Ejector refrigeration circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ejector refrigeration circuits face efficiency decreases when the pressure difference between the high and low pressure levels is low, leading to reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a liquid pump outside the receiver and a bypass line with a switchable valve to selectively bypass the pump, allowing for increased pressure in the refrigerating evaporator circuit and maintaining efficiency by reducing pressure drops during non-operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a liquid pump is incorporated into the receiver, then the pressure within the refrigerating evaporator circuit can be increased to enhance ejector efficiency, but the complexity of the receiver increases and maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid pump is extracted from the receiver and installed as a separate component in the liquid line between the receiver and refrigeration expansion device. This extraction reduces the complexity of the receiver while maintaining the pressure-enhancing function needed for ejector efficiency. The pump can be independently maintained or replaced without affecting the receiver structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented by separating the liquid pump from the receiver, creating independent functional modules. The receiver handles refrigerant storage and separation, while the external pump handles pressure enhancement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance operations.
2Stress or pressure
If the liquid pump is always in the flow path, then pressure can be maintained in the evaporator circuit, but pressure drop occurs when the pump is non-operating
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between pump operation and bypass modes based on operational needs. When the pump is non-operating, the bypass valve opens to maintain flow and prevent pressure drop. When pressure enhancement is needed, the pump operates and the bypass valve closes. This dynamic adaptation eliminates unnecessary pressure losses.
Solution Approach 2:
A bypass valve is introduced as an intermediary component that controls flow distribution between the pump and bypass line. This mediator ensures that when the pump is not operating, refrigerant can still flow through the bypass line without experiencing the pressure drop that would occur through a stationary pump, thereby maintaining evaporator circuit pressure.
3Device complexity
If the liquid pump is located inside the receiver, then integration is achieved, but access for replacement and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid pump is extracted from the receiver and positioned externally in the liquid line. This extraction provides easy access to the pump for maintenance, replacement, or inspection without requiring disassembly of the receiver. The pump remains integrated into the system's functional flow but is physically accessible for service operations.
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
Enhances the efficiency of the ejector refrigeration circuit by increasing pressure within the refrigerating evaporator circuit and facilitating easy maintenance and replacement of the liquid pump.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid pump having an inlet side, which is fluidly connected to the liquid outlet of the receiver, and an outlet side
Implementation Method 2
an ejector may be used as an expansion device which additionally provides a so called ejector pump for compressing refrigerant from a low pressure level to a medium pressure level using energy that becomes available when expanding the refrigerant from a high pressure level to the medium pressure level
Implementation Method 3
a heat rejecting heat exchanger/gas cooler having an inlet side and an outlet side
Implementation Method 4
at least one refrigeration expansion device having an inlet side, which is fluidly connected to the outlet side of the liquid pump, and an outlet side
Implementation Method 5
at least one refrigeration evaporator fluidly connected between the outlet side of the at least one refrigeration expansion device and the secondary low pressure input port of the at least one ejector
Data Source
AI summary
An ejector refrigeration circuit comprises: a high pressure ejector circuit comprising in the direction of flow of a circulating refrigerant: a heat rejecting heat exchanger/gas cooler having an inlet side and an outlet side; at least one ejector comprising a primary high pressure input port, a secondary low pressure input port, and an output port, the primary high pressure input port being fluidly connected to the outlet side of the heat rejecting heat exchanger/gas cooler; a receiver, having a liquid outlet, a gas outlet and an inlet, which is fluidly connected to the output port of the at least one ejector; at least one compressor having an inlet side and an outlet side, the inlet side of the at least one compressor being fluidly connected to gas outlet of the receiver.