An ammonia refrigeration system in which an oil separator replaces an oil collector

By replacing the oil collector with an oil separator in the ammonia refrigeration system, the oil return operation is simplified, the problems of system complexity and energy inefficiency are solved, safe and reliable lubricating oil recovery is achieved, and lubricating oil leakage is avoided.

CN224284977UActive Publication Date: 2026-05-26YANTAI AOWEI REFRIGERATION EQUIP CO LTD

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
YANTAI AOWEI REFRIGERATION EQUIP CO LTD
Filing Date
2025-04-22
Publication Date
2026-05-26

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    Figure CN224284977U_ABST
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Abstract

This utility model relates to an ammonia refrigeration system that uses an oil separator to replace an oil collector. The problem it aims to solve is the existing issue in the background technology: ammonia systems require an additional oil return device for oil return, resulting in complex operation, energy inefficiency, and high costs. The key points of the technical solution adopted to solve this problem are: high-pressure side oil return circulation: the liquid receiver H port is connected to oil return valve one via a pipeline and returns to the oil separator D port; low-pressure side oil return circulation: the evaporator K port is connected to oil return valve two via a pipeline and returns to the oil separator C port. This is suitable for ammonia refrigeration systems.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of refrigeration technology, specifically an ammonia refrigeration system in which an oil separator replaces an oil collector. Background Technology

[0002] In a refrigeration system, some lubricating oil from the compressor enters the oil separator along with the high-temperature, high-pressure gas after compression. The oil separator separates the lubricating oil, but it is impossible for the oil separator to separate 100% of the lubricating oil from the exhaust. A small amount of lubricating oil will enter the system with the refrigerant. If the oil return is not handled properly during operation, the compressor is at risk of "oil runaway". Therefore, it is necessary to configure a reasonable oil return device to return the lubricating oil to the compressor. In existing ammonia refrigeration systems, the commonly used oil return method involves an ammonia oil collector. The operation is as follows: after the compressor stops, when oil return is needed, the return gas valve is opened. If oil return is needed from the high-pressure side liquid receiver, return oil valve one is opened (this valve is a regulating valve). The pressure difference allows the lubricating oil in the liquid receiver to flow into the oil collector. If oil return is needed from the low-pressure side evaporator, return oil valve two is opened. Gravity allows the lubricating oil in the evaporator to flow back into the oil collector. The frost formation on the oil collector cylinder is observed to determine the internal liquid level, and either return oil valve one or return oil valve two is closed. Through heat exchange with the environment via the oil collector, the ammonia liquid evaporates into gas and returns to the low-pressure side gas phase region. The lubricating oil accumulates at the bottom of the oil collector. This lubricating oil can be drained through the drain valve at the bottom of the oil collector. Alternatively, during compressor operation, the return gas valve can be closed, and the pressurization valve and return oil valve three can be opened, using the pressure difference to draw the lubricating oil back to the compressor. This oil return method is complex and does not save energy by utilizing discharge pressure. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to propose an ammonia refrigeration system that uses an oil separator instead of an oil collector, to solve the problems of the prior art: ammonia systems require an additional oil return device for oil return, resulting in complex operation, low energy efficiency, and high cost. The technical solution adopted to solve this problem is: an ammonia refrigeration system that uses an oil separator instead of an oil collector, wherein the refrigeration cycle is as follows: the compressor exhaust port is connected sequentially through pipelines to oil separator ports A and B, condenser, liquid receiver ports F and G, expansion valve, evaporator ports I and J, and port L in the pipeline back to the compressor suction port; oil separator port E is connected sequentially through pipelines to a pressure equalization valve and port L in the pipeline; the key feature is that: the high-pressure side oil return cycle is: the liquid receiver port H is connected through a pipeline to an oil return valve and then back to the oil separator port D; the low-pressure side oil return cycle is: the evaporator port K... After being connected to the return oil valve 2 via a pipeline, the oil returns to port C of the oil separator. Ports C and D on the oil separator can be either two ports or one port. Port K can be located on the evaporator, the gas-liquid separator, or the low-pressure circulation tank. The gas-liquid separator and the low-pressure circulation tank are auxiliary equipment connected to this system. Port E can be located on the oil separator or on the pipeline between the compressor and the oil separator. Port L can be located in the low-pressure zone of the compressor, between the evaporator and the compressor, or between the expansion valve and the evaporator.

