A chilled water circulation system

Abstract

This application relates to the field of refrigeration equipment technology, and in particular to a chilled water circulation system, including a refrigeration system and a refrigerant system. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, a liquid receiver, an expansion valve, and an evaporator connected in sequence via pipelines. The evaporator is connected to the compressor via a gas-liquid separator, forming a refrigerant circulation loop structure. The refrigerant system includes a liquid receiver, a circulation pump, a chilled water solenoid valve, and a tap water solenoid valve. The liquid receiver is connected to the cooling water channel of the evaporator via pipelines through a gate valve, a water filter, and the circulation pump in sequence. The outlet of the cooling water channel of the evaporator is connected to the liquid receiver, forming a cooling water circulation loop structure. The liquid receiver is connected to the user end via the chilled water solenoid valve, and the tap water pipeline is connected to the user end via the tap water solenoid valve. This application can reduce the energy consumption of chilled water supply equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigeration equipment technology, and in particular to a chilled water circulation system. Background Technology

[0002] In many industrial sectors such as chemicals and aluminum products, chemical reactions in many production processes release a large amount of heat. In order to ensure stable reaction conditions and safe and orderly production, it is necessary to continuously introduce chilled water to remove this heat and maintain the temperature of the reaction system below the set threshold.

[0003] Currently, existing chilled water supply equipment, such as chillers, typically only provide a single cooling cycle function, and their operating mode is relatively fixed: regardless of changes in the external ambient temperature, the refrigeration compressor must continuously operate to produce low-temperature chilled water. This approach has significant limitations: firstly, when the tap water temperature is already low (e.g., below 15°C) during winter or transitional seasons, it often meets some of the production's demand for low-temperature cooling water, but existing equipment still needs to start the compressor for refrigeration, resulting in unnecessary energy waste and high operating costs; secondly, the continuous operation of the compressor for extended periods accelerates equipment wear and aging, shortens its lifespan, and increases maintenance frequency and costs. Furthermore, existing chillers are often difficult to integrate efficiently with the tap water piping system to utilize the natural low temperature of the tap water, requiring additional piping connections and control mechanisms, resulting in low system integration and reduced ease of use. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to reduce the energy consumption of chilled water supply equipment, this application provides a chilled water circulation system.

[0005] This application provides a chilled water circulation system, which adopts the following technical solution: it includes a refrigeration system and a refrigerant system;

[0006] The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, a liquid receiver, an expansion valve, and an evaporator connected in sequence via pipelines. The evaporator is connected to the compressor via a gas-liquid separator to form a refrigerant circulation loop structure.

[0007] The refrigerant system includes a storage tank, a circulating pump, a chilled water solenoid valve, and a tap water solenoid valve. The storage tank is connected to the cooling water channel of the evaporator via a pipeline, which passes through a gate valve, a water filter, and the circulating pump in sequence. The outlet of the cooling water channel of the evaporator is connected to the storage tank, forming a cooling water circulation loop structure. The storage tank is connected to the user end via the chilled water solenoid valve, and the tap water pipeline is connected to the user end via the tap water solenoid valve.

[0008] The refrigerant system also includes an automatic liquid addition solenoid valve and a liquid level switch. The automatic liquid addition solenoid valve is installed on the pipeline between the tap water pipeline and the liquid storage tank, and the liquid level switch for controlling the opening and closing of the automatic liquid addition solenoid valve is installed in the liquid storage tank.

[0009] When the tap water temperature is higher than 15°C, the refrigeration system starts, the chilled water solenoid valve opens, and the tap water solenoid valve closes. The cooling water in the storage tank is heated by the evaporator to form chilled water, which is then delivered to the user through the chilled water solenoid valve. When the tap water temperature is lower than 15°C, the refrigeration system stops operating, the tap water solenoid valve opens, and the chilled water solenoid valve closes. The tap water is then directly delivered to the user through the tap water solenoid valve.

[0010] Optionally, the refrigeration system further includes a dryer filter and a sight glass, which are sequentially arranged on the pipeline between the liquid receiver and the expansion valve.

