EP2732222B1 - Kältekreislauf mit ölkompensation - Google Patents

Kältekreislauf mit ölkompensation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2732222B1
EP2732222B1 EP11731384.1A EP11731384A EP2732222B1 EP 2732222 B1 EP2732222 B1 EP 2732222B1 EP 11731384 A EP11731384 A EP 11731384A EP 2732222 B1 EP2732222 B1 EP 2732222B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
compressors
oil
group
compressor
pressure
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Not-in-force
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EP11731384.1A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP2732222A1 (de
Inventor
Sascha HELLMANN
Christoph Kren
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Carrier Corp
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Carrier Corp
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Classifications

    • 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
    • F25B31/00—Compressor arrangements
    • F25B31/002—Lubrication
    • F25B31/004—Lubrication oil recirculating arrangements
    • 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
    • F25B1/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
    • F25B1/10—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle with multi-stage compression
    • 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
    • F25B2400/07—Details of compressors or related parts
    • F25B2400/075—Details of compressors or related parts with parallel compressors
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25B2700/03—Oil level

Definitions

  • Refrigeration circuits comprising in the direction of the flow of a circulating refrigerant at least one compressor, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, an expansion device and an evaporator are known in the state of the art. It is also known to provide an additional economizer circuit for further cooling the refrigerant leaving the heat rejecting heat exchanger before it is expanded in order to increase the efficiency of the refrigeration circuit.
  • Such an economizer circuit comprises at least one additional compressor operating at a higher suction pressure than the compressor(s) of the refrigeration circuit.
  • a refrigeration system has at least two compressors, a suction header, a discharge header, a discharge line, an oil separator, and an oil reservoir header.
  • the compressors receive refrigerant via the suction header and discharge refrigerant to the discharge header, and the discharge line via the oil separator. Oil from the oil separator is supplied via a conduit to the suction header, and the oil reservoir header forms part of a single oil-distributing sub-assembly which feeds oil to the oil reservoir header.
  • the oil reservoir header in use is able to hold enough oil for the compressors, in order to replace any oil that leaves the compressors and to keep the oil at or above a predetermined level.
  • the compressors may be of the reciprocating type, and the system may include a vibration eliminator.
  • the system may also include lagging, and a drier assembly.
  • Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a refrigeration circuit circulating a refrigerant according to claim 1 and comprising in the direction of the refrigerant's flow at least one compressor of a first group of compressors, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an evaporator.
  • the refrigeration circuit further comprises at least one compressor of a second group of compressors and an oil collector, which is selectively connectable to the compressors of the first group of compressors for collecting excess oil from the at least one compressor of the first group of compressors and/or to the compressors of the second group of compressors.
  • the oil collector is connected by a high-pressure line to a high pressure discharge line of the at least one compressor of a first group of compressors.
  • a switchable high pressure valve is arranged within said high-pressure line allowing to selectively increase the pressure within the oil collector by opening the high pressure valve and fluidly connecting the oil collector to the high pressure discharge line in order to transfer oil from the oil collector to the at least one compressor of the second group of compressors.
  • FIG. 12 Further exemplary embodiments of the invention include a method of transferring oil from at least one compressor of a first group of compressors to at least one compressor of a second group of compressors via an oil collector according to claim 12, the oil collector being selectively connectable to said compressors, the method including the steps of fluidly connecting the oil collector to the oil sumps of the compressor(s) of the first group of compressors; decreasing the pressure in the oil collector below the suction pressure of the compressor(s) of the first group of compressors in order to suck oil from the oil sumps of the compressor(s) of the first group of compressors into the oil collector; fluidly connecting the oil collector to the compressor(s) of the second group of compressors; increasing the pressure in the oil collector above the suction pressure of the compressor(s) of the second group of compressors in order to supply oil from the oil collector to the compressor(s) of the second group of compressors.
  • Further exemplary embodiments of the invention include a method of oil compensation between at least two compressors of two different groups of compressors including the steps of monitoring the oil level in at least one compressor of the second group of compressors; and transferring oil from at least one compressor of the first group of compressors to the compressor of the second group of compressors, using a method of transferring oil from at least one compressor of a first group of compressors to at least one compressor of a second group of compressors via an oil collector, if the oil level in the compressor of a second group of compressors has dropped below a predetermined minimum value.
