Safety separator device for an installation for transferring energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy transfer installations using hydrocarbon-based refrigerants face safety risks due to the flammability of refrigerants leaking into inhabited spaces, leading to potential explosions and diffusion into heating systems, necessitating a solution to prevent refrigerant propagation and manage leaks effectively.
Innovation Solution
A safety separator device integrated into the hydraulic module of energy transfer installations, featuring a float valve and regulating body that separates and evacuates refrigerant gas, preventing its diffusion into the building by isolating the downstream circuit and allowing gradual or rapid evacuation of gas, depending on pressure thresholds, thus ensuring safety and maintaining system operation during leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If hydrocarbon-based refrigerants are used in energy transfer installations, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but safety risk increases due to flammability and potential explosion hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic module is divided into separate functional zones: a first portion for liquid refrigerant and a second portion for gas refrigerant. This segmentation allows the system to handle different phases of refrigerant separately, improving safety by containing gas in a dedicated zone away from potential ignition sources while maintaining efficient heat transfer in the liquid zone.
Solution Approach 2:
A float valve acts as an intermediary device between the liquid and gas portions of the refrigerant circuit. It automatically responds to refrigerant leaks by closing the outlet orifice when gas enters the liquid zone, preventing gas from reaching potential ignition sources while allowing normal operation when no leak is present.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If refrigerant leak detection and response systems are added to prevent gas diffusion, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The float valve is designed to automatically detect and respond to refrigerant leaks without external control systems. When gas refrigerant enters the liquid portion, it displaces liquid and causes the float valve to close the outlet orifice, self-regulating the system to prevent gas diffusion into the building.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas separation and evacuation function is extracted as a distinct mechanism within the hydraulic module. The float valve specifically addresses gas management by isolating it from the liquid circuit, removing the need for complex external gas detection and response systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the outlet orifice is closed to prevent gas diffusion during leaks, then refrigerant containment is improved, but fluid circulation is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet orifice closure is made dynamic through the float valve mechanism. The valve automatically opens during normal operation to maintain fluid circulation and closes only when gas enters the liquid portion indicating a leak. This dynamic response ensures continuous productivity during normal operation while providing containment when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The float valve is positioned to close the outlet orifice before gas can diffuse into the building through the return line. By anticipating gas migration and closing the orifice at the first sign of gas in the liquid zone, the system prevents harmful gas diffusion while minimizing disruption to circulation by acting only when necessary.
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 safety separator device effectively limits refrigerant propagation, preventing dangerous pressure increases and potential explosions by isolating the gas within the system and safely evacuating it, ensuring the integrity of the installation and safety of occupants during leaks, while maintaining the operation of energy transfer systems.
Implementation Method 1
a float valve (64) disposed in the receiving cavity (54). The float valve (64) is configured to separate the gas and the liquid admitted inside the receiving cavity (54)
Implementation Method 2
The condenser (18) is connected to the hydraulic module (30) so as to transfer energy between the refrigerant and the water circulating in the hydraulic module (30)
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator, which is connected to the compressor, thus closing the thermodynamic loop... undergoes evaporation in the evaporator. The evaporator and the condenser are heat exchangers, in each of which the refrigerant partially exchanges its thermal energy with another fluid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention provides a hydraulic module (30) for a heat energy production installation, comprising a liquid reservoir (32) and a safety separator device (50) for an energy transfer installation, comprising: - a body (52) defining a receiving cavity (54) for a fluid, - a separating element (60) disposed in the receiving cavity and configured to separate the gas and the liquid admitted into the receiving cavity, - a float valve (64) disposed in the receiving cavity (54) and configured to be moved between: * an opening position of an outlet orifice (58), and * a closing position of an outlet orifice (58) when the pressure of the gas inside the receiving cavity (54) or gravity exerts on the float valve (64) a force greater than the action of the liquid on the float valve (64).