A rectifier device comprising a rectifier and a distribution device, and absorption machine including said rectifier device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermodynamic absorption machines face challenges in efficiently rectifying refrigerant vapor due to the presence of traces of absorbent, leading to power loss and instability, particularly in low-evaporation temperature applications like ammonia-water pairs, where the rectifier's compactness and heat/mass exchange efficiency are compromised by pressure losses and fluid path length.

Innovation Solution

A rectification device with an adiabatic rectifier and optimized distribution system, featuring a sieve for uniform solution distribution and steam exhaust elements, enhances the rectification of refrigerant vapor by heat and mass exchange with a refrigerant-rich working solution, facilitating efficient condensation and evacuation of vapors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rectifier is added to eliminate absorbent traces from refrigerant vapor, then the refrigerant quality is improved, but the device complexity increases and compactness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerant qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the rectifier with the generator to form an integrated unit. The rectifier is positioned directly on the generator outlet, and the two components share a common structure, eliminating the need for separate mounting and connections. This merging maintains refrigerant quality improvement while reducing overall device complexity and improving compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated generator-rectifier unit serves multiple functions: the generator produces refrigerant vapor and the integrated rectifier simultaneously purifies it by removing absorbent traces. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for separate rectification equipment, thereby improving refrigerant quality without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a rectifier is added to eliminate absorbent traces from refrigerant vapor, then the refrigerant quality is improved, but the machine loses compactness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerant qualityVSAvoidmachine compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rectifier is merged with the generator structure, positioned directly on the generator outlet. This integration eliminates the need for separate rectification equipment and long fluid paths, thereby improving refrigerant quality while maintaining machine compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rectifier is nested within or directly attached to the generator structure, with the rectifier chamber positioned inside or immediately adjacent to the generator outlet. This nesting approach allows the rectifier to occupy minimal additional space while effectively purifying the refrigerant vapor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If the rectifier is placed away from the generator, then the rectification function is separated, but the hydraulic path length increases and heat/mass exchange efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent separationVSAvoidheat and mass exchange efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The rectifier is merged with the generator to form an integrated unit with the rectifier positioned directly on the generator outlet. This merging minimizes the hydraulic path length between generator and rectifier, maximizing heat and mass exchange efficiency while still allowing for modular manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If the refrigerant vapor contains traces of absorbent, then the generator output is simplified, but the evaporation process is disturbed and power is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenerator output simplicityVSAvoidevaporation power
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated generator-rectifier unit provides simplified generator output structure while the rectifier component removes absorbent traces from the refrigerant vapor, preventing evaporation disturbance and power loss. The integration maintains structural simplicity while achieving effective purification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution improves the quality of refrigerant vapor by effectively eliminating absorbent traces, enhancing heat and mass exchange efficiency, reducing hydrodynamic losses, and compactness, while maintaining the machine's performance and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

heat and mass exchange of the vapor of the refrigerant with a working solution rich in fluid refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat and mass exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

absorption of the refrigerant (for example ammonia) towards the absorbent (for example water)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a distribution system configured to distribute the refrigerant-rich working solution into the rectifier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid distribution:

Implementation Method 4

cooling this gas phase to condense only a fraction of it, knowing that these condensates are highly concentrated in absorbency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 5

a rectifier, advantageously adiabatic, intended for the elimination of traces of absorbent vapor in the vapor of a refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdiabatic cooling: Adiabatic Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3885673A1A rectifier device comprising a rectifier and a distribution device, and absorption machine including said rectifier device
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP3885673A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3885673A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3885673A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a refrigerant vapor rectification device (25) comprising: - a rectifier (21) for removing traces of absorbent vapor from refrigerant vapor by heat and mass exchange of the refrigerant vapor with a refrigerant-rich working solution, and - a distribution system (24) configured to distribute the refrigerant-rich working solution into the rectifier (20), characterized in that the distribution system (24) comprises: - a distribution module (22) configured to distribute the refrigerant-rich working solution into the rectifier (21) and to vent the refrigerant vapor from the rectifier (21), - a pre-distribution module (23) configured to distribute the refrigerant-rich working solution into the distribution module (22).the distribution module (22) being arranged above the rectifier (21), the pre-distribution module (23) being arranged above the distribution module (22).