Method and apparatus for handling refrigerant

Abstract

A refrigerant processing apparatus and a method of operating the same are provided. The apparatus recovers a refrigerant mixture from an air conditioning system and stores the refrigerant mixture in a storage tank, provides the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank to a mixing container, determines a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided to the mixing container, provides at least one single-component refrigerant from a material refrigerant tank to the mixing container such that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture satisfies a preset mixing ratio, and injects the blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through a refrigerant pump.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This patent application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0031500 filed on March 11, 2025, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUNDTechnical Field

[0002] The embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a method and apparatus for processing refrigerant, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for recovering, processing, and injecting refrigerant of an air conditioning system.Technical Considerations

[0003] Conventional refrigerant processing techniques include processes for recovering refrigerant used in an air conditioning system for disposal or reuse. However, these refrigerant reuse methods are generally limited to recovering a single-component refrigerant, filtering or purifying impurities, replenishing a lost amount, and reinjecting the processed refrigerant into the air conditioning system.

[0004] Recently, mixed refrigerants using a mixture of two or more refrigerants have been introduced to improve the efficiency of air conditioning systems. However, in the case of mixed refrigerants, a problem arises in that some components are altered or lost, preventing the refrigerant from fully exhibiting the performance of the initially supplied mixed refrigerant.SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a refrigerant processing apparatus and a refrigerant processing method capable of recovering, processing, and injecting refrigerant of an air conditioning system.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for processing a refrigerant, the method comprising storing a refrigerant mixture recovered from an air conditioning system in a storage tank; providing the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank to a mixing container; determining a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided to the mixing container; providing at least one single-component refrigerant from at least one material refrigerant tank to the mixing container such that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture satisfies a preset mixing ratio; and injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system.

[0007] In some non-limiting embodiments, determining the mixing ratio comprises analyzing the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided from the storage tank to the mixing container through a component analyzer disposed between the storage tank and the mixing container to analyze components of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0008] In some non-limiting embodiments, providing the at least one single-component refrigerant comprises identifying an initial refrigerant mixture that is the recovered refrigerant mixture in a state before deterioration based on the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0009] In some non-limiting embodiments, identifying the initial refrigerant mixture comprises identifying the initial refrigerant mixture based on a gas refrigerant discharged from the storage tank.

[0010] In some non-limiting embodiments, providing the at least one single-component refrigerant comprises determining at least one single-component refrigerant to be provided to the mixing container and an amount of the at least one single-component refrigerant based on a difference between a mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0011] In some non-limiting embodiments, providing the at least one single-component refrigerant comprises sequentially providing the at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container in an order based on density, amount to be provided, possibility of vaporization, and degree of difficulty in liquefaction of the at least one single-component refrigerant.

[0012] In some non-limiting embodiments, the blended refrigerant mixture is provided to the air conditioning system through at least one selected from a low pressure line and a high pressure line of the air conditioning system by an operation of a refrigerant pump disposed in an injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system.

[0013] In some non-limiting embodiments, a vacuum state is formed in the air conditioning system using a vacuum pump at a predetermined time after recovering the refrigerant mixture and before providing the blended refrigerant mixture, and the blended refrigerant mixture is provided to the air conditioning system based on a pressure difference between the air conditioning system in the vacuum state and the mixing container and an operation of a refrigerant pump.

[0014] In some non-limiting embodiments, a pipe connection part connected to the mixing container is disposed at a lower portion inside the storage tank, and a pipe protruding to a predetermined height toward an upper portion of the storage tank is formed at the pipe connection part.

[0015] In some non-limiting embodiments, a filter for filtering impurities is formed at an upper end of the pipe or at a side portion of the pipe lower than the upper end by a predetermined length.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,, there is provided an apparatus for processing refrigerant, comprising a storage tank configured to store a refrigerant mixture recovered from an air conditioning system; a mixing container configured to receive the recovered refrigerant mixture from the storage tank and generate a blended refrigerant mixture; at least one material refrigerant tank configured to provide a single-component refrigerant to the mixing container; a refrigerant pump configured to provide the blended refrigerant mixture generated in the mixing container to the air conditioning system; and a processor configured to store the refrigerant mixture recovered from the air conditioning system in the storage tank; provide the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank to the mixing container; determine a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided to the mixing container; provide at least one single-component refrigerant from the at least one material refrigerant tank to the mixing container such that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture satisfies a preset mixing ratio; and inject the blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through the refrigerant pump.

[0017] In some non-limiting embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a component analyzer disposed between the storage tank and the mixing container to analyze components of the recovered refrigerant mixture, wherein the processor is configured to analyze the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided from the storage tank to the mixing container through the component analyzer.

[0018] In some non-limiting embodiments, the processor is configured to identify an initial refrigerant mixture that is the recovered refrigerant mixture in a state before deterioration based on the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0019] In some non-limiting embodiments, a solenoid valve configured to discharge air and a portion of a gas refrigerant introduced into the storage tank is connected to the storage tank, and the processor is configured to identify the initial refrigerant mixture based on the discharged gas refrigerant.

[0020] In some non-limiting embodiments, the processor is configured to determine at least one single-component refrigerant to be provided to the mixing container and an amount of the at least one single-component refrigerant based on a difference between a mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0021] In some non-limiting embodiments, the processor is configured to control a valve of the at least one material refrigerant tank to sequentially provide the at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container in an order based on density, amount to be provided, possibility of vaporization, and degree of difficulty in liquefaction of the at least one single-component refrigerant.

[0022] In some non-limiting embodiments, the blended refrigerant mixture is provided to the air conditioning system through at least one selected from a low pressure line and a high pressure line of the air conditioning system by an operation of the refrigerant pump disposed in an injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system.

[0023] In some non-limiting embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a vacuum pump configured to discharge air from the air conditioning system to form a vacuum state, wherein the processor is configured to: form a vacuum state in the air conditioning system using the vacuum pump at a predetermined time after recovering the refrigerant mixture and before providing the blended refrigerant mixture; and provide the blended refrigerant mixture to the air conditioning system based on a pressure difference between the air conditioning system in the vacuum state and the mixing container and an operation of the refrigerant pump.

[0024] In some non-limiting embodiments, a pipe connection part connected to the mixing container is disposed at a lower portion inside the storage tank, and a pipe protruding to a predetermined height toward an upper portion of the storage tank is formed at the pipe connection part.

[0025] In some non-limiting embodiments, a filter for filtering impurities is formed at an upper end of the pipe or at a side portion of the pipe lower than the upper end by a predetermined length.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for processing a refrigerant of a temperature control system, the method comprising: storing a recovered refrigerant mixture that is recovered from the temperature control system; blending the recovered refrigerant mixture with a material refrigerant to form a blended refrigerant mixture having a preset mixing ratio; and injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the temperature control system.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for processing a refrigerant of a temperature control system, the method comprising: storing a recovered refrigerant mixture that is recovered from the temperature control system; blending the recovered refrigerant mixture with a material refrigerant to form a blended refrigerant mixture having a preset mixing ratio; and injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the temperature control system.

[0028] In some non-limiting embodiments, by replenishing a material refrigerant to a deteriorated refrigerant mixture to restore a mixing ratio of an initial refrigerant mixture even when a composition of the refrigerant mixture is deteriorated, and reusing the existing refrigerant without disposal, environmental pollution due to refrigerant disposal may be prevented.

[0029] In some non-limiting embodiments, by analyzing a composition of the recovered refrigerant mixture in real time and replenishing a deteriorated or lost component to restore the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture, efficiency of refrigerant management through reuse of the refrigerant may be maximized.

[0030] In some non-limiting embodiments, by precisely adjusting the mixing ratio of the refrigerant utilizing precise control between the storage tank and the mixing container and component analysis technology, refrigerant performance in the air conditioning system may be maintained, and system malfunction due to quality deterioration of the refrigerant mixture may be prevented.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of components of a refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating detailed components of a refrigerant processing unit in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operations for performing refrigerant processing in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit recovering refrigerant from a connected air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit performing a vacuum treatment on the connected air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit processing the recovered refrigerant mixture in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit injecting the processed refrigerant mixture into the connected air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, since various changes may be made to the embodiments, the scope of the patent disclosure is not limited or restricted by these embodiments. It should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives for the embodiments are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, it is to be understood that the present disclosure may include various alternative variations and step / operation sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following detailed description, are simply illustrative and are non-limiting embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

[0040] No aspect, component, element, structure, act, step, operation, function, instruction, and / or the like used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more” and “at least one.” Furthermore, as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items, and / or the like) and may be used interchangeably with “one or more” or “at least one.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “include”, “includes”, “including”, “has,”“have,”“having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based at least partially on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. In addition, reference to an action being “based on” a condition may refer to the action being “in response to” the condition. For example, the phrases “based on” and “in response to” may, in some non-limiting embodiments, refer to a condition for automatically triggering an action (e.g., a specific operation of an electronic device, such as a computing device, a processor, and / or the like).

[0041] It will be understood that when a component is described as being “connected,”“combined” or “coupled” to another component, the component may be directly connected or coupled to the another component, but it may be “connected,”“combined” or “coupled” to the another component by an intervening another component that may be present.

[0042] Further, in describing the components of the embodiment, the meaning of “or” may mean each of the components, may mean two or more of the components, or may mean all of the components. For example, it should be understood that the expressions “a, b or c” represent any one of “a,”“b,”“c,”“a and b,”“a and c,”“b and c,” and “a, b and c.”

[0043] Components comprised in one embodiment and components comprising common functions will be described using the same names as in other embodiments. The description given in one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and therefore will not be described in detail within the overlapping range, unless there is a description opposite thereto.

[0044] As used herein, any directional terms as the terms “upper”, “lower”, “height”, “side”, or the like are used with reference to the respective directions or positions indicated by reference or shown in the drawings for representing a direction or positional relationship in the given context. Specifically, the terms “upper”, “lower”, or the like refer to a height direction with reference to the drawings.

[0045] Further, as used herein, the term “the processor is configured to” refers to a control of an operation of the refrigerant processing unit by the processor or an operation of the processor of data processing.

[0046] The device and / or ‘data’ processed by the device may be expressed in terms of ‘information’. For example, the information may be used as a concept comprising the data.

[0047] The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a refrigerant processing method and a refrigerant processing apparatus. Herein, the apparatus (refrigerant processing apparatus) may be configured to recover, process, and inject refrigerant of an air conditioning system connected to the outside of the apparatus.

[0048] Herein, the air conditioning system connected to the outside of the apparatus may be described as an air conditioning system that performs cooling or heating using a refrigerant, such as an air conditioning system included in a building or a house, as well as a vehicle such as a car, a ship, or an airplane.

[0049] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a refrigerant recovered from an air conditioning system, blended, and injected into the air conditioning system may be described as a refrigerant mixture in which two or more material refrigerants are mixed.

[0050] For example, the material refrigerant may include at least one refrigerant among various refrigerants such as a natural refrigerant, a Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-based refrigerant, a Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO)-based refrigerant, a Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-based refrigerant, a hydrocarbon-based refrigerant other than the natural refrigerant, Halon, or a Perfluorocarbon (PFC)-based refrigerant.

