Method and apparatus for handling refrigerant

Abstract

A refrigerant processing apparatus includes a storage tank configured to store a recovered refrigerant mixture from an air conditioning system, a mixing container, material refrigerant tanks, and a processor. The processor determines whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture based on a component thereof and a mixing ratio of an initial refrigerant mixture before deterioration. The processor controls the at least one material refrigerant tank to supply the at least one single-component refrigerant from the at least one material refrigerant tank to the mixing container according to an amount calculated to satisfy the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture, wherein the recovered refrigerant mixture is selectively supplied to the mixing container based on a result of the determination. The processor controls injection of the generated refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0031625 filed on Mar. 11, 2025, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUNDTechnical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates 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 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, 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 may 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, a method for processing refrigerant may be provided. The method may include: storing a recovered refrigerant mixture recovered from an air conditioning system in a storage tank; determining whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture based on a component of the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank and a mixing ratio of material refrigerants constituting an initial refrigerant mixture before deterioration of the recovered refrigerant mixture; supplying at least one single-component refrigerant to a mixing container in an amount calculated to satisfy the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture, in a state where the recovered refrigerant mixture is supplied to or not supplied to the mixing container according to a result of the determination; and injecting the refrigerant mixture generated in the mixing container into the air conditioning system.

[0007] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the determining whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture may include: identifying a component of the recovered refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture; and determining whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture by comparing a difference between the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the component of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0008] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the component of the recovered refrigerant mixture may include types of single-component refrigerants included in the recovered refrigerant mixture, impurities, and a mixing ratio of the single-component refrigerants. The determining whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture may include: determining not to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture when a type of the impurities, a ratio of the impurities, or a difference between a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture exceeds a respective predetermined reference value; and determining to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture when the type of the impurities, the ratio of the impurities, and the difference are respectively equal to or less than the respective predetermined reference value.

[0009] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the determining whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture may include analyzing types of single-component refrigerants constituting the recovered refrigerant mixture, impurities, and a mixing ratio of the single-component refrigerants through a component analyzer disposed at a lower portion of the storage tank into which the recovered refrigerant mixture is introduced.

[0010] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the supplying at least one single refrigerant to the mixing container may include: identifying the initial refrigerant mixture based on a mixing ratio of single-component refrigerants included in the recovered refrigerant mixture; and determining the at least one single refrigerant and the amount to be supplied to the mixing container based on a difference between the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the single-component refrigerants included in the recovered refrigerant mixture.

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

[0012] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a vacuum state may be formed in the air conditioning system using a vacuum pump at a predetermined time after recovering the refrigerant mixture and before injecting the generated refrigerant mixture. The injecting the generated refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system may include injecting the generated refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through at least one selected from a low pressure line and a high pressure line of the air conditioning system, based on a pressure difference between the mixing container and the air conditioning system in the vacuum state, and 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 or aspects, a pipe connection part connected to the mixing container may be 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 may be formed at the pipe connection part. A filter for filtering impurities may be 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.

[0014] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may further include: discharging the recovered refrigerant mixture from the storage tank to a discharge tank; and forming a vacuum in the storage tank from which the recovered refrigerant mixture has been discharged.

[0015] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the discharging and the storing may utilize a same compressor to generate a flow of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0016] According to another embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for processing refrigerant, comprising: a storage tank configured to store a recovered refrigerant mixture recovered from an air conditioning system; a mixing container configured to blend refrigerants; at least one material refrigerant tank configured to supply at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container; and a processor configured to: control the storage tank to store the recovered refrigerant mixture recovered from the air conditioning system in the storage tank; determine whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture based on a component of the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank and a mixing ratio of an initial refrigerant mixture before deterioration of the recovered refrigerant mixture; control the at least one material refrigerant tank to supply the at least one single-component refrigerant from the at least one material refrigerant tank to the mixing container in an amount calculated to satisfy the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture, in a state where the recovered refrigerant mixture is supplied to or not supplied to the mixing container according to a result of the determination; and control injection of the refrigerant mixture generated in the mixing container into the air conditioning system.

[0017] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the processor may be further configured to: identify a component of the recovered refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture; and determine whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture by comparing a difference between the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the component of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0018] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the component of the recovered refrigerant mixture comprises types of single-component refrigerants included in the recovered refrigerant mixture, impurities, and a mixing ratio of the single-component refrigerants, and the processor may be further configured to: determine not to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture when a type of the impurities, a ratio of the impurities, or a difference between a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture exceeds a respective predetermined reference value; and determine to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture when the type of the impurities, the ratio of the impurities, and the difference are respectively equal to or less than the respective predetermined reference value.

[0019] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the apparatus may further include a component analyzer disposed at a lower portion of the storage tank into which the recovered refrigerant mixture is introduced. The processor may be further configured to analyze types of single-component refrigerants constituting the recovered refrigerant mixture, impurities, and a mixing ratio of the single-component refrigerants through the component analyzer.

[0020] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the processor may be further configured to: identify the initial refrigerant mixture based on a mixing ratio of single-component refrigerants included in the recovered refrigerant mixture; and determine the at least one single refrigerant and the amount to be supplied to the mixing container based on a difference between the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the single-component refrigerants included in the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0021] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the processor may be further configured to sequentially supply the at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container in an order based on density, amount to be supplied, possibility of vaporization, and degree of difficulty in liquefaction of the at least one single-component refrigerant.

[0022] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the apparatus may further include: a vacuum pump configured to discharge air from the air conditioning system to form a vacuum state in the air conditioning system; and a refrigerant pump disposed in an injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system. The processor may be configured to: form the vacuum state in the air conditioning system using the vacuum pump at a predetermined time after recovering the refrigerant mixture and before injecting the generated refrigerant mixture; and inject the generated refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through at least one selected from a low pressure line and a high pressure line of the air conditioning system, based on a pressure difference between the mixing container and the air conditioning system in the vacuum state, and an operation of the refrigerant pump.

[0023] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a pipe connection part connected to the mixing container may be 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 may be formed at the pipe connection part. A filter for filtering impurities may be 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.

[0024] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the apparatus may further include a discharge tank configured to store a refrigerant. The processor may be further configured to: discharge the recovered refrigerant mixture from the storage tank to the discharge tank; and form a vacuum in the storage tank from which the recovered refrigerant mixture has been discharged.

