Method for treating refrigerant and device thereof

Abstract

According to various embodiments, a refrigerant processing device and a method of operation thereof may be provided, comprising: a storage tank for storing a mixed refrigerant recovered from an air conditioning system; a mixing container that receives the recovered mixed refrigerant from the storage tank and generates a remixed mixed refrigerant; at least one material refrigerant tank that supplies a single refrigerant to the mixing container; a refrigerant pump that supplies the remixed mixed refrigerant generated in the mixing container to the air conditioning system; and a processing unit that recovers the mixed refrigerant from the air conditioning system and stores it in the storage tank, provides the recovered mixed refrigerant from the storage tank to the mixing container, obtains a mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant supplied to the mixing container, provides a single refrigerant through the at least one material refrigerant tank to the mixing container so that the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant satisfies a preset mixing ratio, and controls the injection of the remixed mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system through the refrigerant pump.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for treating a refrigerant, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for recovering, treating, and injecting a refrigerant of an air conditioning system. Background Technology

[0002] Conventional refrigerant treatment technologies involve processes for recovering used refrigerants from air conditioning systems for disposal or reuse. However, these refrigerant reuse methods are generally limited to recovering a single refrigerant, filtering or purifying it to remove impurities, and replenishing lost amounts before reinjecting it into the air conditioning system.

[0003] Recently, mixed refrigerants, which combine two or more refrigerants, are being introduced to improve the efficiency of air conditioning systems. However, in the case of mixed refrigerants, a problem arises where some components deteriorate or are lost, preventing the initially supplied mixed refrigerant from fully exhibiting its performance. The problem to be solved

[0004] The present disclosure may provide a method and apparatus for recovering, treating, and injecting refrigerant of an air conditioning system.

[0005] The problems to be solved through various embodiments are not limited to those mentioned, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0006] According to one embodiment, a mixed refrigerant treatment method may be provided, comprising: a step of recovering a mixed refrigerant from an air conditioning system and storing it in a storage tank; a step of providing the recovered mixed refrigerant from the storage tank to a mixing container; a step of obtaining a mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant supplied to the mixing container; a step of providing a single refrigerant to the mixing container through at least one material refrigerant tank so that the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant satisfies a preset mixing ratio; and a step of injecting the remixed mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system.

[0007] Here, the step of obtaining the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant may analyze the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant supplied from the storage tank to the mixing container through a component analyzer positioned between the storage tank and the mixing container to analyze the components of the recovered mixed refrigerant.

[0008] Here, the step of providing the single refrigerant to the mixing container can identify the original mixed refrigerant before the recovered mixed refrigerant deteriorates based on the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant.

[0009] Here, the step of providing the single refrigerant to the mixing container can identify the original mixed refrigerant before the recovered mixed refrigerant deteriorates based on the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the storage tank.

[0010] Here, the step of providing the single refrigerant to the mixing container may determine at least one single refrigerant and the amount of said at least one single refrigerant provided to the mixing container based on the difference between the mixing ratio of the first mixed refrigerant and the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant.

[0011] Here, the step of providing the single refrigerant to the mixing container may sequentially provide the at least one single refrigerant to the mixing container according to a descending order of density, replenishment amount, vaporization potential, and liquefaction potential.

[0012] Here, the remixed mixed refrigerant can be supplied to the air conditioning system through at least one selected of the low-pressure line and the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system by the operation of a refrigerant pump placed in an injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system.

[0013] Here, the step of providing the single refrigerant to the mixing container may involve forming a vacuum in the air conditioning system using a vacuum pump at a preset time after the recovery of the mixed refrigerant and before providing the remixed mixed refrigerant, and providing the remixed mixed refrigerant to the air conditioning system based on the pressure difference between the air conditioning system in a vacuum state and the mixing container and the operation of the refrigerant pump.

[0014] Here, the pipe connection connected to the mixing container at the bottom inside the storage tank may be formed with a pipe protruding at a preset height in the direction of the upper part of the storage tank.

[0015] Here, a filter for filtering impurities may be formed on the upper part of the pipe or on the side at a predetermined length below the upper part.

[0016] According to another embodiment, a refrigerant processing device may be provided, comprising: a storage tank for storing a mixed refrigerant recovered from an air conditioning system; a mixing container that receives the recovered mixed refrigerant from the storage tank and generates a remixed mixed refrigerant; at least one material refrigerant tank that supplies a single refrigerant to the mixing container; a refrigerant pump that supplies the remixed mixed refrigerant generated in the mixing container to the air conditioning system; and a processing unit that recovers the mixed refrigerant from the air conditioning system and stores it in the storage tank, provides the recovered mixed refrigerant from the storage tank to the mixing container, obtains a mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant supplied to the mixing container, provides a single refrigerant through the at least one material refrigerant tank to the mixing container so that the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant satisfies a preset mixing ratio, and controls the injection of the remixed mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system through the refrigerant pump.

[0017] Here, the refrigerant processing device further includes a component analyzer for analyzing the components of the recovered mixed refrigerant between the storage tank and the mixing container, and the processing unit can analyze the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant supplied from the storage tank to the mixing container.

[0018] Here, the processing unit can identify the original mixed refrigerant before the recovered mixed refrigerant deteriorates based on the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant.

[0019] Here, the storage tank is connected to a solenoid valve that discharges a portion of the air and gaseous refrigerant flowing into the storage tank, and the processing unit can identify the original mixed refrigerant before the recovered mixed refrigerant deteriorates based on the discharged gaseous refrigerant.

[0020] Here, the processing unit can determine at least one single refrigerant and the amount of at least one single refrigerant to be provided to the mixing container based on the difference between the mixing ratio of the initial mixed refrigerant and the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant.

[0021] Here, the processing unit can control the valve of the at least one material refrigerant tank to sequentially supply the at least one single refrigerant to the mixing container according to the descending order of density, replenishment amount, vaporization potential, and liquefaction potential.

[0022] Here, the remixed mixed refrigerant can be supplied to the air conditioning system through at least one selected of the low-pressure line and the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system by the operation of the refrigerant pump placed in the injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system.

[0023] Here, the refrigerant processing device further includes a vacuum pump that discharges air from the air conditioning system to form a vacuum in the air conditioning system, and the processing unit forms a vacuum in the air conditioning system using the vacuum pump at a preset time after the recovery of the mixed refrigerant and before the provision of the remixed mixed refrigerant, and can provide the remixed mixed refrigerant to the air conditioning system based on the pressure difference between the air conditioning system in the vacuum state and the mixing container and the operation of the refrigerant pump.

