size of the device increases, the shell may be composed of two separate portions attached (preferably welded) to each other, wherein they form the longitudinal cylindrical shell of the outer shell. When the shell of the outer shell is formed of two parts, the partition walls may be arranged in a structure such that they are located between the portions of the shell. According to the invention, the shell of the outer shell is constructed such that the diameter of the longitudinal cylindrical shell is substantially the same in the two arranged modular portions, i.e., the diameter of the shell of the outer shell is substantially the same from the first end plate to the second end plate of the outer shell.

[0069] In a typical embodiment, a partition divides the inner side of the outer casing horizontally into a first section and a second section. In a typical embodiment, the partition wall is arranged primarily vertically inside the horizontal cylindrical shell. In embodiments of the invention, the thickness of the partition wall is typically 20 to 100 mm or 40 to 100 mm. The partition wall is typically made of the same material as the outer casing. In embodiments of the invention, the partition wall may include a layer of insulating material. Due to the temperature difference between the sections during operation of the vapor compression cycle, thermally insulated partition walls between the sections of the outer casing can be used. Thermally insulated partition walls reduce or eliminate heat conduction between the separated sections of the outer casing.

[0070] Typically, in the device according to the invention, the outer casing functions as a pressure vessel. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the partition wall is a pressure-resistant wall.

[0071] In a second embodiment of the invention, the first part of the outer casing includes at least two units of a refrigeration or heat pump system selected from an evaporator, a superheater, an economizer, a condenser, a desuperheater, a subcooler, and an oil cooler. These units of the portion are formed by the following...

[0072] - At least a first plate group and a second plate group are arranged adjacent to each other inside the portion of the outer casing to form a first unit and a second unit of the system, wherein the plate groups have their own inlet and outlet connections, or

[0073] - At least one plate assembly is arranged inside the portion of the outer casing, wherein at least one baffle is arranged inside the flow path of the plate assembly for forming at least two units of the system to the plate assembly inside the portion of the outer casing, i.e., the functional unit is formed by arranging multiple shell sides through one plate assembly.

[0074] Furthermore, the second part of the outer casing includes at least one unit of the system.

[0075] According to embodiments of the invention, at least a first plate group and a second plate group, each having its own inlet and outlet connections, are arranged adjacent to each other inside a portion of the outer casing. As disclosed above in the first embodiment of the invention, adjacent plate groups may be separated from each other by an intermediate plate or by closing the flow channels of the plate groups with baffles. The first plate group and / or the second plate group may be further divided into separate units of a refrigeration or heat pump system by closing baffles inside the flow channels of the plate groups. Two or more shell passes may be formed by a plate group via baffles, and thus a plate group may include two or more units, i.e., the functions of a refrigeration or heat pump system. This may be combined with an intermediate plate arranged between the plate groups or a baffle between the first and second plate groups, i.e., a portion of a unit is formed into an adjacent plate group having its own inlet and outlet connections, and a portion of the unit is formed in the plate group by baffles to form multiple shell passes inside the portion of the plate group. A portion of the outer casing may include the plate group structure defined in the first embodiment of the invention.

[0076] Additionally, in a second embodiment of the invention, adjacent plate groups may have substantially the same diameter defined by the outer edge of the heat exchange plate, or adjacent plate groups may be formed from plate groups of different sizes. These embodiments are similar to those disclosed above in the first embodiment of the invention. The inlet and outlet connections of the plate groups inside a portion of the outer casing may be formed as disclosed in the first embodiment of the invention. In embodiments with two separate portions of the outer casing, the inlet and outlet connections are arranged through end plates of the outer casing, wherein, as described in the first embodiment of the invention, there may be a need for nested inlet and / or outlet connections.

[0077] In a second embodiment of the invention, the second part of the outer casing may be a storage container. In an embodiment, one, two, or more storage containers may also be arranged inside at least one part of the outer casing.

[0078] In a second embodiment of the invention, the two parts of the outer casing include their own inlet and outlet connections for heat exchange media flowing in the inlet and / or outlet of the shell side or reservoir. According to embodiments of the invention, the shell side is common to the system units inside the same part of the outer casing.

