Used chlorofluorocarbon regeneration apparatus

Abstract

To provide a used chlorofluorocarbon regeneration apparatus that can perform necessary thermal management to distillate and regenerate used chlorofluorocarbon with a unit of heat pump free from any impact from ambient temperature.SOLUTION: A used chlorofluorocarbon regeneration apparatus includes: a high temperature chamber 3; a low temperature chamber 5; a heat pump 7; and heat exchange means 9 for exchanging heat with a refrigerant of the heat pump 7. The heat pump 7 includes a heater 71, a chiller 73, and a compressor 75. The heat exchange means 9 includes: at least one of the condenser and expander; and a heat exhauster / heat absorber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for recycling used fluorocarbons recovered after being used as a refrigerant or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Since fluorocarbons released into the atmosphere are a cause of ozone layer destruction and global warming, fluorocarbons used as refrigerants are recovered and reused after being treated to remove impurities such as refrigeration oil and moisture.

[0003] Prior art document 1 discloses a distillation and recycling treatment device for recovered refrigerant fluorocarbons that can perform temperature control by installing a high-temperature room and a low-temperature room side by side via a heat pump, and that can accommodate recovered refrigerant containers (cylinders) and empty containers for filling (cylinders), and can perform distillation and recycling treatment on a single system or multiple systems on a cylinder-by-cylinder basis.

[0004] The distillation and recycling treatment device for used fluorocarbons in Prior Art Document 1 uses a heat pump that connects a high-temperature chamber and a low-temperature chamber to perform temperature control, etc. The heat pump uses a circulating refrigerant to absorb heat from the outside and release it into the room to heat the room, or conversely, absorb heat from the room and release it to the outside to cool the room.

[0005] The distillation and recycling treatment device for used fluorocarbons in Prior Art Document 1 has the problem that when the outside temperature is low, such as in winter, the temperature in the low-temperature compartment quickly drops to the point where the used fluorocarbons liquefy, making it impossible to discharge heat to the high-temperature compartment and making it difficult to maintain a high temperature in the high-temperature compartment.Furthermore, when the outside temperature is high, such as in summer, the temperature in the high-temperature compartment quickly rises to the point where the used fluorocarbons evaporate, making it impossible to absorb heat from the low-temperature compartment and making it difficult to maintain a low temperature in the low-temperature compartment.

[0006] Therefore, in the distillation and recycling treatment device for used fluorocarbons described in Prior Art Document 1, when the temperature is low, such as in winter, it is necessary to add a heating means such as a heater to the high-temperature compartment to increase the temperature of the high-temperature compartment. On the other hand, when the temperature is high, such as in summer, it is necessary to add a cooling means such as an air conditioner to the low-temperature compartment to decrease the temperature of the low-temperature compartment. Therefore, when used in summer or winter, energy such as electricity is required, which not only increases the burden on the environment but also poses the problem of additional capital investment and running costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-24921 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] To provide a used fluorocarbon regeneration device capable of controlling the temperature required to distill and regenerate used fluorocarbons using a single heat pump without being affected by air temperature, even in high-temperature summer or low-temperature winter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A used fluorocarbon recycling device comprising a high-temperature chamber, a low-temperature chamber, a heat pump, and a heat exchange means for exchanging heat of a refrigerant of the heat pump, The high-temperature room is provided with a heater of the heat pump, The low-temperature room is provided with a cooler for the heat pump, the heat exchange means includes at least one of a condenser or an expander, The used fluorocarbon in the high-temperature chamber is distilled and recycled fluorocarbon is collected in the low-temperature chamber.

[0010] A used fluorocarbon regeneration device having a fluorocarbon distillation pipe equipped with an oil separator and a dehydration device, One end of the fluorocarbon distillation pipe is provided with a used fluorocarbon inlet, The other end of the fluorocarbon distillation pipe is provided with a recycled fluorocarbon outlet, The used fluorocarbon inlet is disposed inside the high-temperature chamber, The regenerated fluorocarbon outlet is disposed inside the low-temperature room.

[0011] The heat exchange means is disposed outside the high temperature chamber and the low temperature chamber.