[0025] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the apparatus may further include a compressor configured to generate a flow of refrigerant, wherein the processor is configured to control the compressor to generate a flow of the refrigerant mixture recovered from the air conditioning system and a flow of the refrigerant mixture discharged to the discharge tank.

[0026] In some non-limiting embodiments, by supplementing the deteriorated refrigerant mixture with single refrigerants to restore a mixing ratio of an initial refrigerant mixture even if a composition of the refrigerant mixture is deteriorated, and reusing the existing refrigerant without disposal, environmental pollution caused by disposal of the refrigerant may be prevented.

[0027] In some non-limiting embodiments, 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, efficiency of refrigerant management through reuse of the refrigerant may be maximized.

[0028] In some non-limiting embodiments, by blending refrigerants according to the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture in a state before deterioration when a composition or component of the recovered refrigerant mixture is deteriorated, and injecting the mixed refrigerant into the air conditioning system, performance of the air conditioning system may be maximized.

[0029] In some non-limiting embodiments, by precisely adjusting a mixing ratio of single refrigerants blended in the mixing container, refrigerant performance in the air conditioning system may be maintained, and degradation of system performance due to quality deterioration of the refrigerant mixture may be prevented.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating components of a refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] 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.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating operations for performing refrigerant processing in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating operations for forming a vacuum in an air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operations for determining whether to reuse a recovered refrigerant mixture in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations for re-blending a recovered refrigerant mixture or blending a new refrigerant in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 7 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.

[0038] FIG. 8 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.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit re-blending a recovered refrigerant mixture in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit blending a new refrigerant in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the connected air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating operations for performing refrigerant discharge in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit discharging the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank to a discharge tank in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating operations for forming a vacuum in the storage tank in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Various embodiments or aspects will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, since various changes may be made in the embodiments or aspects, the scope of the patent disclosure is not limited or restricted by these embodiments or aspects. It should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives for the embodiments or aspects are comprised within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, it is to be understood that the present disclosure may assume various alternative variations and step 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 exemplary and non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the disclosed subject matter. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

[0046] No aspect, component, element, structure, act, step, 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 or aspects, 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).

[0047] 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 other component, but it may be “connected,”“combined” or “coupled” to the other component by an intervening component that may be present.

[0048] Further, in describing the components of the embodiment or aspect, 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.”

[0049] Components comprised in one embodiment or aspect and components comprising common functions will be described using the same names in other embodiments or aspects. The description given in one embodiment or aspect may be applied to other embodiments or aspects, and therefore will not be described in detail within the overlapping range, unless there is a description to the contrary.

[0050] The device and / or data processed by the device may be expressed in terms of information. Here, the information may be used as a concept comprising the data. 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] The present disclosure may describe a refrigerant processing method and an apparatus therefor. Here, the apparatus (refrigerant processing apparatus) may be configured to recover, process, and inject a refrigerant of an air conditioning system connected to the outside of the apparatus. To be described in more detail, the apparatus may recover the refrigerant of the air conditioning system and re-blend or blend, respectively, the recovered refrigerant mixture or newly blend a refrigerant and inject the same into the air conditioning system.

[0053] In the following description of various embodiments, the term “refrigerant processing” refers to generating (or restoring) a refrigerant mixture by re-blending a recovered refrigerant mixture with at least one single-component refrigerant, or generating a new refrigerant mixture by blending single-component refrigerants. Based on this, a “processed refrigerant mixture” refers to a newly blended refrigerant mixture or a re-blended refrigerant mixture.

[0054] Here, 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 buildings, houses, etc., as well as transportation means such as automobiles, ships, and airplanes.

[0055] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the refrigerant recovered from the air conditioning system, processed, and injected into the air conditioning system may be described as a refrigerant mixture in which two or more single-component refrigerants (i.e., material refrigerants) are mixed.

[0056] Here, the single-component refrigerant (i.e., 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 a natural refrigerant, a halon, or a perfluorocarbon (PFC)-based refrigerant.

[0057] In order to clearly describe 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 during condensation and evaporation processes due to differences in physical properties such as vapor pressure, and a temperature gradient may appear. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the refrigerant mixture may include an azeotropic refrigerant or be composed of a refrigerant in which a composition ratio is maintained constant and a temperature gradient does not appear during condensation and evaporation processes.

[0058] In order to describe the refrigerant processing method and the apparatus therefor, 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 in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates a flow of operations for forming a vacuum in an air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates a flow of operations for determining whether to reuse a recovered refrigerant mixture in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates a flow of operations for re-blending a recovered refrigerant mixture or blending a new refrigerant in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 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. 8 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. 9 illustrates detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit re-blending a recovered refrigerant mixture in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 illustrates detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit blending a new refrigerant in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 illustrates detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the connected air conditioning system in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 illustrates a flow of operations for performing refrigerant discharge in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 illustrates detailed operations of the refrigerant processing unit discharging the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank to a discharge tank in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 illustrates a flow of operations for forming a vacuum in the storage tank in the refrigerant processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus (i.e., 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.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may control an operation of the refrigerant processing unit 140. The storage 120 may store data for the operation of the processor 110. The communication unit 130 may perform communication with internal components of the apparatus or an external device (e.g., an air conditioning system, etc.) based on control of the processor 110. The refrigerant processing unit 140 may perform operations of recovering a refrigerant from a connected air conditioning system based on the control of the processor 110, processing the recovered refrigerant mixture (e.g., re-blending the recovered refrigerant mixture or blending a new refrigerant), and injecting the processed refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system.

[0061] Configurations and operations of the processor 110, the storage 120, the communication unit 130, or the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be described in detail.

[0062] First, the processor 110 is configured to include at least one processor, and may process various data for the operation of the apparatus 100 through at least one program (e.g., application, tool, plug-in, software, etc.).

[0063] 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.) included in the apparatus 100 (or connected to the apparatus 100). In this case, the processor 110 may transmit and receive data to and from the components through the communication unit 130.

[0064] The storage 120 may be configured to include a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or a computer-readable recording medium. In this case, the computer-readable recording medium may store a computer program for the apparatus 100 to perform operations based on various embodiments.

[0065] For example, the storage 120 may store various data transmitted 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.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the storage 120 may store at least one program for controlling the operation of the refrigerant processing unit 140.

