EP2290304A1 - Air conditioner - Google Patents
Air conditioner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2290304A1 EP2290304A1 EP09729048A EP09729048A EP2290304A1 EP 2290304 A1 EP2290304 A1 EP 2290304A1 EP 09729048 A EP09729048 A EP 09729048A EP 09729048 A EP09729048 A EP 09729048A EP 2290304 A1 EP2290304 A1 EP 2290304A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- pressure
- temperature
- heat exchanger
- expansion valve
- refrigerant
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B9/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point
- F25B9/002—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point characterised by the refrigerant
- F25B9/008—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point characterised by the refrigerant the refrigerant being carbon dioxide
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B13/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation arrangements
- F25B41/30—Expansion means; Dispositions thereof
- F25B41/39—Dispositions with two or more expansion means arranged in series, i.e. multi-stage expansion, on a refrigerant line leading to the same evaporator
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2309/00—Gas cycle refrigeration machines
- F25B2309/06—Compression machines, plants or systems characterised by the refrigerant being carbon dioxide
- F25B2309/061—Compression machines, plants or systems characterised by the refrigerant being carbon dioxide with cycle highest pressure above the supercritical pressure
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
- F25B2313/006—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for two pipes connecting the outdoor side to the indoor side with multiple indoor units
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
- F25B2313/023—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units
- F25B2313/0231—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units with simultaneous cooling and heating
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
- F25B2313/027—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for characterised by the reversing means
- F25B2313/02741—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for characterised by the reversing means using one four-way valve
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
- F25B2400/13—Economisers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2600/00—Control issues
- F25B2600/11—Fan speed control
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2600/00—Control issues
- F25B2600/25—Control of valves
- F25B2600/2509—Economiser valves
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2600/00—Control issues
- F25B2600/25—Control of valves
- F25B2600/2513—Expansion valves
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
- F25B2700/19—Pressures
- F25B2700/191—Pressures near an expansion valve
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an air conditioner in which an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected through a branch controller, and a supercritical fluid is used, to thereby establish a single refrigerating cycle.
- the branch kit for each indoor unit is incorporated into a single branch controller for the purpose of reduction in number of connection pipes.
- the air conditioner using the supercritical fluid has such a characteristic that the highest performance is obtained with a lower flow rate of the fluid by lowering temperature of the fluid to be conveyed to an indoor unit in cooling operation and raising temperature of the fluid to be conveyed to an indoor unit in heating operation. Accordingly, the efficiency (in this case, coefficient of performance (COP) expressed by taking performance of an air handling unit (unit: kW) as its numerator and power consumption (unit: kW) as its denominator) is enhanced as well.
- COP coefficient of performance
- temperature of an inlet of the indoor unit that is, temperature of an outlet of a heat-source side heat exchanger is basically lowered at the time of cooling and raised at the time of heating.
- the refrigerating cycle is a refrigerating cycle of simultaneous heating and cooling operation in a cooling cycle
- both cooling and heating are inevitably controlled at a certain degree of temperature (for example, approximately 40°C to 50°C under a pressure of 10 MPa in the supercritical range of the Mollier chart) of the outlet of the heat-source side heat exchanger. Consequently, there is an insufficiency of an enthalpy difference to obtain high performance, and hence a flow rate of the fluid is increased (power consumption of a compressor is increased) for compensation therefor, which results in a lower COP.
- the efficiency of the air conditioner is conventionally evaluated based on the above-mentioned coefficient called COP in terms of only the efficiency with respect to 100% loads.
- COP coefficient of the efficiency with respect to 100% loads.
- cooling loads have been generated even in a season that necessitates heating, along with development of OA appliances and improvement in heat insulation performance of buildings.
- the frequency of the simultaneous heating and cooling operation is becoming higher throughout a year. Therefore, the efficiency improvement tends more increasingly to be evaluated based not only on the COP with respect to the 100% loads but also on a COP obtained at the time of the simultaneous heating and cooling operation.
- the conventional air conditioner has the problem of decline in COP caused by the operation for satisfying both cooling and heating.
- the present invention has been made in view of the points described above, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner capable of improving a COP in simultaneous heating and cooling operation.
- An air conditioner is an air conditioning system in which an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected through a branch controller, and a supercritical fluid is used, to thereby establish a single refrigerating cycle, the outdoor unit and the branch controller being connected through two pipes of a high-pressure pipe and a low-pressure pipe, the branch controller and each of the plurality of indoor units being connected through two pipes of a high-pressure pipe and a low-pressure pipe, in which the branch controller includes a double-pipe heat exchanger for heat exchange between a medium-pressure two-phase refrigerant and a low-pressure two-phase refrigerant, the medium-pressure two-phase refrigerant being relatively high in temperature and flowing into the double-pipe heat exchanger after branching a refrigerant flowing from the outdoor unit toward the plurality of indoor units, and joining together a refrigerant decompressed by a first expansion valve and a refrigerant flowing from the plurality of indoor units, the low-pressure two-phase refrigerant being relatively low
- connection pipes significant reduction in number of connection pipes is realized between the outdoor unit and the branch controller, and between the branch controller and each of the indoor units.
- a COP in simultaneous heating and cooling operation is improved because a large enthalpy difference is secured on the side of the indoor units in cooling operation.
- FIG 1 A diagram of a refrigerant circuit in cooling-dominant operation of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG 1 is a diagram of a refrigerant circuit in cooling-dominant operation of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- an outdoor unit 100 and a plurality of indoor units 301 to 303 are connected through a branch controller 200, and a single refrigerating cycle is established by using a supercritical fluid.
- the outdoor unit 100 mainly includes a compressor 110, a four-way valve 120, a heat-source side heat exchanger 130, and check valves 141 to 147.
- the indoor units 301 to 303 respectively include use-side (load-side) heat exchangers 311 to 313, and expansion valves 321 to 323 serving as restriction devices.
- the branch controller 200 mainly includes a first expansion valve 211, a second expansion valve 212, check valves 231 to 233, channel switching valves 221 to 223, and a double-pipe heat exchanger 240.
- the double-pipe heat exchanger 240 may be a plate heat exchanger or a microchannel heat exchanger.
- two pipes of a high-pressure pipe 400 and a low-pressure pipe 500 connect the outdoor unit 100 and the branch controller 200
- two pipes of a high-pressure pipe 700 and a low-pressure pipe 800 similarly connect the branch controller 200 and each of the indoor units 301 to 303.
- Cooling-dominant operation mainly involving cooling operation and partially involving heating operation is herein described.
- heating-dominant operation channels are switched by means of the four-way valve 120 and the check valves 141 to 147.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a high-pressure detection means 281, a medium-pressure detection means 282, a first temperature detection means 291, and a second temperature detection means 292 that are included in the branch controller 200, those components are used in a second embodiment described later but not necessary in the first embodiment.
- the fluid of the outlet of the heat-source side heat exchanger 130 enters into a state of high pressure and medium temperature.
- the fluid that flows out of the heat-source side heat exchanger 130 then flows into the branch controller 200 through the high-pressure pipe 400, and is branched into the indoor units 302 and 303 in cooling operation and the indoor unit 301 in heating operation by the respective channel switching valves 221 to 223.
