Turbo refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

In turbo refrigerators, the supply of gas-phase refrigerant components to the turbo compressor is inefficient due to either slower flow velocities in thick pipes leading to acceleration losses or increased pressure losses in thin pipes, which hampers effective gas-liquid separation and pressure drop in the economizer.

Innovation Solution

A turbo refrigerator design featuring a connecting pipe with a reducing diameter from a second flow path to a first flow path, where the gas-phase component flows in parallel with compressed refrigerant gas through an elbow pipe, reducing pressure loss and acceleration loss by increasing flow velocity and widening the flow path area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a thick pipe is used to supply gas-phase refrigerant to the turbo compressor, then the flow velocity becomes slower and acceleration loss increases, but if a thin pipe is used, then pressure loss increases and the economizer pressure cannot be sufficiently lowered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacceleration lossVSAvoidpressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting pipe is segmented into multiple sections with different diameter characteristics. The upstream section has a larger diameter to reduce pressure loss and maintain adequate flow velocity, while the downstream section near the compressor inlet has a smaller diameter to reduce acceleration loss when joining the main stream. This segmentation allows the pipe to optimize for different functional requirements along its length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the connecting pipe are designed with different local qualities (diameter sizes) suited to their specific functional requirements. The upstream portion uses a larger diameter to minimize pressure losses and maintain flow momentum, while the downstream portion uses a smaller diameter to reduce the acceleration loss when the refrigerant joins the main compressible stream at the compressor inlet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If the pipe diameter is increased to reduce pressure loss, then the flow velocity decreases and acceleration loss increases, but if the pipe diameter is decreased to reduce acceleration loss, then pressure loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow velocityVSAvoidpressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting pipe is divided into sections with different diameter characteristics. The upstream section maintains a larger diameter to preserve flow velocity and reduce pressure loss, while the downstream section transitions to a smaller diameter to reduce acceleration loss at the compressor inlet, thereby optimizing both velocity and pressure characteristics in different locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pipe diameter parameter is changed along the length of the connecting pipe to optimize performance. By varying the diameter from larger at the upstream end to smaller at the downstream end, the system achieves adequate flow velocity in the upstream section while minimizing acceleration loss in the downstream section where the refrigerant joins the main stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 gas-liquid separation in the economizer while minimizing pressure loss and acceleration loss, improving the efficiency of refrigerant vaporization and compressor performance.

Implementation Method 1

a diameter of the connecting pipe reduces toward the first flow path from the second flow path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through reducing diameter pipe: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

gas-liquid separation in an economizer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas-liquid separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentUS9879886B2Turbo refrigerator

Publication Date: 2018.01.30 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

A turbo refrigerator (1) includes: a turbo compressor (5) to which a gas-phase component (X3) of a refrigerant from an economizer (3) is supplied, wherein the turbo compressor (5) includes a first flow path (R10) through which a compressed refrigerant gas (X1) flows, and a connecting pipe (5b) connected to the first flow path (R10) and a second flow path (R3) through which the gas-phase component (X3) of the refrigerant flows, and the diameter of the connecting pipe (5b) reduces toward the first flow path (R10) from the second flow path (R3).