JP2001304715A - Adsorption refrigerating machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continuously and stably provide a refrigerating capacity in an adsorption refrigerating machine in which operation is switched from an adsorption process to a desorption process and vice versa. SOLUTION: After a first switching operation mode wherein an adsorber in a desorption process is transferred to an adsorption process after a heating medium remaining in an adsorption core of the adsorber in the desorption process and the heating medium in a water reservoir 90 are replaced with each other has been completed, a second switching operation mode wherein the adsorber in the adsorption process is transferred to the desorption process after the heating medium remaining in the adsorption core of the adsorber in the adsorption process and the heating medium in the water reservoir 90 are replaced with each other is executed so that the adsorption process and the desorption process are operated alternately at a specified interval. By this method, the adsorption cores 12, 22 in the desorption process is cooled by the low temperature heating medium stored in the water reservoir 90. At the time of switching the adsorption process and the desorption process, either one of the first adsorber 10 and the second adsorber 20 always adsorbs the refrigerant. Therefore, the refrigeration capacity is continuously and stably provided even at the time of switching the adsorption process and the desorption process.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an adsorption refrigerator using an adsorbent that adsorbs a vapor refrigerant and desorbs the adsorbed refrigerant when heated.
It is effective when applied to an air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An adsorption type refrigerator is disclosed in, for example,
As described in Japanese Patent No. 6432, a refrigerant such as water and an adsorbent such as silica gel are sealed in the adsorber, and the liquid-phase refrigerant in the adsorber is evaporated to generate a refrigerating capacity.
The vapor phase refrigerant (water vapor) is adsorbed by the adsorbent to continuously evaporate the liquid-phase refrigerant. However, when the adsorbing capacity of the adsorbent is saturated, the evaporation of the liquid-phase refrigerant is stopped and the refrigerant is frozen. Ability will be reduced.

[0003] Therefore, in general, between a plurality of adsorbers,
An adsorption process in which the refrigerant exhibits a refrigerating capacity while adsorbing the refrigerant, and the adsorbent is heated to desorb (regenerate) the adsorbed refrigerant.
The refrigeration capacity is continuously exercised by alternately switching the desorption process to be performed.

[0004] The adsorbent generates heat (adsorption heat) equivalent to the heat of condensation when adsorbing the refrigerant, and when the temperature of the adsorbent rises, the adsorbing ability decreases. The adsorbent is cooled by a heat medium cooled by outside air or the like.

[0005]

However, in the adsorber in the desorption step, the adsorbent is heated in order to desorb the refrigerant. Therefore, immediately after the transition from the desorption step to the adsorption step, the adsorption is performed. Since the temperature of the adsorbent is rising, it is not possible to supply sufficient refrigeration capacity to the outside until the temperature of the adsorbent drops. Therefore, immediately after switching between the adsorption step and the desorption step, there is a problem that cooling cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to continuously and stably supply a refrigerating capacity in an adsorption type refrigerator that switches between an adsorption step and a desorption step.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a vapor refrigerant is adsorbed and the refrigerant adsorbed by being heated is desorbed. A plurality of adsorbers (10, 20) containing adsorbents (11, 21) that perform adsorption and a desorption step of adsorbing refrigerant and desorbing refrigerant, respectively.
0, 20) is an adsorption type refrigerator that continuously exhibits a refrigerating capacity by alternately operating between the adsorbents (10, 20), and is provided in a plurality of adsorbers (10, 20) and has an adsorbent (11, 20).
21) and an adsorption core (12, 2) for exchanging heat with the heat medium.
2), a heat source (60) for heating the heat medium, a radiator (70) for cooling the heat medium, an evaporator (30) for evaporating the refrigerant to exhibit a refrigerating ability, and a heat medium for storing the heat medium The operation of exchanging the heat medium stored in the heat medium container (90) with the heat medium remaining in the adsorption core (12, 22) of the container (90) and the adsorber (10, 20) in the desorption process is started. After that, the first switching operation mode in which the adsorber (10, 20) in the desorption step is shifted to the adsorption step, and the adsorption core (12, 20) of the adsorber (10, 20) (10, 20) in the adsorption step. Heat medium remaining in 22) and heat medium container (90)
After the operation of replacing the heat medium stored in the adsorber is started, the adsorber (10, 20) (10, 2) in the adsorption step is started.
Switching control means (110) for switching a second switching operation mode for shifting the first switching operation mode to the second switching operation mode after executing the first switching operation mode. Is carried out to switch between the adsorption step and the desorption step.

