Refrigerating system and purification method for the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration systems face challenges in efficiently separating refrigerant and non-condensable gases, particularly due to ambient temperature dependencies and the need for reliable heat exchange, which affects system performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system design incorporating a purification loop with a low-temperature separator and auxiliary heat exchanger paths, allowing for bi-directional fluid exchange and controlled throttling, enables efficient separation of refrigerant and non-condensable gases, independent of environmental conditions, and maintains system pressure during shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If air-cooled fin heat exchanger is used for low temperature separation, then cost is reduced, but heat exchanging effect is severely affected by ambient temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the purification heat exchanger with the refrigeration system's existing water-cooled condenser, combining two separate heat exchange functions into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate air-cooled fin heat exchangers while utilizing the already-available cooling water system, thereby maintaining reliable heat exchange performance without being affected by ambient temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cooling water as an intermediary medium to transfer heat from the purification system. Instead of directly using air-cooled fin heat exchangers that are sensitive to ambient temperature, the system uses water-cooled heat exchange surfaces where cooling water acts as the heat transfer medium, effectively decoupling the purification process from environmental temperature conditions.
2Reliability
If non-air-cooled heat exchanger is used, then heat exchanging reliability is improved, but additional water source/cold source arrangement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the purification heat exchanger with the refrigeration system's existing water-cooled condenser into a single integrated component. This merger eliminates the need for separate water source arrangements, as both the refrigeration cycle and purification cycle share the same cooling water system and heat exchange infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-cooled heat exchanger serves dual functions: it acts as the condenser for the refrigeration cycle and simultaneously serves as the heat exchanger for the purification cycle. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated water source arrangements for purification, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable heat exchange.
3Reliability
If low temperature separation is used for purification, then separation of refrigerant and non-condensable gas is achieved, but separation effect deteriorates in high ambient temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cooling water as an intermediary heat transfer medium to remove heat from the purification system. By transferring heat to the water circulation system rather than relying on air cooling, the system maintains effective low temperature separation even in high ambient temperature environments, as the water cooling capacity is not directly limited by ambient air temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heat rejection parameter from air-cooled (temperature-dependent) to water-cooled (flow-rate dependent). By controlling water flow rate rather than relying on ambient air temperature, the system can maintain the low temperature conditions necessary for effective separation of refrigerant and non-condensable gas regardless of environmental conditions.
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 design enhances the separation efficiency and reliability of refrigerant and non-condensable gas separation, preventing system degradation and improving performance by maintaining optimal pressure and reducing dependence on environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a low-temperature separator (230) that is configured to separate the non-condensable gas in the refrigerating loop (100)
Implementation Method 2
uses the principle of low temperature separation
Implementation Method 3
an auxiliary flow path (101), wherein a first end (111) of the auxiliary flow path (101) is connected with a bottom of the condenser (110), and a second end (121) of the auxiliary flow path (101) is connected with a bottom of the evaporator (120)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention provides a refrigerating system, including: a refrigerating loop (100), including a compressor (190), a condenser (110), a main throttling element (180), and an evaporator (120) that are connected in sequence through a pipeline; and a purification loop (200), including a purification compressor (210), a purification condenser (220), a purification throttling element (240), and a low-temperature separator (230) that are connected in sequence through a pipeline, the purification loop being bidirectionally connected to the refrigerating loop through the low temperature separator and configured to separate a non-condensable gas in the refrigerating loop; wherein the purification condenser is capable of exchanging heat with a refrigerant in the refrigerating loop. Thus, efficient and reliable separation of the refrigerant and the non-condensable gas is achieved.