EP2242962B1 - Modular climate control system and method for the operation thereof - Google Patents

Description

It has been known for a long time ( US-B 1-6,185,946 ) to connect a plurality of similar sub-systems in parallel in air conditioning systems and let them work in order to increase the overall efficiency of the system, with sub-systems being switched on or off during operation depending on the requirements. No further statements are made about the type of parallel connection.

A device for controlling the temperature of a liquid is also known ( DE-93 19 004U ), in which there are a plurality of cooling units that can be attached to one another and each contain a refrigerating machine, the flow and return path for the liquid to be tempered being pieced together by the individual cooling units. Accordingly, it is impossible to expand the system or replace a cooling unit without stopping the entire system. The same applies to those in the DE-A1-36 13 535 disclosed modular fluid treatment device.

From the EP-A2-1 072 849 a refrigeration system with an indirect cooling system is known in which a plurality of independent primary modules form a primary circuit which is connected to corresponding secondary circuits. The primary modules are arranged in a frame that accommodates the primary modules and are connected to the secondary circuit or circuits via a connection system tailored to the primary modules. The connection system includes, on the one hand, the power supply and, on the other hand, easily manageable connection points to the respective supply and return lines of the secondary circuit. This ensures that the refrigeration equipment is concentrated in the (encapsulated) primary modules, and the remaining connection and maintenance work can be carried out by personnel who have not been trained in refrigeration. About the constructive Design of the connection system and the secondary circuits are not given any further details.

From the WO-A1-1986 / 000977 a modular refrigeration system is known in which the modules each comprise individual pipe sections which, after assembly, have to be connected to one another by pipe couplings to form a continuous line. This means nothing else than that when a module is removed, the collecting lines must be forcibly interrupted and the gaps must be closed by inserted bridging lines. Naturally, however, this cannot be done while the system is running.

From the WO-A1-2004 / 020918 Finally, the applicant is aware of an air conditioning system in which, through modular construction (refrigeration sets), frequency control of the refrigerant compressor, parallel connection of the refrigerant compressor circuits, two-stage evaporation with internal liquid subcooling and suction steam overheating, two or multi-stage subcooling, shifting and storage of the cooling energy from times with little demand high demand, integrated waste heat utilization, cascade and emergency operation at module, system or system level, special advantages in terms of operational reliability, operating costs, maintenance costs, simple system technology, simple performance adjustment to the required cooling capacity (expansion stages) and simple and flexible adjustment to possible waste heat utilization can be achieved. Here, too, no further details are given about the structural design of the overall system.

It is the object of the invention to create a modular air conditioning system that can be set up easily and without difficulty in normal rooms, can be easily adapted to different air conditioning requirements, and in particular modules can be exchanged or further modules can be added while the system is running Operation enables, as well as specifying a procedure for their operation.

The object is achieved by the entirety of the features of claims 1, 18 and 19.

It is essential for the invention that a common collector constructed from manifolds is provided for several modules, to which the modules are detachably connected and which connects the modules to the respective common secondary circuit. The collector forms a stand-alone unit that provides one or more complete secondary circuits to which modules can be connected or disconnected as required without the secondary circuits being interrupted or impaired.

The invention is further characterized in that the collector with its manifolds extends horizontally in a longitudinal direction, that a number of receiving spaces for receiving modules are provided on the collector in the longitudinal direction, that the manifolds above the receiving spaces are continuously formed over several receiving spaces , and that in order to connect the modules to the manifolds in the area of a receiving space, corresponding outlets are provided on the manifolds. This results in a particularly simple way of connecting several collectors one behind the other if even more modules are to be included in the system. For this purpose, the collectors can in particular be designed so that they can be lined up next to one another.

According to another embodiment, the collector comprises a frame which extends in the longitudinal direction and stands on the floor, in which the receiving spaces for receiving the modules are left free, the collecting pipes being attached to the frame. In particular, the header pipes are stored in the frame above the receiving spaces for receiving the modules, the header pipes being stored in the frame in several superposed levels. This allows the modules to be installed or replaced easily without the need for fastenings to the ceiling or otherwise in the associated room.