[0024] Here, the pipe connection connected to the mixing container at the bottom inside the storage tank may be formed with a pipe protruding at a preset height in the direction of the upper part of the storage tank.

[0025] Here, a filter for filtering impurities may be formed on the upper part of the pipe or on the side at a predetermined length below the upper part. Effects of the invention

[0026] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant treatment method and apparatus can restore the original mixing ratio of the mixed refrigerant by replenishing the material refrigerant to the deteriorated mixed refrigerant even if the composition of the mixed refrigerant deteriorates, and can prevent environmental pollution caused by refrigerant disposal by reusing the existing refrigerant instead of discarding it.

[0027] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant treatment method and apparatus have the effect of maximizing the efficiency of refrigerant management through the reuse of refrigerant by analyzing the composition of the recovered mixed refrigerant in real time and replenishing deteriorated or lost components to restore the mixing ratio of the original mixed refrigerant.

[0028] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant treatment method and apparatus utilize precision control and component analysis technology between a storage tank and a mixing container to precisely adjust the refrigerant mixing ratio, thereby maintaining refrigerant performance in an air conditioning system and preventing system malfunction caused by the deterioration of the quality of the mixed refrigerant. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0029] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the components of a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates detailed components of a refrigerant treatment unit in a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates the flow of an operation to perform refrigerant treatment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit that recovers refrigerant from an air conditioning system connected to a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit that vacuums an air conditioning system connected to a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit that processes a refrigerant recovered in a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit that injects the refrigerant treated in a refrigerant treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure into a connected air conditioning system. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. In the following, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0031] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used to describe various elements, components, and / or sections, it goes without saying that these elements, components, and / or sections are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one element, component, or section from another. Accordingly, it goes without saying that the first component or first section below may be the second component or second section within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0032] The terms used herein are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text. As used herein, "comprises" and / or "made of" do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, actions, and / or elements to the mentioned components, steps, actions, and / or elements.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) may be used in a meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise.

[0034] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, since the drawings attached to this specification serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept together with the detailed description, the present disclosure shall not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

[0035] The present disclosure may describe a refrigerant treatment method and an apparatus thereof. Herein, the apparatus (refrigerant treatment apparatus) may be configured to recover, treat, and inject refrigerant from an air conditioning system connected to the outside of the apparatus.

[0036] Here, an air conditioning system connected to the outside of the device can be described as an air conditioning system that performs cooling or heating using a refrigerant, such as a means of transportation like automobiles, ships, and airplanes, as well as an air conditioning system included in buildings such as buildings and houses.

[0037] According to various embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerant recovered from and remixed from an air conditioning system and injected into the air conditioning system can be described as a mixed refrigerant in which two or more material refrigerants are mixed.

[0038] Here, the material refrigerant may include at least one refrigerant among various refrigerants, such as natural refrigerants, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants, hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants, hydrocarbon refrigerants that are not natural refrigerants, halons, or perfluorocarbon (PFC) refrigerants.

[0039] Hereinafter, in order to clearly explain embodiments of the present invention, the mixed refrigerant may be described using a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant (zeotropic refrigerant) in which two or more refrigerants are mixed and a temperature gradient may appear during the condensation and evaporation processes due to differences in physical properties such as vapor pressure. However, the mixed refrigerant is not limited thereto and may be composed of a refrigerant that includes an azeotropic mixed refrigerant, or a refrigerant in which a constant composition ratio is maintained and no temperature gradient appears during the condensation and evaporation processes.

[0040] Hereinafter, to explain a refrigerant treatment method and the apparatus thereof, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the components of a refrigerant treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates the detailed components of a refrigerant treatment unit in a refrigerant treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates the flow of operations for performing refrigerant treatment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit recovering refrigerant from a connected air conditioning system in a refrigerant treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit vacuuming a connected air conditioning system in a refrigerant treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit processing the recovered refrigerant in a refrigerant treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates the detailed operation of a refrigerant treatment unit injecting the processed refrigerant into a connected air conditioning system in a refrigerant treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a device (refrigerant processing device) (100) according to various embodiments of the present invention may be configured to include at least one of a processing unit (110), a storage unit (120), a communication unit (130), and a refrigerant processing unit (140).

[0042] According to one embodiment, the processing unit (110) can control the operation of the refrigerant processing unit (140). The storage unit (120) can store data for the operation of the processing unit (110). The communication unit (130) can communicate with a component inside the device or an external device (e.g., an air conditioning system) based on the control of the processing unit (110). The refrigerant processing unit (140) can perform the operation of recovering refrigerant from a connected air conditioning system based on the control of the processing unit (110), processing the recovered refrigerant (e.g., re-mixing), and injecting the re-mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system.

[0043] The configuration and operation of the processing unit (110), storage unit (120), communication unit (130), or refrigerant processing unit (140) can be described in detail below.

[0044] First, the processing unit (110) is configured to include at least one processor and can process various data for the operation of the device (100) through at least one program (application, tool, plugin, software, etc.).

[0045] The processing unit (110) can control the operation or function of components included in the device (100) (or connected to the device (100)) (e.g., storage unit (120), communication unit (130), or refrigerant processing unit (140), etc.). At this time, the processing unit (110) can transmit and receive data with the components through the communication unit (130).

[0046] The storage unit (120) may be configured to include volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a computer-readable recording medium. In this case, the computer-readable recording medium may store a computer program for the device (100) to perform an operation based on various embodiments.

[0047] For example, the storage unit (120) may store various data that is transmitted or processed by at least one component of the device (100) (e.g., the processing unit (110) or the communication unit (130), etc.). The data may include, for example, a program for processing control commands, data processed through the program, or related input and output data.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the storage unit (120) may store at least one program for controlling the operation of the refrigerant processing unit (140).

[0049] Additionally, the storage unit (120) may include an artificial neural network algorithm for processing control commands, a blockchain algorithm, a deep learning algorithm, a regression analysis algorithm, and an artificial intelligence algorithm based on at least some of the related mechanisms, operators, language models, and big data.

[0050] The communication unit (130) establishes a wired communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the internal components of the device (100) and / or the device (100) and at least one other device (e.g., a user device, or a server), and can support communication through the established communication channel.