[0012] A method for regenerating used fluorocarbons using a used fluorocarbon regeneration device, The system includes a cylinder connection process, a used refrigerant regeneration process, and a temperature adjustment process. The cylinder connecting step includes a step of connecting the used fluorocarbon inlet disposed in the high-temperature chamber to a first cylinder filled with used fluorocarbon, and a step of connecting the recycled fluorocarbon outlet disposed in the low-temperature chamber to a second cylinder for filling with recycled fluorocarbon, The used fluorocarbon regeneration process comprises a fluorocarbon introduction process of introducing used fluorocarbon from the first cylinder into a fluorocarbon distillation pipe, an oil separation process of separating oil from the used fluorocarbon using the oil separator, a dehydration process of removing water from the used fluorocarbon using the dehydrator, and a regenerated fluorocarbon filling process of filling the regenerated fluorocarbon into the second cylinder from the regenerated fluorocarbon outlet, The temperature adjusting step is a step of adjusting the temperatures inside the high temperature chamber and the low temperature chamber to desired temperatures. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The used fluorocarbon recycling device of the present invention can control the temperature required to distill and recycle used fluorocarbons all year round using a single heat pump. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the entire used fluorocarbon recycling device of the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of the refrigerant in temperature control A of the used fluorocarbon recycling device of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of the refrigerant in temperature management B of the used fluorocarbon recycling device of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of the refrigerant in temperature management C of the used fluorocarbon recycling device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0016] The used fluorocarbon recycling device 1 of the present invention comprises a high-temperature chamber 3, a low-temperature chamber 5, a heat pump 7, and a heat exchange means 9 for exchanging heat with a refrigerant 81 of the heat pump 7. The heat pump 7 comprises a heater 71, a cooler 73, and a compressor 75. The heater 71 is provided in the interior 31 of the high-temperature chamber 3, and the cooler 73 is provided in the interior 51 of the low-temperature chamber 5. The heat exchange means 9 comprises at least one of a condenser 91 or an expander 93, and a heat exhaust / heat absorber 95. As an example, the heat exchange means are disposed outside the high-temperature chamber 3 and the low-temperature chamber 5, respectively (FIG. 1).

[0017] The heat pump 7, heater 71, cooler 73, and refrigerant 81 are not particularly limited, and commonly used ones can be used. As an example, refrigerant 81 is chlorofluorocarbon. The condenser 91, expander 93, and heat exhaust / heat absorber 95 are not particularly limited, and commonly used ones can be used. As an example, the condenser 91 is a condenser, the expander 93 is an expansion valve, and the heat exhaust / heat absorber 95 is a plate type or fin tube type. As an example, the heat exhaust / heat absorber 95 may be equipped with a fan to improve heat exhaust / heat absorption efficiency.

[0018] Temperature sensors 77 are provided in the room 31 of the high temperature room 3 and the room 51 of the low temperature room 5, and multiple solenoid valves 79 are provided in the path of movement of the refrigerant 81. The temperature sensors 77 and solenoid valves 79 are linked by computer control or the like. The solenoid valves 79 are opened and closed appropriately according to changes in the temperatures of the rooms 31 and 51, and the path of the refrigerant 81 is managed. There are no particular limitations on the temperature sensors 77 and solenoid valves 79, and commonly used ones can be used.

[0019] The temperature of the interior 31 of the high-temperature compartment 3 is controlled to a desired temperature by the heater 73 of the heat pump 7. The temperature of the interior 31 of the high-temperature compartment 3 is set to a temperature above the temperature at which the refrigerant evaporates. For example, it is set to a temperature between 25°C and 40°C, and preferably between 30°C and 35°C. The temperature of the interior 51 of the low-temperature compartment 5 is controlled to a desired temperature by the cooler 75 of the heat pump 7. The temperature of the interior 51 of the low-temperature compartment 5 is set to a temperature below the temperature at which the refrigerant liquefies. For example, it is set to a temperature between 5°C and 15°C, and preferably between 8°C and 12°C.

