COOLING CIRCUIT DEVICE

Abstract

A refrigeration circuit device (1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501) comprises a refrigerant circuit (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511) and an adsorbent. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor (31, 131, 231, 331, 431, 531) that compresses a refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit is a vapor compression refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant circulates. The adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit. The adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant according to a pressure change of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit.

Description

Refrigeration cycle equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigeration cycle device.

[0002] Conventionally, a hybrid refrigeration system configured by combining a vapor compression refrigeration cycle and an adsorption refrigeration cycle has been used. Patent Document 1 (WO 2009 / 145278) discloses a hybrid refrigeration system in which a pair of adsorbers of an adsorption refrigeration cycle are alternately cooled and heated to alternately adsorb and desorb a refrigerant in order to reduce the mechanical workload of a compressor of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle.

[0003] A hybrid refrigeration system that controls adsorption and desorption of a refrigerant in an adsorption refrigeration cycle by utilizing pressure changes of a refrigerant circulating in a vapor compression refrigeration cycle has not been used conventionally.

[0004] A refrigeration cycle device according to a first aspect includes a first unit and an adsorbent. The first unit constitutes a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant circulates. The adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant circulating within the first unit. The adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant in response to a change in pressure of the refrigerant circulating within the first unit.

[0005] The refrigeration cycle device of the first aspect has a lower operating pressure than a refrigeration cycle device not having an adsorbent, and can utilize the heat of adsorption and desorption of the refrigerant, thereby reducing costs and improving the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.

[0006] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a second aspect includes a first unit and an adsorbent. The first unit has a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, and constitutes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant circulates. The adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant circulating within the first unit. The adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant in response to changes in the pressure of the refrigerant circulating within the first unit.

[0007] The refrigeration cycle apparatus of the second aspect has a lower operating pressure than a refrigeration cycle apparatus that has a vapor compression refrigeration cycle and does not have an adsorbent, and can utilize the heat of adsorption and desorption of the refrigerant. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the second aspect can reduce costs and improve the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.

[0008] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a third aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the first unit further includes an expansion mechanism that decompresses the refrigerant, a high-pressure region, and a low-pressure region. In the high-pressure region, refrigerant compressed by the compressor but before being decompressed by the expansion mechanism flows. In the low-pressure region, refrigerant decompressed by the expansion mechanism but before being compressed by the compressor flows. The adsorbent adsorbs the refrigerant in the high-pressure region and desorbs the refrigerant in the low-pressure region.

[0009] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the third aspect, further comprising a first adsorption device having an adsorbent, a second adsorption device having an adsorbent, and a switching unit. The switching unit alternately switches between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the switching unit introduces a refrigerant in a high-pressure range into the first adsorption device to cause the refrigerant to be adsorbed by the adsorbent of the first adsorption device, and introduces a refrigerant in a low-pressure range into the second adsorption device to cause the refrigerant to be desorbed by the adsorbent of the second adsorption device. In the second mode, the switching unit introduces a refrigerant in a low-pressure range into the first adsorption device to cause the refrigerant to be desorbed by the adsorbent of the first adsorption device, and introduces a refrigerant in a high-pressure range into the second adsorption device to cause the refrigerant to be adsorbed by the adsorbent of the second adsorption device.

[0010] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the adsorbent circulates within the first unit together with the refrigerant.

[0011] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the fifth aspect, further comprising a separator that separates the refrigerant circulating within the first unit from the adsorbent. After being separated from the refrigerant by the separator, the adsorbent merges with the refrigerant compressed by the compressor or the refrigerant decompressed by the expansion mechanism.

[0012] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the sixth aspect, further comprising a pressure booster. The separator separates the refrigerant in a low pressure range from the adsorbent. The pressure booster boosts the adsorbent separated from the refrigerant by the separator.

[0013] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to an eighth aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the sixth or seventh aspect, further comprising a pressure reducer. The separator separates the refrigerant in a high-pressure region from the adsorbent. The pressure reducer reduces the pressure of the adsorbent separated from the refrigerant by the separator.

[0014] A ninth aspect of the present invention is the refrigeration cycle apparatus of any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the separator separates the refrigerant and the adsorbent by centrifugal separation.

[0015] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a tenth aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the third aspect, further comprising a second unit and a mixer. The second unit has a pressure booster that increases the pressure of the adsorbent and a pressure reducer that reduces the pressure of the adsorbent. The second unit constitutes an adsorption-type refrigeration cycle in which the adsorbent circulates. The mixer mixes the refrigerant flowing through the first unit with the adsorbent flowing through the second unit. The adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant in the mixer.

[0016] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to an eleventh aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the tenth aspect, wherein the mixer has a permeable member. The permeable member is a member through which the refrigerant can pass but which the adsorbent cannot pass. The adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant that has passed through the permeable member in the mixer.

[0017] A refrigeration cycle device according to a twelfth aspect is the refrigeration cycle device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the adsorbent includes a metal organic framework including metal ions and organic ligands.

[0018] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the refrigerant is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, ammonia, and propane.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hybrid cycle provided in a refrigeration cycle device. FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the adsorption amount of an adsorbent and the pressure of a refrigerant. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the adsorption amount of an adsorbent and the enthalpy of a refrigerant. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the pressure of a refrigerant and the enthalpy of a refrigerant. FIG. 5 is a graph showing an isotherm of a refrigerant adsorbed to an adsorbent. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to a modified example A.

[0020] (1) Overall Configuration The refrigeration cycle device 1 includes a hybrid cycle that combines a vapor compression cycle and an adsorption cycle. The vapor compression cycle is a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle and a heat pump cycle that utilizes the transfer of latent heat generated when a refrigerant evaporates and condenses. The adsorption cycle is an adsorption type refrigeration cycle and a heat pump cycle that utilizes the transfer of latent heat generated when a refrigerant is adsorbed onto an adsorbent and when the refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent. The refrigeration cycle device 1 is, for example, an air conditioning device or a refrigeration device.

[0021] 1, the refrigeration cycle device 1 includes a refrigerant circuit 11 and an adsorption circuit 12. The refrigerant circuit 11 constitutes a vapor compression cycle in which a refrigerant circulates, and the adsorption circuit 12 constitutes an adsorption cycle in which an adsorbent circulates.