[0051] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the refrigerant treatment unit (140) can be explained in more detail.

[0052] First, the refrigerant treatment unit (140) may be configured to include a storage tank (ST) for recovering and storing refrigerant from an air conditioning system, a mixing container for remixing the recovered refrigerant, and a refrigerant pump (RP) for injecting the remixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system.

[0053] According to one embodiment for explaining the refrigerant treatment unit (140) in more detail, the refrigerant treatment unit (140) includes a recovery pipe (P1) for recovering refrigerant from an air conditioning system, and the recovery pipe (P1) may be configured to store the recovered refrigerant in a storage tank (ST) by passing through a stabilization chamber (DOA chamber) (DOA) for stabilizing the state of the refrigerant recovered from the air conditioning system, a compressor (M1) for compressing the refrigerant to high temperature and high pressure, and a condenser (CDS) for changing the phase of the gaseous refrigerant into a liquid.

[0054] In describing various embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerant treatment unit (140) may be configured to include various pipes. In this case, the pipes may be composed of hard pipes such as iron, stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, copper, PVC, etc., and soft pipes such as rubber, Teflon, nylon, silicone, synthetic resin, metal braid, etc. Additionally, the pipes may include pipes formed by mixing hard pipes and soft pipes (or mixing the materials thereof).

[0055] Additionally, the refrigerant treatment unit (140) may be configured so that the refrigerant stored in the storage tank (ST) (recovered refrigerant) and the material refrigerant in at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) in which the material refrigerant is stored are remixed (mixed) in a mixing container (MC) for the remixing of the recovered refrigerant.

[0056] Additionally, the refrigerant treatment unit (140) includes an injection pipe (P2) connected to a mixing container (MC), and the injection pipe (P2) may be configured to inject the remixed refrigerant of the mixing container (MC) into the air conditioning system through a refrigerant pump (RP).

[0057] According to various embodiments, in order to effectively perform the operations of refrigerant recovery, vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system, refrigerant remixing, and refrigerant injection as described above, the refrigerant treatment unit (140) may be configured to include at least one additional component.

[0058] To explain in more detail, the return pipe (P1) can be connected to the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP) and / or the high side pipe (HSP).

[0059] According to one embodiment, the recovery pipe (P1) may be connected to the low-pressure pipe (LSP) through a low-pressure manifold valve (V1). The low-pressure manifold valve (V1) may be configured to control the refrigerant flow in the low-pressure pipe (LSP) (or the low-pressure line of the air conditioning system).

[0060] The low-pressure side piping (LSP) may be configured to include a low-pressure side service coupling (SC1), one end of which is connected to a low-pressure side manifold valve (V1) as described above, and the other end of which is connected to a low-pressure line of the air conditioning system. Additionally, the low-pressure side piping (LSP) may be configured to include a low-pressure side pressure gauge (G1) for measuring the refrigerant pressure of the low-pressure side piping (LSP) (or the low-pressure line of the air conditioning system).

[0061] In addition, the recovery pipe (P1) has a high / low pressure solenoid valve (high / low s olenoid v It can be connected to the high-pressure piping (HSP) through the alve)(SV8) and the high-pressure side manifold valve (V2). The high-pressure side manifold valve (V2) can be configured to control the refrigerant flow in the high-pressure piping (HSP) (or the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system).

[0062] The high-pressure side piping (HSP) may be configured to include a high-pressure side service coupling (SC2), one end of which is connected to a high-pressure side manifold valve (V2) and the other end of which is connected to a high-pressure line of the air conditioning system. Additionally, the high-pressure side piping (HSP) may be configured to include a high-pressure side pressure gauge (G2) for measuring the refrigerant pressure of the high-pressure side piping (HSP) (or the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system).

[0063] Additionally, the high-pressure side piping (HSP) can be connected to the injection piping (P2) through the high-pressure side manifold valve (V2). Furthermore, the injection piping (P2) can be connected to the low-pressure side piping (LSP) through the high-pressure / low-pressure solenoid valve (SV8) and the low-pressure side manifold valve (V1).

[0064] The high / low pressure solenoid valve (SV8) may be configured to control the refrigerant flow between the recovery pipe (P1) and the high-pressure side pipe (HSP) (e.g., shut off or open), or to control the refrigerant flow between the injection pipe (P2) and the low-pressure side pipe (LSP) (e.g., shut off or open).

[0065] To explain in more detail, the high pressure / low pressure solenoid valve (SV8) can control the connection between the low pressure side pipe (LSP) and the high pressure side pipe (HSP) so that, in the process of recovering the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the recovery pipe (P1), the refrigerant of the air conditioning system is recovered through the low pressure side pipe (LSP) or the refrigerant of the air conditioning system is recovered through the low pressure side pipe (LSP) and the high pressure side pipe (HSP).

[0066] In addition, the high pressure / low pressure solenoid valve (SV8) can control the connection between the low pressure side pipe (LSP) and the high pressure side pipe (HSP) so that, during the process of injecting refrigerant into the air conditioning system through the injection pipe (P2), the remixed refrigerant is injected into the air conditioning system through the high pressure side pipe (HSP), or the remixed refrigerant is injected into the air conditioning system through the low pressure side pipe (LSP) and the high pressure side pipe (HSP).

[0067] The recovery pipe (P1) may be configured to include at least one of a low pressure switch (LP) that detects the low pressure line status of the air conditioning system (e.g., whether the refrigerant pressure drops below a preset pressure) through the low pressure side pipe (LSP) and / or blocks the flow of refrigerant, a recovery solenoid valve (SV1) that controls the flow of refrigerant, a check valve 1 (CV1) that prevents backflow of refrigerant, and a regulator (RG) that controls the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the low pressure side pipe (LSP).

[0068] Additionally, the refrigerant processing unit (140) may include a vacuum pump (VP) for discharging air and moisture from the air conditioning system. Here, the refrigerant processing unit (140) may include a vacuum pump hose (P3) connecting the recovery pipe (P1) and the vacuum pump (VP) between the low-pressure switch (LP) and the recovery solenoid valve (SV1), and the vacuum pump hose (P3) may be configured to include a vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2) that controls the operation of the vacuum pump (VP).

[0069] The stabilization chamber (DOA) may include a filter (or damper) that filters out impurities such as air, oil, and fine particles that are introduced along with the refrigerant during the refrigerant recovery process. For example, the stabilization chamber (DOA) may include an oil separator (discharge oil (or de-oiling) accumulator) that separates and discharges oil contained in the refrigerant.

