A condenser vessel, system, and method for separating oil from an oil-refrigerant mixture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil separators in condenser vessels have a high likelihood of oil overflowing into the condenser, leading to reduced efficiency in heat transfer and increased system pressures, due to the design that allows oil droplets to be entrained with refrigerant vapor.
Innovation Solution
The proposed condenser vessel design includes an oil storage and separation portion with a separator wall positioned inside the casing, which defines the condenser portion and the oil storage and separation portion. This design features a nozzle with a face plate for initial separation, mesh eliminators for coalescence, and an inclined separator wall to prevent oil overflow, allowing for improved separation of oil from refrigerant vapor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vertical oil separator design is used with discharge gas connections at the top and oil return port at the bottom, then the separator can effectively separate oil from refrigerant vapor, but oil droplets become entrained with the vapor and overflow into the condenser
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical separator design to a horizontal separator design where the separator wall is positioned along a lateral axis substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis. This dimensional change creates a longer separation path and prevents oil droplets from being carried over into the condenser by the refrigerant vapor flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator incorporates a horizontal baffle or separator wall that divides the separator into upper and lower sections. This segmentation allows refrigerant vapor to pass through vents in the separator wall while oil droplets are prevented from following the vapor flow path into the condenser.
2Quantity of substance
If the oil level in the separator is high to ensure adequate separation, then more oil can be stored, but oil droplets are more likely to be entrained with refrigerant vapor and reach the condenser
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from vertical to horizontal orientation, the patent achieves both adequate oil storage volume and effective prevention of oil entrainment. The horizontal design allows the oil to collect in a separate section while the separator wall positioned perpendicular to the horizontal axis creates an effective barrier that oil droplets cannot overcome.
3Duration of action of moving object
If oil is allowed to circulate through the condenser and evaporator, then the system can operate continuously, but heat transfer efficiency is drastically reduced due to oil film formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts oil from the refrigerant vapor flow path using the horizontal separator design with a perpendicular separator wall. By effectively separating and removing oil droplets before the refrigerant enters the condenser, the system maintains continuous operation while preventing oil film formation that would reduce heat transfer 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 improved design effectively prevents oil from entering the condenser, enhancing heat transfer efficiency, reducing system pressures, and increasing the system capacity by ensuring that oil is properly separated and returned to the compressor.
Implementation Method 1
mesh eliminators for coalescence
Implementation Method 2
an inclined separator wall to prevent oil overflow
Implementation Method 3
The condenser portion condenses the refrigerant vapor to refrigerant liquid
Data Source
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AI summary
A condenser vessel having an oil storage and separation portion for separating a refrigerant vapor from oil in a temperature conditioning system includes a casing and a separator wall positioned inside the casing. The casing includes an inlet for receiving a mixture of oil and refrigerant vapor and an outlet for transferring the oil separated from the mixture of the oil and the refrigerant vapor outside the condenser vessel. The separator wall is positioned inside the casing along a lateral axis (A-A') of the casing substantially perpendicular relative to a horizontal axis (X-X') through a centre of the casing. The separator wall defines a condenser portion and an oil storage and separation portion within the casing.