Refrigeration system

Abstract

This invention provides a refrigeration system that can easily and effectively utilize energy by converting waste heat generated from the refrigeration equipment into electricity. [Solution] The refrigeration system 1 includes a refrigeration device 10 that freezes an object to be cooled by a refrigeration cycle comprising a refrigerant compressor 12, a condenser 13, an expansion valve 14, and an evaporator 11; a thermoelectric element 20 capable of generating electricity using the heat generated in the condenser or between the compressor and the condenser; and a battery 40 capable of storing the electricity generated by the thermoelectric element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration system.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a refrigeration system is provided with an auxiliary power source that stores electricity from a commercial power source for power outage countermeasures during disasters. On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, for the purpose of energy saving, a method of utilizing waste heat in the process of condensing compressed gas in a refrigeration cycle can be considered.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the case of the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the device is large-scale and requires a large amount of space and equipment.

[0005] The present invention has been invented to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a refrigeration system that can convert waste heat generated from a refrigeration device into electricity and can easily and effectively utilize energy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The refrigeration system according to the present invention that achieves the above object includes a refrigeration device that freezes a cooled object by a refrigeration cycle including a refrigerant compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, a thermoelectric element that can generate electricity by using heat generated between the condenser or between the compressor and the condenser, and a battery that can store electricity generated by the thermoelectric element.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the refrigeration system described above, waste heat generated from the refrigeration device can be used to generate electricity using a thermoelectric element, and the generated electricity can be stored in a battery. Therefore, it is possible to provide a refrigeration system that can convert waste heat generated from the refrigeration device into electricity and easily utilize energy effectively. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a refrigeration system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing the system under normal conditions. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the refrigeration system according to this embodiment, and is a diagram showing the state in an emergency. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the control unit of the refrigeration system according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram shows a configuration in which a thermoelectric element is attached to a discharge pipe. [Figure 5] This figure shows a modified example in which a thermoelectric element is attached to the discharge piping. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual ratios.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigeration system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the normal state. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigeration system 1 according to this embodiment, illustrating the emergency state. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the control unit 50 of the refrigeration system 1 according to this embodiment. The configuration of the refrigeration system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the refrigeration system 1 according to this embodiment includes a refrigeration device 10 that refrigerates an object to be cooled by a refrigeration cycle, a thermoelectric element 20 that can generate electricity using the waste heat of the refrigeration device 10, a battery 40 that can store the electricity generated by the thermoelectric element 20, a voltage adjustment unit 30 that adjusts the voltage of the electricity supplied from the thermoelectric element 20 to the battery 40, a control unit 50 that controls various components, and a detection unit 53 that detects leakage of refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration device 10.

[0012] The refrigeration system 10 includes an evaporator 11, a compressor 12, a condenser 13, an expansion valve 14, and a circulation line 15.

[0013] The refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 11 is compressed by the compressor 12, and the refrigerant, now at high temperature and pressure, is cooled and condensed in the condenser 13. The condensed refrigerant is then sent to the expansion valve 14 to expand, and the expanded refrigerant is sent back to the evaporator 11. A known refrigeration system 10 can be used.

[0014] The refrigeration system 1 according to this embodiment utilizes the waste heat generated between the compressor 12 and the condenser 13 in such a refrigeration device 10.

[0015] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the thermoelectric element 20 is attached to the discharge pipe 16, which forms part of the circulation line 15 between the compressor 12 and the condenser 13. The thermoelectric element 20 may also be attached to the compressor 12 and the condenser 13, or it may be placed near the compressor 12, the condenser 13, and the discharge pipe 16, as long as waste heat can be utilized.

[0016] Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 4, the form in which the thermoelectric element 20 is attached to the discharge pipe 16 will be described in detail. FIG. 4(A) is a cross-sectional view of the discharge pipe 16, and FIG. 4(B) is a side view. Generally, since the thermoelectric element 20 is made of a hard material and lacks flexibility, it cannot be configured to be wound around a curved surface such as the discharge pipe 16. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, it is configured to be elongated and strip-shaped along the circumferential direction. The strip-shaped thermoelectric element 20 is attached to the discharge pipe 16 by an adhesive 60 with high thermal conductivity. As the adhesive 60 with high thermal conductivity, heat-conducting cement can be used.

