JP2004197983A

JP2004197983A - Piping cleaning method, piping cleaning device, and freezing device

Info

Publication number: JP2004197983A
Application number: JP2002364545A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Koji Naito; 宏治内藤; Kazumiki Urata; 和幹浦田; Hiroaki Tsuboe; 宏明坪江; Kenichi Nakamura; 憲一中村; Susumu Nakayama; 進中山; Kensaku Kokuni; 研作小国
Original assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Current assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Priority date: 2002-12-17
Filing date: 2002-12-17
Publication date: 2004-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-17
Also published as: JP3704608B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a piping cleaning method, a piping cleaning device, and a freezing device, capable of cleaning connection piping connecting a heat source side unit of an air conditioner or a freezing device using a freezing cycle to a user side unit. <P>SOLUTION: In the freezing device in which the heat source side unit 2 of the freezing device is connected to the user side unit 3 through liquid connection piping and gas connection piping, the heat source side unit 2 or the user side unit 3 of the freezing device is changed into a heat source side unit or a user side unit of another freezing device using a different kind of cooling medium. Before enclosing the cooling medium after change into the liquid connection piping 5 and the gas connection piping 4, a piping cleaning device provided with a compressor and a foreign matter recovering device is connected to the liquid connection piping 5 and the gas connection piping 4. Cooling medium of a similar kind to cooling medium before change is circulated into the liquid connection piping 5 and the gas connection piping 4 by the piping cleaning device to clean the liquid connection piping 5 and the gas connection piping 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、冷凍サイクルを利用した空気調和機や冷凍機の熱源側ユニットと利用側ユニットとをつなぐ接続配管を洗浄する配管洗浄方法及び配管洗浄装置並びに熱源側ユニットや利用側ユニットの冷凍機器に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
空気調和機及び冷凍機を含む冷凍装置の配管の洗浄方法として、既設の冷凍装置とは別の冷凍サイクルにより、冷凍装置に使用している冷媒と同じ冷媒を用いて配管を洗浄し、配管内に残った配管の切断時に生じた切り粉やバリ取りかすや配管の溶接作業で配管内表面に生じた酸化皮膜（酸化銅）などの塵や、配管内に残留した水分を取り除くために、洗浄冷媒中に混入した前記塵や水分を、配管洗浄用循環ポンプと阻止弁の間の接続パイプに配設したフィルターにより取り除くことが知られ、例えば特開２００１−１８３０３５号公報に記載されている。
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−１８３０３５号公報
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
空気調和機などの冷凍装置ではＣＦＣ冷媒やＨＣＦＣ冷媒からオゾン層を破壊しないＨＦＣ冷媒などの転換が図られている。一方冷凍装置のリニューアル時、室外ユニットと室内ユニットを接続する既設接続配管を再利用して工事期間及び工事費用を低減したいという要望がある。既設接続配管にはＣＦＣ冷媒やＨＣＦＣ冷媒で使用されていた鉱油が残っている。ＨＦＣ冷媒と鉱油は相溶性がないため既設接続配管に鉱油が残っていると、変更後の冷凍装置の冷凍サイクル内に詰まりなど悪影響を及ぼすので既設接続配管の洗浄が必要になってくる。前記のように鉱油を使っていた冷凍装置をＨＦＣ冷媒の冷凍装置に変更する場合、従来技術ではＨＦＣ冷媒で洗浄することになるが、鉱油とＨＦＣ冷媒は相溶性がないので鉱油が冷媒と共に移動しにくく除去に時間がかかる。
【０００４】
本発明の目的は、既設配管内に残留する冷凍機油を効率良く除去することにある。
さらに、本発明の目的は、室外ユニットと室内ユニットとの距離が長い場合、室内ユニットの接続台数が多い場合、接続配管の径が太い場合には、洗浄すべき接続配管の内容積が大きくなり、洗浄に必要な洗浄冷媒量が多くなる。最大洗浄冷媒量に対応するには洗浄冷媒を貯留するタンクが大きくなり、配管洗浄装置の筐体が著しく大きくなるとともに、重量も重くなり、配管洗浄装置の搬入出費用が高くなることを防ぐことにある。