[0070] Additionally, the stabilization chamber (DOA) may include a heat exchanger for stabilizing the state of the refrigerant. Here, the heat exchanger of the stabilization chamber (DOA) may be configured to stabilize the state of the refrigerant, such as by partially separating the internal gaseous and / or liquid refrigerant, adjusting the temperature uniformly, adjusting the flow rate so that the refrigerant flowing to the compressor has a uniform flow, or mitigating the occurrence of shocks (pressure spikes).

[0071] Additionally, to discharge the separated oil to the outside of the device (100), the refrigerant treatment unit (140) may be configured to include at least some of an oil drain solenoid valve (SV6) that discharges the oil separated from the stabilization chamber to the outside of the device (100), an oil pressure switch (OP) that monitors the pressure of the separated oil and controls the oil drain solenoid valve (SV6) according to a preset pressure, and a check valve 3 (CV3) that prevents the oil discharged through the oil drain solenoid valve (SV6) from flowing back into the stabilization chamber (DOA). Here, the oil drain solenoid valve (SV6), the oil pressure switch (OP), or the check valve 3 (CV3) may be configured inside or outside the stabilization chamber (DOA).

[0072] Additionally, between the stabilization chamber (DOA) and the compressor (M1), the configuration may include at least some of a moisture filter (F1) that removes moisture and / or impurities contained in the recovered refrigerant flowing toward the compressor (M1), an oil separator (OS) that filters out oil and / or impurities from the refrigerant, and a compressor equalization solenoid valve (SV4) that maintains the equilibrium (equilibrium state) of the internal pressure of the compressor.

[0073] Additionally, between the stabilization chamber (DOA) and the storage tank (ST), at least a portion of a check valve 1 (CV1) that prevents the refrigerant flowing from the stabilization chamber (DOA) toward the condenser (CDS) from flowing back into the stabilization chamber (DOA), a high pressure switch (HP) that detects a pressure rise in the refrigerant flow (e.g., refrigerant flow after the compressor (M1)) and controls the pressure of the refrigerant, a storage tank pressure gauge (G3) that measures the internal pressure of the storage tank (ST), and a storage tank vapor hose (P5) that connects the condenser (CDS) and the storage tank (ST) and is configured to move the refrigerant in a liquid state from the condenser (CDS) to the storage tank (ST) and to move the refrigerant in a gaseous state to the condenser (CDS).

[0074] Here, the storage tank (ST) may be configured to include an air purge solenoid valve (SV7) for discharging a portion of the air (and / or gas) entering the storage tank, and a purge pipe (P6) connecting the air purge solenoid valve (SV7) and the storage tank (ST).

[0075] Additionally, the recovered refrigerant from the storage tank (ST) can be transferred to the mixing container (MC) through the mixing hose (P4). Here, at least a portion of the mixing hose (P4) may be configured to transfer the material refrigerant from at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) to the mixing container (MC).

[0076] More specifically, it may be configured to include a 3-way valve (3-way v / v) connecting a mixing pipe (P4) between a storage tank (ST), at least one material refrigerant tank (MT), and a mixing container (MC). Here, the 3-way valve (3-way v / v) can control the movement of refrigerant from the storage tank (ST) toward the mixing container (MC), and / or control the movement of material refrigerant from at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) toward the mixing container (MC).

[0077] Additionally, the storage tank (ST) and the three-way valve (3-way v / v) may be configured to include a solenoid valve (SV) that controls the flow of refrigerant. Furthermore, at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) and the three-way valve (3-way v / v) may be configured to include a solenoid valve (SV) that controls the flow of material refrigerant.

[0078] Here, if at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) is composed of multiple tanks, a check valve between the multiple tanks (MT) and the 3-way valve (3-way v / v) may be configured in each of the multiple tanks (MT). In this case, the mixing pipe (P4) may be integrated from the solenoid valves into a single pipe (common pipe) and connected to the 3-way valve (3-way v / v).

[0079] Each of the multiple material refrigerant tanks can store each of the single refrigerants that serve as the material for the mixed refrigerant.

[0080] Additionally, the refrigerant treatment unit (140) may include a flow meter (FM) for measuring the flow rate of the refrigerant (e.g., recovered refrigerant or material refrigerant) flowing into the mixing container (MC).

[0081] Additionally, the injection pipe (P2) may be configured to include a refrigerant pump (RP) that generates (or supports) a flow of remixed refrigerant injected from a mixing container (MC) into a high-pressure line of the air conditioning system.

[0082] Additionally, between the mixing container (MC) and the refrigerant pump (RP) of the injection pipe (P2), at least some of the following may be included: a charging solenoid valve (SV3) that controls the flow of refrigerant discharged from the mixing container (MC); a sight glass (SG) installed to allow visual inspection of the refrigerant's condition from the side of the injection pipe (P2); and a check valve (CV2) that prevents the remixed refrigerant from flowing back from the refrigerant pump (RP) toward the mixing container (MC).

[0083] Additionally, the refrigerant processing unit (140) may include a reservoir (RSV) in which oil (or lubricating oil) is stored to supply oil (or lubricating oil) necessary for the operation of the refrigerant (e.g., the flow of refrigerant in an air conditioning system). To this end, between the mixing container (MC) and the refrigerant pump (RP), it may be configured to include at least a portion of an oil injection valve (V3) for injecting oil from the reservoir (RSV) into an injection pipe (P2) and a check valve 3 (CV3) for preventing oil from flowing back toward the reservoir (RSV).

[0085] With reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the refrigerant treatment unit (140) has been described. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, the refrigerant treatment unit (140) can be divided into a refrigerant recovery unit (201), a vacuum treatment unit (203), a refrigerant re-mixing unit (205), and a refrigerant injection unit (207) to explain the refrigerant treatment operation of the device (100).

[0086] Here, the refrigerant recovery unit (201), vacuum treatment unit (203), refrigerant remixing unit (205), and refrigerant injection unit (207) may be distinguished based on the refrigerant recovery of the refrigerant treatment unit (140), vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system, refrigerant remixing, and refrigerant injection operation.

[0087] The refrigerant treatment unit (140), the refrigerant recovery unit (201) configured in the refrigerant treatment unit (140), the vacuum treatment unit (203), the refrigerant re-mixing unit (205), and the refrigerant injection unit (207), or each of these components may operate based on the control of the treatment unit (110).

