Method for charging refrigerant
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a reliable method to charge non-azeotropic refrigerant mixtures with significantly different boiling points into refrigeration circuits, particularly for ultra-low temperature applications where the refrigerants are initially separated in a sealed container.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant charging method involving a container with a high boiling point refrigerant in a liquid state and a medium boiling point refrigerant in a wet gas state, where the container is positioned so that its mouth faces downward, allowing reliable charging through a first port in the high pressure portion of the compressor or downstream of it, and optionally switching to a second port for complete filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture with significantly different boiling points is stored in a sealed container, then the refrigerants separate into different states (liquid and gas), but this makes it difficult to reliably charge the correct mixture ratio into the refrigeration circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the high boiling point refrigerant at the bottom of the container in liquid state and the medium boiling point refrigerant above it in wet gas state before charging. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when charging through the first port, the refrigerants are delivered in the correct sequence and proportion, solving the reliability issue of charging separated refrigerants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by leveraging the boiling point differences between refrigerants to maintain them in different states (liquid vs. wet gas) at storage temperature. This parameter-based differentiation allows for reliable identification and charging of the correct refrigerant mixture ratio.
2Reliability
If the container is positioned with mouth facing downward during charging, then the high boiling point refrigerant can be charged reliably, but the charging process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by positioning the container with the mouth facing downward during charging, which is opposite to the conventional upright position. This inverted positioning, combined with the pre-arranged refrigerant layers, enables the high boiling point liquid refrigerant to be discharged first through gravity and pressure differential, ensuring reliable charging of the correct mixture.
3Temperature
If refrigerants with significantly different boiling points are used for ultra-low temperature applications, then the refrigeration circuit can achieve extremely low temperatures, but the refrigerants tend to separate in the container before charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the boiling point differences between refrigerants to maintain them in different states (liquid vs. wet gas) at storage temperature. This parameter-based differentiation allows for reliable identification and charging of the correct refrigerant mixture ratio, solving the composition stability issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging the refrigerants in specific layers within the container before charging. The high boiling point refrigerant is positioned at the bottom in liquid state, while the medium boiling point refrigerant is positioned above it in wet gas state. This preliminary arrangement ensures that during charging through the first port, the refrigerants are delivered in the correct sequence and proportion, maintaining composition stability.
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
This method ensures reliable and efficient charging of non-azeotropic refrigerant mixtures into refrigeration circuits, even when the refrigerants are initially separated, by leveraging the boiling point differences to facilitate their distribution and pressure-driven flow, enhancing the operational efficiency and start-up performance of the refrigeration system.
Implementation Method 1
charging at least a portion of the refrigerant in the container into the refrigeration circuit through the first port from the container, the container being in a position such that the mouth faces downward
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant including a high boiling point refrigerant in a liquid state and a medium boiling point refrigerant having a boiling point lower than that of the high boiling point refrigerant and in a wet gas state
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerant charging method is for charging a refrigerant into a refrigeration circuit including a compressor, a condenser, a throttle device, an evaporator, and a first port that is disposed in a high pressure portion of the compressor or in a location downstream of the compressor and upstream of the throttle device. The method includes: connecting, to the first port, a mouth of a container in which the refrigerant including a high boiling point refrigerant in a liquid state and a medium boiling point refrigerant having a boiling point lower than that of the high boiling point refrigerant and in a wet gas state is enclosed; and charging at least a portion of the refrigerant in the container into the refrigeration circuit through the first port from the container in a position such that the mouth faces downward.