[0011] Optionally, the condenser is an air-cooled condenser.

[0012] Optionally, the expansion valve is an electronic expansion valve.

[0013] Optionally, the liquid level switch includes a high-level liquid level switch and a low-level liquid level switch. When the liquid level in the storage tank is lower than the low-level liquid level switch, the automatic liquid filling solenoid valve will open; when the liquid level in the storage tank is higher than the high-level liquid level switch, the automatic liquid filling solenoid valve will close.

[0014] Optionally, the evaporator includes a refrigerant passage and a cooling water passage, the refrigerant passage being connected to the piping of the refrigeration system, and the cooling water passage being connected to the piping of the refrigerant system.

[0015] In summary, this application includes the following beneficial technical effects:

[0016] 1. By coordinating the chilled water solenoid valve and the tap water solenoid valve, the operating mode can be automatically switched according to the tap water temperature (e.g., above or below 15℃). In summer, when cooling is required, the refrigeration system is activated to prepare chilled water; in winter, when the tap water temperature is suitable, tap water is supplied directly, eliminating the need for a compressor and reducing energy consumption. The electronic expansion valve allows for precise adjustment of refrigerant flow according to the cooling load, improving refrigeration efficiency.

[0017] 2. The gas-liquid separator effectively separates the liquid from the refrigerant returning from the evaporator, allowing only gaseous refrigerant to enter the compressor, thus preventing liquid slugging in the compressor; the refrigerant circulation loop consisting of the liquid receiver, circulating pump, and related pipelines ensures a stable supply of cooling water and uniform temperature.

[0018] 3. The automatic liquid filling solenoid valve, in conjunction with the high-level and low-level liquid level switches, can automatically maintain the liquid level in the storage tank within the set range. This prevents damage to the circulating pump due to excessively low liquid levels or interruption of the chilled water supply, and also prevents overflow due to excessively high liquid levels.

[0019] 4. The water filter removes impurities from the cooling water, preventing pipe blockage and scaling on components such as the evaporator, ensuring smooth operation and efficient heat exchange in the refrigerant system. The dryer removes moisture and impurities from the refrigerant, preventing ice blockage, dirt blockage, or component corrosion within the refrigeration system. The sight glass allows for easy observation of the refrigerant's flow and water content, facilitating timely detection and handling of system abnormalities. The condenser eliminates the need for an additional cooling tower. The evaporator features a separate refrigerant and cooling water channel design, enabling thorough and efficient heat exchange between the refrigerant and cooling water within the evaporator, thus improving the efficiency of chilled water preparation. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a chilled water circulation system according to this application.

[0021] Attached reference numerals: 1 Compressor, 2 Condenser, 3 Receiver, 4 Dryer filter, 5 Sight glass, 6 Expansion valve, 7 Evaporator, 7.1 Refrigerant return passage, 7.2 Refrigerant passage, 8 Gas-liquid separator, 9 Receiver tank, 10 Gate valve, 11 Water filter, 12 Circulation pump, 13 Chilled water solenoid valve, 14 Tap water solenoid valve, 15 Automatic liquid filling solenoid valve, 16 High level switch, 17 Low level switch. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1 This application will be described in further detail.

[0023] This application discloses a chilled water circulation system. For example... Figure 1 As shown, a chilled water circulation system is characterized by comprising a refrigeration system and a refrigerant system;

[0024] The refrigeration system includes a compressor 1, a condenser 2, a liquid receiver 3, an expansion valve 6, and an evaporator 7 connected sequentially via pipelines. The evaporator 7 is connected to the compressor 1 via a gas-liquid separator 8, forming a refrigerant circulation loop. The refrigeration system also includes a dryer filter 4 and a sight glass 5, which are sequentially installed on the pipeline between the liquid receiver 3 and the expansion valve 6. The condenser 2 is an air-cooled condenser. The expansion valve 6 is an electronic expansion valve. The refrigerant system includes a liquid receiver tank 9, a circulation pump 12, a chilled water solenoid valve 13, and a tap water solenoid valve 14. The liquid receiver tank 9 is connected to the cooling water channel of the evaporator 7 via a pipeline connected sequentially via a gate valve 10, a water filter 11, and the circulation pump 12. The outlet of the cooling water channel of the evaporator 7 is connected to the liquid receiver tank 9, forming a cooling water circulation loop. The liquid receiver tank 9 is connected to the user end via the chilled water solenoid valve 13, and the tap water pipeline is connected to the user end via the tap water solenoid valve 14.