[0020] Refrigerant 81 used in heat pump 7 circulates through heat pump 7, heater 71, cooler 73, and heat exchange means 9. Temperature control A will be described as an example (FIG. 2). In temperature control A, refrigerant 81 heated by passing through compressor 75 of heat pump 7 discharges heat 83 from heater 71 to heat high-temperature compartment 3, and after discharging heat, refrigerant 81 takes in heat 83 from cooler 73 to cool low-temperature compartment 5. When solenoid valve 79f closes, refrigerant 81 passes through the path of temperature control A. Temperature control A adjusts the interior temperature of high-temperature compartment 3 and the interior temperature of low-temperature compartment 5 to the desired temperature using heat 83 discharged from heater 71 and heat 83 taken in from cooler 73, and is used, for example, when the temperature is about 15°C to 28°C, such as in spring and autumn.

[0021] As another example, temperature management B will be described (FIG. 3). When the temperature of interior 51 of low-temperature compartment 5 has dropped to the desired temperature but the temperature of interior 31 of high-temperature compartment 3 has not yet risen to the desired temperature, refrigerant 81 that has passed through compressor 75 releases heat from heater 73 to heat high-temperature compartment 3, and then, by closing solenoid valve 79e, moves to heat exchange means 9 without moving to cooler 73. By closing solenoid valve 79a, refrigerant 81 that has moved to heat exchange means 9 expands in expander 93 and absorbs heat from heat absorber / extractor 95. By closing solenoid valve 79c, refrigerant 81 that has absorbed heat moves to compressor 75, releases heat from heater 71 to heat high-temperature compartment 3, and raises the temperature of interior 31 of high-temperature compartment 3 to the desired temperature. Temperature control B adjusts the interior 31 of the high temperature room 3 and the interior 51 of the low temperature room 5 to the desired temperature when there is little or no heat 83 taken in from the cooler 73 and little or no heat 83 emitted from the heater 71, and is used, for example, when the temperature is lower than about 10°C, such as in winter.

[0022] As another example, temperature management C will be described (FIG. 4). When the temperature of the interior 31 of the high-temperature compartment 3 has risen to the desired temperature but the temperature of the interior 51 of the low-temperature compartment 5 has not yet fallen to the desired temperature, the refrigerant 81 that has passed through the compressor 75 will emit little or no heat from the heater 71. By closing the solenoid valve 79e, the refrigerant 81 that has passed through the heater 71 will move to the heat exchanger 9 without moving to the cooler 73. By closing the solenoid valve 79b, the refrigerant 81 that has moved to the heat exchanger 9 will condense in the condenser 91 and emit heat 83 from the heat exhaust / heat absorber 95. By closing the solenoid valve 79d, the refrigerant 81 that has released heat will move to the cooler 73, where it will absorb heat to cool the low-temperature compartment 5 and lower the temperature of the interior 51 of the low-temperature compartment 5 to the desired temperature. Temperature control C adjusts the interior temperature 31 of the high temperature room 3 and the interior temperature 51 of the low temperature room 5 to the desired temperature when there is almost no heat 83 emitted from the heater 71, and is used, for example, when the temperature is higher than about 30°C, such as in summer.

[0023] As an example, the used fluorocarbon recycling device 1 includes a fluorocarbon distillation pipe 11 in which an oil separator 13 and a dehydrator 15 are disposed. One end of the fluorocarbon distillation pipe is provided with a used fluorocarbon inlet 111. The other end of the fluorocarbon distillation pipe 11 is provided with a regenerated fluorocarbon outlet 113. The used fluorocarbon inlet 111 is disposed in the interior 31 of the high-temperature chamber 3, and the regenerated fluorocarbon outlet 113 is disposed in the interior 51 of the low-temperature chamber 5. As an example, the fluorocarbon distillation pipe 11 may include a deoxidizer 17 (FIG. 1).

[0024] The used fluorocarbon inlet 111 is disposed inside the interior 31 of the high temperature chamber 3 by penetrating the top or side of the high temperature chamber 3. The recycled fluorocarbon outlet is disposed inside the interior 51 of the low temperature chamber 5 by penetrating the top or side of the low temperature chamber 5. The used fluorocarbon inlet 111 is structured so that it can be connected to a part of a container such as a cylinder filled with used fluorocarbon that takes in and takes out fluorocarbon. The recycled fluorocarbon outlet 111 is structured so that it can be connected to a part of a container such as a cylinder filled with recycled fluorocarbon that takes in and takes out fluorocarbon.