- the high-pressure and medium-temperature fluid that flows into the load-side heat exchanger 311 from a branch port through the channel switching valve 223 is further subjected to heat exchange with room temperature to become a high-pressure and medium-temperature fluid, which has temperature substantially equal to the room temperature (point C of FIG. 2 ). Then, the fluid is decompressed by the expansion valve 321 (point D of FIG. 2 ).
- the refrigerant that flows out of the indoor unit 301 in heating operation through the low-pressure pipe 800 passes through the check valve 231 of the branch controller 200 in the state of medium pressure and medium temperature, and joins another refrigerant at a point between the first expansion valve 211 and the double-pipe heat exchanger 240.
- the refrigerant for the side of the indoor units 302 and 303 in cooling operation flows from the branch port and is decompressed by the first expansion valve 211 down to medium pressure in the supercritical range, which is slightly lower than high pressure (point E of FIG. 2 ).
- the refrigerant then flows into a medium-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240 in the state of medium pressure and medium temperature.
- the medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid that is decompressed by the expansion valve 321 of the indoor unit 301 in heating operation joins this fluid at this point, and then flows into the medium-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240.
- a part of the fluid that flows out of the medium-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240 is further branched at a branch port, and is decompressed by the second expansion valve 212 to become a low-pressure and low-temperature fluid having two phases of gas and liquid (point I of FIG. 2 ). Then, the fluid flows into a low-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240.
- the low-pressure and low-temperature fluid on the low-temperature side enters into a state of low pressure and medium temperature, and a high dryness (point H of FIG. 2 ) after being subjected to heat exchange with the medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid on the medium-temperature side in the double-pipe heat exchanger 240.
- the medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid on the medium-temperature side is further cooled to become a medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid in a state of a low enthalpy (point D of FIG. 2 ).
- the medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid that is further cooled point D of FIG.
- FIG. 3 is a diagram of a refrigerant circuit in heating-dominant operation of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 3 has the same configuration as the configuration of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- a high-pressure and high-temperature fluid that is compressed by the compressor 110 flows into the branch controller 200 through the four-way valve 120, the check valve 145, and the high-pressure pipe 400. Then, the high-pressure and high-temperature fluid is branched into the indoor unit 303 in cooling operation and the indoor units 301 and 302 in heating operation at the respective channel switching valves 221 to 223 of the branch controller 200. Further, the first expansion valve 211 is fully closed to block the flow.
- the refrigerant for the side of the indoor units 301 and 302 in heating operation flows into the load-side heat exchangers 311 and 312 from the branch port of the branch controller 200 through the channel switching valves 222 and 223 and the high-pressure pipes 700, and the high-pressure and medium-temperature fluid is further subjected to heat exchange with the room temperature to become a high-pressure and medium-temperature fluid, which has temperature substantially equal to the room temperature (point C of FIG. 2 ). Then, the fluid is decompressed by the expansion valves 321 and 322 to become a medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid (point D of FIG. 2 ).
- the refrigerant that is decompressed by the expansion valves 321 and 322 then flows into the branch controller 200 through the low-pressure pipes 800, and passes through the check valves 231 and 232 in the state of medium pressure and medium temperature to join another refrigerant at the point between the first expansion valve 211 and the double-pipe heat exchanger 240.
- the refrigerant for the side of the indoor unit 303 in cooling operation flows into the load-side expansion valve 323 through the following path.
- the fluid that flows into the medium-pressure and medium-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240 from the indoor units 301 and 302 in heating operation through the low-pressure pipes 800 and the check valves 231 and 232 is further branched at the branch port, and a part of the fluid is further decompressed by the second expansion valve 212 to become a low-pressure and low-temperature fluid (point I of FIG. 2 ).
- the fluid then flows into the low-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240.
- the fluid is subjected to heat exchange with the medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid on the medium-temperature side by the double-pipe heat exchanger 240.
- the low-pressure and low-temperature fluid on the low-temperature side enters into the state of low pressure and medium temperature, and a high dryness (point H of FIG. 2 ), while the medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid on the medium-temperature side is further cooled to become a medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid in a state of a low enthalpy (point D of FIG. 2 ).
- the medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid that is further cooled (point D of FIG. 2 ) is then further decompressed by the load-side expansion valve 323 to become a low-pressure and low-temperature fluid. Then, the fluid flows into the load-side heat exchanger 313 for heat exchange with the room temperature, to thereby enter into the state of low pressure and medium temperature, and a high dryness (point H of FIG. 2 ).
- the low-pressure and medium-temperature fluid that flows out of the low-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240 and the low-pressure and medium-temperature fluid that flows out of the load-side heat exchanger 313 join each other, and return to the outdoor unit 100 side through the low-pressure pipe 500, the heat-source side heat exchanger 130, and the four-way valve 120.
- the single outdoor unit 100 and the single branch controller 200 are connected through two pipes, and the branch controller 200 and each of the plurality of indoor units 301 to 303 are connected through two pipes. Accordingly, significant reduction in number of connection pipes is realized between the branch controller 200 and each of the indoor units 301 to 303, and at the same time, the COP in simultaneous heating and cooling operation is improved because the large enthalpy difference is secured on the side of the indoor units 302 and 303 in cooling operation. In addition, power-save operation is realized also in the cooling-dominant operation mainly involving cooling and partially involving heating operation.
- a configuration of the second embodiment is the same as the configurations of the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 . Further, in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the high-pressure detection means 281, the medium-pressure detection means 282, the first temperature detection means 291, and the second temperature detection means 292 are provided to the branch controller 200, which are unnecessary in the first embodiment.
- the flow of the refrigerant of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
- a control method for the first expansion valve 211 is described.
- Table 1 shows overviews of control in each control mode (full cooling, cooling dominant, full heating, or heating dominant).
- full cooling In the case of the full-cooling operation (hereinafter, abbreviated as "full cooling") in which all the indoor units 301 to 303 perform cooling operation, the first expansion valve 211 is fully opened and the flow rate is controlled based on loads only by the expansion valves 321 to 323 of the indoor units 301 to 303.
- temperature sensors 311a, 312a, and 313a for detecting temperatures on the upper side of the load-side heat exchangers 311 to 313, respectively.
- temperature sensors 311b, 312b, and 313b for detecting temperatures and pressure sensors 311c, 312c, and 313c for detecting pressures between the load-side heat exchangers 311 to 313 and the load-side expansion valves 321 to 323, respectively.
- temperature differences between the temperature sensors 311a, 312a, and 313a, and the temperature sensors 311b, 312b, and 313b are calculated, respectively, and calculation results thereof are each set as a degree of superheat.
- the degree of opening of each of the load-side expansion valves 321, 322, and 323 is adjusted so that the degree of superheat becomes a predetermined value, for example, approximately 2°C.
- pressure difference control which is described later, is performed by using a pressure difference between the high-pressure detection means 281 and the medium-pressure detection means 282. Also in the cooling-dominant operation, when the load-side heat exchangers operate as evaporators, the above-mentioned degree of superheat is detected and the degree of opening of each of the load-side expansion valves is adjusted so that the degree of superheat becomes a predetermined value.
- full heating in which all the indoor units 301 to 303 perform heating operation, the first expansion valve 211 is fully closed basically and the flow rate is controlled based on loads only by the expansion valves 321 to 323 of the indoor units.
