Gas-liquid separation structure and refrigeration cycle equipment

Abstract

To separate and discharge gas mixed in liquid without depending on a flow rate.SOLUTION: Gas-liquid separation structure is provided, comprising: gas-liquid separation piping 1 having a vertically cylindrical gas-liquid separation flow path 1a; a gas discharge valve 2 provided above the gas-liquid separation piping 1 and discharging gas from above the gas-liquid separation flow path 1a to the outside; inflow piping 3 connected to the gas-liquid separation piping 1 and causing liquid to flow into the gas-liquid separation flow path 1a; and outflow piping 4 connected to the gas-liquid separation piping 1 below the inflow piping 3 and causing liquid to flow out from the gas-liquid separation flow path 1a. In the gas-liquid separation structure, the inflow piping 3 is provided in such manner that the liquid flowing from the inflow piping 3 into the gas-liquid separation flow passage 1a flows along the inner wall of the gas-liquid separation piping 1, and the flow passage cross-sectional area of the gas-liquid separation flow passage 1a is equal to or more than the product of the maximum flow velocity in the inflow piping 3 divided by the flow velocity at which gas and liquid can be separated in the gas-liquid separation flow passage 1a multiplied by the flow passage cross-sectional area in the inflow piping 3, and is equal to or more than four times the flow f passage cross-sectional area in the inflow piping 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a gas-liquid separation structure and a refrigeration cycle device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a heat medium circulation system that prevents leakage of a combustible refrigerant into a living space. The heat medium circulation system described in Patent Document 1 includes a gas discharge device that discharges the combustible refrigerant leaked into the heat medium circuit to the outside of the heat medium circuit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, for example, when the flow rate in the heat medium circuit becomes high during actual machine operation, the refrigerant in the heat medium may become bubbly. The bubbly refrigerant passes through the gas discharge device and is not discharged to the outside of the heat medium circuit.

[0005] The present disclosure is for solving the above problems. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a gas-liquid separation structure and a refrigeration cycle device capable of separating and discharging gas mixed in a liquid regardless of the flow rate.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The gas-liquid separation structure according to the present disclosure includes a gas-liquid separation pipe having a vertical cylindrical gas-liquid separation flow path, a gas discharge valve provided at an upper portion of the gas-liquid separation pipe for discharging gas from an upper portion of the gas-liquid separation flow path to the outside, an inflow pipe connected to the gas-liquid separation pipe for allowing liquid to flow into the gas-liquid separation flow path, and an outflow pipe connected to the gas-liquid separation pipe below the inflow pipe for allowing liquid to flow out from the gas-liquid separation flow path. The inflow pipe is provided such that the liquid flowing from the inflow pipe into the gas-liquid separation flow path flows along an inner wall of the gas-liquid separation pipe. The flow path cross-sectional area of the gas-liquid separation flow path is equal to or greater than a product obtained by multiplying a value obtained by dividing a maximum flow velocity in the inflow pipe by a flow velocity at which gas-liquid separation is possible in the gas-liquid separation flow path and a flow path cross-sectional area in the inflow pipe, and is equal to or greater than four times the flow path cross-sectional area in the inflow pipe. Further, the gas-liquid separation structure according to the present disclosure includes a gas-liquid separation pipe having a vertical cylindrical gas-liquid separation flow path, a gas discharge valve provided at an upper portion of the gas-liquid separation pipe for discharging gas from an upper portion of the gas-liquid separation flow path to the outside, an inflow pipe provided to be inserted into the gas-liquid separation pipe upward from a central portion of a bottom surface portion of the gas-liquid separation pipe for allowing liquid to flow into the gas-liquid separation flow path, and an outflow pipe connected to a lower portion of the gas-liquid separation pipe for allowing liquid to flow out from the gas-liquid separation flow path. The flow path cross-sectional area of the gas-liquid separation flow path is equal to or greater than a product obtained by multiplying a value obtained by dividing a maximum flow velocity in the inflow pipe by a flow velocity at which gas-liquid separation is possible in the gas-liquid separation flow path and a flow path cross-sectional area in the inflow pipe. A laminate of a first wire mesh is provided at an outlet portion of the inflow pipe, and a laminate of a second wire mesh is provided inside the gas-liquid separation pipe so as to surround the laminate of the first wire mesh and the inflow pipe. Further, the refrigeration cycle device according to the present disclosure includes a gas discharge device having the gas-liquid separation structure configured as described above in a circuit through which a liquid heat medium flows.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the gas-liquid separation structure and the refrigeration cycle device according to the present disclosure, gas mixed in the liquid can be separated and discharged regardless of the flow velocity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals in each figure indicate the same or corresponding parts. In the present disclosure, duplicate descriptions will be appropriately simplified or omitted as appropriate. Note that the present disclosure can include various modifications and combinations of the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments without departing from the gist.