[0022] The refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 may have only one circuit that has the function of at least one of the refrigerant circuit 11 and the adsorption circuit 12. In this case, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 may have a circuit in which a mixture of a refrigerant and an adsorbent circulates. Alternatively, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 may have a circuit in which only the refrigerant circulates, the circuit having a mechanism for bringing the circulating refrigerant into contact with the adsorbent. In this case, the adsorbent is not circulated.

[0023] The refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 may have two circuits, one having the function of the refrigerant circuit 11 and the other having the function of the adsorption circuit 12. In this case, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is provided with a mechanism for bringing the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 11 into contact with the adsorbent circulating in the adsorption circuit 12. For the sake of explanation, in Fig. 1, the refrigerant circuit 11 and the adsorption circuit 12 are depicted as independent circuits.

[0024] The refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 has an adsorption unit 21 and a desorption unit 22. The adsorption unit 21 and the desorption unit 22 each include a part of the refrigerant circuit 11 and a part of the adsorption circuit 12. In the adsorption unit 21 and the desorption unit 22, the refrigerant can move freely between the refrigerant circuit 11 and the adsorption circuit 12. The adsorbent cannot move between the refrigerant circuit 11 and the adsorption circuit 12. In the adsorption unit 21, the refrigerant that flows from the refrigerant circuit 11 into the adsorption circuit 12 is adsorbed by the adsorbent flowing in the adsorption circuit 12. In the desorption unit 22, the refrigerant desorbed from the adsorbent flowing in the adsorption circuit 12 flows from the adsorption circuit 12 into the refrigerant circuit 11.

[0025] The refrigerant circuit 11 has a compressor 31 and an expansion mechanism 32. The compressor 31 compresses the refrigerant circulating within the refrigerant circuit 11. The expansion mechanism 32 decompresses the refrigerant circulating within the refrigerant circuit 11. The compressor 31 is, for example, a rotary compressor. The expansion mechanism 32 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve. In the refrigerant circuit 11, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 31, passes through the adsorption section 21, is decompressed by the expansion mechanism 32, passes through the desorption section 22, and is compressed again by the compressor 31.

[0026] The refrigerant circuit 11 has a high-pressure region and a low-pressure region. In the high-pressure region, refrigerant flows that has been compressed by the compressor 31 but not yet decompressed by the expansion mechanism 32. In the low-pressure region, refrigerant flows that has been decompressed by the expansion mechanism 32 but not yet compressed by the compressor 31. The high-pressure region corresponds to the part of the refrigerant circuit 11 included in the adsorption unit 21. The low-pressure region corresponds to the part of the refrigerant circuit 11 included in the desorption unit 22.

[0027] The refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 11 is carbon dioxide. The refrigerant may also be ammonia or propane.

[0028] The adsorption circuit 12 has a booster 41 and a pressure reducer 42. The booster 41 boosts the pressure of the adsorbent circulating through the adsorption circuit 12. The pressure reducer 42 depressurizes the adsorbent circulating through the adsorption circuit 12. The booster 41 is, for example, a powder pump. The pressure reducer 42 is, for example, a powder valve. In the adsorption circuit 12, the adsorbent is boosted in pressure by the booster 41, passes through the adsorption section 21, is depressurized by the pressure reducer 42, passes through the desorption section 22, and is again boosted in pressure by the booster 41. Depending on the configuration of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1, the adsorption circuit 12 may not have the booster 41 and the pressure reducer 42.

[0029] The adsorption circuit 12 may further include a heat exchanger 43. The heat exchanger 43 exchanges heat between the upstream side of the pressure booster 41 and the upstream side of the pressure reducer 42. The heat exchanger 43 transfers part of the heat of the adsorbent flowing between the adsorption unit 21 and the pressure reducer 42 to the adsorbent flowing between the desorption unit 22 and the pressure booster 41.

[0030] The adsorbent circulating through the adsorption circuit 12 includes a metal-organic framework containing metal ions and organic ligands. A metal-organic framework (MOF) is a porous material with an extremely large specific surface area obtained by the reaction of metal ions and organic ligands. In a metal-organic framework, organic ligands are linked to metal ions to obtain a polymer structure with numerous openings therein. The opening size and topology of the metal-organic framework can be adjusted by selecting and combining metal ions and organic ligands. The opening size of the metal-organic framework can be adjusted by selecting and combining metal ions and organic ligands, enabling selective adsorption of target substances. The metal-organic framework is used, for example, as a porous material capable of selectively storing and separating molecules and ions. In this embodiment, the metal-organic framework is used as an adsorbent for adsorbing and desorbing a refrigerant. Examples of the metal-organic framework include MOF-5 and MOF-200. The adsorbent is, for example, a powder of a metal-organic framework.

[0031] (2) Operation The adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 11. The adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant in response to changes in the pressure of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 11. Specifically, the adsorbent adsorbs the refrigerant under high pressure and desorbs the refrigerant under low pressure.

[0032] The high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit 11 is assumed to be filled with refrigerant at a pressure pH and a temperature TH. The low-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit 11 is assumed to be filled with refrigerant at a pressure pL and a temperature TL. The pressure pH is higher than the pressure pL. The temperature TH is higher than the temperature TL. The adsorbent adsorbs the refrigerant in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit 11. The adsorbent desorbs the refrigerant in the low-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit 11. In the adsorption unit 21, the refrigerant flowing in the high-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit 11 flows into the adsorption circuit 12 and is adsorbed by the adsorbent. In the desorption unit 22, the refrigerant desorbed from the adsorbent flowing in the adsorption circuit 12 flows into the low-pressure region of the refrigerant circuit 11.

[0033] The operation of the heat pump cycle of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1-4. Figure 1-4 shows the refrigerant cycle a→b→c→d→a in the refrigerant circuit 11 and the adsorbent cycle a'→b'→c'→d'→a' in the adsorption circuit 12. The graph in Figure 2 shows the adsorption amount, which is the mass of refrigerant adsorbed on the adsorbent per unit mass, and the change in pressure of the refrigerant adsorbed on the adsorbent in the heat pump cycle. The graph in Figure 3 shows the adsorption amount of the adsorbent and the change in enthalpy of the refrigerant adsorbed on the adsorbent in the heat pump cycle. The graph in Figure 4 shows the change in refrigerant pressure and enthalpy in the heat pump cycle. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1, heat is assumed to be able to flow freely between the refrigerant circuit 11 and the adsorption circuit 12.