[0079] Third embodiment of the present invention

[0080] According to a third embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes a first partition wall and a second partition wall, wherein the outer casing is divided into three separate parts: a first part, a second part and a third part of the outer casing, and each part includes at least one unit of the system.

[0081] In an embodiment according to the invention, the outer shell is a continuous shell from the first end plate to the second end plate, i.e., the shell is consistent along the longitudinal direction of the shell, and the shell is divided into separate portions along the longitudinal direction by a first and a second partition wall between the inner portions of the shell. The partition walls are attached (preferably welded) to the inner surface of the shell. In another embodiment, the longitudinal cylindrical shell of the outer shell may be composed of two or three parts, wherein the shell continuously covers at least one portion of the outer shell. In particular, as the size of the device increases, the shell may be composed of two or more separate portions attached (preferably welded) to each other, wherein they form the longitudinal cylindrical shell of the outer shell. When the shell of the outer shell is formed of two or more parts, the partition walls may be arranged in a structure such that they are located between the portions of the shell. According to the invention, the shell of the outer shell is constructed such that the diameter of the longitudinal cylindrical shell is substantially the same in all the arranged modular portions, i.e., the diameter of the shell of the outer shell is substantially the same from the first end plate to the second end plate of the outer shell.

[0082] In a typical embodiment, a partition plate horizontally divides the inner side of the outer casing into a first, second, and third section. In a typical embodiment, the partition walls are arranged primarily vertically inside the horizontal cylindrical shell. In embodiments of the invention, the thickness of the partition walls is typically 20 to 100 mm or 40 to 100 mm. The partition walls are typically made of the same material as the outer casing. In embodiments of the invention, the partition walls may include a layer of insulating material. Due to the temperature difference between the sections during operation of the vapor compression cycle, thermally insulated partition walls between the sections of the outer casing can be used. Thermally insulated partition walls reduce or eliminate heat conduction between separated sections of the outer casing.

[0083] Typically, in the device according to the invention, the outer casing functions as a pressure vessel. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the partition wall is a pressure-resistant wall.

[0084] According to a third embodiment of the invention, the various portions of the shell may include one, two, or more units selected from a set consisting of an evaporator, superheater, economizer, condenser, desuperheater, subcooler, and oil cooler, and they may be formed by plate assemblies as described in the first and second embodiments of the invention. In embodiments of the invention, one portion may include a reservoir, and other portions may include one or more units selected from a set consisting of an evaporator, superheater, economizer, condenser, desuperheater, subcooler, and oil cooler. In embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may include two or more reservoirs. In embodiments, one, two, or more reservoirs may also be arranged inside at least one portion of the outer casing.

[0085] According to an embodiment of the invention, when the outer casing of the device comprises three separate sections, at least one section of the outer casing functions as, for example, a reservoir for refrigerant or oil. In an embodiment of the invention, the section functioning as the reservoir is the central section of the outer casing. In this embodiment, the first section of the outer casing includes at least one unit of a refrigeration or heat pump system, the second section of the outer casing includes the reservoir, and the third section includes at least one unit of a refrigeration or heat pump system. According to an embodiment of the invention, the central section does not include an oil separator, but rather it is separately arranged before the reservoir.

[0086] In embodiments having three separate sections of an outer casing (i.e., with two partition walls), inlet and / or outlet connections for the panel assemblies in the first and / or third sections can be formed via the partition walls, wherein these connections lead to a second section of the outer casing, which is the central portion of the outer casing. In embodiments of the invention, the second section of the outer casing, arranged between the first and second sections, includes a reservoir, and therefore inlets and / or outlets for other sections can be formed via the partition walls. In embodiments, the central portion of the outer casing may include a unit formed by panel assemblies.

[0087] In a third embodiment of the invention, each portion of the outer casing includes its own inlet and outlet connections for heat exchange media flowing in the inlet and / or outlet of the shell side or reservoir. According to embodiments of the invention, the shell side is common to the units of the system inside the same portion of the outer casing.