The collector preferably has two header pipes per secondary circuit for the flow and return of the associated secondary medium, the header pipes for the flow and the header pipes for the return being mounted on different levels.

Another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that each of the modules is assigned at least one control circuit containing control means, in particular control valves Control cabinets are preferably attached to the associated module. If the control cabinet is attached to the module, it can advantageously be delivered with the module as a prefabricated and wired unit. If a module fails, the switch cabinet can be dismantled from the module before the module is removed and temporarily hung on the collector.

For the electrical connection between the modules and the associated switch cabinets, at least one control cable and one connection cable are provided, and that at least the connection with the control cable is designed to be pluggable, in order to simplify the installation and removal of a module. All cables to the system circuits (pumps, valves, frequency converters, etc.) and the cable from the main distributor (backup fuse) to the control cabinet are preferably hard-wired. Likewise, the connection cable from the switch cabinet to the compressor is not designed to be pluggable for reasons of simplicity, although it could basically be connected by means of a plug.

Another embodiment is characterized in that each of the modules in its circuit comprises at least one compressor, one, in particular controllable, injection valve, an evaporator and a condenser, and that the external dimensions of the modules are chosen so that they can pass through each door with a free one 80 cm passage can be transported. In addition, one or more modules can have an internal heat exchanger IWT and possibly a stabilizer. One or more modules can also have a desuperheater and / or a subcooler.

One method according to the invention for operating the modular air-conditioning system is characterized in that after the failure of one of the modules during operation, the hydraulic connections of the failed module to the collector are interrupted, the module is detached from the collector and replaced by a new module of the same type, the new one Module connected to the collector and the hydraulic connections to the collector restored.

The other method according to the invention for operating the modular air-conditioning system is characterized in that the hydraulic connections of a selected module to the collector are interrupted to change the characteristics or performance of the system during operation, the module is suspended from the collector and replaced by a new module of a different type or performance replaced, the new module connected to the collector and the hydraulic connections to the collector restored, or an additional module connected to the collector.

Fig. 1

das stark vereinfachte Blockschaltbild eines an sich bekannten Kältemoduls;

Fig. 1a

ein zu Fig. 1 vergleichbares Kältemodul mit zusätzlichem Stabilisator;

Fig. 2

den Anschluss eines vereinfachten Kältemoduls ähnlich Fig. 1 an einen Kollektor gemäss einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Fig. 3

den Anschluss einer Vielzahl von Kältemodulen an einen Kollektor gemäss einem anderen Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Fig. 4

in der Frontalansicht einen aneinanderreihbaren Kollektor mit zwei eingeschobenen Modulen gemäss einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, wobei die jedem Modul zugeordneten Regelkreise RK nur als Blöcke angedeutet sind;

Fig. 5

verschiedene Arten von Regelkreisen RK mit und ohne (lokale) Pumpen, wie sie in Fig. 4 zum Einsatz kommen; und

Fig. 6

in Längsrichtung gesehen die Anordnung aus Fig. 4.

The invention is to be explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments in connection with the drawing. Show it

Fig. 1

the greatly simplified block diagram of a known refrigeration module;

Fig. 1a

a to Fig. 1 comparable cooling module with additional stabilizer;

Fig. 2

the connection of a simplified cooling module is similar Fig. 1 to a collector according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3

the connection of a multiplicity of cooling modules to a collector according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4

in the front view a collector that can be lined up with two inserted modules according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the control circuits RK assigned to each module being indicated only as blocks;

Fig. 5

different types of control loops RK with and without (local) pumps, as shown in Fig. 4 come into play; and

Fig. 6

seen in the longitudinal direction the arrangement Fig. 4 .

The solution proposed here is based centrally on module technology. The modularity extends through the entire new development and, if possible, includes all areas. With the refrigeration modules (as in the WO-A1-2004 / 020918 The modularity extends over the area of the system application: The similarly structured modules can be used as heat pumps, air conditioning systems, cooling systems, deep cooling systems etc. (different application conditions for different processes are possible).