[0051] Hereinafter, to clearly describe various embodiments of the present disclosure, the refrigerant mixture may be described using a zeotropic refrigerant in which two or more refrigerants are mixed, and a composition ratio changes and a temperature gradient may occur during condensation and evaporation processes due to differences in physical properties such as vapor pressure. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the refrigerant mixture may include an azeotropic refrigerant, or may be composed of a refrigerant in which a composition ratio is maintained constant and a temperature gradient does not occur during condensation and evaporation processes.

[0052] Hereinafter, in order to describe a refrigerant processing method and an apparatus thereof, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates components of a refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates detailed components of a refrigerant processing unit in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates a flow of operations for performing refrigerant processing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit recovering refrigerant from a connected air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit performing a vacuum treatment on the connected air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit processing the recovered refrigerant mixture in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit injecting the processed refrigerant mixture into the connected air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an apparatus (refrigerant processing apparatus) 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to include at least one of a processor 110, a storage 120, a communication unit 130, and a refrigerant processing unit 140.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may control operations of the refrigerant processing unit 140. The storage 120 may store data for operations of the processor 110. The communication unit 130 may perform communication with components inside the apparatus or an external device (e.g., an air conditioning system, etc.) based on control by the processor 110. The refrigerant processing unit 140 may perform operations of recovering refrigerant from the connected air conditioning system, processing (e.g., blending) the recovered refrigerant mixture, and injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system based on control of the processor 110.

[0055] Hereinafter, configurations and operations of the processor 110, the storage 120, the communication unit 130, or the refrigerant processing unit 140 will be described in detail.

[0056] The processor 110 may include at least one processor and process various data for operations of the apparatus 100 through at least one program (application, tool, plug-in, software, etc.).

[0057] The processor 110 may control operations or functions of components (e.g., the storage 120, the communication unit 130, or the refrigerant processing unit 140, etc.) which are included in the apparatus 100 or connected to the apparatus 100. For example, the processor 110 may transmit and receive data to and from the components through the communication unit 130.

[0058] The storage 120 may include, for example, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may store a computer program for the apparatus 100 to perform operations based on various embodiments.

[0059] For example, the storage 120 may store various data transferred or processed by at least one component (e.g., the processor 110 or the communication unit 130, etc.) of the apparatus 100. The data may include, for example, a program for processing control commands, data processed through the program, or input data and output data related thereto.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the storage 120 may store at least one program for controlling operations of the refrigerant processing unit 140.

[0061] The communication unit 130 may include wired communication channel or a wireless communication channel between internal components of the apparatus 100 and / or between the apparatus 100 and at least one other device, e.g., a user device or a server, and may support communication through the communication channel.

[0062] Hereinafter, a configuration of the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0063] The refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to include a storage tank (ST) for recovering and storing refrigerant from an air conditioning system, a mixing container (MC) for re-blending the recovered refrigerant mixture, and a refrigerant pump (RP) for injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system.

[0064] According to an embodiment, for describing the refrigerant processing unit 140 in more detail, the refrigerant processing unit 140 includes a recovery pipe (P1) for recovering refrigerant from the air conditioning system. The recovery pipe (P1) may be configured such that the refrigerant recovered from the air conditioning system passes through a stabilization chamber (DOA) for stabilizing a state of the refrigerant, a compressor (M1) for compressing the refrigerant to high temperature and high pressure, and a condenser (CDS) for phase-changing a gaseous refrigerant into a liquid. The recovered liquid refrigerant is then transferred to the storage tank (ST) where it is stored..

[0065] In describing various embodiments of the present disclosure, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to include various pipes. In this case, the pipe may be composed of a hard pipe such as iron, stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, copper, or PVC, or a soft pipe such as rubber, Teflon, nylon, silicone, synthetic resin, or metal braid. In addition, the pipe may include a pipe formed by mixing a hard pipe and a soft pipe (or mixing materials thereof).

[0066] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured such that the refrigerant (recovered refrigerant mixture) stored in the storage tank (ST) and a material refrigerant of at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) storing the material refrigerant for blending with the recovered refrigerant mixture are blended (mixed) in the mixing container (MC).

[0067] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 includes an injection pipe (P2) connected to the mixing container (MC), and the injection pipe (P2) may be configured to inject the blended refrigerant mixture of the mixing container (MC) into the air conditioning system through the refrigerant pump (RP).

[0068] According to various embodiments, as described above, in order to effectively perform operations of refrigerant recovery, vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system, refrigerant blending, and refrigerant injection, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to further include at least one component.

[0069] To be described in more detail, the recovery pipe (P1) may be connected to the air conditioning system through a low side pipe (LSP) and / or a high side pipe (HSP).

[0070] According to an embodiment, the recovery pipe (P1) may be connected to the low side pipe (LSP) through a low side manifold valve (V1). The low side manifold valve (V1) may be configured to control a flow of refrigerant of the low side pipe (LSP) (or a low pressure line of the air conditioning system).

[0071] The low side pipe (LSP) may be configured to include a low side service coupling (SC1) having one end connected to the low side manifold valve (V1) as described above and the other end connected to the low pressure line of the air conditioning system. In addition, the low side pipe (LSP) may be configured to include a low side pressure gauge (G1) measuring a refrigerant pressure of the low side pipe (LSP) (or the low pressure line of the air conditioning system).

[0072] In addition, the recovery pipe (P1) may be connected to the high side pipe (HSP) through a high / low solenoid valve (SV8) and a high side manifold valve (V2). The high side manifold valve (V2) may be configured to control a flow of refrigerant of the high side pipe (HSP) (or a high pressure line of the air conditioning system).

[0073] The high side pipe (HSP) may be configured to include a high side service coupling (SC2) having one end connected to the high side manifold valve (V2) and the other end connected to the high pressure line of the air conditioning system. In addition, the high side pipe (HSP) may be configured to include a high side pressure gauge (G2) measuring a refrigerant pressure of the high side pipe (HSP) (or the high pressure line of the air conditioning system).

[0074] In addition, the high side pipe (HSP) may be connected to the injection pipe (P2) through the high side manifold valve (V2). Also, the injection pipe (P2) may be connected to the low side pipe (LSP) through the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) and the low side manifold valve (V1).

[0075] The high / low solenoid valve (SV8) may be configured to control (e.g., block or open) a flow of refrigerant between the recovery pipe (P1) and the high side pipe (HSP), or control (e.g., block or open) a flow of refrigerant between the injection pipe (P2) and the low side pipe (LSP).

[0076] To be described in more detail, the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) may be configured to control a connection between the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP) to recover the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP) or recover the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP) in a process of recovering the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the recovery pipe (P1).

[0077] In addition, the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) may be configured to control the connection between the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP) to inject the re-blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through the high side pipe (HSP) or inject the re-blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP) in a process of injecting the refrigerant into the air conditioning system through the injection pipe (P2).

[0078] The recovery pipe (P1) may be configured to include at least one of a low pressure switch (LP) detecting a state of the low pressure line of the air conditioning system (e.g., whether a refrigerant pressure drops below a preset pressure, etc.) through the low side pipe (LSP) and / or blocking a flow of the refrigerant, a recovery solenoid valve (SV1) controlling the flow of the refrigerant, a check valve 1 (CV1) preventing a backflow of the refrigerant, and a regulator (RG) controlling a pressure of the refrigerant flowing in the low side pipe (LSP).

[0079] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to include a vacuum pump (VP) for discharging air and moisture of the air conditioning system. For example, the refrigerant processing unit 140 includes a vacuum pump pipe (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 pipe (P3) may be configured to include a vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2) controlling an operation of the vacuum pump (VP).

[0080] The stabilization chamber (DOA) may include a filter (or damper) for filtering impurities such as air, oil, and fine particles introduced together with the refrigerant in a refrigerant recovery process. For example, the stabilization chamber (DOA) may include a discharge oil (or de-oiling) accumulator for separating and discharging oil included in the refrigerant.

[0081] In addition, the stabilization chamber (DOA) may include a heat exchanger for stabilizing a state of the refrigerant. For example, the heat exchanger of the stabilization chamber (DOA) may be configured to stabilize the state of the refrigerant, such as partially separating gas and / or liquid refrigerant therein, uniformly adjusting a temperature, adjusting a flow rate so that the refrigerant flowing to the compressor has a uniform flow, or alleviating occurrence of an impact (pressure spike).

[0082] In addition, in order to discharge the separated oil to the outside of the apparatus 100, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to include at least some of an oil drain solenoid valve (SV6) discharging the oil separated from the stabilization chamber to the outside of the apparatus 100, an oil pressure switch (OP) monitoring a pressure of the separated oil and controlling the oil drain solenoid valve (SV6) according to a preset pressure, and a check valve 3 (CV3) preventing the oil discharged through the oil drain solenoid valve (SV6) from flowing back to the stabilization chamber (DOA). For example, 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).

[0083] In addition, between the stabilization chamber (DOA) and the compressor (M1), at least some of a moisture filter (F1) removing moisture and / or impurities included in the recovered refrigerant mixture flowing in a direction of the compressor (M1), an oil separator (OS) filtering oil and / or impurities of the refrigerant, and a compressor equalization solenoid valve (SV4) maintaining an equilibrium (equilibrium state) of an internal pressure of the compressor may be included.

[0084] In addition, between the stabilization chamber (DOA) and the storage tank (ST), at least some of a check valve 1 (CV1) preventing the refrigerant flowing from the stabilization chamber (DOA) in a direction of the condenser (CDS) from flowing back to the stabilization chamber (DOA), a high pressure switch (HP) detecting a pressure rise occurring in a flow of the refrigerant (e.g., the flow of the refrigerant after the compressor (M1)) and controlling a pressure of the refrigerant, a tank pressure gauge (G3) measuring an internal pressure of the storage tank (ST), and a tank vapor pipe (P5) connecting the condenser (CDS) and the storage tank (ST) and configured to move a liquid refrigerant from the condenser (CDS) to the storage tank (ST) and move a gaseous refrigerant to the condenser (CDS) may be included.

[0085] For example, the storage tank (ST) may be configured to include an air purge solenoid valve (SV7) for discharging a portion of air (and / or gas) introduced into the storage tank, and a purge pipe (P6) connecting the air purge solenoid valve (SV7) and the storage tank (ST).

[0086] In addition, the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) may be moved to the mixing container (MC) through a mixing pipe (mixing pipe) (P4). For example, at least a portion of the mixing pipe (P4) may be configured to move the material refrigerant of the at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) to the mixing container (MC). Each such tank may store a respective single-component refrigerant, and the single-component refrigerants stored in the tanks may be selectively provided to a mixing container in accordance with a preset mixing ratio to produce a blended refrigerant mixture, the blended refrigerant mixture being injected into the air-conditioning system.

[0087] The refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to further include a 3-way valve connecting the mixing pipe (P4) between the storage tank (ST), the at least one material refrigerant tank (MT), and the mixing container (MC). For example, the 3-way valve may control movement of the refrigerant from the storage tank (ST) in a direction of the mixing container (MC), and / or control movement of the material refrigerant from the at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) in the direction of the mixing container (MC).