Thus, the adsorber (1) in the desorption step
0, 20) are cooled by the low-temperature heat medium stored in the heat medium container (90), so that the adsorbent (1
1, 21), the temperature is lowered, and a sufficient refrigeration capacity can be immediately exhibited.

Then, since the second switching operation mode is executed after the first switching operation mode is executed, the first and second adsorbers (10, 20) are used when switching between the first steady state and the second steady state. ) Always adsorbs the refrigerant.

Therefore, according to the adsorption refrigerator of the present invention, a sufficient cooling capacity (refrigeration capacity) can be continuously and stably supplied even immediately after shifting from the desorption step to the adsorption step.

It is preferable that the volume of the heat medium container (90) is substantially equal to the volume of the heat medium that can be held by the suction cores (12, 22).

In the first switching operation mode, the switching control means (110) includes the adsorption cores (12, 22) of the adsorbers (10, 20) in the desorption step. Heat medium and heat medium container remaining in the container (90)
After the operation of replacing the heat medium stored in the storage device is completed, it is desirable to shift the adsorbers (10, 20) in the desorption process to the adsorption process.

Incidentally, the reference numerals in parentheses of the above means are examples showing the correspondence with specific means described in the embodiments described later.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS This embodiment is an application of the adsorption refrigerator according to the present invention to a vehicle air conditioner. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the adsorption refrigerator according to the present embodiment. .

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 10 and 20 denote adsorbents 11 and 2,
1, the adsorbents 11 and 21 and a heat medium (in the present embodiment,
These are first and second adsorbers in which adsorption cores (heat exchangers having adsorbents adhered to their surfaces) 12 and 22 for exchanging heat with water containing ethylene glycol-based antifreeze are contained. A refrigerant (in the present embodiment, water) is sealed in the two adsorbers 10 and 20.

The adsorbents 11 and 21 adsorb the vapor refrigerant and desorb the adsorbed refrigerant when heated. In the present embodiment, silica gel is used. The adsorber casings 13 and 23 constituting the first and second adsorbers 10 and 20 are made of a material having excellent corrosion resistance (stainless steel in the present embodiment), and the inside thereof has a pressure significantly lower than the atmospheric pressure. (Substantially vacuum).

Reference numeral 30 denotes an evaporator that absorbs heat from the air blown into the passenger compartment through the indoor heat exchanger 40 to evaporate the refrigerant. The evaporator 30 and the indoor heat exchanger 40 are
It is thermally connected via a heat medium (brine circuit) circulating between 0 and 40. Reference numeral 60 denotes a vehicle traveling engine (heat source). In the present embodiment, the adsorbent 11 is formed by engine cooling water (in this embodiment, water mixed with an ethylene glycol-based antifreeze) in which waste heat of the engine 60 is recovered. ,
21 is being heated.

In this embodiment, since the engine cooling water and the heat medium are the same fluid, the engine cooling water (hereinafter, referred to as a heated heat medium) is directly supplied to the first and second adsorption cores 12. , 22.

Reference numeral 70 denotes an outdoor heat exchanger (radiator) for exchanging heat between the heat medium and the outside air to cool the heat medium, and reference numeral 80 denotes a condenser for condensing water vapor desorbed from the adsorbents 11 and 21. The condenser 80 includes an outdoor heat exchanger 70 and a condenser 8.
It is thermally connected via a heat medium (brine circuit) that circulates between 0 and 0. The condenser 80 communicates with the evaporator 30 through a refrigerant passage (not shown) having a predetermined pressure loss like a capillary tube.
The liquid-phase refrigerant condensed at is supplied to the evaporator via the refrigerant passage.

