Degassing device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing degassing devices for heating and cooling systems with heat pumps are inadequate for safely removing flammable refrigerants from the heat transfer liquid, especially when leaks occur, as they either require expensive double-walled exchangers or compromise efficiency, and lack integrated safety and monitoring features.
Innovation Solution
A compact degassing device with an upper and lower module, incorporating a fixed separating wall and additional sensors and valves, allowing for efficient bubble separation and integration of safety and monitoring features, suitable for both indoor and outdoor units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If double-walled heat exchangers are used to prevent refrigerant leakage, then safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into an inner wall and an outer wall with a gap between them, creating separate functional zones. The inner wall handles heat transfer while the outer wall provides safety containment, allowing each wall to be optimized independently and reducing the need for expensive single-component double-walled constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
A gap structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the inner and outer walls. This gap serves as both a thermal insulation layer (improving heat transfer efficiency) and a containment space for refrigerant leakage (improving safety), while being simpler and cheaper to manufacture than fully integrated double-walled exchangers.
2Reliability
If double-walled heat exchangers are used to prevent refrigerant leakage, then safety is improved, but heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into an inner wall and an outer wall with a gap between them, creating separate functional zones. The inner wall handles heat transfer while the outer wall provides safety containment, allowing each wall to be optimized independently and reducing the need for expensive single-component double-walled constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
A gap structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the inner and outer walls. This gap serves as both a thermal insulation layer (improving heat transfer efficiency) and a containment space for refrigerant leakage (improving safety), while being simpler and cheaper to manufacture than fully integrated double-walled exchangers.
3Productivity
If a large volume collection chamber is used for effective gas-liquid separation, then separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collection chamber is integrated directly into the heat exchanger structure, merging the separation function with the existing heat transfer component. This eliminates the need for separate, large-volume external separation tanks while maintaining effective gas-liquid separation through the built-in chamber design.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger structure serves multiple functions: heat transfer, refrigerant containment, and gas-liquid separation. The collection chamber within the heat exchanger performs separation duties while the heat exchanger itself continues to perform thermal exchange, reducing overall system complexity and component count.
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
Enables effective separation of flammable gas bubbles from heat transfer liquid while integrating essential system functions, enhancing safety and efficiency without the need for additional components.
Implementation Method 1
the flow slows down in the chamber, allowing gas bubbles to separate from the stream, aggregate at the bottom of the chamber
Implementation Method 2
a fixed separating wall is arranged inside the upper module in the path of the liquid flow, causing the liquid flow to hit the separating wall
Implementation Method 3
the aggregated bubbles press against the float of the vent valve, and the accumulated gas is expelled
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A degassing device designed for heating and/or cooling systems with a heat pump to separate bubbles of flammable gaseous refrigerant from heat transfer liquid, characterized in that it consists of an upper module (1) and a lower module (2), connected to each other by a watertight joint (3) to form a collection chamber for heat transfer liquid, the upper module (1) is equipped with an inlet connection (4) for the heat transfer liquid, the lower module (2) is equipped with an outlet connection (5) for heat transfer liquid and with a fixing bracket (6) for securing the degassing device in the heating system, inside the upper module (1), there is a fixed separating wall (13) arranged perpendicular to the axis of the inlet connection (4), and a vent valve (7) is arranged at the highest geometric point of the device.