[0088] Other embodiments of the present invention

[0089] The device according to the invention may include three or more partition walls, wherein the device includes four or more separate portions of an outer casing, wherein each of the portions includes at least one unit of the system.

[0090] Exemplary embodiments

[0091] In a typical embodiment of the invention, the shell sides of units arranged adjacent to each other are common within the same common outer casing or the same portion of the outer casing, and therefore adjacent units are selected, for example, based on the temperature variation required by the heat exchanger of the unit. Adjacent units may also be selected according to the flow sequence in a refrigeration or heat pump system. In embodiments according to the invention, units arranged to the same and / or adjacent plate groups may be condensers, desuperheaters, subcoolers, and / or oil coolers. In embodiments according to the invention, units arranged to the same and / or adjacent plate groups may be evaporators, superheaters, and economizers.

[0092] Some embodiments of the invention are presented in more detail below and in the figures of the invention. These figures only show exemplary embodiments of an apparatus comprising at least three units, including a refrigeration or heat pump system unit.

[0093] For clarity, the same reference numerals are used for corresponding parts in different embodiments.

[0094] Figure 1 A cross-section of an apparatus 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system, is shown. The apparatus 1 includes an outer casing comprising a longitudinally cylindrical shell 2 and end plates 3a, 3b disposed at both ends of the shell. Figure 1 The device 1 presented includes three units of a refrigeration or heat pump system located inside the same common outer casing. Device 1 includes a first plate group and a second plate group inside the outer casing, arranged adjacent to each other inside the common outer casing, and having their own inlet connections 5a, 6a and outlet connections 5b, 6b for forming the first unit 4a and the second unit 4b of the system. An intermediate plate 7 is arranged between the units 4a, 4b formed by the adjacent plate groups. The second plate group includes a baffle 8 inside the flow passage 9a of the plate group for forming the third unit 4c of the system to the plate group.

[0095] Figure 1 The individual units of the refrigeration or heat pump system include stacked heat exchange plates having at least two openings and arranged on top of each other, and the heat exchange plates are attached to each other as a plate pair, the internal portions of the plate pair being arranged to connect with each other via flow passages 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b formed by the openings of the heat exchange plates.

[0096] exist Figure 1 In this system, the first and second plate groups separated by the intermediate plate 7 have substantially the same diameter defined by the outer edge of the heat exchange plate. Adjacent plate groups used in the system may also have different diameters; for example, the diameter of the first plate group separated from the second plate group by the intermediate plate 7 may be smaller than the diameter of the second plate group.

[0097] exist Figure 1In this device 1, the shell side includes an inlet connection 11a and an outlet connection 11b. The shell side comprises three shell sides, formed by baffles 12 and 13 arranged between the plate assembly and the inner surface of the outer casing. The unit of the refrigeration or heat pump system is located in... Figure 1 The devices presented in the middle share a common shell side.

[0098] Figure 2 The application shows the relationship with Figure 1 The corresponding device 1 includes three units 4a, 4b, and 4c of a refrigeration or heat pump system: a desuperheater (4c), a condenser (4b), and a subcooler (4a). Figure 2 In the embodiment presented, the refrigerant to be condensed is arranged to flow inside the plate group of the unit; that is, the refrigerant is a heat exchange medium flowing in the inner part of the plate group. This reduces the amount of refrigerant required in the system. The refrigerant is guided to the desuperheater through inlet connection 6a, from where it flows forward through the condenser, and the condensed refrigerant is guided to container 22 through outlet connection 6b. The condensed refrigerant is guided from container 22 to subcooler (4a) through inlet connection 5a.

[0099] As mentioned above Figure 2 As disclosed in the description, Figure 1 The device may include three units 4a, 4b, and 4c of a refrigeration or heat pump system: a desuperheater (4c), a condenser (4b), and a subcooler (4a). Alternatively, the device 1 shown in the figure may include a condenser (4c), a subcooler (4b), and an oil cooler (4a). If the second plate assembly includes more than one baffle 8 inside the flow passages 9a and 9b of the plate assembly, the second plate assembly may include, for example, three units of a refrigeration or heat pump system, such as a desuperheater, condenser, and subcooler in the same plate assembly. The use of the first embodiment of the invention is not limited to the examples mentioned above, but the units of the refrigeration or heat pump system may be selected as needed in the application.

