Horizontal Suction Accumulator Layout to Prevent Refrigerant Slugging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transport refrigeration systems face issues with liquid refrigerant accumulation and 'slugging' during heating or defrost modes, which can damage compressors due to frothing and splashing, reducing system efficiency and lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A horizontal suction accumulator tank with an inlet tube bent at an acute angle to separate vapor and liquid refrigerants, preventing unwanted liquid flow into the compressor and reducing pressure drop, while an offset outlet tube ensures efficient vapor discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional vertical or straight inlet tube is used in the accumulator tank, then the structure is simple, but liquid refrigerant accumulates and causes slugging during heating or defrost modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor protection from sluggingVSAvoidinlet tube configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inlet tube is configured to extend horizontally and then bend upward at an acute angle rather than extending vertically downward. This inverted configuration causes liquid refrigerant to impinge on the tank wall and flow downward along the wall, preventing liquid accumulation at the tube end and eliminating slugging while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The inlet tube transitions from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation with an upward bend at an acute angle. This dimensional change alters the flow path of refrigerant, causing liquid to strike the tank wall and flow down the wall rather than accumulating in the tube, thereby preventing slugging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the inlet tube extends deeply into the tank, then liquid refrigerant is effectively separated, but pressure drop increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid-vapor separationVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending the inlet tube deeply vertically into the tank, the tube is configured to extend horizontally and bend upward at an acute angle. This inversion allows liquid refrigerant to impinge on the tank wall and flow downward along the wall, achieving effective liquid-vapor separation with minimal pressure drop

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The inlet tube is segmented into a horizontal extension portion and an upward-bending portion at an acute angle. This segmentation allows the tube to achieve effective liquid separation by directing flow along the tank wall while minimizing the depth of penetration into the tank, thereby reducing pressure drop

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the outlet tube is positioned at a higher elevation, then vapor discharge is improved, but liquid refrigerant may escape with the vapor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor discharge efficiencyVSAvoidliquid refrigerant containment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet tube is positioned at a specific elevation that is optimized for vapor discharge while preventing liquid escape. The local quality of the outlet position is carefully selected to allow efficient vapor discharge without permitting liquid refrigerant to escape with the vapor, thereby maintaining both productivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Prevents compressor damage from slugging, maintains system efficiency, and increases heating or cooling capacity by effectively storing liquid refrigerant and managing refrigerant flow.

Implementation Method 1

The inlet tube is bent upward at an acute angle... separates vapor and liquid refrigerants... storing the remaining liquid refrigerant and discharging the vapor refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The evaporator receives the liquid refrigerant and vaporizes at least a portion of the liquid refrigerant, thereby forming the vapor refrigerant and a remaining liquid refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

The condenser receives the compressed refrigerant, whereupon the compressed refrigerant is condensed to form a liquid refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS9046289B2Refrigeration system

Publication Date: 2015.06.02 THERMO KING CORP

AI summary

A horizontal suction accumulator generally includes a tank, an inlet tube, and an outlet tube. The tank extends in a horizontal direction and is configured to receive a refrigerant. The refrigerant includes a vapor and a liquid. The tank stores the liquid refrigerant and discharges the vapor refrigerant. The inlet tube supplies into the tank an inlet stream that includes the liquid and vapor refrigerants. The inlet tube extends into the tank and is bent upward at an acute angle. The liquid refrigerant is stored in the tank. The vapor refrigerant is discharged through the outlet tube, which extends offset from the inlet tube and into the tank. The inlet tube defines an inlet opening positioned at a first elevation, the outlet tube defines an outlet opening positioned at a second elevation, and the first and second elevations are substantially the same.