- the pressure difference control which is described later, is performed by using the pressure difference between the high-pressure detection means 281 and the medium-pressure detection means 282.
- the temperature sensors 311b, 312b, and 313b for detecting temperatures and the pressure sensors 311c, 312c, and 313c for detecting pressures are provided between the load-side heat exchangers 311 to 313 and the load-side expansion valves 321 to 323, respectively.
- a virtual condensation temperature T c is calculated by using Expression (1) based on the pressure values obtained by the pressure sensors 311c, 312c, and 313c.
- a difference between a temperature T L obtained by each of the temperature sensors 311b, 312b, and 313b and the virtual condensation temperature T c (Tc-T L ) is obtained, and this value is set as a degree of subcooling SC.
- the degree of opening of each of the load-side expansion valves 321, 322, and 323 is adjusted so that the degree of subcooling SC becomes a predetermined value, for example, approximately 5°C.
- the first expansion valve 211 is fully closed basically, and the pressure difference control, which is described later, is performed by using the pressure difference between the high-pressure detection means 281 and the medium-pressure detection means 282.
- start up of the compressor 110 triggers the first expansion valve 211 to start with an initial degree of opening L0 that is set in advance (Step S41).
- the degree of opening of the first expansion valve 211 is controlled according to comparison between the pressure difference ⁇ P obtained based on detection values of the high-pressure detection means 281 and the medium-pressure detection means 282, and set values P1 and P2 (P1 ⁇ P2) that are set in advance.
- the degree of opening of the first expansion valve 211 is increased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S43 ⁇ S44).
- the degree of opening of the first expansion valve 211 is maintained at the current degree of opening (Steps S43 ⁇ S45 ⁇ S46).
- the degree of opening of the first expansion valve 211 is decreased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S43 ⁇ S45 ⁇ S47 ⁇ S48).
- the first expansion valve 211 is fully closed constantly and the flow rate is controlled based on loads only by the expansion valves 321 to 323 of the indoor units.
- start up of the compressor 110 triggers the first expansion valve 211 to start with the fully closed state (Step S51).
- the predetermined period U has elapsed from the start (Step S52)
- the degree of opening of the first expansion valve 211 is controlled according to comparison between the pressure difference ⁇ P obtained based on detection values of the high-pressure detection means 281 and the medium-pressure detection means 282, and the set values P1 and P2 (P1 ⁇ P2) that are set in advance.
- the degree of opening of the first expansion valve 211 is increased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S53 ⁇ S54).
- the degree of opening of the first expansion valve 211 is maintained at the current degree of opening (Steps S53 ⁇ S55 ⁇ S56).
- the degree of opening of the first expansion valve 211 is decreased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S53 ⁇ S55 ⁇ S57 ⁇ S58).
- a configuration of a third embodiment is the same as the configurations of the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 . Further, in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the high-pressure detection means 281, the medium-pressure detection means 282, the first temperature detection means 291, and the second temperature detection means 292 are provided to the branch controller 200, which are unnecessary in the first embodiment.
- the flow of the refrigerant of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
- a control method for the second expansion valve 212 is described.
- Table 1 shows overviews of control in each control mode (full cooling, cooling dominant, full heating, or heating dominant).
- the second expansion valve 212 is fully opened and the flow rate is controlled based on loads by the expansion valves 321 to 323 of the indoor units. Then, the refrigerant subjected to heat exchange with the load side flows into the low-pressure line of the outdoor unit through the second expansion valve 212.
- the second expansion valve 212 is fully closed basically, and the pressure difference control, which is described later, is performed by using the pressure difference between the high-pressure detection means 281 and the medium-pressure detection means 282.
- Step S61 start up of the compressor 110, or the like triggers the second expansion valve 212 to start with the initial degree of opening L0 that is set in advance.
- Step S62 a temperature difference ⁇ T (degree of superheat) is calculated based on detection values of the first temperature detection means 291 and the second temperature detection means 292, and the degree of opening of the second expansion valve 212 is controlled according to comparison between the temperature difference ⁇ T and values T1 and T2 (T1 ⁇ T2) that are set in advance.
- the degree of opening of the second expansion valve 212 is increased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S63 ⁇ S64).
- the degree of opening of the second expansion valve 212 is maintained at the current degree of opening (Steps S63 ⁇ S65 ⁇ S66).
- the degree of opening of the second expansion valve 212 is decreased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S63 ⁇ S65 ⁇ S67 ⁇ S68).
- the second expansion valve 212 is fully opened constantly and the flow rate is controlled based on loads by the expansion valves 321 to 323 of the indoor units. Then, the refrigerant subjected to heat exchange with the load side flows into the low-pressure line of the outdoor unit through the second expansion valve 212.
- start up of the compressor 110 triggers the second expansion valve 212 to start with the fully closed state (Step S71).
- the degree of opening of the second expansion valve 212 is controlled according to comparison between the pressure difference ⁇ P obtained based on detection values of the high-pressure detection means 281 and the medium-pressure detection means 282, and the set values P1 and P2 (P1 ⁇ P2) that are set in advance.
- the degree of opening of the second expansion valve 212 is decreased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S73 ⁇ S74).
- the degree of opening of the second expansion valve 212 is maintained at the current degree of opening (Steps S73 ⁇ S75 ⁇ S76).
- the degree of opening of the second expansion valve 212 is increased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S73 ⁇ S75 ⁇ S77 ⁇ S78).
- the heat-source side heat exchanger 130 operates as a condenser (radiator).
- the cooling load exceeds the heating load, and hence a part of the heat radiation capability needs to be supplemented by the heat-source side heat exchanger 130. Therefore, the heat exchanger capacity needs to be increased and decreased by adjusting the fan speed and dividing the heat-source side heat exchanger 130.
- the enthalpy is uniquely determined.
- a represents an enthalpy H 1 of the inlet of the heat-source side heat exchanger 130
- b an enthalpy H 2 of the outlet of the heat-source side heat exchanger 130 (inlet of the load-side heat exchanger in heating operation)
- c an enthalpy H 3 of the inlet of the heat-source side heat exchanger 130.
- the enthalpy H 3 of the outlet of the load-side heat exchanger (heating) may be determined by using the pressure sensor 311c. and the temperature sensor 311b provided to the outlet of the load-side heat exchanger.
- the enthalpy H 2 of the outlet of the heat-source side heat exchanger is determined.
- the enthalpy of the outlet of the heat-source side heat exchanger may be obtained by using the pressure sensor 900 and the temperature sensor 901.
- the enthalpy obtained from Expression (3) is set as a target enthalpy H 2m .
- H 2s the enthalpy measured by the pressure sensor 900 and the temperature sensor 901 .
- a control means increases and decreases the rotation of the heat-source side fan (blower) so that -epsH 2 ⁇ H s ⁇ epsH 2 (it should be noted that -epsH 2 and epsH 2 denote a lower limit value and an upper limit value in an error range, respectively) becomes a predetermined value. Control is performed so that, in a case where -epsH 2 > ⁇ H s , the number of rotations of the fan is increased, while in a case where ⁇ H s >epsH 2 , the number of rotations of the fan is decreased.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
- Compression-Type Refrigeration Machines With Reversible Cycles (AREA)
- Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an air conditioner in which an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected through a branch controller, and a supercritical fluid is used, to thereby establish a single refrigerating cycle.