[0088] In addition, a solenoid valve (SV) controlling a flow of the refrigerant may be included between the storage tank (ST) and the 3-way valve. Also, a solenoid valve (SV) controlling a flow of the material refrigerant may be included between the at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) and the 3-way valve.

[0089] For example, when the at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) is composed of a plurality of tanks, a check valve between the plurality of tanks (MT) and the 3-way valve may be configured in each of the plurality of tanks (MT). In this case, the mixing pipe (P4) may be integrated into one pipe (common pipe) from the solenoid valves to be connected to the 3-way valve.

[0090] Each of single-component refrigerants serving as materials for the refrigerant mixture may be stored in each of the plurality of material refrigerant tanks.

[0091] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may include a flow meter (FM) measuring a flow rate of the refrigerant (e.g., the recovered refrigerant mixture or the material refrigerant) introduced into the mixing container (MC).

[0092] In addition, the injection pipe (P2) may be configured to include a refrigerant pump (RP) generating (or supporting) a flow of the re-blended refrigerant mixture injected from the mixing container (MC) into the high pressure line of the air conditioning system.

[0093] In addition, between the mixing container (MC) and the refrigerant pump (RP) of the injection pipe (P2), at least some of a charging solenoid valve (SV3) controlling a flow of the refrigerant discharged from the mixing container (MC), a sight glass (SG) installed to visually check a state of the refrigerant at a side of the injection pipe (P2), and a check valve 2 (CV2) preventing the re-blended refrigerant mixture from flowing back in the direction of the mixing container (MC) from the refrigerant pump (RP) may be included.

[0094] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may include a reservoir (RSV) in which oil is stored to supply oil (or lubricant) required for operation of the refrigerant (e.g., flow of the refrigerant in the air conditioning system, etc.). To this end, at least some of an oil injection valve (V3) for injecting the oil of the reservoir (RSV) into the injection pipe (P2) between the mixing container (MC) and the refrigerant pump (RP), and a check valve 3 (CV3) preventing the oil from flowing back in a direction of the reservoir (RSV) may be included.

[0095] The configuration of the refrigerant processing unit 140 has been described with reference to FIG. 2. Hereinafter, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be described by dividing it into a refrigerant recovery unit 201, a vacuum treatment unit 203, a refrigerant blending unit 205, and a refrigerant injection unit 207 to describe the refrigerant processing operation of the apparatus 100.

[0096] For example, the refrigerant recovery unit 201, the vacuum treatment unit 203, the refrigerant blending unit 205, and the refrigerant injection unit 207 may be classified based on operations of refrigerant recovery, vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system, refrigerant blending, and refrigerant injection of the refrigerant processing unit 140.

[0097] The refrigerant processing unit 140, the refrigerant recovery unit 201, the vacuum treatment unit 203, the refrigerant blending unit 205, and the refrigerant injection unit 207 configured in the refrigerant processing unit 140, or respective components may operate based on control of the processor 110.

[0098] Hereinafter, operations of the apparatus 100 processing the refrigerant may be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

[0099] First, the low side service coupling (SC1) of the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be connected to a low pressure line (e.g., a low pressure line coupling) of the air conditioning system, and the high side service coupling (SC2) may be in a state of being connected to a high pressure line (e.g., a high pressure line coupling) of the air conditioning system.

[0100] An operation of recovering the refrigerant from the air conditioning system may be described with reference to the refrigerant recovery unit 201 of FIGS. 2 and 4. According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may recover the refrigerant from the air conditioning system and store the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank (operation 301).

[0101] To be described in more detail, the processor 110 may operate the compressor (M1) to form a refrigerant flow for recovering the refrigerant from the air conditioning system, and recover the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP).

[0102] In addition, although not illustrated in FIG. 4, the processor 110 may open the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) to recover the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP) and / or the high side pipe (HSP).

[0103] For example, as the recovered refrigerant mixture passes through the stabilization chamber (DOA), oil and impurities are removed. By heat-exchanging the refrigerant introduced with the refrigerant compressed into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas through the compressor in the recovery step to convert a state of the refrigerant introduced into the compressor into a gaseous state, only the gaseous refrigerant may be transferred to the compressor (M1). In addition, in this process, the refrigerant passes through a moisture filter, and moisture included in the refrigerant may be removed.

[0104] The processor 110 may compress the recovered refrigerant mixture through the compressor (M1), and transfer the refrigerant converted into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous state in the compression process to the condenser (CDS).

[0105] The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant introduced into the condenser (CDS) emits heat to be condensed into a liquid state, and the condensed refrigerant may be introduced into and stored in the storage tank (ST).

[0106] In this case, the processor 110 measures an internal pressure of the storage tank (ST) through the tank pressure gauge (G3), and when the internal pressure of the storage tank (ST) exceeds a preset pressure, may control the air purge solenoid valve (SV7) to discharge air inside the storage tank (ST).

[0107] According to an embodiment, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to include at least one component analyzer (CA) analyzing components of the refrigerant. For example, a component analyzer capable of analyzing gas components may be disposed (or connected) inside the storage tank (ST). The processor 110 may discharge gas (e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2) (R744) gas) introduced into the storage tank (ST) based on information on the gas refrigerant (e.g., a type and / or an amount (e.g., mass) of the gas refrigerant) obtained through the component analyzer (CA).

[0108] The processor 110 may discharge CO2 gas together with the air inside the storage tank (ST). In this case, the processor 110 may measure an amount (e.g., mass or volume) of the discharged CO2 gas and set the same as a loss amount of CO2 gas of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0109] According to the above description, it has been described that the processor 110 records a discharge amount of CO2 gas, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and a discharge amount for a refrigerant gas component (i.e., gas that may be a material of the refrigerant mixture such as, for example, propane (C3H8) (R290), isobutane (C4H10) (R600a), etc.) may be measured, and the measured discharge amount may be recorded by the processor 110.

[0110] Accordingly, the recovered refrigerant mixture in a liquid state may be stored in the storage tank (ST).

[0111] Hereinafter, an operation of performing vacuum treatment on the air conditioning system may be described with reference to the refrigerant processing unit 140 of FIGS. 2 and 5. According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may perform the vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system using the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP).

[0112] The processor 110 may operate the vacuum pump (VP) in a state where the recovery solenoid valve (SV1) blocks a flow of refrigerant in a direction of the stabilization chamber (DOA) and the high / low solenoid valve is open.

[0113] Through this, a vacuum state may be formed in the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP), a portion of the recovery pipe (P1) connected to the low side pipe (LSP) and / or the high side pipe (HSP), and a refrigerant circulation line of the air conditioning system (a refrigerant circulation line including a high pressure line and a low pressure line).

[0114] In a vacuum treatment process, impurities (e.g., gas, fine particles, moisture, etc.) inside the air conditioning system, the low side pipe (LSP) in which a vacuum is formed, and the high side pipe (HSP) may be discharged outside of the apparatus 100 through the vacuum pump (VP) (or the air purge solenoid valve (SV7), etc.).

[0115] At a time of terminating the vacuum treatment, a vacuum state for the air conditioning system, the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP) between the air conditioning system and the vacuum pump (VP), and at least a portion of the recovery pipe (P1) and / or the injection pipe (P2) may be maintained based on a structure and an operation of at least one valve (e.g., check valve 1 (CV1), check valve 2 (CV2), etc.).

[0116] However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the vacuum state may be maintained by the processor 110 controlling at least one valve (e.g., the recovery solenoid valve (SV1) of the recovery pipe (P1), the vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2), etc.) required for maintaining the vacuum state of the air conditioning system and the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP) between the air conditioning system and the vacuum pump (VP), or controlling an element such as the refrigerant pump (RP) of the injection pipe (P2).

[0117] The vacuum treatment operation is described above as being performed after recovering the refrigerant from the air conditioning system in operation 301. However, the vacuum treatment operation may be performed at a preset time point after recovering the refrigerant and before injecting a blended refrigerant mixture to be described later into the air conditioning system (before operation 309).

[0118] Hereinafter, an operation of re-blending the refrigerant recovered from the air conditioning system may be described with reference to the refrigerant blending unit 205 of FIGS. 2 and 6. According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may provide the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank to the mixing container (operation 303), and determine a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided to the mixing container (operation 305). For example, the mixing container (MC) may be disposed at a height lower than a height of the storage tank.

[0119] To be described in more detail, the processor 110 may open a valve (e.g., a solenoid valve (SV) or a 3-way valve, etc.) between the storage tank (ST) and the mixing container (MC) to transfer the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank (ST) to the mixing container (MC).

[0120] In this case, a pipe 601 (or a tube, a pipe, a straw, etc.) protruding to a predetermined height toward an upper portion of the storage tank may be formed at a connection part with the mixing pipe (P4) inside the storage tank (ST). Through this, when providing the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) to the mixing container (MC), the refrigerant may be provided to the mixing container (MC) so that impurities precipitated at a lower end of the storage tank (ST) do not flow into the mixing pipe (P4).

[0121] In addition, a filter capable of filtering impurities may be formed at an upper end of the pipe 601 or at a side portion of the pipe lower than the upper end by a predetermined length.

[0122] The processor 110 may measure an amount (e.g., mass) of the refrigerant introduced into the mixing container (MC) through the flow meter (FM), and check the mixing ratio of the refrigerant.

[0123] To this end, a component analyzer (CA) may be disposed (or connected) in the mixing pipe (P4) connecting the storage tank (ST) and the mixing container (MC).

[0124] For example, the component analyzer (CA) may analyze components of the refrigerant flowing through the mixing pipe (P4). The component analyzer (CA) may be configured to analyze components of a liquid refrigerant. The component analyzer (CA) may be configured to analyze components of a gas refrigerant, or may be configured as a multi-phase component analyzer analyzing components for various phases such as a liquid state and a gas state.

[0125] Accordingly, the processor 110 may check a composition of the refrigerant passing through the component analyzer (CA) (e.g., single-component refrigerants included in the refrigerant and a mixing ratio thereof).

[0126] However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the processor 110 may determine a mixing ratio for the refrigerant introduced into the storage tank (ST) or in a state of being stored in the storage tank (ST). For example, the component analyzer (CA) may be disposed at an inlet of the storage tank (or a tank vapor pipe (P5)) to measure a mixing ratio for the liquid refrigerant introduced into the storage tank (ST), or configured to measure a mixing ratio of the liquid refrigerant stored in the storage tank (ST).

[0127] For example, the component analyzer configured for the gas discharge as described above may be the component analyzer (CA) inside the storage tank (ST). However, the component analyzer for the gas discharge may be configured independently of the component analyzer (CA) inside the storage tank (ST). For example, the component analyzer for the gas discharge may be disposed in the purge pipe (P6) or at an outlet connected to the purge pipe (P6) in the storage tank (ST).

[0128] Thereafter, the processor 110 may provide a single-component refrigerant to the mixing container through at least one single-component refrigerant tank such that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture satisfies a preset mixing ratio (operation 307). For example, the at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) may be disposed at a height higher than a height of the mixing container.

