Gas-Liquid Separation Device

Abstract

The gas-liquid separation device separates gas and liquid in a fluid and includes a cylindrical container in which the fluid swirls inside to separate the gas and liquid, an inlet pipe for introducing the fluid into the container, an outlet pipe for discharging the liquid that has been separated from the gas from inside the container, and a gas discharge section having a gas discharge valve for discharging the gas separated in the container by movement from a gas discharge port.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a gas-liquid separation device, and more particularly to a device that separates gas and liquid by utilizing a swirling flow. [Background technology]

[0002] A gas-liquid separator that is installed in a flow path through which a fluid flows and separates the fluid from the gas contained in the fluid has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The device in Patent Document 1 swirls the fluid that has flowed into a cylindrical tank, guides the generated air bubbles to the upper part, breaks the bubbles with an installed swirl flow prevention plate, and discharges the gas from an outlet installed above the swirl flow prevention plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-076107 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the gas-liquid separation device in Patent Document 1, when the gas in the fluid flows into the tank at high speed and in large quantities, the gas cannot be discharged by the swirl flow prevention plate and the discharge port installed at the top of the tank alone. In addition, the swirl flow prevention plate reduces the swirl flow generated in the tank and breaks bubbles. For this reason, the swirl flow prevention plate increases pressure loss, dispersing the gas collected in the center of the cylinder. For this reason, when the gas flows in at high speed and in large quantities, the separation and discharge of the gas cannot keep up.

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas-liquid separation device that can efficiently separate and discharge gas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gas-liquid separation device according to the present disclosure is a gas-liquid separation device that separates gas and liquid in a fluid, the gas-liquid separation device comprising: a cylindrical container in which the fluid swirls inside to separate the gas and liquid; an inlet pipe that introduces the fluid into the container; a gas discharge section having a gas discharge valve for discharging gas separated in the container due to the movement from a gas discharge port, and a gas-liquid discharge section having a gas-liquid discharge valve for discharging gas that could not be discharged from the gas discharge valve together with liquid from the gas-liquid discharge port; The liquid separated from the gas , from inside the container Draining outflow pipe And It is something to be prepared for. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the gas-liquid separation device disclosed herein, a fluid containing gas and liquid is swirled in a container to separate the gas and liquid, and the gas can be discharged by moving a gas discharge valve to open a gas discharge port. Therefore, even if a large amount of gas in the fluid flows into the container at a high speed, the gas can be efficiently separated and discharged. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a gas-liquid separation device 100 according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gas discharge section 140 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a gas / liquid discharge section 150 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating the state of a fluid in the gas-liquid separation device 100 according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a gas-liquid separation device 100 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a hot water supply system including a fluid circulation system according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the gas-liquid separation device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent, and are common to the entire embodiment described below. In addition, the size relationship of each component in the drawings may differ from the actual one. Furthermore, in the diagrams showing the internal configuration, hatching is omitted in some diagrams and devices in consideration of visibility. And, the form of the components shown in the entire specification is merely an example, and is not limited to the form described in the specification. In particular, the combination of components is not limited to only the combination in each embodiment, and the components described in other embodiments can be applied to other embodiments. In addition, the high and low of pressure and temperature are not determined in relation to absolute values, but are determined relatively in the state, operation, etc. of the device. In addition, when there is no need to particularly distinguish or specify multiple similar devices that are distinguished by subscripts, the subscripts may be omitted. In addition, the vertical direction in the drawings is the height direction.

[0010] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gas-liquid separation device 100 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the gas-liquid separation device 100 includes a gas-liquid separation section 110, an inlet section 120, an outlet section 130, a gas discharge section 140, and a gas-liquid discharge section 150.