- There has conventionally been known a heat recovery air conditioner for simultaneous heating and cooling, which uses a supercritical fluid such as CO2. In such an air conditioner, an outdoor unit and a branch kit are mostly connected through three pipes of a high-pressure pipe, a low-pressure pipe, and a high-temperature gas pipe. For the piping from the branch kit to the indoor unit, a two-pipe system is employed.
- However, the pressure of the supercritical fluid is extremely high in a critical range, and hence the wall thickness of each connection pipe laid between the units greatly increases as compared with a conventional case of a refrigerant typified by chlorofluorocarbon. This fact may easily lead to expectations of increased cost of materials and enormously increased cost of processes on site, such as pipe bending.
- Therefore, it is conceived that the branch kit for each indoor unit is incorporated into a single branch controller for the purpose of reduction in number of connection pipes.
- Meanwhile, the air conditioner using the supercritical fluid has such a characteristic that the highest performance is obtained with a lower flow rate of the fluid by lowering temperature of the fluid to be conveyed to an indoor unit in cooling operation and raising temperature of the fluid to be conveyed to an indoor unit in heating operation. Accordingly, the efficiency (in this case, coefficient of performance (COP) expressed by taking performance of an air handling unit (unit: kW) as its numerator and power consumption (unit: kW) as its denominator) is enhanced as well. Thus, temperature of an inlet of the indoor unit, that is, temperature of an outlet of a heat-source side heat exchanger is basically lowered at the time of cooling and raised at the time of heating.
- However, in the air conditioner that employs a two-pipe system to allow simultaneous heating and cooling, there is such a trade-off as described below in a case where the indoor unit in cooling operation and the indoor unit in heating operation simultaneously exist (are mixed).
- · It is necessary to lower the temperature of the outlet of the heat-source side heat exchanger so as to supply a low-temperature fluid to the indoor unit in cooling operation.
· It is necessary to raise the temperature of the outlet of the heat-source side heat exchanger so as to supply a high-temperature fluid to the indoor unit in heating operation. - For example, in cooling-dominant operation of the conventional technology (the refrigerating cycle is a refrigerating cycle of simultaneous heating and cooling operation in a cooling cycle), both cooling and heating are inevitably controlled at a certain degree of temperature (for example, approximately 40°C to 50°C under a pressure of 10 MPa in the supercritical range of the Mollier chart) of the outlet of the heat-source side heat exchanger. Consequently, there is an insufficiency of an enthalpy difference to obtain high performance, and hence a flow rate of the fluid is increased (power consumption of a compressor is increased) for compensation therefor, which results in a lower COP.
- Further, the efficiency of the air conditioner is conventionally evaluated based on the above-mentioned coefficient called COP in terms of only the efficiency with respect to 100% loads. In recent years, however, as to the loads in general offices, for example, cooling loads have been generated even in a season that necessitates heating, along with development of OA appliances and improvement in heat insulation performance of buildings. As a result, the frequency of the simultaneous heating and cooling operation is becoming higher throughout a year. Therefore, the efficiency improvement tends more increasingly to be evaluated based not only on the COP with respect to the 100% loads but also on a COP obtained at the time of the simultaneous heating and cooling operation.
- As described above, the conventional air conditioner has the problem of decline in COP caused by the operation for satisfying both cooling and heating.
- The present invention has been made in view of the points described above, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner capable of improving a COP in simultaneous heating and cooling operation.
- An air conditioner according to the present invention is an air conditioning system in which an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are connected through a branch controller, and a supercritical fluid is used, to thereby establish a single refrigerating cycle, the outdoor unit and the branch controller being connected through two pipes of a high-pressure pipe and a low-pressure pipe, the branch controller and each of the plurality of indoor units being connected through two pipes of a high-pressure pipe and a low-pressure pipe, in which the branch controller includes a double-pipe heat exchanger for heat exchange between a medium-pressure two-phase refrigerant and a low-pressure two-phase refrigerant, the medium-pressure two-phase refrigerant being relatively high in temperature and flowing into the double-pipe heat exchanger after branching a refrigerant flowing from the outdoor unit toward the plurality of indoor units, and joining together a refrigerant decompressed by a first expansion valve and a refrigerant flowing from the plurality of indoor units, the low-pressure two-phase refrigerant being relatively low in temperature and flowing out of the double-pipe heat exchanger toward the outdoor unit after branching a refrigerant flowing out of the double-pipe heat exchanger toward the plurality of indoor units, and decompressing a part of the branched refrigerant by a second expansion valve.
- According to the present invention, significant reduction in number of connection pipes is realized between the outdoor unit and the branch controller, and between the branch controller and each of the indoor units. At the same time, a COP in simultaneous heating and cooling operation is improved because a large enthalpy difference is secured on the side of the indoor units in cooling operation.
- [
FIG 1 ] A diagram of a refrigerant circuit in cooling-dominant operation of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. - [
FIG. 2 ] A Mollier chart to be used for description of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention. - [
FIG. 3 ] A diagram of a refrigerant circuit in heating-dominant operation of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention. - [
FIG. 4 ] A control flow chart for afirst expansion valve 211 in cooling-dominant operation of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention. - [
FIG. 5 ] A control flow chart for thefirst expansion valve 211 in full-heating operation and heating-dominant operation of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention. - [
FIG. 6 ] A control flow chart for asecond expansion valve 212 in full-cooling operation and cooling-dominant operation of an air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention. - [
FIG. 7 ] A control flow chart for thesecond expansion valve 212 in heating-dominant operation of the air conditioner according to the third embodiment of the present invention. - [
FIG. 8 ] A Mollier chart to be used for description of the air conditioner according to the third embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG 1 is a diagram of a refrigerant circuit in cooling-dominant operation of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the air conditioner illustrated inFIG. 1 , anoutdoor unit 100 and a plurality ofindoor units 301 to 303 are connected through abranch controller 200, and a single refrigerating cycle is established by using a supercritical fluid. Theoutdoor unit 100 mainly includes acompressor 110, a four-way valve 120, a heat-sourceside heat exchanger 130, and check valves 141 to 147. Theindoor units 301 to 303 respectively include use-side (load-side)heat exchangers 311 to 313, andexpansion valves 321 to 323 serving as restriction devices. Further, thebranch controller 200 mainly includes afirst expansion valve 211, asecond expansion valve 212,check valves 231 to 233,channel switching valves 221 to 223, and a double-pipe heat exchanger 240. It should be noted that the double-pipe heat exchanger 240 may be a plate heat exchanger or a microchannel heat exchanger. - Here, two pipes of a high-
pressure pipe 400 and a low-pressure pipe 500 connect theoutdoor unit 100 and thebranch controller 200, while two pipes of a high-pressure pipe 700 and a low-pressure pipe 800 similarly connect thebranch controller 200 and each of theindoor units 301 to 303. Cooling-dominant operation mainly involving cooling operation and partially involving heating operation is herein described. As to heating-dominant operation, channels are switched by means of the four-way valve 120 and the check valves 141 to 147. - It should be noted that, though
FIG. 1 illustrates a high-pressure detection means 281, a medium-pressure detection means 282, a first temperature detection means 291, and a second temperature detection means 292 that are included in thebranch controller 200, those components are used in a second embodiment described later but not necessary in the first embodiment. - First, with reference to
FIG. 1 , description is given of a flow of the refrigerant circuit in the cooling-dominant operation. The description is given herein by taking a case of CO2 used as the supercritical fluid. A high-pressure and high-temperature fluid that is compressed by thecompressor 110 passes through the four-way valve 120 and is subjected to heat exchange with the ambient air by the heat-sourceside heat exchanger 130. The fluid is cooled down to temperature which does not reach the ambient air temperature, for example, temperature at which the dryness of a Mollier chart (pressure p-enthalpy h) illustrated inFIG. 2 becomes approximately 0.5 (point B ofFIG. 2 ). Then, the fluid of the outlet of the heat-sourceside heat exchanger 130 enters into a state of high pressure and medium temperature. The fluid that flows out of the heat-sourceside heat exchanger 130 then flows into thebranch controller 200 through the high-pressure pipe 400, and is branched into theindoor units indoor unit 301 in heating operation by the respectivechannel switching valves 221 to 223. - As to the refrigerant for the side of the