[0129] According to an embodiment, the recovered refrigerant mixture may be a refrigerant in a state in which components of at least some of material refrigerants constituting the refrigerant are deteriorated, or at least some of the material refrigerants are lost (and / or dissipated, hereinafter referred to as "lost").

[0130] For example, the recovered refrigerant mixture is a refrigerant mixture as described above, and the material refrigerant thereof may be a single-component refrigerant or a compound refrigerant generated by a chemical reaction of at least two or more refrigerants.

[0131] Therefore, at least some material refrigerants constituting the recovered refrigerant mixture may have chemical stability lowered and be decomposed to cause deformation, or some material refrigerants may be lost due to structural stability of the air conditioning system, so that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture may be in a state deviated from a design ratio of the preset mixing ratio (mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture).

[0132] Accordingly, the processor 110 may identify the initial refrigerant mixture for the recovered refrigerant mixture, and check the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture (mixing ratio of the material refrigerants i.e., the mixing ration of the various refrigerant components).

[0133] For example, the processor 110 may identify the initial refrigerant mixture of the recovered refrigerant mixture at a time of checking the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture or based on a user input received through an input unit.

[0134] For example, when checking the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture, the processor 110 may identify the initial refrigerant mixture of the recovered refrigerant mixture by checking a mixing ratio that is most similar to the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture from a refrigerant mixture mixing ratio list.

[0135] In addition, the processor 110 may identify specific material refrigerants (also referred to as refrigerant components) set as having a high possibility of deterioration (or loss) among the material refrigerants of the recovered refrigerant mixture, and identify the initial refrigerant mixture by calculating a deterioration (or loss) amount (e.g., mass) predicted according to the possibility of deterioration (or loss) of the specific material refrigerants.

[0136] In this case, when the material refrigerant in a gaseous state is discharged in a state where the recovered refrigerant mixture is stored in the storage tank (ST), the initial refrigerant mixture may be identified by including a discharge amount of the material refrigerant in the gaseous state in the deterioration (or loss) amount.

[0137] To this end, a refrigerant mixture mixing ratio list may be stored in the storage 120. For example, the refrigerant mixture mixing ratio list may store at least some information among a plurality of refrigerant mixtures, identification codes for the refrigerant mixtures, material refrigerants for each of the refrigerant mixtures, mixing ratios of the material refrigerants, and possibility of deterioration (or loss) (e.g., deterioration rate or loss rate) of the material refrigerant.

[0138] In addition, the processor 110 may obtain a user input (e.g., an identification code for the refrigerant mixture) through an input unit. The processor 110 may identify the initial refrigerant mixture by checking an initial refrigerant mixture matching the identification code for the refrigerant mixture from the refrigerant mixture mixing ratio list.

[0139] The processor 110 may measure an amount (e.g., mass) of the recovered refrigerant mixture introduced into the mixing container (MC) from the storage tank (ST) (e.g., measured through the flow meter (FM)), and a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture. The processor 110 may determine a material refrigerant to be added so that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture satisfies the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture based on the amount of the introduced refrigerant, the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture, and the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture.

[0140] For example, the processor 110 may determine material refrigerants to be added so that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture is identical to the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture, and determine an amount (e.g., mass) to be added for each of the material refrigerants.

[0141] The processor 110 may determine a tank in which the material refrigerant that is determined as needed to be added to the mixing container (MC) is stored among the material refrigerant tanks (MT), and control a valve (e.g., a solenoid valve (SV)) for each tank to provide the material refrigerant to the mixing container (MC).

[0142] The processor 110 may sequentially provide the material refrigerants determined to be supplemented to the mixing container (MC) according to an order (descending order) based on density, amount to be supplemented (ratio in the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture), a refrigerant having a high possibility of vaporization (e.g., a refrigerant having a low boiling point and a high possibility of existing in a gaseous state at room temperature), or a degree of difficulty in liquefaction of a refrigerant having high pressure characteristics and difficult to liquefy (e.g., CO2 refrigerant).

[0143] In this case, the processor 110 may measure an amount (e.g., mass) of each of the material refrigerants provided to the mixing container (MC) through the flow meter (FM), and control the valve (e.g., solenoid valve (SV)) of the material refrigerant tank (MT) so that the amount calculated to satisfy the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture is accurately introduced into the mixing container (MC).

[0144] Hereinafter, an operation of injecting the re-blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system may be described with reference to the refrigerant injection unit 207 of FIGS. 2 and 7. According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may inject the generated re-blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system (operation 309).

[0145] To be described in more detail, the processor 110 may operate the refrigerant pump (RP) to transfer the re-blended refrigerant mixture stored in the mixing container (MC) to the air conditioning system.

[0146] In this case, the processor 110 may control at least one valve disposed between the mixing container (MC) and the air conditioning system (e.g., control the charging solenoid valve (SV3) to be open, and control the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) to be open).

[0147] Through this, the re-blended refrigerant mixture of the mixing container (MC) may be injected into the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP).

[0148] In this case, the processor 110 may control at least some valves among the recovery solenoid valve (SV1) and the vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2) to be in a closed state, or control a valve (not shown) configured to enable flow control of the refrigerant between the low side manifold valve (V1) and the low pressure switch (LP) to be in a closed state, in order to prevent the re-blended refrigerant mixture injected into the air conditioning system from flowing in a direction of the stabilization chamber (DOA) and / or the vacuum pump (VP).

[0149] However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the processor 110 may inject the re-blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through the high side service coupling (SC2) by controlling the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) to be closed.

[0150] In this case, the processor 110 may selectively open and close the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) based on a flow rate or pressure of the re-blended refrigerant mixture flowing through the injection pipe (P2), or an internal pressure received from the air conditioning system.

[0151] As described above, the processor 110 may inject the re-blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through the high side pipe (HSP) by opening and closing the high / low solenoid valve (SV8), or inject the re-blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP).

[0152] As described above, the re-blended refrigerant mixture may be smoothly injected into a circulation line of the air conditioning system according to a pressure difference formed between the air conditioning system in a vacuum state and the mixing container (MC) due to the charging solenoid valve (SV3) being open, and forced pumping of the re-blended refrigerant mixture due to an operation of the refrigerant pump (RP).

[0153] In addition, the processor 110 may add oil of the reservoir (RSV) to the re-blended refrigerant mixture by opening the oil injection valve (V3) according to a flow of the re-blended refrigerant mixture. Through this, in a process in which the re-blended refrigerant mixture is injected into the air conditioning system, a pressure difference with the reservoir (RSV) is formed by the flow of the re-blended refrigerant mixture, and the oil stored in the reservoir (RSV) may be introduced into the injection pipe (P2). The oil introduced into the injection pipe (P2) may be mixed with the re-blended refrigerant mixture and injected into the air conditioning system.

[0154] The processor 110 may measure an amount (e.g., mass) of the refrigerant introduced into the air conditioning system while the re-blended refrigerant mixture is injected into the air conditioning system, and control the re-blended refrigerant mixture to be injected by a set amount. To this end, a flow meter measuring the amount of the refrigerant injected into the air conditioning system may be disposed in the injection pipe (P2).

[0155] Based on this, the re-blended refrigerant mixture may be uniformly distributed inside the air conditioning system. In this process, the processor 110 may receive an internal pressure of the air conditioning system measured through a pressure gauge of the air conditioning system, and control the air conditioning system to operate stably by adjusting an injection speed of the refrigerant as necessary.

[0156] After the refrigerant injection is completed, the processor 110 may prevent a backflow of the refrigerant by controlling at least one valve (e.g., the vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2), the charging solenoid valve (SV3), or the oil injection valve (V3), etc.) to block a connection between the mixing container (MC) and the air conditioning system.

[0157] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for processing a refrigerant of a temperature control system, the method comprising: storing a recovered refrigerant mixture that is recovered from the temperature control system; blending the recovered refrigerant mixture with a material refrigerant to form a blended refrigerant mixture having a preset mixing ratio; and injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the temperature control system.

[0158] According to the above-described embodiments, the present refrigerant processing method and apparatus may restore a mixing ratio of an initial refrigerant mixture by supplementing a deteriorated refrigerant mixture with material refrigerants even when a composition of the refrigerant mixture is deteriorated, and prevent environmental pollution caused by disposal of the refrigerant by reusing the existing refrigerant without disposal.

[0159] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant processing method and apparatus may maximize efficiency of refrigerant management through reuse of the refrigerant by analyzing a composition of the recovered refrigerant mixture in real time and supplementing deteriorated or lost components to restore the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture.

[0160] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant processing method and apparatus may maintain refrigerant performance in the air conditioning system and prevent system malfunction due to quality deterioration of the refrigerant mixture by precisely adjusting the mixing ratio of the refrigerant utilizing precise control between the storage tank and the mixing container and component analysis technology.

[0161] The embodiments described above illustrate applying the principles of the present disclosure, and other embodiments may be further included without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, at least some of the various embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be combined to form additional embodiments.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0039]Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, since various changes may be made to the embodiments, the scope of the patent disclosure is not limited or restricted by these embodiments. It should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives for the embodiments are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, it is to be understood that the present disclosure may include various alternative variations and step / operation sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following detailed description, are simply illustrative and are non-limiting embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered ...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This patent application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0031500 filed on March 11, 2025, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUNDTechnical Field

[0002] The embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a method and apparatus for processing refrigerant, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for recovering, processing, and injecting refrigerant of an air conditioning system.Technical Considerations

[0003] Conventional refrigerant processing techniques include processes for recovering refrigerant used in an air conditioning system for disposal or reuse. However, these refrigerant reuse methods are generally limited to recovering a single-component refrigerant, filtering or purifying impurities, replenishing a lost amount, and reinjecting the processed refrigerant into the air conditioning system.

[0004] Recently, mixed refrigerants using a mixture of two or more refrigerants have been introduced to improve the efficiency of air conditioning systems. However, in the case of mixed refrigerants, a problem arises in that some components are altered or lost, preventing the refrigerant from fully exhibiting the performance of the initially supplied mixed refrigerant.SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a refrigerant processing apparatus and a refrigerant processing method capable of recovering, processing, and injecting refrigerant of an air conditioning system.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for processing a refrigerant, the method comprising storing a refrigerant mixture recovered from an air conditioning system in a storage tank; providing the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank to a mixing container; determining a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided to the mixing container; providing at least one single-component refrigerant from at least one material refrigerant tank to the mixing container such that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture satisfies a preset mixing ratio; and injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system.

[0007] In some non-limiting embodiments, determining the mixing ratio comprises analyzing the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided from the storage tank to the mixing container through a component analyzer disposed between the storage tank and the mixing container to analyze components of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0008] In some non-limiting embodiments, providing the at least one single-component refrigerant comprises identifying an initial refrigerant mixture that is the recovered refrigerant mixture in a state before deterioration based on the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0009] In some non-limiting embodiments, identifying the initial refrigerant mixture comprises identifying the initial refrigerant mixture based on a gas refrigerant discharged from the storage tank.