[0025] The refrigerant system also includes an automatic refrigerant charging solenoid valve 15 and a level switch. The automatic refrigerant charging solenoid valve 15 is installed on the pipeline between the tap water pipeline and the storage tank 9. The level switch used to control the opening and closing of the automatic refrigerant charging solenoid valve 15 is installed in the storage tank 9. The level switch includes a high level switch 16 and a low level switch 17. When the liquid level in the storage tank 9 is lower than the low level switch 17, the automatic refrigerant charging solenoid valve 15 will open. When the liquid level in the storage tank 9 is higher than the high level switch 16, the automatic refrigerant charging solenoid valve 15 will close.

[0026] When the tap water temperature is above 15℃, the refrigeration system starts, the chilled water solenoid valve 13 opens, and the tap water solenoid valve 14 closes. The cooling water in the storage tank 9 is heated by the evaporator 7 to form chilled water, which is then delivered to the user through the chilled water solenoid valve 13. When the tap water temperature is below 15℃, the refrigeration system stops operating, the tap water solenoid valve 14 opens, and the chilled water solenoid valve 13 closes. Tap water is then directly delivered to the user through the tap water solenoid valve 14. The evaporator 7 includes a refrigerant passage 7.2 and a cooling water passage. The refrigerant passage 7.2 is connected to the piping of the refrigeration system, and the cooling water passage is connected to the piping of the refrigerant system.

[0027] The implementation principle of a chilled water circulation system according to an embodiment of this application is as follows:

[0028] The composition and working process of the refrigeration system are as follows:

[0029] The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant vapor discharged from compressor 1 enters condenser 2, which is an air-cooled condenser. Heat is dissipated through forced air convection. In condenser 2, the refrigerant vapor releases heat and condenses into room-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid. The refrigerant liquid flows into receiver 3 for temporary storage. Afterward, the refrigerant liquid passes sequentially through a dryer filter 4 to remove moisture and impurities, then through a sight glass 5 to observe the refrigerant flow and water content, and finally enters electronic expansion valve 6. After being throttled and depressurized by electronic expansion valve 6, the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant liquid (or gas-liquid mixture) enters the refrigerant passage 7.2 of evaporator 7. Inside evaporator 7, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the cooling water flowing through its cooling water passage and evaporates into low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant vapor. After heat exchange, the refrigerant vapor enters the gas-liquid separator 8 from the refrigerant return passage of evaporator 7. After separating any possible entrained liquid, the pure refrigerant gas is drawn into compressor 1, completing one refrigeration cycle.

[0030] The composition and working process of the refrigerant system are as follows:

[0031] The core of the refrigerant system is the storage tank 9, which stores cooling water for circulation and heat exchange. The storage tank 9 is connected in sequence to a gate valve 10, a water filter 11, and a circulation pump 12 via pipelines, and is also connected to the cooling water inlet of the evaporator 7. The cooling water outlet of the evaporator 7 returns to the storage tank 9 via pipelines, forming a closed cooling water circulation loop. The storage tank 9 is connected to the user end via a chilled water solenoid valve 13 to supply chilled water to the user; simultaneously, the tap water pipeline is directly connected to the user end via a tap water solenoid valve 14. Furthermore, the tap water pipeline is also connected to the storage tank 9 via an automatic refrigerant filling solenoid valve 15. The storage tank 9 is equipped with a low-level switch 17 and a high-level switch 16 to control the opening and closing of the automatic refrigerant filling solenoid valve 15.

[0032] System operating modes:

[0033] Summer mode when tap water temperature is above 15℃:

[0034] Start the refrigeration system: Compressor 1 runs, and the refrigerant circulates according to the refrigeration system process described above.