[0034] In the refrigerant circuit 11, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 31 (a → b). In the adsorption circuit 12, the adsorbent is pressurized by the booster 41 (a' → b'). As a result, the pressure of the refrigerant and the adsorbent increases from pL to pH. During this process, a portion of the heat Q1 generated by the adiabatic compression of the refrigerant is transferred to the adsorbent. In other words, the refrigerant is cooled by transferring heat to the adsorbent while being compressed. As a result, the temperatures of the refrigerant and the adsorbent increase from TL to TH.

[0035] Next, in the adsorption unit 21, the refrigerant is gradually adsorbed onto the adsorbent while releasing heat Q2 (b' → c'). During this process, the adsorption amount of the adsorbent increases from mL to mH. As a result, in the adsorption unit 21, most of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 11 is adsorbed onto the adsorbent in the adsorption circuit 12. As shown by the hatched arrows in the adsorption unit 21 in Figure 1, in the adsorption unit 21, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 11 moves to the adsorption circuit 12 and is adsorbed onto the adsorbent.

[0036] Next, in the adsorption circuit 12, the adsorbent is depressurized by the pressure reducer 42 (c' → d'). As a result, the pressure of the adsorbent decreases from pH to pL. During this process, the temperature of the adsorbent decreases from TH to TL due to isenthalpic expansion of the refrigerant desorbed from the adsorbent. Furthermore, due to the temperature difference between the refrigerant and the adsorbent, the depressurized adsorbent in the adsorption circuit 12 is cooled and provides heat Q3 to the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 11. Furthermore, heat Q5 is provided by the heat exchanger 43 from the adsorbent before being depressurized to the adsorbent before being pressurized.

[0037] Next, in the desorbing section 22, the refrigerant gradually desorbs from the adsorbent while absorbing heat Q4 (d' → a'). During this process, the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent decreases from mH to mL. As a result, most of the refrigerant adsorbed on the adsorbent in the adsorption circuit 12 is desorbed and flows into the refrigerant circuit 11. As shown by the hatched arrows in the desorbing section 22 in FIG. 1 , in the desorbing section 22, the refrigerant desorbed from the adsorbent in the adsorption circuit 12 moves to the refrigerant circuit 11.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, during the adsorption process (b' → c') in which the refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent, the pressure is pH, and the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent increases from mL to mH. During the desorption process (d' → a') in which the refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent, the pressure is pL, and the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent decreases from mH to mL. As shown in Figure 3, during the adsorption process, the enthalpy decreases by Δh1. During the desorption process, the enthalpy increases by Δh2. During the adsorption process, heat Q2 released from the adsorption section 21 is proportional to Δh1. During the desorption process, heat Q4 absorbed by the desorption section 22 is proportional to Δh2.

[0039] The amount of change in enthalpy due to heat exchange by the heat exchanger 43 is denoted by Δh3. The amount of change in enthalpy due to heating of the adsorbent during the adsorbent pressurization process (a' → b') is denoted by Δh4. The amount of change in enthalpy due to cooling of the adsorbent during the adsorbent depressurization process (c' → d') is denoted by Δh5. As shown in FIG. 4, the amount of change in total enthalpy during the refrigerant compression process (a → b) is expressed as Δh4 - Δh3. The amount of change in total enthalpy during the adsorbent depressurization process (c' → d') is expressed as Δh5 - Δh3. In FIG. 4, the change in state of the refrigerant during adiabatic compression is indicated by dashed arrows, and the change in state of the refrigerant during isoenthalpic expansion is indicated by dashed arrows.

[0040] FIG. 5 shows isotherms during refrigerant adsorption and desorption suitable for the heat pump cycle of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1. In FIG. 5, the isotherm at temperature TH is shown by a solid line, and the isotherm at temperature TL is shown by a dashed line. In the adsorption process (b'→c'), when a refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent at pressure pH and temperature TH, the isotherm at temperature TH preferably indicates that the adsorption amount of the adsorbent increases from mL to mH at a pressure between pL and pH. In the desorption process (d'→a'), when a refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent at pressure pL and temperature TL, the isotherm at temperature TL preferably indicates that the adsorption amount of the adsorbent decreases from mH to mL at a pressure between pL and pH.

[0041] (3) Detailed Configuration First to fifth embodiments, which are specific configurations of the refrigeration cycle device 1 shown in FIG. 1, will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10.

[0042] (3-1) First Embodiment As shown in FIG. 6, a refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 of this embodiment has a first refrigerant circuit 111 through which a primary refrigerant circulates, and a second refrigerant circuit 112 through which a secondary refrigerant circulates. In FIG. 6, the first refrigerant circuit 111 is depicted with a bold line. The first refrigerant circuit 111 corresponds to the refrigerant circuit 11 in FIG. 1. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 does not have a circuit through which an adsorbent circulates, which corresponds to the adsorption circuit 12 in FIG. 1. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 101, the adsorbent is provided in the first refrigerant circuit 111. The secondary refrigerant is, for example, water.

[0043] The first refrigerant circuit 111 has a compressor 131, an expansion mechanism 132, a first adsorption device 133, a second adsorption device 134, and a switching unit 135. The compressor 131 corresponds to the compressor 31 in Fig. 1. The expansion mechanism 132 corresponds to the expansion mechanism 32 in Fig. 1.

[0044] The first adsorber 133 has a first adsorbent 133a therein. The primary refrigerant passing through the first adsorber 133 comes into contact with the first adsorbent 133a. The first adsorbent 133a is housed in a container formed of, for example, a metal mesh and fixed inside the first adsorber 133.

[0045] The second adsorption device 134 has a second adsorbent 134a therein. The primary refrigerant passing through the second adsorption device 134 comes into contact with the second adsorbent 134a. The second adsorbent 134a is housed in a container formed of, for example, a metal mesh and fixed inside the second adsorption device 134.