[0088] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, the operation of the device (100) processing the refrigerant can be described in more detail.

[0089] First, the low-pressure side service coupling (SC1) of the refrigerant processing unit (140) may be connected to the low-pressure line of the air conditioning system (e.g., low-pressure line coupling), and the high-pressure side service coupling (SC2) may be connected to the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system (e.g., high-pressure line coupling).

[0090] With reference to the refrigerant recovery unit (201) of FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 4, the operation of recovering refrigerant from an air conditioning system can be explained. According to one embodiment, the processing unit (110) can recover refrigerant from the air conditioning system and store it in a storage tank (step 301).

[0091] To explain in more detail, the processing unit (110) operates the compressor (M1) to form a refrigerant flow for recovering refrigerant from the air conditioning system, and can recover the refrigerant from the air conditioning system through the low-pressure side pipe (LSP).

[0092] Additionally, although not illustrated in FIG. 4, the processing unit (110) may open the high-pressure / low-pressure solenoid valve (SV8) to recover the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the low-pressure side pipe (P1) and / or the high-pressure side pipe (P2).

[0093] Here, the recovered refrigerant passes through a stabilization chamber (DOA) to remove oil and impurities, and by heat-exchanging the refrigerant compressed into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas through a compressor during the recovery stage with the incoming refrigerant, the state of the refrigerant entering the compressor is converted to a gaseous state, thereby allowing only gaseous refrigerant to be delivered to the compressor (M1). Additionally, during this process, the refrigerant passes through a moisture filter to remove moisture contained in the refrigerant.

[0094] The processing unit (110) can compress the refrigerant recovered through the compressor (M1) and transfer the refrigerant, which has been converted into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous state during the compression process, to the condenser (CDS).

[0095] High-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant introduced into the condenser (CDS) releases heat and condenses into a liquid state, and the condensed refrigerant can be introduced into the storage tank (ST) and stored.

[0096] At this time, the processing unit (110) measures the pressure inside the storage tank (ST) through the storage tank pressure gauge (G3), and if the pressure inside the storage tank (ST) exceeds a preset pressure, it can control the air purge solenoid valve (SV7) to discharge the air inside the storage tank (ST).

[0097] According to one embodiment, the refrigerant processing unit (140) may be configured to include at least one component analyst (CA) for analyzing the components of the refrigerant. For example, a component analyst capable of analyzing gas components may be placed (or connected) inside the storage tank (ST). The processing unit (110) may discharge the gas (e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2) (R744) gas) introduced into the storage tank (ST) based on information about the gas refrigerant obtained through the component analyst (e.g., type and / or amount (e.g., mass) of the gas refrigerant).

[0098] The processing unit (110) can discharge CO2 gas along with the air inside the storage tank (ST). At this time, the processing unit (110) can measure the amount (e.g., mass) of the discharged CO2 gas and set it as the amount of CO2 gas loss of the recovered refrigerant.

[0099] According to the above description, although the processing unit (110) is described as recording the amount of CO2 gas emitted, it is not limited thereto, and gases that can be materials for mixed refrigerants (e.g., propane (C3H8) (R290), isobutane (C4H8) 10 It is also possible to measure emissions for )(R600a) etc.) and record the measured emissions.

[0100] Accordingly, the recovered refrigerant in liquid form can be stored in the storage tank (ST).

[0101] Afterward, the operation of vacuuming the air conditioning system can be explained with reference to the refrigerant treatment unit (203) of FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 5. According to one embodiment, the treatment unit (110) can perform vacuuming of the air conditioning system using a low-pressure side pipe (LSP) and a high-pressure side pipe (HSP).

[0102] To explain in more detail, the processing unit (110) can operate the vacuum pump (VP) while the recovery solenoid valve (SV1) blocks the flow of refrigerant toward the stabilization chamber (DOA) and the high pressure / low pressure solenoid valve (SV8) is open.

[0103] Through this, the low-pressure side piping (LSP) and the high-pressure side piping (HSP), a part of the recovery piping (P1) connected to the low-pressure side piping (LSP) and / or the high-pressure side piping (HSP), and the refrigerant circulation line of the air conditioning system (refrigerant circulation line including a high-pressure line and a low-pressure line) can be formed into a vacuum.

[0104] In the vacuum process, impurities (e.g., gas, fine particles, moisture, etc.) inside the air conditioning system, the low-pressure side piping (LSP) where a vacuum is formed, and the high-pressure side piping (HSP) can be discharged to the outside of the device (100) through a vacuum pump (VP) (or an air purge solenoid valve (SV7), etc.).

[0105] At the time of terminating the vacuum process, a vacuum state can be maintained for at least a portion of the air conditioning system, the low-pressure side piping (LSP) and high-pressure side piping (HSP) between the air conditioning system and the vacuum pump (VP), and the recovery piping (P1) and / or injection piping (P2) based on the structure and operation of at least one valve (e.g., check valve 1 (CV1), check valve 2 (CV2), etc.).

[0106] However, not limited to this, the processing unit (110) can maintain a vacuum state by controlling at least one valve (e.g., recovery solenoid valve (SV1) of the recovery pipe (P1), vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2), etc.) required to maintain a vacuum state between the air conditioning system and the low-pressure side pipe (LSP) and the high-pressure side pipe (HSP) between the air conditioning system and the vacuum pump (VP), or by controlling elements such as the refrigerant pump (RP) of the injection pipe (P2).

[0107] As described above, the vacuum treatment operation is described as being performed after recovering the refrigerant from the air conditioning system of step 301. However, the vacuum treatment operation may be performed at a preset time after recovering the refrigerant and before injecting the remixed refrigerant (before step 309) to be described later into the air conditioning system.

[0108] Subsequently, with reference to the refrigerant remixing unit (205) of FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 6, the operation of remixing the refrigerant recovered from the air conditioning system can be described. According to one embodiment, the processing unit (110) may supply the recovered mixed refrigerant from the storage tank to a mixing container (step 303) and obtain the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant supplied to the mixing container (step 305). Here, the mixing container (MC) may be placed at a height lower than the height of the storage tank.

[0109] To explain in more detail, the processing unit (110) can open a valve (SV or a three-way valve, etc.) between the storage tank (ST) and the mixing container (MC) to transfer the refrigerant recovered in the storage tank (ST) to the mixing container (MC).

