Information processing device and repair priority output method

Abstract

To provide an information processing device and a repair priority output method for determining the repair priority of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment that has detected refrigerant leakage, in order to reduce the amount of refrigerant leakage. [Solution] An information processing device having a control unit, the control unit determines refrigerant leakage of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment based on changes in the refrigerant quantity index calculated from the operating data of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, estimates the refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment leakage, determines the repair priority of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment where refrigerant leakage has been determined based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment leakage, and outputs repair priority information for the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment where refrigerant leakage has been determined.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus and a repair priority output method.

Background Art

[0002] In refrigeration cycle apparatuses, a minute amount of refrigerant leakage (also referred to as a slow leak) may occur from a portion such as a compressor or a pipe. Patent Document 1 describes a refrigerant leakage detection apparatus capable of determining whether refrigerant leakage is caused by normally assumed refrigerant leakage such as a slow leak or by abnormal leakage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventionally, when refrigerant leakage occurs in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, repair work is performed in the order in which the refrigerant leakage is determined to have occurred. However, the refrigerant leakage rate is not constant and varies from site to site. For example, in the case of a slow leak with a low refrigerant leakage rate, the amount of leaked refrigerant can be kept small even if the repair work is delayed. In addition, in the case of a rapid refrigerant leak (also referred to as a fast leak) with a high refrigerant leakage rate, the amount of leaked refrigerant becomes large if the repair work is delayed.

[0005] Accordingly, if repair work is performed in the order in which refrigerant leakage is determined to have occurred in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, there have been cases where the repair work for a site with a slow leak that can be postponed is prioritized over the repair work for a site with a fast leak that requires prompt repair.

[0006] This disclosure aims to provide an information processing device and a repair priority output method for determining the repair priority of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment that has detected refrigerant leakage, in order to reduce the amount of refrigerant leakage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device having a control unit, the control unit determines refrigerant leakage of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment based on changes in a refrigerant quantity index calculated from operating data of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, estimates the refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, determines the priority of repair of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for which refrigerant leakage has been determined based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage, and outputs priority information for repair of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for which refrigerant leakage has been determined.

[0008] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, an information processing device can be provided that determines the priority of repairing refrigeration and air conditioning equipment that has detected a refrigerant leak in order to reduce the amount of refrigerant leakage.

[0009] A second aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device of the first aspect, wherein the control unit determines a higher priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in which the refrigerant leak was detected if the estimated refrigerant leak rate is fast, or a lower priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in which the refrigerant leak was detected if the estimated refrigerant leak rate is slow.

[0010] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, the faster the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage, the higher the priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in which the refrigerant leakage was detected can be determined, or the slower the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage, the lower the priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in which the refrigerant leakage was detected can be determined.

[0011] A third aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the control unit determines the content of repairs to the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in which the refrigerant leak was determined, based on the estimated refrigerant leak rate at the time of the refrigerant leak, and further outputs information regarding the content of repairs to the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in which the refrigerant leak was determined.

[0012] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, information regarding the repair of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for which refrigerant leakage has been detected can be further output.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the control unit calculates the rate of change of the refrigerant amount index for a predetermined time past from the determined refrigerant leak, and estimates the calculated rate of change of the refrigerant amount index as the refrigerant leak rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect of this disclosure, the refrigerant leakage rate of a refrigeration and air conditioning system can be estimated based on the rate of change of the calculated refrigerant quantity index.

[0015] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the control unit estimates the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change of the amount of refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, based on the rate of change of the estimated refrigerant amount index of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and a specified amount of refrigerant from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment that has been determined to be leaking refrigerant.

[0016] According to a fifth aspect of this disclosure, the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change in the amount of refrigerant leaking from refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, can be estimated.

[0017] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device of the fifth aspect, wherein the control unit estimates the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change of the amount of refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, based on the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change of the amount of refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, and the global warming potential (GWP) of the leaking refrigerant.

[0018] According to a sixth aspect of this disclosure, the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change in the CO2 equivalent amount of refrigerant leaking from refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, can be estimated.

[0019] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the control unit adjusts and outputs the work schedule of a worker who performs repair of the refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment based on the repair priority of the plurality of the refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment for which refrigerant leakage has been determined.

[0020] According to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to adjust and output the work schedule of a worker who performs repair of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment based on the repair priority of a plurality of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment for which refrigerant leakage has been determined.

[0021] An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a repair priority output method executed by an information processing apparatus having a control unit, wherein the control unit determines refrigerant leakage of the refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment based on a change in a refrigerant amount index calculated from operation data of the refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, estimates a refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage of the refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, determines a repair priority of the refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment for which the refrigerant leakage has been determined based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage, and outputs repair priority information of the refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment for which the refrigerant leakage has been determined.

[0022] According to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a repair priority output method that determines the repair priority of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment for which refrigerant leakage has been determined so as to reduce the amount of leaked refrigerant. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a refrigeration and air-conditioning system 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer 500 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a graph illustrating an example of processing for calculating a refrigerant leakage rate from a refrigerant amount index. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the information processing apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in step S18. [Figure 6]This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which the rate of change of the refrigerant quantity index is converted into a relative rate of change of the actual amount of refrigerant held relative to the specified amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, and used as the refrigerant leakage rate. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a process that calculates the rate of change of the refrigerant quantity index and then converts it into a refrigerant leakage rate, which is the relative rate of change of the amount of refrigerant held relative to the specified amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a process for estimating the refrigerant leakage rate by converting the calculated rate of change of refrigerant amount index into a relative rate of change of the amount of refrigerant held relative to the specified amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, and then converting the relative rate of change of the amount of refrigerant held into a rate of change of refrigerant leakage. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing performed by the information processing device 30 according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] Next, embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail.