[0011] The gas-liquid separation unit 110 has a cylindrical container 111, an inlet pipe port 112, an outlet pipe port 113, a gas discharge connection part 114, and a gas-liquid discharge connection part 115. The container 111 is a container through which a fluid containing gas and liquid passes. In the container 111, the inflowing fluid flows as a swirling flow. The inlet pipe port 112 is an opening that communicates with an inlet pipe 121 of an inlet part 120 described later at an upper part of the side of the container 111. The outlet pipe port 113 is an opening that communicates with an outlet pipe 131 of an outlet part 130 described later at a lower part of the side of the container 111. The gas discharge connection part 114 is a through hole that serves as a connection flow path with a gas discharger 141 of a gas discharge part 140 installed on the upper surface of the container 111. The gas-liquid separation unit 110 of the first embodiment has the gas discharge connection part 114 at approximately the center part of the upper surface of the container 111. The gas / liquid discharge connection part 115 is a through hole that serves as a connecting flow path with the gas / liquid discharge part 150 that is connected to the bottom surface of the container 111. The gas / liquid separation part 110 of the first embodiment has the gas / liquid discharge connection part 115 in approximately the center part of the bottom surface of the container 111.

[0012] The inlet section 120 allows the gas-liquid two-phase fluid from outside the device to flow into the container 111. The inlet section 120 has an inlet pipe 121 connected to the container 111 at an upper part of the side surface of the container 111. The inlet pipe 121 is connected to the container 111 so that the fluid flows in the tangential direction of a circle in the cylindrical shape of the container 111. By allowing the fluid to flow in the tangential direction of the circle, the fluid flowing in the container 111 becomes a swirling flow. The inlet pipe 121 has an inlet port 122 at one end that is connected to an external piping. The other end of the inlet pipe 121 is connected to the container 111 and communicates with the inside of the container 111 via the inlet pipe port 112.

[0013] The outflow section 130 causes the liquid component of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid to flow out of the apparatus. The outflow section 130 has an outflow pipe 131 connected to the container 111 at a lower part of the side surface of the container 111. The outflow pipe 131 has an outlet 132 at one end that is connected to an external piping. The other end of the outflow pipe 131 is connected to the container 111 and communicates with the inside of the container 111 via an outflow pipe port 113.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gas discharge unit 140 according to the first embodiment. The gas discharge unit 140 is installed on the upper surface of the container 111, communicates with the inside of the container 111 via the gas discharge connection unit 114, and discharges the gas separated in the container 111. Here, the gas discharge unit 140 has a gas discharger 141 and a gas discharge port 145. The gas discharge port 145 is an opening through which the gas separated in the gas-liquid separation unit 110 is discharged by the movement of the gas discharge valve 143, as described later. In addition, the gas discharger 141 automatically discharges the gas by pressure based on the amount of separated gas. The gas discharger 141 has a gas discharger main body 142, a gas discharge valve 143, and a float 144.

[0015] The gas discharger main body 142 has, for example, a cylindrical shape with a hollow interior. The gas discharger main body 142 restricts the movement of the float 144 in the height direction. The interior of the gas discharger main body 142 is filled with liquid when there is no gas separated by the gas-liquid separation unit 110. When gas rises from the gas-liquid separation unit 110 via the gas discharge connection unit 114 and flows into the gas discharger main body 142, it accumulates in the upper part of the gas discharger main body 142.

[0016] The float 144 is housed in the gas discharger body 142 and can move in the height direction within the gas discharger body 142 according to the boundary between the gas and the liquid within the gas discharger body 142. When the gas discharger body 142 is filled with liquid, the float 144 is located at the upper part within the gas discharger body 142. When gas flows into the gas discharger body 142, the pressure of the gas exceeds the pressure of the liquid, the boundary surface between the gas and the liquid within the gas discharger body 142 drops, and the position of the float 144 within the gas discharger body 142 drops. When gas within the gas discharger body 142 is discharged, the pressure of the liquid exceeds the pressure of the gas, the boundary surface between the gas and the liquid within the gas discharger body 142 rises, and the position of the float 144 within the gas discharger body 142 rises.