Reference numeral 90 denotes a water storage tank (heat medium container) for storing the heat medium. The water storage amount (internal volume) is substantially equal to the volume of the heat medium that can be held by the first and second adsorption cores 12 and 22. And 101 to 104 are the first and second suction cores 1.
2, 22; an engine 60; an outdoor heat exchanger 70; and first to fourth switching valves for switching the heat medium flow between the water storage tanks 90, and 105 to 108 are first and second adsorbers 10, 20,
Fifth to eighth switching valves for switching the refrigerant flow between the evaporator 30 and the condenser 80, and these switching valves 101 to 10
8 is controlled by an electronic control unit (switching control means) 110 as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

For example, the first adsorber 10 is in the adsorption step,
In a state in the second suction step (hereinafter, this state is referred to as a first steady state), as shown in FIG.
1, the heat medium cooled by the outdoor heat exchanger 70 circulates to cool the adsorbent 11, and the adsorbent 11 adsorbs the water vapor evaporated by the evaporator 30. On the other hand, in the second adsorber 20, the heat medium heated by the second adsorption core 22 circulates to desorb water vapor, and the desorbed water vapor is guided to the condenser 80 to be condensed.

In this case, the fifth and seventh switching valves 105,
107 is closed, the sixth and eighth switching valves 106 and 108 are opened, and no heat medium circulates between the water storage tank 90 and the first and second adsorption cores 12 and 22.

Conversely, the second adsorber 20 is in the adsorption step,
In a state in the first suction step (hereinafter, this state is referred to as a second steady state), as shown in FIG.
1, the heat medium cooled by the outdoor heat exchanger 70 circulates to cool the adsorbent 21, and the adsorbent 21 adsorbs the water vapor evaporated by the evaporator 30. On the other hand, in the first adsorber 10, the heat medium heated by the first adsorption core 12 circulates to desorb water vapor, and the desorbed water vapor is guided to the condenser 80 to be condensed.

In this case, the fifth and seventh switching valves 105,
107 is opened, the sixth and eighth switching valves 106 and 108 are closed, and the heat medium is not circulated between the water storage tank 90 and the first and second adsorption cores 12 and 22.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic views showing a process during the transition from the first steady state to the second steady state. In the first switching operation mode shown in FIG. 5, the adsorption in the desorption step is performed. Suction core of the vessel (in this case, the second suction core 22)
After the operation of exchanging the heat medium remaining in the water tank and the heat medium stored in the water storage tank 90 is started, the adsorber (in this case, the second adsorber 20) in the desorption step is shifted to the adsorption step.

Specifically, the second and fourth switching valves 102, 10
4 to supply the low-temperature (corresponding to the outside air temperature) heat medium stored in the water storage tank 90 to the second adsorption core 22,
The high-temperature heat medium remaining in the adsorption core 22 is stored in the water storage tank 90.
To supply. Then, when the heat medium is completely replaced, the eighth switching valve 108 is closed and the seventh switching valve 107 is closed.
open.

After the end of the first switching operation mode, as shown in FIG. 6, the heat medium remaining in the adsorption core (in this case, the first adsorption core 12) of the adsorber in the adsorption step and the water tank 90. After the operation for replacing the heat medium stored in the storage device is started, a second switching operation mode is executed in which the adsorber (in this case, the first adsorber 10) in the adsorption process is shifted to the desorption process.

For this reason, the high-temperature heat medium stored in the water storage tank 90 is supplied to the second adsorption core 22, and the low-temperature heat medium (corresponding to the outside air temperature) remaining in the second adsorption core 22 is stored in the water storage tank 90. It is supplied to the tank 90. When the heat medium is completely replaced, the first switching valve 105 is opened and the second switching valve 102 is closed.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic views showing a process in transition from the second steady state to the first steady state. FIG. 7 corresponds to the first switching operation mode. Corresponds to the second switching operation mode, and only the state of the first adsorber 10 and the state of the second adsorber 20 are interchanged, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 3 → FIG. 4 → FIG. 5 → FIG. 2 → FIG. 7 →
It repeats in order of FIG. 8 → FIG. As a result, the first steady state and the second steady state are alternately switched every predetermined time with the first and second switching operation modes interposed therebetween.

Next, the features of this embodiment will be described.

According to this embodiment, the first steady state and the second steady state
Since the switching operation is performed alternately at predetermined time intervals between the first and second switching operation modes with respect to the steady state, the adsorption cores 12 and 22 (adsorbers 10 and 20) in the desorption step are stored in the water storage tank 90.
Is cooled by the low-temperature heat medium stored in the storage device. For this reason, even immediately after shifting from the desorption step to the adsorption step, the temperature of the adsorption cores 12 and 22 (adsorbers 10 and 20) is lowered, so that a sufficient refrigerating capacity can be immediately exhibited.

