Crescent-Shaped Economizer Design for Space-Efficient Refrigeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large commercial refrigeration systems using low-pressure refrigerants require significant space due to larger vapor volumes, leading to increased system size, which is undesirable despite the performance benefits of low-pressure refrigerants.
Innovation Solution
A crescent-shaped economizer design with a first section matching a conventional condenser's housing, reducing transverse space occupation by fitting seamlessly with the condenser, and incorporating flow-equalizing plates and a filter chamber to enhance refrigerant separation and purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a low-pressure refrigerant is employed in the refrigeration system, then the refrigeration performance is improved, but the system occupies a significantly larger space due to larger vapor volume
Solution Approach 1:
The economizer is designed with a first section that fits into the housing of the condenser, creating a nested arrangement where one component occupies space within another. This nesting principle allows the economizer to share the condenser's external space, significantly reducing the overall system arrangement space while maintaining the performance benefits of low-pressure refrigerants
2Productivity
If the economizer size is doubled to accommodate low-pressure refrigerant volume, then the refrigerant flow capacity is improved, but the occupied arrangement space increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The economizer is nested within the condenser housing, allowing it to maintain sufficient internal volume for low-pressure refrigerant flow while occupying minimal external space. The nested arrangement enables the economizer to access the condenser's available space, achieving both adequate flow capacity and compact overall dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional horizontal arrangement to a vertical arrangement by positioning the economizer above the condenser outlet and extending vertically. This dimensional change allows the system to occupy less horizontal arrangement space while maintaining adequate internal volume for refrigerant flow capacity
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 design significantly reduces the overall space occupied by the refrigeration system while maintaining performance by optimizing the arrangement of components and improving refrigerant flow and separation.
Implementation Method 1
a separation space formed by the flow-equalizing plates, wherein the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant separates into a gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant under the action of gravity
Implementation Method 2
a filter component arranged in the separation space, the filter component being in fluid communication with the compressor air-make-up inlet through a filtered passage
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an economizer, including a housing having a first section and a second section; and a condenser outlet, an evaporator inlet, and a compressor intermediate-stage inlet that are disposed on the second section of the housing; wherein the first section has a contour matching a housing of a commonly used condenser, such that the first section can fit the housing of the condenser. The economizer of the present invention can better match an outer contour of a conventional condenser, so that the both can fit each other in arrangement as much as possible when applied to an overall layout of a refrigeration system, thereby significantly reducing a transverse space occupied by the refrigeration system.