[0017] The gas discharge valve 143 is connected to the float 144, and the valve body moves with the movement of the float 144 to open or close the gas discharge port 145. As described above, the float 144 moves inside the gas discharger body 142 according to the boundary between the gas and the liquid. When gas flows into the gas discharger body 142, the float 144 moves downward inside the gas discharger body 142 based on the pressure of the gas inside the gas discharger body 142. The gas discharge valve 143 moves so as to open the gas discharge port 145 based on the position to which the float 144 moves. By moving the gas discharge valve 143, the upper part inside the gas discharger body 142 and the gas discharge port 145 are communicated, and the gas inside the gas discharger body 142 is discharged. On the other hand, when the amount of gas inside the gas discharger body 142 decreases due to the discharge of gas and the pressure of the gas drops, the position of the float 144 rises and the gas discharge valve 143 moves so as to close the gas discharge port 145 .

[0018] 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gas / liquid discharge unit 150 according to the first embodiment. The gas / liquid discharge unit 150 is installed on the lower surface of the container 111, communicates with the inside of the container 111 via the gas / liquid discharge connection unit 115, and discharges the fluid in response to the pressure in the container 111. The gas / liquid discharge unit 150 has a gas / liquid discharger 151 and a gas / liquid discharge port 155. The gas / liquid discharger 151 automatically discharges the fluid when the pressure of the fluid in the container 111 becomes equal to or higher than a set pressure. The gas / liquid discharger 151 has a gas / liquid discharger main body 152, a gas / liquid discharge valve 153, and a spring 154.

[0019] The gas / liquid discharger main body 152 houses the gas / liquid discharge valve 153 and the spring 154. The gas / liquid discharger main body 152 also regulates the gas / liquid discharge valve 153 and the spring 154 to move in the height direction on the lower surface of the container 111. The spring 154, which is an elastic body, supports the gas / liquid discharge valve 153 and exerts a force to return the gas / liquid discharge valve 153 to its original position based on the downward movement of the gas / liquid discharge valve 153.

[0020] The gas-liquid discharge valve 153 is a valve that opens or closes the gas-liquid discharge port 155 with the movement of the valve body. When the pressure applied from the fluid when the fluid moves downward while swirling in the container 111 reaches or exceeds a set pressure, the gas-liquid discharge valve 153 moves downward in a direction that opens the gas-liquid discharge port 155. When the gas-liquid discharge valve 153 moves downward, the gas-liquid discharger main body 152 and the gas-liquid discharge port 155 communicate with each other, the gas-liquid discharger main body 152 is opened, and the fluid is discharged from the gas-liquid discharger main body 152. On the other hand, when the pressure applied by the fluid to the gas-liquid discharge valve 153 weakens and the force applied by the spring 154 to the gas-liquid discharge valve 153 exceeds the pressure, the gas-liquid discharge valve 153 moves upward in a direction that closes the gas-liquid discharge port 155, and the gas-liquid discharge port 155 is closed.

[0021] Here, the set pressure is determined to be, for example, a pressure that is not exceeded by the amount of fluid passing through the gas-liquid separation device 100 under normal circumstances. In particular, when the amount of gas in the fluid increases and the pressure inside the container 111 exceeds the set pressure, the gas-liquid discharge valve 153 is set to move downward. The set pressure at which the gas-liquid discharge valve 153 moves downward is set to be higher than the pressure at which the gas discharge valve 143 in the gas discharge unit 140 opens the gas discharge port 145, so that discharge from the gas discharge unit 140 is performed first.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the state of the fluid in the gas-liquid separation device 100 according to the first embodiment. When the fluid flows in in a gas-liquid two-phase state, the gas, which is lighter than the liquid, flows through the upper part of the inflow pipe 121 and flows into the container 111 from the inflow pipe port 112. In the container 111, the fluid becomes a swirling flow, and due to the centrifugal force generated by the swirling flow, the gas, which is lighter than liquid water, gathers at the center of the circle in the cylindrical container 111 and moves to the lower part where the outflow pipe port 113 is located. The gas that has gathered at the center rises while defoaming and is discharged by the gas discharge part 140, or is discharged together with the liquid by the gas-liquid discharge part 150. Then, the liquid flows out of the container 111 from the outflow pipe port 113, passes through the outflow pipe 131, and flows out from the outflow port 132.

