Decentralized Condenser-Evaporator Layout for Low Refrigerant Charge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial refrigeration systems require large amounts of liquid refrigerant to operate effectively, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for centralized condensing systems and extensive piping, which can be reduced by decentralizing the condenser and evaporator components.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a condenser evaporator system (CES) with a centralized compressor arrangement, where gaseous refrigerant is distributed to multiple decentralized CES units, allowing for balanced condenser and evaporator operation and reducing the need for liquid refrigerant transport by using a controlled pressure receiver and balanced flow between condenser and evaporator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a centralized condenser farm is used to condense gaseous refrigerant, then the refrigeration capacity is maintained, but the amount of liquid refrigerant required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized condensing system into multiple decentralized condenser-evaporator systems (CES). Each CES unit independently condenses gaseous refrigerant and manages its own liquid refrigerant inventory, eliminating the need for a single large centralized condenser farm and reducing total liquid refrigerant requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Each CES unit is designed to operate independently with local condensation and evaporation capabilities. The system provides localized refrigeration rather than relying on centralized liquid refrigerant distribution, allowing each unit to maintain optimal operating conditions with minimal liquid refrigerant inventory.
2Quantity of substance
If liquid refrigerant is pumped from centralized vessels to evaporators, then the refrigeration capacity is maintained, but the system requires large amounts of liquid refrigerant to prevent pump cavitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the condensation function from the centralized system and places it at each CES unit. This eliminates the need for large centralized liquid refrigerant storage vessels and pumps, as each CES unit condenses refrigerant locally and maintains a small internal liquid inventory sufficient for evaporator operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each CES unit is self-sufficient, condensing gaseous refrigerant internally and managing its own liquid refrigerant supply without requiring external pumps or large storage vessels. The system uses the heat exchanger to both condense and evaporate refrigerant in a closed loop, eliminating pump cavitation risks.
3Quantity of substance
If a decentralized condenser evaporator system is implemented, then the amount of liquid refrigerant is reduced, but the system requires balanced condenser and evaporator operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the condenser and evaporator into a single integrated CES unit. The heat exchanger serves dual functions: condensing gaseous refrigerant from the compressor and evaporating liquid refrigerant to provide cooling. This integration simplifies flow control by eliminating the need for separate liquid refrigerant pumping and distribution systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The CES unit functions as a composite system where the heat exchanger performs multiple thermal functions. The system integrates compression, condensation, and evaporation in a unified configuration, allowing balanced operation through inherent thermal coupling rather than complex external control mechanisms.
4Quantity of substance
If extensive piping is used to connect centralized condensers to evaporators, then the refrigeration capacity is maintained, but the system complexity and refrigerant inventory increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigeration system into multiple independent CES units distributed throughout the facility. Each unit handles its own refrigerant locally, eliminating the need for extensive piping to transport liquid refrigerant from centralized condensers to distant evaporators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a centralized vertical hierarchy (central condenser → pipes → evaporators) to a distributed horizontal network of independent CES units. This dimensional reorganization places condensation and evaporation functions at the same location, minimizing piping requirements.
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 significantly reduces the overall amount of liquid refrigerant needed, potentially decreasing it by 85% or more, while maintaining equivalent refrigeration capacity, and allows for efficient operation in both refrigeration and defrost cycles, enhancing energy savings and safety by minimizing ammonia usage.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser constructed for condensing a gaseous refrigerant from the source of compressed gaseous refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator for evaporating liquid refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A condenser evaporator system includes: a condenser constructed for condensing a gaseous refrigerant from the source of compressed gaseous refrigerant; a controlled pressure receiver for holding liquid refrigerant; a first liquid refrigerant feed line for conveying liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the controlled pressure receiver; an evaporator for evaporating liquid refrigerant; and a second liquid refrigerant feed line for conveying liquid refrigerant from the controlled pressure receiver to the evaporator. The condenser evaporator system can be provided as multiple condenser evaporator systems operating from a source of compressed gaseous refrigerant.