Multi-Stage Gas-Liquid Separation for Air Conditioner Compressors
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Solution Overview
Problem
In air conditioning systems, liquid hammering occurs in the compressor during defrosting mode, potentially damaging the compressor due to the switching of the four-way valve, and there is a problem of return oil containing liquid, which affects the compressor's operation.
Innovation Solution
A circulation system with a gas-liquid separation assembly comprising multiple gas-liquid separators connected in series, which performs two-staged gas-liquid separation to reduce the amount of liquid returned to the compressor, and an oil return branch that utilizes pressure loss to suck oil from the heat exchanger and introduce it into the gas-liquid separation assembly, ensuring effective lubrication and reducing liquid hammering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the four-way valve is switched to defrosting mode, then the heat exchanger can be defrosted, but liquid hammering occurs in the compressor which may damage the compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-liquid separation assembly is positioned in the refrigerant circulation path before the compressor inlet, performing gas-liquid separation in advance of potential liquid hammering conditions. This preliminary action ensures that even when the four-way valve switches to defrosting mode, liquid refrigerant is separated before reaching the compressor, preventing damage while maintaining defrosting capability
Solution Approach 2:
The gas-liquid separation assembly acts as an intermediary component between the heat exchanger and the compressor. It mediates the refrigerant flow by separating gas and liquid phases, allowing the system to switch between cooling and defrosting modes without transmitting liquid hammering forces to the compressor
2Device complexity
If refrigerant circulates directly to the compressor, then the system is simple, but return oil contains liquid which affects compressor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-liquid separation assembly divides the refrigerant flow into separate gas and liquid pathways. By segmenting the single-phase refrigerant flow into two-phase separation, the system achieves effective oil-return function without requiring complex additional components, maintaining relative simplicity while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The gas-liquid separation assembly serves as an intermediary that processes the refrigerant-oil mixture before it reaches the compressor. It separates the liquid refrigerant from the gas-oil mixture, allowing oil to return to the compressor with the gas phase while preventing liquid hammering, thus ensuring reliable compressor 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
The solution effectively reduces the problem of return oil containing liquid in the compressor, improves heat exchange capacity, and prevents liquid hammering during defrosting, thereby extending the compressor's service life and enhancing the system's reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the gas-liquid separation assembly includes two or more gas-liquid separators; the gas-liquid separators each are connected in series; each of the gas-liquid separators performs gas-liquid separation for the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
an oil return branch that utilizes pressure loss to suck oil from the heat exchanger and introduce it into the gas-liquid separation assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A circulation system of an air conditioner, an air conditioner, and an air conditioner control method. The circulation system of the air conditioner includes a compressor (1), a first heat exchanger (4), a second heat exchanger (14), and a gas-liquid separation assembly. The gas-liquid separation assembly, together with the compressor (1), the first heat exchanger (4), and the second heat exchanger (14), forms a loop; the gas-liquid separation assembly includes two or more gas-liquid separators which are connected in series; the gas-liquid separation assembly is configured to perform gas-liquid separation for refrigerant. According to a technical solution, two or more-staged gas-liquid separation can be performed for the refrigerant flowing back to the compressor (1), so that a problem that return oil containing liquid in the compressor (1) can be effectively solved.