[0067] The communication unit 130 performs establishment of a 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 established communication channel.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be described in more detail.

[0069] First, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to include a storage tank (ST) for recovering and storing a refrigerant from an air conditioning system, a mixing container (MC) for processing the recovered refrigerant mixture according to a mixing ratio before deterioration of components of the recovered refrigerant mixture, a refrigerant pump (RP) for injecting the processed refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system, and a discharge tank (DT) for storing the recovered refrigerant mixture discharged from the storage tank (ST).

[0070] As used herein, the term “mixing ratio of a refrigerant mixture” may refer to proportions of material refrigerants constituting the refrigerant mixture. The mixing ratio may be expressed as a mass ratio, a mole ratio, or another proportional representation, unless otherwise specified.

[0071] 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 the refrigerant from the air conditioning system, and 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 a high temperature and high pressure, and a condenser (CDS) for phase-changing a gaseous refrigerant into a liquid, to be stored in the storage tank (ST) storing the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0072] 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, PVC, etc., or a soft pipe such as rubber, Teflon, nylon, silicone, synthetic resin, metal braid, etc. In addition, the pipe may include a pipe formed by mixing a hard pipe and a soft pipe (or by mixing materials thereof).

[0073] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 further includes an internal discharge pipe (P7) for moving the recovered refrigerant mixture (i.e., stored refrigerant) of the storage tank (ST) to the stabilization chamber (DOA), and an external discharge pipe (P8) for moving the refrigerant to the discharge tank (DT), and may be configured to operate the compressor (M1) so that the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) is stored in the discharge tank (DT).

[0074] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 includes at least one material tank (MT) in which a material refrigerant for blending a new refrigerant is stored, a mixing pipe (P4) connecting the material tank (MT) and the mixing container (MC), and a mixing container (MC) for mixing refrigerants, and may be configured such that the material refrigerant of the material tank (MT) is blended (mixed) in the mixing container (MC) to generate a blended refrigerant mixture or blended with the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) to generate a re-blended refrigerant mixture.

[0075] 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 re-blended refrigerant mixture of the mixing container (MC) into the air conditioning system through the refrigerant pump (RP).

[0076] As described above, in order to effectively perform at least some operations among refrigerant recovery, vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system, refrigerant processing, refrigerant injection, and refrigerant discharge, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to further include at least one component.

[0077] 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).

[0078] 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).

[0079] 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) for measuring a refrigerant pressure of the low side pipe (LSP) (or the low pressure line of the air conditioning system).

[0080] 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).

[0081] 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) for measuring a refrigerant pressure of the high side pipe (HSP) (or the high pressure line of the air conditioning system).

[0082] 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).

[0083] 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).

[0084] To describe in more detail, in a process of recovering the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the recovery pipe (P1), the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) may control 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).

[0085] Also, in a process of injecting the refrigerant into the air conditioning system through the injection pipe (P2), the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) may 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).

[0086] The recovery pipe (P1) may be configured to include at least one of a low pressure switch (LP) detecting a state of a 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).

[0087] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may include a vacuum pump (VP) for discharging air and moisture from the air conditioning system. Here, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to include 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 include a vacuum pump solenoid valve (SV2) controlling an operation of the vacuum pump (VP).

[0088] 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.

[0089] In addition, the stabilization chamber (DOA) may include a heat exchanger for stabilizing a state of the refrigerant. Here, the heat exchanger of the stabilization chamber (DOA) may be configured to stabilize the state of the refrigerant, such as 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 the occurrence of an impact (i.e., pressure spike).

[0090] 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 third check valve (CV3) preventing the oil discharged through the oil drain solenoid valve (SV6) from flowing back to the stabilization chamber (DOA). Here, the oil drain solenoid valve (SV6), the oil pressure switch (OP), or the third check valve (CV3) may be arranged inside or outside the stabilization chamber (DOA).

[0091] 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.

[0092] In addition, between the stabilization chamber (DOA) and the storage tank (ST), at least some of a first check valve (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 the flow of the refrigerant (e.g., the flow of the refrigerant after the compressor (M1)) and controlling an internal pressure of a pipe, 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.

[0093] Here, the storage tank (ST) is connected to a purge pipe (P6) for transferring air to an outlet configured to discharge air (and / or gas) from the storage tank (ST), and an air purge solenoid valve (SV7) for discharging a portion of the air (and / or gas) may be connected to the purge pipe (P6).

[0094] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to include at least one component analyzer (CA) (or refrigerant analyzer) capable of analyzing refrigerant components. For example, the component analyzer (CA) may be disposed (or connected) inside the storage tank (ST) (e.g., at a lower portion of the storage tank (ST)).

[0095] Here, the component analyzer (CA) may analyze components of the refrigerant stored in the storage tank (ST). To be described in more detail, the component analyzer (CA) may be configured to analyze components of a liquid refrigerant. However, the component analyzer (CA) may be configured to analyze components of a gaseous 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.

[0096] According to an embodiment, the component analyzer (CA) may analyze a composition of the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) (e.g., single-component refrigerants constituting the refrigerant and a mixing ratio (e.g., mass ratio) thereof), and analyze impurities included in the recovered refrigerant mixture and an amount thereof.

[0097] Here, in obtaining the composition of the recovered refrigerant mixture through the component analyzer (CA), the processor 110 may obtain a mixing ratio (or amount) in a state in which single-component refrigerants and impurities are included, and distinguish between the single-component refrigerants and the impurities. However, the component analyzer (CA) may distinguish between the single-component refrigerants and the impurities from the recovered refrigerant mixture, analyze the mixing ratio (or amount) thereof, and transmit the same to the processor 110.

[0098] According to the above description, the component analyzer (CA) has been described as being configured at the lower portion of the storage tank (ST). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the component analyzer (CA) may be configured to analyze components of the refrigerant (e.g., liquid refrigerant) flowing into the storage tank (ST) from the tank vapor pipe (P5).

[0099] In addition, the storage tank (ST) may be configured with an inlet for introducing the refrigerant and an outlet for discharging the refrigerant at an upper portion thereof. Here, the inlet at the upper portion of the storage tank (ST) is connected to the tank vapor pipe (P5), and an inlet solenoid valve (SV9) for controlling a flow of the refrigerant introduced from the tank vapor pipe (P5) may be configured. Also, the outlet at the upper portion of the storage tank (ST) is connected to the internal discharge pipe (P7), and an outlet solenoid valve (SV10) for controlling a flow of the refrigerant discharged to the internal discharge pipe (P7) may be configured.