[0100] Figure 3 A cross-section of an apparatus 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of a second embodiment of the present invention, for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system, is shown. The apparatus includes two separate portions located inside a common outer casing. The apparatus 1 includes an outer casing comprising a longitudinally cylindrical shell 2 and end plates 3a, 3b arranged at both ends of the shell. The shell 2 of the outer casing is generally a uniform longitudinal shell from the first end plate 3a to the second end plate 3b. The shell 2 is divided into two separate portions along the longitudinal direction of the shell by arranging a first partition wall 14 between the portions inside the shell. Figure 3 In the device 1 presented, the first part includes at least two units 4a and 4b of a refrigeration or heat pump system, and the second part includes at least one unit of a refrigeration or heat pump system.

[0101] exist Figure 3In the first part of the device 1, there are first and second plate groups arranged adjacent to each other to form a first unit 4a and a second unit 4b of a refrigeration or heat pump system. The two plate groups have their own inlet connections 5a, 6a and outlet connections 5b, 6b. An intermediate plate 7 is arranged between units 4a and 4b. The inlet connections 5a, 6a and outlet connections 5b, 6b of the plate groups are arranged to pass through the same end plate 3b, so that the inlet connection 6a and outlet connection 6b of the plate group forming the second unit 4b are arranged to pass through the inlet connection 5a and outlet connection 5b of the plate group forming the first unit 4a and the flow channel, and are connected to the intermediate plate 7. The intermediate plate 7 blocks the flow connection between the flow channels of units 4a and 4b. The shell side of the first part includes three shell sides formed by stop plates 12, 13 arranged between the plate groups and the inner surface of the outer casing. The inlet connection 11a and outlet connection 11b of the shell side are arranged to pass through the shell 2 of the outer casing. The second part of the outer casing includes a plate group 17. The heat exchange medium loop of plate assembly 17 is formed between inlet connection 18a and outlet connection 18b, and the flow direction can be either one. The second part of the outer casing also includes inlet connection 20a and outlet connection 20b on the shell side.

[0102] Figure 4 A cross-section of an apparatus 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of a third embodiment of the present invention, for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system, is shown. The apparatus includes three separate portions located inside a common outer casing. The apparatus 1 includes an outer casing comprising a longitudinally cylindrical shell 2 and end plates 3a, 3b arranged at both ends of the shell. The shell 2 of the outer casing is typically a uniform longitudinal shell from the first end plate 3a to the second end plate 3b. The shell 2 is divided into separate portions along the longitudinal direction of the shell by arranging a first partition wall 14 and a second partition wall 15 between the portions inside the shell. The shell 2 of the outer casing may also consist of three portions, wherein the first partition wall 14 and the second partition wall 15 are arranged between the portions, and the shell 2 continuously covers at least one portion of the apparatus.

[0103] exist Figure 4 In the device 1 presented herein, the first part includes at least two units 4a and 4b of a refrigeration or heat pump system, the second part (the central part of the outer casing) includes a storage unit 21, and the third part includes at least one unit of the refrigeration or heat pump system. The second part, including the storage unit, is arranged as the central part of the device.

[0104] exist Figure 4In the first part of the device 1, there are first and second plate groups arranged adjacent to each other to form a first unit 4a and a second unit 4b of a refrigeration or heat pump system. The two plate groups have their own inlet connections 5a, 6a and outlet connections 5b, 6b. An intermediate plate 7 is arranged between the units 4a and 4b. The inlet connections 5a, 6a and outlet connections 5b, 6b of the plate groups are arranged to pass through the same end plate 3b, so that the inlet connection 6a and outlet connection 6b of the plate group forming the second unit 4b are arranged to pass through the inlet connection 5a and outlet connection 5b of the plate group forming the first unit 4a and the flow channel, and are connected to the intermediate plate 7. The intermediate plate 7 blocks the flow connection between the flow channels of the units 4a and 4b. The shell side of the first part includes three shell sides formed by stop plates 12, 13 arranged between the plate groups and the inner surface of the outer casing. The inlet connection 11a and outlet connection 11b of the shell side are arranged to pass through the shell 2 of the outer casing. The second part of the device, functioning as a storage container 21, includes an inlet connection 16a and an outlet connection 16b. The third part includes plate assembly 17. The heat exchange medium loop of plate assembly 17 is formed between inlet connection 18a and outlet connection 18b, and the flow direction can be either one. The third part also includes inlet connection 20a and outlet connection 20b on the shell side.