indoor unit 301 in heating operation, the high-pressure and medium-temperature fluid that flows into the load-side heat exchanger 311 from a branch port through thechannel switching valve 223 is further subjected to heat exchange with room temperature to become a high-pressure and medium-temperature fluid, which has temperature substantially equal to the room temperature (point C ofFIG. 2 ). Then, the fluid is decompressed by the expansion valve 321 (point D ofFIG. 2 ). The refrigerant that flows out of theindoor unit 301 in heating operation through the low-pressure pipe 800 passes through thecheck valve 231 of thebranch controller 200 in the state of medium pressure and medium temperature, and joins another refrigerant at a point between thefirst expansion valve 211 and the double-pipe heat exchanger 240. - Meanwhile, the refrigerant for the side of the
indoor units first expansion valve 211 down to medium pressure in the supercritical range, which is slightly lower than high pressure (point E ofFIG. 2 ). The refrigerant then flows into a medium-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240 in the state of medium pressure and medium temperature. Further, the medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid that is decompressed by theexpansion valve 321 of theindoor unit 301 in heating operation joins this fluid at this point, and then flows into the medium-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240. In this case, a part of the fluid that flows out of the medium-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240 is further branched at a branch port, and is decompressed by thesecond expansion valve 212 to become a low-pressure and low-temperature fluid having two phases of gas and liquid (point I ofFIG. 2 ). Then, the fluid flows into a low-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240. - The low-pressure and low-temperature fluid on the low-temperature side enters into a state of low pressure and medium temperature, and a high dryness (point H of
FIG. 2 ) after being subjected to heat exchange with the medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid on the medium-temperature side in the double-pipe heat exchanger 240. On the other hand, the medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid on the medium-temperature side is further cooled to become a medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid in a state of a low enthalpy (point D ofFIG. 2 ). The medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid that is further cooled (point D ofFIG. 2 ) is then further decompressed by the load-side expansion valves FIG. 2 ). Then, the fluid flows into the load-side heat exchangers FIG. 2 ). Finally, the low-pressure and medium-temperature fluid that flows out of the low-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240 and the low-pressure and medium-temperature fluid that flows out of the load-side heat exchangers outdoor unit 100 side through the low-pressure pipe 500. - With this configuration, significant reduction in number of connection pipes is realized between the
outdoor unit 100 and thebranch controller 200, and between thebranch controller 200 and each of theindoor units 301 to 303. At the same time, a COP in simultaneous heating and cooling operation is improved because the large enthalpy difference is secured on the side of theindoor units - Next,
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a refrigerant circuit in heating-dominant operation of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner illustrated inFIG. 3 has the same configuration as the configuration of the first embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 . - With reference to
FIG. 3 , description is given of a flow of the refrigerant circuit in the heating-dominant operation. A high-pressure and high-temperature fluid that is compressed by thecompressor 110 flows into thebranch controller 200 through the four-way valve 120, thecheck valve 145, and the high-pressure pipe 400. Then, the high-pressure and high-temperature fluid is branched into theindoor unit 303 in cooling operation and theindoor units channel switching valves 221 to 223 of thebranch controller 200. Further, thefirst expansion valve 211 is fully closed to block the flow. - The refrigerant for the side of the
indoor units side heat exchangers branch controller 200 through thechannel switching valves pressure pipes 700, and the high-pressure and medium-temperature fluid is further subjected to heat exchange with the room temperature to become a high-pressure and medium-temperature fluid, which has temperature substantially equal to the room temperature (point C ofFIG. 2 ). Then, the fluid is decompressed by theexpansion valves FIG. 2 ). The refrigerant that is decompressed by theexpansion valves branch controller 200 through the low-pressure pipes 800, and passes through thecheck valves first expansion valve 211 and the double-pipe heat exchanger 240. - Meanwhile, the refrigerant for the side of the
indoor unit 303 in cooling operation flows into the load-side expansion valve 323 through the following path. The fluid that flows into the medium-pressure and medium-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240 from theindoor units pressure pipes 800 and thecheck valves second expansion valve 212 to become a low-pressure and low-temperature fluid (point I ofFIG. 2 ). The fluid then flows into the low-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240. Then, the fluid is subjected to heat exchange with the medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid on the medium-temperature side by the double-pipe heat exchanger 240. As a result, the low-pressure and low-temperature fluid on the low-temperature side enters into the state of low pressure and medium temperature, and a high dryness (point H ofFIG. 2 ), while the medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid on the medium-temperature side is further cooled to become a medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid in a state of a low enthalpy (point D ofFIG. 2 ). - The medium-pressure and medium-temperature fluid that is further cooled (point D of
FIG. 2 ) is then further decompressed by the load-side expansion valve 323 to become a low-pressure and low-temperature fluid. Then, the fluid flows into the load-side heat exchanger 313 for heat exchange with the room temperature, to thereby enter into the state of low pressure and medium temperature, and a high dryness (point H ofFIG. 2 ). Finally, the low-pressure and medium-temperature fluid that flows out of the low-temperature side of the double-pipe heat exchanger 240 and the low-pressure and medium-temperature fluid that flows out of the load-side heat exchanger 313 join each other, and return to theoutdoor unit 100 side through the low-pressure pipe 500, the heat-sourceside heat exchanger 130, and the four-way valve 120. - As described above, according to the first embodiment, the single
outdoor unit 100 and thesingle branch controller 200 are connected through two pipes, and thebranch controller 200 and each of the plurality ofindoor units 301 to 303 are connected through two pipes. Accordingly, significant reduction in number of connection pipes is realized between thebranch controller 200 and each of theindoor units 301 to 303, and at the same time, the COP in simultaneous heating and cooling operation is improved because the large enthalpy difference is secured on the side of theindoor units - A configuration of the second embodiment is the same as the configurations of the first embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and3 . Further, inFIGS. 1 and3 , the high-pressure detection means 281, the medium-pressure detection means 282, the first temperature detection means 291, and the second temperature detection means 292 are provided to thebranch controller 200, which are unnecessary in the first embodiment. - The flow of the refrigerant of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Hereinbelow, a control method for the
first expansion valve 211 is described. First, Table 1 shows overviews of control in each control mode (full cooling, cooling dominant, full heating, or heating dominant). - List of overviews of expansion valve control
Control mode First expansion valve 211Second expansion valve 212Full cooling Fully opened After initial degree of opening, control according to temperature difference ΔT Cooling dominant After initial degree of opening, control according to pressure difference ΔP ↑ Full heating Fully closed Fully opened Heating dominant After initial degree of opening, control according to pressure difference ΔP After fully closed for initial degree of opening, control according to ΔP - In the case of the full-cooling operation (hereinafter, abbreviated as "full cooling") in which all the
indoor units 301 to 303 perform cooling operation, thefirst expansion valve 211 is fully opened and the flow rate is controlled based on loads only by theexpansion valves 321 to 323 of theindoor units 301 to 303. - In
FIG. 1 , there are providedtemperature sensors side heat exchangers 311 to 313, respectively. There are also providedtemperature sensors pressure sensors side heat exchangers 311 to 313 and the load-side expansion valves 321 to 323, respectively. - In the case of the full-cooling operation, temperature differences between the
temperature sensors temperature sensors side expansion valves - In the case of the "cooling-dominant" operation in which the simultaneous heating and cooling operation is performed in the state of the cooling cycle, pressure difference control, which is described later, is performed by using a pressure difference between the high-pressure detection means 281 and the medium-pressure detection means 282. Also in the cooling-dominant operation, when the load-side heat exchangers operate as evaporators, the above-mentioned degree of superheat is detected and the degree of opening of each of the load-side expansion valves is adjusted so that the degree of superheat becomes a predetermined value.