[0023] As described above, the gas-liquid separation device 100 in the first embodiment swirls the fluid, which contains gas and liquid and flows into the container 111 from the inflow pipe 121 of the inflow section 120, in the container 111, and separates the fluid into gas and liquid. The separated gas is discharged from the gas discharge port 145 by moving the gas discharge valve 143 of the gas discharge section 140 installed in the upper part of the container 111 to open the gas discharge port 145. At this time, since the gas discharge valve 143 moves based on the pressure of the gas separated in the container 111, even if a large amount of gas in the fluid flows into the container 111 at a high speed, the gas can be efficiently separated and discharged. In addition, the gas-liquid separation device 100 in the first embodiment includes the gas-liquid discharge section 150 having the gas-liquid discharge valve 153 in the lower part of the container 111. Therefore, the gas that could not be discharged by the gas discharge section 140 can be discharged. At this time, by setting the set pressure at which the gas / liquid discharge valve 153 moves to a pressure higher than the pressure at which the gas discharge valve 143 in the gas discharge section 140 opens the gas discharge port 145, gas discharge from the gas discharge section 140 can be given priority.

[0024] Embodiment 2 Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gas-liquid separation device 100 according to embodiment 2. In Fig. 5, devices and the like denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 perform the same operations as those described in embodiment 1.

[0025] The gas-liquid separation device 100 in the first embodiment has the gas-liquid discharge part 150 on the lower surface. In the gas-liquid separation device 100 in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the gas discharge part 140 and the gas-liquid discharge part 150 are installed on the upper side of the container 111 via the discharge pipe 160 connected to the gas discharge connection part 114. The gas-liquid separation device 100 in the second embodiment does not have the gas-liquid discharge connection part 115. In the first embodiment, the gas-liquid discharge valve 153 moves in the height direction (up and down direction) to open and close the gas-liquid discharge port 155. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the direction in which the gas-liquid discharge part 150 is installed is the left-right direction in FIG. 5, which is different from the installation direction in the first embodiment. Therefore, the direction in which the gas-liquid discharge valve 153 opens and closes the gas-liquid discharge port 155 is also different.

[0026] In the gas-liquid separation device 100 of embodiment 2, by installing the gas discharge section 140 and the gas-liquid discharge section 150 at the top of the container 111, it is possible to discharge gas at the top even when the gas discharge section 140 alone is not able to discharge the gas.

[0027] Embodiment 3 FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a hot water supply system centered on a fluid circulation system according to the third embodiment. Here, a fluid circulation system in which the gas-liquid separation device 100 described in the first and second embodiments is installed will be described. As an example of a fluid circulation system, a hot water supply system that supplies hot water obtained by heating water will be described. Here, the heat medium related to heating is also water, and the heat medium water is described as circulating as a fluid. The heat medium water also becomes a heat load that receives heat. Here, the heat medium water includes hot water unless otherwise specified. The hot water supply system in the first embodiment has a refrigerant circuit 10 and a heat medium circuit 20 by connecting a heat source unit 200 and a load unit 210 with a pipe 230. The hot water supply system in the third embodiment has a radiator 240 and a sanitary device 250.

[0028] The heat source unit 200 is a unit installed outdoors. The heat source unit 200 is a unit that supplies heat to a load unit 210. The heat source unit 200 in the first embodiment has devices that constitute the refrigerant circuit 10 and some devices that constitute the heat medium circuit 20. The heat source unit 200 also has a heat source side control device 201 that controls the devices in the unit.

