Package type compressor

Abstract

To provide a package type compressor capable of recovering carbon dioxide in air while reducing pressure loss.SOLUTION: The package type compressor includes a compressor body 2 for compressing air, a cooler 3 for cooling compressed air discharged from the compressor body 2 by heat exchange with air, a housing 5 for accommodating the compressor body 2 and the cooler 3, an air inlet 9 formed in the housing 5 for taking in air before being compressed by the compressor body 2 and air before being used by the cooler 3, an air outlet 11 formed in the housing 5 for discharging air after being used by the cooler 3, adsorbents 14A and 14B for adsorbing carbon dioxide in air, a holding portion 15A for holding the adsorbent 14A so as to be spaced outwardly from the air inlet 9, and a holding portion 15B for holding the adsorbent 14B so as to be spaced outwardly from the air outlet 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a package-type compressor. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, technology for capturing carbon dioxide from the air has been attracting attention as one of the measures against global warming. As a specific example, it has been proposed to provide products such as vending machines with an adsorbent that absorbs carbon dioxide from the air (see Patent Document 1, etc.).

[0003] The vending machine of Patent Document 1 has an internal space formed inside the housing for stocking products such as beverages, a first heat exchanger provided in the internal space for cooling or heating the air in the internal space by heat exchange with a refrigerant, a storage space formed inside the housing and below the internal space, and a refrigerant compressor, a second heat exchanger, and a capillary tube housed in the storage space that constitute a heat pump cycle in which the refrigerant used in the first heat exchanger circulates.

[0004] An air inlet is formed on the front side of the housing, and an air outlet is formed on the back side of the housing, and the air inlet and air outlet are connected to the storage space. When a fan installed in the storage space is driven, a flow of air is generated in which air flows from outside the housing through the air inlet into the storage space and then flows out of the housing through the air outlet.

[0005] The second heat exchanger condenses the refrigerant by exchanging heat with the air that has flowed into the storage space. The capillary tube reduces the pressure of the refrigerant condensed in the second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger cools the air in the storage space by exchanging heat with the refrigerant reduced in pressure by the capillary tube. This causes the refrigerant to evaporate. The refrigerant compressor pressurizes the refrigerant evaporated in the first heat exchanger and supplies it to the second heat exchanger.

[0006] To utilize the above-mentioned air flow, the adsorbent is placed, for example, outside the housing at a position that blocks the air inlet or the air outlet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-022437 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In Patent Document 1, the air flow described above is used to flow air through the adsorbent, which makes it possible to capture carbon dioxide from the air while reducing power consumption and costs compared to using a dedicated fan to flow air through the adsorbent. However, if the adsorbent is placed outside the housing in a position that blocks the air inlet or outlet, pressure loss increases and the flow rate of air flowing into the housing decreases. This may result in reduced product performance.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its objects is to recover carbon dioxide from air while reducing pressure loss. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention applies the configurations described in the claims. The present invention includes a plurality of means for solving the above-mentioned problems, and one example thereof is a package-type compressor having a compressor main body that compresses air, a cooler that cools the compressed air discharged from the compressor main body by heat exchange with air, a housing that houses the compressor main body and the cooler, at least one first air inlet formed in the housing that takes in air before being compressed by the compressor main body and air before being used by the cooler, and a first air outlet formed in the housing that discharges air after being used by the cooler, the package-type compressor further comprising: at least one adsorbent that adsorbs carbon dioxide in the air; and at least one holding portion that holds the adsorbent so as to be spaced outward from at least one of the first air inlet and the first air outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to recover carbon dioxide from the air while reducing pressure loss.

[0012] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become clear from the following description. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a package-type compressor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a package-type compressor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a package-type compressor according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a package-type compressor according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a package-type compressor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a package-type compressor in this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the package-type compressor in this embodiment.

[0015] The compressor of this embodiment comprises a compressor main body 2 that draws in air through a filter 1 and compresses it, a cooler 3 that cools the compressed air discharged from the compressor main body 2, a dehumidifier 4 that further cools and dehumidifies the compressed air cooled by the cooler 3, and a housing 5 that houses the above-mentioned equipment.