  • Further exemplary embodiments of the invention include a method of oil compensation between at least two compressors of two different groups of compressors including the steps of monitoring the oil level in at least one compressor of the first group of compressors; and transferring oil from at least one compressor of the first group of compressors to the compressor of the second group of compressors, using a method of transferring oil from at least one compressor of a first group of compressors to at least one compressor of a second group of compressors via an oil collector, if the oil level in at least one compressor of the first group of compressors has risen above a predetermined maximum value.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigeration circuit 2 comprising in the direction of the flow as indicated by arrows of the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit 2 a set of compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of a first group of compressors connected in parallel, a heat rejecting heat exchanger 6, an economizer heat exchanger 14, a high pressure valve or high pressure device 17, a refrigerant collector 18, an expansion device 8, and an evaporator 10 connected to the suction (inlet) side of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c.
  • the refrigeration circuit 2 further comprises in the direction of flow as indicated by arrows an economizer circuit with an economizer expansion device 16, an economizer heat exchanger 14 and an economizer compressor 12.
  • a partial refrigerant flow coming from the heat rejecting heat exchanger 6 is branched off the main flow of the refrigerant and expanded by means of the economizer expansion device 16.
  • the expanded refrigerant coming from the economizer expansion device 16 flows through a first portion 14a of the economizer heat exchanger 14 for cooling the main flow of refrigerant coming from the heat rejecting heat exchanger 6 and flowing to the high pressure valve or high pressure device 17 through a second portion 14b of the economizer heat exchanger 14 against the partial flow of expanded refrigerant.
  • the partial flow of refrigerant is compressed by the economizer compressor 12 and supplied back to the inlet of the heat rejecting heat exchanger 6 at the same (high) pressure as the refrigerant supplied by the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors.
  • the refrigerant flowing through the economizer circuit is not expanded as much by the economizer expansion device 16 as the refrigerant flowing through the main portion of the refrigeration circuit 2 by the high pressure valve 17 and the expansion device 8.
  • the economizer evaporating temperature and thus the pressure is higher than the evaporating temperature and the pressure of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors. Therefore, the suction density is higher in the economizer suction port.
  • Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of an oil transfer mechanism according to the invention, which is configured for transferring oil from the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of a first group of compressors operating at a low suction pressure level to at least one compressor 12 of a second group of compressors operating at a higher suction pressure level than the compressors of the first group.
  • the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group operating at low suction pressure level may correspond to the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of a refrigeration circuit 2 and the compressor 12 of the second group of compressors may correspond to the economizer compressor 12 of the economizer circuit shown in Figure 1 .
  • Refrigerant is supplied at low pressure to the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group by means of a refrigerant suction line 3 and the compressed refrigerant is supplied back to the refrigeration circuit 2 at high pressure via a high pressure discharge line 5.
  • Each of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group comprises an oil sump 7a, 7b, 7c, and a minimum oil level 9a, 9b, 9c is defined for each of the oil sumps 7a, 7b, 7c.
  • An excess oil line 22 opens into the oil sumps 7a, 7b, 7c above the respective minimum oil level 9a, 9b, 9c fluidly connecting the oil sumps 7a, 7b, 7c of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c to each other and to an oil collector 26, which is arranged at a level below the oil compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first type.
  • the excess oil line 22 allows oil to flow from each of the oil sumps 7a, 7b, 7c into the oil collector 26.
  • the oil collector 26 is formed as a pipe which is arranged basically horizontally but with a slight inclination with respect to the horizontal, so that the oil collector 26 has an upper end portion 26a arranged at a higher level than a lower end portion 26b.
  • An oil supply line 30 connected to the lower portion 26b of the oil collector 26 fluidly connects the oil collector 26 to the compressor 12 of the second group of compressors allowing to supply oil from the oil collector 26 via the oil supply line 30 to the oil sump 13 of said compressor 12 of the second group of compressors.
  • An oil supply valve 32 is arranged in the oil supply line 30.
  • the oil supply valve 32 can be a one-way, non-return valve which allows oil to flow from the oil collector 26 to the compressor 12 of the second group of compressors but does not allow oil to flow in the opposite direction from the compressor 12 of the second group of compressors into the oil collector 26.
  • switchable oil supply valves 32 e.g. solenoid valves, may be respectively associated to each of the compressors 12 of the second group of compressors in order to selectively allow and disallow oil to flow from the oil collector 26 to the oil sump 13 of each of the compressors 12 of the second group of compressors.