[0029] The refrigerant circuit 10 of the heat source unit 200 performs a heating operation, and heats water flowing through the heat medium circuit 20 by heat exchange with the refrigerant in a heat medium heat exchanger 13 described below. The heat source unit 200 connects a compressor 11, a four-way valve 12, a heat medium heat exchanger 13, a first expansion valve 14, a receiver 15, a second expansion valve 16, and an air heat exchanger 17 with refrigerant piping to form the refrigerant circuit 10 in which the refrigerant circulates.

[0030] The compressor 11 compresses the sucked refrigerant and discharges it. The compressor 11 in the first embodiment includes an inverter device and the like, and can minutely change the capacity of the compressor 11 (the amount of refrigerant discharged per unit time) by arbitrarily changing the drive frequency based on an instruction from the heat source side control device 201. The four-way valve 12 is a flow path switching valve that switches the flow of the flow path in the refrigerant circuit 10. For this reason, although not particularly described here, for example, the hot water supply system can perform not only a heating operation, but also a cooling operation for cooling the water flowing through the heat medium circuit 20 and a defrosting operation for defrosting the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0031] The heat medium heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat between the water flowing through the heat medium circuit 20 and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 10. Therefore, the heat medium heat exchanger 13 is a component of the heat medium circuit 20 and also a component of the refrigerant circuit 10. The heat medium heat exchanger 13 is, for example, a plate heat exchanger. The water flowing through the heat medium circuit 20 and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 10 pass through flow paths that are isolated from each other. The heat medium heat exchanger 13 serves as a condenser or a radiator in the refrigerant circuit 10 and heats the water flowing through the heat medium circuit 20. Here, the heat source unit 200 is described as having the heat medium heat exchanger 13, but for example, a unit independent of the heat source unit 200 and the load unit 210 may have the heat medium heat exchanger 13.

[0032] The first expansion valve 14 serving as the first throttling device adjusts, for example, the flow rate and pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the heat medium heat exchanger 13. The receiver 15 is located between the first expansion valve 14 and the second expansion valve 16 in the refrigerant circuit 10, and is a container for storing excess refrigerant. The second expansion valve 16 serving as the second throttling device adjusts the flow rate and pressure of the refrigerant. Here, the first expansion valve 14 and the second expansion valve 16 in the first embodiment are electronic expansion valves whose opening degree can be changed based on an instruction from the heat source side control device 201.

[0033] The air heat exchanger 17 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air, which is, for example, air from outside the building. The air heat exchanger 17 functions as an evaporator or a heat absorber, and evaporates the refrigerant.

[0034] Although not particularly limited, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 10 of the heat source unit 200 in the first embodiment is a flammable refrigerant such as a hydrofluoroolefin-based refrigerant or a HC (Hydro Carbon)-based refrigerant. A flammable refrigerant is generally a refrigerant with a low global warming potential.

[0035] Next, with reference to Fig. 6, the heating operation of the refrigerant circuit 10 will be described based on the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10. Actuators such as the compressor 11 in the refrigerant circuit 10 are controlled by a control device (not shown) that controls devices in the heat source unit 200. In the heating operation, the refrigerant circulates through the compressor 11, four-way valve 12, heat medium heat exchanger 13, first expansion valve 14, receiver 15, second expansion valve 16, air heat exchanger 17, four-way valve 12, and compressor 11 in this order.

[0036] The high-temperature, high-pressure gas phase refrigerant (hereinafter referred to as gas refrigerant) discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the heat medium heat exchanger 13 via the four-way valve 12. The gas refrigerant that flows into the heat medium heat exchanger 13 is condensed and liquefied while releasing heat in the heat medium heat exchanger 13, which functions as a condenser, to become a high-pressure, low-temperature liquid phase refrigerant (hereinafter referred to as liquid refrigerant). As the refrigerant passing through the heat medium heat exchanger 13 releases heat, the water flowing through the heat medium circuit 20 passing through the heat medium heat exchanger 13 is heated.