[0025] <System Configuration> Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a refrigeration and air conditioning system 1 according to this embodiment. The refrigeration and air conditioning system 1 in Figure 1 has one or more refrigeration and air conditioning devices 10 and an information processing device 30. The refrigeration and air conditioning devices 10 in Figure 1 include a chiller that supplies chilled or hot water to the user, a refrigeration and air conditioning system consisting of a condensing unit and a showcase, a household hot water supply and heating system, a multi-split air conditioner for buildings, an air conditioner for shops, an air conditioner for offices, or a room air conditioner.

[0026] The refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in Figure 1 consists of an outdoor unit 12, one or more indoor units 14, and on-site piping 16. The outdoor unit 12 shown in Figure 1 includes a compressor 20, an outdoor heat exchanger 21, a subcooling heat exchanger 22, an accumulator 23, a four-way switching valve 24, and outdoor unit internal piping 25. The indoor unit 14 includes an indoor heat exchanger 26.

[0027] The outdoor unit 12 and indoor unit 14 of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 are connected by local piping 16 through which the refrigerant flows, forming a refrigerant circuit. In the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 shown in Figure 1, a four-way switching valve 24 reverses the flow of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit between cooling operation and heating operation. The compressor 20, outdoor heat exchanger 21, subcooling heat exchanger 22, accumulator 23, and four-way switching valve 24 are connected by piping 25 inside the outdoor unit to form a refrigerant circuit.

[0028] The compressor 20 compresses the refrigerant to high pressure. The outdoor heat exchanger 21 performs heat exchange between the outside air and the refrigerant passing through its interior. The subcooled heat exchanger 22 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant that has passed through the subcooled expansion valve and the refrigerant that passes through the interior of the subcooled heat exchanger 22.

[0029] The accumulator 23 functions as a buffer tank that stores excess liquid refrigerant when it flows in, thereby preventing liquid compression in the compressor 20.

[0030] Furthermore, the indoor heat exchanger 26 of one or more indoor units 14 performs heat exchange between indoor air and refrigerant passing through it. In addition, the indoor unit 14 is equipped with a fan (not shown), and the action of the fan promotes the heat exchange between indoor air and refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 26.

[0031] The refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 is equipped with various sensors on the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 14. The various sensors on the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 14 are used, for example, for controlling the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10. The various sensors on the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 14 are, for example, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, or current sensors. The temperature sensor is, for example, a thermistor.

[0032] Furthermore, the information processing device 30 determines refrigerant leakage in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 based on changes in the refrigerant quantity index calculated from the operating data of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10. Based on the changes in the refrigerant quantity index, the information processing device 30 estimates the refrigerant leakage rate when refrigerant is leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10. Based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate when refrigerant is leaking, the information processing device 30 determines the repair priority of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage has been determined. The information processing device 30 outputs repair priority information for the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage has been determined.

[0033] Repairers of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment can refer to the outputted priority information to prioritize repairs to rapidly leaking equipment that requires immediate attention. Conversely, they can also refer to the outputted priority information to lower the priority of repairs to equipment with slow leaks.

[0034] Furthermore, the information processing device 30 adjusts and outputs the work schedules of the workers who will repair the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 based on the repair priority of the multiple refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that have been found to have refrigerant leaks. For example, when dealing with repairs for properties with slow leaks, there is greater flexibility in coordinating repair work dates with the users of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10. In the case of slow leaks, which do not necessarily require immediate repair, users can request repairs on a day that is convenient for them. Also, in the case of slow leaks, which do not necessarily require immediate repair, workers can flexibly organize their work schedules.

[0035] The information processing device 30 is connected to one or more refrigeration and air conditioning units 10 via a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network) so that it can determine refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration and air conditioning unit 10 and acquire the data described later that is necessary to estimate the refrigerant leakage rate at the time of the refrigerant leakage.

[0036] For example, the information processing device 30 determines refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant circuit and acquires data necessary to estimate the refrigerant leakage rate at the time of the leakage from one or more refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10. The information processing device 30 may also acquire the data necessary to determine refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant circuit and estimate the refrigerant leakage rate at the time of the leakage via a device other than the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 (such as a data logger). Details of the processing of the information processing device 30 will be described later.

[0037] The information processing device 30 has a control unit 32. The control unit 32 is a hardware configuration that executes various programs. The control unit 32 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). For example, the information processing device 30 can perform various processes described later by having a CPU, which is an example of the control unit 32, execute a program.

[0038] The configuration of the refrigeration and air conditioning system 1 shown in Figure 1 is an example. The information processing device 30 may be implemented by one or more computers. The information processing device 30 may also be implemented as a cloud computing service.

[0039] In Figure 1, the control unit 32 of the information processing device 30 is shown as an example, but the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 may also have a control unit. For example, the various processes described later, which are performed by the control unit 32 of the information processing device 30, may also be performed by the control unit of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10. The various processes performed by the control unit 32 of the information processing device 30 may also be performed in cooperation with the control unit of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10.