[0025] As an example, there may be provided a plurality of fluorocarbon distillation pipes 11. The fluorocarbon distillation pipes 11 connect a container such as a cylinder filled with used fluorocarbon to a container such as a cylinder filled with recycled fluorocarbon, and therefore the number of pipes can be set to match the number of containers such as cylinders that can be accommodated in the high temperature chamber 3 and the low temperature chamber 5. As an example, the fluorocarbon distillation pipes 11 are provided with a branch line 119 that connects via an on-off valve to a vacuum pump 121 installed outside the chamber.

[0026] As an example, the oil separator 13, dehydrator 15, and deacidifier 17 are disposed outside the high temperature chamber 3 and the low temperature chamber 5. The oil separator 13 removes oil contained in the used fluorocarbon when the used fluorocarbon is distilled and regenerated, and a device generally used in the distillation regeneration of fluorocarbons can be used. The dehydrator 15 removes water contained in the used fluorocarbon when the used fluorocarbon is distilled and regenerated, and a device generally used in the distillation regeneration of fluorocarbons can be used. The deacidifier 21 removes acid contained in the used fluorocarbon when the used fluorocarbon is distilled and regenerated, and a device generally used in the distillation regeneration of fluorocarbons can be used.

[0027] The method for recycling used fluorocarbons using the used fluorocarbon recycling device 1 of the present invention includes a cylinder connecting step, a used fluorocarbon recycling step, and a temperature adjusting step.

[0028] The cylinder connecting process includes a process of connecting the used refrigerant inlet 111 arranged in the interior 31 of the high-temperature chamber 3 to a first cylinder 115 filled with used refrigerant, and a process of connecting the recycled refrigerant outlet 113 arranged in the interior 51 of the low-temperature chamber 5 to a second cylinder 117 for filling with recycled refrigerant.

[0029] As an example, one first cylinder 115 is connected to one end of one fluorocarbon distillation pipe, and one second cylinder is connected to the other end.

[0030] The used refrigerant recycling process includes a refrigerant introduction process for introducing used refrigerant from the first cylinder 115 into the refrigerant distillation pipe 11, an oil separation process for separating oil from the used refrigerant using the oil separator 13, a dehydration process for removing water from the used refrigerant using the dehydration device 15, and a recycled refrigerant filling process for filling the recycled refrigerant from the recycled refrigerant outlet 113 into the second cylinder 117.

[0031] As an example of the fluorocarbon introduction step, after closing the fluorocarbon distillation pipe 11, the on-off valve of the branch pipe 119 attached to the fluorocarbon distillation pipe 11 is opened and a vacuum pump 121 installed outside the room is used to create a negative pressure in the fluorocarbon distillation pipe. Next, the branch pipe 119 is closed, the fluorocarbon distillation pipe 11 is opened, and the used fluorocarbon in the first cylinder 115 is introduced into the fluorocarbon distillation pipe 11. By maintaining the temperature difference between the interior 31 of the high-temperature chamber 3 and the interior 51 of the low-temperature chamber 5, the used fluorocarbon is distilled and recycled.

[0032] In the oil separation step, oil is removed from the used fluorocarbon passing through the fluorocarbon distillation pipe 11 using an oil separator 13, taking advantage of the difference in boiling points between the fluorocarbon and the oil.

[0033] In the dehydration step, moisture is removed from the used fluorocarbon passing through the fluorocarbon distillation pipe 11 using a dehydration device 15 equipped with an adsorbent that adsorbs moisture.

[0034] As an example, after the oil separation step and the dehydration step, a deacidification step may be provided in which a deacidifier 17 is used to remove acid from the used fluorocarbon passing through the fluorocarbon distillation pipe 11.

[0035] The fluorocarbon filling process is a process in which recycled fluorocarbon that has been subjected to the oil separation process and dehydration process is filled into the second cylinder 117, and the recycled fluorocarbon is filled into the second cylinder 117 and reused.