The modularity also extends to the area of construction: the same components are used as often as possible. Nevertheless, user needs should be able to be addressed individually. Depending on the process and user requirements, the refrigerant can be changed if the design is identical. For example, the same modules can be operated with R134a or R404a or other suitable refrigerants. Of course, this also results in different services, etc. in each case. Depending on your requirements, different makes of compressors can be installed in the same modules, but different types of compressors can also be used, e.g. Reciprocating compressors, screw compressors, scroll compressors, etc ..

In Fig. 1 an exemplary module M of a refrigeration system is shown in a greatly simplified form, as in the earlier application WO-A1-2004, / 020918 (see the one there Fig. 4 ) The module M of this example comprises a circuit 11 for a refrigerant with a compressor 12, a (regulated) injection valve 13 for expanding the refrigerant, an evaporator 15 and a condenser 17. In addition, an internal heat exchanger (IWT) 14 is provided, which work in particular as a second evaporation stage can to stabilize the operation when working with a large thermal length of the heat exchanger. Furthermore, a desuperheater 16 and a subcooler 18 can optionally be used in the circuit 11. If the desuperheater 16 and subcooler 18 are dispensed with, the circuit 11 is controlled by the in Fig. 1 Connection lines 19 and 20 shown in dashed lines are closed. In addition, according to Fig. 1a A stabilizer 15 ′ can be installed between the injection valve 13 and the evaporator 15 in order to further stabilize the refrigeration cycle and to keep undesired control fluctuations small.

The secondary sides of the heat exchangers 15, .., 18 are routed out of the module M and in the simplest case via shut-off valves V1, .., V8 to in Fig. 1 Secondary circuits, not shown, connected, in which the exchanged heat or cold is passed on and used by means of appropriate secondary media. As a secondary circuit, the evaporator 15 includes an evaporator circuit in which, for example, brine is fed to a refrigerated shelf or other refrigeration points. As a secondary circuit, the condenser 17 accordingly includes a condenser circuit which dissipates the heat generated during condensation to the environment or uses it in some other way. These two secondary circuits must be connected in any case. If sub-cooler 18 and desuperheater 16 are also used in module M, there is also a subcooler circuit and a desuperheater circuit as associated secondary circuits.

According to the invention, a common collector made up of collecting pipes is provided for several modules, to which the modules are detachably connected and which connects the modules to the respective common secondary circuit. In Fig. 2 this "collection" for a single module M without desuperheater and subcooler is shown schematically: The collector K comprises several collecting pipes 21, .., 24 running parallel in a longitudinal direction, which are in a common frame 28 extending in the longitudinal direction (see also Fig. 4 and 6th ) are housed. Each secondary circuit has a Pair of manifolds 21, 22 and 23, 24, which each serve for the flow and return in the corresponding secondary circuit. In the example of Fig. 2 the manifold 21 is responsible for the flow, the manifold 22 for the return in the condenser circuit. Accordingly, the manifold 23 is responsible for the flow, the manifold 24 for the return in the evaporator circuit. The collecting pipes 21, .., 24 lead to parts of the system, not shown in the figures, which complete the secondary circuits. If desuperheaters 16 and subcoolers 18 are also provided, there are manifolds in collector K for the associated secondary circuits (in Fig. 6 41 denotes the two headers for the return in the subcooler and desuperheater circuit, 42 denotes the corresponding manifolds for the flow in both secondary circuits).

The collector K extends in the longitudinal direction over several receiving spaces (AR, in Fig. 3 dashed lines), which are lined up one behind the other in the longitudinal direction and are each designed to accommodate one of the standardized modules M. If necessary, a module M can be inserted into each of the receiving spaces AR and connected to the manifolds 21, .., 24 in order to increase the cooling capacity of the overall system or to provide other thermal or air conditioning functions (for example in the form of a heat pump). Likewise, a module M standing in a receiving space can be detached from the header pipes 21,..., 24 and exchanged or removed without replacement in the event of a malfunction or insufficient need. All of these changes in the system can be made without the operation of the overall system comprising several modules M having to be interrupted. Only the mass flow in the manifolds changes according to the proportion of the relevant module in the overall system.