Then, since the second switching operation mode is executed after the first switching operation mode is executed, the first and second adsorbers 1 are switched when switching between the first steady state and the second steady state.
Either 0 or 20 always adsorbs the refrigerant.

Therefore, according to the adsorption refrigerator of the present embodiment, a sufficient cooling capacity (refrigeration capacity) can be continuously and stably supplied even immediately after the transition from the desorption step to the adsorption step.

(Other Embodiments) In the above embodiment, the evaporator 30 and the condenser 70 are provided outside the adsorbers 10 and 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 9, the evaporator 30 and the condenser 70 may be housed in the adsorbers 10 and 20.

In the above-described embodiment, when the heat medium is completely replaced in the first switching operation mode, the seventh,
Although the eighth switching valves 107 and 108 are operated, the present invention is not limited to this, and the seventh and eighth switching valves 107 and 108 may be operated before the heat medium is completely replaced.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking a vehicle air conditioner as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is a stationary type air conditioner for general households, buildings and the like. And so on. Therefore, the heat source for desorption (regeneration) is not limited to the waste heat of the engine.

In the above-described embodiment, silica gel is used as the adsorbent. Alternatively, activated alumina, activated carbon, zeolite, molecular sieving carbon, or the like may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an adsorption refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the adsorption refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerant flow and a heat medium flow in the adsorption refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerant flow and a heat medium flow in the adsorption refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerant flow and a heat medium flow in the adsorption refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerant flow and a heat medium flow in the adsorption refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerant flow and a heat medium flow in the adsorption refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerant flow and a heat medium flow in the adsorption refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an adsorption refrigerator according to a modification of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 first adsorber, 11 adsorbent, 12 first adsorbent core, 20 second adsorber, 21 adsorbent, 22 second adsorbent core, 30 evaporator, 40 indoor heat exchanger 60 ... engine (heat source), 70 ... outdoor heat exchanger (radiator), 80 ...
Condenser, 90 ... water tank (heat medium container).

Claims (3)

[Claims] An adsorbent (1) that adsorbs a vapor refrigerant and desorbs the adsorbed refrigerant when heated.
A plurality of adsorbers (10, 20) in which 1, 21) are stored.
An adsorption step of continuously exhibiting a refrigerating capacity by alternately operating the adsorption step of adsorbing the refrigerant and the desorption step of desorbing the refrigerant between the plurality of adsorbers (10, 20). An adsorption core (12, 22) provided in the plurality of adsorbers (10, 20) for exchanging heat between the adsorbent (11, 21) and a heat medium; A heat source (60) for heating the heat exchanger, a radiator (70) for cooling the heat medium, and an evaporator (30) for evaporating the refrigerant and exhibiting a refrigerating ability.
A heat medium container (90) for storing a heat medium; a heat medium remaining in the adsorption cores (12, 22) of the adsorbers (10, 20) in the desorption step; and the heat medium container (90). After the operation for replacing the heat medium stored in the adsorber is started, the adsorber (10, 2) in the desorption step is started.
0) the first switching operation mode for shifting to the adsorption step,
And the adsorbers (10, 20) (1) in the adsorption step.
0, 20), the operation of exchanging the heat medium remaining in the adsorption core (12, 22) with the heat medium stored in the heat medium container (90) is started, and then the adsorber ( Switching control means (110) for switching a second switching operation mode for shifting the first switching operation to the first switching operation. An adsorption refrigerating machine characterized by performing an operation of switching between an adsorption step and a desorption step by executing the second switching operation mode after executing the mode. 2. The adsorptive refrigeration according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the heat medium container (90) is substantially equal to the volume of the heat medium that can be held by the adsorption cores (12, 22). Machine. 3. The heating medium remaining in the adsorption cores (12, 22) of the adsorbers (10, 20) in the desorption step in the first switching operation mode. After the operation of replacing the heat medium stored in the heat medium container (90) with the heat medium is completed, the adsorbers (10, 20) in the desorption step are transferred to the adsorption step. Item 3. The adsorption refrigerator according to Item 1 or 2.