[0046] The switching unit 135 switches the flow direction of the primary refrigerant circulating in the first refrigerant circuit 111. The switching unit 135 is, for example, a four-way switching valve. The switching unit 135 switches between a first mode in which the flow direction is indicated by the solid line in FIG. 6 and a second mode in which the flow direction is indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 6. In the first mode, the discharge side of the compressor 131 is connected to the first adsorption device 133, and the suction side of the compressor 131 is connected to the second adsorption device 134. In the second mode, the discharge side of the compressor 131 is connected to the second adsorption device 134, and the suction side of the compressor 131 is connected to the first adsorption device 133.

[0047] The second refrigerant circuit 112 has a first fluid pump 141, a first heat exchanger 142, a first fan 143, a first tank 144, a second fluid pump 151, a second heat exchanger 152, a second fan 153, a second tank 154, and four flow path change units 161-164.

[0048] The first fluid pump 141 sends the secondary refrigerant to the first heat exchanger 142. The first heat exchanger 142 exchanges heat between the secondary refrigerant and air. The first fan 143 sends the air that has undergone heat exchange in the first heat exchanger 142 to a predetermined location. The first tank 144 has the first adsorber 133 therein and exchanges heat between the primary refrigerant and the secondary refrigerant.

[0049] The second fluid pump 151 sends the secondary refrigerant to the second heat exchanger 152. The second heat exchanger 152 exchanges heat between the secondary refrigerant and air. The second fan 153 sends the air that has undergone heat exchange in the second heat exchanger 152 to a predetermined location. The second tank 154 has the second adsorber 134 therein and exchanges heat between the primary refrigerant and the secondary refrigerant.

[0050] The flow path changing units 161-164 change the connection state of the second refrigerant circuit 112 to change the flow path through which the secondary refrigerant flows. The flow path changing units 161-164 are, for example, three-way switching valves. The flow path changing units 161-164 switch between a third mode connection state indicated by the solid lines in FIG. 6 and a fourth mode connection state indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 6.

[0051] The second refrigerant circuit 112 has two independent circuits in each of the third and fourth modes. The two circuits of the second refrigerant circuit 112 are referred to as a first circulation circuit and a second circulation circuit. In Fig. 6 , the flow direction of the secondary refrigerant in the third mode is indicated by a solid line, and the flow direction of the secondary refrigerant in the fourth mode is indicated by a dashed line.

[0052] In the third mode, the first circulation circuit is a circuit in which the first fluid pump 141, the first heat exchanger 142, the flow path changing unit 161, the first tank 144, and the flow path changing unit 162 are connected. In the third mode, the second circulation circuit is a circuit in which the second fluid pump 151, the second heat exchanger 152, the flow path changing unit 163, the second tank 154, and the flow path changing unit 164 are connected.

[0053] In the fourth mode, the first circulation circuit is a circuit in which the first fluid pump 141, the first heat exchanger 142, the flow path changing unit 161, the second tank 154, and the flow path changing unit 162 are connected. In the fourth mode, the second circulation circuit is a circuit in which the second fluid pump 151, the second heat exchanger 152, the flow path changing unit 163, the first tank 144, and the flow path changing unit 164 are connected.

[0054] A case will be described in which the refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 is an air conditioning apparatus. The first heat exchanger 142 is an indoor heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger 152 is an outdoor heat exchanger. When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 performs heating operation, the secondary refrigerant heated by heat exchange with the primary refrigerant passes through the first heat exchanger 142. Therefore, the secondary refrigerant circulating in the first circulation circuit including the first heat exchanger 142 must come into contact with one of the first adsorbers 133 and the second adsorber 134, which has an adsorbent material to adsorb the primary refrigerant. The air heated by heat exchange with the secondary refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 142 is sent to a predetermined location by the first fan 143.

[0055] In the first mode, a high-pressure primary refrigerant is introduced into the first adsorber 133, and the primary refrigerant is adsorbed by the first adsorbent 133a. In the first mode, a low-pressure primary refrigerant is introduced into the second adsorber 134, and the primary refrigerant is desorbed from the second adsorbent 134a.

[0056] In the second mode, the high-pressure primary refrigerant is introduced into the second adsorber 134, and the primary refrigerant is adsorbed by the second adsorbent 134a. In the second mode, the low-pressure primary refrigerant is introduced into the first adsorber 133, and the primary refrigerant is desorbed from the first adsorbent 133a.

[0057] Therefore, in the first mode, it is necessary to switch to a third mode in which the secondary refrigerant passes through the first tank 144 having the first adsorption device 133 and the first heat exchanger 142. In addition, in the second mode, it is necessary to switch to a fourth mode in which the secondary refrigerant passes through the second tank 154 having the second adsorption device 134 and the first heat exchanger 142.

[0058] When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 is operated in both the first mode and the third mode, the adsorption amount of the first adsorbent 133a of the first adsorption device 133 reaches a maximum value mH, making it difficult for the first adsorbent 133a to adsorb the primary refrigerant. When the first mode is subsequently switched to the second mode, the primary refrigerant is adsorbed by the second adsorbent 134a of the second adsorption device 134, and the primary refrigerant is desorbed from the first adsorbent 133a of the first adsorption device 133. Therefore, after switching to the second mode, it is necessary to switch from the third mode to the fourth mode in which the secondary refrigerant passes through the second tank 154 having the second adsorption device 134 and the first heat exchanger 142.

[0059] When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 is operated in the second mode and the fourth mode, the adsorption amount of the second adsorbent 134a of the second adsorption device 134 reaches the maximum value mH, making it difficult for the second adsorbent 134a to adsorb the primary refrigerant. When the second mode is then switched to the first mode, the primary refrigerant is adsorbed by the first adsorbent 133a of the first adsorption device 133, and the primary refrigerant is desorbed from the second adsorbent 134a of the second adsorption device 134. Therefore, after switching to the first mode, it is necessary to switch from the fourth mode to the third mode in which the secondary refrigerant passes through the first tank 144 having the first adsorption device 133 and the first heat exchanger 142.

[0060] Therefore, by alternately switching between the first mode and the second mode, the primary refrigerant can be constantly heated by being adsorbed by the adsorbent in either the first adsorption device 133 or the second adsorption device 134. Furthermore, by alternately switching between the third mode and the fourth mode in accordance with the switching between the first mode and the second mode, the secondary refrigerant that has been heated through heat exchange with the primary refrigerant can constantly be supplied to the first heat exchanger 142.

