Refrigerant Recovery Purging Using Selective Air-Vapor Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for purging air from refrigerant in air conditioning systems result in significant loss of refrigerant, violating environmental and regulatory standards due to the discharge of refrigerant vapor with air, particularly with the highly inflammable HFO 1234yf, which poses safety risks and economic losses.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant recovery and regeneration apparatus with a selective passage means that separates the gaseous phase into vapor and air components based on the Graham law, using calibrated or porous dividing walls to efficiently purge air while minimizing refrigerant loss, utilizing multiple separation chambers and a differential pressure switch for controlled purging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If purge valves are opened at the top of containers to discharge air, then air removal is achieved, but refrigerant loss occurs due to vapor discharge with air
Solution Approach 1:
The gaseous phase is segmented into different components (air and refrigerant vapor) through selective passage means. The purging system is divided into multiple chambers (first separation chamber, second separation chamber) that sequentially separate and remove air while retaining refrigerant vapor, thus achieving air removal without proportional refrigerant loss.
Solution Approach 2:
A selective passage means acts as an intermediary between the storage container and the purge system. This intermediary selectively allows air to pass through while blocking refrigerant vapor, using the molecular weight difference between air and refrigerant components to achieve separation before discharge.
2Measurement precision
If manual valve purging is used with pressure monitoring, then air can be purged based on pressure equilibrium, but refrigerant loss cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pressure transducers and temperature sensors to continuously monitor the state of the gaseous phase. The control unit receives feedback from these sensors and adjusts the purge valve operation accordingly, using the measured pressure and temperature to calculate density ratios and determine when purging should occur to minimize refrigerant loss while effectively removing air.
3Extent of automation
If solenoid valve with pressure transducer is used, then automatic purging can be controlled based on pressure thresholds, but refrigerant loss control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors changes in physical parameters (pressure, temperature, density ratio) to determine the optimal moment for purging. By tracking the density ratio of the gaseous phase and comparing it to the density of pure refrigerant vapor, the system can automatically initiate purging only when air accumulation reaches levels that affect performance, thereby minimizing unnecessary refrigerant loss while maintaining automation.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple separation chambers are used with selective passage means, then air separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is segmented into multiple chambers, each with selective passage means. The first separation chamber performs initial air removal, while the second separation chamber provides further purification. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high air separation efficiency by handling different concentrations of air in sequential stages rather than requiring a single complex separation mechanism.
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 refrigerant loss and enhances the purity of the refrigerant, meeting stricter regulatory standards by selectively purging air while minimizing vapor refrigerant discharge, thereby reducing environmental impact and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
separates the gaseous phase into a vapor component of refrigerant and an air component in such a way that only the air component and a reduced amount of the vapour component enter the first separation chamber
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator arranged to receive the refrigerant from a conditioning system and to separate it from impurities in it present, obtaining purified refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a condenser in hydraulic connection with the compressor, and arranged to condense the refrigerant exiting from the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for recovering refrigerant from an air conditioning system includes an evaporator arranged to receive the refrigerant from the air conditioning system and to separate it from impurities present in it, obtaining purified refrigerant, a compressor for circulating the purified refrigerant, a condenser, and a storage container arranged to contain the condensed refrigerant. The storage container defines a storage chamber arranged to contain a liquid phase of the refrigerant and a gaseous phase including a vapor component of the refrigerant and an air component. The apparatus also includes a measuring means configured to measure operating parameters of the refrigerant present in the storage chamber, purge device arranged at a purge opening configured to purge the gaseous phase present in the storage chamber responsive to the operating parameters, and at least one first separation chamber connected to the storage container.