[0100] In addition, the storage tank (ST) may be configured with an outlet for discharging the refrigerant at a lower portion thereof. Here, the outlet at the lower portion of the storage tank (ST) is connected to the mixing pipe (P4), and a reformulation solenoid valve (SV11) for controlling a flow of the refrigerant discharged from the storage tank (ST) may be configured in the mixing pipe (P4) connected to the storage tank (ST). However, the reformulation solenoid valve (SV11) may be configured at the outlet at the lower portion of the storage tank (ST).

[0101] Based on this, the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) may be configured to be moved to the mixing container (MC) through the mixing pipe (P4), or moved to the discharge tank (DT) through the internal discharge pipe (P7).

[0102] To describe in more detail, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to include a 3-way valve connecting the mixing pipe (P4) between the storage tank (ST), the at least one material tank (MT), and the mixing container (MC).

[0103] Here, a valve in a direction connected to the material tank (MT) among the 3-way valves (3WAY V / V) may be connected to at least one 3-way valve (or a multi-way valve) among a plurality of material tanks.

[0104] Here, when the at least one material 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 arranged for each of the plurality of tanks (MT). In this case, the mixing pipe (P4) may be integrated into one pipe (common pipe) from solenoid valves to be connected to the 3-way valve.

[0105] Each of the single-component refrigerants serving as materials for the refrigerant mixture may be stored in each of the plurality of material tanks.

[0106] According to an embodiment, the component analyzer (CA) may be configured in the mixing pipe (P4) connecting the storage tank (ST) and the mixing container (MC).

[0107] The 3-way valve configured as described above 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 tank (MT) in the direction of the mixing container (MC).

[0108] 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 tank (MT) and the 3-way valve.

[0109] As described above, the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) is supplied to the mixing container (MC) through the mixing pipe (P4), and the material refrigerant of a material tank selected from among the material tanks (MT) may be supplied to the mixing container (MC). Based on this, the recovered refrigerant mixture may be mixed with the material refrigerant in the mixing container (MC).

[0110] According to various embodiments, at least some of pipes (e.g., the recovery pipe (P1), the tank vapor pipe (P5), etc.) used to recover the refrigerant from the air conditioning system and move the same to the storage tank (ST) in the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be used to move the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank (ST) to the discharge tank (DT). For example, a path (e.g., a refrigerant discharge line) may be configured so that the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) flows to the discharge tank (DT) by passing through the internal discharge pipe (P7) the stabilization chamber (DOA), the compressor (M1), the condenser (CDS), and the external discharge pipe (P8).

[0111] Here, the external discharge pipe (P8) may be connected between the high pressure switch (HP) and the tank pressure gauge (G3). According to another embodiment, the external discharge pipe (P8) may be connected between the high pressure switch (HP) and the tank vapor pipe (P5).

[0112] Here, the external discharge pipe (P8) between the high pressure switch (HP) and the discharge tank (DT) may be configured to include a discharge manifold valve (V4) controlling a flow of the refrigerant so that the recovered refrigerant mixture passing through the high pressure switch (HP) flows to the external discharge pipe (P8), a discharge pressure gauge (G4) measuring an internal pressure of the external discharge pipe (P8) (and / or the discharge line) through which the recovered refrigerant mixture flows, and a discharge service coupling (SC3) connecting the external discharge pipe (P8) to the discharge tank (DT).

[0113] In addition, the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be configured to 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).

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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 second check valve (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.

[0116] 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 third check valve (CV3) preventing the oil from flowing back in a direction of the reservoir (RSV) may be included.

[0117] The configuration of the refrigerant processing unit 140 has been described with reference to FIG. 2. In describing the operation of the refrigerant processing apparatus 100 with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12, 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, a refrigerant injection unit 207, and a refrigerant discharge unit 209, as shown in FIGS. 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 14.

[0118] Here, the refrigerant recovery unit 201, the vacuum treatment unit 203, the refrigerant blending unit 205, the refrigerant injection unit 207, and the refrigerant discharge unit 209 may be classified based on operations of refrigerant recovery, vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system, refrigerant processing, refrigerant injection, and refrigerant discharge of the refrigerant processing unit 140.

[0119] The refrigerant processing unit 140, the refrigerant recovery unit 201, the vacuum treatment unit 203, the refrigerant blending unit 205, the refrigerant injection unit 207, and the refrigerant discharge unit 209 configured in the refrigerant processing unit 140, or respective components may operate based on control of the processor 110.

[0120] With reference to the drawings, operations in which the apparatus 100 recovers the refrigerant from the air conditioning system, processes a new refrigerant (blending or re-blending), and injects the blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system may be described in more detail.

[0121] First, the low side service coupling (SC1) of the refrigerant processing unit 140 may be connected to a low pressure line (e.g., 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., high pressure line coupling) of the air conditioning system.

[0122] 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, 3, and 7. According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may recover the refrigerant from the air conditioning system and store the same in the storage tank (operation 301).

[0123] To describe in more detail, the processor 110 may operate the compressor (M1) to form a flow of refrigerant for recovering the refrigerant from the air conditioning system, and recover the refrigerant of the air conditioning system through the low side pipe (LSP).

[0124] Also, although not illustrated in FIG. 7, 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).

[0125] Here, as the recovered refrigerant mixture passes through the stabilization chamber (DOA), oil and impurities are removed, and by heat-exchanging the refrigerant introduced with the refrigerant compressed into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas through the compressor in the recovery operation 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.

[0126] 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).

[0127] 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).

[0128] A flow meter (not shown) measuring a flow rate of the refrigerant introduced into the storage tank may be disposed at the inlet of the storage tank (ST). Through this, the processor 110 may measure an amount (e.g., mass) of the recovered refrigerant mixture introduced into the storage tank (ST).

[0129] The processor 110 may measure an internal pressure of the storage tank (ST) through the tank pressure gauge (G3), and control the air purge solenoid valve (SV7) to discharge air inside the storage tank (ST) when the internal pressure of the storage tank (ST) exceeds a preset pressure.