[0016] The compressor body 2 has, for example, a pair of intermeshing male and female screw rotors and a casing that houses the screw rotors, with multiple working chambers formed in the tooth grooves of the screw rotors. Each working chamber moves in the axial direction of the rotor as the rotor rotates, and sequentially performs an intake process to draw in air, a compression process to compress the air, and a discharge process to discharge the compressed air.

[0017] The housing 5 is formed with three machine chambers 6A, 6B, and 6C separated by, for example, partition plates. The machine chamber 6A houses the filter 1 and the compressor body 2. The machine chamber 6B houses the cooler 3 and the fan 7A. The machine chamber 6C houses the dehumidifier 4 and the fan 7B together with a refrigerant compressor (not shown), a condenser 8, and a capillary tube (not shown) that constitute a refrigeration cycle through which the refrigerant used in the dehumidifier 4 circulates.

[0018] An air inlet 9 is formed on the side of the housing 5, and the air inlet 9 communicates with the machine room 6A. An opening 10 is formed in the partition plate separating the machine rooms 6A and 6B, and the machine rooms 6A and 6B communicate with each other via the opening 10. An air outlet 11 is formed on the top surface of the housing 5, and the air outlet 11 communicates with the machine room 6B. When the fan 7A is driven, a flow of air is generated in which air is taken into the machine room 6A from outside the housing 5 via the air inlet 9, then taken into the machine room 6B via the opening 10, and then discharged to the outside of the housing 5 via the air outlet 11.

[0019] The compressor body 2 draws in and compresses the air taken into the machine room 6A. The cooler 3 cools the compressed air discharged from the compressor body 2 by heat exchange with the air taken into the machine room 6B.

[0020] An air inlet 12 is formed on the side of the housing 5, and an air outlet 13 is formed on the top surface of the housing 5, with the air inlet 12 and air outlet 13 communicating with the machine room 6C. When the fan 7B is driven, a flow of air is created in which air is taken into the machine room 6C from outside the housing 5 via the air inlet 12 and then discharged to the outside of the housing 5 via the air outlet 13.

[0021] The condenser 8 condenses the refrigerant through heat exchange with the air taken into the machine room 6C. The capillary tube reduces the pressure of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 8. The dehumidifier 4 further cools and dehumidifies the compressed air cooled in the cooler 3 through heat exchange with the refrigerant reduced in pressure through the capillary tube. As a result, the refrigerant evaporates. The refrigerant compressor pressurizes the refrigerant evaporated in the dehumidifier 4 and supplies it to the condenser 8.

[0022] The air inlet 9 is formed in the housing 5 and corresponds to a first air inlet that takes in air before it is compressed by the compressor main body 2 and air before it is used by the cooler 3. The air outlet 11 is formed in the housing 5 and corresponds to a first air outlet that discharges air after it has been used by the cooler 3. The air inlet 12 is formed in the housing 5 and corresponds to a second air inlet that takes in air before it is used by the condenser 8. The air outlet 13 is formed in the housing 5 and corresponds to a second air outlet that discharges air after it has been used by the condenser 8.

[0023] The compressor of this embodiment includes adsorbents 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D that adsorb carbon dioxide in the air, a holding section 15A that holds adsorbent 14A so that it is spaced outward from air inlet 9, a holding section 15B that holds adsorbent 14B so that it is spaced outward from air outlet 11, a holding section 15C that holds adsorbent 14C so that it is spaced outward from air inlet 12, and a holding section 15D that holds adsorbent 14D so that it is spaced outward from air outlet 13.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, for example, the holder 15A is composed of a plurality of rod-shaped members 16 spaced apart from one another and arranged around the air inlet 9, or the plurality of rod-shaped members 16 are integrally formed with a frame member (not shown) in contact with the adsorbent 14A. As shown in Fig. 2, for example, the holder 15B is composed of a plurality of rod-shaped members 16 spaced apart from one another and arranged around the air outlet 11, or the plurality of rod-shaped members 16 are integrally formed with a frame member (not shown) in contact with the adsorbent 14B. As shown in Fig. 2, for example, the holder 15C is composed of a plurality of rod-shaped members 16 spaced apart from one another and arranged around the air inlet 12, or the plurality of rod-shaped members 16 are integrally formed with a frame member (not shown) in contact with the adsorbent 14C. The holding portion 15D is composed of a plurality of rod-shaped members 16 arranged at a distance from each other around the air outlet 13, as shown in FIG. 2, or is composed of the above-mentioned plurality of rod-shaped members 16 integrated together via a frame member (not shown) that contacts the adsorbent 14D.