[0040] It goes without saying that the configuration of the refrigeration and air conditioning system 1 shown in Figure 1 can vary depending on the application and purpose.

[0041] <Hardware Configuration> The information processing device 30 in Figure 1 is implemented, for example, by a computer 500 with the hardware configuration shown in Figure 2.

[0042] Figure 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer 500 according to this embodiment. The computer 500 includes an input device 501, a display device 502, an external interface 503, RAM (Random Access Memory) 504, ROM (Read Only Memory) 505, a CPU 506, a communication interface 507, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 508, and each is interconnected via bus B. The input device 501 and the display device 502 may be connected and used only when necessary.

[0043] The input device 501 includes a touch panel, operation keys and buttons, a keyboard and mouse, etc., used by the operator to input various signals. The display device 502 consists of a display such as a liquid crystal or organic EL that displays the screen, and a speaker that outputs sound data such as voice and notification sounds. The communication interface 507 is an interface for the computer 500 to communicate data via a communication network.

[0044] Furthermore, the HDD508 is an example of a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The programs and data stored include the OS (Operating System), which is the basic software that controls the entire computer 500, and applications (hereinafter simply referred to as "apps") that provide various functions on the OS. Note that the computer 500 may use a drive device that uses flash memory as a storage medium (for example, a solid-state drive: SSD, etc.) instead of the HDD508.

[0045] External I / F 503 is an interface to an external device. An external device may be a recording medium 503a, for example. Computer 500 reads from and writes to the recording medium 503a via the external I / F 503.

[0046] Recording media 503a include flexible disks, CDs (Compact Discs), DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), SD (Secure Digital) memory cards, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, etc.

[0047] ROM505 is an example of non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. ROM505 stores programs and data such as the BIOS (Basic Input Output System), OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the computer 500 starts up. RAM504 is an example of volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily holds programs and data.

[0048] The CPU 506 is an arithmetic unit that controls and implements the functions of the entire computer 500 by reading programs and data from a storage device such as the ROM 505 or HDD 508 onto the RAM 504 and executing processing, and is an example of a control unit 32.

[0049] <Determining the priority of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment repairs based on the rate of change in the refrigerant quantity index> The priority of repairs for refrigeration and air conditioning equipment can be determined based on the rate of change in the refrigerant quantity index, for example, as follows:

[0050] Figure 3 is a graph illustrating an example of a process for calculating the refrigerant leakage rate from a refrigerant quantity index. The graph in Figure 3 shows the time change of the refrigerant quantity index (an amount equivalent to the refrigerant quantity) calculated from the operating data of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10. The refrigerant quantity index is a value that is strongly correlated with the refrigerant quantity. The refrigerant quantity index may be the measured degree of subcooling, superheating, expansion valve opening of the refrigeration cycle, or the current value of the compressor 20. The refrigerant quantity index may also be a value obtained by calculation from the measured degree of subcooling, superheating, expansion valve opening of the refrigeration cycle, or the current value of the compressor 20.

[0051] Figures 3(A) to 3(C) show examples of the time evolution of refrigerant quantity indicators at different refrigerant leakage rates. Figure 3(A) shows an example of the time evolution of the refrigerant quantity indicator when the refrigerant leakage rate is slow (slow leak). Figure 3(B) shows an example of the time evolution of the refrigerant quantity indicator when the refrigerant leakage rate is fast (rapid leak). Figure 3(C) shows an example of the time evolution of the refrigerant quantity indicator when the refrigerant leakage rate is intermediate (intermediate leak rate).

[0052] When a refrigerant leak occurs, the refrigerant quantity index deviates from the normal value, as shown in Figures 3(A) to 3(C), and reaches the gas shortage threshold. A refrigerant leak is detected when the refrigerant quantity index reaches the gas shortage threshold.

[0053] When a refrigerant leak detection signal is issued, the control unit 32 of the information processing device 30 estimates the refrigerant leak rate at the time of the leak, for example, from the rate of change of the refrigerant quantity index during a certain period of time (ΔT) immediately preceding the time the refrigerant leak detection signal was issued.

[0054] For example, the refrigerant leakage rate can be directly expressed as the slope of the refrigerant quantity index, which is obtained by dividing the change in the refrigerant quantity index during a certain time period (ΔT) immediately preceding the time when the refrigerant leakage was detected by ΔT.

[0055] When the refrigerant quantity index is the degree of supercooling or superheating, it correlates with the relative ratio of the actual amount of refrigerant held by the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 to the specified amount of refrigerant. Specifically, in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 with different specifications and different specified amounts of refrigerant, if 10% of the refrigerant leaks from each specified amount, the change in the degree of supercooling or superheating will be approximately the same. Therefore, by using the rate of change of the refrigerant leakage index, which correlates with this relative rate of change of the amount of refrigerant held, as the refrigerant leakage rate, it becomes possible to simultaneously evaluate the degree of refrigerant leakage in multiple refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 with different specifications.