[0010] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the gas-liquid separation structure of Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the gas-liquid separation structure of Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows the case where the flow rate of the liquid flowing into the gas-liquid separation structure is low or medium. FIG. 2 shows the case where the flow rate of the liquid flowing into the gas-liquid separation structure is high.

[0011] The gas-liquid separation structure according to this embodiment includes a gas-liquid separation pipe 1 having a vertically cylindrical gas-liquid separation channel 1a. The gas-liquid separation channel 1a is a channel formed inside the gas-liquid separation pipe 1 and is a channel for separating gas and liquid. At the upper part of the gas-liquid separation pipe 1, a gas discharge valve 2 for discharging gas from the upper part of the gas-liquid separation channel 1a to the outside is provided.

[0012] The gas-liquid separation structure according to this embodiment includes an inflow pipe 3 connected to the gas-liquid separation pipe 1 for allowing liquid to flow into the gas-liquid separation channel 1a. Further, the gas-liquid separation structure according to this embodiment includes an outflow pipe 4 connected to the gas-liquid separation pipe 1 below the inflow pipe 3 for allowing liquid to flow out from the gas-liquid separation channel 1a. The liquid flowing into the gas-liquid separation channel 1a from the inflow pipe 3 and flowing out to the outflow pipe 4 is, for example, a liquid-phase heat medium. Examples of the liquid-phase heat medium include water and antifreeze. The inflow pipe 3 is connected to, for example, the upper part of the gas-liquid separation pipe 1.

[0013] In this embodiment, the flow channel cross-sectional area A1 of the gas-liquid separation channel 1a is set to be larger than the flow channel cross-sectional area A2 in the inflow pipe 3. More specifically, the flow channel cross-sectional area A1 of the gas-liquid separation channel 1a is set to be equal to or greater than the product of the value obtained by dividing the maximum flow velocity Vmax in the inflow pipe 3 by the flow velocity V1 at which gas-liquid separation is possible in the gas-liquid separation channel 1a and the flow channel cross-sectional area A2 in the inflow pipe 3. The value of the flow velocity V1 at which gas-liquid separation is possible in the gas-liquid separation channel 1a is obtained by experiments or the like. The flow velocity V1 at which the gaseous refrigerant can be separated from water in the gas-liquid separation channel 1a is, for example, 0.3 m / s.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, when the flow velocity of the liquid flowing into the gas-liquid separation structure is low or medium, the flow velocity is reduced by an increase in the flow channel cross-sectional area in the gas-liquid separation channel 1a, and the gas and the liquid are separated vertically. The gas separated upward from the liquid flows upward by buoyancy and is discharged from the gas discharge valve 2. The liquid flows downward and flows out to the outflow pipe 4.

[0015] In addition, in the present embodiment, the inflow pipe 3 is provided such that the liquid flowing from the inflow pipe 3 into the gas-liquid separation channel 1a flows along the inner wall of the gas-liquid separation pipe 1. Further, the cross-sectional area A1 of the gas-liquid separation channel 1a is set to be 4 times or more the cross-sectional area A2 of the flow channel in the inflow pipe 3. This means that when the cross-sectional shapes of the flow channels in the gas-liquid separation channel 1a and the inflow pipe 3 are circular, the radius of the gas-liquid separation channel 1a is 2 times or more the radius of the flow channel in the inflow pipe 3.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, when the flow velocity of the liquid flowing into the gas-liquid separation structure is high, the liquid forms a swirling flow along the inner wall of the gas-liquid separation pipe 1 and performs cyclone motion. According to the present embodiment, the gas and the liquid can be separated by cyclone separation using the density difference between the gas and the liquid. The gas separated from the liquid by cyclone separation gathers in the center of the gas-liquid separation channel 1a, flows upward by buoyancy, and is discharged from the gas discharge valve 2. The liquid that has formed a swirling flow along the inner wall of the gas-liquid separation pipe 1 flows out from the outflow pipe 4. At this time, by making the flow direction in the outflow pipe 4 along the inner wall of the gas-liquid separation pipe 1, the outflow of the liquid into the outflow pipe 4 may be made smoother.

[0017] As described above, according to the gas-liquid separation structure according to the present embodiment, gas-liquid separation is possible both when the flow velocity of the liquid flowing into the gas-liquid separation structure is low or medium and when the flow velocity of the liquid flowing into the gas-liquid separation structure is high. According to the present embodiment, a gas-liquid separation structure capable of separating and discharging the gas mixed in the liquid regardless of the flow velocity can be obtained. In the case of an apparatus including the gas-liquid separation structure according to the present embodiment, the gas mixed in the liquid can be separated and discharged regardless of the flow velocity by one apparatus.

