Low pressure refrigerant system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chiller systems face contamination issues due to air leaks, which degrade performance, and existing purge units are complex and lose refrigerant during the removal process.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system incorporating a gas permeable membrane with a porous inorganic material to separate contaminants from refrigerant, using a retentate return flow path and a prime mover to exhaust contaminants, while maintaining refrigerant circulation and controlling the purge operation based on pressure and temperature sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing purge units use a vapor compression cycle to separate non-condensable contaminant gas from refrigerant, then contaminants can be removed from the system, but the purge units become complicated and refrigerant is lost in the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the contaminant separation function from the complex vapor compression cycle and implements it through a simple membrane separation unit. The membrane selectively allows non-condensable gases to pass through while retaining refrigerant, achieving contaminant removal without the complexity of compression and phase change equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary component that selectively separates contaminants from refrigerant based on permeability differences. This intermediary mechanism replaces the need for complex vapor compression equipment while maintaining effective separation, and the retentate return flow path ensures refrigerant is recovered and returned to the system.
2Reliability
If existing purge units use a vapor compression cycle to separate contaminants, then non-condensable gases can be removed, but refrigerant is lost during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by separating contaminants through the membrane while recovering the refrigerant in the retentate stream. The retentate return flow path ensures that refrigerant that passes through the membrane or is retained is returned to the heat transfer fluid circulation loop, preventing refrigerant loss while maintaining effective contaminant removal.
3Productivity
If air leaks are allowed to occur in low pressure chiller sections, then system operation continues, but refrigerant performance degrades due to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous contaminant removal through the membrane separation unit, which operates continuously alongside the heat transfer fluid circulation. This continuous separation action maintains refrigerant purity over time, preventing performance degradation while allowing the system to operate continuously even in the presence of air leaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect contaminant levels and system performance parameters, providing feedback that triggers the purge system to activate when contamination reaches threshold levels. This feedback mechanism ensures refrigerant purity is maintained within acceptable ranges, preserving chiller performance while allowing continuous operation.
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 removes contaminants like nitrogen and oxygen from the refrigerant without losing refrigerant, enabling continuous operation and improved system performance by promoting contaminant separation and retention within the system.
Implementation Method 1
The membrane includes a porous inorganic material with pores of a size to allow passage of contaminants through the membrane and restrict passage of the refrigerant through the membrane
Implementation Method 2
The membrane includes a porous inorganic material with pores of a size to allow passage of contaminants through the membrane and restrict passage of the refrigerant through the membrane
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigeration system including a heat transfer fluid circulation loop configured to allow a refrigerant to circulate therethrough, a purge outlet from the heat transfer fluid circulation loop, and at least one gas permeable membrane having a first side in communication with the purge outlet. The membrane includes a porous inorganic material with pores of a size to allow passage of contaminants through the membrane and restrict passage of the refrigerant through the membrane. A retentate return flow path connects the first side of the membrane to the heat transfer fluid circulation loop.