R32 Accumulator Injection Layout to Prevent Oil-Refrigerant Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration apparatuses using R32 as a refrigerant face issues with the separation of liquid refrigerant and refrigerating machine oil into two layers in the accumulator, leading to a decrease in condenser capacity during heating operations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a branching flow path, an injection-use heat exchanger, and adjustable injection flow paths to agitate the refrigerant and oil mixture within the accumulator, using a control unit to switch between different injection paths based on temperature conditions to prevent separation and control foaming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hot gas is bypassed to the accumulator during heating operation to prevent refrigerant and oil separation, then separation is eliminated, but condenser capacity drops significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful hot gas from the main refrigerant circuit and redirects it through a separate bypass line to the accumulator. This removes the problematic substance (hot gas) from the condenser flow path while still utilizing it for its beneficial purpose (preventing separation in the accumulator), thereby resolving the contradiction between preventing separation and maintaining condenser capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component - the hot gas bypass valve - that mediates between the compressor discharge and the accumulator. This valve selectively directs hot gas to the accumulator when needed for separation prevention, while allowing the main refrigerant flow to continue through the condenser without interruption, thus resolving the conflict between the two opposing requirements
2Reliability
If the distal end of the first injection flow path is positioned near the bottom of the accumulator to agitate the mixture, then separation is prevented, but foaming increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements dynamic control by providing multiple injection flow paths (first and second) with different positioning and activation conditions. The system dynamically selects which path to use based on operating conditions, allowing the distal end position to be adjusted or changed, thereby preventing separation while managing foaming through conditional dynamic operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of injection position by providing alternative flow paths with different distal end locations. The first injection flow path positions the distal end near the bottom for strong agitation, while the second path provides an alternative positioning. This parameter variation allows optimization between separation prevention and foaming control depending on operational requirements
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 effectively prevents the separation of liquid refrigerant and refrigerating machine oil into two layers, maintains condenser capacity, and reduces foaming within the accumulator, ensuring efficient operation across varying temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The injection-use heat exchanger causes the refrigerant flowing through the main refrigerant flow path and the refrigerant that has passed through the opening degree adjustment valve of the branching flow path to exchange heat
Implementation Method 2
the liquid refrigerant and the refrigerating machine oil that accumulate in the inside space of the accumulator can be agitated by the refrigerant entering the accumulator from the first injection flow path
Implementation Method 3
The accumulator is disposed in the suction flow path, has formed therein an inside space for separating the refrigerant that has exited the evaporator into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration apparatus uses R32 as refrigerant, and includes a compressor, condenser, expansion mechanism, evaporator, accumulator, branching flow path, opening degree adjustment valve disposed in the branching flow path, injection-use heat exchanger and a first injection flow path. The accumulator has an inside space to separate and accumulate refrigerant. The injection-use heat exchanger causes heat exchange between refrigerant flowing through the main refrigerant flow path and that has passed through the opening degree adjustment valve of the branching flow path. The first injection flow path guides the refrigerant that has flowed through the branching flow path and exited the injection-use heat exchanger to the inside space of the accumulator. A distal end of the first injection flow path is located in a height position separated by a dimension from a bottom of the inside space. The dimension is 0 to 0.3 times a height dimension of the inside space.