[0018] As indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 3, the inflow pipe 3 and the outflow pipe 4 may be configured such that the connection angle to the gas-liquid separation pipe 1 can be arbitrarily changed. Thereby, the workability when applying the gas-liquid separation structure to equipment can be improved.

[0019] Further, FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the gas-liquid separation structure of Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic top view showing a modified example of the gas-liquid separation structure of Embodiment 1. The gas-liquid separation structure according to this modified example includes a gas-liquid separation pipe 1 having a vertical cylindrical gas-liquid separation flow path 1a, and a gas discharge valve 2 provided at the upper part of the gas-liquid separation pipe 1 for discharging gas from the upper part of the gas-liquid separation flow path 1a to the outside.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the gas-liquid separation structure according to this modified example includes an inflow pipe 3a provided so as to be inserted into the gas-liquid separation pipe 1 upward from the central part of the bottom surface portion of the gas-liquid separation pipe 1 for allowing liquid to flow into the gas-liquid separation flow path 1a. The gas-liquid separation structure according to this modified example includes an outflow pipe 4 connected to the lower part of the gas-liquid separation pipe 1 for allowing liquid to flow out from the gas-liquid separation flow path 1a. The outflow pipe 4 is arranged, for example, at the lower part of the side surface portion of the gas-liquid separation pipe 1.

[0021] In this modified example, the flow path cross-sectional area A1 of the gas-liquid separation flow path 1a is set to be equal to or greater than the product of the value obtained by dividing the maximum flow velocity Vmax in the inflow pipe 3a by the flow velocity V1 at which gas-liquid separation is possible in the gas-liquid separation flow path 1a and the flow path cross-sectional area A3 in the inflow pipe 3a. When the flow velocity of the liquid flowing into the gas-liquid separation structure is low or medium, the flow velocity is reduced by increasing the flow path cross-sectional area in the gas-liquid separation flow path 1a, and the gas and the liquid are separated vertically. The gas separated above the liquid flows upward due to buoyancy and is discharged from the gas discharge valve 2.

[0022] At the outlet portion of the inflow pipe 3a, a laminate 5 of first wire meshes is provided. The laminate 5 of first wire meshes may be inserted into the inflow pipe 3a or may be provided so as to cover the outlet of the inflow pipe 3a. The laminate 5 of first wire meshes is formed, for example, in a circular plate shape or a cylindrical shape. The diameter of the circular plate-shaped or cylindrical laminate 5 of first wire meshes is set, for example, to the same diameter as that of the inflow pipe 3a. Further, inside the gas-liquid separation pipe 1, a laminate 6 of second wire meshes arranged so as to surround the laminate 5 of first wire meshes and the inflow pipe 3a is provided. The laminate 6 of second wire meshes is formed, for example, in a donut shape. The outer diameter of the donut-shaped laminate 6 of second wire meshes is set, for example, to the same diameter as the inner diameter of the gas-liquid separation pipe 1.

[0023] When the flow velocity of the liquid flowing into the gas-liquid separation structure according to this modification is high, the gas in the form of bubbles in the liquid is captured by the laminate 5 of first wire meshes and the laminate 6 of second wire meshes. The captured bubbles combine and separate from the liquid, and move upward by buoyancy and are discharged from the gas discharge valve 2. Thus, according to the gas-liquid separation structure of this modification, gas-liquid separation is possible both when the flow velocity of the liquid flowing into the gas-liquid separation structure is low or medium and when the flow velocity of the liquid flowing into the gas-liquid separation structure is high.

[0024] In order to reduce the pressure loss in the flow path, it is preferable that the mesh of the wire mesh for capturing air bubbles is coarse. On the other hand, in order to enhance the effect of capturing air bubbles, it is preferable that the mesh of the wire mesh for capturing air bubbles is fine. Therefore, the mesh opening of the wire mesh constituting the second wire mesh laminate 6 may be made smaller than that of the wire mesh constituting the first wire mesh laminate 5. By making the first wire mesh laminate 5 coarse, the pressure loss at the outlet of the inflow pipe 3a with a large flow velocity can be reduced. On the other hand, by making the second wire mesh laminate disposed in the gas-liquid separation flow path 1a with a small flow velocity fine, the gas-liquid separation performance can be improved while suppressing the influence on the pressure loss.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the first embodiment. The gas-liquid separation structure configured as described above can be applied to, for example, the gas discharge device 100 provided in the refrigeration cycle apparatus. The gas discharge device 100 is provided in a circuit through which the heat medium constituting the refrigeration cycle apparatus flows, and is a device for discharging the gaseous refrigerant mixed in the heat medium.