[0037] The liquid refrigerant flowing out of the heat medium heat exchanger 13 is depressurized by the first expansion valve 14 and flows into the receiver 15, where a portion of the liquid refrigerant is stored. The refrigerant flowing out of the receiver 15 is depressurized by the second expansion valve 16, becomes a two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the air heat exchanger 17. The refrigerant flowing into the air heat exchanger 17 exchanges heat with outside air and evaporates to become a gas refrigerant. The gas refrigerant flowing out of the air heat exchanger 17 passes through the four-way valve 12 and is sucked into the compressor 11.

[0038] On the other hand, the heat medium circuit 20 has a water tank 21, a coil 22, a submersion heater 23, a booster heater 24, a three-way valve 25, a strainer 26, a flow switch 27, a pump 28, an expansion tank 29, a gas-liquid separator 100, and a heat medium heat exchanger 13. Of the devices in the heat medium circuit 20, the heat medium heat exchanger 13, the expansion tank 29, the pump 28, and the gas-liquid separator 100 are included in the heat source unit 200. The other devices are included in the load unit 210. The load unit 210 in the first embodiment has a load side control device 211 that cooperates with the heat source side control device 201 to control the devices in the load unit 210.

[0039] The load unit 210 is installed, for example, indoors. The water tank 21 included in the load unit 210 is a container that stores water therein. The water tank 21 contains a coil 22 connected to the heat medium circuit 20. The coil 22 is a load heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the water that serves as a heat medium circulating through the heat medium circuit 20 and the water stored inside the water tank 21, and heats the water stored inside the water tank 21. The water tank 21 also contains an immersion heater 23. The immersion heater 23 is a heating device that further heats the water stored inside the water tank 21. The water stored inside the water tank 21 is supplied to a sanitary device 250 that is connected to, for example, a bath and a shower.

[0040] The booster heater 24 is a device that further heats the water in the heat medium circuit 20 when, for example, the heating capacity of the heat source unit 200 is insufficient. The three-way valve 25 is a device that branches the water in the heat medium circuit 20. For example, the three-way valve 25 is a valve that switches the water in the heat medium circuit 20 to a flow path that flows to the water tank 21 side or a flow path to which a radiator 240 such as a floor heater is connected. The strainer 26 is a device that removes scale (deposits) in the heat medium circuit 20. The flow switch 27 is a device that detects whether the flow rate circulating in the heat medium circuit 20 is equal to or greater than a certain amount.

[0041] The pump 28 of the heat source unit 200 is a device that pressurizes the water in the heat medium circuit 20 and circulates it in the heat medium circuit 20. The expansion tank 29 is a device that adjusts the pressure in the piping of the heat medium circuit 20, which changes due to a change in the volume of water caused by heating, within a certain range. Here, in the heat medium circuit 20, the expansion tank 29 is installed upstream of the gas-liquid separation device 100 with respect to the flow of water, which is the heat medium. For example, when a gas refrigerant flows into the heat medium circuit 20 and the pressure in the heat medium circuit 20 exceeds the pressure control range of the expansion tank 29, the gas refrigerant flows into the gas-liquid separation device 100. Then, the gas-liquid separation device 100 separates the gas refrigerant from the water, which is the heat medium, and discharges the gas refrigerant to the outside to remove the gas from the heat medium circuit 20. This makes it possible to suppress the pressure in the heat medium circuit 20. Furthermore, by discharging the gas refrigerant to the outside, in the case where the refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant, it is possible to prevent flammable gas from flowing into the room via the heat medium circuit 20. However, this does not preclude a circuit configuration in which the gas-liquid separation device 100 is provided upstream of the expansion tank 29. The gas-liquid separation device 100 may suppress the pressure in the heat medium circuit 20 before the expansion tank 29 suppresses the pressure in the heat medium circuit 20.

