Decentralized Refrigeration Layout for Low Refrigerant Charge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial refrigeration systems require large amounts of liquid refrigerant due to the need for overfeeding to prevent pump cavitation, leading to inefficiencies and increased refrigerant usage.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized condenser evaporator system that transfers refrigerant mostly in a gaseous state, reducing the need for large centralized storage and pumping of liquid refrigerant by using a centralized compressor arrangement and decentralized condenser evaporator systems, which condense and evaporate refrigerant in a controlled pressure receiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If liquid refrigerant is pumped from centralized storage to evaporators, then refrigeration capacity is maintained, but large amounts of refrigerant are required leading to increased system complexity and safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the refrigeration system into multiple decentralized condenser-evaporator units distributed throughout the facility, each operating independently with its own refrigerant charge. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single large centralized refrigerant storage system while maintaining total refrigeration capacity, thereby reducing the overall amount of refrigerant required in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a refrigerant gas transfer system that conveys gaseous refrigerant between the centralized compressor and decentralized condenser-evaporator units. This gaseous intermediary form replaces the traditional liquid refrigerant transport, allowing for reduced refrigerant quantities while maintaining system functionality and safety.
2Productivity
If liquid refrigerant is used in centralized systems, then refrigeration capacity is achieved, but pump cavitation occurs requiring large liquid volumes for overfeeding
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state parameter of refrigerant transport from liquid to gas phase. By conveying refrigerant as a gas rather than liquid, the system eliminates pump cavitation issues entirely, as compressors are designed to handle gaseous refrigerant. This parameter change allows maintaining full refrigeration capacity without requiring large volumes of liquid refrigerant for overfeeding.
3Reliability
If large amounts of liquid refrigerant are stored centrally, then pump operation is ensured, but safety risks and environmental concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the refrigerant storage function into small distributed charges within each decentralized condenser-evaporator unit, eliminating the need for large centralized liquid refrigerant storage. This segmentation maintains reliable refrigeration operation while dramatically reducing safety risks associated with large amounts of refrigerant concentrated in one location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the refrigerant phase from liquid to gas in the transfer lines and compressor system. This parameter change eliminates the need for large liquid storage volumes while ensuring reliable compressor operation, as compressors are specifically designed to handle gaseous refrigerant, thereby improving both reliability and safety.
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 refrigerant needed, achieving a reduction of at least 85% while maintaining equivalent refrigeration capacity, and allows for more efficient operation and safety by minimizing ammonia usage.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor arrangement provided for compressing gaseous refrigerant from a first pressure to a second pressure wherein the second pressure is a condensing pressure
Implementation Method 2
a condenser for receiving gaseous refrigerant at a condensing pressure and condensing the refrigerant to a liquid refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator for evaporating the liquid refrigerant to form gaseous refrigerant
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigeration system includes: a compressor arrangement for compressing gaseous refrigerant from a first pressure to a second pressure, wherein the second pressure comprises a condensing pressure; a plurality of condenser evaporator systems, wherein each condenser evaporator system comprises: (1) a condenser for receiving gaseous refrigerant at a condensing pressure and condensing the refrigerant to a liquid refrigerant; (2) a controlled pressure receiver for holding the liquid refrigerant from the condenser; and (3) an evaporator for evaporating liquid refrigerant from the controlled pressure receiver to form gaseous refrigerant; a first gaseous refrigerant feed line for feeding the gaseous refrigerant at the second pressure from the compressor arrangement to the plurality of condenser evaporator systems; and a second gaseous refrigerant feed line for feeding gaseous refrigerant from the plurality of condenser evaporator systems to the compressor arrangement.