[0130] The processor 110 may discharge gas (e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2) (R744) gas) introduced into the storage tank (ST). To this end, a component analyzer may be disposed in the purge pipe (P6) or at an outlet connected to the purge pipe (P6) in the storage tank (ST). Here, the component analyzer configured for gas discharge may be the component analyzer (CA) inside the storage tank (ST) as described above. However, the component analyzer for gas discharge may be configured independently of the component analyzer (CA) inside the storage tank (ST).

[0131] The processor 110 may discharge CO2 gas together while discharging the air inside the storage tank (ST). In this case, the processor 110 may measure an amount (e.g., mass) of the discharged CO2 gas and set the same as a loss amount of CO2 gas of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0132] According to the above description, it has been described that the processor 110 records a discharge amount of CO2 gas, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and a discharge amount for a gas that can be a material of the refrigerant mixture (e.g., propane (C3H8) (R290), isobutane (C4H10) (R600a), etc.) may be measured, and the measured discharge amount may be recorded.

[0133] Accordingly, the recovered refrigerant mixture in a liquid state may be stored in the storage tank (ST).

[0134] Next, referring to the vacuum treatment unit 203 of FIGS. 2, 4, and 8, an operation of performing vacuum treatment on the air conditioning system may be described. According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may perform vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system using the low side pipe (LSP) and the high side pipe (HSP) (operation 401).

[0135] To be described in more detail, 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 (SV8) is opened.

[0136] Through this, a vacuum 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 (i.e., a refrigerant circulation line including a high pressure line and a low pressure line) of the air conditioning system.

[0137] 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 to the outside of the apparatus 100 through the vacuum pump (VP) (or the air purge solenoid valve (SV7), etc.).

[0138] At a time of terminating the vacuum treatment, a vacuum state for 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), 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., the first check valve (CV1), the second check valve (CV2), etc.).

[0139] However, the present disclosure is 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).

[0140] When operation 401 is performed, the processor 110 may end the embodiment of FIG. 4.

[0141] The vacuum treatment operation (401) of the air conditioning system described above may be 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 (after operation 301) and before injecting a blended refrigerant mixture to be described later into the air conditioning system (before operation 307).

[0142] Returning to FIG. 3, with reference to the refrigerant blending unit 205 of FIGS. 2, 9, and 10, an operation of re-blending the refrigerant recovered from the air conditioning system or blending a new refrigerant may be described.

[0143] To this end, the processor 110 may determine whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture based on a component of the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank and a mixing ratio of an initial refrigerant mixture before deterioration of the recovered refrigerant mixture (operation 303). 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, referred to as “lost”).

[0144] Here, 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.

[0145] Therefore, at least some material refrigerants constituting the recovered refrigerant mixture may have lowered chemical stability and be decomposed to cause deformation, or some material refrigerants may be lost due to structural stability of the air conditioning system, so that a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture may be in a state deviated from a mixing ratio (i.e., mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture) set for the refrigerant in a state before deterioration (i.e., initial refrigerant mixture).

[0146] Accordingly, the processor 110 may analyze components of the recovered refrigerant mixture, and determine whether to re-blend the recovered refrigerant mixture or blend a new refrigerant based on a degree of deterioration of the mixing ratio (or composition) and a degree of inclusion of impurities.

[0147] Accordingly, an operation of determining whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture may be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5.

[0148] First, the processor 110 may identify the component of the recovered refrigerant mixture and / or the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture (operation 501).

[0149] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may obtain the mixing ratio for the initial refrigerant mixture as a user input entered through an input unit (not shown).

[0150] In various embodiments, the mixing ratio of the refrigerant may be described as including material refrigerants constituting the refrigerant, and / or a mixing ratio thereof (i.e., mixing ratio of the material refrigerants).

[0151] Also, the processor 110 may obtain an identification code (e.g., identification code of the refrigerant mixture) of the refrigerant before deterioration through a user input. The processor 110 may identify the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture by checking an initial refrigerant mixture matching the identification code of the refrigerant mixture from a mixing ratio list.

[0152] To this end, the storage 120 may be in a state where the refrigerant mixture mixing ratio list is stored. Here, the refrigerant mixture mixing ratio list may be in a state where at least some information among a plurality of refrigerant mixtures, identification codes for the refrigerant mixtures, material refrigerants for each of the refrigerant mixtures, and mixing ratios of the material refrigerants, and a possibility of deterioration (or loss) (e.g., deterioration rate or loss rate) of the material refrigerant is stored.

[0153] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the processor 110 may identify the initial refrigerant mixture based on component analysis of the refrigerant recovered in the storage tank (ST). To this end, the processor 110 may detect a composition constituting the refrigerant introduced into (or in a state of being introduced into) the storage tank (ST) through the component analyzer (CA) as described above.

[0154] In addition, the processor 110 may detect a component of a gaseous refrigerant discharged from the storage tank (ST) to the purge pipe (P6) and measure an amount thereof. To this end, a component analyzer for 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). However, the component analyzer for gas discharge may be the component analyzer (CA) inside the storage tank (ST).

[0155] A result of component analysis on the recovered refrigerant mixture may include information on these components and amounts thereof in a state where impurities are included as well as material refrigerants constituting the refrigerant. The processor 110 may distinguish impurities in a composition of the recovered refrigerant mixture, and identify material refrigerants from which impurities are excluded and the mixing ratio thereof.

[0156] When the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture is identified, the processor 110 may identify the initial refrigerant mixture of the recovered refrigerant mixture by checking a mixing ratio most similar to the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture from a refrigerant mixture mixing ratio list.

[0157] In addition, the processor 110 may identify specific material refrigerants 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.

[0158] In this case, when the gaseous refrigerant is discharged (e.g., discharged to the purge pipe (P6)) 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 gaseous refrigerant in the deterioration (or loss) amount.

[0159] Thereafter, the processor 110 may determine whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture by comparing a difference between the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the component of the recovered refrigerant mixture (operation 503). For example, when identifying the initial refrigerant mixture, the processor 110 may compare the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the component of the recovered refrigerant mixture to check impurities included in the recovered refrigerant mixture and a degree of deterioration of the recovered refrigerant mixture, and determine whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0160] To be described in more detail, as a result of comparing the component of the recovered refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture, the processor 110 may confirm that a ratio of at least one material refrigerant constituting the recovered refrigerant mixture is decreased or increased compared to a ratio of a corresponding material refrigerant of the initial refrigerant mixture.