- Further, in the case of the full-heating operation (hereinafter, abbreviated as "full heating") in which all the
indoor units 301 to 303 perform heating operation, thefirst expansion valve 211 is fully closed basically and the flow rate is controlled based on loads only by theexpansion valves 321 to 323 of the indoor units. Further, the pressure difference control, which is described later, is performed by using the pressure difference between the high-pressure detection means 281 and the medium-pressure detection means 282. - The
temperature sensors pressure sensors side heat exchangers 311 to 313 and the load-side expansion valves 321 to 323, respectively. - In the case of the full-heating operation, pressure values obtained through detection by the
pressure sensors - It should be noted that, as illustrated in
FIG. 8 which is referenced later, in a case where carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant, the high-pressure side operates above the critical point, and hence there is no phase change. In other words, there exists no saturation temperature Tsc. In view of the above, an experiment for the refrigerating cycle, or the like is conducted to set a virtual saturation temperature based on balanced pressure and intake air temperature. For example, it is assumed that, when the pressure is 100 kgf/cm2, the saturation temperature is 45°C. Expression (1) according to this embodiment is an arithmetic expression by which the virtual saturation temperature Tsc is calculated. - A virtual condensation temperature Tc is calculated by using Expression (1) based on the pressure values obtained by the
pressure sensors temperature sensors side expansion valves - Further, similarly to the case of the full heating, in the case of the "heating-dominant" operation in which the simultaneous heating and cooling operation is performed in the state of the heating cycle, the
first expansion valve 211 is fully closed basically, and the pressure difference control, which is described later, is performed by using the pressure difference between the high-pressure detection means 281 and the medium-pressure detection means 282. - Next, with reference to control flow charts illustrated in
FIGS. 4 and5 , the control method is described in detail. First, in the "full-cooling" operation, thefirst expansion valve 211 is fully opened constantly and the flow rate is controlled based on loads only by theexpansion valves 321 to 323 of the indoor units. - In the "cooling-dominant" operation, as illustrated in
FIG. 4 , start up of thecompressor 110, or the like triggers thefirst expansion valve 211 to start with an initial degree of opening L0 that is set in advance (Step S41). When a predetermined period U has elapsed from the start (Step S42), the degree of opening of thefirst expansion valve 211 is controlled according to comparison between the pressure difference ΔP obtained based on detection values of the high-pressure detection means 281 and the medium-pressure detection means 282, and set values P1 and P2 (P1<P2) that are set in advance. - For example, in a case where ΔP>P2, the degree of opening of the
first expansion valve 211 is increased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S43→S44). In a case where P1≤ΔP≤P2, the degree of opening of thefirst expansion valve 211 is maintained at the current degree of opening (Steps S43→S45→S46). In a case where ΔP<P1, the degree of opening of thefirst expansion valve 211 is decreased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S43→S45→S47→S48). - Through the control described above, it is possible to secure the pressure difference necessary to cause the refrigerant to flow at a flow rate according to the load on the side of the indoor unit in heating operation, and to decrease the pressure into low pressure due to an excess pressure difference, which results in suppression of decline in COP.
- Further, in the "full-heating" operation, the
first expansion valve 211 is fully closed constantly and the flow rate is controlled based on loads only by theexpansion valves 321 to 323 of the indoor units. - In the "heating-dominant" operation, as illustrated in
FIG. 5 , start up of thecompressor 110, or the like triggers thefirst expansion valve 211 to start with the fully closed state (Step S51). When the predetermined period U has elapsed from the start (Step S52), the degree of opening of thefirst expansion valve 211 is controlled according to comparison between the pressure difference ΔP obtained based on detection values of the high-pressure detection means 281 and the medium-pressure detection means 282, and the set values P1 and P2 (P1<P2) that are set in advance. - For example, in a case where ΔP>P2, the degree of opening of the
first expansion valve 211 is increased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S53→S54). In a case where P1≤ΔP≤P2, the degree of opening of thefirst expansion valve 211 is maintained at the current degree of opening (Steps S53→S55→S56). In a case where ΔP<P1, the degree of opening of thefirst expansion valve 211 is decreased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S53→S55→S57→S58). - Through the control described above, it is possible to secure the pressure difference necessary to cause the refrigerant to flow at a flow rate according to the load on the side of the indoor unit in heating operation, and to secure the pressure difference necessary to cause the refrigerant to flow at a flow rate according to the load on the side of the indoor unit in cooling operation by approximating the pressure of the inlet of the indoor unit in cooling operation to the low pressure due to an excess pressure difference, which results in suppression of decline in COP. In addition, the change in pressure may be suppressed, and hence the refrigerant may stably be conveyed to the indoor unit, to thereby realize power-save operation and comfort.