[0025] In this embodiment, air is made to flow through adsorbent 14A by utilizing the flow of air taken into machine room 6A from outside housing 5 via air inlet 9, air is made to flow through adsorbent 14B by utilizing the flow of air exhausted from machine room 6B to the outside of housing 5 via air outlet 11, air is made to flow through adsorbent 14C by utilizing the flow of air taken into machine room 6C from outside housing 5 via air inlet 12, and air is made to flow through adsorbent 14D by utilizing the flow of air exhausted from machine room 6C to the outside of housing 5 via air outlet 13. This makes it possible to capture carbon dioxide in the air while reducing power consumption and costs compared to when a dedicated fan is provided to blow air through an adsorbent.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the adsorbents 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D are held so as to be spaced apart from the outside of the air inlet 9, air outlet 11, air inlet 12, and air outlet 13, so that carbon dioxide in the air can be captured while reducing pressure loss compared to when the adsorbents are held close to the outside of the air inlet 9, air outlet 11, air inlet 12, and air outlet 13. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the flow rate of air taken into the casing 5 and a decrease in compressor performance. Furthermore, the adsorbents 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D can be replaced without stopping the compressor.

[0027] The adsorbents 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D are composed of, for example, a carrier carrying an amine-based absorbing solution, a calcium compound, or a magnesium compound, and chemically adsorb carbon dioxide in the air. Alternatively, the adsorbents 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D are composed of, for example, zeolite, activated carbon, or silica, and physically adsorb carbon dioxide in the air. When the adsorbents are configured to chemically adsorb carbon dioxide in the air, the amount of carbon dioxide adsorbed can be increased by utilizing the heat of the air discharged through the air outlet 11 or 13 (i.e., air heated by the cooler 3 or dehumidifier 4).

[0028] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which an adsorbent and a holding unit are provided for all of the air inlets 9, 12 and air outlets 11, 13, but this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient to provide an adsorbent and a holding unit for at least one of the air inlets 9, 12 and air outlets 11, 13.

[0029] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a package-type compressor in this embodiment. In this embodiment, parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0030] In the compressor of this embodiment, the partition plate separating the machine chambers 6A and 6B does not have an opening 10, and the machine chambers 6A and 6B do not communicate with each other. An air inlet 9A is formed in the housing 5, and the air inlet 9A communicates with the machine chamber 6B. When the fan 7A is driven, a flow of air is generated in which air is taken into the machine chamber 6B from outside the housing 5 via the air inlet 9A and then discharged to the outside of the housing 5 via the air outlet 11. When the compressor main body 2 is driven, a flow of air is generated in which air is taken into the machine chamber 6A from outside the housing 5 via the air inlet 9.

[0031] The air inlets 9 and 9A are formed in the housing 5 and correspond to first air inlets through which the air before being compressed by the compressor body 2 and the air before being used by the cooler 3 are taken in.

[0032] In addition to the adsorbents 14A to 14D and holders 15A to 15D described above, the compressor of this embodiment also includes an adsorbent 14E that adsorbs carbon dioxide in the air, and a holder 15E that holds the adsorbent 14E so as to be spaced outward from the air inlet 9A. The holder 15E is, for example, composed of a plurality of rod-shaped members 16 that are spaced apart from one another around the air inlet 9A, or is composed of the above-mentioned plurality of rod-shaped members 16 that are integrated together via a frame member that contacts the adsorbent.