[0010] In some non-limiting embodiments, providing the at least one single-component refrigerant comprises determining at least one single-component refrigerant to be provided to the mixing container and an amount of the at least one single-component refrigerant based on a difference between a mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0011] In some non-limiting embodiments, providing the at least one single-component refrigerant comprises sequentially providing the at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container in an order based on density, amount to be provided, possibility of vaporization, and degree of difficulty in liquefaction of the at least one single-component refrigerant.

[0012] In some non-limiting embodiments, the blended refrigerant mixture is provided to the air conditioning system through at least one selected from a low pressure line and a high pressure line of the air conditioning system by an operation of a refrigerant pump disposed in an injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system.

[0013] In some non-limiting embodiments, a vacuum state is formed in the air conditioning system using a vacuum pump at a predetermined time after recovering the refrigerant mixture and before providing the blended refrigerant mixture, and the blended refrigerant mixture is provided to the air conditioning system based on a pressure difference between the air conditioning system in the vacuum state and the mixing container and an operation of a refrigerant pump.

[0014] In some non-limiting embodiments, a pipe connection part connected to the mixing container is disposed at a lower portion inside the storage tank, and a pipe protruding to a predetermined height toward an upper portion of the storage tank is formed at the pipe connection part.

[0015] In some non-limiting embodiments, a filter for filtering impurities is formed at an upper end of the pipe or at a side portion of the pipe lower than the upper end by a predetermined length.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure,, there is provided an apparatus for processing refrigerant, comprising a storage tank configured to store a refrigerant mixture recovered from an air conditioning system; a mixing container configured to receive the recovered refrigerant mixture from the storage tank and generate a blended refrigerant mixture; at least one material refrigerant tank configured to provide a single-component refrigerant to the mixing container; a refrigerant pump configured to provide the blended refrigerant mixture generated in the mixing container to the air conditioning system; and a processor configured to store the refrigerant mixture recovered from the air conditioning system in the storage tank; provide the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank to the mixing container; determine a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided to the mixing container; provide at least one single-component refrigerant from the at least one material refrigerant tank to the mixing container such that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture satisfies a preset mixing ratio; and inject the blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through the refrigerant pump.

[0017] In some non-limiting embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a component analyzer disposed between the storage tank and the mixing container to analyze components of the recovered refrigerant mixture, wherein the processor is configured to analyze the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided from the storage tank to the mixing container through the component analyzer.

[0018] In some non-limiting embodiments, the processor is configured to identify an initial refrigerant mixture that is the recovered refrigerant mixture in a state before deterioration based on the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0019] In some non-limiting embodiments, a solenoid valve configured to discharge air and a portion of a gas refrigerant introduced into the storage tank is connected to the storage tank, and the processor is configured to identify the initial refrigerant mixture based on the discharged gas refrigerant.

[0020] In some non-limiting embodiments, the processor is configured to determine at least one single-component refrigerant to be provided to the mixing container and an amount of the at least one single-component refrigerant based on a difference between a mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0021] In some non-limiting embodiments, the processor is configured to control a valve of the at least one material refrigerant tank to sequentially provide the at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container in an order based on density, amount to be provided, possibility of vaporization, and degree of difficulty in liquefaction of the at least one single-component refrigerant.

[0022] In some non-limiting embodiments, the blended refrigerant mixture is provided to the air conditioning system through at least one selected from a low pressure line and a high pressure line of the air conditioning system by an operation of the refrigerant pump disposed in an injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system.

[0023] In some non-limiting embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a vacuum pump configured to discharge air from the air conditioning system to form a vacuum state, wherein the processor is configured to: form a vacuum state in the air conditioning system using the vacuum pump at a predetermined time after recovering the refrigerant mixture and before providing the blended refrigerant mixture; and provide the blended refrigerant mixture to the air conditioning system based on a pressure difference between the air conditioning system in the vacuum state and the mixing container and an operation of the refrigerant pump.

[0024] In some non-limiting embodiments, a pipe connection part connected to the mixing container is disposed at a lower portion inside the storage tank, and a pipe protruding to a predetermined height toward an upper portion of the storage tank is formed at the pipe connection part.

[0025] In some non-limiting embodiments, a filter for filtering impurities is formed at an upper end of the pipe or at a side portion of the pipe lower than the upper end by a predetermined length.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for processing a refrigerant of a temperature control system, the method comprising: storing a recovered refrigerant mixture that is recovered from the temperature control system; blending the recovered refrigerant mixture with a material refrigerant to form a blended refrigerant mixture having a preset mixing ratio; and injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the temperature control system.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for processing a refrigerant of a temperature control system, the method comprising: storing a recovered refrigerant mixture that is recovered from the temperature control system; blending the recovered refrigerant mixture with a material refrigerant to form a blended refrigerant mixture having a preset mixing ratio; and injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the temperature control system.

[0028] In some non-limiting embodiments, by replenishing a material refrigerant to a deteriorated refrigerant mixture to restore a mixing ratio of an initial refrigerant mixture even when a composition of the refrigerant mixture is deteriorated, and reusing the existing refrigerant without disposal, environmental pollution due to refrigerant disposal may be prevented.

[0029] In some non-limiting embodiments, by analyzing a composition of the recovered refrigerant mixture in real time and replenishing a deteriorated or lost component to restore the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture, efficiency of refrigerant management through reuse of the refrigerant may be maximized.

[0030] In some non-limiting embodiments, by precisely adjusting the mixing ratio of the refrigerant utilizing precise control between the storage tank and the mixing container and component analysis technology, refrigerant performance in the air conditioning system may be maintained, and system malfunction due to quality deterioration of the refrigerant mixture may be prevented.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of components of a refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating detailed components of a refrigerant processing unit in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operations for performing refrigerant processing in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit recovering refrigerant from a connected air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit performing a vacuum treatment on the connected air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit processing the recovered refrigerant mixture in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit injecting the processed refrigerant mixture into the connected air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, since various changes may be made to the embodiments, the scope of the patent disclosure is not limited or restricted by these embodiments. It should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives for the embodiments are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, it is to be understood that the present disclosure may include various alternative variations and step / operation sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following detailed description, are simply illustrative and are non-limiting embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

[0040] No aspect, component, element, structure, act, step, operation, function, instruction, and / or the like used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more” and “at least one.” Furthermore, as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items, and / or the like) and may be used interchangeably with “one or more” or “at least one.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “include”, “includes”, “including”, “has,”“have,”“having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based at least partially on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. In addition, reference to an action being “based on” a condition may refer to the action being “in response to” the condition. For example, the phrases “based on” and “in response to” may, in some non-limiting embodiments, refer to a condition for automatically triggering an action (e.g., a specific operation of an electronic device, such as a computing device, a processor, and / or the like).

[0041] It will be understood that when a component is described as being “connected,”“combined” or “coupled” to another component, the component may be directly connected or coupled to the another component, but it may be “connected,”“combined” or “coupled” to the another component by an intervening another component that may be present.

[0042] Further, in describing the components of the embodiment, the meaning of “or” may mean each of the components, may mean two or more of the components, or may mean all of the components. For example, it should be understood that the expressions “a, b or c” represent any one of “a,”“b,”“c,”“a and b,”“a and c,”“b and c,” and “a, b and c.”

[0043] Components comprised in one embodiment and components comprising common functions will be described using the same names as in other embodiments. The description given in one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and therefore will not be described in detail within the overlapping range, unless there is a description opposite thereto.

[0044] As used herein, any directional terms as the terms “upper”, “lower”, “height”, “side”, or the like are used with reference to the respective directions or positions indicated by reference or shown in the drawings for representing a direction or positional relationship in the given context. Specifically, the terms “upper”, “lower”, or the like refer to a height direction with reference to the drawings.

[0045] Further, as used herein, the term “the processor is configured to” refers to a control of an operation of the refrigerant processing unit by the processor or an operation of the processor of data processing.

[0046] The device and / or ‘data’ processed by the device may be expressed in terms of ‘information’. For example, the information may be used as a concept comprising the data.

[0047] The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a refrigerant processing method and a refrigerant processing apparatus. Herein, the apparatus (refrigerant processing apparatus) may be configured to recover, process, and inject refrigerant of an air conditioning system connected to the outside of the apparatus.

[0048] Herein, the air conditioning system connected to the outside of the apparatus may be described as an air conditioning system that performs cooling or heating using a refrigerant, such as an air conditioning system included in a building or a house, as well as a vehicle such as a car, a ship, or an airplane.

[0049] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a refrigerant recovered from an air conditioning system, blended, and injected into the air conditioning system may be described as a refrigerant mixture in which two or more material refrigerants are mixed.

[0050] For example, the material refrigerant may include at least one refrigerant among various refrigerants such as a natural refrigerant, a Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-based refrigerant, a Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO)-based refrigerant, a Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-based refrigerant, a hydrocarbon-based refrigerant other than the natural refrigerant, Halon, or a Perfluorocarbon (PFC)-based refrigerant.

[0051] Hereinafter, to clearly describe various embodiments of the present disclosure, the refrigerant mixture may be described using a zeotropic refrigerant in which two or more refrigerants are mixed, and a composition ratio changes and a temperature gradient may occur during condensation and evaporation processes due to differences in physical properties such as vapor pressure. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the refrigerant mixture may include an azeotropic refrigerant, or may be composed of a refrigerant in which a composition ratio is maintained constant and a temperature gradient does not occur during condensation and evaporation processes.

[0052] Hereinafter, in order to describe a refrigerant processing method and an apparatus thereof, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates components of a refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates detailed components of a refrigerant processing unit in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates a flow of operations for performing refrigerant processing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit recovering refrigerant from a connected air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit performing a vacuum treatment on the connected air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit processing the recovered refrigerant mixture in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit injecting the processed refrigerant mixture into the connected air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an apparatus (refrigerant processing apparatus) 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to include at least one of a processor 110, a storage 120, a communication unit 130, and a refrigerant processing unit 140.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may control operations of the refrigerant processing unit 140. The storage 120 may store data for operations of the processor 110. The communication unit 130 may perform communication with components inside the apparatus or an external device (e.g., an air conditioning system, etc.) based on control by the processor 110. The refrigerant processing unit 140 may perform operations of recovering refrigerant from the connected air conditioning system, processing (e.g., blending) the recovered refrigerant mixture, and injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system based on control of the processor 110.

[0055] Hereinafter, configurations and operations of the processor 110, the storage 120, the communication unit 130, or the refrigerant processing unit 140 will be described in detail.

[0056] The processor 110 may include at least one processor and process various data for operations of the apparatus 100 through at least one program (application, tool, plug-in, software, etc.).

[0057] The processor 110 may control operations or functions of components (e.g., the storage 120, the communication unit 130, or the refrigerant processing unit 140, etc.) which are included in the apparatus 100 or connected to the apparatus 100. For example, the processor 110 may transmit and receive data to and from the components through the communication unit 130.

[0058] The storage 120 may include, for example, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may store a computer program for the apparatus 100 to perform operations based on various embodiments.

[0059] For example, the storage 120 may store various data transferred or processed by at least one component (e.g., the processor 110 or the communication unit 130, etc.) of the apparatus 100. The data may include, for example, a program for processing control commands, data processed through the program, or input data and output data related thereto.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the storage 120 may store at least one program for controlling operations of the refrigerant processing unit 140.