[0110] At this time, a pipe (601) (or tube, pipe, straw, etc.) protruding at a preset height in the direction of the upper part of the storage tank may be formed at the connection part with the mixing pipe (P4) within the storage tank (ST). Through this, when the recovered refrigerant from the storage tank (ST) is supplied to the mixing container (MC), the refrigerant can be supplied to the mixing container (MC) so that impurities settled at the bottom of the storage tank (ST) do not flow into the mixing pipe (P4).

[0111] Additionally, a filter capable of filtering out impurities may be formed on the upper part of the pipe (601) or on the side at a predetermined length below the upper part.

[0112] The processing unit (110) can measure the amount (e.g., mass) of refrigerant flowing into the mixing container (MC) through a flow meter (FM) and check the mixing ratio of the refrigerant.

[0113] To this end, a component analyzer (CA) may be placed (or connected) in the mixing pipe (P4) connecting the storage tank (ST) and the mixing container (MC).

[0114] Here, the component analyzer (CA) can analyze the components of the refrigerant flowing through the mixing pipe (P4). More specifically, the component analyzer (CA) may be configured to analyze the components of the liquid refrigerant. However, the component analyzer (CA) may be configured to analyze the components of the gaseous refrigerant, or it may be configured as a multi-phase component analyzer that analyzes components for various phases, such as liquid and gaseous states.

[0115] Based on this, the processing unit (110) can determine the composition of the refrigerant passing through the component analyzer (CA) (e.g., single refrigerants included in the refrigerant and their mixing ratio).

[0116] However, not limited thereto, the processing unit (110) may also obtain a mixing ratio for a refrigerant that is introduced into or stored in the storage tank (ST). For example, a component analyzer (CA) may be configured to be placed at the inlet of the storage tank (or the storage tank vapor hose (P5)) to measure the mixing ratio for a liquid refrigerant introduced into the storage tank (ST) or to measure the mixing ratio for a liquid refrigerant stored in the storage tank (ST).

[0117] Here, as described above, the component analyzer configured for gas discharge may be a component analyzer (CA) inside the storage tank (ST). However, the component analyzer for gas discharge may be configured independently of the component analyzer (CA) inside the storage tank (ST). For example, the component analyzer for gas discharge may be placed in the purge pipe (P6) or in the outlet connected to the purge pipe (P6) in the storage tank (ST).

[0118] Afterward, the processing unit (110) can provide a single refrigerant to a mixing container through at least one single refrigerant tank so that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant satisfies a preset mixing ratio (step 309). Here, at least one single refrigerant tank (MT) can be placed at a height higher than the height of the mixing container.

[0119] According to one embodiment, the recovered refrigerant may be a refrigerant in which at least some of the components of the material refrigerants constituting the refrigerant have deteriorated, or at least some of the material refrigerants have been lost (and / or lost, hereinafter referred to as lost).

[0120] Here, the recovered refrigerant is a mixed refrigerant as described above, and the material refrigerant may be a single refrigerant or a compound refrigerant produced by a chemical reaction of at least two refrigerants.

[0121] Therefore, the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant may deviate from the design ratio of the preset mixing ratio (mixing ratio of the initial mixed refrigerant), such as when at least some of the material refrigerants constituting the recovered refrigerant decompose and undergo deformation due to reduced chemical stability, or when some of the material refrigerants are lost due to the structural stability of the air conditioning system.

[0122] Accordingly, the processing unit (110) can identify the initial mixed refrigerant for the recovered refrigerant and check the mixing ratio of the initial mixed refrigerant (mixing ratio of material refrigerants).

[0123] To explain in more detail, the processing unit (110) can identify the initial mixed refrigerant of the recovered refrigerant at the time of confirming the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant or based on user input received through the input unit.

[0124] For example, the processing unit (110) can identify the first mixed refrigerant of the recovered refrigerant by checking the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant and checking the mixing ratio most similar to the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant mixing ratio list.

[0125] Additionally, the processing unit (110) can identify the initial mixed refrigerant by identifying specific material refrigerants among the recovered refrigerants that are set to have a high probability of deterioration (or loss) and calculating the predicted amount of deterioration (or loss) (e.g., mass) according to the probability of deterioration (or loss) of the specific material refrigerants.

[0126] At this time, if the material refrigerant in a gaseous state is discharged while the refrigerant recovered in the storage tank (ST) is stored, the discharge amount of the material refrigerant in a gaseous state can be included in the amount of deterioration (or loss) to identify the initial mixed refrigerant.

[0127] To this end, the storage unit (120) may be in a state where a list of mixed refrigerant blending ratios is stored. Here, the list of mixed refrigerant blending ratios may be in a state where at least some information is stored among a plurality of mixed refrigerants, identification codes for the mixed refrigerants, material refrigerants for each of the mixed refrigerants, blending ratios of the material refrigerants, and the rate of potential for deterioration (or loss) of the material refrigerants (e.g., deterioration rate or loss rate).

[0128] Additionally, the processing unit (110) can obtain user input (e.g., an identification code for the mixed refrigerant) through the input unit. The processing unit (110) can identify the first mixed refrigerant by checking the first mixed refrigerant that matches the identification code for the mixed refrigerant from the mixed refrigerant blending ratio list.

[0129] The processing unit (110) can measure the amount (e.g., mass) of the recovered refrigerant flowing from the storage tank (ST) into the mixing container (MC) (e.g., measured via a flow meter (FM)), and, based on the amount of the refrigerant flowing in, the mixing ratio, and the mixing ratio of the initial mixed refrigerant, determine the material refrigerant to be added so that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant satisfies the mixing ratio of the initial mixed refrigerant.

[0130] For example, the processing unit (110) can determine the material refrigerant to be added so that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant is the same as the mixing ratio of the initial mixed refrigerant, and determine the amount (e.g., mass) to be added for each material refrigerant.

[0131] The processing unit (110) can determine the tank in which the material refrigerant is stored to be added to the mixing container (MC) from the material refrigerant tank (MT), and control the valve (e.g., solenoid valve (SV)) for each tank to supply the material refrigerant to the mixing container (MC).

[0132] The processing unit (110) can sequentially provide the material refrigerants determined to be replenished to the mixing container (MC) in order (descending order) according to density, replenishment amount (ratio in the mixing ratio of the initial mixed refrigerant), refrigerant with a high probability of vaporization (e.g., refrigerant with a low boiling point and a high probability of existing in a gaseous state at room temperature), or refrigerant with high pressure characteristics and difficult to liquefy (e.g., CO2 refrigerant).

