Gas-Liquid Separator Outlet Positioning to Prevent Refrigerant Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas-liquid separators in heat medium circulation systems are susceptible to refrigerant leaks and lack features to prevent the spread of leaked refrigerant to user-side elements, such as heat exchangers.
Innovation Solution
A gas-liquid separator design that utilizes a tank with an internal heat exchanger and a heat medium outlet positioned lower than the refrigerant outlet, leveraging density differences to separate refrigerant from the heat medium, combined with a coaxial heat exchanger and outlet tube configuration to minimize refrigerant ingress into user-side components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heat medium outlet is positioned at a higher location to improve heat exchange efficiency, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but refrigerant may escape with the heat medium and reach user-side elements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to the outlet configuration by positioning the heat medium outlet at a lower vertical level than the first outlet of the internal heat exchanger. This dimensional arrangement creates a physical barrier that prevents refrigerant, which rises due to buoyancy, from reaching the heat medium outlet and escaping to user-side elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the harmful effect of refrigerant leakage by leveraging the density difference between refrigerant and heat medium. The lighter refrigerant naturally rises and pools at the upper part of the tank, while the heat medium outlet positioned lower ensures that only heat medium exits, converting the potential harm of refrigerant mixing into a beneficial separation mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the heat medium outlet is positioned lower to prevent refrigerant escape, then refrigerant leakage prevention is improved, but heat exchange efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the outlet functions into two distinct outlets: the first outlet for the internal heat exchanger positioned higher to allow refrigerant separation, and the heat medium outlet positioned lower to prevent refrigerant escape. This segmentation allows each outlet to serve its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal heat exchanger acts as an intermediary element that facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and heat medium while the outlets are positioned at different vertical levels. This intermediary structure enables efficient heat transfer while maintaining the vertical separation that prevents refrigerant from reaching the lower heat medium outlet.
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
Effectively prevents refrigerant from reaching user-side elements by allowing it to float and separate from the heat medium, reducing the risk of refrigerant leakage and minimizing pressure loss, while enhancing heat exchange efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an internal heat exchanger (3) having a heat medium passage (5) and an adjoining refrigerant passage (6), said internal heat exchanger being immersed in the heat medium inside the tank (2) and permitting exchange of heat between a refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant passage (6) and the heat medium flowing in the heat medium passage (5)
Implementation Method 2
The present invention takes advantage of the difference of density between refrigerant and heat medium, in particular the buoyancy effects produced by said difference. In this way, any refrigerant making its way to the inside of the tank along with the heat medium via the first outlet (9) will naturally have the tendency to separate from said heat medium and float upwards and pool over the heat medium.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The current invention relates to a gas-liquid separator for a heat medium circulation system, which device permits safe operation of the heat medium circulation system even in the event of a refrigerant leak.