Refrigerant purification device, air conditioning unit and refrigerant purification method

Abstract

The invention discloses a refrigerant purification device, an air conditioning unit and a refrigerant purification method.The refrigerant purification device comprises a shell, a cooler arranged in the shell, an air inlet pipe connected with the shell and a detection assembly used for detecting refrigerant gas in different areas in the shell, and the shell is further connected with a circulating pipe and an exhaust pipe; the circulating pipe sends gas separated by the cooler back into the shell through the sucking pump, and the exhaust pipe exhausts the gas separated by the cooler outwards through the exhaust pump. The circulating pipe and the exhaust pipe are both provided with valves, and the valves receive detection signals of the detection assembly, so that at most one of the circulating pipe and the exhaust pipe is communicated. The refrigerant gas sensors are arranged in different areas in the shell, accurate monitoring and control over the refrigerant purification process are achieved, the exhaust accuracy is effectively improved, and stable operation of a unit is ensured.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of refrigeration technology, in particular to a refrigerant purification device, an air conditioning unit and a refrigerant purification method. BACKGROUND

[0002] The air conditioning unit is the core equipment to realize indoor thermal comfort. As the "heart" of large central air conditioning systems, centrifugal chillers are widely used in commercial complexes, data centers and industrial sites due to their high efficiency and large capacity. This type of unit compresses refrigerant through a centrifugal compressor, cools and liquefies it through a condenser, and then absorbs heat through throttling evaporation, thereby realizing a continuous refrigeration cycle. However, this working principle that relies on phase change heat transfer makes the system have strict requirements on the purity of the refrigerant.

[0003] It is particularly worth noting that centrifugal chillers using negative pressure refrigerants such as R1233zd and other low-pressure refrigerants have the advantage of being environmentally friendly, but the evaporator side often maintains a negative pressure state during operation. This negative pressure environment is like an invisible force of attraction, and even the smallest sealing imperfections can cause external air to continuously infiltrate the system. As the running time accumulates, these invading air and refrigerant mix to form non-condensable gases that hinder normal circulation. When contaminated refrigerant enters the condenser, gaseous refrigerant can be condensed into liquid by cooling water, while non-condensable gases such as air stubbornly remain in a gaseous state, eventually accumulating like foam at the top of the condenser. This gas-liquid separation phenomenon not only occupies effective heat exchange space, but also forms an insulating layer, causing condensing pressure to rise, compressor power consumption to increase, and in severe cases, even causing the unit to surge and shut down.

[0004] With the development of automation technology, automatic refrigerant purification devices have appeared in the prior art, such as exhaust systems using timing control or pressure sensors. These devices, although they achieve automatic gas exhaust through mechanical valves or basic electrical controls, lack high-precision concentration detection capabilities and cannot monitor the mixing state of refrigerant and non-condensable gases in the shell in real time, resulting in inaccurate exhaust timing and possible over-exhaust or incomplete exhaust.

[0005] Therefore, how to design a refrigerant purification device, air conditioning unit and refrigerant purification method that can improve the accuracy of exhaust is a technical problem that needs to be solved in the industry. SUMMARY

[0006] In order to solve the defect that the prior art is prone to over-exhaust or incomplete exhaust, the present application proposes a refrigerant purification device, an air conditioning unit and a refrigerant purification method, which realizes precise monitoring and control of the refrigerant purification process by arranging refrigerant gas sensors in different areas of the shell, effectively improves the exhaust accuracy and ensures stable operation of the unit.

[0007] The technical scheme adopted by the present application is that a refrigerant purification device is designed, which comprises a shell, a cooler arranged in the shell, an air inlet pipe connected to the shell, and a detection assembly for detecting refrigerant gas in different regions in the shell, and the shell is further connected with a circulation pipe and an air outlet pipe, the circulation pipe sends the gas separated from the cooler back into the shell through a gas suction pump, and the air outlet pipe discharges the gas separated from the cooler to the outside through an air exhaust pump; wherein the circulation pipe and the air outlet pipe are both provided with valve pieces, the valve pieces receive detection signals of the detection assembly, and at most one of the circulation pipe and the air outlet pipe is connected.

