Shared-Compression Refrigeration Plant for Multiple Temperature Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration plants for multiple users are inefficient, have high energy consumption, large dimensions, complex designs, and require costly maintenance, limiting their ability to provide diverse temperature settings and efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration plant that uses a modular design with carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, featuring a system of compressors, heat exchangers, and programmable control systems to manage refrigerant flow, allowing for independent heat or refrigeration provision without external heat exchange, and capable of producing hot water, optimizing energy use across various operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate refrigeration plants are used to serve multiple users with different temperature requirements, then each user receives dedicated refrigeration service, but energy consumption increases and system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple refrigeration plants into a single integrated system where a common compressor serves multiple evaporators operating at different temperatures. The refrigerant circuit is merged with shared components (compressor, condenser, expansion devices) while maintaining separate temperature zones through individual expansion valves for each user, achieving energy efficiency through shared compression and heat exchange functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The common compressor and condenser serve multiple functions simultaneously - compressing refrigerant for different temperature zones and rejecting heat for multiple users. The system achieves multi-functionality where a single plant provides refrigeration at various temperature levels (TN and BT) to different users, eliminating the need for separate dedicated plants for each temperature requirement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate refrigeration plants are deployed for different users, then each user has dedicated service, but the overall dimensions and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple plant functions into a compact integrated system. The common compressor, condenser, and refrigerant circuit are shared across all users, eliminating redundant components. Only essential user-specific elements (evaporators, expansion valves) are maintained separately, dramatically reducing the overall system volume and space requirements compared to multiple separate plants.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate refrigeration plants are used, then each user has dedicated equipment, but the number of components increases and system complexity rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates common system components into a single shared infrastructure - one compressor, one condenser, and a unified refrigerant circuit serve all users. This merging eliminates redundant components that would exist in separate plants, reducing the total component count and simplifying the system architecture while maintaining dedicated service capability through individual expansion valves and evaporators for each user.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate refrigeration plants are installed, then each user has independent equipment, but maintenance costs and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges maintenance-critical components (compressor, condenser, control systems) into a single shared subsystem, reducing the total number of components requiring maintenance. The simplified architecture with fewer redundant parts lowers maintenance costs and complexity, while the modular evaporator sections for each user allow localized maintenance without affecting the entire 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
The solution enables efficient, compact, and cost-effective operation, maximizing energy savings and reducing maintenance needs by allowing for flexible user connections and operation, while using natural refrigerants and minimizing external heat exchange.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger (28) assigned, in the insertion condition along the first pipe, to yield to a secondary fluid the heat of the refrigerant fluid, which passes through it, cooling the refrigerating fluid itself
Implementation Method 2
One of the first heat exchangers (28) can be used for the production of sanitary hot water
Implementation Method 3
the pressure/enthalpy diagram of cycles of the refrigeration plant for refrigeration and air-conditioning
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigeration plant for refrigeration and air conditioning comprises at least a first set (P) of compressors (20) whose inlets for the plant refrigerating fluid are connected to a common first inlet collector means (22) and whose outlets are connected to a common first outlet collector means (24) connected to a first pipe provided with a set of shunt means (26, 27) for the refrigerating fluid each one assigned to insert or separate from said first pipe a respective first heat exchanger (28, 29) in the state of insertion along the first pipe, assigned to transfer to a secondary fluid the refrigerating fluid heat cooling or condensing the latter. Said first pipe is also provided with a first branch having a first valve means (31) for opening and closing the first branch that is connected to the first pipe between the first outlet collector means (24) and the shunt means (26, 27).