【０００５】
さらに、冷凍機器をリニューアルするときに既設配管内を洗浄して既設配管内に残留する劣化した冷凍機油を除去し、既設配管に新規に接続する冷凍機器の圧縮機に封入された冷凍機油の劣化を抑制することにある。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するために、本発明は、冷凍機器の熱源側ユニットと利用側ユニットとを液接続配管及びガス接続配管で接続した冷凍装置を前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管を用いて前記冷凍機器の熱源側ユニットまたは利用側ユニットを使用冷媒が異なる他の冷凍機器の熱源側ユニットまたは利用側ユニットに変更し、前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管に変更後の冷媒を封入する前に、前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管に圧縮機と異物回収装置を備えた配管洗浄装置を接続し、前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管内に変更前の冷媒と同種の冷媒を前記配管洗浄装置で循環させて前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管を洗浄するものである。
【０００７】
また、本発明は、冷凍機器の熱源側ユニットと利用側ユニットとを液接続配管及びガス接続配管で接続した冷凍装置を前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管を用いて前記冷凍機器の熱源側ユニットまたは利用側ユニットを使用冷媒が異なる他の冷凍機器の熱源側ユニットまたは利用側ユニットに変更し、前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管に変更後の冷媒を封入する前に、前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管に圧縮機と異物回収装置を備えた配管洗浄装置を接続し、前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管内に変更前の冷媒と同種の冷媒を前記配管洗浄装置で循環させて前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管を洗浄する冷凍機器において、前記冷凍機器の液接続配管及びガス接続配管配管の接続部に配管洗浄装置と接続する分岐部を前記冷凍機器内に設けたものである。
【０００８】
冷凍機器の熱源側ユニットと利用側ユニットとを液接続配管及びガス接続配管で接続した冷凍装置を前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管を用いて前記冷凍機器の熱源側ユニットまたは利用側ユニットを使用冷媒が異なる他の冷凍機器の熱源側ユニットまたは利用側ユニットに変更し、前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管に変更後の冷媒を封入する前に、前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管に圧縮機と異物回収装置を備えた配管洗浄装置を接続し、前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管内に変更前の冷媒と同種の冷媒を前記配管洗浄装置で循環させて前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管を洗浄する配管洗浄装置において、変更後の冷凍装置の熱源側ユニットと利用側ユニットとを接続する伝送線を分岐して配管洗浄装置に接続し、配管洗浄中に熱源側ユニットまたは利用側ユニットの構成機器を制御するものである。
【０００９】
上記のものにおいて、変更前の冷凍装置の冷媒と同種の冷媒を貯留するタンクユニットを前記配管洗浄装置に着脱可能に接続し、前記タンクユニットの冷媒で前記液接続配管及びガス接続配管を洗浄し、洗浄終了後に洗浄に使用した冷媒を前記タンクユニットに回収することが望ましい。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下本発明の実施の形態について図を用いて説明する。
図１は、本発明を空調機に適用した一実施の形態におけるフローチャートおよび各機器の接続状態の説明図を示している。
旧システム1に封入された冷媒がHCFC-22(R22)であって、新規に接続する室外ユニットに封入された冷媒がHFC系冷媒(例えばR-410A、R-407C)の場合、既設配管に残留するHCFC-22用の冷凍機油は、HFC系冷媒には溶解しないのでキャピラリ等で詰まり、より信頼性を低下することが知られておりこの残留冷凍機油の除去が必要である。
【００１１】
手順▲１▼では冷媒としてR22冷媒を充填した既設の室外ユニット２、既設の室内ユニット３、３ａ、３ｂ、３ｃとそれぞれを接続するガス接続配管４及び液接続配管５により構成された空調機に冷媒回収機６と回収ボンベ7を接続配管8および９にて接続した後に回収ボンベにR22冷媒を回収する。
R22冷媒の回収後、手順▲２▼で室外ユニット２を新室外ユニット10に入れ替え、室内ユニット３を新室内ユニット11、11ａ、11ｂ、11ｃに入れ替える。このとき、ガス接続配管４と液接続配管５が変更後の使用冷媒（例えばR-410A、R-407C）の設計圧力に適合するものかを確認し、配管の肉厚が不足しているなどにより適用不可能な場合には、配管洗浄による配管の再利用は不可能となるため、配管を敷設しなおす必要がある。
適用可能な場合には、ガス接続配管4、液接続配管５、新室内ユニット11の気密を確認し次の作業に移る。気密が確保されていない場合は、漏洩個所を探して補修する。
【００１２】
手順▲３▼で、洗浄装置12、とタンクユニット13を接続配管14を介してガス接続配管４と液接続配管５に接続した後、洗浄装置12と接続配管14、ガス接続配管４と液接続配管５、新室内ユニット11の真空引きを行なう。
新室外ユニット11とタンクユニット13には冷媒が充填されているため真空引きを行なわない。
図２に示すとおり、洗浄装置12にタンクユニット13を内蔵することも可能であるが、本実施例ではそれぞれのユニット質量が大きくなると搬送性が困難になるため図１と図３に示すように、洗浄装置12とタンクユニット13を着脱可能な状態に分割した。
【００１３】