• Rahmengestell (34 in Fig. 4)
• Verdichter 12
• Wärmetauscher 14,..,18 (Wärmetauscherblock)
• Einspritzventil 13
• Kältemittel
• Schaltschrank SS1,..,SSn

In Fig. 3 a modular air conditioning system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in the simplified block diagram. The modularity in system construction is essentially based on the following module components, which can be individually or repeatedly adapted to user or process requirements:

• Frame (34 in Fig. 4 )
• Compressor 12
• Heat exchanger 14, .., 18 (heat exchanger block)
• Injector 13
• Refrigerant
• Control cabinet SS1, .., SSn

The concept, the piping, the insulation, the safety devices, etc., of the M module always (as far as possible) remain the same.

The individual modules M1,..., Mn are assembled (collected) to form systems (Appendix 10), with individual assembled systems in turn being able to be connected to one another to form large systems. Depending on the process requirements, one or more modules are sufficient, which are collected into a system. The individual modules can (but do not have to) be identical in performance or construction. The system size depends on the secondary medium (water, propylene, ethylene, etc.), the maximum cold resp. Heat output (condensation output), the desired or required temperature difference of the secondary medium, respectively. the conveyed mass flow and the associated flow velocity. A line cross-section with a diameter of DN 150mm is preferably used as the standard for the header pipes 21, .., 24. A corresponding number of modules M with low power or a smaller number of modules M with high power can then be connected to a collector K.

The external dimensions of the individual modules M are designed so that they fit through every door with a free passage of 80 cm. This ensures that a system 10 of the type described can be assembled in a "normal" room without special structural changes. Accordingly, the collector should also be able to be set up in any "normal" room. It therefore becomes a ground support of collector K is used (see Fig. 4 and 6th ), which also has the advantage that no ceiling installations are necessary and conflicts with other air-conditioning or electrical equipment mounted on the ceiling are avoided. The maximum height of the collector K is preferably limited so that it can be set up in a room with a room height of 2.50 meters.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3 several modules M1, .., Mn housed in corresponding receiving spaces AR of the collector K are connected to the collector K with its collecting pipes 21, .., 24 via associated control loops RK. Additional manifolds in collector K for any desuperheater or subcooler circuits are not shown here for the sake of simplicity, but are shown in Fig. 6 shown (manifolds 41, 42). In the control loops RK, valves are indicated which take on shut-off and / or control functions. The actual internal structure of such control loops RK is in Fig. 5 shown by way of example in four different variants.

The electrical supply and control of the individual modules M1, .., Mn takes place via assigned switch cabinets SS1, .., SSn, which are connected via separate supply lines 25 to a main distribution (not shown) and via (preferably plug-in) control cables 26 and (preferably hard-wired) connection cables 27 (for the power supply of the compressor 12) are connected to the respective module. Electrical connections 26a for any pumps, valves, etc. connect the respective control loops RK with the respective module control cabinet. The individual modules M1, .., Mn can be connected to their switch cabinets SS1, .., SSn via a common data bus 39. The switching commands ON and OFF, the collective alarm etc. can be transmitted to a so-called "master" or come from there.

The preferred structure of the collector K is in the Figures 4 to 6 for the air conditioning system 30 shown. The collector K with its frame 28 is raised from the ground Consoles supported. It has (like the M modules) feet 33 for leveling on uneven floors. The headers 21, .., 24 (or 41, 42 in Fig. 6 ), which are attached to the frame (28), are formed continuously over several receiving spaces AR. To connect the modules M, M1, M2 to the manifolds 21, .., 24; 41, 42 are in the area of a receiving space AR in each case corresponding outlets 32 on the manifolds 21, .., 24; 41, 42 are provided. The manifolds 21, .., 24; 41, 42 are mounted in the frame 28 above the receiving spaces AR for receiving the modules M, M1, M2 in several superimposed levels. The collector K has two collecting pipes 21, 22 or 23, 24 or 41 or 42 for the flow and return of the associated secondary medium. The header pipes 21, 23, 42 for the flow and the header pipes 22, 24, 41 for the return are mounted on different levels with corresponding 31 and 29, respectively. The collecting pipes 21, .., 24 of the collector K are dimensioned (DN 150mm) so that the total cross-section of the outgoing pipes (outlets 32) on the modules M, M1, M2 is smaller than the total cross-section of the collector K (even distribution over all outgoing pipes).