[0036] The temperature adjustment step is a step of adjusting the temperature of the interior 31 of the high temperature chamber 3 and the interior 51 of the low temperature chamber 5 to a desired temperature.

[0037] The temperature adjustment process is a process of adjusting the temperature of the interior 31 of the high temperature compartment 3 and the interior 51 of the low temperature compartment 5 to an appropriate temperature using the heat pump 7, and if the temperature of the low temperature compartment 5 does not drop to the desired temperature, the heat exchange means 9 is used to cause the refrigerant 81 of the heat pump 7 to dissipate heat, and if the temperature of the high temperature compartment 3 does not rise to the desired temperature, the heat exchange means 9 is used to cause the refrigerant 81 of the heat pump 7 to absorb heat.

[0038] The used fluorocarbon recycling device of the present invention can control the temperatures of the high-temperature and low-temperature compartments with a single heat pump, which means it has low running costs and is environmentally friendly.By providing a heat exchange means, it is possible to accurately control the temperatures of the high-temperature and low-temperature compartments by appropriately absorbing and absorbing heat from the heat pump refrigerant without being affected by the outside air temperature, and high-quality recycled fluorocarbons can be produced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1. Used fluorocarbon recycling equipment 11. Freon distillation piping 111 Used refrigerant inlet 113 Recycled Fluorocarbon Outlet 115 First Cylinder 117 Second Cylinder 119 Branch Pipe 121 Vacuum Pump 13 Oil separator 15 Dehydration equipment 17 Deoxidizer 3 High temperature chamber 31 Indoor 5 Cold room 51 Indoor 7. Heat Pump 71 Warmer 73 Cooler 75 Compressor 77 Temperature Sensor 79 Solenoid valve 81 Refrigerant 83 fever 9 Heat exchange means 91 Condenser 93 Expander 95 Heat sink / exhaust

Claims

1. A used fluorocarbon recycling device comprising a high-temperature chamber, a low-temperature chamber, a heat pump, and a heat exchange means for exchanging heat of a refrigerant of the heat pump, The heat pump includes a heater, a cooler, and a compressor. The high-temperature chamber is provided with the heater therein, The low-temperature room is provided with the cooler, the heat exchange means includes at least one of a condenser or an expander, The used fluorocarbon in the high-temperature chamber is distilled to recover recycled fluorocarbon in the low-temperature chamber. Used refrigerant recycling equipment.

2. The used fluorocarbon regeneration apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fluorocarbon distillation pipe provided with an oil separator and a dehydration device, One end of the fluorocarbon distillation pipe is provided with a used fluorocarbon inlet, The other end of the fluorocarbon distillation pipe is provided with a recycled fluorocarbon outlet, The used fluorocarbon inlet is disposed inside the high-temperature chamber, The regenerated refrigerant outlet is disposed inside the low-temperature room. The used fluorocarbon recycling device according to claim 1.

3. The heat exchange means is disposed outside the high temperature chamber and the low temperature chamber. The used chlorofluorocarbon recycling device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A method for regenerating used fluorocarbons using the used fluorocarbon regeneration device according to claim 2, The system includes a cylinder connection process, a used refrigerant regeneration process, and a temperature adjustment process. The cylinder connecting step includes a step of connecting the used fluorocarbon inlet disposed in the high-temperature chamber to a first cylinder filled with used fluorocarbon, and a step of connecting the recycled fluorocarbon outlet disposed in the low-temperature chamber to a second cylinder for filling with recycled fluorocarbon, The used fluorocarbon regeneration process comprises a fluorocarbon introduction process of introducing used fluorocarbon from the first cylinder into a fluorocarbon distillation pipe, an oil separation process of separating oil from the used fluorocarbon using the oil separator, a dehydration process of removing water from the used fluorocarbon using the dehydrator, and a regenerated fluorocarbon filling process of filling the regenerated fluorocarbon into the second cylinder from the regenerated fluorocarbon outlet, The temperature adjustment step is a step of adjusting the temperatures inside the high temperature chamber and the low temperature chamber to desired temperatures. How to recycle used refrigerants.

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