Method for replacing refrigerant in refrigeration device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigerant replacement methods for refrigeration apparatuses require the detachment and reattachment of compressors, leading to significant time and effort expenses.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant replacement method that involves recovering the first refrigerant, charging additional refrigerating machine oil with a higher additive content by percentage into the circuit, and then charging the second refrigerant, eliminating the need for compressor detachment and attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compressor is detached and reattached during refrigerant replacement, then the refrigerant can be replaced with proper oil adjustment, but the time and effort required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the compressor with refrigerating machine oil having a higher additive content before the refrigerant replacement process begins. This preparatory step ensures that when the compressor is reattached after refrigerant recovery, the oil is already in place and properly configured for the new refrigerant, eliminating the need for post-attachment oil adjustment and significantly reducing overall replacement time
2Reliability
If the compressor is detached and reattached during refrigerant replacement, then the oil can be properly replaced, but the complexity and effort of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the additive content parameter of the refrigerating machine oil. Instead of using oil with standard additive content, the method uses oil with higher additive content that is pre-charged into the compressor. This parameter change allows the oil to effectively replace the old oil and protect the compressor when handling the new refrigerant, simplifying the overall procedure by eliminating the need for complete oil drainage and replacement operations
3Reliability
If additional oil with higher additive content is charged into the circuit, then the additive losses are compensated and optimal additive levels are maintained, but the quantity of oil increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial or excessive action by charging additional refrigerating machine oil with higher additive content into the refrigerant circuit beyond the standard oil quantity. This excessive action ensures that the additive losses experienced during the refrigerant replacement process are fully compensated, and the optimal additive level is maintained in the system. The additional oil quantity, while greater than standard, is necessary to ensure adequate additive coverage and protect the compressor during the transition to the new refrigerant
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerant replacement method for a refrigeration apparatus is intended to replace a first refrigerant charged into a refrigerant circuit (10) of the refrigeration apparatus with a second refrigerant. The second refrigerant is used together with a refrigerating machine oil having a higher additive content by percentage than another refrigerating machine oil to be used together with the first refrigerant. The method includes: a refrigerant recovery step of recovering the first refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit (10); an oil charging step of additionally charging a refrigerating machine oil having a predetermined additive content by percentage into the refrigerant circuit (10); and a refrigerant charging step of charging the second refrigerant into the refrigerant circuit (10). The predetermined additive content by percentage is higher than the additive content by percentage of the refrigerating machine oil to be used together with the second refrigerant.