タンクユニット13には洗浄用の冷媒を充填しておく。洗浄用の冷媒は、旧システムで使用していた冷凍機油と相溶性がある冷媒を使用する。本実施例では旧システムで使用していたR22を使用する。このR22は新規品を使用することが望ましいが、旧システムで使用していたR22を再利用することも可能である。
真空引き作業後、新室内ユニット11、ガス接続配管４、液接続配管５、洗浄ユ装置12、接続配管14の間に洗浄用冷媒R22を循環させて配管の洗浄を行なう。このとき、新室外ユニット11に内蔵されている阻止弁は閉止しておき、洗浄用の冷媒が流入しないようにしておく。
【００１４】
洗浄運転では新室外ユニット10に搭載されている圧縮機と新室内ユニット11に内蔵された送風機はそれぞれ運転不要である。洗浄運転では洗浄装置12に搭載された圧縮機を使用して洗浄用冷媒R22をガス接続配管４、液接続配管５、新室内ユニット11、洗浄装置12、タンクユニット13内を循環させる。このとき、新室内ユニット11に内蔵された膨張機構を開閉することにより洗浄の順序を決定する。洗浄中に回収した旧システム１内に残っていた冷凍機油や不純物は洗浄装置12内に設けた異物回収装置に回収される。
【００１５】
洗浄作業が終了した後、タンクユニット13に洗浄用冷媒のR22を回収する。この後、洗浄装置12と接続配管14、ガス接続配管４と液接続配管５、室内ユニット３の真空引きを行なう。R22の回収運転時に真空引きを行なうエリアはほぼ真空状態となっているため、ここでの真空引き作業時間は大気圧からの真空引き作業に比べて短時間で完了させることが可能である。
【００１６】
真空引き作業完了後、手順▲４▼のとおり、洗浄用機器（洗浄装置12、タンクユニット13、接続配管14）を取外す。
続いて、入れ替え後のシステムに使用する新冷媒ボンベ15を接続配管16を介して接続し、新冷媒を充填する。
以上で洗浄作業が完了し、新冷媒でシステムを運転可能な状態とすることができる。洗浄装置12内に回収した旧システム1内の冷凍機油および不純物は異物回収装置から排出して処分する。また、洗浄に使用した冷媒は次回の洗浄に使用が可能である。
【００１７】
図２を用いて第２の実施例を説明する。
新規の室外ユニット１０ａにはガス接続配管４ａ、液接続配管５ａと洗浄ユニット１２ａとを接続するためのバルブキット２０が室外ユニット１０ａに備えられており、バルブキット２０は接続配管４ａ、４ｂと接続されている。また接続配管４ａ、４ｂには新規の室内ユニット１１ｄ、１１ｅ、１１ｆが接続されている。バルブキット２０の阻止弁２０５、２０６と洗浄装置１２ａの阻止弁１２６、１２７は接続配管１４ａ、１４ｂで接続されている。室外ユニット１０ａの阻止弁１０６、１０７は閉止状態である。バルブキットの阻止弁２０５、２０６及び洗浄装置１２ａの阻止弁１２６、１２７は開状態である。
【００１８】
ここで、洗浄運転時の冷媒の流れについて説明する。
洗浄装置内の圧縮機１２１より吐出された高温高圧冷媒はオイルセパレータ１２２で油を分離した後、油は返油管１３０をから圧縮機１２１の吸入側へ戻され圧縮機１０１に吸入される。オイルセパレータ１２２を出た冷媒は空気熱交換器１２３で凝縮され、高圧の液冷媒または気液二相冷媒となり液−ガス熱交換器１２４（プレート熱交換器、または２重管熱交換器）に流入する。そして、冷媒は液−ガス熱交換器１２４で熱交換された後、洗浄冷媒タンク１２５へ入る。そして、洗浄冷媒タンク１２５内の冷媒は阻止弁１２６、接続配管１４ａを通って阻止弁２０５から接続配管４ａ内に導入される。その後、ガス接続配管４ａ、室内ユニット１１ｄ、１１ｅ、１１ｆ、液接続配管５ａを通って阻止弁２０６、接続配管１４ｂを経由して阻止弁１２７から洗浄装置１２ａ内に流入する。接続配管４ａ、５ａを冷媒が流れることによって接続配管４ａ、５ａに残留する異物（主として冷凍装置で使用していた冷凍機油）を冷媒中に溶解して洗浄装置１２ａ内に流入する。その後、冷媒は減圧装置１２８により減圧され、液−ガス熱交換器１２４の蒸発側で蒸発しガス単相となる。
【００１９】
ガス単相の冷媒と冷媒中に溶解していた異物は、異物回収装置１２９に導入され、ガス単相の冷媒の密度よりも重い異物は、重力により異物回収装置１２９の下方に沈殿し、冷媒から分離される。異物の混入していないガス単相の冷媒は圧縮機１２１の吸入される。
以上のように洗浄すべき接続配管４ａ、５ａ内には、絶えず異物の混入していない洗浄能力の高い冷媒が循環するので、洗浄装置４０ａの洗浄能力を高い水準で維持することが可能となる。また、圧縮機１２１に供給される冷媒は、異物を分離した後の冷媒であるので、洗浄装置１２ａに封入した冷凍機油と異物とが混合することがないので、洗浄装置１２ａの信頼性を向上できる。
【００２０】
洗浄終了後は洗浄冷媒を回収し、バルブキット２０の阻止弁２０５、２０６を閉じて、洗浄装置１２ａを取り外す。
なお、図２では洗浄冷媒をガス接続配管４ａから液接続配管５ａに流して洗浄運転を実施しているが、液接続配管５ａからガス接続配管４ａへ洗浄冷媒を流して洗浄運転を実施しても良い。
【００２１】
次に、図３を用いて第３の実施例を説明する。
洗浄すべき接続配管４ａ、５ａの洗浄作業を実施する際には、既に室外ユニット１０ａおよび室内ユニット１１ｄ、１１ｅ、１１ｆは新規ユニットに入れ替わっている。また、室外ユニット１０ａと室内ユニット１１ｄ、１１ｅ、１１ｆとの制御情報を通信するための伝送線３３は室外ユニット１０ａの制御装置３０と室内ユニット１１ｄ、１１ｅ、１１ｆの制御装置３２ｄ、３２ｅ、３２ｆに接続されている。
【００２２】
洗浄運転および冷媒回収運転を実施するためには、室内ユニット１１ｄ、１１ｅ、１１ｆに設置した室内電子膨張弁１１２ｄ、１１２ｅ、１１２ｆ、さらには室内ユニット１１ｄ、１１ｅ、１１ｆに設置したの室内ファン１１３ｄ、１１３ｅ、１１３ｆを制御する必要がある。そこで、洗浄装置１２ｂの制御装置３１からの制御情報を通信するために、伝送線３３を室外ユニット１０ａの制御装置３０で分岐し、伝送線３４で洗浄装置１２ｂの制御装置３１とを接続されている。洗浄運転中は洗浄装置１２ｂの制御装置３１から室外ユニット１０ａの制御装置３０に信号を送り圧縮機１０１を運転させないようにする。さらに洗浄運転中、室内ユニット１１ｄ、１１ｅ、１１ｆの制御装置３２ｄ、３２ｅ、３２ｆに室内ユニット１１ｄ、１１ｅ、１１ｆの室内電子膨張弁１１２ｄ、１１２ｅ、１１２ｆを順次開閉するように信号を送る。これにより各室内ユニットの分岐接続配管に洗浄冷媒が順次確実に流れ配管洗浄することができる。洗浄装置１２ｂの制御装置３１から指令する以外は室内ユニット１１ｄ、１１ｅ、１１ｆの制御装置３２ｄ、３２ｅ、３２ｆで室内ユニット１１ｄ、１１ｅ、１１ｆの室内電子膨張弁１１２ｄ、１１２ｅ、１１２ｆや室内ファン１１３ｄ、１１３ｅ、１１３ｆを駆動させないようにしている。