[0008] Further, an upper portion in the shell is a purification detection region, the purification detection region is provided with an air outlet, and an inlet end of the circulation pipe and an inlet end of the air outlet pipe are both connected to the air outlet; the detection assembly comprises at least two main sensors with different heights arranged in the purification detection region, a normally operating main sensor is taken as an effective main sensor, and the valve pieces receive detection signals of the effective main sensor, so that at most one of the circulation pipe and the air outlet pipe is connected.

[0009] Further, a bottom portion in the shell is provided with a liquid collecting region, the liquid collecting region is provided with a heating device, the heating device is used for providing heat to release refrigerant gas in the liquid collecting region, and the shell is further connected with a recovery pipe, the recovery pipe supplies the refrigerant gas to the outside through a gas suction pump; wherein the recovery pipe is provided with a recovery valve, and the recovery valve and the heating device have the same on-off state.

[0010] Further, the shell is provided with a recovery detection region above the liquid collecting region; the detection assembly further comprises at least two auxiliary sensors with different heights arranged in the recovery detection region, a normally operating auxiliary sensor is taken as an effective auxiliary sensor, and the recovery valve receives detection signals of the effective auxiliary sensor, so that the recovery pipe is closed.

[0011] Further, the liquid collecting region is filled with a soluble refrigerant liquid, and the liquid collecting region is provided with an air inlet, and an outlet end of the air inlet pipe and an outlet end of the circulation pipe are both connected to the air inlet.

[0012] Further, the shell is provided with a diffuser connected to the air inlet, and the diffuser is distributed with a plurality of diffusion holes for spraying gas to the outside.

[0013] Further, the cooler comprises cold plates, a plurality of cold plates are distributed in the shell at intervals and are arranged in a tilted manner to form a zigzag gas flow channel, and gas in the shell flows upwards along the zigzag gas flow channel.

[0014] Further, a middle position of each cold plate is arched upwards, and an edge position of each cold plate is tilted downwards, so that the shape of the cold plate is umbrella-shaped, one of two adjacent cold plates is provided with openings on both sides to allow gas flow, and the other cold plate is provided with an opening in a middle position to allow gas flow.

[0015] Further, the cold plate is provided with a cooling cavity for flowing cooling liquid.

[0016] The application further provides an air conditioning unit, comprising a refrigerant circulation loop and the refrigerant purification device.

[0017] The application further provides a refrigerant purification method applied to the refrigerant purification device, comprising:

[0018] The gas mixture of the refrigerant gas and the non-condensable gas is introduced into the shell through the gas inlet pipe until the set stop gas inlet condition is reached, and the purification step is performed;

[0019] The purification step is to separate the mixed gas circulating in the shell by using the circulation pipe and the gas suction pump until the effective main sensor at the upper part of the shell cannot detect the refrigerant gas, and the waste discharge step is performed;

[0020] The waste discharge step is to discharge the non-condensable gas outside by using the exhaust pipe and the exhaust pump until the refrigerant gas is detected by the effective main sensor at the highest position.

[0021] Further, the refrigerant purification method further comprises:

[0022] After the waste discharge step is completed, the recovery step is performed, the heating device at the bottom of the shell is turned on, the heating device provides heat to release the refrigerant gas, and the refrigerant gas is supplied outside by using the recovery pipe and the gas suction pump.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the application has at least one of the following beneficial effects:

[0024] 1. By arranging the refrigerant gas sensors in different areas in the shell, the accurate monitoring and control of the refrigerant purification process are realized, the exhaust accuracy is effectively improved, and the stable operation of the unit is ensured;

[0025] 2. The mixed gas is purified and separated by using the double action of the soluble refrigerant liquid and the cold plate, and the separation efficiency is effectively improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] The application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiments and the drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of the refrigerant purification device of the application;

[0028] Figure 2 is a gas flow direction schematic diagram of the gas inlet process of the application;

[0029] Figure 3 is a gas flow direction schematic diagram of the refrigerant purification process of the application;

[0030] Figure 4 is a flow direction schematic diagram of the process of discharging the non-condensable gas of the application;

[0031] Figure 5 is a flow direction schematic diagram of the process of recycling the purified refrigerant gas of the present application;

