Used fluorocarbon regeneration equipment

Abstract

To provide a used fluorocarbon regeneration device capable of controlling temperature required for distilling and regenerating used fluorocarbon with one heat pump without being affected by air temperature. The system includes a high-temperature chamber 3, a low-temperature chamber 5, a heat pump 7, and a heat exchanger 9 for exchanging heat of a refrigerant in the heat pump 7. The heat pump 7 includes a heater 71, a cooler 73, and a compressor 75, and the heat exchanger 9 includes at least one of a condenser or an expander, and a heat exhauster / heat absorber.

Description

[Technical field]

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

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

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

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

[0005] The distillation and recycling treatment device for used fluorocarbons in Prior Art Document 1 has the problem that when the outside temperature is low, such as in winter, the temperature of the low temperature chamber quickly drops to the temperature at which the used fluorocarbons liquefy, making it impossible to exhaust heat to the high temperature chamber and making it difficult to keep the temperature of the high temperature chamber high.Furthermore, when the outside temperature is high, such as in summer, the temperature of the high temperature chamber quickly rises to the temperature at which the used fluorocarbons vaporize, making it impossible to absorb heat from the low temperature chamber and making it difficult to keep the temperature of the low temperature chamber low.

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

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

[0008] To provide a used fluorocarbon regeneration device capable of controlling temperature required for distilling and regenerating used fluorocarbon with one heat pump without being affected by air temperature even in high air temperature summer or low air temperature winter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A used fluorocarbon regeneration device comprising a high-temperature chamber, a low-temperature chamber, a heat pump, and a heat exchange means for exchanging heat of a refrigerant of the heat pump, The high-temperature room is provided with a heater of the heat pump, A cooler for the heat pump is provided inside the low-temperature room, The heat exchange means is a condenser and An expander is provided, The used fluorocarbon in the high temperature chamber is distilled and the regenerated fluorocarbon is recovered in the low temperature chamber.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0020] The refrigerant 81 used in the heat pump 7 circulates through the heat pump 7, the heater 71, the cooler 73, and the heat exchange means 9. As an example, temperature management A will be described (FIG. 2). In temperature management A, the refrigerant 81 heated by passing through the compressor 75 of the heat pump 7 discharges heat 83 from the heater 71 to heat the high temperature room 3, and the refrigerant 81 after discharging heat takes in heat 83 from the cooler 73 to cool the low temperature room 5. When the solenoid valve 79f is closed, the refrigerant 81 passes through the path of temperature management A. Temperature management A adjusts the room 31 of the high temperature room 3 and the room 51 of the low temperature room 5 to the desired temperature by the heat 83 discharged from the heater 71 and the heat 83 taken in from the cooler 73, and is used, for example, when the temperature in spring or autumn is about 15°C to 28°C.

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

[0022] As yet another example, temperature management C will be described (FIG. 4). When the temperature of the room 31 of the high temperature room 3 has risen to a desired temperature but the temperature of the room 51 of the low temperature room 5 has not yet fallen to a desired temperature, the refrigerant 81 that has passed through the compressor 75 discharges only a small amount of heat from the heater 71, or does not discharge any heat at all. The refrigerant 81 that has passed through the heater 71 is moved to the heat exchange means 9 without moving to the cooler 73 by closing the solenoid valve 79e. The refrigerant 81 that has moved to the heat exchange means 9 is condensed by the condenser 91 by closing the solenoid valve 79b, and discharges heat 83 from the heat exhaust / heat absorber 95. The refrigerant 81 that has discharged heat is moved to the cooler 73 by closing the solenoid valve 79d, and absorbs heat from the cooler 73 to cool the low temperature room 5, thereby lowering the temperature of the room 51 of the low temperature room 5 to a desired temperature. Temperature management C adjusts the interior temperature 31 of the high temperature room 3 and the interior temperature 51 of the low temperature room 5 to the desired temperature when there is almost no heat 83 emitted from the heater 71, and is used, for example, when the temperature in summer is higher than about 30°C.

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

[0024] The used fluorocarbon inlet 111 is disposed in the interior 31 of the high temperature chamber 3, for example by penetrating the top or side of the high temperature chamber 3. The regenerated fluorocarbon outlet is disposed in the interior 51 of the low temperature chamber 5, for example by penetrating the top or side of the low temperature chamber 5. The used fluorocarbon inlet 111 is structured so as to be connectable to a portion of a container such as a cylinder filled with used fluorocarbon, through which the fluorocarbon is taken in and out. The regenerated fluorocarbon outlet 111 is structured so as to be connectable to a portion of a container such as a cylinder filled with regenerated fluorocarbon, through which the fluorocarbon is taken in and out.

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

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

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

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

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

[0030] The used fluorocarbon regeneration process includes a fluorocarbon introduction process for introducing used fluorocarbon from the first cylinder 115 into the fluorocarbon distillation piping 11, an oil separation process for separating oil from the used fluorocarbon using the oil separator 13, a dehydration process for removing moisture from the used fluorocarbon using the dehydrator 15, and a regenerated fluorocarbon filling process for filling the regenerated fluorocarbon from the regenerated fluorocarbon outlet 113 into the second cylinder 117.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claims

1. A used fluorocarbon regeneration device comprising a high-temperature chamber, a low-temperature chamber, a heat pump, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat of a refrigerant of the heat pump, and a fluorocarbon distillation pipe having an oil separator and a dehydrator disposed therein, The heat pump includes a heater, a cooler, and a compressor. The high temperature room is provided with the heater, The low-temperature room is provided with the cooler, The heat exchange means comprises a condenser and an expander; One end of the fluorocarbon distillation pipe is provided with a used fluorocarbon inlet, The other end of the fluorocarbon distillation pipe is provided with a regenerated fluorocarbon outlet, The used fluorocarbon inlet is disposed inside the high-temperature chamber, The regenerated fluorocarbon outlet is disposed inside the low-temperature room, The used fluorocarbon in the high temperature chamber is distilled to recover the recycled fluorocarbon in the low temperature chamber. Used refrigerant recycling equipment.

2. The heat exchange means is disposed outside the high temperature chamber and the low temperature chamber. The used fluorocarbon regeneration device according to claim 1

3. A method for regenerating used fluorocarbons using the used fluorocarbon regeneration device according to claim 1 or 2, The system includes a cylinder connection process, a used fluorocarbon regeneration process, and a temperature adjustment process. The cylinder connecting step includes a step of connecting the used fluorocarbon inlet disposed in the high temperature chamber to a first cylinder filled with used fluorocarbon, and a step of connecting the recycled fluorocarbon outlet disposed in the low temperature chamber to a second cylinder for filling with recycled fluorocarbon, The used fluorocarbon regeneration process includes a fluorocarbon introduction process of introducing the used fluorocarbon from the first cylinder into a fluorocarbon distillation pipe, an oil separation process of separating oil from the used fluorocarbon using the oil separator, a dehydration process of removing water from the used fluorocarbon using the dehydrator, and a regenerated fluorocarbon filling process of filling the second cylinder with the regenerated fluorocarbon from the regenerated fluorocarbon outlet, The temperature adjustment step is a step of adjusting the temperatures inside the high temperature chamber and the low temperature chamber to desired temperatures. How to recycle used refrigerants.

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