  • the upper end portion 26b of the oil collector 26 is connected by means of a high pressure line 36 to the high pressure discharge line 5 of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors.
  • a switchable high pressure valve 38 is arranged within said high pressure line 36 allowing to selectively increase the pressure within the oil collector 26 by opening the high pressure valve 38 and fluidly connecting the oil collector 26 to the high pressure discharge line 5.
  • the oil collector 26 is further connected by a low pressure line 40 to the refrigerant suction line 3 of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors.
  • the low pressure line 40 opens into the refrigerant suction line 3 by means of an ejector 44 causing, in operation, the pressure in the low pressure line 40 to drop below the pressure in the refrigerant suction line 3.
  • a switchable low pressure valve 42 is arranged within the low pressure line 40 allowing to selectively reduce the pressure in the oil collector 26 to a value below the suction pressure of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors by opening the low pressure valve 42 and fluidly connecting the oil collector 26 to the ejector 44 arranged at the low pressure line 3.
  • the end walls of the oil collector 26 are respectively provided with transparent inspection glasses 28a, 28b for allowing visual inspection of the oil collected within the oil collector 26.
  • the switchable low pressure valve 42 is opened fluidly connecting the oil collector 26 by means of the low pressure line 40 to the ejector 44 arranged in the refrigerant suction line 3 of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors.
  • the ejector 44 reduces the pressure in the low pressure line 40 and in the oil collector 26 to a value below the suction pressure of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors. Due to this pressure difference between the oil collector 26 and the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c oil from an area above the minimum oil levels 9a, 9b, 9c of the oil sumps 7a, 7b, 7c of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors is sucked through the excess oil line 22 into the oil collector 26.
  • oil collecting mode when oil is sucked from the oil sumps 7a, 7b, 7c of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors into the oil collector 26, the high pressure valve 38 and the oil supply valve 32 are closed.
  • the difference in height may be large enough so that the low pressure line 40 may not even be necessary for transferring oil from the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors to the oil collector 26.
  • a flow of excessive oil from the oil sumps 7a, 7b, 7c into the oil collector 26 may be caused by the difference of hydrostatic pressure between the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c and the oil collector 26.
  • the low pressure valve 42 is closed while the high pressure valve 38 and the oil supply valve 32 are opened (oil supply mode).
  • Opening the high pressure valve 38 fluidly connects the collector 26 to the high pressure discharge line 5 of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors increasing the pressure within the oil collector 26.
  • An orifice or one-way-valve 24 arranged within the excess oil line 22 avoids that the increased pressure in the oil collector 26 is immediately equalized via the excess oil line 22 into the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors.
  • the oil which has been collected in the oil collecting mode in the lower end portion 26b of the oil collector 26 is pressed by the increased pressure within the oil collector 26 via the oil supply line 30 and the open oil supply valve 32 into the oil sump 13 of the compressor 12 of the second group of compressors in order to increase the oil level 15 within said compressor 12 of the second group of compressors.
  • This transfer of oil from the oil collector 26 to the compressor 12 of the second group of compressors provides an effective oil compensation between the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors operating at relatively low suction pressure and the compressor 12 of the second group of compressors operating at a higher suction pressure.
  • the high pressure valve 38 is closed in order to stop the flow of oil from the oil collector 26 to the compressor 12 of the second group of compressors.
  • the oil collector 26 may be refilled with oil from the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors by reopening the low pressure valve 42 and reducing the pressure within the oil collector 26 to a value below the suction pressure of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors, again.
  • each of the compressors 12 of the second group of compressors may be supplied with oil from the oil collector independently of the other compressors 12 of the second group of compressors.
  • the described method of oil transfer may by controlled with the help of oil sensors 34 which are arranged in at least one of the oil sumps 7a, 7b, 7c, 13 and/or in the oil collector 26.
  • the oil transfer may be started when the oil level in one of the compressors 12 of the second group of compressors falls below the minimum oil level 15 and/or the oil level within the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors or the oil collector 26 exceeds a predetermined maximum oil level.
  • Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of a refrigeration circuit 2, which comprises an additional freezing circuit 54.
  • the freezing circuit 54 is configured for generating freezing temperatures in addition to the refrigerating temperatures provided by the refigerating circuit 2. Typical refrigerating temperatures are in the range of 0 °C to 10 °C, whereas freezing temperature are typically in the range of -20 °C to -5 °C.