[0035] In the refrigerant system, the circulating pump 12 starts and the gate valve 10 opens. The ambient temperature cooling water in the storage tank 9 is filtered by the gate valve 10 and the water filter 11, and then pumped into the cooling water channel of the evaporator 7 by the circulating pump 12.

[0036] Inside the evaporator 7, the cooling water exchanges heat with the low-temperature refrigerant in the refrigerant passage 7.2, and the temperature drops to become low-temperature chilled water, which then flows back to the liquid storage tank 9.

[0037] When a user needs chilled water, the chilled water solenoid valve 13 opens, and the low-temperature chilled water in the storage tank 9 is delivered to the user through the valve.

[0038] During this process, if the liquid level in the storage tank 9 falls below the low-level switch 17 due to user consumption or evaporation, the automatic liquid-filling solenoid valve 15 opens, and tap water is added to the storage tank 9 through the tap water pipeline until the liquid level reaches the high-level switch 16. At this time, the automatic liquid-filling solenoid valve 15 closes, maintaining a stable liquid level in the storage tank 9. Meanwhile, the tap water solenoid valve 14 remains closed.

[0039] Winter mode when tap water temperature is below 15℃:

[0040] The refrigeration system has stopped operating: compressor 1 and circulation pump 12 have stopped working.

[0041] In the refrigerant system, the chilled water solenoid valve 13 is closed, and the tap water solenoid valve 14 is open.

[0042] Low-temperature tap water is directly delivered to the user end through tap water solenoid valve 14 to meet the user's demand for low-temperature cooling water.

[0043] At this time, the automatic liquid filling solenoid valve 15 is usually also in the closed state (unless the liquid level in the storage tank is abnormal, but the storage tank generally does not participate in the main circulation in winter mode).

[0044] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A chilled water circulation system characterized by, Including refrigeration systems and refrigerant systems; The refrigeration system includes a compressor (1), a condenser (2), a liquid receiver (3), an expansion valve (6), and an evaporator (7) connected in sequence by pipelines. The evaporator (7) is connected to the compressor (1) through a gas-liquid separator (8) to form a refrigerant circulation loop structure. The refrigerant system includes a storage tank (9), a circulation pump (12), a chilled water solenoid valve (13), and a tap water solenoid valve (14). The storage tank (9) is connected to the cooling water channel of the evaporator (7) via a pipeline through a gate valve (10), a water filter (11), and the circulation pump (12). The outlet of the cooling water channel of the evaporator (7) is connected to the storage tank (9) to form a cooling water circulation loop structure. The storage tank (9) is connected to the user end through the chilled water solenoid valve (13), and the tap water pipeline is connected to the user end through the tap water solenoid valve (14). The refrigerant system also includes an automatic liquid addition solenoid valve (15) and a liquid level switch. The automatic liquid addition solenoid valve (15) is installed on the pipeline between the tap water pipeline and the liquid storage tank (9). The liquid level switch used to control the opening and closing of the automatic liquid addition solenoid valve (15) is installed in the liquid storage tank (9).

2. The chilled water circulation system of claim 1, wherein, The refrigeration system also includes a dryer filter (4) and a sight glass (5), which are sequentially arranged on the pipeline between the liquid reservoir (3) and the expansion valve (6).

3. The chilled water circulation system of claim 1, wherein, The condenser (2) is an air-cooled condenser.

4. The chilled water circulation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The expansion valve (6) is an electronic expansion valve.

5. The chilled water circulation system of claim 1, wherein, The liquid level switch includes a high liquid level switch (16) and a low liquid level switch (17). When the liquid level in the storage tank (9) is lower than the low liquid level switch (17), the automatic liquid filling solenoid valve (15) will open.

6. The chilled water circulation system of claim 1, wherein, The evaporator (7) includes a refrigerant passage (7.2) and a cooling water passage. The refrigerant passage (7.2) is connected to the piping of the refrigeration system, and the cooling water passage is connected to the piping of the refrigerant system.

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