[0161] In addition, when a material not included in the initial refrigerant mixture is detected as a result of component analysis of the recovered refrigerant mixture, the processor 110 may determine the corresponding material to be an impurity. For example, the impurity may include oil (e.g., lubricant), oxide (e.g., metal oxide), metal particles, and the like.

[0162] To describe in more detail, the impurity may include moisture or dust introduced in a process in which the refrigerant circulates in the air conditioning system, a material generated due to a chemical change according to a phase change and / or a temperature change, a deteriorated state of oil injected together in a process of being injected into the air conditioning system, or metal particles or corrosion products generated due to aging of a pipe or a component of the air conditioning system through which the refrigerant circulates.

[0163] Based on this, according to an embodiment, when the number of types of impurities included in the recovered refrigerant mixture does not exceed a preset number of types, and an amount of the impurities does not exceed a preset ratio (e.g., mass ratio) relative to an amount of the recovered refrigerant mixture, the processor 110 may determine to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0164] Also, when a change in the mixing ratio of the material refrigerants constituting the recovered refrigerant mixture is within a preset error range (%) when compared with the mixing ratio of the material refrigerants constituting the initial refrigerant mixture, the processor 110 may determine to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0165] In addition, when detecting that a change in the mixing ratio of a preset material refrigerant among the material refrigerants constituting the recovered refrigerant mixture has occurred, the processor 110 may determine not to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0166] As described above, the processor 110 determines (operation 505) whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture, and supplies (operation 305) at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container according to an amount calculated to satisfy the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture in a state in which the recovered refrigerant mixture is supplied or not supplied to the mixing container according to a result of the determination.

[0167] First, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6 and the refrigerant blending unit 205 of FIGS. 2 and 9, an operation of re-blending the refrigerant recovered from the air conditioning system to generate a re-blended refrigerant mixture may be described.

[0168] According to an embodiment, when the processor 110 determines to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture according to a result of the determination on whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture (operation 505, YES of FIG. 5), the processor 110 may supply the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) to the mixing container (operation 601). Here, the mixing container (MC) may be disposed at a height lower than a height of the storage tank (ST).

[0169] To describe in more detail, the processor 110 may open the reformulation solenoid valve (SV11) of the mixing pipe (P4) connected to the storage tank (ST) to transfer the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank (ST) to the mixing container (MC).

[0170] In this case, a pipe 901 (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).

[0171] In addition, a filter capable of filtering impurities may be formed at an upper end of the pipe 901 or at a side portion of the pipe lower than the upper end by a predetermined length.

[0172] The processor 110 may measure an amount (e.g., mass) of the refrigerant introduced into the mixing container (MC) through the flow meter (FM).

[0173] Thereafter, the processor 110 may supply at least one single-component refrigerant calculated so that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture satisfies the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture to the mixing container (operation 603). Here, the at least one material refrigerant tank (MT) may be disposed at a height higher than the height of the mixing container.

[0174] To describe in more detail, the processor 110 may measure the 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 check the amount of the introduced refrigerant, the mixing ratio, and the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture.

[0175] Based on this, 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. For example, the processor 110 may determine material refrigerants to be added so that the mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture matches the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture, and determine an amount (e.g., mass) to be added for each of the material refrigerants.

[0176] The processor 110 may identify a tank in which the material refrigerant determined to be added to the mixing container (MC) is stored among the material refrigerant tanks (MT), and control a valve (e.g., solenoid valve (SV)) for each tank to supply the corresponding material refrigerant to the mixing container (MC).

[0177] 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 being difficult to liquefy (e.g., CO2 refrigerant).

[0178] 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).

[0179] Based on this, a refrigerant mixture (re-blended refrigerant mixture) having the same mixing ratio as the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture may be generated in the mixing container (MC).

[0180] When operation 603 is performed, the processor 110 may end the embodiment of FIG. 6.

[0181] With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6 and the refrigerant blending unit 205 of FIGS. 2 and 10, an operation of generating a blended refrigerant mixture using material refrigerants of the material refrigerant tank (MT) may be described.

[0182] According to an embodiment, when the processor 110 determines not to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture according to a result of the determination on whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture (operation 505, NO of FIG. 5), the processor 110 may supply a plurality of single-component refrigerants to the mixing container according to the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture (operation 605).

[0183] To describe in more detail, the processor 110 may select tanks in which corresponding material refrigerants are stored among the material refrigerant tanks (MT) according to material refrigerants constituting the initial refrigerant mixture, and control a valve (e.g., solenoid valve (SV)) for each tank to provide the material refrigerant to the mixing container (MC).

[0184] The processor 110 may sequentially provide the material refrigerants determined to be blended to the mixing container (MC) according to an order (descending order) of density, input amount (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 refrigerant having high pressure characteristics and being difficult to liquefy (e.g., CO2 refrigerant).

[0185] 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).

[0186] Based on this, a refrigerant mixture (blended refrigerant mixture) having the same mixing ratio as the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture may be generated in the mixing container (MC).

[0187] Here, the processor 110 may control an amount of the blended refrigerant mixture generated in the mixing container (MC) to be equal to or greater than the amount of the recovered refrigerant mixture introduced into the storage tank (ST) through the tank vapor pipe (P5).

[0188] According to various embodiments, the processor 110 may confirm that the amount of the blended refrigerant mixture is entered as a user input entered through an input unit (not shown).

[0189] In this case, when the entered amount of the blended refrigerant mixture exceeds the amount of the recovered refrigerant mixture, the processor 110 may generate the blended refrigerant mixture with the entered amount of the blended refrigerant mixture. On the other hand, when the entered amount of the blended refrigerant mixture is equal to or less than the amount of the recovered refrigerant mixture, the processor 110 may generate the blended refrigerant mixture with the amount of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

[0190] When operation 605 is performed, the processor 110 may end the embodiment of FIG. 6.

[0191] Returning to FIG. 3, with reference to the refrigerant injection unit 207 of FIGS. 2 and 11, an operation of injecting the processed refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system may be described. According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may inject the refrigerant (processed refrigerant mixture) generated in the mixing container (MC) into the air conditioning system (operation 307).

[0192] To be described in more detail, the processor 110 may operate the refrigerant pump (RP) to transfer the processed refrigerant mixture of the mixing container (MC) to the air conditioning system.