[0032] Figure 6 is a top view schematic diagram of the cooler of the present application;

[0033] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a sectional view schematic diagram of A-A in

[0034] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS: 1, housing; 1a, purification detection area; 1b, recycling detection area; 1c, liquid collection area; 2, cooler; 21, cold plate; 3, gas inlet pipe; 31, gas inlet valve; 4, circulation pipe; 41, circulation valve; 5, gas outlet pipe; 51, gas outlet valve; 6, recycling pipe; 61, recycling valve; 7, air suction pump; 8, exhaust pump; 9, purification valve; 10, soluble refrigerant liquid; 11, heating device; 12, diffuser; 13, first sensor; 14, second sensor; 15, third sensor; 16, fourth sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In order to make the technical problems to be solved by the present application, technical solutions and beneficial effects more clearly, the present application will be further described in detail below in combination with the drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific examples described herein are only used to explain the present application and not used to limit the present application.

[0036] As Figure 1 shown, the refrigerant purification device proposed by the present application includes: a housing 1, a cooler 2, a gas inlet pipe 3, a circulation pipe 4, a gas outlet pipe 5, and a detection assembly, etc.

[0037] As Figures 2 to 4 shown, the housing 1 is usually installed vertically, the bottom of the housing 1 is provided with a gas inlet, the outlet end of the gas inlet pipe 3 and the outlet end of the circulation pipe 4 are both connected to the gas inlet of the housing 1, the cooler 2 is located in the housing 1, the gas inlet is located below the cooler 2, the mixed gas to be separated is sent to the gas inlet by the air suction pump 7, the mixed gas flows upwards through the cooler 2 after entering the housing 1 from the gas inlet, the gaseous refrigerant is cooled and condensed into liquid refrigerant by the cooler 2, and the liquid refrigerant can flow downwards and collect at the bottom of the housing 1.

[0038] The top of the housing 1 is provided with a gas outlet, the gas outlet is located above the cooler 2, the gas separated after the cooler 2 flows out of the housing 1 from the gas outlet, the inlet end of the circulation pipe 4 and the inlet end of the gas outlet pipe 5 are both connected to the gas outlet, the circulation pipe 4 sends the gas separated after the cooler 2 back into the housing 1 by the air suction pump 7, and the gas outlet pipe 5 discharges the gas separated after the cooler 2 outward by the exhaust pump 8.

[0039] The shape of the housing 1 can be designed according to the usage requirements. For example, the shape can be cylindrical. The top of the housing 1 is in the form of an upward convex bulge. In order to facilitate precise control of the direction of the separated gas, the top of the housing 1 is provided with two gas outlets. The inlet end of the circulation pipe 4 is connected to one gas outlet, and the inlet end of the exhaust pipe 5 is connected to the other gas outlet.

[0040] The detection component is used to detect refrigerant gas in different areas within the housing 1. Both the circulation pipe 4 and the exhaust pipe 5 are equipped with valves. These valves receive detection signals from the detection component, allowing at most one of the circulation pipe 4 or the exhaust pipe 5 to be connected. For example... Figures 3 to 4 As shown, specifically, the valve of the circulation pipe 4 is called the circulation valve 41, and the valve of the exhaust pipe 5 is called the exhaust valve 51. The circulation valve 41 and the exhaust valve 51 receive the detection signal from the detection component. If there is still refrigerant gas in the separated gas, it means that the separation is not complete. The circulation valve 41 opens and sends the mixed gas back to the housing 1 for separation. If there is no refrigerant gas in the separated gas, it means that the separation is complete. The exhaust valve 51 opens and discharges the separated non-condensable gas.