[0061] (3-2) Second Example As shown in Fig. 7, a refrigeration cycle apparatus 201 of this example has a refrigerant circuit 211 through which a refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant circuit 211 has the functions of both the refrigerant circuit 11 and the adsorption circuit 12 of Fig. 1. The adsorbent circulates within the refrigerant circuit 211 together with the refrigerant. In other words, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 201, a mixture of the refrigerant and the adsorbent circulates within the refrigerant circuit 211.

[0062] The refrigerant circuit 211 has a compressor 231, an expansion mechanism 232, a first heat exchanger 233, a second heat exchanger 234, a switching unit 235, a first fan 236, and a second fan 237. The compressor 231 has the functions of both the compressor 31 and the booster 41 in Fig. 1. The expansion mechanism 232 has the functions of both the expansion mechanism 32 and the decompressor 42 in Fig. 1.

[0063] The switching unit 235 switches the flow direction of the refrigerant and adsorbent mixture circulating within the refrigerant circuit 211. The switching unit 235 is, for example, a four-way switching valve. The switching unit 235 switches between a first mode in which the flow direction is indicated by the solid line in FIG. 7 and a second mode in which the flow direction is indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 7. In the first mode, the discharge side of the compressor 231 is connected to the first heat exchanger 233, and the suction side of the compressor 231 is connected to the second heat exchanger 234. In the second mode, the discharge side of the compressor 231 is connected to the second heat exchanger 234, and the suction side of the compressor 231 is connected to the first heat exchanger 233.

[0064] In the first heat exchanger 233, high-pressure refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent in the first mode, and low-pressure refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent in the second mode. In the second heat exchanger 234, low-pressure refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent in the first mode, and high-pressure refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent in the second mode. In the first heat exchanger 233 and the second heat exchanger 234, the refrigerant is heated by adsorption onto the adsorbent, or cooled by desorption from the adsorbent. As a result, heat exchange occurs between the heated or cooled refrigerant and the air in the first heat exchanger 233 and the second heat exchanger 234. The first fan 236 sends the air that has undergone heat exchange in the first heat exchanger 233 to a predetermined location. The second fan 237 sends the air that has undergone heat exchange in the second heat exchanger 234 to a predetermined location.

[0065] As described above, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 201, the refrigerant is heated or cooled as the mixture of refrigerant and adsorbent circulates through the refrigerant circuit 211, and the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant is sent to a predetermined location. A case will be described in which the refrigeration cycle apparatus 201 is an air conditioning apparatus. The first heat exchanger 233 is an indoor heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger 234 is an outdoor heat exchanger. When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 201 performs heating operation, the operation mode is switched to the first mode, and the refrigerant is adsorbed by the adsorbent in the first heat exchanger 233, causing the refrigerant to be heated. The air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant and been heated is sent to a predetermined location by the first fan 236.

[0066] (3-3) Third Embodiment As shown in Fig. 8, a refrigeration cycle apparatus 301 of this embodiment has a refrigerant circuit 311 in which a refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant circuit 311 has the functions of both the refrigerant circuit 11 and the adsorption circuit 12 of Fig. 1. The adsorbent flows together with the refrigerant through a portion of the refrigerant circuit 311. In other words, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 301, a mixture of the refrigerant and the adsorbent circulates within the refrigerant circuit 311.

[0067] The refrigerant circuit 311 has a compressor 331, an expansion mechanism 332, a first heat exchanger 333, a second heat exchanger 334, a switching unit 335, a first fan 336, a second fan 337, a booster 341, and a separator 351. The compressor 331 corresponds to the compressor 31 in Fig. 1. The booster 341 corresponds to the booster 41 in Fig. 1. The expansion mechanism 332 has the functions of both the expansion mechanism 32 and the decompressor 42 in Fig. 1.

[0068] The switching unit 335 switches the flow direction of the refrigerant and adsorbent mixture circulating within the refrigerant circuit 311. The switching unit 335 is, for example, a four-way switching valve. The switching unit 335 switches between a first mode, in which the flow direction is indicated by the solid line in FIG. 8 , and a second mode, in which the flow direction is indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 8 . In the first mode, the discharge sides of the compressor 331 and the booster 341 are connected to the first heat exchanger 333, and the suction sides of the compressor 331 and the booster 341 are connected to the second heat exchanger 334. In the second mode, the discharge sides of the compressor 331 and the booster 341 are connected to the second heat exchanger 334, and the suction sides of the compressor 331 and the booster 341 are connected to the first heat exchanger 333.

[0069] The separator 351 is provided between the suction sides of the compressor 331 and the booster 341 and the switching unit 335 .

[0070] The separator 351 separates the mixture of low-pressure refrigerant and adsorbent circulating within the refrigerant circuit 311 into the refrigerant and the adsorbent. The separator 351 separates the refrigerant and the adsorbent by, for example, centrifugal separation. The refrigerant separated by the separator 351 is compressed in the compressor 331. The adsorbent separated by the separator 351 is pressurized by the booster 341. As shown in FIG. 8 , the adsorbent pressurized by the booster 341 merges with the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 331. After merging, the refrigerant and the adsorbent are sent to the switching unit 335. In this way, the refrigerant circuit 311 branches at the separator 351 and merges between the compressor 331 / booster 341 and the switching unit 335.

[0071] In the first heat exchanger 333, high-pressure refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent in the first mode, and low-pressure refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent in the second mode. In the second heat exchanger 334, low-pressure refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent in the first mode, and high-pressure refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent in the second mode. In the first heat exchanger 333 and the second heat exchanger 334, the refrigerant is heated by adsorption onto the adsorbent, or cooled by desorption from the adsorbent. As a result, heat exchange occurs between the heated or cooled refrigerant and the air in the first heat exchanger 333 and the second heat exchanger 334. The first fan 336 sends the air that has undergone heat exchange in the first heat exchanger 333 to a predetermined location. The second fan 337 sends the air that has undergone heat exchange in the second heat exchanger 334 to a predetermined location.