[0193] 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 opened, and control the high / low solenoid valve (SV8) to be opened).

[0194] 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).

[0195] 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).

[0196] However, the present disclosure is 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.

[0197] 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.

[0198] 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).

[0199] As described above, the processed refrigerant mixture may be smoothly injected into the circulation line of the air conditioning system according to a pressure difference formed between the air conditioning system and the mixing container (MC) due to the charging solenoid valve (SV3) being opened while the air conditioning system in a vacuum state, and forced pumping due to the operation of the refrigerant pump (RP).

[0200] In addition, the processor 110 may add oil of the reservoir (RSV) to the processed refrigerant mixture by opening the oil injection valve (V3) according to the flow of the processed refrigerant mixture. Through this, in a process in which the processed refrigerant mixture is injected into the air conditioning system, a pressure difference with the reservoir (RSV) is formed by the flow of the processed 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.

[0201] The processor 110 may measure an amount (e.g., mass) of the refrigerant introduced into the air conditioning system while the processed refrigerant mixture is injected into the air conditioning system, and control the processed 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).

[0202] Based on this, the processed refrigerant mixture may be uniformly distributed into 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.

[0203] 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), or 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.

[0204] When operation 307 is performed, the processor 110 may end the embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0205] According to various embodiments, the processor 110 may move the refrigerant recovered in the storage tank (ST) to the discharge tank (DT). Here, the discharge tank (DT) may be configured to be detachable for disposal or reprocessing of the recovered refrigerant mixture. In addition, the processor 110 may process the storage tank (ST) after the recovered refrigerant mixture is discharged into a vacuum state.

[0206] With reference to FIGS. 2, 12 to 14, an operation in which the apparatus 100 moves the refrigerant from the storage tank (ST) to the discharge tank (DT) and vacuum-treats the storage tank (ST) may be described in more detail.

[0207] An operation of discharging the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) to the discharge tank (DT) may be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12 and the refrigerant discharge unit 209 of FIGS. 2, 12, and 13. According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may discharge the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) to the discharge tank (operation 1201).

[0208] Here, the operation 1201 may be performed when the processor 110 determines not to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture according to a result of the determination on whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture (operation 505 of FIG. 5).

[0209] To describe the operation 1201 in more detail, the processor 110 may operate the compressor (M1) in a state where the inlet solenoid valve (SV9) of the storage tank (ST) is closed and the outlet solenoid valve (SV10) is open.

[0210] In this case, the recovered refrigerant mixture inside the storage tank (ST) flows to the stabilization chamber (DOA) through the internal discharge pipe (P7) according to the operation of the compressor (M1), passes through the compressor (M1), the stabilization chamber (DOA), and the condenser (CDS), is introduced into the external discharge pipe (P8), passes through the discharge manifold valve (V4) and the discharge service coupling (SC3), and may be transferred to the discharge tank (DT).

[0211] Accordingly, the apparatus 100 may perform an operation of transferring the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) to the discharge tank (DT) using the configuration of the compressor (M1) and the recovery pipe (P1) for recovering the refrigerant from the air conditioning system.

[0212] Referring to the refrigerant discharge unit 209 of FIGS. 2, 12, and 14, an operation of forming a vacuum in the storage tank (ST) may be described. According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may form a vacuum in the storage tank from which the refrigerant has been discharged (operation 1203).

[0213] To this end, the processor 110 may confirm that all refrigerant stored in the storage tank (ST) has been transferred to the discharge tank (DT) based on an internal pressure of the storage tank (ST) or an internal pressure of a discharge pipe (e.g., the internal discharge pipe (P7) or the external discharge pipe (P8)).

[0214] To describe in more detail, when confirming that the internal pressure of the storage tank (ST) drops below a preset minimum reference pressure, the processor 110 may determine that the refrigerant transfer of the storage tank (ST) is completed. Also, when confirming that internal pressures of the internal discharge pipe (P7) and the external discharge pipe (P8) sequentially drop below the preset minimum reference pressure, the processor 110 may determine that the refrigerant transfer of the storage tank (ST) is completed.

[0215] When the operation of transferring the refrigerant of the storage tank (ST) to the discharge tank (DT) is completed, the processor 110 may close the inlet solenoid valve (SV9) of the storage tank (ST) and open the outlet solenoid valve (SV10).

[0216] In addition, the processor 110 may operate the vacuum pump (VP) in a state where the recovery solenoid valve (SV1) (and / or the low side manifold valve (V1), the high side manifold valve (V2), etc.) is closed. Accordingly, a vacuum is formed in a path from the storage tank (ST) to the vacuum pump (VP) including the internal discharge pipe (P7) and the vacuum pump pipe (P3), enabling the storage tank (ST) to be formed into a vacuum state.

[0217] In the vacuum treatment process, impurities (e.g., gas, fine particles, moisture, etc.) inside the storage tank (ST) may be discharged to the outside of the apparatus 100 through the vacuum pump (VP) (or the air purge solenoid valve (SV7), etc.).

[0218] When operation 1203 is performed, the processor 110 may end the embodiment of FIG. 12.

[0219] At least some operations among the refrigerant discharge operation (operation 1201) and the vacuum treatment operation of the storage tank (ST) (operation 1203) described above may be performed at a preset time point after recovering the refrigerant (after operation 301) and before the vacuum treatment of the air conditioning system (before operation 401). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and at least some operations among the refrigerant discharge operation (operation 1201) and the vacuum treatment operation of the storage tank (ST) (operation 1203) may be performed after injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system (after step 307).

[0220] In addition, the vacuum treatment operation of the storage tank (ST) (operation 1203) is not limited to being performed after performing the refrigerant discharge operation (operation 1201), and may be performed after supplying the recovered refrigerant mixture of the storage tank (ST) to the mixing container (MC).

[0221] According to the above-described embodiments, the present refrigerant processing method and apparatus may restore the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture by supplementing the deteriorated refrigerant mixture with material refrigerants even if the composition of the refrigerant mixture is deteriorated, and may prevent environmental pollution caused by disposal of the refrigerant by reusing the existing refrigerant without disposal.

[0222] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant processing method and apparatus may maximize efficiency of refrigerant management through reuse of the refrigerant by analyzing the 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.