- As in the second embodiment described above, a configuration of a third embodiment is the same as the configurations of the first embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and3 . Further, inFIGS. 1 and3 , the high-pressure detection means 281, the medium-pressure detection means 282, the first temperature detection means 291, and the second temperature detection means 292 are provided to thebranch controller 200, which are unnecessary in the first embodiment. - The flow of the refrigerant of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Hereinbelow, a control method for the
second expansion valve 212 is described. First, Table 1 shows overviews of control in each control mode (full cooling, cooling dominant, full heating, or heating dominant). - In the case of the "full-cooling" operation in which all the
indoor units 301 to 303 perform cooling operation, for thesecond expansion valve 212, temperature difference (superheat) control, which is described later, is performed by using the first temperature detection means 291 and the second temperature detection means 292, and the flow rate is controlled based on loads by theexpansion valves 321 to 323 on the side of theindoor units 301 to 303. The same control as in the case of the "full cooling" applies to the case of the "cooling-dominant" operation in which the simultaneous heating and cooling operation is performed in the state of the cooling cycle. - Further, in the case of the "full-heating" operation in which all the
indoor units 301 to 303 perform heating operation, thesecond expansion valve 212 is fully opened and the flow rate is controlled based on loads by theexpansion valves 321 to 323 of the indoor units. Then, the refrigerant subjected to heat exchange with the load side flows into the low-pressure line of the outdoor unit through thesecond expansion valve 212. - In the case of the "heating-dominant" operation in which the simultaneous heating and cooling operation is performed in the state of the heating cycle, the
second expansion valve 212 is fully closed basically, and the pressure difference control, which is described later, is performed by using the pressure difference between the high-pressure detection means 281 and the medium-pressure detection means 282. - Next, with reference to control flow charts illustrated in
FIGS. 6 and7 , the control method is described in detail. First, in the "full-cooling" operation, as illustrated inFIG. 6 , start up of thecompressor 110, or the like triggers thesecond expansion valve 212 to start with the initial degree of opening L0 that is set in advance (Step S61). When the predetermined period U has elapsed from the start (Step S62), a temperature difference ΔT (degree of superheat) is calculated based on detection values of the first temperature detection means 291 and the second temperature detection means 292, and the degree of opening of thesecond expansion valve 212 is controlled according to comparison between the temperature difference ΔT and values T1 and T2 (T1<T2) that are set in advance. - For example, in a case where ΔT>T2, the degree of opening of the
second expansion valve 212 is increased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S63→S64). In a case where T1≤ΔT≤T2, the degree of opening of thesecond expansion valve 212 is maintained at the current degree of opening (Steps S63→S65→S66). In a case where ΔT<T1, the degree of opening of thesecond expansion valve 212 is decreased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S63→S65→S67→S68). - Through the control described above, it is possible to secure the enthalpy difference necessary to lower the temperature of the refrigerant in the inlet on the side of the indoor unit in cooling operation, to thereby obtain satisfactory performance, which results in suppression of decline in COP. In addition, also in the cooling-dominant operation mainly involving cooling and partially involving heating operation, a lower-temperature refrigerant may be conveyed to the indoor unit in cooling operation, and power-save operation can accordingly be realized.
- Further, in the "full-heating" operation, the
second expansion valve 212 is fully opened constantly and the flow rate is controlled based on loads by theexpansion valves 321 to 323 of the indoor units. Then, the refrigerant subjected to heat exchange with the load side flows into the low-pressure line of the outdoor unit through thesecond expansion valve 212. - In the "heating-dominant" operation, as illustrated in
FIG. 7 , start up of thecompressor 110, or the like triggers thesecond expansion valve 212 to start with the fully closed state (Step S71). When the predetermined period U has elapsed from the start (Step S72), the degree of opening of thesecond expansion valve 212 is controlled according to comparison between the pressure difference ΔP obtained based on detection values of the high-pressure detection means 281 and the medium-pressure detection means 282, and the set values P1 and P2 (P1<P2) that are set in advance. - For example, in a case where ΔP>P2, the degree of opening of the
second expansion valve 212 is decreased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S73→S74). In a case where P1≤ΔP≤P2, the degree of opening of thesecond expansion valve 212 is maintained at the current degree of opening (Steps S73→S75→S76). In a case where ΔP<P1, the degree of opening of thesecond expansion valve 212 is increased by a predetermined degree of opening that is set in advance (Steps S73→S75→S77→S78). - Through the control described above, it is possible to secure the pressure difference necessary to cause the refrigerant to flow at a flow rate according to the load on the side of the indoor unit in heating operation, and to approximate the pressure of the inlet of the indoor unit in cooling operation to the low pressure due to an excess pressure difference (approximation of medium pressure to low pressure), which results in suppression of decline in COP caused by the fact that the pressure difference necessary to cause the refrigerant to flow at a flow rate according to the load on the side of the indoor unit in cooling operation cannot be secured.
- At the time of the cooling-dominant operation, the heat-source
side heat exchanger 130 operates as a condenser (radiator). In the cooling-dominant operation, the cooling load exceeds the heating load, and hence a part of the heat radiation capability needs to be supplemented by the heat-sourceside heat exchanger 130. Therefore, the heat exchanger capacity needs to be increased and decreased by adjusting the fan speed and dividing the heat-sourceside heat exchanger 130. - According to the present invention, description is given of a method of adjusting the heat radiation capability without dividing the heat-source
side heat exchanger 130. In the embodiments of the present invention, carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant. The high-pressure side operates above the critical point of this refrigerant as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and8 . With this characteristic, the heat radiation capacity can be adjusted with ease. - As illustrated in
FIG. 3 , there are provided apressure sensor 900 and atemperature sensor 901 between the heat-sourceside heat exchanger 130 and the check valve 141, and atemperature sensor 902 to the inlet of the heat-sourceside heat exchanger 130. In the supercritical state, when the temperature and the pressure are determined, the enthalpy is uniquely determined. - In
FIG 8 , "a" represents an enthalpy H1 of the inlet of the heat-sourceside heat exchanger 130; "b", an enthalpy H2 of the outlet of the heat-source side heat exchanger 130 (inlet of the load-side heat exchanger in heating operation); and "c", an enthalpy H3 of the inlet of the heat-sourceside heat exchanger 130. - The load on the heating side may be grasped from the number of indoor units in heating operation and the capacity of each of the connected indoor units. This heating load is denoted by Qc. Further, a refrigerant flow rate Gr may be obtained based on discharge pressure and suction pressure of the compressor. An enthalpy difference ΔH necessary to cover the heating load may be obtained from Expression (2):
-
- In other words, the enthalpy H2 of the outlet of the heat-source side heat exchanger is determined. The enthalpy of the outlet of the heat-source side heat exchanger may be obtained by using the
pressure sensor 900 and thetemperature sensor 901. The enthalpy obtained from Expression (3) is set as a target enthalpy H2m. - Further, the enthalpy measured by the
pressure sensor 900 and thetemperature sensor 901 is denoted by H2s. A difference between the target enthalpy H2m and the measured enthalpy H2s (H2m-H2s) is calculated, and H2m-H2s=ΔHs holds. - Then, a control means increases and decreases the rotation of the heat-source side fan (blower) so that -epsH2<ΔHs<epsH2 (it should be noted that -epsH2 and epsH2 denote a lower limit value and an upper limit value in an error range, respectively) becomes a predetermined value. Control is performed so that, in a case where -epsH2>ΔHs, the number of rotations of the fan is increased, while in a case where ΔHs>epsH2, the number of rotations of the fan is decreased.