[0026] Examples of the refrigeration cycle apparatus include an air conditioner or a water heater. The refrigeration cycle apparatus includes, for example, an outdoor heat exchanger 11, an outdoor fan 12, a compressor 13, an expansion valve 14, and a four-way valve 15. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 16 by a refrigerant pipe 10. A refrigerant is enclosed in the refrigerant pipe 10. The refrigerant pipe 10 annularly connects the four-way valve 15, the compressor 13, the outdoor heat exchanger 11, and the expansion valve 14. The refrigerant pipe 10 forms a refrigerant circuit through which the refrigerant circulates.

[0027] The indoor heat exchanger 16 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 16 and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium pipe 17. The heat medium pipe 17 is connected to a utilization-side terminal 18 such as an indoor unit of an air conditioner or a hot water storage tank. The heat medium pipe 17 forms a heat medium circuit through which the liquid-phase heat medium flows. The heat medium pipe 17 is provided with, for example, a pump 19 or the like for circulating the heat medium in the heat medium circuit. The gas-liquid separation structure according to the present embodiment can be applied to the gas discharge device 100 provided in the heat medium pipe 17 constituting such a heat medium circuit.

Explanation of Signs

[0028] 1 gas-liquid separation pipe, 1a gas-liquid separation flow path, 2 gas discharge valve, 3 inflow pipe, 3a inflow pipe, 4 outflow pipe, 5 laminate of first wire mesh, 6 laminate of second wire mesh, 10 refrigerant pipe, 11 outdoor heat exchanger, 12 outdoor fan, 13 compressor, 14 expansion valve, 15 four-way valve, 16 indoor heat exchanger, 17 heat medium pipe, 18 utilization-side terminal, 100 gas discharge device

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separation pipe having a vertical cylindrical gas-liquid separation flow path, A gas discharge valve provided at the upper part of the gas-liquid separation pipe for discharging gas from the upper part of the gas-liquid separation flow path to the outside, An inflow pipe connected to the gas-liquid separation pipe for allowing liquid to flow into the gas-liquid separation flow path, An outflow pipe connected to the gas-liquid separation pipe below the inflow pipe for allowing liquid to flow out of the gas-liquid separation flow path, Comprising, The inflow pipe is provided such that the liquid flowing from the inflow pipe into the gas-liquid separation flow path flows along the inner wall of the gas-liquid separation pipe, The flow path cross-sectional area of the gas-liquid separation flow path is not less than the product of the value obtained by dividing the maximum flow velocity in the inflow pipe by the flow velocity at which gas-liquid separation is possible in the gas-liquid separation flow path and the flow path cross-sectional area in the inflow pipe, and is not less than four times the flow path cross-sectional area in the inflow pipe, a gas-liquid separation structure.

2. The gas-liquid separation structure according to claim 1, wherein the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe are configured such that the connection angle to the gas-liquid separation pipe can be arbitrarily changed.

3. A gas-liquid separation pipe having a vertical cylindrical gas-liquid separation flow path, A gas discharge valve provided at the upper part of the gas-liquid separation pipe for discharging gas from the upper part of the gas-liquid separation flow path to the outside, An inflow pipe provided so as to be inserted into the gas-liquid separation pipe upward from the central part of the bottom surface of the gas-liquid separation pipe for allowing liquid to flow into the gas-liquid separation flow path, An outflow pipe connected to the lower part of the gas-liquid separation pipe for allowing liquid to flow out of the gas-liquid separation flow path, Comprising, The flow path cross-sectional area of the gas-liquid separation flow path is not less than the product of the value obtained by dividing the maximum flow velocity in the inflow pipe by the flow velocity at which gas-liquid separation is possible in the gas-liquid separation flow path and the flow path cross-sectional area in the inflow pipe, A first wire mesh laminate is provided at the outlet portion of the inflow pipe, A second wire mesh laminate is provided inside the gas-liquid separation pipe so as to surround the first wire mesh laminate and the inflow pipe, a gas-liquid separation structure.

4. The gas-liquid separation structure according to claim 3, wherein the mesh opening of the wire mesh constituting the second wire mesh laminate is smaller than the mesh opening of the wire mesh constituting the first wire mesh laminate.

5. A refrigeration cycle device comprising the gas-liquid separation structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in a circuit through which a liquid-phase heat medium flows in a gas discharge device.

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