[0042] As described above, in the fluid circulation system according to the third embodiment, the expansion tank 29 is installed upstream of the gas-liquid separation device 100 with respect to the flow of water, which is the heat medium. Therefore, even if a gas refrigerant flows into the heat medium circuit 20, the gas refrigerant that cannot be adjusted by the expansion tank 29 can be separated and discharged to the outside. When the refrigerant flows into the heat medium circuit 20, the gas refrigerant can be efficiently separated by the swirling flow in the gas-liquid separation device 100. In particular, when the refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant, the flammable gas refrigerant can be separated and discharged outdoors, so that the inflow of the flammable refrigerant indoors can be suppressed. In addition, air generated by heating water can be separated, and the pump 28 can be protected from idling. [Industrial Applicability]

[0043] In the above embodiment, the fluid circulation system is used in a hot water supply system, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the fluid circulation system can be used in an air conditioner or a chiller system that uses a fluid such as a heat medium.

[0044] Further, in the third embodiment, a fluid circulation system in which a fluid circulates has been described, but the present invention is not limited to circulation systems and can also be applied to a transient system in which a fluid containing gas and liquid flows through pipes or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 refrigerant circuit, 11 compressor, 12 four-way valve, 13 heat medium heat exchanger, 14 first expansion valve, 15 receiver, 16 second expansion valve, 17 air heat exchanger, 20 heat medium circuit, 21 water tank, 22 coil, 23 submerged heater, 24 booster heater, 25 three-way valve, 26 strainer, 27 flow switch, 28 pump, 29 expansion tank, 100 gas-liquid separator, 110 gas-liquid separator, 111 container, 112 inlet pipe port, 113 outlet pipe port, 114 gas discharge connection, 115 gas-liquid discharge connection, 120 inlet, 121 inlet pipe, 122 inlet, 130 outlet, 131 outlet pipe, 132 outlet, 140 gas discharge, 141 gas discharger, 142 Gas discharger main body, 143 gas discharge valve, 144 float, 145 gas discharge port, 150 gas / liquid discharge section, 151 gas / liquid discharger, 152 gas / liquid discharger main body, 153 gas / liquid discharge valve, 154 spring, 155 gas / liquid discharge port, 160 discharge pipe, 200 heat source unit, 201 heat source side control device, 210 load unit, 211 load side control device, 230 piping, 240 radiator, 250 sanitary equipment.

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separator for separating gas and liquid in a fluid, a cylindrical container in which the fluid swirls to separate the gas and the liquid; an inlet pipe for allowing the fluid to flow into the container; a gas discharge unit having a gas discharge valve that discharges the gas separated in the container due to the movement from a gas discharge port; a gas-liquid discharge unit having a gas-liquid discharge valve that discharges the gas that could not be discharged from the gas discharge valve together with the liquid from a gas-liquid discharge port; an outflow pipe for causing the liquid separated from the gas to flow out of the container; A gas-liquid separator comprising:

2. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1 , wherein the gas discharge section is installed at an upper portion of the container.

3. 3. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein the gas discharge valve moves in response to the pressure inside the container to connect the inside of the container with the gas discharge port and open the gas discharge port.

4. the gas discharge section has a float that moves at the boundary between the separated gas and the separated liquid, 3. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein the gas discharge valve moves based on the position of the float.

5. 3. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein the gas-liquid discharge unit is disposed below a position where the gas discharge unit is disposed.

6. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 5 , wherein the gas-liquid discharge section is installed in a lower portion of the container.

7. 3. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein the gas-liquid discharge valve moves in response to the pressure inside the container to communicate the inside of the container with the gas-liquid discharge port and open the gas-liquid discharge port.

8. 8. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 7, wherein the pressure at which the gas-liquid discharge valve moves to open the gas-liquid discharge port is higher than the pressure at which the gas discharge valve opens the gas discharge port.

9. 3. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein the gas-liquid discharge portion has an elastic body that moves the gas-liquid discharge valve.

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