  • the freezing circuit 54 comprises a freezing expansion device 52 which is connected to the refrigeration circuit 2
  • the freezing expansion device 52 is supplied with a portion of the refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit 2. Said portion of the refrigerant is expanded by the freezing expansion device 52 to an even lower pressure than the refrigerant expanded by the expansion device 8 and is evaporated by the freezing evaporator 50 arranged downstream of the freezing expansion device 52 in order to generate freezing temperatures below the temperatures generated by the evaporator 10 of the refrigeration circuit 2.
  • the refrigerant of the freezing circuit 54 is compressed by a freezing compressor 48 to the suction (inlet) pressure of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the refrigeration circuit 2, i.e. to the same pressure as the refrigerant leaving the evaporator 10 of the refrigeration circuit 2.
  • the freezing compressor 48 is a compressor of a third group of compressors having a suction (inlet) pressure level below the inlet pressure of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the refrigeration circuit 2 and an outlet pressure level identical to the suction (inlet) pressure of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the refrigeration circuit 2.
  • the freezing expansion device 52, the freezing evaporator 50 and the freezing compressor 48 are connected in parallel to the expansion device 8 and the evaporator 10.
  • Figure 4 shows a second exemplary embodiment of an oil compensation system according to the invention which may be operated in combination with a refrigeration circuit 2 comprising a freezing circuit 54 as it is shown in Figure 3 .
  • the reduced pressure in the oil collector 26, which is provided to suck oil form the oil sumps 7a, 7, 7c of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors into the oil collector 26, is not generated by connecting the low pressure line 40 to the refrigerant suction line 3 of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors by means of an ejector 44 as in the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 .
  • the low pressure line 40 is fluidly connected to an inlet line 46 of a compressor 48 of a third group of compressors operating at a suction (inlet) pressure below the suction (inlet) pressure of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors. This reduces the pressure within the oil collector 26 below the suction (inlet) pressure of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors and causes a flow of oil from the oil sumps 7a, 7b. 7c of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors to the oil collector 26.
  • the compressor 48 of the third group of compressors may be a freezing compressor 48 of a freezing circuit 54 comprised in the refrigeration circuit 2 as shown in Figure 3 .
  • Using the freezing compressor 48 of a freezing circuit 54 operating at a lower suction pressure than the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors for reducing the pressure within the oil collector 26 avoids the need of providing an ejector 44 in the refrigerant suction line 3 of the compressors 4a, 4b, 4c of the first group of compressors. Thus, the costs for providing and maintaining the ejector 44 can be saved.
  • the refrigeration circuit according to exemplary embodiments as described herein allows for a compressor oil distribution in systems with different crankcase pressure, and it is particularly suited for HFC systems and for sub and transcritical CO 2 systems, although it is not limited thereto.
  • the refrigeration circuit according to exemplary embodiments as described herein allows to transfer oil from compressors of a first group running at low suction pressure to compressors of a second group running at a higher suction pressure, and it is comparably cheap, since it saves costly oil separators on the compressors high pressure side.
  • transcritical CO 2 systems it eliminates the need for and the maintenance of a coalesence filter.
  • the refrigeration circuit uses the excess oil in the first group of compressors running at first suction level and forming low-pressure compressors, collects the same in an oil receiver and promotes it depending on demand in the second group of compressors running at second suction level and forming high-pressure compressors.
  • group of compressors any number of compressors, including only one compressor, is to be understood.
  • the number of compressors per group of compressors may vary.
  • the refrigeration circuit may comprise an economizer circuit having an economizer expansion device for expanding a partial refrigerant flow coming from the heat rejecting heat exchanger; an economizer heat exchanger arranged downstream of the heat rejecting heat exchanger for cooling a portion of the refrigerant flowing from the heat rejecting heat exchanger in the direction to the economizer expansion device and to the evaporator against the expanded partial refrigerant flow; and at least one compressor of the second group of compressors for compressing the refrigerant partial flow to the outlet pressure of the at least one compressor of the first group before feeding the refrigerant partial flow to the pressure line.
  • An economizer circuit increases the efficiency of the refrigeration circuit.
  • Solenoid or non-return valves can be provided at the at least one compressor of the second group of compressors.
  • the at least one compressor of the second group of compressors can also be called economizer compressor(s).