[0056] However, if the refrigerant quantity index is the expansion valve opening or the current value of the compressor 20, then even if the change in the refrigerant quantity index is the same, the rate of change in the amount of refrigerant retained relative to the specified amount will differ if the specifications of the elemental components such as the expansion valve and the compressor 20, or the design specifications of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 itself, are different. For example, if 10% of the refrigerant leaks from the specified amount in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 with different specifications, the change in the pulse command value for expansion valve opening control and the current value of the compressor 20 will be different. Therefore, if this type of rate of change in the refrigerant quantity index is used as the refrigerant leakage rate, it is not possible to simultaneously evaluate the degree of refrigerant leakage in multiple refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 with different specifications.

[0057] Therefore, for refrigerant quantity indicators such as expansion valve opening and compressor 20 current value, it is possible to calculate the rate of change of the refrigerant quantity indicator and then use a conversion factor to convert it into a value that is the relative rate of change of the actual amount of refrigerant held relative to the specified amount of refrigerant, and use this value as the refrigerant leakage rate. This process makes it possible to simultaneously evaluate the degree of refrigerant leakage of multiple refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 with different specifications. Furthermore, this process also makes it possible to simultaneously evaluate the degree of refrigerant leakage of multiple refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 with different specifications using multiple refrigerant leakage indicators. In this case, multiple refrigerant leakage indicators may include indicators such as the degree of subcooling and the degree of superheating, as well as indicators such as expansion valve opening and compressor 20 current value. The conversion factor can be calculated by obtaining correlation data between the relative change in the amount of refrigerant held relative to the specified amount of refrigerant of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 and the change in the refrigerant quantity indicator through tests or other means beforehand. Note that in the graphs from Figure 3(A) to Figure 3(C), the refrigerant leakage indicator is the same, and the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment has the same specifications.

[0058] Figure 3(A) is an example of a slow leak, so the rate of change in the refrigerant quantity index during a certain period (ΔT) immediately before the time the refrigerant leak detection alarm was issued is smaller than in Figures 3(B) and 3(C). Therefore, in the case of Figure 3(A), the estimated refrigerant leak rate is slower compared to Figures 3(B) and 3(C).

[0059] Figure 3(B) is an example of a property with a rapid leak, so the rate of change in the refrigerant quantity index during a certain period (ΔT) immediately before the time the refrigerant leak detection alarm was issued is greater than in Figures 3(A) and 3(C). Therefore, in the case of Figure 3(B), the estimated refrigerant leak rate is faster compared to Figures 3(A) and 3(C).

[0060] Furthermore, since Figure 3(C) is an example of a property with an intermediate leak rate, the rate of change in the refrigerant quantity index during a certain period (ΔT) immediately preceding the time when the refrigerant leak detection alarm was issued is greater than in Figure 3(A) and smaller than in Figure 3(B). For this reason, in the case of Figure 3(C), the estimated refrigerant leak rate is faster than in Figure 3(A) and slower than in Figure 3(C).

[0061] Figures 3(A) to 3(C) show examples where refrigerant leak detection was triggered at properties A to C at approximately the same time. The control unit 32 of the information processing device 30 determines that the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 with a faster estimated refrigerant leak rate will have a higher repair priority, or the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 with a slower estimated refrigerant leak rate will have a lower repair priority.

[0062] In the examples in Figures 3(A) to 3(C), the repair priority for the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in property B is determined to be highest and the repair priority for the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in property A is determined to be lowest, in order of the fastest estimated refrigerant leakage rate.

[0063] Thus, the information processing device 30 according to this embodiment can determine refrigerant leakage from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 based on changes in the refrigerant quantity index calculated from operating data, estimate the refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 leakage, and determine the repair priority based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage.

[0064] <Processing> The information processing device 30 according to this embodiment determines the repair priority of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that has been found to have a refrigerant leak, for example, by the process shown in Figure 4.

[0065] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an example of the processing performed by the information processing device 30 according to this embodiment.

[0066] In step S10, the control unit 32 of the information processing device 30 acquires operating data of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 to determine refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant circuit. The operating data acquired in step S10 only needs to be data that can be used to calculate the refrigerant amount index. The refrigerant amount index is a value that serves as an indicator of the amount of refrigerant filled in the refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, and is a value that correlates with the amount of refrigerant.

[0067] For example, the refrigerant quantity index may be the degree of subcooling, the degree of superheating, the expansion valve opening, or the current value of the compressor 20. The degree of subcooling may be, for example, the degree of subcooling at the condenser outlet, the degree of subcooling at the subcooling heat exchanger outlet, or the degree of subcooling at the economizer outlet. The degree of superheating may be the degree of superheating at the compressor suction, or the degree of superheating at the compressor discharge. The expansion valve opening may be the opening of the main expansion valve, the expansion valve opening of the subcooling heat exchanger, or the expansion valve opening of the economizer. Note that the refrigerant quantity index may also be a value obtained by calculation combining the above parameters with other parameters.

[0068] Furthermore, parameters for calculating the refrigerant quantity index can include the condenser outlet temperature, evaporator outlet temperature, subcooling heat exchanger outlet temperature, or economizer outlet temperature. Alternatively, parameters for calculating the refrigerant quantity index can include the suction pressure, discharge pressure, suction temperature, or discharge temperature of the compressor 20.

[0069] Furthermore, since the refrigerant quantity index fluctuates not only due to the amount of refrigerant but also due to disturbances such as ambient temperature and air conditioning load, correction for fluctuations due to disturbances may be performed. Disturbance correction for the refrigerant quantity index may be performed by calculating a predicted value of the refrigerant quantity index using a machine learning prediction model and using the difference between the predicted value and the measured value, which is the Δrefrigerant quantity index. The explanatory variables of the prediction model may be ambient temperature, compressor 20 rotation speed or current value, etc. Existing machine learning methods (for example, regression learning algorithms) can be used.