[0004] The beneficial effects of this utility model compared with the prior art are as follows: Using the above technical solution, on the one hand, the oil return operation is as follows: after the compressor stops, first open the pressure equalization valve; after pressure equalization is completed, close the pressure equalization valve. When the high-pressure side reservoir needs oil return, open oil return valve one. Because the pressure inside the reservoir is higher than that in the oil separator, the lubricating oil in the reservoir can be returned to the oil separator through the pressure difference. After the oil is drained, close oil return valve one. When the low-pressure side evaporator requires oil return, if the evaporator is installed higher than the oil separator, open oil return valve two, and gravity will allow the lubricating oil in the evaporator to return to the oil separator. If the evaporator is installed lower than the oil separator, close the compressor's discharge or suction valve. After the evaporator temperature rises, the pressure inside the evaporator increases, and oil return valve two is opened, allowing the lubricating oil in the evaporator to return to the oil separator through the pressure difference. Alternatively, the liquid supply expansion valve can be opened, allowing high-pressure liquid to enter the evaporator through the expansion valve. The flashing gas increases the pressure inside the evaporator, and the lubricating oil in the evaporator is returned to the oil separator through the pressure difference. After the oil is drained, close oil return valve two and open the compressor's discharge or suction valve. This system achieves oil return through simple valve operation, simplifying system operation and ensuring system safety and reliability. Furthermore, the system requires no other oil return device or additional pressurization device, making it energy-efficient and highly effective. On the other hand, the small amount of refrigerant that is put into the oil separator along with the lubricating oil is heated by the heat of the high-temperature lubricating oil and evaporates into gas, thus avoiding the problem of "oil run-out" when the oil separator is turned on next time. Attached Figure Description

[0005] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0006] Example: Reference Figure 1 An ammonia refrigeration system in which an oil separator replaces an oil collector, wherein the refrigeration cycle is as follows: the discharge port of compressor 1 is connected in sequence through pipelines to ports A and B of oil separator 3, condenser 5, ports F and G of liquid receiver 4, expansion valve 7 and ports I and J of evaporator 9, and port L in the pipeline returns to the suction port of compressor 1; port E of oil separator 3 is connected in sequence through pipelines to pressure equalization valve 2 and port L in the pipeline, characterized in that: the high-pressure side oil return cycle is: port H of liquid receiver 4 is connected through pipelines to return oil valve 6 and returns to port D of oil separator 3; the low-pressure side oil return cycle is: port K of evaporator 9 is connected through pipelines to return oil valve 8 and returns to port C of oil separator 3; ports C and D on oil separator 3 are two ports; port K is located on evaporator 9; port E is located on oil separator 3; port L is located between evaporator 9 and compressor 1.

Claims

1. An ammonia refrigeration system in which an oil separator replaces an oil collector, wherein the refrigeration cycle is as follows: the discharge port of the compressor (1) is connected in sequence through a pipeline to the A and B ports of the oil separator (3), the condenser (5), the F and G ports of the receiver (4), the expansion valve (7), and the I and J ports of the evaporator (9), and the L port in the pipeline returns to the suction port of the compressor (1); the E port of the oil separator (3) is connected in sequence through a pipeline to the equalizing valve (2) and the L port in the pipeline, characterized in that: The high-pressure side return oil circulation is: the H port of the reservoir (4) is connected to the return oil valve one (6) through the pipeline and then returns to the D port of the oil separator (3); the low-pressure side return oil circulation is: the K port of the evaporator (9) is connected to the return oil valve two (8) through the pipeline and then returns to the C port of the oil separator (3).

2. The ammonia refrigeration system according to claim 1, wherein the oil separator replaces the oil collector, characterized in that: The C port and D port on the oil separator (3) can be either two ports or one port.

3. An ammonia refrigeration system that replaces an oil collector with an oil separator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The K port can be located on the evaporator (9), the gas-liquid separator, or the low-pressure circulation tank.

4. An ammonia refrigeration system that replaces an oil collector with an oil separator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Port E can be located on the oil separator (3) or on the pipeline between the compressor (1) and the oil separator (3).

5. An ammonia refrigeration system according to claim 3, wherein the oil separator replaces the oil collector, characterized in that: Port E can be located on the oil separator (3) or on the pipeline between the compressor (1) and the oil separator (3).

6. An ammonia refrigeration system that replaces an oil collector with an oil separator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The L port can be located either in the low-pressure zone of the compressor (1), between the evaporator (9) and the compressor (1), or between the expansion valve (7) and the evaporator (9).

7. An ammonia refrigeration system that replaces an oil collector with an oil separator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The L port can be located either in the low-pressure zone of the compressor (1), between the evaporator (9) and the compressor (1), or between the expansion valve (7) and the evaporator (9).

8. An ammonia refrigeration system according to claim 4, wherein the oil separator replaces the oil collector, characterized in that: The L port can be located either in the low-pressure zone of the compressor (1), between the evaporator (9) and the compressor (1), or between the expansion valve (7) and the evaporator (9).