[0061] The communication unit 130 may include wired communication channel or a wireless communication channel between internal components of the apparatus 100 and / or between the apparatus 100 and at least one other device, e.g., a user device or a server, and may support communication through the communication channel.

[0062] Hereinafter, a configuration of the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0063] The refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to include a storage tank (ST) for recovering and storing refrigerant from an air conditioning system, a mixing container (MC) for re-blending the recovered refrigerant mixture, and a refrigerant pump (RP) for injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system.

[0064] According to an embodiment, for describing the refrigerant processing unit 140 in more detail, the refrigerant processing unit 140 includes a recovery pipe (P1) for recovering refrigerant from the air conditioning system. The recovery pipe (P1) may be configured such that the refrigerant recovered from the air conditioning system passes through a stabilization chamber (DOA) for stabilizing a state of the refrigerant, a compressor (M1) for compressing the refrigerant to high temperature and high pressure, and a condenser (CDS) for phase-changing a gaseous refrigerant into a liquid. The recovered liquid refrigerant is then transferred to the storage tank (ST) where it is stored..

[0065] In describing various embodiments of the present disclosure, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to include various pipes. In this case, the pipe may be composed of a hard pipe such as iron, stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, copper, or PVC, or a soft pipe such as rubber, Teflon, nylon, silicone, synthetic resin, or metal braid. In addition, the pipe may include a pipe formed by mixing a hard pipe and a soft pipe (or mixing materials thereof).

[0066] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured such that the refrigerant (recovered refrigerant mixture) stored in the storage tank (ST) and a material refrigerant of at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) storing the material refrigerant for blending with the recovered refrigerant mixture are blended (mixed) in the mixing container (MC).

[0067] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 includes an injection pipe (P2) connected to the mixing container (MC), and the injection pipe (P2) may be configured to inject the blended refrigerant mixture of the mixing container (MC) into the air conditioning system through the refrigerant pump (RP).

[0068] According to various embodiments, as described above, in order to effectively perform operations of refrigerant recovery, vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system, refrigerant blending, and refrigerant injection, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to further include at least one component.

[0069] To be described in more detail, the recovery pipe (P1) may be connected to the air conditioning system through a low side pipe (LSP) and / or a high side pipe (HSP).

[0070] According to an embodiment, the recovery pipe (P1) may be connected to the low side pipe (LSP) through a low side manifold valve (V1). The low side manifold valve (V1) may be configured to control a flow of refrigerant of the low side pipe (LSP) (or a low pressure line of the air conditioning system).

[0071] The low side pipe (LSP) may be configured to include a low side service coupling (SC1) having one end connected to the low side manifold valve (V1) as described above and the other end connected to the low pressure line of the air conditioning system. In addition, the low side pipe (LSP) may be configured to include a low side pressure gauge (G1) measuring a refrigerant pressure of the low side pipe (LSP) (or the low pressure line of the air conditioning system).

[0072] In addition, the recovery pipe (P1) may be connected to the high side pipe (HSP) through a high / low solenoid valve (SV8) and a high side manifold valve (V2). The high side manifold valve (V2) may be configured to control a flow of refrigerant of the high side pipe (HSP) (or a high pressure line of the air conditioning system).

[0073] The high side pipe (HSP) may be configured to include a high side service coupling (SC2) having one end connected to the high side manifold valve (V2) and the other end connected to the high pressure line of the air conditioning system. In addition, the high side pipe (HSP) may be configured to include a high side pressure gauge (G2) measuring a refrigerant pressure of the high side pipe (HSP) (or the high pressure line of the air conditioning system).

[0074] In addition, the high side pipe (HSP) may be connected to the injection pipe (P2) through the high side manifold valve (V2). Also, the injection pipe (P2) may be connected to the low side pipe (LSP) through the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) and the low side manifold valve (V1).

[0075] The high / low solenoid valve (SV8) may be configured to control (e.g., block or open) a flow of refrigerant between the recovery pipe (P1) and the high side pipe (HSP), or control (e.g., block or open) a flow of refrigerant between the injection pipe (P2) and the low side pipe (LSP).

[0076] To be described in more detail, the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) may be configured to control a connection between the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP) to recover the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP) or recover the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP) in a process of recovering the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the recovery pipe (P1).

[0077] In addition, the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) may be configured to control the connection between the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP) to inject the re-blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through the high side pipe (HSP) or inject the re-blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP) in a process of injecting the refrigerant into the air conditioning system through the injection pipe (P2).

[0078] The recovery pipe (P1) may be configured to include at least one of a low pressure switch (LP) detecting a state of the low pressure line of the air conditioning system (e.g., whether a refrigerant pressure drops below a preset pressure, etc.) through the low side pipe (LSP) and / or blocking a flow of the refrigerant, a recovery solenoid valve (SV1) controlling the flow of the refrigerant, a check valve 1 (CV1) preventing a backflow of the refrigerant, and a regulator (RG) controlling a pressure of the refrigerant flowing in the low side pipe (LSP).

[0079] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to include a vacuum pump (VP) for discharging air and moisture of the air conditioning system. For example, the refrigerant processing unit 140 includes a vacuum pump pipe (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 pipe (P3) may be configured to include a vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2) controlling an operation of the vacuum pump (VP).

[0080] The stabilization chamber (DOA) may include a filter (or damper) for filtering impurities such as air, oil, and fine particles introduced together with the refrigerant in a refrigerant recovery process. For example, the stabilization chamber (DOA) may include a discharge oil (or de-oiling) accumulator for separating and discharging oil included in the refrigerant.

[0081] In addition, the stabilization chamber (DOA) may include a heat exchanger for stabilizing a state of the refrigerant. For example, the heat exchanger of the stabilization chamber (DOA) may be configured to stabilize the state of the refrigerant, such as partially separating gas and / or liquid refrigerant therein, uniformly adjusting a temperature, adjusting a flow rate so that the refrigerant flowing to the compressor has a uniform flow, or alleviating occurrence of an impact (pressure spike).

[0082] In addition, in order to discharge the separated oil to the outside of the apparatus 100, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to include at least some of an oil drain solenoid valve (SV6) discharging the oil separated from the stabilization chamber to the outside of the apparatus 100, an oil pressure switch (OP) monitoring a pressure of the separated oil and controlling the oil drain solenoid valve (SV6) according to a preset pressure, and a check valve 3 (CV3) preventing the oil discharged through the oil drain solenoid valve (SV6) from flowing back to the stabilization chamber (DOA). For example, 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).

[0083] In addition, between the stabilization chamber (DOA) and the compressor (M1), at least some of a moisture filter (F1) removing moisture and / or impurities included in the recovered refrigerant mixture flowing in a direction of the compressor (M1), an oil separator (OS) filtering oil and / or impurities of the refrigerant, and a compressor equalization solenoid valve (SV4) maintaining an equilibrium (equilibrium state) of an internal pressure of the compressor may be included.

[0084] In addition, between the stabilization chamber (DOA) and the storage tank (ST), at least some of a check valve 1 (CV1) preventing the refrigerant flowing from the stabilization chamber (DOA) in a direction of the condenser (CDS) from flowing back to the stabilization chamber (DOA), a high pressure switch (HP) detecting a pressure rise occurring in a flow of the refrigerant (e.g., the flow of the refrigerant after the compressor (M1)) and controlling a pressure of the refrigerant, a tank pressure gauge (G3) measuring an internal pressure of the storage tank (ST), and a tank vapor pipe (P5) connecting the condenser (CDS) and the storage tank (ST) and configured to move a liquid refrigerant from the condenser (CDS) to the storage tank (ST) and move a gaseous refrigerant to the condenser (CDS) may be included.

[0085] For example, the storage tank (ST) may be configured to include an air purge solenoid valve (SV7) for discharging a portion of air (and / or gas) introduced into the storage tank, and a purge pipe (P6) connecting the air purge solenoid valve (SV7) and the storage tank (ST).

[0086] In addition, the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) may be moved to the mixing container (MC) through a mixing pipe (mixing pipe) (P4). For example, at least a portion of the mixing pipe (P4) may be configured to move the material refrigerant of the at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) to the mixing container (MC). Each such tank may store a respective single-component refrigerant, and the single-component refrigerants stored in the tanks may be selectively provided to a mixing container in accordance with a preset mixing ratio to produce a blended refrigerant mixture, the blended refrigerant mixture being injected into the air-conditioning system.

[0087] The refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to further include a 3-way valve connecting the mixing pipe (P4) between the storage tank (ST), the at least one material refrigerant tank (MT), and the mixing container (MC). For example, the 3-way valve may control movement of the refrigerant from the storage tank (ST) in a direction of the mixing container (MC), and / or control movement of the material refrigerant from the at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) in the direction of the mixing container (MC).

[0088] In addition, a solenoid valve (SV) controlling a flow of the refrigerant may be included between the storage tank (ST) and the 3-way valve. Also, a solenoid valve (SV) controlling a flow of the material refrigerant may be included between the at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) and the 3-way valve.

[0089] For example, when the at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) is composed of a plurality of tanks, a check valve between the plurality of tanks (MT) and the 3-way valve may be configured in each of the plurality of tanks (MT). In this case, the mixing pipe (P4) may be integrated into one pipe (common pipe) from the solenoid valves to be connected to the 3-way valve.

[0090] Each of single-component refrigerants serving as materials for the refrigerant mixture may be stored in each of the plurality of material refrigerant tanks.

[0091] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may include a flow meter (FM) measuring a flow rate of the refrigerant (e.g., the recovered refrigerant mixture or the material refrigerant) introduced into the mixing container (MC).

[0092] In addition, the injection pipe (P2) may be configured to include a refrigerant pump (RP) generating (or supporting) a flow of the re-blended refrigerant mixture injected from the mixing container (MC) into the high pressure line of the air conditioning system.

[0093] In addition, between the mixing container (MC) and the refrigerant pump (RP) of the injection pipe (P2), at least some of a charging solenoid valve (SV3) controlling a flow of the refrigerant discharged from the mixing container (MC), a sight glass (SG) installed to visually check a state of the refrigerant at a side of the injection pipe (P2), and a check valve 2 (CV2) preventing the re-blended refrigerant mixture from flowing back in the direction of the mixing container (MC) from the refrigerant pump (RP) may be included.

[0094] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may include a reservoir (RSV) in which oil is stored to supply oil (or lubricant) required for operation of the refrigerant (e.g., flow of the refrigerant in the air conditioning system, etc.). To this end, at least some of an oil injection valve (V3) for injecting the oil of the reservoir (RSV) into the injection pipe (P2) between the mixing container (MC) and the refrigerant pump (RP), and a check valve 3 (CV3) preventing the oil from flowing back in a direction of the reservoir (RSV) may be included.

[0095] The configuration of the refrigerant processing unit 140 has been described with reference to FIG. 2. Hereinafter, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be described by dividing it into a refrigerant recovery unit 201, a vacuum treatment unit 203, a refrigerant blending unit 205, and a refrigerant injection unit 207 to describe the refrigerant processing operation of the apparatus 100.