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Claims (6)
- An air conditioner in which an outdoor unit (100) and a plurality of indoor units (301-303) are connected through a branch controller (200), and a supercritical fluid is used, to thereby establish a single refrigerating cycle,
the outdoor unit (100) and the branch controller (200) being connected through two pipes of a high-pressure pipe (400) and a low-pressure pipe (500),
the branch controller (200) and each of the plurality of indoor units (301-303) being connected through two pipes of a high-pressure pipe (700) and a low-pressure pipe (800),
wherein the branch controller (200) comprises a double-pipe heat exchanger (240) for heat exchange between a medium-pressure two-phase refrigerant and a low-pressure two-phase refrigerant,
the medium-pressure two-phase refrigerant being relatively high in temperature and flowing into the double-pipe heat exchanger (240) after branching a refrigerant flowing from the outdoor unit (100) toward the plurality of indoor units (301-303), and joining together a refrigerant decompressed by a first expansion valve (211) and a refrigerant flowing from the plurality of indoor units (301-303),
the low-pressure two-phase refrigerant being relatively low in temperature and flowing out of the double-pipe heat exchanger (240) toward the outdoor unit (100) after branching a refrigerant flowing out of the double-pipe heat exchanger (240) toward the plurality of indoor units (301-303), and decompressing a part of the branched refrigerant by a second expansion valve (212). - The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the double-pipe heat exchanger (240) comprises a plate heat exchanger or a microchannel heat exchanger.
- The air conditioner according to claim 1, comprising pressure detection means (281, 282) provided to an outlet and an inlet of the first expansion valve (211), respectively,
wherein a degree of opening of the first expansion valve (211) is controlled so that a pressure difference between two pressure detection values of the pressure detection means (281, 282) is constant. - The air conditioner according to claim 1, comprising temperature detection means (291, 292) provided to an outlet of the second expansion valve (212) and an outlet of the double-pipe heat exchanger (240) on a low-pressure side, respectively,
wherein a degree of opening of the second expansion valve (212) is controlled so that a temperature difference between two temperature detection values of the temperature detection means (291, 292) is constant. - The air conditioner according to claim 1, comprising pressure detection means (281, 282) provided to an outlet and an inlet of the first expansion valve (211), respectively,
wherein a degree of opening of the second expansion valve (212) is controlled so that a pressure difference between two pressure detection values of the pressure detection means (281, 282) is constant. - The air conditioner according to claim 1, comprising:a pressure detection means (900) and a temperature detection means (901) provided to an outlet of a heat-source side heat exchanger (130); anda control means for calculating an enthalpy based on a value of the pressure detection means (900) and a value of the temperature detection means (901),wherein the air conditioner increases and decreases rotation speed of a heat-source side blower so that a target enthalpy is obtained.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2008/056370 WO2009122512A1 (en) | 2008-03-31 | 2008-03-31 | Air conditioning apparatus |
PCT/JP2009/056655 WO2009123190A1 (en) | 2008-03-31 | 2009-03-31 | Air conditioner |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2290304A1 true EP2290304A1 (en) | 2011-03-02 |
EP2290304A4 EP2290304A4 (en) | 2013-06-05 |
Family
ID=41134933
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP09729048.0A Withdrawn EP2290304A4 (en) | 2008-03-31 | 2009-03-31 | Air conditioner |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2290304A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JPWO2009123190A1 (en) |
WO (2) | WO2009122512A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
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WO2012120097A3 (en) * | 2011-03-08 | 2013-03-21 | Greenfield Master Ipco Limited | Thermal energy system and method of operation |
EP2833086A4 (en) * | 2012-03-27 | 2015-12-02 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Air conditioning device |
US9360236B2 (en) | 2008-06-16 | 2016-06-07 | Greenfield Master Ipco Limited | Thermal energy system and method of operation |
WO2016173497A1 (en) * | 2015-04-28 | 2016-11-03 | 广东美的暖通设备有限公司 | Multi-split air conditioning system and medium pressure control method thereof |
US9556856B2 (en) | 2007-07-06 | 2017-01-31 | Greenfield Master Ipco Limited | Geothermal energy system and method of operation |
US9915247B2 (en) | 2007-07-06 | 2018-03-13 | Erda Master Ipco Limited | Geothermal energy system and method of operation |
CN109445494A (en) * | 2018-10-10 | 2019-03-08 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | A kind of enthalpy difference laboratory dry bulb operating condition autocontrol method |
EP4379288A1 (en) * | 2022-11-29 | 2024-06-05 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. | Vapor compression refrigeration cycle device |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JP5759080B2 (en) * | 2012-10-01 | 2015-08-05 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP6413692B2 (en) * | 2014-11-21 | 2018-10-31 | 株式会社富士通ゼネラル | Air conditioner |
WO2017179166A1 (en) * | 2016-04-14 | 2017-10-19 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air-conditioning device |
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JP4350836B2 (en) * | 1999-05-31 | 2009-10-21 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP4091452B2 (en) * | 2003-02-13 | 2008-05-28 | カルソニックカンセイ株式会社 | Pressure control device and pressure control method for refrigeration cycle using supercritical refrigerant |
JP4288979B2 (en) * | 2003-03-27 | 2009-07-01 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner, and operation control method of air conditioner |
JP2005345069A (en) * | 2004-06-07 | 2005-12-15 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Air conditioner and its operation control method |
WO2005121656A1 (en) * | 2004-06-11 | 2005-12-22 | Daikin Industries, Ltd. | Air conditioner |
JP2006283989A (en) * | 2005-03-31 | 2006-10-19 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Cooling/heating system |
JP4887929B2 (en) * | 2006-06-21 | 2012-02-29 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Refrigeration equipment |
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- 2008-03-31 WO PCT/JP2008/056370 patent/WO2009122512A1/en active Application Filing
-
2009
- 2009-03-31 EP EP09729048.0A patent/EP2290304A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2009-03-31 JP JP2010505935A patent/JPWO2009123190A1/en active Pending
- 2009-03-31 WO PCT/JP2009/056655 patent/WO2009123190A1/en active Application Filing
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No further relevant documents disclosed * |
See also references of WO2009123190A1 * |
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US9556856B2 (en) | 2007-07-06 | 2017-01-31 | Greenfield Master Ipco Limited | Geothermal energy system and method of operation |
US9915247B2 (en) | 2007-07-06 | 2018-03-13 | Erda Master Ipco Limited | Geothermal energy system and method of operation |
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WO2012120097A3 (en) * | 2011-03-08 | 2013-03-21 | Greenfield Master Ipco Limited | Thermal energy system and method of operation |
JP2014510895A (en) * | 2011-03-08 | 2014-05-01 | グリーンフィールド マスター アイピーシーオー リミテッド | Thermal energy system and operating method thereof |
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US10921030B2 (en) | 2011-03-08 | 2021-02-16 | Erda Master Ipco Limited | Thermal energy system and method of operation |
EP2833086A4 (en) * | 2012-03-27 | 2015-12-02 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Air conditioning device |
WO2016173497A1 (en) * | 2015-04-28 | 2016-11-03 | 广东美的暖通设备有限公司 | Multi-split air conditioning system and medium pressure control method thereof |
CN109445494A (en) * | 2018-10-10 | 2019-03-08 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | A kind of enthalpy difference laboratory dry bulb operating condition autocontrol method |
EP4379288A1 (en) * | 2022-11-29 | 2024-06-05 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. | Vapor compression refrigeration cycle device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPWO2009123190A1 (en) | 2011-07-28 |
EP2290304A4 (en) | 2013-06-05 |
WO2009122512A1 (en) | 2009-10-08 |
WO2009123190A1 (en) | 2009-10-08 |
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