[0133] At this time, the processing unit (110) measures the amount (e.g., mass) of each material refrigerant supplied to the mixing container (MC) through a flow meter (FM), and can control the valve (e.g., solenoid valve (SV)) of the material refrigerant tank (MT) so that the calculated amount to satisfy the initial mixing ratio of the mixed refrigerants is accurately introduced into the mixing container (MC).

[0134] Afterward, the operation of injecting the remixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system can be described with reference to the refrigerant injection unit (207) of FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 7. According to one embodiment, the processing unit (110) can inject the generated remixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system (step 309).

[0135] To explain in more detail, the processing unit (110) can operate a refrigerant pump (RP) to transfer the remixed refrigerant stored in the mixing container (MC) to the air conditioning system.

[0136] At this time, the processing unit (110) can control at least one valve placed between the mixing container (MC) and the air conditioning system (e.g., opening the charging solenoid valve (SV3) and opening the high / low pressure solenoid valve (SV8)).

[0137] Through this, the remixed refrigerant of the mixing container (MC) can be injected into the air conditioning system through the low-pressure side piping (LSP) and the high-pressure side piping (HSP).

[0138] At this time, the processing unit (110) can control at least some of the valves among the recovery solenoid valve (SV1) and the vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2) to a closed state to prevent the remixed refrigerant injected into the air conditioning system from flowing toward the stabilization chamber (DOA) and / or the vacuum pump (VP), or control a valve (not shown) configured to control the flow of refrigerant between the low-pressure side manifold valve (V1) and the low-pressure switch (LP) to a closed state.

[0139] However, not limited to this, the processing unit (110) may also inject the remixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system through the high-pressure side service coupling (SC2) by controlling the high-pressure / low-pressure solenoid valve (SV8) to be closed.

[0140] At this time, the processing unit (110) can selectively open and close the high-pressure / low-pressure solenoid valve (SV8) based on the flow rate, pressure, or internal pressure received from the air conditioning system of the remixed refrigerant flowing through the injection pipe (P2).

[0141] In this way, the processing unit (110) can inject the remixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system through the high-pressure side pipe (HSP) by opening and closing the high-pressure / low-pressure solenoid valve (SV8), or inject the remixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system through the low-pressure side pipe (LSP) and the high-pressure side pipe (HSP).

[0142] As described above, the remixed refrigerant can be smoothly injected into the circulation line of the air conditioning system due to the pressure difference formed between the air conditioning system and the mixing container (MC) caused by the opening of the charging solenoid valve (SV3) in the vacuum air conditioning system, and the forced pumping of the remixed refrigerant caused by the operation of the refrigerant pump (RP).

[0143] Additionally, the processing unit (110) can open the oil injection valve (V3) according to the flow of the remixed refrigerant to add oil from the reservoir (RSV) to the remixed refrigerant. Through this, during the process of injecting the remixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system, a pressure difference is formed between the reservoir (RSV) and the remixed refrigerant due to the flow of the remixed refrigerant, and the oil stored in the reservoir (RSV) can flow into the injection pipe (P2). The oil flowing into the injection pipe (P2) can be mixed with the remixed refrigerant and injected into the air conditioning system.

[0144] The processing unit (110) can measure the amount (e.g., mass) of refrigerant flowing into the air conditioning system while the remixed refrigerant is being injected into the air conditioning system, and control the injection of the remixed refrigerant to be in a set amount. To this end, a flow meter for measuring the amount of refrigerant injected into the air conditioning system may be placed in the injection pipe (P2).

[0145] Based on this, the remixed refrigerant can be uniformly distributed into the air conditioning system. In this process, the processing unit (110) receives the pressure inside the air conditioning system measured through the pressure gauge of the air conditioning system and can control the air conditioning system to operate stably by adjusting the injection speed of the refrigerant as needed.

[0146] After the refrigerant injection is completed, the processing unit (110) can prevent backflow of the refrigerant by controlling at least one valve (e.g., vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2), or charging solenoid valve (SV3), or oil injection valve (V3), etc.) to block the connection between the mixing container (MC) and the air conditioning system.

[0147] According to the above-described embodiment, the refrigerant treatment method and apparatus can restore the original mixing ratio of the mixed refrigerant by replenishing the material refrigerant to the deteriorated mixed refrigerant even if the composition of the mixed refrigerant deteriorates, and can prevent environmental pollution caused by refrigerant disposal by reusing the existing refrigerant instead of discarding it.

[0148] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant treatment method and apparatus have the effect of maximizing the efficiency of refrigerant management through the reuse of refrigerant by analyzing the composition of the recovered mixed refrigerant in real time and replenishing deteriorated or lost components to restore the mixing ratio of the original mixed refrigerant.

[0149] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant treatment method and apparatus utilize precision control and component analysis technology between a storage tank and a mixing container to precisely adjust the refrigerant mixing ratio, thereby maintaining refrigerant performance in an air conditioning system and preventing system malfunction caused by the deterioration of the quality of the mixed refrigerant.

[0150] Although the embodiments described above have been explained with reference to limited drawings, those skilled in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the various embodiments.

[0151] For example, appropriate results can be achieved even if the described techniques are performed in a different order than described, or if the components of the described system, structure, system, circuit, etc. are combined or assembled in a form different from described, or are replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents.

[0152] Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims shall also be considered to fall within the scope of the claims set forth below. Explanation of the symbols

[0153] 100: Refrigerant treatment unit 110: Processing unit 120: Storage section 130: Communications Department 140: Refrigerant Treatment Unit 201: Refrigerant Recovery Unit 203: Vacuum processing unit 205: Refrigerant Re-mixing Section 207: Refrigerant injection section ST: Storage tank MC: Mixed container RP: Refrigerant pump DOA: Stabilization Chamber VP: Vacuum pump OS: Oil Separator CDS: Condenser M1: Compressor FM: Flow meter SC1: Low-voltage service coupling SC2: High-pressure side service coupling LSP: Low-pressure side piping HSP: High-pressure side piping H1: Recovery piping H2: Injection pipe H3: Vacuum pump piping H4: Mixing pipe H5: Storage tank steam piping H6: Purge piping SG: Sight Glass V1: Low-pressure side manifold valve V2: High-pressure side manifold valve V3: Oil filler valve SV1: Recovery solenoid valve SV2: Vacuum pump solenoid valve SV3: Charging solenoid valve SV4: Compressor balancing solenoid valve SV6: Oil drain solenoid valve SV7: Air purge solenoid valve SV8: High / Low Pressure Solenoid Valve CV1: Check valve 1 CV2: Check valve 2 CV3: Check valve 3 LP: Low-pressure switch HP: High-pressure switch OP: Oil pressure switch G1: Low-pressure side pressure gauge G2: High-pressure side pressure gauge G3: Storage Tank Pressure Gauge F1: Moisture filter MT: Material refrigerant tank RG: Controller 3-way valve

