Ejector Refrigeration Cycle With Oil Separation for Nozzle Boiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ejector refrigeration cycles face challenges in improving the coefficient of performance (COP) when refrigerant oil is mixed with refrigerant, as it can lead to vapor pressure depression and reduced energy conversion efficiency in the nozzle passage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an oil separator to remove refrigerant oil from the high-pressure refrigerant before it enters the swirl flow generator, thereby reducing vapor pressure depression and enhancing energy conversion efficiency by promoting boiling in the nozzle passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refrigerant oil is mixed with refrigerant for lubrication, then the compressor can be lubricated, but vapor pressure depression occurs and energy conversion efficiency in the nozzle passage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the refrigerant flow into two separate paths: one path sends refrigerant mixed with refrigerant oil to the compressor for lubrication, while another path sends refrigerant without oil to the ejector for efficient energy conversion. This segmentation allows both functions to operate optimally without mutual interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil separator extracts refrigerant oil from the refrigerant stream before it enters the ejector. By removing the harmful component (refrigerant oil) from the path where it causes problems (nozzle passage), the system maintains both compressor lubrication and high energy conversion efficiency in the ejector.
2Productivity
If refrigerant oil is present in the refrigerant, then the compressor can operate, but the coefficient of performance (COP) of the ejector refrigeration cycle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The oil separator acts as an intermediary device between the compressor and the ejector. It receives refrigerant mixed with oil from the compressor, separates the oil, and delivers cleaned refrigerant to the ejector. This intermediary function allows the compressor to operate with oil while the ejector operates without oil, maximizing overall system performance.
3Loss of energy
If refrigerant oil is removed before the ejector, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but additional equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The oil separator is integrated with the existing refrigeration cycle components and refrigerant flow paths. By merging the oil separation function into the overall system architecture and utilizing existing pressure differentials and flow patterns, the patent minimizes the additional complexity while achieving the benefit of improved energy conversion efficiency.
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 oil separator effectively improves the coefficient of performance (COP) of the ejector refrigeration cycle by reducing vapor pressure depression and enhancing energy conversion efficiency, even when refrigerant oil is present, leading to more efficient refrigerant circulation and reduced compressor kinetic consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an oil separator separating the refrigerant oil from the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor
Implementation Method 2
The nozzle decompresses the refrigerant flowing from the radiator and injects the refrigerant as an injection refrigerant at a high speed
Implementation Method 3
The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant and guides the refrigerant to the refrigerant suction port
Implementation Method 4
The radiator causes a high-pressure refrigerant discharged by the compressor to radiate heat to be a subcooled liquid-phase refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
The swirl flow generator causes the refrigerant flowing from the radiator to swirl about a center axis of the nozzle and to flow into the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
An ejector refrigeration cycle has a compressor, a radiator, an ejector, a swirl flow generator, an evaporator, and an oil separator. The compressor compresses refrigerant, mixed with refrigerant oil compatible with a liquid-phase refrigerant, and discharges the high-pressure refrigerant. The ejector has a nozzle and a body having a refrigerant suction port and a pressure increasing part. The swirl flow generator is configured to cause a decompression boiling in the refrigerant by causing the refrigerant to swirl about a center axis of the nozzle. The oil separator separates the refrigerant oil from the high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor and guides the refrigerant oil to flow to a suction side of the compressor. The oil separator decreases a concentration of the refrigerant oil in the refrigerant, which is to flow into the swirl flow generator, so as to promote the decompression boiling of the refrigerant in the swirl flow generator.