[0017] Furthermore, referring to FIG. 5, a modification of the form in which the thermoelectric element 20 is attached to the discharge pipe 16 will be described. FIG. 5(A) is a cross-sectional view of the discharge pipe 16, and FIG. 5(B) is a side view. In the configuration of FIG. 5, fin-shaped fins 70 are provided in the radial direction of the discharge pipe 16, and the thermoelectric element 20 is attached to both surfaces of the fins 70 via the adhesive 60. According to this configuration, the attachment area of the thermoelectric element 20 can be increased, and more waste heat can be utilized.

[0018] As the thermoelectric element 20, a thermoelectric element that uses a mechanism in which an electric current is generated by creating a temperature difference between both surfaces of the thermoelectric element 20 is used. Since the thermoelectric element is a known configuration, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0019] The battery 40 can store the electricity generated by the thermoelectric element 20. As the battery 40, a known one can be used.

[0020] A voltage regulator 30 is provided between the thermoelectric element 20 and the battery 40. The voltage regulator 30 adjusts the voltage of the electricity supplied from the thermoelectric element 20 to the battery 40. By providing the voltage regulator 30 in this way, electricity can be suitably stored in the battery 40.

[0021] Next, the configuration of the control unit 50 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 50 includes an instruction unit 51 that instructs the operation of the refrigeration device 10, a monitor unit 52 that monitors the operation state of the refrigeration device 10, and an alarm unit 54 that generates an alarm when the detection unit 53 detects refrigerant leakage.

[0022] The instruction unit 51 is electrically connected to the refrigeration device 10 by wire or wirelessly, and instructs the operation / stop of the refrigeration device 10.

[0023] The monitor unit 52 is provided to monitor the operation state of the refrigeration device 10, and the monitor unit 52 is, for example, a display.

[0024] The detection unit 53 can detect the leakage of the refrigerant circulating in the circulation line 15 in the refrigeration device 10. Specifically, the detection unit 53 is arranged near each device constituting the refrigeration device 10, and detects whether the refrigerant is contained in the air around the refrigeration device 10 by contacting the air around the refrigeration device 10.

[0025] The detection unit 53 is connected to the alarm unit 54 in the control unit by an electrical wiring not shown. The alarm unit 54 can preset a threshold value for the concentration of refrigerant leakage. Thereby, when the concentration of the leaked refrigerant measured by the detection unit 53 reaches the threshold value set by the alarm unit 54, an electrical signal regarding refrigerant leakage can be sent to the monitor unit 52 in the control unit 50.

[0026] The alarm unit 54 performs alarm management regarding refrigerant leakage. The alarm unit 54 can, for example, issue an alarm to the on-site operator by means of a siren, a warning light, etc., or send an alarm electrical signal to another location.

[0027] The alarm unit 54 gives an alarm when the detection unit 53 detects the leakage of the refrigerant circulating in the circulation line 15 in the refrigeration device 10. The control unit 50 is preferably arranged at a position where the person in charge or the operator responsible for the maintenance management of the refrigeration device can know.

[0028] [[ID=2,7]] Next, the method of using the refrigeration system 1 according to the above embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows the normal state, and Figure 2 shows the emergency state. Here, an emergency refers to a situation where there is a power outage due to an earthquake or the like.

[0029] Under normal circumstances, as shown in Figure 1, the control unit 50 is powered by commercial power supply 90. The refrigeration system 10 is operated by the instruction unit 51 of the control unit 50. When the refrigeration system 10 is in operation, waste heat is generated between the compressor 12 and the condenser 13.

[0030] Furthermore, a thermoelectric element 20 positioned near the circulation line 15 between the compressor 12 and the condenser 13 generates electricity using the waste heat from the refrigeration system 10.

[0031] The electricity generated by the thermoelectric element 20 is then stored in the battery 40 after its voltage is adjusted by the voltage adjustment unit 30.

[0032] Next, we will explain how to use it in an emergency. When a power outage occurs due to an earthquake or other event and the commercial power supply 90 stops, the operation of the refrigeration unit 10 also stops. Then, let's assume that the circulation line 15 is damaged due to the earthquake or other event, and refrigerant leaks out.