[0033] In this embodiment, air is caused to flow through adsorbent 14A by utilizing the flow of air taken into machine room 6A from outside housing 5 via air inlet 9, air is caused to flow through adsorbent 14E by utilizing the flow of air taken into machine room 6B from outside housing 5 via air inlet 9A, air is caused to flow through adsorbent 14B by utilizing the flow of air discharged from machine room 6B to the outside of housing 5 via air outlet 11, air is caused to flow through adsorbent 14C by utilizing the flow of air taken into machine room 6C from outside housing 5 via air inlet 12, and air is caused to flow through adsorbent 14D by utilizing the flow of air discharged from machine room 6C to the outside of housing 5 via air outlet 13. This makes it possible to capture carbon dioxide in the air while reducing power consumption and costs compared to when a dedicated fan is provided to direct air through an adsorbent.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the adsorbents 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E are held so as to be spaced apart from the air inlet 9, air outlet 11, air inlet 12, air outlet 13, and air inlet 9A on the outside, so that carbon dioxide in the air can be captured while reducing pressure loss compared to when the adsorbents are held close to the air inlet 9, air outlet 11, air inlet 12, air outlet 13, and air inlet 9A on the outside. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the flow rate of air taken into the casing 5 and to suppress a decrease in the performance of the compressor.

[0035] In the second embodiment, an example has been described in which adsorbents and holding units are provided for all of the air inlets 9, 9A, 12 and air outlets 11, 13, but this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient to provide adsorbents and holding units for at least one of the air inlets 9, 9A, 12 and air outlets 11, 13.

[0036] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a package-type compressor in this embodiment. In this embodiment, parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0037] In the compressor of this embodiment, the air inlet 9 serves as both a first air inlet that takes in air before it is compressed by the compressor body 2 and air before it is used by the cooler 3, and a second air inlet that takes in air before it is used by the condenser 8 (i.e., the housing 5 does not have an air inlet 12). An opening 10A is formed in the partition plate that separates the machine compartment 6A from the machine compartment 6C, and the machine compartments 6A and 6C communicate with each other through the opening 10A. Driving the fan 7B creates a flow of air that is taken into the machine compartment 6A from outside the housing 5 through the air inlet 9, then taken into the machine compartment 6C through the opening 10A, and then discharged to the outside of the housing 5 through the air outlet 13.

[0038] The compressor of this embodiment does not include the above-described adsorbent 14C and holding portion 15C, but does include the above-described adsorbents 14A, 14B, and 14D and holding portions 15A, 15B, and 15D, and therefore can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0039] In the third embodiment, an example has been described in which an adsorbent and a holding unit are provided for all of the air inlet 9 and air outlets 11, 13, but this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient to provide an adsorbent and a holding unit for at least one of the air inlet 9 and air outlets 11, 13.

[0040] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a package-type compressor in this embodiment. In this embodiment, parts equivalent to those in the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0041] In the compressor of this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the partition plate separating the machine chamber 6A from the machine chamber 6B does not have an opening 10, and the machine chambers 6A and 6B do not communicate with each other. An air inlet 9A is formed in the housing 5, and the air inlet 9A communicates with the machine chamber 6B.

[0042] Furthermore, in the compressor of this embodiment, air outlet 11 is not only a first air outlet that discharges air used by cooler 3, but also serves as a second air outlet that discharges air used by condenser 8 (i.e., air outlet 13 is not formed in housing 5). An opening 10B is formed in the partition plate that separates machine compartment 6B from machine compartment 6C, and machine compartment 6B and machine compartment 6C communicate with each other through opening 10B. Driving fan 7B creates a flow of air that is taken into machine compartment 6C from outside of housing 5 through air inlet 12, then taken into machine compartment 6B through opening 10B, and then discharged to the outside of housing 5 through air outlet 11.

[0043] The compressor of this embodiment does not include the above-described adsorbent 14D and holding portion 15D, but does include the above-described adsorbents 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14E and holding portions 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15E, and therefore can achieve the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments.

[0044] In the fourth embodiment, an example has been described in which an adsorbent and a holding unit are provided for all of the air inlets 9, 9A, 12 and the air outlet 11, but this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient to provide an adsorbent and a holding unit for at least one of the air inlets 9, 9A, 12 and the air outlet 11.