[0041] This design achieves precise monitoring and control of the refrigerant purification process by arranging refrigerant gas sensors in different areas within the housing 1. When no refrigerant gas is detected during the purification process, the circulation valve 41 can be immediately closed and the exhaust valve 51 can be opened to promptly discharge non-condensable gas and improve exhaust accuracy. When refrigerant gas is detected to be about to be accidentally discharged during the exhaust process, the exhaust valve 51 can be immediately closed and the circulation valve 41 can be opened to prevent the refrigerant from being accidentally discharged and ensure stable operation of the unit.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the upper part of the housing 1 is a purification detection zone 1a, and the air outlet of the housing 1 is located in the purification detection zone 1a. The detection assembly includes at least two main sensors, which are located in the purification detection zone 1a at different heights. The purpose of designing multiple main sensors is to prevent false alarms or misreports. The main sensor that is working normally is used as the effective main sensor. The circulation valve 41 and the exhaust valve 51 receive the detection signal from the effective main sensor, so that at most one of the circulation pipe 4 and the exhaust pipe 5 is connected.

[0043] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, specifically, if none of the effective main sensors detect refrigerant gas, it means that there is no refrigerant gas in the purification detection zone 1a. The circulation valve 41 can be closed and the exhaust valve 51 can be opened to discharge the non-condensable gas from the housing 1. If the highest effective main sensor detects refrigerant gas, it means that the non-condensable gas has been discharged completely. The exhaust valve 51 needs to be closed and the circulation valve 41 opened to prevent the refrigerant gas from being accidentally discharged.

[0044] This invention sets multiple main sensors at different heights in the purification detection area 1a at the upper part of the housing 1, and controls the circulation valve 41 and the exhaust valve 51 based on the detection signals of the effective main sensors. Through valve linkage control, it ensures that at most one end of the circulation pipe 4 and the exhaust pipe 5 are connected, so that the non-condensable gas is discharged more thoroughly and the purification efficiency is significantly improved. Furthermore, by utilizing the gas stratification characteristics, the highest sensor detects the refrigerant gas and accurately determines that the non-condensable gas discharge is complete, avoiding the mis-discharge of refrigerant.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, a liquid collection area 1c is provided at the bottom of the housing 1, and a heating device 11 is provided in the liquid collection area 1c. The heating device 11 is used to provide heat to release the refrigerant gas in the liquid collection area 1c. The heating device 11 includes, but is not limited to, a coiled electric heater, which is coiled and arranged in the liquid collection area 1c. The housing 1 is also connected to a recovery pipe 6, which supplies refrigerant gas to the outside through a vacuum pump 7 to achieve the reuse of refrigerant. A recovery valve 61 is installed on the recovery pipe 6. The recovery valve 61 and the heating device 11 have the same on / off state. When the heating device 11 is started, the recovery valve 61 opens synchronously; when the heating device 11 stops working, the recovery valve 61 closes immediately.

[0046] like Figure 5 As shown, during the operation of the refrigerant purification device, when the non-condensable gas discharge is detected to be complete, the heating device 11 is started to gradually increase the temperature of the liquid collection zone 1c. As the temperature rises, a large amount of refrigerant gas is released. At the same time, the recovery valve 61 is opened and the vacuum pump 7 starts to run, forming a directional refrigerant gas flow to be supplied to the outside. When no refrigerant gas is detected above the liquid collection zone 1c, it indicates that the refrigerant recovery is complete. Then the heating device 11 and the recovery valve 61 are turned off to prepare for the next round of refrigerant purification cycle.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, to improve recovery accuracy, a preferred embodiment is a recovery detection zone 1b located above the collection zone 1c within the housing 1. The detection assembly also includes at least two auxiliary sensors located in the recovery detection zone 1b at different heights. The purpose of having multiple auxiliary sensors is to prevent false alarms. The normally functioning auxiliary sensor is used as the effective auxiliary sensor. The recovery valve 61 receives the detection signal from the effective auxiliary sensor, causing the recovery pipe 6 to close. Specifically, after the recovery valve 61 opens, if all effective auxiliary sensors fail to detect refrigerant gas, it indicates that there is no refrigerant gas in the recovery detection zone 1b. The recovery valve 61 and the heating device 11 can then be closed to stop the recovery process.

[0048] It should be understood that since both the purification detection zone 1a and the recovery detection zone 1b are located inside the housing 1, and both the main sensor and the auxiliary sensor are used to detect refrigerant gas, the sensors in the overlapping areas between the purification detection zone 1a and the recovery detection zone 1b can be shared. For example...Figure 1 As shown, taking an application example of the present invention, the detection component includes four sensors arranged from bottom to top, namely a first sensor 13, a second sensor 14, a third sensor 15, and a fourth sensor 16. The first sensor 13 and the second sensor 14 are located in the recycling detection area 1b as auxiliary sensors, and the second sensor 14, the third sensor 15, and the fourth sensor 16 are located in the purification detection area 1a as main sensors. The purification detection area 1a and the recycling detection area 1b share the second sensor 14.