[0072] As described above, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 301, the refrigerant is heated or cooled as the mixture of refrigerant and adsorbent circulates through the refrigerant circuit 311, and the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant is sent to a predetermined location. A case will be described in which the refrigeration cycle apparatus 301 is an air conditioning apparatus. The first heat exchanger 333 is an indoor heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger 334 is an outdoor heat exchanger. When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 301 performs heating operation, the operation mode is switched to the first mode, and the refrigerant is adsorbed by the adsorbent in the first heat exchanger 333, causing the refrigerant to be heated. The air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant and been heated is sent to a predetermined location by the first fan 336.

[0073] (3-4) Fourth Embodiment As shown in Fig. 9, a refrigeration cycle apparatus 401 of this embodiment has a refrigerant circuit 411 in which a refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant circuit 411 has the functions of both the refrigerant circuit 11 and the adsorption circuit 12 of Fig. 1. The adsorbent flows together with the refrigerant through a portion of the refrigerant circuit 411. In other words, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 401, a mixture of the refrigerant and the adsorbent circulates within the refrigerant circuit 411.

[0074] The refrigerant circuit 411 includes a compressor 431, an expansion mechanism 432, a first heat exchanger 433, a second heat exchanger 434, a switching unit 435, a first fan 436, a second fan 437, a booster 441, a decompressor 442, a first separator 451, and a second separator 452. The compressor 431 corresponds to the compressor 31 in FIG. 1. The booster 441 corresponds to the booster 41 in FIG. 1. The expansion mechanism 432 corresponds to the expansion mechanism 32 in FIG. 1. The decompressor 442 corresponds to the decompressor 42 in FIG. 1.

[0075] The switching unit 435 switches the flow direction of the refrigerant and adsorbent mixture circulating within the refrigerant circuit 411. The switching unit 435 is, for example, a four-way switching valve. The switching unit 435 switches between a first mode, in which the flow direction is indicated by the solid line in FIG. 9 , and a second mode, in which the flow direction is indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 9 . In the first mode, the discharge sides of the compressor 431 and the booster 441 are connected to the first heat exchanger 433, and the suction sides of the compressor 431 and the booster 441 are connected to the second heat exchanger 434. In the first mode, the suction sides of the expansion mechanism 432 and the pressure reducer 442 are connected to the first heat exchanger 433, and the discharge sides of the expansion mechanism 432 and the pressure reducer 442 are connected to the second heat exchanger 434. In the second mode, the discharge sides of the compressor 431 and the booster 441 are connected to the second heat exchanger 434, and the suction sides of the compressor 431 and the booster 441 are connected to the first heat exchanger 433. In the second mode, the suction sides of the expansion mechanism 432 and the decompressor 442 are connected to the second heat exchanger 434, and the discharge sides of the expansion mechanism 432 and the decompressor 442 are connected to the first heat exchanger 433.

[0076] The first separator 451 is provided between the suction sides of the compressor 431 and the booster 441 and the switching unit 435. The second separator 452 is provided between the suction sides of the expansion mechanism 432 and the decompressor 442 in the first mode and the first heat exchanger 433.

[0077] The first separator 451 separates a mixture of a low-pressure refrigerant and an adsorbent circulating within the refrigerant circuit 411 into the refrigerant and the adsorbent. The first separator 451 separates the refrigerant and the adsorbent, for example, by centrifugation. The refrigerant separated by the first separator 451 is compressed in the compressor 431. The adsorbent separated by the first separator 451 is pressurized by the booster 441. As shown in FIG. 9 , the adsorbent pressurized by the booster 441 merges with the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 431. After merging, the refrigerant and the adsorbent are sent to the switching unit 435. In this way, the refrigerant circuit 411 branches at the first separator 451 and merges between the compressor 431 / booster 441 and the switching unit 435.

[0078] In the first mode, the second separator 452 separates the mixture of high-pressure refrigerant and adsorbent circulating within the refrigerant circuit 411 into the refrigerant and the adsorbent. The second separator 452 separates the refrigerant and the adsorbent by, for example, centrifugation. The refrigerant separated by the second separator 452 is decompressed in the expansion mechanism 432. The adsorbent separated by the second separator 452 is decompressed in the pressure reducer 442. As shown in FIG. 9 , the adsorbent decompressed by the pressure reducer 442 merges with the refrigerant decompressed in the expansion mechanism 432. After merging, the refrigerant and the adsorbent are sent to the second heat exchanger 434. Thus, in the first mode, the refrigerant circuit 411 branches in the second separator 452 and merges between the expansion mechanism 432 / pressure reducer 442 and the second heat exchanger 434. In the second mode, the pressure reducer 442 is closed, and the mixture of refrigerant and adsorbent is depressurized in the expansion mechanism 432 and then passed through the second separator 452 to the first heat exchanger 433.

[0079] In the first heat exchanger 433, high-pressure refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent in the first mode, and low-pressure refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent in the second mode. In the second heat exchanger 434, low-pressure refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent in the first mode, and high-pressure refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent in the second mode. In the first heat exchanger 433 and the second heat exchanger 434, the refrigerant is heated by adsorption onto the adsorbent, or cooled by desorption from the adsorbent. As a result, heat exchange occurs between the heated or cooled refrigerant and the air in the first heat exchanger 433 and the second heat exchanger 434. The first fan 436 sends the air that has undergone heat exchange in the first heat exchanger 433 to a predetermined location. The second fan 437 sends the air that has undergone heat exchange in the second heat exchanger 434 to a predetermined location.

[0080] In this way, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 401, the refrigerant is heated or cooled as the mixture of refrigerant and adsorbent circulates through the refrigerant circuit 411, and the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant is sent to a predetermined location. A case will be described in which the refrigeration cycle apparatus 401 is an air conditioning apparatus. The first heat exchanger 433 is an indoor heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger 434 is an outdoor heat exchanger. When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 401 performs heating operation, the operation mode is switched to the first mode, and the refrigerant is adsorbed by the adsorbent in the first heat exchanger 433, causing the refrigerant to be heated. The air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant and been heated is sent to a predetermined location by the first fan 436.