Claims

Claim 1 A method for processing mixed refrigerants, comprising: a step of recovering a mixed refrigerant from an air conditioning system and storing it in a storage tank; a step of providing the recovered mixed refrigerant from the storage tank to a mixing container; a step of obtaining a mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant supplied to the mixing container; a step of providing a single refrigerant to the mixing container through at least one material refrigerant tank so that the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant satisfies a preset mixing ratio; and a step of injecting the remixed mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system. Claim 2 A refrigerant treatment method according to claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant is to analyze the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant provided from the storage tank to the mixing container through a component analyzer arranged between the storage tank and the mixing container to analyze the components of the recovered mixed refrigerant. Claim 3 A refrigerant treatment method according to paragraph 2, wherein the step of providing the single refrigerant to the mixing container identifies the original mixed refrigerant before the recovered mixed refrigerant deteriorates based on the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant. Claim 4 In paragraph 3, the step of providing the single refrigerant to the mixing container is a refrigerant treatment method that identifies the original mixed refrigerant before the recovered mixed refrigerant deteriorates based on the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the storage tank. Claim 5 A refrigerant treatment method according to paragraph 3, wherein the step of providing the single refrigerant to the mixing container determines at least one single refrigerant and the amount of said at least one single refrigerant provided to the mixing container based on the difference between the mixing ratio of the first mixed refrigerant and the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant. Claim 6 A refrigerant treatment method according to claim 5, wherein the step of providing the single refrigerant to the mixing container comprises providing at least one single refrigerant to the mixing container sequentially according to a descending order of density, replenishment amount, vaporization potential, and liquefaction potential. Claim 7 A refrigerant treatment method according to claim 1, wherein the remixed mixed refrigerant is supplied to the air conditioning system through at least one selected of the low-pressure line and the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system by the operation of a refrigerant pump disposed in an injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system. Claim 8 A refrigerant treatment method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing the single refrigerant to the mixing container comprises forming a vacuum in the air conditioning system using a vacuum pump at a preset time after the recovery of the mixed refrigerant and before providing the remixed mixed refrigerant, and providing the remixed mixed refrigerant to the air conditioning system based on the pressure difference between the air conditioning system in a vacuum state and the mixing container and the operation of the refrigerant pump. Claim 9 A refrigerant treatment method according to claim 1, wherein the pipe connection portion connected to the mixing container at the bottom inside the storage tank is formed with a pipe protruding at a preset height in the direction of the upper side of the storage tank. Claim 10 A refrigerant treatment method according to claim 9, wherein the upper portion of the pipe or the lower portion of a predetermined length from the upper portion is formed with a filter for filtering impurities. Claim 11 A refrigerant processing device comprising: a storage tank for storing a mixed refrigerant recovered from an air conditioning system; a mixing container for receiving the recovered mixed refrigerant from the storage tank and generating a remixed mixed refrigerant; at least one material refrigerant tank for supplying a single refrigerant to the mixing container; a refrigerant pump for supplying the remixed mixed refrigerant generated in the mixing container to the air conditioning system; and a processing unit for recovering a mixed refrigerant from the air conditioning system and storing it in the storage tank, providing the recovered mixed refrigerant from the storage tank to the mixing container, obtaining a mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant supplied to the mixing container, providing a single refrigerant through the at least one material refrigerant tank to the mixing container so that the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant satisfies a preset mixing ratio, and controlling the injection of the remixed mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system through the refrigerant pump. Claim 12 A refrigerant processing device according to claim 11, further comprising a component analyzer for analyzing the components of the recovered mixed refrigerant between the storage tank and the mixing container, wherein the processing unit analyzes the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant supplied from the storage tank to the mixing container. Claim 13 In claim 12, the processing unit identifies the original mixed refrigerant before the recovered mixed refrigerant deteriorates based on the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant, a refrigerant processing device. Claim 14 In paragraph 13, the storage tank is connected to a solenoid valve that discharges a portion of the air and gaseous refrigerant flowing into the storage tank, and the processing unit identifies the original mixed refrigerant before the recovered mixed refrigerant deteriorates based on the discharged gaseous refrigerant, a refrigerant processing device. Claim 15 In paragraph 13, the processing unit determines at least one single refrigerant and the amount of at least one single refrigerant provided to the mixing container based on the difference between the mixing ratio of the initial mixed refrigerant and the mixing ratio of the recovered mixed refrigerant, a refrigerant processing device. Claim 16 A refrigerant processing device according to claim 15, wherein the processing unit controls the valve of the at least one material refrigerant tank to sequentially supply the at least one single refrigerant to the mixing container in descending order of density, replenishment amount, vaporization potential, and liquefaction potential. Claim 17 A refrigerant treatment device according to claim 11, wherein the remixed mixed refrigerant is supplied to the air conditioning system through at least one selected of the low-pressure line and the high-pressure line of the air conditioning system by the operation of the refrigerant pump disposed in the injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system. Claim 18 A refrigerant processing device according to claim 11, further comprising a vacuum pump that discharges air from the air conditioning system to form a vacuum in the air conditioning system, wherein the processing unit forms a vacuum in the air conditioning system using the vacuum pump at a preset time after the recovery of the mixed refrigerant and before the provision of the remixed mixed refrigerant, and provides the remixed mixed refrigerant to the air conditioning system based on the pressure difference between the air conditioning system in the vacuum state and the mixing container and the operation of the refrigerant pump. Claim 19 In claim 11, the piping connection portion connected to the mixing container at the bottom inside the storage tank is formed with a pipe protruding at a preset height in the direction of the upper side of the storage tank, in a refrigerant treatment device. Claim 20 In claim 19, a refrigerant treatment device having a filter formed on the upper part of the pipe or on the lower side of a preset length from the upper part to filter out impurities.

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