  • the refrigeration circuit may comprise a low-pressure line connected to the oil collector for reducing the pressure within the oil collector. Reducing the pressure within the oil collector supports and enhances the flow of oil from the compressors to the oil collector.
  • the refrigeration circuit may comprise at least one excess oil line connecting the oil collector to at least one of the compressors of the first group of compressors.
  • the excess oil line allows oil to flow from the compressors of the first group of compressors to the oil collector.
  • the excess oil line may open into an oil sump of said compressor of the first group of compressors above a defined minimum oil level of said oil sump. Arranging the opening of the excess oil line above a minimum oil level of the oil compressors of the first group of compressors avoids that extracting oil from the oil sumps via the respective excess oil line results in reducing the oil level below the minimum oil level.
  • the high-pressure line may be connectable to the outlet side of at least one of the compressors of the first group. Connecting the high-pressure line to the outlet side of at least one of these compressors allows to increase the pressure in the high-pressure line without the need for an additional pressure generator/compressor.
  • the refrigeration circuit may comprise a throttle or one-way-valve arranged in the oil excess line.
  • a throttle or one-way-valve arranged in the oil excess line avoids that an increased pressure in the oil collector is equalized immediately via the low-pressure line. Instead, it allows that an increased pressure within the oil collector is maintained for some time in order to transfer oil from the oil collector to the compressor(s) of the second group of compressors.
  • the refrigeration circuit may comprise a switchable valve arranged in the oil supply line connecting the oil collector to at least one compressor of the second group of compressors in order to selectively allow and disallow a flow of oil between the oil collector and at least one compressor of the second group of compressors.
  • the refrigeration circuit may comprise a switchable valve arranged in the low-pressure line, and/or a switchable valve arranged in the high-pressure line in order to selectively connect the oil collector to the high-pressure line and to the low-pressure line for allowing to selectively increase and decrease the pressure within the oil collector. Increasing and decreasing the pressure within the oil collector allows to support the transfer of oil to and from the oil collector.
  • the low-pressure line may be connectable to the suction side of at least one compressor of the first group of compressors. Connecting the low-pressure line to the suction side of at least one of the compressors provides a simple way of reducing the pressure within the oil collector without the need for an additional pressure reducing device.
  • the low-pressure line may be connectable to an ejector which is arranged in the suction line of at least one compressor of the first group of compressors and configured for reducing the pressure in the low-pressure line. Connecting the low-pressure line to an ejector allows the pressure in the low-pressure line and in the oil collector to be reduced below the suction pressure of said compressors of the first group of compressors in order to suck oil from the compressors of the first group of compressors into the oil collector.
  • the refrigeration circuit may further comprise a high pressure valve or high pressure device and a refrigerant collecting container which is arranged upstream of the expansion device. This allows to provide a two-stage-expansion circuit comprising a high-pressure portion and an intermediate pressure portion.
  • the refrigeration circuit may comprise at least one compressor of a third group of compressors having a lower suction pressure than the compressors of the first group of compressors, the low-pressure line being connectable to the inlet side of at least one compressor of said third group of compressors.
  • a compressor of a third group of compressors having a lower suction pressure than the compressors of the first group of compressors provides an alternative for providing a low pressure within the oil collector in order to suck oil from the compressors of the first group of compressors into the oil collector.
  • the compressor(s) of the first group of compressors may be compressors which are configured for normal refrigerating operation at temperatures of more than 0 °C and the compressor(s) of the third group of compressors may be compressor(s) configured for freezing operation at temperatures below 0 °C. This allows to provide refrigerating temperatures and freezing temperatures with a single refrigeration circuit.
  • the oil collector may have the form of a pipe, which is basically arranged horizontally.
  • An oil collector formed as a pipe can be manufactured easily at low costs and does not occupy a lot of space so that it may be integrated easily into the refrigeration circuit.
  • the pipe forming the oil collector may be arranged with a slight inclination with respect to the horizontal in order to allow the oil to collect in a lower portion of the pipe.
  • the high-pressure line and/or the low pressure line may open to the top of the oil collector. As liquid oil will drop to the bottom of the oil collector this will separate liquid oil from the gas phase and avoid the formation of foam when gaseous refrigerant is introduced into the oil collector via the high-pressure line in order to increase the pressure within the oil collector.
