Refrigeration system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional refrigeration systems face inefficiencies due to superheating of working fluids, leading to increased complexity, space requirements, and costs, particularly in industrial and commercial applications, with alternatives like flooded and semi-flooded evaporators requiring additional components and control logic.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system with two evaporation branches, an expansion device, and a liquid separator, connected by fluidic connections and valve means, optimizing fluid flow to enhance efficiency without additional components or space, allowing integration with existing installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dry evaporators with superheating are used, then compressor protection is improved, but heat transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermodynamic parameters of the working fluid by eliminating superheating and operating with saturated vapor directly entering the compressor. This parameter change improves heat transfer efficiency while maintaining compressor protection through the ejector's liquid separation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector acts as an intermediary device that separates liquid from vapor in the suction line, allowing saturated vapor to reach the compressor while removing liquid droplets. This mediator enables the system to operate without superheating while still protecting the compressor
2Productivity
If flooded evaporators are used to improve heat transfer efficiency, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex recirculation mechanisms, expansion valves, and control systems required by flooded evaporators. Instead, it uses a simple ejector-based liquid separation system that achieves efficient heat transfer without the complexity of traditional flooded evaporator configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the ejector to replicate the liquid separation function that would otherwise require complex flooded evaporator systems with multiple components. The ejector provides a simplified copy of the liquid-vapor separation capability needed for efficient evaporator operation
3Productivity
If semi-flooded evaporators with suction accumulators are used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the suction accumulator and liquid pump components from the system. The ejector directly handles liquid separation and removal, eliminating the need for additional tanks and pumping mechanisms required by semi-flooded evaporator systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical liquid removal system (pump and accumulator) with a fluid dynamic system using the ejector. The ejector uses pressure differential and fluid flow to separate and remove liquid, substituting mechanical pumping with fluid dynamic action
4Temperature
If traditional two-temperature-level systems are used, then temperature control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the liquid separation, expansion, and temperature control functions into a unified ejector-based system. The same ejector mechanism handles both liquid-vapor separation and facilitates the expansion process for both MT and LT evaporation branches, reducing the number of separate components needed
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a liquid separator, an expansion device, and a flow regulator for both medium and low temperature evaporation branches. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity while maintaining the required temperature control capabilities
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 system achieves improved heat transfer efficiency, reduces overall space, and simplifies installation and maintenance, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and compatibility with existing refrigeration elements.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid is cooled in a heat exchanger (e.g. condenser or gas cooler), expanded and sent to the cold sources
Implementation Method 2
by evaporation of a working fluid, a refrigeration effect is produced
Implementation Method 3
The exchange of heat between the cold source and the heat sink is achieved through the use of a thermal machine
Implementation Method 4
the fluid at evaporation temperatures LT is compressed to an intermediate pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present application describes a refrigeration system. Said system is comprised by at least two evaporation branches (1.1, 1.2), each of which configured to operate at a predefined evaporation level, an expansion device (2) and a liquid separator (3). The system further comprises a plurality of fluidic connections (4) and valve means (5) that are specially configured to connect the above-mention elements (1.1, 1.2, 2, 3) to each other, in a particular advantageous way. The system described in the present application makes it possible to obtain an increase in efficiency compared to traditional refrigeration systems, without this resulting in an increase in the cost of initial investment or maintenance. Additionally, the system is also designed to favour its integration with other external elements (10) that may previously installed on site, such as evaporators and/or compressors.