[0081] (3-5) Fifth Embodiment As shown in Fig. 10 , a refrigeration cycle apparatus 501 of this embodiment has a refrigerant circuit 511 through which a refrigerant circulates, an adsorption circuit 512 through which an adsorbent circulates, a pair of first mixers 513, a pair of second mixers 514, a first fan 515, and a second fan 516. The refrigerant circuit 511 corresponds to the refrigerant circuit 11 in Fig. 1. The adsorption circuit 512 corresponds to the adsorption circuit 12 in Fig. 1. In Fig. 10 , the adsorption circuit 512 is depicted by a bold line.

[0082] The refrigerant circuit 511 has a compressor 531, an expansion mechanism 532, a first heat exchanger 533, a second heat exchanger 534, and a first switching unit 535. The compressor 531 corresponds to the compressor 31 in Fig. 1. The expansion mechanism 532 corresponds to the expansion mechanism 32 in Fig. 1.

[0083] The first switching unit 535 switches the flow direction of the refrigerant circulating within the refrigerant circuit 511. The first switching unit 535 is, for example, a four-way switching valve. The first switching unit 535 switches between a first mode, in which the flow direction is indicated by the solid line in FIG. 10 , and a second mode, in which the flow direction is indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 10 . In the first mode, the discharge side of the compressor 531 is connected to the first heat exchanger 533, and the suction side of the compressor 531 is connected to the second heat exchanger 534. In the second mode, the discharge side of the compressor 531 is connected to the second heat exchanger 534, and the suction side of the compressor 531 is connected to the first heat exchanger 533.

[0084] The adsorption circuit 512 includes a booster 541, a pressure reducer 542, a third heat exchanger 543, a fourth heat exchanger 544, and a second switching unit 545. The booster 541 corresponds to the booster 41 in Fig. 1 . The pressure reducer 542 corresponds to the pressure reducer 42 in Fig. 1 .

[0085] The second switching unit 545 switches the flow direction of the adsorbent circulating within the adsorption circuit 512. The second switching unit 545 is, for example, a four-way switching valve. The second switching unit 545 switches between a first mode, in which the flow direction is indicated by the solid line in FIG. 10 , and a second mode, in which the flow direction is indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 10 . In the first mode, the discharge side of the booster 541 is connected to the third heat exchanger 543, and the suction side of the booster 541 is connected to the fourth heat exchanger 544. In the second mode, the discharge side of the booster 541 is connected to the fourth heat exchanger 544, and the suction side of the booster 541 is connected to the third heat exchanger 543. The second switching unit 545 switches between the first mode and the second mode in conjunction with the first switching unit 535.

[0086] The first mixing section 513 and the second mixing section 514 mix the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit 511 with the adsorbent flowing in the adsorption circuit 512. The pair of first mixing sections 513 are provided upstream and downstream of the first heat exchanger 533 and the third heat exchanger 543. The pair of second mixing sections 514 are provided upstream and downstream of the second heat exchanger 534 and the fourth heat exchanger 544.

[0087] The first mixing section 513 and the second mixing section 514 each have, for example, a permeable member that allows the refrigerant to pass through but not the adsorbent. The permeable member is, for example, a gas-permeable membrane. In this case, the interior of the first mixing section 513 and the second mixing section 514 is partitioned by the permeable member into a space that is part of the refrigerant circuit 511 and a space that is part of the adsorption circuit 512. In the first mixing section 513 and the second mixing section 514, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 511 passes through the permeable member and comes into contact with the adsorbent flowing through the adsorption circuit 512. On the other hand, in the first mixing section 513 and the second mixing section 514, the adsorbent flowing through the adsorption circuit 512 cannot pass through the permeable member. As a result, in the first mixing section 513 and the second mixing section 514, the adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant that has passed through the permeable member.

[0088] In the first mixing section 513, high-pressure refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent in the first mode, and low-pressure refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent in the second mode. In the second mixing section 514, low-pressure refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent in the first mode, and high-pressure refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent in the second mode. In the first mixing section 513 and the second mixing section 514, the refrigerant is adsorbed onto the adsorbent, thereby heating the refrigerant and the adsorbent, or the refrigerant is desorbed from the adsorbent, thereby cooling the refrigerant and the adsorbent. As a result, in the first heat exchanger 533, the second heat exchanger 534, the third heat exchanger 543, and the fourth heat exchanger 544, heat exchange occurs between the heated or cooled refrigerant and the adsorbent and the air.

[0089] In the first mode, heat exchange occurs between the heated refrigerant and air in the first heat exchanger 533, and heat exchange occurs between the heated adsorbent and air in the third heat exchanger 543. In the first mode, heat exchange occurs between the cooled refrigerant and air in the second heat exchanger 534, and heat exchange occurs between the cooled adsorbent and air in the fourth heat exchanger 544.

[0090] In the second mode, heat exchange occurs between the cooled refrigerant and air in the first heat exchanger 533, and heat exchange occurs between the cooled adsorbent and air in the third heat exchanger 543. In the second mode, heat exchange occurs between the heated refrigerant and air in the second heat exchanger 534, and heat exchange occurs between the heated adsorbent and air in the fourth heat exchanger 544.

[0091] The first fan 515 sends the air that has undergone heat exchange in the first heat exchanger 533 and the third heat exchanger 543 to a predetermined location. The second fan 516 sends the air that has undergone heat exchange in the second heat exchanger 534 and the fourth heat exchanger 544 to a predetermined location.

[0092] The pair of first mixers 513, first fans 515, first heat exchangers 533, and third heat exchangers 543 correspond to the adsorption unit 21 in Fig. 1 in the first mode, and correspond to the desorption unit 22 in Fig. 1 in the second mode. The pair of second mixers 514, second fans 516, second heat exchangers 534, and fourth heat exchangers 544 correspond to the desorption unit 22 in Fig. 1 in the first mode, and correspond to the adsorption unit 21 in Fig. 1 in the second mode.

[0093] As described above, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 501, the refrigerant and the adsorbent are heated or cooled as the refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit 511 and the adsorbent circulates through the adsorption circuit 512, and the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant and the adsorbent is sent to a predetermined location. A case will be described in which the refrigeration cycle apparatus 501 is an air conditioning apparatus. The first heat exchanger 533 and the third heat exchanger 543 are indoor heat exchangers, and the second heat exchanger 534 and the fourth heat exchanger 544 are outdoor heat exchangers. When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 501 performs heating operation, the refrigerant is adsorbed by the adsorbent in the first mixing section 513, and the refrigerant and the adsorbent are heated. The air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant and the adsorbent is sent to a predetermined location by the first fan 515.

