Condenser Collector Insert for Faster Refrigerant Phase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern refrigerants exhibit slow phase separation between vaporous and liquid refrigerants due to small density differences, leading to reduced supercooling action in condensers, as vaporous refrigerant can pass through to the supercooling region and undergo condensation instead of supercooling.
Innovation Solution
An insert for the condenser collector featuring a tubular fluid diverting element that redirects the fluid stream from radial to axial flow, enhancing separation and including a filter and supporting structure with a dryer vessel to improve phase separation and supercooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If phase separation relies on density differences alone, then the structure remains simple, but phase separation becomes slow and ineffective for modern refrigerants
Solution Approach 1:
The collector is divided into multiple functional zones using partition walls: a condensing region, a phase separation region with a first partition wall, and a supercooling region with a second partition wall. This segmentation creates distinct functional areas that enhance phase separation efficiency without requiring complex external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls extend vertically to different heights, creating a multi-level phase separation structure. The first partition wall extends to a first height while the second partition wall extends to a second height, utilizing vertical space to improve separation effectiveness without increasing horizontal footprint.
2Ease of operation
If vaporous refrigerant passes directly to the supercooling region, then flow path is short, but supercooling action is reduced due to condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The phase separation region with partition walls performs preliminary separation of vaporous and liquid refrigerant before the fluid reaches the supercooling region. This preliminary action ensures that only liquid refrigerant enters the supercooling region, preventing unwanted condensation and maintaining reliable supercooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls act as intermediaries that guide and separate the refrigerant flow. The first partition wall separates vaporous refrigerant in the phase separation region, and the second partition wall further guides the flow into the supercooling region, ensuring proper flow distribution and maintaining supercooling effectiveness.
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
The insert effectively enhances the separation of vaporous and liquid refrigerants, improving supercooling action by doubling the flow path length and utilizing a dryer vessel to maintain fluid flow, resulting in improved refrigerant supercooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
it has been found to be expedient if the insert bears a dryer vessel in which there is arranged dryer material
Implementation Method 2
the inflow-side flow transfer opening is connected to a condensing region of the condenser
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an insert for a collector of a condenser, having a main body with a sealing lip for abutment against the inner wall of the collector axially between the two flow transfer openings of the collector, having a filter element for the fluid to flow through, having a fluid diverting element, and having a fluid duct such that the fluid diverting element diverts the radially inflowing fluid stream into an axially flowing fluid stream, and the fluid duct conducts the diverted fluid flow to the filter.