• Edelstahl
• Kunststoff
• Kupfer
• Stahl schwarz
• Stahl verzinkt

The collector K can be connected at both ends using appropriate flanges, Straub couplings, etc. This also enables several collectors K to be lined up. The material of the collector K (the header pipes) can vary depending on the conditions of use, such as:

• stainless steel
• plastic
• copper
• Steel black
• galvanized steel

• Verdampferkreis (Kühlen) muss angeschlossen werden
• Kondensatorkreis (Wärme) muss angeschlossen werden
• Unterkühlerkreis (optional, freibleibend)
• Enthitzerkreis (optional, freibleibend)

The modules M, M1, M2 have in the example of Figures 4 to 6 four secondary circuits each, whereby the first two in any case, but the last two may not have to be connected depending on the system requirements:

• Evaporator circuit (cooling) must be connected
• Condenser circuit (heat) must be connected
• Subcooler circuit (optional, subject to change)
• Desuperheater circuit (optional, subject to change)

Depending on the temperature range and the processes used, none, individual or all lines are insulated according to the respective requirements. The collector K can be built according to "today's needs" and later, if it is to be expanded, expanded accordingly (adding another collector to the existing collector end).

The control and regulation of the individual secondary circuits is modular with individual control circuits RK1 (RK in Fig. 5 ) and can be prefabricated to suit the interface. A distinction can be made as to whether one pump 37, 38 or one central pump per module and secondary circuit and / or depending on the process, for example, the subcooler circuit is equipped with a central pump for all modules and the other secondary circuits each with their own pump per module should be. Depending on the process, two, three, shut-off and / or double regulating and commissioning valves are installed ( Fig. 5 ). Desuperheater and subcooler circuits that are prepared in modules M, M1, M2 can also be connected at a later point in time.

• Er ist für zwei oder mehr (bis zur maximal möglichen Zahl) Module M ausgelegt. Die Schnittstelle ist definiert über ein Handventil (Kugelventil, etc.) und eine anschliessende lösbare Verbindung (Flansch, etc.).
• Das Minimum der kollektierten Sekundärkreise sind zwei Kreise (Verdampfer- und Kondensatorkreise), 4 Sammelrohre DN 150mm.
• Je nach Prozess werden unterschiedliche Regelkreise RK, passend auf die jeweiligen Schnittstellen, eingesetzt.
• Gemäss Fig. 6 sind Schlauchverbindungen 36 zu den Modulen M vorgesehen, welche Masstoleranzen zwischen Modul M und Kollektor K ausgleichen, unterschiedliche Metalle galvanisch voneinander Trennen (elektrische Trennung, Potentialausgleich) und Vibrations- und Pulsationsübertragung zwischen den Modulen M und dem Kollektor K verhindern.

The collector K always has defined interfaces and is composed of different modules depending on the requirements:

• It is designed for two or more (up to the maximum possible number) M modules. The interface is defined by a manual valve (ball valve, etc.) and a subsequent detachable connection (flange, etc.).
• The minimum of the collected secondary circuits are two circuits (evaporator and condenser circuits), 4 collecting pipes DN 150mm.
• Depending on the process, different control loops RK are used to match the respective interfaces.
• According to Fig. 6 Hose connections 36 are provided to the modules M, which compensate for dimensional tolerances between module M and collector K, galvanically isolate different metals from one another (electrical separation, equipotential bonding) and prevent vibration and pulsation transmission between modules M and collector K.