[0094] (4) Features The refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 has a lower operating pressure than conventional refrigeration cycle apparatuses that use a vapor compression refrigeration cycle and do not use an adsorbent. For example, when the refrigerant is carbon dioxide, the operating pressure of conventional refrigeration cycle apparatuses is approximately 10 MPa, while the operating pressure of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is approximately 1.5 MPa. The operating pressure refers to the pressure of the compressed refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle. The higher the operating pressure, the greater the mechanical workload of the compressor and the higher the pressure resistance (design pressure) required for components constituting the refrigerant circuit, such as the compressor casing. Therefore, the higher the operating pressure, the higher the cost of electricity to drive the compressor and the cost of components constituting the system. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can operate at a lower operating pressure than conventional refrigeration cycle apparatuses, thereby reducing manufacturing and operating costs. Furthermore, by reducing the design pressure, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can make components such as the compressor casing more compact and improve system reliability.

[0095] Furthermore, when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is an air conditioner, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can increase the heating and cooling capacity by utilizing the heat of adsorption and desorption of the refrigerant for heating and cooling. Therefore, by controlling the heat of adsorption and desorption of the refrigerant, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can improve the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle compared to conventional refrigeration cycle apparatuses and reduce operating costs.

[0096] (5) Modifications (5-1) Modification A In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 401 of the fourth embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 411 has a first separator 451. However, the refrigerant circuit 411 does not have to have the first separator 451. In this case, as shown in Fig. 11 , the refrigerant circuit 411 has a compressor 431 but does not have a booster 441. Like the compressor 231 of the second modification, the compressor 431 of this modification has the functions of both the compressor 31 and the booster 41 of Fig. 1 .

[0097] (5-2) Modification B The adsorbent used in the refrigeration cycle apparatuses 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, and 501 is a metal organic framework. However, a material other than a metal organic framework may be used as the adsorbent.

[0098] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims.

[0099] 1,101,201,301,401,501: Refrigeration cycle device 11,111,211,311,411,511: Refrigerant circuit (first unit) 12,512: Adsorption circuit (second unit) 513,514: Mixer 31,131,231,331,431,531: ​​Compressor 32,132,232,332,432,532: Expansion mechanism 133: First adsorption device 134: Second adsorption device 135: Switching unit 41,341,441,541: Pressure booster 42,442,542: Pressure reducer 351,451,452: Separator

[0100] WO 2009 / 145278

Claims

1. A refrigeration cycle device comprising: a first unit that constitutes a refrigeration cycle through which a refrigerant circulates; and an adsorbent that adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant circulating within the first unit, wherein the adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant in response to changes in the pressure of the refrigerant circulating within the first unit.

2. A refrigeration cycle device (1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501) comprising: a first unit (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511) having a compressor (31, 131, 231, 331, 431, 531) that compresses a refrigerant and constitutes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle through which the refrigerant circulates; and an adsorbent that adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant circulating within the first unit, wherein the adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant in response to changes in the pressure of the refrigerant circulating within the first unit.

3. The refrigeration cycle device of claim 2, wherein the first unit further comprises an expansion mechanism (32, 132, 232, 332, 432, 532) that decompresses the refrigerant, a high-pressure region through which the refrigerant flows after being compressed by the compressor but before being decompressed by the expansion mechanism, and a low-pressure region through which the refrigerant flows after being decompressed by the expansion mechanism but before being compressed by the compressor, and the adsorbent adsorbs the refrigerant in the high-pressure region and desorbs the refrigerant in the low-pressure region.

4. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a first adsorber (133) having the adsorbent; a second adsorber (134) having the adsorbent; and a switching unit (135) that alternately switches between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the switching unit: in the first mode, introduces the refrigerant in the high pressure region into the first adsorber to cause the refrigerant to be adsorbed by the adsorbent of the first adsorber, and introduces the refrigerant in the low pressure region into the second adsorber to cause the refrigerant to be desorbed by the adsorbent of the second adsorber; and in the second mode, introduces the refrigerant in the low pressure region into the first adsorber to cause the refrigerant to be desorbed by the adsorbent of the first adsorber, and introduces the refrigerant in the high pressure region into the second adsorber to cause the refrigerant to be adsorbed by the adsorbent of the second adsorber.

5. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 3, wherein the adsorbent circulates within the first unit together with the refrigerant.

6. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 5, further comprising a separator (351, 451, 452) that separates the refrigerant circulating within the first unit from the adsorbent, and after the adsorbent is separated from the refrigerant by the separator, the adsorbent merges with the refrigerant compressed by the compressor or the refrigerant decompressed by the expansion mechanism.

7. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 6, wherein the separator separates the refrigerant in the low pressure region from the adsorbent, and further comprises a booster (41, 341, 441) that boosts the pressure of the adsorbent separated from the refrigerant by the separator.

8. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the separator separates the refrigerant in the high-pressure region from the adsorbent, and further comprises a pressure reducer (42, 442) that reduces the pressure of the adsorbent separated from the refrigerant by the separator.

9. The refrigeration cycle device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the separator separates the refrigerant and the adsorbent by centrifugal separation.

10. A refrigeration cycle device as described in claim 3, further comprising: a second unit (12, 512) having a booster (541) that boosts the pressure of the adsorbent and a pressure reducer (542) that depressurizes the adsorbent, and constituting an adsorption type refrigeration cycle in which the adsorbent circulates; and a mixer (513, 514) that mixes the refrigerant flowing in the first unit and the adsorbent flowing in the second unit, wherein the adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant in the mixer.

11. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 10, wherein the mixer has a permeable member through which the refrigerant can pass but the adsorbent cannot, and the adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant that has passed through the permeable member in the mixer.

12. The refrigeration cycle device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the adsorbent includes a metal organic framework containing a metal ion and an organic ligand.

13. The refrigeration cycle device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the refrigerant is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, ammonia, and propane.

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