[0049] In addition, in order to make the structure of the refrigerant purification device more compact, in the above embodiment, the intake pipe 3, circulation pipe 4 and recovery pipe 6 share the same air pump 7. In practical applications, the intake pipe 3, circulation pipe 4 and recovery pipe 6 can also be equipped with their own power pumps to drive the gas flow. The present invention does not impose any special restrictions on this.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid collection zone 1c is filled with a soluble refrigerant liquid 10. The soluble refrigerant liquid 10 refers to a liquid that is miscible with refrigerant gas. This liquid has high solubility with the refrigerant at low or normal temperatures, and can absorb and dissolve the refrigerant gas. However, its solubility with the refrigerant is low at high temperatures, and it can release the absorbed and dissolved refrigerant gas. The soluble refrigerant liquid 10 includes, but is not limited to, lubricating oil or mineral oil, which is not easily volatile and its solubility varies with temperature.

[0051] The collection zone 1c is equipped with an air inlet. The outlet end of the air inlet pipe 3 and the outlet end of the circulation pipe 4 are both connected to the air inlet. The mixed gas is sent to the collection zone 1c from the air inlet. Some of the refrigerant gas is dissolved and absorbed by the soluble refrigerant liquid 10. The remaining mixed gas continues to flow upward and is cooled down by the cooler 2. Some of the refrigerant gas condenses to form liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant can flow downward and collect in the collection zone 1c. If the mixed gas is still not completely purified after passing through the cooler 2, the remaining mixed gas is sent back to the air inlet using the circulation pipe 4. The soluble refrigerant liquid 10 and the cooler 2 are used for multiple circulation separations until the mixed gas is completely purified—the effective main sensor in the purification detection zone 1a cannot detect the refrigerant gas.

[0052] This design purifies and separates the mixed gas through the dual action of soluble refrigerant liquid 10 and cooler 2. In particular, soluble refrigerant liquid 10 can actively absorb refrigerant gas at low temperature, making the refrigerant separation speed faster, effectively improving the separation efficiency, and reducing separation energy consumption.

[0053] like Figure 1As shown, based on the liquid collection area 1c, a preferred embodiment is that the housing 1 is provided with a diffuser 12 connected to the air inlet, and the diffuser 12 has multiple diffusion holes for spraying gas outward. During the purification process, the mixed gas introduced from the air inlet is dispersed into small bubbles through the diffuser 12, which come into full contact with the soluble refrigerant liquid 10, and the refrigerant gas is quickly dissolved, reducing gas residue.

[0054] like Figures 6 to 7 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the cooler 2 includes: a cold plate 21, a plurality of cold plates 21 are spaced apart and inclined in the housing 1 to form a tortuous airflow channel, the gas in the housing 1 flows upward along the tortuous airflow channel, the tortuous path prolongs the gas residence time, increases the contact opportunity with the cooling surface and liquid, and improves the separation accuracy of non-condensable gas.

[0055] Specifically, each cold plate 21 has an upward arch in the middle and a downward slope at the edges, giving it an umbrella-like shape. In any two adjacent cold plates 21, one layer has openings on both sides to allow airflow, while the other layer has an opening in the middle. This umbrella-like design of the cold plates 21, combined with the alternating layout of openings in adjacent layers, forces the gas to change direction multiple times, preventing short-circuiting and ensuring uniform airflow distribution and sufficient cooling. The downward slope at the edges facilitates the collection and downward flow of condensate droplets along the plate wall, reducing the risk of re-evaporation and ultimately enhancing the separation accuracy of non-condensable gases.

