Refrigeration system and the control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration systems in convenience stores require separate units for refrigerated display cabinets and air conditioning, leading to inefficient heat utilization, as the heat dissipated by the outdoor unit is not effectively reused during heating modes.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system with a heat recovery branch connected between the compressor and condenser, featuring a heat-recovery heat exchanger and switchable flow paths, allowing for the reuse of heat in both air conditioning and refrigeration processes, optimizing energy efficiency by switching between different operational modes based on temperature settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate refrigeration systems are provided for refrigerated display cabinets and air conditioning, then independent refrigeration functions are achieved, but heat utilization efficiency deteriorates due to wasted heat dissipation from the outdoor unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air conditioning refrigeration system and the refrigerated display cabinet system into a single integrated refrigeration system. The outdoor unit serves both functions simultaneously, and the heat recovered from the outdoor unit's heat dissipation is utilized by the air conditioning system during heating mode, eliminating energy waste while maintaining independent operational capabilities for both refrigeration functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful heat dissipation waste from the outdoor unit into a beneficial resource. By incorporating a heat recovery mechanism, the system captures the waste heat generated during refrigeration operation and redirects it to provide heating capacity for the air conditioning function, transforming energy loss into useful energy output
2Loss of energy
If a heat recovery function is added to couple the refrigeration systems, then heat utilization efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional heat recovery components and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a heat dissipation device for refrigeration and as a heat source for air conditioning heating. The same outdoor unit and refrigerant circulation system provide both refrigeration capacity and heating capacity through operational mode switching, avoiding the need for completely separate systems and reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat recovery mechanism as an intermediary component that captures waste heat from the outdoor unit and transfers it to the air conditioning system. This intermediary function is integrated into the existing refrigeration circuit through components like four-way valves and heat exchangers, allowing heat transfer without requiring entirely separate systems
3Loss of energy
If the heat-recovery heat exchanger is disposed upstream of the first evaporator, then heat recovery efficiency is improved, but air flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-recovery heat exchanger is designed to operate in a different spatial dimension or configuration relative to the air flow path. By positioning it upstream of the first evaporator in the refrigerant flow direction while managing air flow separately, the system achieves heat recovery without directly obstructing the primary air flow path, thus maintaining heat recovery efficiency while minimizing air flow resistance
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 solution enables effective heat recycling, improving energy efficiency and maintaining optimal temperature and humidity conditions for both air conditioning and refrigerated display cabinets, enhancing overall system performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-recovery heat exchanger disposed on the heat recovery branch... the heat-recovery heat exchanger is disposed upstream or downstream of the first evaporator in the direction of air flowing through the first evaporator
Implementation Method 2
a refrigeration circuit including a compressor, a condenser and an evaporation portion provided with a throttle element that are sequentially connected to form a circuit
Implementation Method 3
the outdoor unit of the refrigerated display cabinet is constantly in a heat dissipation state
Implementation Method 4
the first-type evaporation branch is used for air conditioning, and the second-type evaporation branch is used for refrigerating or freezing products
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A refrigeration system and a control method thereof are provided. The refrigeration system comprises: a refrigeration circuit formed by sequentially connecting a compressor (4), a condenser (1) and an evaporation portion provided with a throttle element (10), wherein the evaporation portion comprises a first-type evaporation branch and a second-type evaporation branch that are connected in parallel, the first-type evaporation branch is used for air conditioning, and the second-type evaporation branch is used for refrigerating or freezing products; and a heat recovery branch having a first end and a second end that are connected into the refrigeration circuit from between the downstream section of the compressor and the upstream section of the condenser, and a heat-recovery heat exchanger (8) disposed thereon, wherein the first-type evaporation branch has a first evaporator (9) and a first fan (7) for driving air to flow through the first evaporator, and the heat-recovery heat exchanger is disposed upstream or downstream the first evaporator in the direction of air flowing through the first evaporator. According to the refrigeration system and the control method thereof in this application, heat recycling is realized by disposing, on a refrigeration circuit, a heat recovery branch having a first end and a second end that are connected into the refrigeration circuit from between the downstream section of a compressor and the upstream section of a condenser, arranging a heat-recovery heat exchanger disposed on the heat recovery branch and a first evaporator at upstream and downstream positions in an air flow direction, and controlling on/off state of a flow path, thereby effectively achieving low temperature preservation of commodities in a refrigerated display cabinet, air conditioning for a commercial environment (such as a convenience store) where the refrigerated display cabinet is located, and energy efficiency improvement for the whole refrigeration system at the same time.