[0070] In step S12, the control unit 32 determines refrigerant leakage from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 based on the change in the refrigerant amount index calculated from the operating data of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 acquired in step S10. If disturbances in the refrigerant amount index are to be corrected, refrigerant leakage from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 may be determined based on the change in the Δ refrigerant amount index instead of the refrigerant amount index.

[0071] For example, in the examples shown in Figures 3(A) to 3(C), the control unit 32 determines that a refrigerant leak has occurred in a refrigeration and air conditioning unit 10 if the refrigerant amount index has reached the gas shortage threshold.

[0072] In step S14, if the control unit 32 determines that there is no refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that has leaked refrigerant, it returns to the process of step S10. Alternatively, if the control unit 32 determines that there is a refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that has leaked refrigerant in step S14, it issues a refrigerant leak detection alert and proceeds to the process of step S16.

[0073] In step S16, the control unit 32 estimates the refrigerant leakage rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 at the time of the refrigerant leakage, which is determined to have occurred, from the rate of change of the refrigerant quantity index during a certain period of time (ΔT) immediately preceding the time when the refrigerant leakage detection alarm was issued. The risk of performance degradation and failure due to the progression of refrigerant leakage can be evaluated by the rate of change of the refrigerant quantity index. Therefore, when determining the priority of repairs from the perspective of the time it takes to reach performance degradation, the rate of change of the refrigerant quantity index can be used as the refrigerant quantity rate.

[0074] In step S18, the control unit 32 determines the priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage has been determined, based on the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change of the refrigerant amount index when refrigerant leakage occurs in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, estimated in step S16.

[0075] The process in step S18 is carried out, for example, using the procedure shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart of an example of the process in step S18.

[0076] In step S40, the control unit 32 acquires information on the refrigerant leakage rate when refrigerant leaks from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, which was estimated in step S16.

[0077] In step S42, the control unit 32 determines whether the refrigerant leakage rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, which was acquired as information in step S40, is classified as a rapid leak. For example, the control unit 32 uses information indicating the refrigerant leakage rate of a refrigerant leak classified as a rapid leak to determine whether the refrigerant leakage rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 is classified as a rapid leak.

[0078] If the control unit 32 determines that the rate of refrigerant leakage in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 is classified as a rapid leak, it proceeds to step S46 and sets the repair priority of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that has been found to be leaking high (highest priority).

[0079] If the control unit 32 determines that the refrigerant leakage rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 is not classified as a rapid leak, it proceeds to step S44 and determines whether the refrigerant leakage rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, which was acquired as information in step S40, is classified as a slow leak. For example, the control unit 32 uses information indicating the refrigerant leakage rate of a slow leak to determine whether the refrigerant leakage rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 is classified as a slow leak.

[0080] If the control unit 32 determines that the rate of refrigerant leakage in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 is classified as a slow leak, it proceeds to step S48 and sets the repair priority of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that has been found to have a refrigerant leak to a low priority (the lowest priority).

[0081] If the control unit 32 determines that the refrigerant leakage rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 is not classified as a slow leak, it proceeds to step S50 and sets the repair priority of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that was found to have a refrigerant leak to intermediate.

[0082] According to the process in step S18 shown in Figure 5, the control unit 32 can, for example, determine a higher repair priority for refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 with a faster estimated refrigerant leakage rate, or a lower repair priority for refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 with a slower estimated refrigerant leakage rate. In Figure 5, an example is shown where the refrigerant leakage rate during refrigerant leakage is in three stages, but there may be other stages. Also, if the refrigerant leakage rate is very fast and all the refrigerant has already leaked, or if all the refrigerant has not yet leaked but is expected to leak completely before the repair worker arrives, the priority may be lowered.

[0083] Returning to Figure 4, in step S20, the control unit 32 outputs repair priority information for the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage has been determined, based on the repair priority of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 determined in step S18.

[0084] In step S20, the control unit 32 may adjust and output the work schedules of the workers who will repair the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 based on the priority of repair for the multiple refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that have been found to have refrigerant leaks.

[0085] For example, if a worker is repairing multiple refrigeration and air conditioning units 10, and these units have different repair priorities, the control unit 32 can adjust and output the worker's work schedule so that the repair of the refrigeration and air conditioning unit 10 experiencing a rapid leak is prioritized. If there are multiple refrigeration and air conditioning units 10 experiencing rapid leaks, the control unit 32 may determine that the faster the refrigerant leakage rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning unit 10 experiencing the rapid leak, the higher the repair priority. If, after the repair priority has been determined, another refrigeration and air conditioning unit 10 experiences an even faster rapid leak, the priority may be readjusted.

[0086] Furthermore, for example, if the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 being repaired by a worker includes refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 with different repair priorities, the control unit 32 can adjust and output the worker's work schedule so that the repair of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 experiencing a slow leak is not prioritized. In addition, if there are multiple refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 experiencing slow leaks, the control unit 32 may determine that the slower the refrigerant leakage rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 experiencing a slow leak, the lower the repair priority.

[0087] Furthermore, in step S20, the control unit 32 may determine the details of the repairs to the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that have been found to be leaking refrigerant, based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of the leak, and may output information regarding the details of the repairs to the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that have been found to be leaking refrigerant.