[0056] Based on the cold plate 21, a preferred embodiment is that the interior of the cold plate 21 is provided with a cooling chamber for the flow of coolant, which can be a throttled low-temperature refrigerant. When the mixed gas in the shell 1 enters the tortuous airflow channel of the cooler 2, the low-temperature refrigerant in the cooling chamber cools and condenses the gaseous refrigerant into liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant can flow down along the umbrella-shaped cold plate wall into the soluble refrigerant liquid 10 below. At the same time, the low-temperature mixed gas cooled by the cooler 2 is again circulated and sprayed into the soluble refrigerant liquid 10 by the vacuum pump 7, which can cool the soluble refrigerant liquid 10 and improve its ability to dissolve refrigerant.

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention also proposes an air conditioning unit, including: a refrigerant circulation loop and the aforementioned refrigerant purification device. The air conditioning unit includes, but is not limited to, a centrifugal chiller. The refrigerant circulation loop is formed by connecting a compressor, a condenser, a throttling element, and an evaporator. The inlet pipe 3 of the refrigerant purification device is connected to the upper part of the condenser, and the mixed gas to be purified is sent into the housing 1 for separation and purification. After purification, the absorbed and dissolved refrigerant gas is released by heating and returned to the refrigerant circulation loop through the recovery pipe 6, thereby achieving the effect of purifying the refrigerant and improving the performance of the unit.

[0058] like Figures 2 to 4As shown, the present invention also proposes a refrigerant purification method for use in the above-mentioned refrigerant purification device, comprising:

[0059] In the air intake step, a mixture of refrigerant gas and non-condensable gas is introduced into the housing 1 through the air intake pipe 3. The air intake continues until the set conditions for stopping the air intake are met (such as the internal pressure of the housing reaching a preset value or the air intake time reaching a set time, etc.), and then the purification step is performed.

[0060] In the purification step, the air inlet pipe 3 is closed, and the mixed gas is driven to circulate and separate in the housing 1 using the circulation pipe 4 and the air pump 7. The circulation continues until the effective main sensor in the upper part of the housing 1 can no longer detect the refrigerant gas, indicating that the non-condensable gas has been separated, and the waste discharge step is performed.

[0061] In the waste discharge step, close the circulation valve 41, and use the exhaust pipe 5 and exhaust pump 8 to discharge the non-condensable gas (such as air) accumulated on the upper part of the housing 1 to the atmosphere until the highest effective main sensor detects the refrigerant gas, indicating that the non-condensable gas has been discharged and the refrigerant gas has begun to rise. Immediately close the exhaust valve 51 and exhaust pump 8, and the waste discharge step ends.

[0062] This design, based on refrigerant gas sensors arranged in different areas within the housing, intelligently executes a streamlined process of air intake, purification, and exhaust based on the sensor detection signals. It can quickly remove impurities such as air accumulated in the condenser, effectively improving exhaust accuracy and refrigerant purification efficiency.

[0063] like Figure 5 As shown, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant purification method further includes:

[0064] After the waste discharge step is completed, the recycling step is performed. The heating device 11 at the bottom of the shell 1 is turned on. The heating device 11 provides heat to release refrigerant gas. The refrigerant gas is supplied to the outside using the recycling pipe 6 and the vacuum pump 7. The recycling continues until no refrigerant gas can be detected above the liquid collection area 1c, indicating that the recycling is complete. Then the heating device 11 and the recycling valve 61 are turned off to prepare for the next round of refrigerant purification cycle.

[0065] This design creates a complete closed loop for refrigerant purification and recovery, ensuring stable air intake, efficient purification, precise waste discharge, and recycling, thereby reducing refrigerant waste and ensuring stable unit operation.

[0066] To facilitate understanding, an application example of the present invention will be provided below.

[0067] like Figure 1As shown, the intake pipe 3, circulation pipe 4 and recovery pipe 6 share a common air pump 7 to drive gas flow. An intake valve 31 is installed at the inlet end of the intake pipe 3, a circulation valve 41 is installed at the inlet end of the circulation pipe 4, and a recovery valve 61 is installed at the outlet end of the recovery pipe 6. The inlet end of the recovery pipe 6 is connected to the outlet of the housing 1 through the inlet end of the circulation pipe 4. An exhaust valve 51 is installed at the inlet end of the exhaust pipe 5, and a purification valve 9 is installed at the air inlet of the housing 1.