【００２３】
さらに、図３を用いて第４の実施例を説明する。
洗浄冷媒タンク１２５ａは洗浄装置１２ｂに着脱可能なタンクユニット１３内に設置されている。
接続配管４ａ、５ａを洗浄する際には、洗浄装置１２ｂの阻止弁１２６ａとタンクユニット１３の阻止弁１３１とを接続配管１４ｃを用いて接続し、室外ユニット１０ａに内蔵したバルブキット２０の阻止弁２０５とを接続配管１４ｄを用いて接続する。また、洗浄装置１２ｂの阻止弁１２7とバルブキット２０の阻止弁２０６とは接続配管１４ｂで接続されている。
【００２４】
そして、タンクユニット１３内に設置した阻止弁１３１、１３３を開けて、洗浄冷媒タンク１２５ａ内に貯留した洗浄冷媒を洗浄すべき接続配管４ａ、５ａ内に導入し、図２と同様に洗浄運転を実施する。
一方、接続配管４ａ、５ａを洗浄した後は、洗浄装置１２ｂの圧縮機１２１を運転した状態でタンクユニット１３内に設置した阻止弁１３３を閉止して、洗浄冷媒をタンクユニット１３内にの洗浄冷媒タンク１２５ａに回収する。その後、洗浄装置１２ｂの圧縮機１２１を停止して阻止弁１３１、１２６ａ、１２７、２０５、２０６を閉じ、接続配管１４ｂ、１４ｃ、１４ｄ及び伝送線３４を取り外して洗浄作業を終了する。
【００２５】
以上により、既設配管内に残留した冷凍機油を残留冷凍機油と相溶性の良い旧冷媒で洗浄し、既設配管内の残留冷凍機油を洗浄装置に回収するので新規に接続する冷凍機器の圧縮機に封入された冷凍機油の劣化を抑制し、冷凍装置の圧縮機の信頼性を向上することができる。
【００２６】
また、新規冷凍機器の液接続配管及びガス接続配管配管の接続部に配管洗浄装置と接続する分岐部を設けたことにより、配管洗浄装置の取付け作業が容易になると共に分岐部がユニット内に収納されているので防雨防雪の対策が不要になり施工性が向上する。
【００２７】
さらに、新規の熱源側ユニットと利用側ユニットとを接続する伝送線を分岐して配管洗浄装置に接続し、熱源側ユニットまたは利用側ユニットの構成機器を制御することによって、幾つかに分岐された既設配管のどの部分にも洗浄冷媒を流すことができ、配管洗浄を確実に実行できるとともに、洗浄運転中は冷凍装置の構成機器特に圧縮機を停止させることができ、冷凍装置の保護ができる。
【００２８】
さらに、変更前の冷凍装置の冷媒と同種の洗浄冷媒をタンクユニットに貯留し配管洗浄装置に着脱可能に接続できるようにすることによって、冷媒の貯留量の異なるタンクユニットを複数台用意し、洗浄対象既設配管の容量（内容積）でタンクユニットだけを選定して配管洗浄装置はどの容量にも対応できる。またタンクユニットを分離したことにより配管洗浄装置の重量が軽くなり運搬が容易になる。さらに配管洗浄終了後に洗浄に使用した冷媒をタンクユニットに回収することによって、洗浄冷媒を再利用できコスト低減が図れる。
【００２９】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明によれば、既設配管内に残留する冷凍機油を効率良く除去することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の配管洗浄方法を示すフローチャート及び説明図。
【図２】本発明の配管洗浄装置の冷凍装置との接続を示すサイクル系統図。
【図３】本発明の他の実施形態を示すサイクル系統図。
【符号の説明】
１…旧システム、２…室外ユニット、３…室内ユニット、４…ガス接続配管、５…液接続配管、６…冷媒回収機、７…回収ボンベ、８、９、１４、１６…接続配管、１０…新室外ユニット、１１…新室内ユニット、１２…洗浄装置、１３…タンクユニット、１５…新冷媒ボンベ、２０…バルブキット、３３、３４…伝送線、１０１、１２１…圧縮機、１０６、１０７、１２６、１２７、２０５、２０６、１３１、１３３…阻止弁、１２２…オイルセパレータ、１２３…空気熱交換器、１２４…液−ガス熱交換器、１２５…洗浄冷媒タンク、１２８…減圧装置、１２９…異物回収装置、１３０…返油管[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pipe cleaning method and a pipe cleaning apparatus for cleaning a connection pipe connecting a heat source side unit and a use side unit of an air conditioner or a refrigerator using a refrigeration cycle, a pipe cleaning apparatus, and a refrigeration equipment of the heat source side unit and the use side unit. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a method for cleaning the piping of a refrigeration system including an air conditioner and a refrigerator, a refrigeration cycle different from the existing refrigeration system is used to clean the piping using the same refrigerant as the refrigerant used for the refrigeration system, and to clean the inside of the piping. Cleaning to remove dust such as swarf generated at the time of cutting the pipe remaining on the pipe, debris, and oxide film (copper oxide) generated on the inner surface of the pipe during welding of the pipe, and water remaining in the pipe It is known that the dust and moisture mixed in the refrigerant are removed by a filter disposed in a connection pipe between a circulating pump for cleaning pipes and a check valve, which is described in, for example, JP-A-2001-183035.