[0088] For example, the control unit 32 may output information to the operator regarding the repair of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 where a slow leak is occurring, specifically information on recommended repairs when the refrigerant leakage rate is low (for example, an instruction to inject a fluorescent dye and operate the equipment for a certain period of time before searching for the refrigerant leak location).

[0089] The explanation so far has been based on the assumption that the specifications of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 and the refrigerant leakage index used are the same in each graph of Figures 3(A) to 3(C), and has compared the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change of the refrigerant quantity index. However, when detecting refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 with different specifications, or when different refrigerant quantity indices are used for each refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, it is not possible to consider the repair priority of each refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 using the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change of the refrigerant quantity index. In that case, the rate of change of the refrigerant quantity index is converted into a value obtained by converting it into a relative rate of change of the actual amount of refrigerant held relative to the specified amount of refrigerant of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, and this value is used as the refrigerant leakage rate.

[0090] Figure 6(A) is a graph showing the correlation between the amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 and the degree of subcooling, which is an index of the refrigerant amount. The horizontal axis shows the relative amount of refrigerant, with the specified amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 set to 100%, and the vertical axis shows the degree of subcooling. When the amount of refrigerant decreases by 10%, the degree of subcooling, which is an index of the refrigerant amount, decreases by 2 degrees. This correlation can be determined in advance based on operating data obtained by changing the refrigerant amount conditions. Figure 6(B) is a graph showing the change in the degree of subcooling of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which a refrigerant leak was detected, showing that the degree of subcooling decreased by 2 degrees in the year from the occurrence of the leak to its detection. Therefore, the rate of change in the degree of subcooling after the occurrence of the leak is calculated to be 2 degrees / year. Figure 6(C) is a graph that converts the change in the refrigerant amount index (degree of subcooling) into a change in the relative value of the refrigerant amount, using the correlation in Figure 6(A). In this case, the rate of change in the refrigerant amount index after the occurrence of the leak is converted to 10% / year. In Figure 6(C), the refrigerant quantity index is converted from the degree of supercooling to the relative ratio of the actual refrigerant quantity to the specified refrigerant quantity. For example, even if the refrigerant quantity index used in multiple refrigeration and air conditioning units 10 contains both the degree of supercooling and the degree of superheating, and the repair priority cannot be determined from the rate of change of the refrigerant quantity index, by unifying it to the refrigerant leakage rate using the relative ratio of the refrigerant quantity through this conversion, direct comparison becomes possible, and the repair priority can be determined.

[0091] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the process in which the control unit 32 calculates the rate of change of the refrigerant amount index and then converts it into a refrigerant leakage rate which is the relative rate of change of the amount of refrigerant held relative to the specified amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10. If the specifications of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment to be detected are different, or if a different refrigerant amount index is used, in step S16, the control unit 32 calculates the rate of change of the refrigerant amount index, and then in step S17, it converts the rate of change of the refrigerant amount index into the relative rate of change of the actual amount of refrigerant held relative to the specified amount of refrigerant to estimate the refrigerant leakage rate. The process in step S18 is performed in the same way as in Figure 4, using the procedure shown in Figure 5. However, in this case, in step S40 of Figure 5, the refrigerant leakage rate estimated in step S17 of Figure 7 is used. The process from step S42 onward is the same as in Figure 4. After the completion of the process in Figure 5, the process returns to Figure 7, and the process in step S20 is executed according to the procedure in Figure 4 to complete the process.

[0092] Furthermore, the control unit 32 calculates the rate of change of the refrigerant amount index for a predetermined time period prior to the refrigerant leak, and converts the calculated rate of change into a relative rate of change of the actual amount of refrigerant held relative to the specified amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10. Subsequently, the calculated relative rate of change of refrigerant amount may be converted into a rate of change of refrigerant leakage amount and estimated as the refrigerant leakage rate.

[0093] Figure 6(D) is a graph showing the conversion of the relative rate of change in the amount of refrigerant held relative to the specified amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, using the amount of refrigerant charged to the equipment, into a rate of change in the amount of refrigerant leakage. If the relative rate of change in the amount of refrigerant held by the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 is 10% / year, then if the amount of refrigerant charged is 10 kg, the rate of change in the amount of refrigerant leakage is converted to 1 kg / year, and if the amount of refrigerant charged is 20 kg, it is converted to 2 kg / year.

[0094] The refrigerant leakage rate defined in this way means that, even if the rate of change of the relative amount of refrigerant held is the same, the larger the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, the faster the refrigerant leakage rate will be, and the larger the amount of refrigerant actually leaking. Conversely, the smaller the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, the slower the refrigerant leakage rate will be, and the smaller the amount of refrigerant actually leaking. For example, when evaluating the risk of oxygen deficiency for occupants or ignition of flammable refrigerant in an area where a refrigerant leak has occurred and determining the priority of repairs, it is necessary to evaluate the absolute value of the amount of refrigerant actually leaked, so the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change of the absolute value of the leaked refrigerant, is used.