[0068] The detection assembly includes four sensors arranged from bottom to top: a first sensor 13, a second sensor 14, a third sensor 15, and a fourth sensor 16. The first sensor 13 and the second sensor 14 are located in the recycling detection area 1b as secondary sensors, while the second sensor 14, the third sensor 15, and the fourth sensor 16 are located in the purification detection area 1a as primary sensors. The purification detection area 1a and the recycling detection area 1b share the second sensor 14.

[0069] In the refrigerant purification method, the switching status of the devices corresponding to different steps is as follows:

[0070] Step Circulation valve Inlet valve Recovery valve Purification valve Exhaust valve Suction pump Exhaust pump Heating device Inlet step Off On Off On Off On Off Off Purification step On Off Off On Off On Off Off Waste step Off Off Off Off On Off On Off Recovery step On Off On Off Off Off Off On

[0071] The working process of the refrigerant purification device is as follows:

[0072] Intake steps

[0073] like Figure 2 As shown, the circulation valve 41, recovery valve 61, and exhaust valve 51 are all closed, while the intake valve 31 and purification valve 9 are both open, and the vacuum pump 7 is turned on and running. In this way, the gas to be purified will be drawn into the refrigerant purification device, and the gas to be purified will be sprayed into many small bubbles through the diffuser 12 to fully mix and dissolve with the soluble refrigerant liquid 10.

[0074] Purification steps

[0075] like Figure 3 As shown, the inlet valve 31, recovery valve 61, and exhaust valve 51 are closed, while the circulation valve 41 and purification valve 9 are both open, and the vacuum pump 7 is started. In this way, the refrigerant gas to be purified will circulate in the refrigerant purification device. Vacuum pump 7 → purification valve 9 → diffuser 12 → soluble refrigerant liquid 10 → cooler 2 → circulation valve 41 → vacuum pump 7. Following this circulation path, the refrigerant gas to be purified is continuously dissolved and absorbed by the soluble refrigerant liquid 10. As long as any one of the second sensor 14 to the fourth sensor 16 can detect refrigerant molecules, the circulation continues until none of the second sensor 14 to the fourth sensor 16 can detect refrigerant molecules, which means that the separation is complete, and the waste discharge step is performed to discharge non-condensable gas.

[0076] Waste Discharge Steps

[0077] like Figure 4As shown, when the refrigerant gas separation is complete—when the second sensor 14 to the fourth sensor 16 cannot detect any refrigerant molecules—the circulation valve 41, the inlet valve 31, the recovery valve 61, and the purification valve 9 are all closed, the vacuum pump 7 stops operating, the exhaust valve 51 opens, and the exhaust pump 8 starts operating. In this way, the non-condensable air without refrigerant gas will be discharged from the refrigerant purification device under the action of the exhaust pump 8. The flow path of refrigerant gas molecules can be tracked according to the changes in the sensor detection signals. When the second sensor 14 to the fourth sensor 16 change from not detecting refrigerant gas molecules to gradually being able to detect refrigerant molecules, until the fourth sensor 16 detects refrigerant molecules, it indicates that there is refrigerant gas at the top of the shell 1, and the process of discharging non-condensable gas has been completed. The exhaust valve 51 and the exhaust pump 8 are then closed, and the recovery step is executed.

[0078] Recycling steps

[0079] like Figure 5 As shown, the intake valve 31, purification valve 9, and exhaust valve 51 are all closed, while the circulation valve 41 and recovery valve 61 are both open. The vacuum pump 7 starts running, and the heating device 11 is turned on to heat the system. In this way, the soluble refrigerant liquid 10 has relatively low solubility with the refrigerant at high temperatures, which allows it to quickly release the absorbed and dissolved refrigerant gas. Under the action of the vacuum pump 7, the relatively pure refrigerant gas is drawn back into the air conditioning unit to participate in the refrigeration cycle. When the first sensor 13 to the second sensor 14 no longer detect refrigerant gas molecules, it indicates that the refrigerant gas has been completely released. The heating device 11 and recovery valve 61 are then turned off to prepare for the next round of refrigerant purification cycle.

[0080] This process is repeated continuously to purify the refrigerant in the air conditioning unit, ensuring its performance.

