Refrigeration apparatus and temperature regulation system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Binary refrigeration apparatuses have a larger size, higher component costs, and increased energy consumption due to the need for high-flow rate and high-compression-ratio compressors to achieve high refrigeration capacity. Additionally, the use of a water cooler does not significantly contribute to the desired condensation load at cryogenic temperatures or high refrigeration capacities, making it difficult to effectively reduce apparatus size and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The refrigeration apparatus incorporates a water cooler that cools the low-temperature-side refrigerant between the compressor and condenser in the low-temperature-side refrigeration circuit, with specific operational relationships between refrigeration capacities, compression power, and refrigerant circulation rates to optimize performance. These relationships include 0.25×(CL+PA)≤CW≤0.4×(CL+PA), 0.6×(CL+PA)≤CH≤0.75×(CL+PA), 0.5×PA≤CW, and F1≤F2, where CL represents the refrigeration capacity of the low-temperature-side evaporator, PA is the compression power, CW is the cooling capacity of the water cooler, CH is the refrigeration capacity of the high-temperature-side evaporator, F1 is the refrigerant circulation rate of the high-temperature-side refrigeration circuit, and F2 is the refrigerant circulation rate of the low-temperature-side refrigeration circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a binary refrigeration apparatus uses a high-flow rate and high-compression-ratio compressor to obtain high refrigeration capacity, then the refrigeration capacity is improved, but the apparatus size, component cost, and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the refrigeration system into two separate circuits: a high-temperature-side circuit and a low-temperature-side circuit. Each circuit operates with its own compressor optimized for its specific temperature range, avoiding the need for a single oversized high-compression-ratio compressor. This segmentation allows each compressor to operate at lower flow rates and compression ratios while collectively achieving high refrigeration capacity.
2Weight of stationary object
If a water cooler is used to cool the low-temperature-side refrigerant, then the apparatus size and energy consumption are reduced, but the water cooler does not contribute significantly to the desired condensation load at cryogenic temperatures or high refrigeration capacities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a water cooler as an intermediary cooling device in the low-temperature-side circuit, positioned between the compressor and condenser. The water cooler pre-cools the high-temperature refrigerant before it enters the condenser, reducing the condensation load on the high-temperature-side circuit. This intermediary device enables the binary system to operate more efficiently at cryogenic temperatures by offloading part of the cooling demand to the water cooler, thereby contributing meaningfully to the overall refrigeration capacity.
3Productivity
If the refrigeration capacity of the high-temperature-side refrigeration circuit is increased to meet cryogenic temperature requirements, then the desired refrigeration capacity is achieved, but the apparatus size and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the operating parameters of both refrigeration circuits, specifically the refrigerant circulation rates F1 and F2. By carefully controlling these parameters within specific ranges and maintaining their relationship (F1 ≤ F2), the system achieves efficient heat exchange in the cascade condenser and minimizes energy consumption. This parameter optimization allows the high-temperature-side circuit to operate at reduced capacity while still meeting cryogenic temperature requirements through effective coordination with the low-temperature-side circuit.
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 configuration allows for stable and reliable provision of a desired refrigeration capacity while reducing the increase in size, energy consumption, and environmental impact of the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a water cooler that cools a low-temperature-side refrigerant circulated by the low-temperature-side refrigeration circuit, between a compressor and a condenser in the low-temperature-side refrigeration circuit
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator of the high-temperature-side refrigeration apparatus and a condenser of the low-temperature-side refrigeration circuit constitute a cascade condenser capable of exchanging heat with each other
Implementation Method 3
a high-temperature-side refrigerant, which has been condensed and expanded in the high-temperature-side refrigeration circuit, condenses a low-temperature-side refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
The condensed low-temperature-side refrigerant is provided with a large degree of supercooling, and is then expanded to have a lower temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration apparatus comprises a high-temperature-side refrigeration circuit and a low-temperature-side refrigeration circuit. A water cooler is between a compressor and a condenser of the low-temperature-side refrigeration circuit. The refrigeration apparatus performs an operation in such a manner that the following relationships are satisfied, “0.25×(CL+PA)≤CW≤0.4×(CL+PA), and 0.6×(CL+PA)≤CH≤0.75×(CL+PA), and 0.5×PA≤CW, and F1≤F2”, wherein CL (Kw) represents a refrigeration capacity of an evaporator of the low-temperature-side refrigeration circuit, PA (Kw) represents compression power of a compressor of the low-temperature-side refrigeration circuit, CW (Kw) represents a cooling capacity of the water cooler, CH (Kw) represents a refrigeration capacity of an evaporator of the high-temperature-side refrigeration circuit, F1 (Kg/hour) represents a refrigerant circulation rate of the high-temperature-side refrigeration circuit, and F2 (Kg/hour) represents a refrigerant circulation rate of the low-temperature-side refrigeration circuit.