  • the oil collector may be arranged at a level below the compressors of the first group of compressors. Arranging the oil collector at a level below the compressors of the first group of compressors allows oil to flow from the compressors of the first group of compressors to the oil collector driven by gravity. If the vertical distance between the level of the compressors of the first group of compressors and the level of the oil collector is large enough, there may be no need to decrease the pressure within the oil collector below the suction pressure of the compressors of the first group of compressors, as the oil is transferred from the compressors of the first group of compressors to the oil collector by the force of gravity, alone.
  • the refrigeration circuit may comprise at least one oil sensor for determining the oil level in at least one of the compressors and/or the oil collector.
  • An oil sensor allows to start and stop the transfer of oil based on the actual oil level within the oil compressors and/or the oil collector, respectively, allowing a very efficient and exact oil compensation between the compressors.
  • a method for transferring oil from a at least one compressor of a first group of compressors to at least one compressor of a second group of compressors via an oil collector comprises the steps of: fluidly connecting the oil collector to the oil sump(s) of the compressor(s) of the first group of compressors; decreasing the pressure in the oil collector below the suction pressure of the compressor(s) of the first group of compressors in order to suck oil from the oil sump(s) of the compressor(s) of the first group of compressors into the oil collector; fluidly connecting the oil collector to the compressor(s) of the second group of compressors; increasing the pressure in the oil collector above the suction pressure of the compressor(s) of the second group of compressors in order to supply oil from the oil collector to the compressor(s) of the second group of compressors.
  • the step of increasing the pressure in the oil collector may include the step of fluidly connecting the oil collector to the outlet side of at least one of the compressors. This increases the pressure within the oil collector without the need for an additional pressure increasing device.
  • the step of reducing the pressure may include the step of fluidly connecting the oil collector to the inlet side of at least one of the compressors. This reduces the pressure within the oil collector without the need for an additional pressure reducing device.
  • the step of reducing the pressure may include the step of fluidly connecting the oil collector to an ejector arranged in the suction line of at least one of the compressors. This allows to reduce the pressure within the oil collector even below the suction pressure of said compressor(s).
  • a method of oil compensation between at least two compressors may include the steps of monitoring the oil level in at least one compressor of the first group of compressors and starting a transfer of oil from at least one compressor of a first group of compressors to at least one compressor of the second group of compressors when the oil level in the compressor of the first group of compressors has increased above a predetermined value.
  • a method of oil compensation between at least two compressors may include the steps of monitoring the oil level in at least one compressor of a second group of compressors and starting a transfer of oil from at least one compressor of a first group of compressors to the compressor of the second group of compressors when the oil level in the compressor of the second group of compressors has dropped below a predetermined value. This reliably avoids that the compressor(s) of the second group of compressors are jammed or damaged due to a loss of oil.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Compressors, Vaccum Pumps And Other Relevant Systems (AREA)
  • Compressor (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Kältekreislauf (2), der ein Kältemittel zirkuliert und in der Strömungsrichtung Folgendes umfasst:
    mindestens einen Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c) einer ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern;
    einen wärmeabführenden Wärmetauscher (6);
    eine Expansionsvorrichtung (8); und
    einen Verdampfer (10);
    wobei der Kältekreislauf (2) ferner Folgendes umfasst:
    mindestens einen Verdichter (12) einer zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern, wobei der Saugdruck des mindestens eines Verdichters (12) der zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern größer ist als der Saugdruck des mindestens einen Verdichters (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern;
    einen Ölsammler (26), der selektiv mit dem mindestens einen Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern und/oder mit dem mindestens einen Verdichter (12) der zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern verbunden werden kann, um überschüssiges Öl von dem mindestens einen Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern zu sammeln;
    wobei der Ölsammler (26) durch eine Hochdruckleitung (36) mit einer Hochdruckentlastungsleitung (5) des mindestens einen Verdichters (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern verbunden ist, und wobei ein schaltbares Hochdruckventil (38) innerhalb der Hochdruckleitung (36) angeordnet ist, das es ermöglicht, den Druck innerhalb des Ölsammlers (26) selektiv zu erhöhen, indem das Hochdruckventil (38) geöffnet und der Ölsammler (26) fluidisch mit der Hochdruckentlastungsleitung (5) verbunden wird, um Öl von dem Ölsammler (26) zu dem mindestens einen Verdichter (12) der zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern zu übertragen.