[0096] For example, the refrigerant recovery unit 201, the vacuum treatment unit 203, the refrigerant blending unit 205, and the refrigerant injection unit 207 may be classified based on operations of refrigerant recovery, vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system, refrigerant blending, and refrigerant injection of the refrigerant processing unit 140.

[0097] The refrigerant processing unit 140, the refrigerant recovery unit 201, the vacuum treatment unit 203, the refrigerant blending unit 205, and the refrigerant injection unit 207 configured in the refrigerant processing unit 140, or respective components may operate based on control of the processor 110.

[0098] Hereinafter, operations of the apparatus 100 processing the refrigerant may be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

[0099] First, the low side service coupling (SC1) of the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be connected to a low pressure line (e.g., a low pressure line coupling) of the air conditioning system, and the high side service coupling (SC2) may be in a state of being connected to a high pressure line (e.g., a high pressure line coupling) of the air conditioning system.

[0100] An operation of recovering the refrigerant from the air conditioning system may be described with reference to the refrigerant recovery unit 201 of FIGS. 2 and 4. According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may recover the refrigerant from the air conditioning system and store the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank (operation 301).

[0101] To be described in more detail, the processor 110 may operate the compressor (M1) to form a refrigerant flow for recovering the refrigerant from the air conditioning system, and recover the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP).

[0102] In addition, although not illustrated in FIG. 4, the processor 110 may open the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) to recover the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP) and / or the high side pipe (HSP).

[0103] For example, as the recovered refrigerant mixture passes through the stabilization chamber (DOA), oil and impurities are removed. By heat-exchanging the refrigerant introduced with the refrigerant compressed into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas through the compressor in the recovery step to convert a state of the refrigerant introduced into the compressor into a gaseous state, only the gaseous refrigerant may be transferred to the compressor (M1). In addition, in this process, the refrigerant passes through a moisture filter, and moisture included in the refrigerant may be removed.

[0104] The processor 110 may compress the recovered refrigerant mixture through the compressor (M1), and transfer the refrigerant converted into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous state in the compression process to the condenser (CDS).

[0105] The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant introduced into the condenser (CDS) emits heat to be condensed into a liquid state, and the condensed refrigerant may be introduced into and stored in the storage tank (ST).

[0106] In this case, the processor 110 measures an internal pressure of the storage tank (ST) through the tank pressure gauge (G3), and when the internal pressure of the storage tank (ST) exceeds a preset pressure, may control the air purge solenoid valve (SV7) to discharge air inside the storage tank (ST).

[0107] According to an embodiment, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to include at least one component analyzer (CA) analyzing components of the refrigerant. For example, a component analyzer capable of analyzing gas components may be disposed (or connected) inside the storage tank (ST). The processor 110 may discharge gas (e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2) (R744) gas) introduced into the storage tank (ST) based on information on the gas refrigerant (e.g., a type and / or an amount (e.g., mass) of the gas refrigerant) obtained through the component analyzer (CA).

[0108] The processor 110 may discharge CO2 gas together with the air inside the storage tank (ST). In this case, the processor 110 may measure an amount (e.g., mass or volume) of the discharged CO2 gas and set the same as a loss amount of CO2 gas of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0109] According to the above description, it has been described that the processor 110 records a discharge amount of CO2 gas, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and a discharge amount for a refrigerant gas component (i.e., gas that may be a material of the refrigerant mixture such as, for example, propane (C3H8) (R290), isobutane (C4H10) (R600a), etc.) may be measured, and the measured discharge amount may be recorded by the processor 110.

[0110] Accordingly, the recovered refrigerant mixture in a liquid state may be stored in the storage tank (ST).

[0111] Hereinafter, an operation of performing vacuum treatment on the air conditioning system may be described with reference to the refrigerant processing unit 140 of FIGS. 2 and 5. According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may perform the vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system using the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP).

[0112] The processor 110 may operate the vacuum pump (VP) in a state where the recovery solenoid valve (SV1) blocks a flow of refrigerant in a direction of the stabilization chamber (DOA) and the high / low solenoid valve is open.

[0113] Through this, a vacuum state may be formed in the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP), a portion of the recovery pipe (P1) connected to the low side pipe (LSP) and / or the high side pipe (HSP), and a refrigerant circulation line of the air conditioning system (a refrigerant circulation line including a high pressure line and a low pressure line).

[0114] In a vacuum treatment process, impurities (e.g., gas, fine particles, moisture, etc.) inside the air conditioning system, the low side pipe (LSP) in which a vacuum is formed, and the high side pipe (HSP) may be discharged outside of the apparatus 100 through the vacuum pump (VP) (or the air purge solenoid valve (SV7), etc.).

[0115] At a time of terminating the vacuum treatment, a vacuum state for the air conditioning system, the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP) between the air conditioning system and the vacuum pump (VP), and at least a portion of the recovery pipe (P1) and / or the injection pipe (P2) may be maintained based on a structure and an operation of at least one valve (e.g., check valve 1 (CV1), check valve 2 (CV2), etc.).

[0116] However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the vacuum state may be maintained by the processor 110 controlling at least one valve (e.g., the recovery solenoid valve (SV1) of the recovery pipe (P1), the vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2), etc.) required for maintaining the vacuum state of the air conditioning system and the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP) between the air conditioning system and the vacuum pump (VP), or controlling an element such as the refrigerant pump (RP) of the injection pipe (P2).

[0117] The vacuum treatment operation is described above as being performed after recovering the refrigerant from the air conditioning system in operation 301. However, the vacuum treatment operation may be performed at a preset time point after recovering the refrigerant and before injecting a blended refrigerant mixture to be described later into the air conditioning system (before operation 309).

[0118] Hereinafter, an operation of re-blending the refrigerant recovered from the air conditioning system may be described with reference to the refrigerant blending unit 205 of FIGS. 2 and 6. According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may provide the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank to the mixing container (operation 303), and determine a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided to the mixing container (operation 305). For example, the mixing container (MC) may be disposed at a height lower than a height of the storage tank.

[0119] To be described in more detail, the processor 110 may open a valve (e.g., a solenoid valve (SV) or a 3-way valve, etc.) between the storage tank (ST) and the mixing container (MC) to transfer the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank (ST) to the mixing container (MC).

[0120] In this case, a pipe 601 (or a tube, a pipe, a straw, etc.) protruding to a predetermined height toward an upper portion of the storage tank may be formed at a connection part with the mixing pipe (P4) inside the storage tank (ST). Through this, when providing the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) to the mixing container (MC), the refrigerant may be provided to the mixing container (MC) so that impurities precipitated at a lower end of the storage tank (ST) do not flow into the mixing pipe (P4).

[0121] In addition, a filter capable of filtering impurities may be formed at an upper end of the pipe 601 or at a side portion of the pipe lower than the upper end by a predetermined length.

[0122] The processor 110 may measure an amount (e.g., mass) of the refrigerant introduced into the mixing container (MC) through the flow meter (FM), and check the mixing ratio of the refrigerant.

[0123] To this end, a component analyzer (CA) may be disposed (or connected) in the mixing pipe (P4) connecting the storage tank (ST) and the mixing container (MC).

[0124] For example, the component analyzer (CA) may analyze components of the refrigerant flowing through the mixing pipe (P4). The component analyzer (CA) may be configured to analyze components of a liquid refrigerant. The component analyzer (CA) may be configured to analyze components of a gas refrigerant, or may be configured as a multi-phase component analyzer analyzing components for various phases such as a liquid state and a gas state.

[0125] Accordingly, the processor 110 may check a composition of the refrigerant passing through the component analyzer (CA) (e.g., single-component refrigerants included in the refrigerant and a mixing ratio thereof).

[0126] However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the processor 110 may determine a mixing ratio for the refrigerant introduced into the storage tank (ST) or in a state of being stored in the storage tank (ST). For example, the component analyzer (CA) may be disposed at an inlet of the storage tank (or a tank vapor pipe (P5)) to measure a mixing ratio for the liquid refrigerant introduced into the storage tank (ST), or configured to measure a mixing ratio of the liquid refrigerant stored in the storage tank (ST).

[0127] For example, the component analyzer configured for the gas discharge as described above may be the component analyzer (CA) inside the storage tank (ST). However, the component analyzer for the gas discharge may be configured independently of the component analyzer (CA) inside the storage tank (ST). For example, the component analyzer for the gas discharge may be disposed in the purge pipe (P6) or at an outlet connected to the purge pipe (P6) in the storage tank (ST).

[0128] Thereafter, the processor 110 may provide a single-component refrigerant to the mixing container through at least one single-component refrigerant tank such that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture satisfies a preset mixing ratio (operation 307). For example, the at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) may be disposed at a height higher than a height of the mixing container.

[0129] According to an embodiment, the recovered refrigerant mixture may be a refrigerant in a state in which components of at least some of material refrigerants constituting the refrigerant are deteriorated, or at least some of the material refrigerants are lost (and / or dissipated, hereinafter referred to as "lost").

[0130] For example, the recovered refrigerant mixture is a refrigerant mixture as described above, and the material refrigerant thereof may be a single-component refrigerant or a compound refrigerant generated by a chemical reaction of at least two or more refrigerants.

[0131] Therefore, at least some material refrigerants constituting the recovered refrigerant mixture may have chemical stability lowered and be decomposed to cause deformation, or some material refrigerants may be lost due to structural stability of the air conditioning system, so that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture may be in a state deviated from a design ratio of the preset mixing ratio (mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture).

[0132] Accordingly, the processor 110 may identify the initial refrigerant mixture for the recovered refrigerant mixture, and check the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture (mixing ratio of the material refrigerants i.e., the mixing ration of the various refrigerant components).

[0133] For example, the processor 110 may identify the initial refrigerant mixture of the recovered refrigerant mixture at a time of checking the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture or based on a user input received through an input unit.

[0134] For example, when checking the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture, the processor 110 may identify the initial refrigerant mixture of the recovered refrigerant mixture by checking a mixing ratio that is most similar to the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture from a refrigerant mixture mixing ratio list.

[0135] In addition, the processor 110 may identify specific material refrigerants (also referred to as refrigerant components) set as having a high possibility of deterioration (or loss) among the material refrigerants of the recovered refrigerant mixture, and identify the initial refrigerant mixture by calculating a deterioration (or loss) amount (e.g., mass) predicted according to the possibility of deterioration (or loss) of the specific material refrigerants.

[0136] In this case, when the material refrigerant in a gaseous state is discharged in a state where the recovered refrigerant mixture is stored in the storage tank (ST), the initial refrigerant mixture may be identified by including a discharge amount of the material refrigerant in the gaseous state in the deterioration (or loss) amount.

[0137] To this end, a refrigerant mixture mixing ratio list may be stored in the storage 120. For example, the refrigerant mixture mixing ratio list may store at least some information among a plurality of refrigerant mixtures, identification codes for the refrigerant mixtures, material refrigerants for each of the refrigerant mixtures, mixing ratios of the material refrigerants, and possibility of deterioration (or loss) (e.g., deterioration rate or loss rate) of the material refrigerant.

