Multistage Refrigerant Oil Separation to Prevent Heating Thermal Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigeration apparatus incurs thermal loss during heating operations due to the exposure of compressed refrigerant to low-temperature external air in oil separators, leading to decreased heating capacity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration apparatus with a multistage compression mechanism, switching mechanisms, intercoolers, and oil separators is designed to separate lubricating oil during cooling cycles, preventing its flow into intercoolers and thus avoiding heat release during heating cycles, with separate oil return lines for lubricating oil management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the oil separator is installed on the blow-out side of the compression mechanism to separate lubricating oil during cooling operation, then the cooling performance is improved, but thermal loss occurs during heating operation due to exposure to low-temperature external air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the oil separator's operational state changeable through a switching mechanism. During cooling operation, the oil separator is connected to the refrigerant flow to separate lubricating oil. During heating operation, the switching mechanism disconnects the oil separator from the refrigerant flow path, preventing thermal loss while maintaining the capability for oil separation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching mechanism provides multi-functionality by enabling the same refrigerant circuit to operate with the oil separator in different configurations depending on the operational mode (cooling or heating). This allows the system to universally handle both cooling and heating operations with optimal performance for each mode.
2Power
If the intercooler is not used for cooling compressed refrigerant during heating operation, then the heating capacity is improved, but lubricating oil must be separated during cooling operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically activates the oil separator only during cooling operation when lubricating oil separation is required. During heating operation, the oil separator is disconnected from the refrigerant flow, allowing the intercooler to be used for cooling compressed refrigerant and improving heating capacity without unnecessary oil separation.
3Reliability
If the oil separator is placed outdoors to separate lubricating oil, then the separation function is achieved, but exothermic loss occurs due to heat release to external air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic switching mechanism that connects the oil separator to the refrigerant flow only during cooling operation when oil separation is needed. During heating operation, the switching mechanism disconnects the oil separator, preventing exothermic loss while maintaining oil separation capability when required.
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 configuration suppresses exothermic loss and maintains efficiency by preventing heat release from lubricating oil during heating operations, enhancing the overall performance of the refrigeration apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The intercoolers are configured to cool a refrigerant blown out from the low-stage-side compression mechanisms during the cooling operation cycle
Implementation Method 2
The low-stage-side oil separators are configured to separate a lubricating oil from the refrigerant blown out from the low-stage-side compression mechanisms during the cooling operation cycle
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration apparatus includes a multistage compression mechanism, switching mechanisms, intercoolers, oil separators, and a control unit. The multistage compression mechanism has one high-stage-side compression mechanism and a plurality of low-stage-side compression mechanisms connected in series. The switching mechanisms are connected to blow-out pipes of the low-stage-side compression mechanisms. The switching mechanisms switch between cooling and heating operation cycles. The intercoolers cool refrigerant blown out from the low-stage-side compression mechanisms during the cooling cycle. The oil separators are disposed between the switching mechanisms and the intercoolers. The oil separators separate lubricating oil from refrigerant blown out from the low-stage-side compression mechanisms during the cooling cycle. The control unit controls the multi-stage compression mechanism and the switching mechanisms. Refrigerant from the low-stage-side compression mechanisms passes through the oil separators and intercoolers during the cooling cycle, not during the heating cycle.