  2. Kältekreislauf (2) nach Anspruch 1, umfassend einen Economizer-Kreislauf mit einer Economizer-Expansionsvorrichtung (16) zum Expandieren eines Kältemittelteilstroms, der von dem wärmeabführenden Wärmetauscher (6) kommt; einen Vorwärmerwärmetauscher (14), der stromabwärts des wärmeabführenden Wärmetauschers (6) angeordnet ist, um das Kältemittel zu kühlen, das von dem wärmeabführenden Wärmetauscher (6) in Richtung der Expansionsvorrichtung (8) und zu dem Verdampfer (10) gegen den expandierten Kältemittelteilstrom strömt; und
    wobei der mindestens eine Verdichter (12) der zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern den Kältemittelteilstrom auf den Ausgangsdruck des mindestens einen Verdichters (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern verdichtet, bevor der Kältemittelteilstrom in die Druckleitung gespeist wird.
  3. Kältekreislauf (2) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend eine Niederdruckleitung (40), die mit dem Ölsammler (26) verbunden ist, um den Druck in dem Ölsammler (26) zu reduzieren, wobei ein schaltbares Ventil (42) insbesondere in der Niederdruckleitung (40) angeordnet ist und/oder die Niederdruckleitung (40) insbesondere mit einer Saugleitung (3) mindestens eines Verdichters (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern verbunden werden kann, wobei die Niederdruckleitung (40) insbesondere mit einer Ausstoßvorrichtung (44) verbunden werden kann, die in der Saugleitung (3) mindestens eines Verdichters (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern angeordnet und dazu konfiguriert ist, den Druck in der Niederdruckleitung (40) zu reduzieren.
  4. Kältekreislauf (2) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend mindestens eines von einer Überschussölleitung (22), die mindestens einen der Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern mit dem Ölsammler (26) verbindet, wobei die Überschussölleitung (22) in eine Ölwanne (7a, 7b, 7c) des Verdichters (4a, 4b, 4c) oberhalb eines Mindestölstandes (9a, 9b, 9c) mündet, einer Drossel oder einem Einwegventil (24), die/das in der Überschussölleitung (22) angeordnet ist, einem Ölzufuhrventil (32), das in der Ölzufuhrleitung (30) angeordnet ist, die den Ölsammler (26) mit mindestens einem Verdichter (12) der zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern verbindet, und/oder einem schaltbaren Ventil (38), das in der Hochdruckleitung (36) angeordnet ist.
  5. Kältekreislauf (2) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Hochdruckentlastungsleitung (36) mit der Druckleitung (5) mindestens eines der Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern verbunden werden kann.
  6. Kältekreislauf (2) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend ein Hochdruckventil (17) und einen Kältemittelsammelbehälter (18), die in Strömungsrichtung des Kältemittels zwischen dem wärmeabführenden Wärmetauscher (6) und der Expansionsvorrichtung (8) angeordnet sind.
  7. Kältekreislauf (2) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend mindestens einen Verdichter (48) einer dritten Gruppe von Verdichtern, der einen niedrigeren Saugdruck aufweist als die Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern, wobei die Niederdruckleitung (40) mit dem Einlass mindestens eines Verdichters (48) der dritten Gruppe von Verdichtern verbunden werden kann, wobei es sich bei den Verdichtern (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern insbesondere um Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c) handelt, die zum normalen Kühlbetrieb konfiguriert sind, und es sich bei den Verdichtern der dritten Gruppe von Verdichtern (48) insbesondere um Verdichter handelt, die zum Tiefkühlbetrieb konfiguriert sind.
  8. Kältekreislauf (2) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Ölsammler (26) die Form eines Rohres aufweist, das im Wesentlichen horizontal angeordnet ist.
  9. Kältekreislauf (2) nach einem der Ansprüche 3-8, wobei die Hochdruckleitung (36) und/oder die Niederdruckleitung (40) mit der Oberseite des Ölsammlers (26) verbunden sind.
  10. Kältekreislauf (2) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Ölsammler (26) auf einem Stand unterhalb der Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern angeordnet ist.
  11. Kältekreislauf (2) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, umfassend mindestens einen Ölsensor (34) zum Erfassen des Ölstandes mindestens eines der Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c, 12, 48) und/oder des Ölstandes in dem Ölsammler (26).