The control cabinets (SS in Fig. 6 ) are also modular. The control cables (26 in Fig. 3 ) between module M and switch cabinet SS are routed via plugs, the compressor connection cable 27 is hard-wired. The individual control cabinets SS have identical control and regulation components (depending on the process requirements). A master issues the respective (ON / OFF) commands via the data bus 39 in automatic mode. One, two or all M modules can be equipped with a frequency converter (also at a later date), as described in Fig. 4 of the WO-A1-2004 / 020918 is shown. When changing a module M, the switch cabinet SS (initially attached to the module) remains on site and only the modules are changed (control part pluggable, power part connected to terminals). The protection of the modules M is implemented "on site" from the sub-distributor.

• klimatechnisches Modul (Kältemodule, Wärmepumpenmodule etc.)
• Schaltschrank (pro Modul)
• Traggestell (Rahmengestell) Kollektor
• Sammelrohre mit definierten Schnittstellen
• Regel- und Steuerungskomponenten (Ventile, Pumpen, etc.)
• Schlauchverbindungen

Overall, the main components of the proposed collection are:

• air conditioning module (cooling modules, heat pump modules, etc.)
• Control cabinet (per module)
• Support frame (frame) collector
• Header pipes with defined interfaces
• Regulation and control components (valves, pumps, etc.)
• Hose connections

If the modules are to be used differently in the course of their service life (process changes, change of location, expansions, etc.), the modules and the collection can simply be adapted and used again, a room with standard dimensions being sufficient as an installation location for system 10 or 30. Smaller modules (in terms of performance) can later be exchanged for modules with greater performance without any problems.

List of reference symbols

10.30

air conditioning system (modular)

11

Cycle

12

compressor

13

Injector

14th

internal heat exchanger (IWT)

15th

Evaporator

15 '

stabilizer

16

Desuperheater

17th

capacitor

18th

Subcooler

19.20

Connecting line

21.22

Collector pipe (condenser circuit)

23.24

Manifold (evaporator circuit)

25th

Supply line

26th

Control cable (pluggable)

26a

Electrical connection

27

Connection cable (to the compressor, hardwired)

28

Frame (collector)

29.31

Mounting rail

32

Exit

33

Foot (frame)

34

Frame (module)

35

Foot (module)

36

Hose connection

37.38

Pump (module)

39

Data bus

40

Connection cable (hardwired)

41

Manifold (return)

42

Manifold (flow)

AR

Recording room

K

collector

M, M ', M1, M2, Mn

module

RK, RK1, RK2

Control loop

SS, SS1, SS2, SSn

switch cabinet

V1, .., V8

Valve

Claims (19)

