Economizer Layout With Multiple Float Valves for Lower-Cost Refrigerant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional economizers for multistage compression refrigeration systems require large float expansion valves due to a single liquid outlet, leading to increased costs, especially in large capacity systems with small differential pressure.
Innovation Solution
The economizer design includes multiple liquid outlets and float expansion valves, with baffle plates to separate refrigerant phases and reduce direct refrigerant spray on the valves, and dual gas outlets to minimize pressure differences and liquid backflow, allowing for smaller, less expensive valve components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single liquid outlet is used in the economizer, then the structure is simple, but a large float expansion valve is required which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The single liquid outlet is divided into multiple liquid outlets, and the single float expansion valve is replaced with multiple smaller float expansion valves. This segmentation allows each valve to be smaller and less expensive while collectively handling the same total refrigerant flow, thereby reducing overall system cost without significantly increasing structural complexity
2Quantity of substance
If a large float expansion valve is used to handle large liquid refrigerant flow, then the refrigerant flow control is sufficient, but the valve size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The large float expansion valve is segmented into multiple smaller float expansion valves. Each smaller valve handles a portion of the total liquid refrigerant flow, allowing the use of cheaper, smaller valves while maintaining the required total flow capacity through parallel configuration
3Reliability
If multiple float expansion valves are provided, then the cost is reduced and reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple float expansion valves connected in parallel to each liquid outlet, providing redundancy and reliability. If one valve fails, others can continue operating. The segmentation also allows each valve to be simpler and less expensive individually, offsetting the increase in component count
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple float expansion valves provide a backup system that cushions against failures. If one valve malfunctions, the other valves continue to operate, preventing complete system failure and allowing for graceful degradation and maintenance scheduling
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 design reduces the cost of float expansion valves, enhances system reliability by enabling partial load operation if one valve fails, and minimizes liquid backflow, thereby lowering the overall cost and improving operational efficiency of the economizer.
Implementation Method 1
a float expansion valve (25) that forms part of the multistage expansion mechanism (23, 25), and is attached to the liquid outlet (24b) to adjust a throttle amount according to a level of the liquid refrigerant in the tank (24a)
Data Source
AI summary
An economizer is provided in a multistage compression refrigeration system including a refrigerant circuit in which a multistage compressor, a condenser, a multistage expansion mechanism, and an evaporator are sequentially connected. The economizer includes: a tank having an introducing portion for introducing a refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit, a liquid outlet for guiding a liquid refrigerant into the evaporator, and a gas outlet for guiding a gas refrigerant into a medium pressure portion of the multistage compressor; and a float expansion valve, which forms part of the multistage expansion mechanism and is attached to the liquid outlet, and whose throttle amount is adjusted according to a level of the liquid refrigerant in the tank. Multiple ones of the liquid outlet and multiple ones of are provided.