[0045] Although not specifically described in the first to fourth embodiments, the weights of the plurality of adsorbents may be different from one another. To explain this in detail using the first embodiment, the weights of the adsorbents 14A and 14C are relatively small because they are held on the sides of the casing 5, while the weights of the adsorbents 14B and 14D are relatively large because they are held above the casing 5. Furthermore, the density of the plurality of adsorbents may be different from one another in consideration of the weights and allowable pressure loss of the plurality of adsorbents. To explain this in detail using the first embodiment, the adsorbent 14A has a relatively small weight and a relatively small allowable pressure loss, and therefore is set to the smallest of the three density levels (in other words, relatively sparse). The adsorbent 14B has a relatively large weight and a relatively large allowable pressure loss, and therefore is set to the largest of the three density levels (in other words, relatively dense). The adsorbent 14C has a relatively small weight and a relatively large allowable pressure loss, and therefore is set to the intermediate of the three density levels. The adsorbent 14D is relatively heavy and has a relatively large allowable pressure loss, and therefore is set to the larger of the three density levels (in other words, is set to be relatively dense).

[0046] Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments, the compressor has been described as having at least one of the air inlet 12 and the air outlet 13 together with the dehumidifier 4, the refrigerant compressor, the condenser 8, the capillary tube, etc., but this is not limiting, and the compressor does not necessarily have to have the air inlet 12 and the air outlet 13 together with the dehumidifier 4, the refrigerant compressor, the condenser 8, the capillary tube, etc. That is, the compressor has the air inlet 9 and the air outlet 13, and may also have an air inlet 9A, as long as an adsorbent and a holding unit are provided for at least one of them.

[0047] In the first to fourth embodiments, the compressor body 2 is a screw type having a pair of male and female screw rotors, but this is not limiting. The compressor body 2 may have, for example, one screw rotor and multiple gate rotors. The compressor body 2 may also be of a type other than the screw type. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 2...Compressor body, 3...Cooler, 4...Dehumidifier, 5...Housing, 8...Condenser, 9, 9A...Air inlet (first air inlet), 11...Air outlet (first air outlet), 12...Air inlet (second air inlet), 13...Air outlet (second air outlet), 14A to 14E...Adsorbent, 15A to 15E...Retaining portion, 16...Rod-shaped member

Claims

1. a compressor body that compresses air; a cooler that cools the compressed air discharged from the compressor body by heat exchange with air; a housing that accommodates the compressor body and the cooler; at least one first air inlet formed in the housing for taking in air before being compressed by the compressor body and before being used by the cooler; a first air outlet formed in the housing and configured to discharge air used by the cooler, at least one adsorbent material that adsorbs carbon dioxide from the air; and at least one holding portion that holds the adsorbent so as to be spaced outward from at least one of the first air inlet and the first air outlet.

2. 2. The package-type compressor according to claim 1, a dehumidifier housed in the housing that further cools and dehumidifies the compressed air cooled by the cooler through heat exchange with a refrigerant; a condenser housed in the housing, constituting a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant used in the dehumidifier circulates, and condensing the refrigerant by heat exchange with air; a second air inlet formed in the housing for taking in air before it is used by the condenser; a second air outlet formed in the housing for discharging air used by the condenser; the holding portion holds the adsorbent so as to be spaced outward from at least one of the first air inlet, the first air outlet, the second air inlet, and the second air outlet.

3. 3. The package-type compressor according to claim 2, 10. A package-type compressor, wherein the first air inlet also serves as the second air inlet.

4. 3. The package-type compressor according to claim 2, The package-type compressor, wherein the first air outlet also serves as the second air outlet.

5. 2. The package-type compressor according to claim 1, The package-type compressor, wherein the holding portion has a plurality of rod-shaped members spaced apart from one another around the first air inlet or the first air outlet.

6. 2. The package-type compressor according to claim 1, The packaged compressor is characterized in that the adsorbent chemically adsorbs carbon dioxide in the air.

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