Refrigerator Gas-Liquid Separation to Protect the Compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The refrigerating cycle system in refrigerators faces inefficiencies in operation due to the introduction of liquid refrigerant, which can lead to poor energy savings and compressor operation issues, as it results in a substantial flow rate of liquid refrigerant being compressed, causing overloading and reducing the ratio of gas refrigerant.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a liquid refrigerant removal unit that separates refrigerant into gas and liquid phases, preventing liquid refrigerant from reaching the compressor, and allowing heat exchange with the condensing unit to increase the gas refrigerant flow rate and reduce the liquid refrigerant flow rate, thereby enhancing the refrigerating cycle system's efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid refrigerant is introduced to the compressor, then the refrigerating cycle system can operate, but the operation efficiency becomes poor and compressor problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gas-liquid separating unit that divides the refrigerant flow into gas and liquid phases, and a liquid refrigerant removal unit that further separates and removes liquid refrigerant before it reaches the compressor. This segmentation of the refrigerant flow ensures that only gas refrigerant enters the compressor, resolving the contradiction between maintaining system operation and preventing compressor damage from liquid refrigerant.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas-liquid separating unit and liquid refrigerant removal unit act as intermediary devices between the condensing unit and the compressor. These intermediaries prevent liquid refrigerant from reaching the compressor while allowing gas refrigerant to pass through, thereby protecting the compressor and improving operational efficiency without disrupting the overall refrigerating cycle.
2Productivity
If liquid refrigerant flow rate to compressor is high, then compressor can maintain operation, but compressor overload occurs and operation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid refrigerant removal unit extracts and removes liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant flow before it enters the compressor. By taking out the harmful liquid phase and allowing only gas phase to proceed to the compressor, the system maintains continuous compressor operation at appropriate power levels, preventing overload while ensuring productivity.
3Quantity of substance
If liquid refrigerant is compressed, then refrigerant circulation is maintained, but the ratio of gas refrigerant decreases and energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-liquid separating unit and liquid refrigerant removal unit perform preliminary separation and removal of liquid refrigerant before the refrigerant reaches the compressor. This preliminary action ensures that the refrigerant entering the compressor is in the appropriate gas phase, maintaining energy efficiency while preserving refrigerant circulation through the system.
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 improves the operation efficiency of the refrigerating cycle system by reducing the liquid refrigerant flow to the compressor, increasing the gas refrigerant flow rate, and preventing compressor overload, ultimately enhancing energy efficiency and refrigeration performance.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-liquid separating unit for separating the refrigerant passed through the first capillary tube unit into liquid refrigerant and gas refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a liquid refrigerant removal unit for guiding the gas refrigerant separated at the gas-liquid separating unit thereto, and a first compressor unit for introducing the refrigerant guided to the liquid refrigerant removal unit thereto, wherein the liquid refrigerant removal unit prevents supplying the liquid refrigerant to the first compressor unit
Implementation Method 3
the high temperature and high pressure compressed gaseous refrigerant is turned to high pressure liquid refrigerant as the high temperature and high pressure compressed gaseous refrigerant passes through the condenser
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerating cycle system and a refrigerator having the same are provided. The refrigerating cycle system includes a condenser, a first capillary tube unit configured to receive refrigerant that has passed through the condensing unit, a gas-liquid separating unit configured to separate the refrigerant that has passed through the first capillary tube unit into liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant, a first evaporator unit configured to receive the liquid refrigerant separated at the gas-liquid separating unit, a liquid refrigerant removal unit configured to receive the gaseous refrigerant separated at the gas-liquid separating unit and a first compressor unit configured to receive the gaseous refrigerant from the liquid refrigerant removal unit. The liquid refrigerant removal unit prevents supplying the separated liquid refrigerant to the first compressor unit.