  12. Verfahren zum Übertragen von Öl von dem mindestens einen Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c) einer ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern zu mindestens einem Verdichter (12) einer zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern über einen Ölsammler (26), wobei der Saugdruck des/der Verdichter(s) (12) der zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern größer ist als der Saugdruck der Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern, wobei der Ölsammler (26) selektiv mit den Verdichtern (4a, 4b, 4c, 12) verbunden werden kann, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte beinhaltet:
    fluidisches Verbinden des Ölsammlers (26) mit den Ölwannen (7a, 7b, 7c) des/der Verdichter(s) (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern;
    Verringern des Drucks in dem Ölsammler (26) unter den Saugdruck des/der Verdichter(s) (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern, um Öl aus den Ölwannen (7a, 7b, 7c) des/der Verdichter(s) (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern in den Ölsammler (26) zu saugen;
    fluidisches Verbinden des Ölsammlers (26) mit dem/den Verdichter(n) (12) der zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern;
    Erhöhen des Drucks in dem Ölsammler (26) und/oder Verringern des Saugdrucks des/der Verdichter(s) (12) der zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern, sodass der Druck in dem Ölsammler (26) größer wird als der Saugdruck des/der Verdichter(s) (12) der zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern, um Öl von dem Ölsammler (26) dem/den Verdichter(n) (12) der zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern zuzuführen.
  13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, wobei der Schritt des Erhöhens des Drucks in dem Ölsammler (26) das fluidische Verbinden des Ölsammlers (26) mit der Druckleitung mindestens eines der Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c, 12, 48) beinhaltet.
  14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12 oder 13, wobei der Schritt des Reduzierens des Drucks in dem Ölsammler (26) das fluidische Verbinden des Ölsammlers (26) mit der Saugleitung mindestens eines der Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c, 12, 48) beinhaltet, wobei der Schritt des Reduzierens des Drucks in dem Ölsammler (26) insbesondere das fluidische Verbinden des Ölsammlers (26) mit einer Ausstoßvorrichtung (44) beinhaltet, die in der Saugleitung mindestens eines der Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c, 12, 48) angeordnet ist.
  15. Verfahren zur Ölkompensation zwischen mindestens zwei Verdichtern (4a, 4b, 4c, 12) aus zwei unterschiedlichen Gruppen von Verdichtern, das die folgenden Schritte beinhaltet:
    Überwachen des Ölstandes in mindestens einem Verdichter (12) der zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern; und
    Übertragen von Öl von mindestens einem Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern zu dem Verdichter (12) der zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern unter Verwendung des Verfahrens nach einem der der Ansprüche 12 bis 14, wenn der Ölstand in dem Verdichter (12) einer zweiten Gruppe von Verdichtern unter einen vorbestimmten Mindestwert gefallen ist und/oder der Ölstand in mindestens einem Verdichter (4a, 4b, 4c) der ersten Gruppe von Verdichtern über einen vorbestimmten Maximalwert angestiegen ist.
EP11731384.1A 2011-07-14 2011-07-14 Kältekreislauf mit ölkompensation Not-in-force EP2732222B1 (de)

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JP6616224B2 (ja) * 2016-03-28 2019-12-04 三菱重工サーマルシステムズ株式会社 多段圧縮装置、これを備える冷凍サイクル、及び多段圧縮装置の運転方法
US10081226B2 (en) * 2016-08-22 2018-09-25 Bergstrom Inc. Parallel compressors climate system
KR102532274B1 (ko) * 2018-09-20 2023-05-11 도시바 캐리어 가부시키가이샤 공기 조화 장치 및 제어 방법

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DE10357556A1 (de) * 2003-12-10 2005-07-14 Linde Kältetechnik GmbH & Co. KG Verbund(kälte)anlage und Verfahren zum Betreiben einer Verbund(kälte)anlage
US7231783B2 (en) * 2004-08-27 2007-06-19 Zero Zone, Inc. Oil control system for a refrigeration system
CN101290006A (zh) * 2007-04-18 2008-10-22 海尔集团公司 多压缩机油均衡系统
GB2460726B (en) * 2008-06-13 2012-05-16 Arctic Circle Ltd A Refrigeration System with an Oil Reservoir Header
CN101676564A (zh) * 2008-09-19 2010-03-24 江森自控楼宇设备科技(无锡)有限公司 油平衡装置、压缩机单元及其油平衡方法

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CN103649653B (zh) 2016-03-23

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