[0081] It should be noted that the terminology used above is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. When the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof. The order of execution of actions, steps, etc., in the apparatus and methods shown in the specification and drawings can be implemented in any order unless a specific order is expressly specified, and as long as the output of a previous process is not used in a subsequent process. Similar sequential terms used for ease of description do not imply that such an order must be followed.

[0082] Techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and apparatus should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0083] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerant purification device, comprising: The housing, the cooler disposed within the housing, and the air inlet pipe connected to the housing are characterized in that they further include: a detection component for detecting refrigerant gas in different areas within the housing; the housing is also connected to a circulation pipe and an exhaust pipe; the circulation pipe sends the gas separated by the cooler back into the housing through a vacuum pump; and the exhaust pipe discharges the gas separated by the cooler to the outside through an exhaust pump. Both the circulation pipe and the exhaust pipe are equipped with valves. The valves receive the detection signal from the detection component, so that at most one of the circulation pipe and the exhaust pipe is connected.

2. The refrigerant purification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper part inside the housing is a purification and detection area, which is provided with an air outlet. The inlet end of the circulation pipe and the inlet end of the exhaust pipe are both connected to the air outlet. The detection component includes at least two main sensors located at different heights in the purification detection area, with the normally functioning main sensor serving as the effective main sensor. The valve receives the detection signal from the effective main sensor, causing at most one of the circulation pipe and the exhaust pipe to be connected.

3. The refrigerant purification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the housing is provided with a liquid collection area, and the liquid collection area is provided with a heating device. The heating device is used to provide heat to release the refrigerant gas in the liquid collection area. The housing is also connected to a recovery pipe, and the recovery pipe supplies the refrigerant gas to the outside through the air pump. The recovery pipe is equipped with a recovery valve, and the recovery valve has the same on / off state as the heating device.

4. The refrigerant purification device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing is equipped with a recovery and detection area located above the liquid collection area; The detection assembly further includes at least two auxiliary sensors located at different heights in the recycling detection area, with the normally functioning auxiliary sensor serving as the effective auxiliary sensor. The recycling valve receives the detection signal from the effective auxiliary sensor and closes the recycling tube.

5. The refrigerant purification device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The liquid collection area is filled with soluble refrigerant liquid, and the liquid collection area is provided with an air inlet. The outlet end of the air inlet pipe and the outlet end of the circulation pipe are both connected to the air inlet.

6. The refrigerant purification apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a diffuser connected to the air inlet, and the diffuser has multiple diffusion holes for injecting gas outward.

7. The refrigerant purification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The cooler includes: a cold plate, multiple layers of the cold plate are spaced apart and inclined within the housing to form a tortuous airflow channel, and gas within the housing flows upward along the tortuous airflow channel.

8. The refrigerant purification apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, Each layer of the cold plate has an upward arch in the middle and a downward slope at the edges, making the cold plate shape like an umbrella. In any two adjacent cold plates, one cold plate has openings on both sides to allow airflow, and the other cold plate has an opening in the middle to allow airflow.

9. The refrigerant purification apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cold plate has a cooling chamber inside for the flow of coolant.

10. An air conditioning unit, characterized in that, include: The refrigerant circulation loop and the refrigerant purification device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A refrigerant purification method, wherein the refrigerant purification method is applied to the refrigerant purification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, include: In the air intake step, a mixture of refrigerant gas and non-condensable gas is introduced into the housing through the air intake pipe until the set air intake stop condition is reached, and then a purification step is performed. In the purification step, the mixed gas is driven to circulate and be separated within the housing by the circulation pipe and the vacuum pump until the effective main sensor in the upper part of the housing can no longer detect the refrigerant gas, and then the waste discharge step is performed. In the waste discharge step, the non-condensable gas is discharged outward using the exhaust pipe and the exhaust pump until the highest effective main sensor detects the refrigerant gas.

12. The refrigerant purification method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Also includes: After the waste discharge step is completed, the recycling step is performed. The heating device at the bottom of the shell is turned on. The heating device provides heat to release refrigerant gas. The refrigerant gas is supplied to the outside using the recycling pipe and the vacuum pump.

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