[0095] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a process in which, after the control unit 32 calculates the rate of change of the refrigerant amount index, the calculated rate of change of the refrigerant amount index is converted into a relative rate of change of the amount of refrigerant held relative to the specified amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, and this relative rate of change of the amount of refrigerant held is further converted into a rate of change of the amount of refrigerant leaking to estimate the refrigerant leakage rate. The process up to step S16 is the same as the process in Figure 7. In step S17, after the control unit 32 converts the rate of change of the refrigerant amount index into a relative rate of change of the amount of refrigerant held relative to the specified amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, in step S18, the value obtained by converting the relative rate of change of the amount of refrigerant held relative to the specified amount of refrigerant estimated in step S17 into a rate of change of the amount of refrigerant leaking is estimated as the refrigerant leakage rate.

[0096] The process in step S19 is carried out in the same manner as the procedure in Figure 4 and is performed according to the procedure shown in Figure 5. However, in this embodiment, the transition to step S40 in Figure 5 differs in that it is performed from step S19 shown in Figure 8, and furthermore, step S40 in Figure 5 differs in that the refrigerant leakage rate estimated in step S18 in Figure 8 is used. The process from step S42 onward is the same as the procedure in Figure 4. After the completion of the process in Figure 5, the process returns to Figure 8, and the process in step S20 is executed according to the procedure in Figure 4 to complete the process.

[0097] The control unit 32 may estimate the refrigerant leakage rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment based on the calculated rate of change of the refrigerant amount index and the amount of refrigerant charged to the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 for which refrigerant leakage has been determined.

[0098] The information processing device 30 according to this embodiment may, for example, determine the priority of repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that has been found to have a refrigerant leak by the process shown in Figure 9.

[0099] Figure 9 is a flowchart of an example of the processing performed by the information processing device 30 according to this embodiment.

[0100] In step S100, the control unit 32 of the information processing device 30 acquires operating data of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 for determining refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant circuit. The operating data acquired in step S100 is the same as that in step S10 of Figure 4.

[0101] In step S102, the control unit 32 determines whether there is a refrigerant leak in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 based on the change in the refrigerant amount index calculated from the operating data of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 acquired in step S100. The process in step S102 is the same as in step S12 in Figure 4.

[0102] In step S104, if the control unit 32 determines that there is no refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that has leaked refrigerant, it returns to the process in step S100. In step S104, if the control unit 32 determines that there is a refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that has leaked refrigerant, it issues a refrigerant leak detection alarm and proceeds to the process in step S106.

[0103] In step S106, the control unit 32 calculates the rate of change of the refrigerant amount index during a certain period of time (ΔT) immediately preceding the time when the refrigerant leak detection alarm was first issued, based on the concept of the example described in Figures 6(A) to 6(D). Next, it converts the calculated rate of change of the refrigerant amount index into a rate of change of the relative ratio of the amount of refrigerant held to the specified amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, and further converts it into a refrigerant leak rate which will be the rate of change of the amount of refrigerant leaked, thereby estimating the refrigerant leak rate which will be the rate of change of the amount of refrigerant leaked when the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 is leaking refrigerant.

[0104] In step S108, the control unit 32 calculates a value by further multiplying the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change of the amount of refrigerant leakage at the time of refrigerant leakage estimated in step S106, by the global warming potential (GWP) of the refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10.

[0105] The global warming potential (GR) of a refrigerant is a numerical value that indicates the degree to which other greenhouse gases have an impact on global warming, using carbon dioxide (CO2) as the baseline. The control unit 32 can calculate a value by multiplying the refrigerant leakage rate estimated in step S106 by the global warming potential of the refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10. The value calculated in step S108 represents the amount of refrigerant leakage based on CO2 equivalent.

[0106] In step S110, the control unit 32 determines the repair priority of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which a refrigerant leak has been detected, based on the value calculated in step S108 (the value obtained by multiplying the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage by the global warming potential of the refrigerant). For example, the control unit 32 may determine the repair priority of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in which a refrigerant leak has been detected in order to reduce the amount of leakage based on the CO2 equivalent amount.

[0107] Determining the priority of repairs for refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that have been found to have a refrigerant leak in order to reduce the amount of leakage based on CO2 equivalent, means determining the priority of repairs for refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in order to reduce the amount of leakage based on CO2 equivalent until the repairs for multiple refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that have been found to have a refrigerant leak are completed.

[0108] According to the process in step S110, the control unit 32 can determine, for example, that the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 with a fast refrigerant leakage rate based on CO2 equivalent amount will have a higher repair priority, or that the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 with a slow refrigerant leakage rate based on CO2 equivalent amount will have a lower repair priority.

[0109] In step S112, the control unit 32 outputs repair priority information for the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage has been determined, based on the repair priority of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 determined in step S110. The processing in step S112 is the same as in step S20 in Figure 4.

[0110] As described above, the refrigeration and air conditioning system 1 according to this embodiment provides an information processing device 30 and a repair priority output method for determining the repair priority of a refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that has detected a refrigerant leak, in order to reduce the amount of refrigerant leakage.

[0111] [Effect] This embodiment is an information processing device 30 having a control unit 32, the control unit 32 determines refrigerant leakage in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 based on changes in the refrigerant amount index calculated from the operating data of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, estimates the refrigerant leakage rate when refrigerant leakage occurs in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, determines the repair priority of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 where refrigerant leakage has been determined based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate, and outputs repair priority information for the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 where refrigerant leakage has been determined.

[0112] In this embodiment, refrigerant leakage in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 is determined based on the change in the refrigerant quantity index calculated from the operating data of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, and the refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 is estimated. Then, in this embodiment, the priority of repair for the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage has been determined is determined based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate.