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-183035 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a refrigerating device such as an air conditioner, conversion of a CFC refrigerant or an HCFC refrigerant to an HFC refrigerant that does not destroy the ozone layer is being attempted. On the other hand, when the refrigeration system is renewed, there is a demand for reducing the construction period and the construction cost by reusing the existing connection pipe connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. Mineral oil used in the CFC refrigerant and the HCFC refrigerant remains in the existing connection pipe. Since the HFC refrigerant and the mineral oil are not compatible with each other, if the mineral oil remains in the existing connection pipe, the existing connection pipe will need to be cleaned since it will have a bad influence such as clogging in the refrigeration cycle of the refrigeration apparatus after the change. When the refrigeration system using mineral oil as described above is changed to a refrigeration system for HFC refrigerant, the conventional technology involves washing with HFC refrigerant. However, since mineral oil and HFC refrigerant are not compatible, the mineral oil moves with the refrigerant. It takes time to remove.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to efficiently remove refrigeration oil remaining in existing pipes.
Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to increase the internal volume of the connection pipe to be cleaned when the distance between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is long, when the number of connected indoor units is large, and when the diameter of the connection pipe is large. In addition, the amount of cleaning refrigerant required for cleaning increases. To accommodate the maximum amount of cleaning refrigerant, the tank for storing the cleaning refrigerant must be large, and the housing of the pipe cleaning device must be extremely large and heavy, preventing the cost of loading and unloading the pipe cleaning device from increasing. It is in.
[0005]
In addition, when refrigerating equipment is renewed, the existing piping is washed to remove the degraded refrigerating machine oil remaining in the existing piping, and the deterioration of the refrigerating machine oil sealed in the compressor of the refrigerating equipment newly connected to the existing piping. Is to suppress.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a refrigeration apparatus in which a heat source side unit and a use side unit of a refrigeration apparatus are connected by a liquid connection pipe and a gas connection pipe by using the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe. Before changing the heat source side unit or the use side unit of the equipment to the heat source side unit or the use side unit of another refrigeration equipment using a different refrigerant, and before filling the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe with the changed refrigerant, A pipe cleaning device provided with a compressor and a foreign matter recovery device is connected to the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe, and the same type of refrigerant as the refrigerant before the change is circulated in the pipe cleaning apparatus in the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe. To clean the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe.
[0007]
Further, the present invention provides a refrigeration apparatus in which a heat source side unit and a use side unit of the refrigeration equipment are connected by a liquid connection pipe and a gas connection pipe, by using the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe. Before changing the use side unit to a heat source side unit or a use side unit of another refrigeration equipment using a different refrigerant, and filling the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe with the changed refrigerant, the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection Connect a pipe cleaning device equipped with a compressor and a foreign matter recovery device to the pipe, circulate a refrigerant of the same type as the refrigerant before the change in the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe with the pipe cleaning apparatus, and connect the liquid connection pipe and A refrigeration apparatus for cleaning a gas connection pipe, wherein a branch portion connected to a pipe cleaning device is provided in a connection portion of the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe pipe of the refrigeration apparatus in the refrigeration apparatus. A.
[0008]
A refrigeration apparatus in which the heat source side unit and the use side unit of the refrigeration equipment are connected by a liquid connection pipe and a gas connection pipe, using the heat source side unit or the use side unit of the refrigeration equipment using the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe Before the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe are filled with the refrigerant after the change, the compressor and the foreign matter are inserted into the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe. A pipe cleaning device having a recovery device is connected, and the same type of refrigerant as the refrigerant before the change is circulated in the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe by the pipe cleaning device to clean the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe. In the pipe cleaning device, the transmission line connecting the heat source side unit and the user side unit of the refrigerating device after the change is branched and connected to the pipe cleaning device, and the heat source side unit is Or controls the component devices of the use-side units.
[0009]
In the above, a tank unit that stores the same type of refrigerant as the refrigerant of the refrigeration apparatus before the change is detachably connected to the pipe cleaning device, and the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe are cleaned with the refrigerant of the tank unit. After completion of the cleaning, it is desirable to recover the refrigerant used for the cleaning to the tank unit.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a flowchart in one embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an air conditioner and an explanatory diagram of a connection state of each device.
