Zeotropic Refrigerant Container Control for Composition Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Zeotropic refrigerant mixtures in refrigeration systems face challenges in maintaining constant composition during removal from a container, leading to separation and changes in concentration, which complicates storage and usage, especially due to the miscibility gap causing phase separation.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that meter refrigerant components into a container in precise mass fractions, with a control device maintaining the refrigerant in a completely gaseous state by adjusting temperature, ensuring constant composition during removal without adding further components, using a temperature control device to prevent miscibility gap and potentially a pressure control device to regulate pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If zeotropic refrigerant mixture is stored in a container, then storage is enabled, but composition changes due to phase separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the refrigerant in a superheated gaseous state by controlling temperature and pressure parameters. By keeping the refrigerant above its dew point temperature through active temperature control, the system prevents phase separation and composition changes that would occur during liquid storage, thereby resolving the contradiction between storage duration and composition stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic temperature and pressure control systems that continuously adjust parameters to maintain the refrigerant in a superheated gaseous state. This dynamic control prevents the refrigerant from entering the two-phase region where separation occurs, ensuring composition stability throughout the storage period.
2Stability of the object's composition
If temperature is controlled to maintain gaseous state, then composition stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control systems with temperature sensors and pressure sensors that continuously monitor the refrigerant state and adjust heating/cooling elements accordingly. This feedback mechanism maintains the refrigerant in a superheated gaseous state while minimizing energy consumption by only applying energy when needed to prevent condensation or phase separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating to bring the refrigerant to a superheated gaseous state before storage begins, and maintains it there through controlled energy input. This preliminary action prevents the need for larger energy inputs later to correct phase separation or composition changes.
3Manufacturing precision
If components are metered precisely into container, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical metering devices with electronic mass flow controllers and digital weighing systems. These electronic systems provide precise mass fraction control through digital signals and algorithms, reducing mechanical complexity while improving precision in metering refrigerant components into the container.
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 approach allows for precise and stable refrigerant composition during removal, eliminating the need for replenishing components, enhancing storage efficiency and safety by maintaining the refrigerant in a non-flammable and environmentally friendly state, suitable for a wide temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature in the container being adjusted by means of a control device such that the refrigerant is present exclusively in the gas phase
Implementation Method 2
The temperature of the completely gaseous refrigerant is controlled by a temperature control device of the control device
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for providing zeotropic refrigerants, wherein the refrigerant is formed from a refrigerant mixture of at least two components, wherein the components are metered into a container (11) in proportion to their respective mass fractions in the refrigerant and the refrigerant mixture is formed in the container, wherein a temperature and/or a pressure in the container is set by means of a control device (21) such that the refrigerant is present exclusively in the gas phase or exclusively in the liquid phase.