[0033] For example, if the battery 40 of the refrigeration system 1 according to this embodiment is not present, and the commercial power supply 90 stops, the alarm unit 54 of the control unit 50 also stops, and it is unable to notify of refrigerant leakage.

[0034] In contrast, since the refrigeration system 1 according to this embodiment is charged in the battery 40, the detection unit 53 and alarm unit 54 of the control unit 50 can be continuously used using the electricity stored in the battery 40.

[0035] This allows the system to detect refrigerant leaks and notify workers of the leak even in the event of a power outage and the commercial power supply 90 being shut off, using the electricity stored in the battery 40. While the above embodiment describes a refrigerant leak alarm, it may also be used for other alarms, such as when the refrigerant pressure is outside a predetermined range.

[0036] As described above, the refrigeration system 1 according to this embodiment includes a refrigeration device 10 that refrigerates an object to be cooled by a refrigeration cycle comprising a refrigerant compressor 12, a condenser 13, an expansion valve 14, and an evaporator 11; a thermoelectric element 20 capable of generating electricity using the heat generated between the compressor 12 and the condenser 13; and a battery 40 capable of storing the electricity generated by the thermoelectric element 20. With the refrigeration system 1 configured in this way, waste heat generated from the refrigeration device 10 can be used to generate electricity with the thermoelectric element 20, and the generated electricity can be stored in the battery 40. Therefore, it is possible to provide a refrigeration system 1 that can convert waste heat generated from the refrigeration device 10 into electricity and can easily make effective use of energy. Furthermore, because the refrigeration system 1 according to this embodiment has a relatively simple structure, it can be introduced into existing facilities later without requiring major renovation work.

[0037] Furthermore, the refrigeration system 1 includes a detection unit 53 that detects leaks of refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration device 10, and an alarm unit 54 that generates an alarm when the detection unit 53 detects a refrigerant leak. When the commercial power supply 90 is shut down, the detection unit 53 and the alarm unit 54 are operated using electricity stored in the battery 40. With the refrigeration system 1 configured in this way, workers can be effectively notified of refrigerant leaks even in emergencies, thereby improving safety.

[0038] Furthermore, the refrigeration system 1 includes a voltage adjustment unit 30 between the thermoelectric element 20 and the battery 40, which adjusts the voltage of the electricity supplied from the thermoelectric element 20 to the battery 40. With the refrigeration system 1 configured in this way, electricity can be suitably stored in the battery 40 by adjusting it to a desired voltage.

[0039] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

[0040] For example, in the embodiment described above, the thermoelectric element 20 utilized the heat generated between the compressor 12 and the condenser 13. However, the thermoelectric element 20 may also generate electricity by utilizing the heat generated in the condenser 13.

[0041] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the electricity stored in the battery 40 was used to operate the detection unit 53 and the alarm unit 54. However, the electricity stored in the battery 40 can be used for a variety of purposes.

[0042] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a voltage adjustment unit 30 is provided between the thermoelectric element 20 and the battery 40, but the voltage adjustment unit 30 does not necessarily have to be provided. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 1. Refrigeration system, 10 Refrigeration equipment, 11 Evaporator, 12 Compressors, 13 Condenser, 14 Expansion valve, 20 thermoelectric elements, 30 Voltage adjustment section, 40 batteries, 50 Control unit, 53 Detection unit, 54 Alarm Department.

Claims

1. A refrigeration system that freezes an object to be cooled by a refrigeration cycle comprising a refrigerant compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator, A thermoelectric element capable of generating electricity using the heat generated in the condenser, or between the compressor and the condenser, A refrigeration system comprising a battery capable of storing electricity generated by the thermoelectric element.

2. A detection unit for detecting leakage of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration device, The system further includes an alarm unit that generates an alarm when the detection unit detects a leak of the refrigerant, The refrigeration system according to claim 1, wherein when the commercial power supply is interrupted, the detection unit and the alarm unit are operated using the electricity stored in the battery.

3. The refrigeration system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a voltage adjustment unit between the thermoelectric element and the battery for adjusting the voltage of the electricity supplied from the thermoelectric element to the battery.

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