When the refrigerant enclosed in the old system 1 is HCFC-22 (R22) and the refrigerant enclosed in the newly connected outdoor unit is an HFC-based refrigerant (for example, R-410A, R-407C), It is known that the remaining refrigerating machine oil for HCFC-22 does not dissolve in the HFC-based refrigerant, so it is clogged with a capillary or the like, which further lowers the reliability. It is necessary to remove the remaining refrigerating machine oil.
[0011]
In the procedure (1), the air conditioner constituted by the existing outdoor unit 2 filled with the R22 refrigerant as the refrigerant, the gas connection pipes 4 connecting the existing indoor units 3, 3a, 3b and 3c with the liquid connection pipes 5, respectively. After connecting the refrigerant recovery machine 6 and the recovery cylinder 7 with the connection pipes 8 and 9, the R22 refrigerant is recovered in the recovery cylinder.
After the recovery of the R22 refrigerant, the outdoor unit 2 is replaced with the new outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 3 is replaced with the new indoor units 11, 11a, 11b and 11c in step (2). At this time, it is checked whether the gas connection pipe 4 and the liquid connection pipe 5 are suitable for the design pressure of the refrigerant to be used (for example, R-410A, R-407C), and the thickness of the pipe is insufficient. If it is not possible to use the pipes, the pipes cannot be reused by washing the pipes, so that the pipes need to be laid again.
If applicable, check the airtightness of the gas connection pipe 4, liquid connection pipe 5, and new indoor unit 11, and proceed to the next operation. If airtightness is not ensured, look for leaks and repair.
[0012]
In step (3), after connecting the cleaning device 12 and the tank unit 13 to the gas connection pipe 4 and the liquid connection pipe 5 via the connection pipe 14, the cleaning apparatus 12 and the connection pipe 14, and the gas connection pipe 4 and the liquid connection are connected. The piping 5 and the new indoor unit 11 are evacuated.
Since the new outdoor unit 11 and the tank unit 13 are filled with the refrigerant, no evacuation is performed.
As shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to incorporate a tank unit 13 in the cleaning device 12, but in this embodiment, when the mass of each unit is large, it becomes difficult to convey the tank unit 13 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. The cleaning device 12 and the tank unit 13 were divided into detachable states.
[0013]
The tank unit 13 is filled with a cleaning refrigerant. As the cleaning refrigerant, a refrigerant compatible with the refrigerating machine oil used in the old system is used. In this embodiment, R22 used in the old system is used. It is desirable to use a new R22, but it is also possible to reuse the R22 used in the old system.
After the evacuation work, the cleaning refrigerant R22 is circulated between the new indoor unit 11, the gas connection pipe 4, the liquid connection pipe 5, the cleaning unit 12, and the connection pipe 14 to clean the pipe. At this time, the blocking valve built in the new outdoor unit 11 is closed so that the cleaning refrigerant does not flow.
[0014]
In the cleaning operation, the compressor installed in the new outdoor unit 10 and the blower installed in the new indoor unit 11 do not need to be operated. In the cleaning operation, the refrigerant R22 for cleaning is circulated through the gas connection pipe 4, the liquid connection pipe 5, the new indoor unit 11, the cleaning apparatus 12, and the tank unit 13 using a compressor mounted on the cleaning apparatus 12. At this time, the order of cleaning is determined by opening and closing the expansion mechanism built in the new indoor unit 11. The refrigerating machine oil and impurities remaining in the old system 1 collected during the washing are collected by the foreign matter collecting device provided in the washing device 12.
[0015]
After the cleaning operation is completed, the cleaning refrigerant R22 is collected in the tank unit 13. Thereafter, the cleaning device 12 and the connection pipe 14, the gas connection pipe 4 and the liquid connection pipe 5, and the indoor unit 3 are evacuated. Since the area where the evacuation is performed during the recovery operation of R22 is almost in a vacuum state, the evacuation operation time here can be completed in a shorter time than the evacuation operation from the atmospheric pressure.
[0016]
After the evacuation work is completed, remove the cleaning equipment (the cleaning device 12, the tank unit 13, and the connection pipe 14) according to the procedure (4).
Subsequently, a new refrigerant cylinder 15 used in the system after the replacement is connected via the connection pipe 16, and the new refrigerant is charged.
Thus, the washing operation is completed, and the system can be operated with the new refrigerant. The refrigerating machine oil and impurities in the old system 1 collected in the cleaning device 12 are discharged from the foreign material collecting device and disposed. The refrigerant used for cleaning can be used for the next cleaning.
[0017]
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The new outdoor unit 10a is provided with a valve kit 20 for connecting the gas connection pipe 4a, the liquid connection pipe 5a and the cleaning unit 12a, and the valve kit 20 is connected to the connection pipes 4a and 4b. Have been. New indoor units 11d, 11e and 11f are connected to the connection pipes 4a and 4b. The stop valves 205 and 206 of the valve kit 20 and the stop valves 126 and 127 of the cleaning device 12a are connected by connection pipes 14a and 14b. The blocking valves 106 and 107 of the outdoor unit 10a are closed. The stop valves 205 and 206 of the valve kit and the stop valves 126 and 127 of the cleaning device 12a are open.
[0018]
Here, the flow of the refrigerant during the cleaning operation will be described.