1. Modular climate control system (10, 30), in particular for cold and/or heat generation, comprising one or more modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn), in which modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) in each case a working medium or refrigerant is compressed, condensed, depressurized and evaporated again in a circuit (11), and the heat or cold thus generated is discharged to corresponding secondary circuits via heat exchangers (15, .., 18), wherein, for a plurality of modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn), a common collector (K) is provided which is constructed from collecting tubes (21, .., 24; 41, 42) and to which the modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) are detachably connected, and which connects the modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) to the respective common secondary circuit, and wherein the collector (K) with its collecting tubes (21, .., 24; 41, 42) extends horizontally in a longitudinal direction, characterized in that a series of reception spaces (AR) for the reception of modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) are provided on the collector (K) in the longitudinal direction, in that the collecting tubes (21, .., 24; 41, 42) are formed above the reception spaces (AR) continuously over a plurality of reception spaces (AR), and in that, to connect the modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) to the collecting tubes (21, .., 24; 41, 42), in each case corresponding outlets (32) are provided on the collecting tubes (21, .., 24; 41, 42) in the region of a reception space (AR).
2. Modular climate control system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the collector (K) comprises a rack (28) which extends in the longitudinal direction and stands on the floor and in which the reception spaces (AR) for receiving the modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) are left free, and in that the collecting tubes (21, .., 24; 41, 42) are fastened to the rack (28).
3. Modular climate control system according to Claim 2, characterized in that the collecting tubes (21, .., 24; 41, 42) are mounted in the rack (28) above the reception spaces (AR) for receiving the modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn).
4. Modular climate control system according to Claim 3, characterized in that the collecting tubes (21, .., 24; 41, 42) are mounted in the rack (28) in a plurality of planes (29, 31) lying one above the other.
5. Modular climate control system according to Claim 4, characterized in that the collector (K) has per secondary circuit in each case two collecting tubes (21, 22 or 23, 24 or 41 or 42) for the flow and return of the associated secondary medium, and in that the collecting tubes (21, 23, 42) for the flow and the collecting tubes (22, 24, 41) for the return are mounted on different planes.
6. Modular climate control system according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that each of the modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) is assigned at least one control loop (RK, RK1, RK2) containing regulating means, in particular regulating valves, in that the control loop (RK, RK1, RK2) is arranged hydraulically between the associated module and the collecting tubes (21, .., 24; 41, 42), and in that the control loop (RK, RK1, RK2) is fastened to the rack (28).
7. Modular climate control system according to Claim 6, characterized in that each module (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) stands independently in its reception space (AR) on the floor, and in that the associated control loops (RK, RK1, RK2) are connected, on one side, directly to the outlets (32) of the collecting tubes (21, .., 24; 41, 42) and, on the other side, via hose connections (36) to the module.
8. Modular climate control system according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that at least one of the control loops (RK, RK1, RK2) comprises a pump (37, 38) which is arranged in one of the secondary circuits of the associated module.
9. Modular climate control system according to Claim 7, characterized in that each module (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) is accommodated in a specific rack (34) and stands with adjustable feet (35), arranged on the rack (34), on the floor.
10. Modular climate control system according to Claim 1, characterized in that each of the collecting tubes (21, .., 24; 41, 42) of the collector (K) is dimensioned such that the overall cross section of the outlets (32) of the collecting tube which lead to the modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) is smaller than the cross section of the collecting tube itself.
11. Modular climate control system according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in each case a switch cabinet (SS, SS1, SS2, .., SSn) is provided for supplying the modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) or the associated control loops (RK, RK1, RK2) with electrical energy and control signals.
12. Modular climate control system according to Claim 11, characterized in that the switch cabinets (SS, SS1, SS2, .., SSn) are fastened in each case to the associated module (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) .
13. Modular climate control system according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that in each case at least one control cable (26) and one junction cable (27) are provided for electrical connection between the modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) and the associated switch cabinets (SS, SS1, SS2, .., SSn), and in that at least the connection by means of the control cable (26) is designed to be pluggable.
14. Modular climate control system according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that each of the modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) comprises, in its circuit (11), at least one compressor (12), an, in particular controllable, injection valve (13), an evaporator (15) and a condenser (17), and in that the external dimensions of the modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) are selected such that they can be transported through any door having a free passage of 80 cm.
15. Modular climate control system according to Claim 14, characterized in that one or more modules additionally have an internal heat exchanger IWT (14) and a stabilizer (15').
16. Modular climate control system according to Claim 14 or 15, characterized in that one or more modules additionally have a deheater (16) and/or a supercooler (18) .
17. Modular climate control system according to one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the collectors (K) are designed to be capable of being lined up with one another.
18. Method for operating a modular climate control system according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that, after the failure of one of the modules (M, M', M1, M2, .., Mn) during operation, the hydraulic connections of the failed module to the collector (K) are interrupted, the module is detached from the collector (K) and replaced by a new module of same type, the new module is connected to the collector (K), and the hydraulic connections to the collector (K) are restored.
19. Method for operating a modular climate control system according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that, to vary the characteristic or capacity of the system during operation, the hydraulic connections of a selected module to the collector (K) are interrupted, the module is detached from the collector (K) and replaced by a new module of another type or capacity, the new module is connected to the collector (K), and the hydraulic connections to the collector (K) are restored, or an additional module is connected to the collector (K) .

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