[0138] In addition, the processor 110 may obtain a user input (e.g., an identification code for the refrigerant mixture) through an input unit. The processor 110 may identify the initial refrigerant mixture by checking an initial refrigerant mixture matching the identification code for the refrigerant mixture from the refrigerant mixture mixing ratio list.

[0139] The processor 110 may measure an amount (e.g., mass) of the recovered refrigerant mixture introduced into the mixing container (MC) from the storage tank (ST) (e.g., measured through the flow meter (FM)), and a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture. The processor 110 may determine a material refrigerant to be added so that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture satisfies the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture based on the amount of the introduced refrigerant, the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture, and the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture.

[0140] For example, the processor 110 may determine material refrigerants to be added so that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture is identical to the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture, and determine an amount (e.g., mass) to be added for each of the material refrigerants.

[0141] The processor 110 may determine a tank in which the material refrigerant that is determined as needed to be added to the mixing container (MC) is stored among the material refrigerant tanks (MT), and control a valve (e.g., a solenoid valve (SV)) for each tank to provide the material refrigerant to the mixing container (MC).

[0142] The processor 110 may sequentially provide the material refrigerants determined to be supplemented to the mixing container (MC) according to an order (descending order) based on density, amount to be supplemented (ratio in the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture), a refrigerant having a high possibility of vaporization (e.g., a refrigerant having a low boiling point and a high possibility of existing in a gaseous state at room temperature), or a degree of difficulty in liquefaction of a refrigerant having high pressure characteristics and difficult to liquefy (e.g., CO2 refrigerant).

[0143] In this case, the processor 110 may measure an amount (e.g., mass) of each of the material refrigerants provided to the mixing container (MC) through the flow meter (FM), and control the valve (e.g., solenoid valve (SV)) of the material refrigerant tank (MT) so that the amount calculated to satisfy the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture is accurately introduced into the mixing container (MC).

[0144] Hereinafter, an operation of injecting the re-blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system may be described with reference to the refrigerant injection unit 207 of FIGS. 2 and 7. According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may inject the generated re-blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system (operation 309).

[0145] To be described in more detail, the processor 110 may operate the refrigerant pump (RP) to transfer the re-blended refrigerant mixture stored in the mixing container (MC) to the air conditioning system.

[0146] In this case, the processor 110 may control at least one valve disposed between the mixing container (MC) and the air conditioning system (e.g., control the charging solenoid valve (SV3) to be open, and control the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) to be open).

[0147] Through this, the re-blended refrigerant mixture of the mixing container (MC) may be injected into the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP).

[0148] In this case, the processor 110 may control at least some valves among the recovery solenoid valve (SV1) and the vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2) to be in a closed state, or control a valve (not shown) configured to enable flow control of the refrigerant between the low side manifold valve (V1) and the low pressure switch (LP) to be in a closed state, in order to prevent the re-blended refrigerant mixture injected into the air conditioning system from flowing in a direction of the stabilization chamber (DOA) and / or the vacuum pump (VP).

[0149] However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the processor 110 may inject the re-blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through the high side service coupling (SC2) by controlling the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) to be closed.

[0150] In this case, the processor 110 may selectively open and close the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) based on a flow rate or pressure of the re-blended refrigerant mixture flowing through the injection pipe (P2), or an internal pressure received from the air conditioning system.

[0151] As described above, the processor 110 may inject the re-blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through the high side pipe (HSP) by opening and closing the high / low solenoid valve (SV8), or inject the re-blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP).

[0152] As described above, the re-blended refrigerant mixture may be smoothly injected into a circulation line of the air conditioning system according to a pressure difference formed between the air conditioning system in a vacuum state and the mixing container (MC) due to the charging solenoid valve (SV3) being open, and forced pumping of the re-blended refrigerant mixture due to an operation of the refrigerant pump (RP).

[0153] In addition, the processor 110 may add oil of the reservoir (RSV) to the re-blended refrigerant mixture by opening the oil injection valve (V3) according to a flow of the re-blended refrigerant mixture. Through this, in a process in which the re-blended refrigerant mixture is injected into the air conditioning system, a pressure difference with the reservoir (RSV) is formed by the flow of the re-blended refrigerant mixture, and the oil stored in the reservoir (RSV) may be introduced into the injection pipe (P2). The oil introduced into the injection pipe (P2) may be mixed with the re-blended refrigerant mixture and injected into the air conditioning system.

[0154] The processor 110 may measure an amount (e.g., mass) of the refrigerant introduced into the air conditioning system while the re-blended refrigerant mixture is injected into the air conditioning system, and control the re-blended refrigerant mixture to be injected by a set amount. To this end, a flow meter measuring the amount of the refrigerant injected into the air conditioning system may be disposed in the injection pipe (P2).

[0155] Based on this, the re-blended refrigerant mixture may be uniformly distributed inside the air conditioning system. In this process, the processor 110 may receive an internal pressure of the air conditioning system measured through a pressure gauge of the air conditioning system, and control the air conditioning system to operate stably by adjusting an injection speed of the refrigerant as necessary.

[0156] After the refrigerant injection is completed, the processor 110 may prevent a backflow of the refrigerant by controlling at least one valve (e.g., the vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2), the charging solenoid valve (SV3), or the oil injection valve (V3), etc.) to block a connection between the mixing container (MC) and the air conditioning system.

[0157] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for processing a refrigerant of a temperature control system, the method comprising: storing a recovered refrigerant mixture that is recovered from the temperature control system; blending the recovered refrigerant mixture with a material refrigerant to form a blended refrigerant mixture having a preset mixing ratio; and injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the temperature control system.

[0158] According to the above-described embodiments, the present refrigerant processing method and apparatus may restore a mixing ratio of an initial refrigerant mixture by supplementing a deteriorated refrigerant mixture with material refrigerants even when a composition of the refrigerant mixture is deteriorated, and prevent environmental pollution caused by disposal of the refrigerant by reusing the existing refrigerant without disposal.

[0159] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant processing method and apparatus may maximize efficiency of refrigerant management through reuse of the refrigerant by analyzing a composition of the recovered refrigerant mixture in real time and supplementing deteriorated or lost components to restore the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture.

[0160] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant processing method and apparatus may maintain refrigerant performance in the air conditioning system and prevent system malfunction due to quality deterioration of the refrigerant mixture by precisely adjusting the mixing ratio of the refrigerant utilizing precise control between the storage tank and the mixing container and component analysis technology.

[0161] The embodiments described above illustrate applying the principles of the present disclosure, and other embodiments may be further included without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, at least some of the various embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be combined to form additional embodiments.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0039]Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, since various changes may be made to the embodiments, the scope of the patent disclosure is not limited or restricted by these embodiments. It should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives for the embodiments are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, it is to be understood that the present disclosure may include various alternative variations and step / operation sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following detailed description, are simply illustrative and are non-limiting embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered ...

Claims

1. A method for processing a refrigerant, the method comprising:storing a refrigerant mixture recovered from an air conditioning system in a storage tank;providing the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank to a mixing container;determining a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided to the mixing container;providing at least one single-component refrigerant from at least one material refrigerant tank to the mixing container such that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture satisfies a preset mixing ratio; andinjecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture comprises analyzing the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided from the storage tank to the mixing container through a component analyzer disposed between the storage tank and the mixing container to analyze components of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the providing at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container comprises identifying an initial refrigerant mixture that is the recovered refrigerant mixture in a state before deterioration based on the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the providing at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container comprises identifying the initial refrigerant mixture based on a gas refrigerant discharged from the storage tank.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the providing at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container comprises determining at least one single-component refrigerant to be provided to the mixing container and an amount of the at least one single-component refrigerant based on a difference between a mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the providing at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container comprises sequentially providing the at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container in an order based on density, amount to be provided, possibility of vaporization, and degree of difficulty in liquefaction of the at least one single-component refrigerant.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the blended refrigerant mixture is provided to the air conditioning system through at least one selected from a low pressure line and a high pressure line of the air conditioning system by an operation of a refrigerant pump disposed in an injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a vacuum state is formed in the air conditioning system using a vacuum pump at a predetermined time after recovering the refrigerant mixture and before providing the blended refrigerant mixture, andwherein the blended refrigerant mixture is provided to the air conditioning system based on a pressure difference between the air conditioning system in the vacuum state and the mixing container and an operation of a refrigerant pump.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein a pipe connection part connected to the mixing container is disposed at a lower portion inside the storage tank, and a pipe protruding to a predetermined height toward an upper portion of the storage tank is formed at the pipe connection part.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein a filter for filtering impurities is formed at an upper end of the pipe or at a side portion of the pipe lower than the upper end by a predetermined length.

11. An apparatus for processing refrigerant, the apparatus comprising:a storage tank configured to store a refrigerant mixture recovered from an air conditioning system;a mixing container configured to receive the recovered refrigerant mixture from the storage tank and generate a blended refrigerant mixture;at least one material refrigerant tank configured to provide a single-component refrigerant to the mixing container;a refrigerant pump configured to provide the blended refrigerant mixture generated in the mixing container to the air conditioning system; anda processor configured to:store the refrigerant mixture recovered from the air conditioning system in the storage tank;provide the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank to the mixing container;determine a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided to the mixing container;provide at least one single-component refrigerant from the at least one material refrigerant tank to the mixing container such that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture satisfies a preset mixing ratio; andinject the blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through the refrigerant pump.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a component analyzer disposed between the storage tank and the mixing container to analyze components of the recovered refrigerant mixture,wherein the processor is configured to analyze the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture provided from the storage tank to the mixing container through the component analyzer.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to identify an initial refrigerant mixture that is the recovered refrigerant mixture in a state before deterioration based on the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a solenoid valve configured to discharge air and a portion of a gas refrigerant introduced into the storage tank is connected to the storage tank, andwherein the processor is configured to identify the initial refrigerant mixture based on the discharged gas refrigerant.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to determine at least one single-component refrigerant to be provided to the mixing container and an amount of the at least one single-component refrigerant based on a difference between a mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to control a valve of the at least one material refrigerant tank to sequentially provide the at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container in an order based on density, amount to be provided, possibility of vaporization, and degree of difficulty in liquefaction of the at least one single-component refrigerant.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the blended refrigerant mixture is provided to the air conditioning system through at least one selected from a low pressure line and a high pressure line of the air conditioning system by an operation of the refrigerant pump disposed in an injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a vacuum pump configured to discharge air from the air conditioning system to form a vacuum state,wherein the processor is configured to:form a vacuum state in the air conditioning system using the vacuum pump at a predetermined time after recovering the refrigerant mixture and before providing the blended refrigerant mixture; andprovide the blended refrigerant mixture to the air conditioning system based on a pressure difference between the air conditioning system in the vacuum state and the mixing container and an operation of the refrigerant pump.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a pipe connection part connected to the mixing container is disposed at a lower portion inside the storage tank, and a pipe protruding to a predetermined height toward an upper portion of the storage tank is formed at the pipe connection part.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a filter for filtering impurities is formed at an upper end of the pipe or at a side portion of the pipe lower than the upper end by a predetermined length.

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