[0113] Thus, in this embodiment, the priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage has been detected can be determined based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate. Therefore, the priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage has been detected can be determined in a way that reduces the amount of refrigerant leakage.

[0114] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 32 determines a higher priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 where a refrigerant leak was detected if the estimated refrigerant leak rate is fast, or a lower priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 where a refrigerant leak was detected if the estimated refrigerant leak rate is slow.

[0115] In this embodiment, the faster the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage, the higher the priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage has been determined. Conversely, the slower the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage, the lower the priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage has been determined. This allows for the determination of the repair priority for refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which repair is needed, thereby reducing the total amount of refrigerant leakage from multiple refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which repair is needed.

[0116] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 32 determines the details of the repairs to the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that have been found to be leaking refrigerant, based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of the leak, and outputs information regarding the details of the repairs to the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that have been found to be leaking refrigerant.

[0117] In this embodiment, if the content of the repair can be determined based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage, information on the content of the repair of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage was detected can be output.

[0118] Furthermore, the control unit 32 calculates the rate of change of the refrigerant amount index for a predetermined time period prior to the determined refrigerant leak, and estimates the calculated rate of change of the refrigerant amount index as the refrigerant leak rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10.

[0119] According to this embodiment, the refrigerant leakage rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 can be estimated based on the rate of change of the calculated refrigerant amount index.

[0120] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 32 estimates the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change of the amount of refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, based on the refrigerant leakage rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, which is the rate of change of the estimated refrigerant amount index, and the specified amount of refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, which has been determined to be leaking refrigerant.

[0121] In this embodiment, the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change in the amount of refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, can be estimated.

[0122] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 32 estimates the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change in the CO2 equivalent amount of refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, based on the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change in the amount of refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, and the global warming potential of the leaking refrigerant.

[0123] In this embodiment, the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change in the CO2 equivalent amount of refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, can be estimated.

[0124] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the work schedule of the workers who will repair the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 is adjusted and output based on the repair priority of the multiple refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that have been found to have refrigerant leaks.

[0125] In this embodiment, the work schedule of the worker repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 can be adjusted to reduce the amount of refrigerant leakage. Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is greater flexibility in adjusting the work dates for refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 that do not necessarily need to be repaired quickly and have a lower repair priority, allowing for a more flexible work schedule.

[0126] Furthermore, this embodiment is a repair priority output method executed by an information processing device 30 having a control unit 32, wherein the control unit 32 determines refrigerant leakage of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 based on changes in the refrigerant amount index calculated from the operating data of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, estimates the refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10, determines the repair priority of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage has been determined based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage, and outputs repair priority information for the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage has been determined.

[0127] According to this embodiment, the repair priority of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage has been detected can be determined based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate. Therefore, a repair priority output method can be provided that determines the repair priority of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 10 in which refrigerant leakage has been detected in order to reduce the amount of refrigerant leakage.

[0128] As described above, this embodiment can be understood to be capable of various modifications to its form and details without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 1. Refrigeration and air conditioning system 10 Refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 12 Outdoor unit 14 Indoor unit 16. On-site piping 30 Information Processing Devices 32 Control Unit

Claims

1. An information processing device having a control unit, The control unit, Based on the change in the refrigerant quantity index calculated from the operating data of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, refrigerant leakage from the said refrigeration and air conditioning equipment is determined. The rate of refrigerant leakage in the aforementioned refrigeration and air conditioning equipment is estimated. Based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of the refrigerant leak, the priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in which the refrigerant leak was detected is determined. The system outputs priority information for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment that has been found to be leaking refrigerant. Information processing device.

2. The control unit determines that the faster the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage, the higher the priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in which the refrigerant leakage was detected, or the slower the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of refrigerant leakage, the lower the priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in which the refrigerant leakage was detected. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The control unit determines the details of the repair to the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment where the refrigerant leak was detected, based on the estimated refrigerant leak rate at the time of the leak. Further output information regarding the repair details of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for which the refrigerant leak was detected. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The control unit calculates the rate of change of the refrigerant amount index for a predetermined time period prior to the determined refrigerant leak, The rate of change of the calculated refrigerant quantity index is estimated as the refrigerant leakage rate of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The control unit estimates the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change of the amount of refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, based on the rate of change of the estimated refrigerant amount index, and the specified amount of refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, which has been determined to be leaking. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The control unit, based on the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change in the amount of refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, and the global warming potential (GWP) of the leaking refrigerant, determines the CO2 content of the refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. ２ To estimate the refrigerant leakage rate, which is the rate of change of the converted amount, The information processing apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The control unit adjusts and outputs the work schedules of the workers who will repair the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment based on the priority of repair for the multiple refrigeration and air conditioning equipment units for which refrigerant leakage has been detected. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. A repair priority output method executed by an information processing device having a control unit, The control unit, Based on the change in the refrigerant quantity index calculated from the operating data of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, refrigerant leakage from the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment is determined. The rate of refrigerant leakage in the aforementioned refrigeration and air conditioning equipment is estimated. Based on the estimated refrigerant leakage rate at the time of the refrigerant leak, the priority for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in which the refrigerant leak was detected is determined. The system outputs priority information for repairing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment that has been found to be leaking refrigerant. Repair priority output method.

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