After the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 121 in the washing device is separated from the oil by the oil separator 122, the oil is returned from the oil return pipe 130 to the suction side of the compressor 121 and is sucked into the compressor 101. The refrigerant that has exited the oil separator 122 is condensed in the air heat exchanger 123 and becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and is supplied to the liquid-gas heat exchanger 124 (plate heat exchanger or double tube heat exchanger). Inflow. Then, the refrigerant is subjected to heat exchange in the liquid-gas heat exchanger 124 and then enters the cleaning refrigerant tank 125. Then, the refrigerant in the cleaning refrigerant tank 125 passes through the blocking valve 126 and the connection pipe 14a, and is introduced from the blocking valve 205 into the connection pipe 4a. Thereafter, the gas flows through the gas connection pipe 4a, the indoor units 11d, 11e, 11f, and the liquid connection pipe 5a, and flows into the cleaning device 12a from the stop valve 127 via the blocking valve 206 and the connection pipe 14b. As the refrigerant flows through the connection pipes 4a and 5a, foreign substances (refrigerating machine oil mainly used in the refrigerating machine) remaining in the connection pipes 4a and 5a are dissolved in the refrigerant and flow into the cleaning device 12a. Thereafter, the pressure of the refrigerant is reduced by the pressure reducing device 128, and the refrigerant evaporates on the evaporation side of the liquid-gas heat exchanger 124 to become a gas single phase.
[0019]
The gas single-phase refrigerant and the foreign substances dissolved in the refrigerant are introduced into the foreign substance recovery device 129, and the foreign substances heavier than the density of the gas single-phase refrigerant precipitate under the foreign substance recovery device 129 due to gravity, and Separated from The gas single-phase refrigerant containing no foreign matter is drawn into the compressor 121.
As described above, in the connection pipes 4a and 5a to be cleaned, the refrigerant having a high cleaning ability without any contaminants constantly circulates, so that the cleaning ability of the cleaning device 40a can be maintained at a high level. . Further, since the refrigerant supplied to the compressor 121 is a refrigerant after the foreign matter is separated, the refrigerating machine oil sealed in the cleaning device 12a does not mix with the foreign material, so that the reliability of the cleaning device 12a is improved. it can.
[0020]
After the washing is completed, the washing refrigerant is recovered, the blocking valves 205 and 206 of the valve kit 20 are closed, and the washing device 12a is removed.
In FIG. 2, the cleaning operation is performed by flowing the cleaning refrigerant from the gas connection pipe 4a to the liquid connection pipe 5a. However, the cleaning operation is performed by flowing the cleaning refrigerant from the liquid connection pipe 5a to the gas connection pipe 4a. Is also good.
[0021]
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
When the cleaning operation of the connection pipes 4a, 5a to be cleaned is performed, the outdoor unit 10a and the indoor units 11d, 11e, 11f have already been replaced with new units. In addition, a transmission line 33 for communicating control information between the outdoor unit 10a and the indoor units 11d, 11e, 11f is connected to the control device 30 of the outdoor unit 10a and the control devices 32d, 32e, 32f of the indoor units 11d, 11e, 11f. It is connected.
[0022]
In order to perform the washing operation and the refrigerant recovery operation, the indoor electronic expansion valves 112d, 112e, 112f installed in the indoor units 11d, 11e, 11f, and further, the indoor fans 113d installed in the indoor units 11d, 11e, 11f, It is necessary to control 113e and 113f. Therefore, in order to communicate control information from the control device 31 of the cleaning device 12b, the transmission line 33 is branched by the control device 30 of the outdoor unit 10a, and the transmission line 34 is connected to the control device 31 of the cleaning device 12b. I have. During the cleaning operation, a signal is sent from the control device 31 of the cleaning device 12b to the control device 30 of the outdoor unit 10a so that the compressor 101 is not operated. Further, during the cleaning operation, a signal is sent to the control devices 32d, 32e, 32f of the indoor units 11d, 11e, 11f so as to sequentially open and close the indoor electronic expansion valves 112d, 112e, 112f of the indoor units 11d, 11e, 11f. As a result, the cleaning refrigerant can flow through the branch connection pipe of each indoor unit reliably and sequentially, and the pipe can be cleaned. Except for an instruction from the control device 31 of the cleaning device 12b, the indoor electronic expansion valves 112d, 112e, 112f and the indoor fan 113d of the indoor units 11d, 11e, 11f are controlled by the control devices 32d, 32e, 32f of the indoor units 11d, 11e, 11f. 113e and 113f are not driven.
[0023]
Further, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The cleaning refrigerant tank 125a is installed in a tank unit 13 that is detachable from the cleaning device 12b.
When cleaning the connecting pipes 4a and 5a, the blocking valve 126a of the cleaning device 12b and the blocking valve 131 of the tank unit 13 are connected using the connecting pipe 14c, and the blocking valve of the valve kit 20 built in the outdoor unit 10a. 205 is connected using the connection pipe 14d. The blocking valve 127 of the cleaning device 12b and the blocking valve 206 of the valve kit 20 are connected by a connection pipe 14b.
[0024]
Then, the blocking valves 131 and 133 installed in the tank unit 13 are opened, and the cleaning refrigerant stored in the cleaning refrigerant tank 125a is introduced into the connection pipes 4a and 5a to be cleaned, and the cleaning operation is performed as in FIG. carry out.