[0223] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant processing method and apparatus may maximize performance of the air conditioning system by blending refrigerants according to a mixing ratio of an initial refrigerant mixture in a state before deterioration when a composition or component of a recovered refrigerant mixture is deteriorated, and injecting the blended refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system.

[0224] According to various embodiments, the refrigerant processing method and apparatus may maintain refrigerant performance in the air conditioning system and prevent degradation of system performance due to quality deterioration of the refrigerant mixture by precisely adjusting a mixing ratio of material refrigerants blended in the mixing container.

[0225] The contents described above are merely examples applying the principles of the present disclosure, and other configurations 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.

Claims

1. A method for processing refrigerant, comprising:storing a recovered refrigerant mixture recovered from an air conditioning system in a storage tank;determining whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture based on a component of the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank and a mixing ratio of material refrigerants constituting an initial refrigerant mixture before deterioration of the recovered refrigerant mixture;supplying at least one single-component refrigerant to a mixing container in an amount calculated to satisfy the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture, in a state where the recovered refrigerant mixture is supplied to or not supplied to the mixing container according to a result of the determination; andinjecting the refrigerant mixture generated in the mixing container into the air conditioning system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture comprises:identifying a component of the recovered refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture; anddetermining whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture by comparing a difference between the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the component of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the component of the recovered refrigerant mixture comprises types of single-component refrigerants included in the recovered refrigerant mixture, impurities, and a mixing ratio of the single-component refrigerants, andwherein the determining whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture comprises:determining not to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture when a type of the impurities, a ratio of the impurities, or a difference between a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture exceeds a respective predetermined reference value; anddetermining to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture when the type of the impurities, the ratio of the impurities, and the difference are respectively equal to or less than the respective predetermined reference value.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture comprises:analyzing types of single-component refrigerants constituting the recovered refrigerant mixture, impurities, and a mixing ratio of the single-component refrigerants through a component analyzer disposed at a lower portion of the storage tank into which the recovered refrigerant mixture is introduced.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container comprises:identifying the initial refrigerant mixture based on a mixing ratio of single-component refrigerants included in the recovered refrigerant mixture; anddetermining the at least one single-component refrigerant and the amount to be supplied to the mixing container based on a difference between the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the single-component refrigerants included in the recovered refrigerant mixture.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container comprises:sequentially supplying the at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container in an order based on density, amount to be supplied, possibility of vaporization, and degree of difficulty in liquefaction of the at least one single-component refrigerant.

7. 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 injecting the generated refrigerant mixture, andwherein the injecting the generated refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system comprises injecting the generated refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through at least one selected from a low pressure line and a high pressure line of the air conditioning system, based on a pressure difference between the mixing container and the air conditioning system in the vacuum state, and 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 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, andwherein 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.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:discharging the recovered refrigerant mixture from the storage tank to a discharge tank; andforming a vacuum in the storage tank from which the recovered refrigerant mixture has been discharged.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the discharging and the storing utilize a same compressor to generate a flow of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

11. An apparatus for processing refrigerant, comprising:a storage tank configured to store a recovered refrigerant mixture recovered from an air conditioning system;a mixing container configured to blend refrigerants;at least one material refrigerant tank configured to supply at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container; anda processor configured to:control the storage tank to store the recovered refrigerant mixture recovered from the air conditioning system in the storage tank,determine whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture based on a component of the recovered refrigerant mixture in the storage tank and a mixing ratio of an initial refrigerant mixture before deterioration of the recovered refrigerant mixture,control the at least one material refrigerant tank to supply the at least one single-component refrigerant from the at least one material refrigerant tank to the mixing container in an amount calculated to satisfy the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture, in a state where the recovered refrigerant mixture is supplied to or not supplied to the mixing container according to a result of the determination, andcontrol injection of the refrigerant mixture generated in the mixing container into the air conditioning system.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:identify a component of the recovered refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture; anddetermine whether to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture by comparing a difference between the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the component of the recovered refrigerant mixture.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the component of the recovered refrigerant mixture comprises types of single-component refrigerants included in the recovered refrigerant mixture, impurities, and a mixing ratio of the single-component refrigerants, andwherein the processor is further configured to:determine not to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture when a type of the impurities, a ratio of the impurities, or a difference between a mixing ratio of the recovered refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture exceeds a respective predetermined reference value; anddetermine to reuse the recovered refrigerant mixture when the type of the impurities, the ratio of the impurities, and the difference are respectively equal to or less than the respective predetermined reference value.

14. The apparatus of claim 11,further comprising a component analyzer disposed at a lower portion of the storage tank into which the recovered refrigerant mixture is introduced,wherein the processor is further configured to analyze types of single-component refrigerants constituting the recovered refrigerant mixture, impurities, and a mixing ratio of the single-component refrigerants through the component analyzer.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:identify the initial refrigerant mixture based on a mixing ratio of single-component refrigerants included in the recovered refrigerant mixture; anddetermine the at least one single-component refrigerant and the amount to be supplied to the mixing container based on a difference between the mixing ratio of the initial refrigerant mixture and the mixing ratio of the single-component refrigerants included in the recovered refrigerant mixture.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to sequentially supply the at least one single-component refrigerant to the mixing container in an order based on density, amount to be supplied, possibility of vaporization, and degree of difficulty in liquefaction of the at least one single-component refrigerant.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:a vacuum pump configured to discharge air from the air conditioning system to form a vacuum state in the air conditioning system; anda refrigerant pump disposed in an injection pipe connecting the mixing container and the air conditioning system,wherein the processor is further configured to:form the vacuum state in the air conditioning system using the vacuum pump at a predetermined time after recovering the refrigerant mixture and before injecting the generated refrigerant mixture, andinject the generated refrigerant mixture into the air conditioning system through at least one selected from a low pressure line and a high pressure line of the air conditioning system, based on a pressure difference between the mixing container and the air conditioning system in the vacuum state, and an operation of the refrigerant pump.

18. 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, andwherein 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.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a discharge tank configured to store a refrigerant,wherein the processor is further configured to:discharge the recovered refrigerant mixture from the storage tank to the discharge tank; andform a vacuum in the storage tank from which the recovered refrigerant mixture has been discharged.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a compressor configured to generate a flow of refrigerant,wherein the processor is further configured to control the compressor to generate a flow of the refrigerant mixture recovered from the air conditioning system and a flow of the refrigerant mixture discharged to the discharge tank.

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