Refrigerating device and refrigerating device control method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refrigeration cycle apparatuses using HFO-1123 refrigerant, which undergoes disproportionation, face challenges in safety, cost, operating efficiency, and global warming impact due to lack of established operating techniques.

Innovation Solution

Maintaining the low-stage refrigerant at a pressure lower than its disproportionation pressure, using refrigerant mixtures like HFO-1123 and HFO-1234yf, and controlling the high-stage compressor operation to prevent disproportionation, allowing the apparatus to operate as if the refrigerant does not undergo disproportionation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If CO2 refrigerant is used as the low-stage refrigerant, then the pressure can be maintained at or below 7.4 MPa (critical pressure), but the COP of the theoretical cycle is lower compared to HFC-based refrigerants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure controlVSAvoidCOP
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the refrigerant parameter from CO2 to HFO-1123, which has different thermodynamic properties including lower operating pressure and comparable or higher COP values. This parameter change allows the system to achieve both reliable pressure control and improved energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If HFO-1123 refrigerant is used as the low-stage refrigerant, then the pressure range can be lowered and COP can be improved, but the refrigerant undergoes disproportionation which creates safety and operational challenges

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCOPVSAvoidoperational stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls the operating pressure parameter to remain below the disproportionation pressure of HFO-1123 refrigerant. By maintaining pressure within this specific range, the system achieves high COP while preventing the harmful disproportionation reaction, ensuring operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a refrigerant mixture where HFO-1123 is combined with other refrigerants in specific proportions. This mixture approach allows the system to benefit from HFO-1123's high COP while the other components suppress disproportionation, creating a stable long-term operating solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If HFO-1123 refrigerant is used as the low-stage refrigerant, then the global warming potential can be reduced, but the lack of established operating techniques creates uncertainty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal warming effectVSAvoidoperating technique availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes specific operating parameters including pressure control below disproportionation pressure, temperature ranges, and pressure ratios that enable reliable operation of HFO-1123. These parameter specifications provide the missing operational guidelines, making the environmentally friendly refrigerant practical for real-world applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach enhances safety, reduces costs, improves energy-saving performance, and minimizes the apparatus's global warming effect by maintaining the low-stage refrigerant below its disproportionation pressure, achieving comparable COP to HFC-based refrigerants and lower GWP than CO2.

Implementation Method 1

a low-stage refrigeration cycle that includes a low-stage compressor, a low-stage condenser, a low-stage pressure reducing device, and a low-stage evaporator, and circulates low-stage refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a low-stage refrigeration cycle that includes a low-stage compressor, a low-stage condenser, a low-stage pressure reducing device, and a low-stage evaporator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

a high-stage refrigeration cycle that includes a high-stage compressor, a high-stage condenser, a high-stage pressure reducing device, and a high-stage evaporator, and circulates high-stage refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

a high-stage refrigeration cycle that includes a high-stage compressor, a high-stage condenser, a high-stage pressure reducing device, and a high-stage evaporator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 5

a cascade condenser exchanging heat between the low-stage refrigerant in the low-stage condenser and the high-stage refrigerant in the high-stage evaporator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 6

a low-stage pressure reducing device, and a low-stage evaporator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure reduction: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP3121541B1Refrigerating device and refrigerating device control method
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3121541B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3121541B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3121541B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 includes a low-stage refrigeration cycle 10 that includes a low-stage compressor 11, a low-stage condenser 12, a low-stage pressure reducing device, and a low-stage evaporator 14, and circulates low-stage refrigerant, a high-stage refrigeration cycle 30 that includes a high-stage compressor 31, a high-stage condenser 32, a high-stage pressure reducing device, and a high-stage evaporator 34, and circulates high-stage refrigerant, a cascade condenser 40 exchanging heat between the low-stage refrigerant in the low-stage condenser 12 and the high-stage refrigerant in the high-stage evaporator 34, and a controller 50. The low-stage refrigerant is a refrigerant that undergoes disproportionation. The low-stage refrigerant is maintained at a pressure lower than a disproportionation pressure at which the low-stage refrigerant undergoes disproportionation.