Refrigerant Oil Separator With Dual Barriers and Heating Coil
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning system coolant recovery devices face inefficiencies due to oil particle accumulation at evaporator outlet holes, leading to contamination of regenerated coolant, which reduces the efficiency of the evaporator-separator and damages the compressor over time.
Innovation Solution
A device with a hollow container body featuring a heating unit, first and second oil barriers, and a cylindrical pre-expansion chamber to separate oil particles from coolant, where the second oil barrier with specific diameter holes prevents large oil particles from passing through and the first barrier at a distance from the top wall allows vapor coolant to exit, ensuring effective separation and monitoring of residual oil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single oil separator with a separation barrier is used, then some oil particles are reduced, but oil particles still pass through the barrier and accumulate in the upper chamber, contaminating the regenerated coolant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the oil separation function into multiple stages: a first oil separator with a separation barrier and a second oil separator positioned downstream. This segmentation allows the system to handle different sizes of oil particles in sequence, with the first barrier catching larger particles and the second separator removing finer particles, thereby achieving more complete oil removal than a single separator could provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cylindrical expansion chamber as an intermediary component between the evaporator and the oil separators. This expansion chamber allows vaporized coolant to expand and cool, causing oil particles to condense and separate from the coolant vapor before reaching the oil separators, thereby enhancing the overall separation efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If the separation barrier leaves free passages for vapor coolant to rise, then vapor can exit, but oil particles transported by vapor can pass through the barrier and thicken in the upper chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple oil separators in series, with the first separator positioned to intercept oil particles early in the vapor flow path and a second separator positioned downstream to catch any remaining particles. This segmented approach allows vapor to pass through multiple barriers, each removing a portion of the oil particles, thereby preventing oil accumulation in the upper chamber while maintaining vapor flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the natural condensation of oil particles in the expansion chamber as a beneficial pre-separation step. By allowing the vapor to expand and cool, oil particles naturally condense and separate from the vapor stream before entering the oil separators, thereby reducing the load on the separators and improving their effectiveness in removing remaining particles.
3Loss of substance
If a dry filter is placed downstream of the oil separator, then humidity is reduced, but oil particles are not removed and the compressor is damaged over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the single dry filter with a segmented oil removal system consisting of multiple oil separators positioned at different locations in the vapor path. The first oil separator removes larger oil particles, while the second oil separator removes finer particles. This segmentation of the oil removal function provides more effective oil particle removal than a single filter, thereby protecting the compressor from oil damage while still allowing humidity removal.
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 device enhances the efficiency of coolant regeneration by preventing oil particle contamination, improving the quality of the final product and reducing compressor damage, especially under severe pressure and temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the coolant extracted from the A/C plant, in a predominantly liquid phase, is evaporated in order to allow a separation of oil
Implementation Method 2
The fluid to be purified absorbs heat by the treated coolant that comes from the compressor of the recovery apparatus and that, having been compressed, has a higher temperature
Implementation Method 3
an oil separator 17 having a separation barrier 21 located in the upper part of the evaporation chamber 20, in order to reduce the oil particles that can splash towards the valve 2
Implementation Method 4
The liquid phase of the fluid to be purified, being in contact with the heating coil, evaporates
Data Source
AI summary
A device for separation of oil particles by a coolant for air conditioning systems comprises a hollow container body and an inlet arranged to make enter the hollow container body a coolant, with oil particles, mainly in liquid phase and have a temperature T1. The device also comprises a outlet located upper part of the hollow container body and arranged to cause protrude coolant regenerated in vapour phase by the hollow container body. is also provided a heating coil arranged in the hollow container body and containing fluid at a temperature T2>>T1, in such a way that the coolant evaporates when comes in contact with the heating coil and the oil particles rimangano instead on the bottom of the hollow container body. The device also comprises a first oil barrier arranged above with respect to the heating coil and arranged to avoid that the oil particles schizino towards the outlet. is also provided a second oil barrier 114 located in the hollow container body at the outlet, said second oil barrier comprising holes having a diameter of a predetermined value D configured for preventing to oil particles of larger diameter to the predetermined value D of crossing the outlet.