[0105] Figure 5 A cross-section of another exemplary embodiment of a device 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system is shown. Device 1 includes an outer casing comprising a longitudinally cylindrical shell 2 and end plates 3a, 3b disposed at both ends of the shell. The shell 2 of the outer casing may be a uniform longitudinal shell from the first end plate 3a to the second end plate 3b. Figure 5 As shown, the outer casing 2 can also be composed of three parts, wherein the first partition wall 14 and the second partition wall 15 are arranged between the parts, and the casing 2 continuously covers at least one part of the device.

[0106] exist Figure 5 The device according to the invention comprises five units of a refrigeration or heat pump system and a storage unit inside a common outer casing. A first portion of the outer casing includes four units of the refrigeration or heat pump system. A second portion includes the storage unit. A third portion includes at least one unit of the refrigeration or heat pump system. The second portion, including the storage unit, is arranged as the central portion of the device.

[0107] Figure 5 The first part of the outer casing presented includes two adjacent plate groups (a first plate group and a second plate group), and an intermediate plate 7 between the plate groups. In an exemplary embodiment, the first plate group forms a unit 4a of a refrigeration or heat pump system, which may function as an oil cooler. The second plate group includes three units 4b, 4c, and 4d of the refrigeration or heat pump system, which are formed by baffles 8 arranged inside flow channels 9a and 9b to form multiple shell sides inside the plate group. Figure 5 In the exemplary application presented, the second plate assembly may include a desuperheater (4b), a condenser (4c), and a subcooler (4d).

[0108] exist Figure 5 In the first and second plate groups, there are different diameters defined by the outer edges of the heat exchange plates. The size of the intermediate plate 7 corresponds to the size of the plate group with the larger diameter (i.e., the size of the second plate group). The inlet connection 6a of the second plate group is arranged through the partition plate 14, and the outlet connection 6b is arranged through the end plate 3b. The inlet connection 6a of the second plate group is arranged outside the outer surface of the first plate group, and therefore it can be easily arranged through the partition plate 14. The refrigerant to be condensed is arranged to flow to the second plate group through the inlet connection 6a. The inlet connection 5a and the outlet connection 5b of the first plate group are arranged through the partition plate 14. The loop of the first plate group, i.e., the unit 4a, is formed between the inlet connection 5a and the outlet connection 5b, and it circulates in the plate group through the flow channels 10a, 10b. The inlet connection 5a of the first plate group is arranged inside the outlet connection 5b of the first plate group, wherein the connections 5a, 5b are nested and the inner connection 5a extends at least partially inside the flow channel 10a. The first section's shell side includes three shell sides formed by baffles 12 and 13 arranged between the plate assembly and the inner surface of the outer casing. Inlet connections 11a and outlet connections 11b and 11c on the shell side are arranged to pass through the shell 2 of the outer casing. The second section, functioning as a storage container, includes an inlet connection 16.

[0109] exist Figure 5 In an exemplary embodiment, unit 4a is an oil cooler, unit 4b is a subcooler, unit 4c is a condenser, and unit 4d is a desuperheater. The cooling medium flows inside the shell between inlet connection 11a and outlet connections 10b, 11c, wherein the order of the units in the plate group is selected based on the temperature change required by the heat exchangers of said units.