On the other hand, after cleaning the connection pipes 4a and 5a, the blocking valve 133 installed in the tank unit 13 is closed while the compressor 121 of the cleaning device 12b is operating, and the cleaning refrigerant is washed into the tank unit 13. Collected in the refrigerant tank 125a. Thereafter, the compressor 121 of the cleaning device 12b is stopped, the blocking valves 131, 126a, 127, 205, and 206 are closed, the connection pipes 14b, 14c, 14d, and the transmission line 34 are removed, and the cleaning operation is completed.
[0025]
As described above, the refrigerating machine oil remaining in the existing piping is washed with the old refrigerant having good compatibility with the remaining refrigerating machine oil, and the remaining refrigerating machine oil in the existing piping is collected in the cleaning device. Deterioration of the enclosed refrigerating machine oil can be suppressed, and the reliability of the compressor of the refrigerating apparatus can be improved.
[0026]
In addition, by providing a branch for connecting to the pipe cleaning device at the connection between the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe of the new refrigeration equipment, the work of installing the pipe cleaning device becomes easy and the branch is housed in the unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to take measures against rain and snow and the workability is improved.
[0027]
Furthermore, the transmission line connecting the new heat source side unit and the use side unit is branched and connected to a pipe cleaning device, and the components of the heat source side unit or the use side unit are controlled, thereby branching out to some. The cleaning refrigerant can be flown to any part of the existing piping, and the cleaning of the piping can be reliably performed. In addition, during the cleaning operation, the components of the refrigerating apparatus, particularly the compressor, can be stopped, and the refrigerating apparatus can be protected.
[0028]
Furthermore, by storing the same type of cleaning refrigerant as the refrigerant in the refrigeration system before the change in the tank unit so that the refrigerant can be detachably connected to the piping cleaning device, a plurality of tank units having different refrigerant storage amounts are prepared and cleaned. By selecting only the tank unit based on the capacity (internal volume) of the target existing pipe, the pipe cleaning device can handle any capacity. In addition, the separation of the tank unit reduces the weight of the pipe cleaning device and facilitates transportation. Further, by recovering the refrigerant used for cleaning after completion of the pipe cleaning to the tank unit, the cleaning refrigerant can be reused and the cost can be reduced.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, refrigeration oil remaining in existing pipes can be efficiently removed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart and an explanatory view showing a pipe cleaning method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cycle system diagram showing connection of the pipe cleaning device of the present invention to a refrigeration device.
FIG. 3 is a cycle system diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Old system, 2 ... Outdoor unit, 3 ... Indoor unit, 4 ... Gas connection piping, 5 ... Liquid connection piping, 6 ... Refrigerant recovery machine, 7 ... Recovery cylinder, 8, 9, 14, 16 ... Connection piping, 10 ... new outdoor unit, 11 ... new indoor unit, 12 ... washing device, 13 ... tank unit, 15 ... new refrigerant cylinder, 20 ... valve kit, 33, 34 ... transmission line, 101, 121 ... compressor, 106, 107, 126, 127, 205, 206, 131, 133: blocking valve, 122: oil separator, 123: air heat exchanger, 124: liquid-gas heat exchanger, 125: cleaning refrigerant tank, 128: decompression device, 129: foreign matter Collection device, 130 ... oil return pipe

Claims

A refrigeration apparatus in which the heat source side unit and the use side unit of the refrigeration equipment are connected by a liquid connection pipe and a gas connection pipe, using the heat source side unit or the use side unit of the refrigeration equipment using the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe Before refilling the refrigerant after the change into the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe, change the compressor and foreign matter into the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe. A pipe cleaning device having a recovery device is connected, and the same type of refrigerant as the refrigerant before the change is circulated in the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe by the pipe cleaning device to clean the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe. A pipe cleaning method, characterized in that:

A refrigeration apparatus in which the heat source side unit and the use side unit of the refrigeration equipment are connected by a liquid connection pipe and a gas connection pipe, using the heat source side unit or the use side unit of the refrigeration equipment using the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe Before refilling the refrigerant after the change into the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe, change the compressor and foreign matter into the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe. A pipe cleaning device having a recovery device is connected, and the same type of refrigerant as the refrigerant before the change is circulated in the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe by the pipe cleaning device to clean the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe. In the refrigeration equipment, a refrigeration equipment is provided with a branch part connected to a pipe cleaning device at a connection part of a liquid connection pipe and a gas connection pipe of the refrigeration equipment. Vessel.

A refrigeration apparatus in which the heat source side unit and the use side unit of the refrigeration equipment are connected by a liquid connection pipe and a gas connection pipe, using the heat source side unit or the use side unit of the refrigeration equipment using the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe Before refilling the refrigerant after the change into the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe, change the compressor and foreign matter into the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe. A pipe cleaning device having a recovery device is connected, and the same type of refrigerant as the refrigerant before the change is circulated in the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe by the pipe cleaning device to clean the liquid connection pipe and the gas connection pipe. In the pipe cleaning device, the transmission line connecting the heat source side unit and the user side unit of the refrigeration unit after the change is branched and connected to the pipe cleaning device, and the heat source side unit is cleaned during pipe cleaning. Or pipe cleaning apparatus characterized by controlling the component devices of the use-side units.

The pipe cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein a tank unit that stores the same type of refrigerant as the refrigerant of the refrigeration device before the change is detachably connected to the pipe cleaning device, and the liquid connection pipe and the refrigerant of the tank unit are connected. A pipe cleaning device for cleaning a gas connection pipe, and recovering a refrigerant used for cleaning after the cleaning is completed in the tank unit.