Emission Canister Heating Layout for Continuous HVAC&R Purging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emission canisters in HVAC&R systems become saturated quickly and inefficiently remove refrigerant, leading to decreased operational efficiency and temporary shutdowns of vapor compression systems during regeneration cycles.
Innovation Solution
The emission canister system incorporates silica gel as an adsorbent material, dual heating elements for even heat distribution, and a baffled divider to enhance adsorbate exposure, along with a cooling system to reduce cooldown times and a dual emission canister configuration for continuous operation during regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing emission canisters are used, then the system can remove non-condensable gases, but the canisters become saturated quickly and require frequent regeneration causing system shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The emission canister is divided into multiple chambers with separate adsorbent materials, allowing one chamber to be regenerated while others continue operating. This segmentation enables continuous refrigerant removal without complete system shutdown
Solution Approach 2:
Different adsorbent materials are used in different chambers with varying saturation characteristics. By changing the parameter of adsorbent type and saturation point, the system maintains continuous operation as chambers reach saturation at different rates
2Reliability
If existing emission canisters are used, then non-condensable gases can be separated, but the refrigerant removal from the canister is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
Different chambers contain different adsorbent materials optimized for specific refrigerant types and conditions. This local quality optimization ensures efficient refrigerant capture in each chamber while maintaining overall system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between chambers based on saturation status. When one chamber reaches saturation, the system automatically redirects flow to another chamber, maintaining continuous efficient operation without manual intervention
3Device complexity
If a single emission canister is used, then the structure is simple, but the vapor compression system must shut down during regeneration cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The emission canister is segmented into multiple independent chambers that can operate in parallel. This allows one chamber to undergo regeneration while others continue adsorbing refrigerant, enabling continuous system operation without complete shutdown
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-chamber design ensures that while one chamber is being regenerated, other chambers continue to perform the useful action of refrigerant adsorption. This continuity eliminates downtime and maintains constant refrigerant removal capability
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 increased refrigerant adsorption capacity, efficient regeneration cycles, prolonged adsorbent life, and continuous operation of the vapor compression system by reducing downtime and improving separation efficiency of non-condensable gases from refrigerant.
Implementation Method 1
a heating system configured to transfer thermal energy to the adsorbent material, where the heating system includes a first heating element and a second heating element disposed within the emission canister
Implementation Method 2
the first heating element and the second heating element are configured to distribute the thermal energy transferred to the adsorbent material disposed within the emission canister to release refrigerant from the adsorbent material
Implementation Method 3
an emission canister having an adsorbent material disposed therein... configured to separate and remove the non-condensable gases from the vapor compression system. That is, the emission canister may separate the non-condensable gases from the refrigerant of the vapor compression system and collect the refrigerant that is separated from the non-condensable gases
Implementation Method 4
a cooling system configured to remove the thermal energy from the emission canister. The cooling system includes one or more cooling passages extending through an interior of the emission canister along the central axis of the emission canister... The flow generating device is configured to direct a cooling fluid through the one or more cooling passages and the cooling fluid is configured to absorb the thermal energy from the emission canister
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a purge system for a vapor compression system including an emission canister having an adsorbent material disposed therein. The purge system also includes a heating system configured to transfer thermal energy to the adsorbent material, where the heating system includes a first heating element and a second heating element disposed within the emission canister and extending along a central axis of the emission canister. The first heating element and the second heating element are configured to distribute the thermal energy transferred to the adsorbent material disposed within the emission canister to release refrigerant from the adsorbent material.