[0110] exist Figure 5 The third section of the outer casing may include, for example, an evaporator formed by arranging a plate assembly 17 inside the third section. A heat exchange medium loop of the plate assembly 17 is formed between an inlet connection 18a and an outlet connection 18b, and the flow direction can be either one. The inlet connection 18a and the outlet connection 18b connect the flow channels 19a and 19b of the plate assembly. The evaporator may be an overflow evaporator, wherein the third section may further include a droplet separator above the plate assembly that functions as an evaporator. Alternatively, the evaporator may be a DX evaporator. The third section may also include, for example, a superheater, which is formed inside the same plate assembly as the evaporator by means of a baffle as described above or by means of an adjacent plate assembly as described above. The third section also includes an inlet connection 20a and an outlet connection 20b on the shell side.

[0111] The use of the third embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the examples mentioned above, but the unit of the refrigeration or heat pump system can be selected as needed in the application.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for use in a refrigeration or heat pump system, the apparatus comprising: - Outer casing, the outer casing comprising a longitudinal cylindrical shell (2) and end plates (3a, 3b) arranged at both ends of the shell, and - At least three units of the refrigeration or heat pump system arranged inside the same common outer casing, the units being selected from a collection consisting of an evaporator, superheater, economizer, condenser, desuperheater, subcooler, oil cooler, and storage tank. The device includes (i) At least a first plate group and a second plate group, the first plate group and the second plate group having their own inlet connection (5a, 6a) and outlet connection (5b, 6b), and arranged adjacent to each other inside the common outer casing to form the first unit (4a) and the second unit (4b) of the system, and further, the third unit (4c) of the system is formed to the first plate group and / or the second plate group by arranging a baffle (8) inside the flow passage of the plate group, or (ii) The outer casing has two separate portions formed by arranging a first partition wall (14) between the portions inside the outer casing, wherein the first portion of the outer casing comprises at least two units of the system, the units of the portion being formed by the following - At least a first plate group and a second plate group are arranged adjacent to each other inside the portion of the outer casing to form a first unit (4a) and a second unit (4b) of the system, wherein the plate groups have their own inlet connections (5a, 6a) and outlet connections (5b, 6b), and the first plate group and the second plate group are separated from each other by an intermediate plate (7) arranged between the units (4a, 4b) formed by the adjacent plate groups, or - At least one plate assembly is arranged inside the portion of the outer casing, wherein at least one baffle (8) is arranged inside the flow passage (9a) of the plate assembly for forming at least two units (4b, 4c, 4d) of the system into the plate assembly inside the portion of the outer casing. And the second part of the outer casing includes at least one unit of the system, or (iii) The outer casing has at least three separate portions formed by arranging a first partition wall (14) and a second partition wall (15) between portions inside the outer casing, and each of the portions includes at least one unit of the system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, Each unit of the refrigeration or heat pump system, selected from an assembly of evaporators, superheaters, economizers, condensers, desuperheaters, subcoolers, and oil coolers, includes a heat exchange plate having at least two openings and arranged on top of each other, and the heat exchange plates are attached to each other as a plate pair, the internal portions of the plate pair being arranged to connect to each other via flow passages formed by the openings of the heat exchange plates.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that, Adjacent first and second plate groups, each having its own inlet connection (5a, 6a) and outlet connection (5b, 6b), are formed by the plate groups, wherein baffles are arranged into the flow channels of the plate groups to separate the flow connections between the plate groups, wherein the plate groups are divided into the first plate group and the second plate group.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The adjacent first and second plate groups have substantially the same diameter defined by the outer edge of the heat exchange plate.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The first plate group, separated from the second plate group by the intermediate plate (7), has a diameter defined by the outer edge of the heat exchange plate, which is smaller than the diameter of the second plate group.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that, The first plate group and / or the second plate group further include one or more baffles for forming units into the plate group.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The device includes a third plate group disposed near the first plate group or the second plate group, wherein the third plate group is separated from the adjacent plate group by arranging an intermediate plate between them and / or by arranging the baffle to the flow channel of the plate group to close the flow connection between the plate groups.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The device comprises three separate parts and one part of the outer casing that functions as a storage unit.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein, The portion that functions as a storage container is the central portion of the outer casing.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The device includes a housing side that is common to units of the system inside the outer casing or to separate portions of the outer casing.

11. A refrigeration or heat pump system comprising at least one device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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