JP2009506289A - Improved heat recovery system for air conditioning to reduce cold corridor effects - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved heat recovery system that targets air conditioning and aims to reduce cold corridor effects. More particularly, the present invention uses a unit specially devised to take advantage of the heat released while condensing or cooling the refrigerant fluid and then distribute and supply heated air. And a system for heating an airflow passing through a lidless retail cooling shelf or an array of cooling shelves. The assembly of the present invention includes an adjustment and control device that can be used to maintain a satisfactory level of comfort for customers in the area surrounding the lidless retail cooling shelf or array of cooling shelves. The system of the present invention represents a significant advance over the previous patent system devise.

Description

  The present invention relates generally to an improved heat recovery system for air conditioning to reduce the cold corridor effects that occur in a lidless retail cooling shelf or an array of cooling shelves.

  In an intermediate heat exchanger belonging to a cooling unit of a cooling shelf found in a retail store or between a condensing unit and the discharge line of a compressor or an array of compressors of positive or negative temperature The heat developed by the refrigerant fluid during the prior refrigerant fluid condensation or cooling process is utilized.

  Thus, the subject of the present invention utilizes the heat released by the refrigerant fluid in the condensing unit or intermediate heat exchanger during the precondensation or cooling process for the purpose of reducing cold corridor effects as described above. The present invention relates to an improved system for air conditioning.

  Retailers involved in the distribution of perishable low temperature goods are equipped with various cooling shelves designed exclusively for the sale of these foods. One type of cooling shelf is a retail cooling shelf without a lid.

  Products stored in these cooling shelves need to maintain a cooling environment at a predetermined temperature level. For these design reasons and for the purpose of maintaining the interior of the cooling shelf at the desired cooling temperature, the lidless cooling shelf delimits the retail environment and the internal environment of the lidless retail cooling shelf. A cooled air curtain is provided.

  Uncovered retail cooling shelves continuously extract heat from the retail store's ambient air through direct contact with the outer surface of the cooled air curtain and the air inside the cooling shelves. For that reason, there is a much lower ambient temperature near the lidless retail cooling shelves than elsewhere in the retail store, which is proportional to the density of the cool air introduced, It is determined based on the ratio of the cooling power extracted by the shelves to the surface area of the retail store.

  In retail stores targeting perishable food distribution, when lidless retail cooling shelves are installed opposite each other, a phenomenon known as a cold corridor is caused, where the floor-level temperature is May be about 5-10 degrees lower than another location. This local drop in temperature near the lidless retail refrigeration shelf or the array of refrigeration shelves causes some discomfort for the customer, and as a result, customers can easily leave if special measures are not taken. This will lead to a decrease in sales.

  There are currently several ways to reduce this cold corridor effect, one of which is to use a grill in the lower part of the cooling shelf that uses a fan system to guide the cold air in the cold corridor to be collected and extracted. It is.

  There are other methods, in which the condensing unit of the cooling system is installed in the upper part of the lidless retail cooling shelf (if the shelf is small, the condensing unit is located in the lower part), Considering that the heat generated during the refrigerant fluid condensation process is used to raise the temperature in the retail room, this air flow must be removed by the air conditioning system in summer. As an economic disadvantage.

  Other systems have also been devised, which utilize heat released by the refrigerant fluid during the condensation process and this heat is used for duct systems designed for this purpose, and / or others. In this case, the air conditioning of the retail store is led into the interior of the retail store via a duct system.

  The heat recovery system is known for the purpose of air conditioning and cold corridor reduction and is described in the Spanish patent publication ES-2.167.280 filed by Frost-Troll Sociedad Anonima. The contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This prior art description describes an air conditioning system for retailers and / or wholesalers dealing with perishable foods and describes the process of condensing refrigerant fluid in a condensing unit belonging to the cooling circuit of a lidless retail cooling shelf. A system is described that utilizes air heated in between. In this case, the condensing unit is arranged in the upper part of the cooling shelf, so that the heat developed during the condensation of the refrigerant can be used. Some ducts supply hot air via the bottom of the cooling shelf to the interior of the retail building and everywhere else.

  According to the invention, in a condensing unit or an intermediate heat exchanger provided between the condensing unit and the compressor, the arrangement of positive or negative temperature compressors or the exhaust line of any cooling system, By devising an improved heat recovery system that utilizes the heat developed by the refrigerant fluid during the condensation or cooling process, a system is proposed that can reduce the above-mentioned drawbacks.

  Based on this premise, the system of the present invention is applicable to a positive or negative temperature lidless retail cooling shelf or an array of cooling shelves designed for retail stores handling perishable foods. The system is for distributing and supplying heated air to a unit for recovering and using heat and a room in a retail store, large retail store, air-conditioned area, or anywhere else. A unit.

  The unit for recovering and using the heat includes a heat exchanger provided in the unit for distributing and supplying the heated air, an intermediate heat exchanger and / or a condensing unit, a heat insulating tank, And a circulation pump.

  Said intermediate heat exchanger and / or condensing unit is arranged in a compressor discharge line or a discharge line of a compressor arrangement for the purpose of utilizing the heat developed by the refrigerant fluid during said condensation or cooling process . The intermediate heat exchanger and / or condensing unit can be provided in the intended machine room, or outside the machine room, or in a lidless retail cooling shelf or an array of cooling shelves.

  The heat developed by the refrigerant fluid is absorbed by the second functional fluid in the condensing unit and / or heat exchanger. The recirculation of the second fluid is performed using a circulation pump connected to the heat insulation tank and a heat exchanger provided in a duct for guiding and supplying hot air. The arrangement, design and number of heat exchangers used in the unit that recovers and utilizes heat depends on the set cooling power.

  A unit for distributing and supplying heated air into the air-conditioned area includes an air suction grille, a replaceable filter, a fan unit connected to the control system for the system, a lid None with a number of diffusers installed in the lower part of the retail cooling shelf. The unit that distributes and supplies heated air can be provided on the back of the lidless retail cooling shelf or outside thereof.

  The entire invention assembly is provided with an apparatus for adjusting and controlling predetermined set-up conditions that are generally permanently comfortable for people and customers in the retail store.

  The system of the present invention described above not only establishes a comfortable environment for the customer, but also gradually reduces the relative humidity of the air in the retail store interior, large retail stores, air-conditioned areas, or anywhere else Also has the advantage of helping to reduce the set cooling power and the relative energy consumption of the retail store.

  In order to facilitate the understanding of this specification and to form an integral part of this specification, several drawings are attached, which serve to illustrate rather than to limit the invention. The object of the present invention is represented.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the improved system is described for air conditioning and for the purpose of reducing cold corridor effects. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below, but the system of the present invention is designed to retail perishable foods and is a retail store, large retail store, air-conditioned area, or other The present invention can be applied to a retail cooling shelf without a lid or an array of the cooling shelves installed in any place.

  In any event, the system of the present invention includes a system for recovering and utilizing the heat developed by the refrigerant fluid while condensing or cooling the refrigerant fluid, and a lidless retail cooling shelf or an array of the cooling shelves. And a unit for distributing and supplying hot air to a retail store, a large retail store, an air-conditioned area, or any other room indoors via the lower part of.

  The unit for recovering and using heat is a heat exchanger (6) built in the unit for distributing and supplying hot air (1), and intermediate heat arranged in the discharge line of the compressor (14). It comprises an exchanger (15) and / or a condensation unit (16), an insulated tank (17), a circulation pump (18), and other conventional automated equipment necessary to control the refrigeration equipment ing.

  The unit for distributing and supplying hot air (1) carries an air suction grille (2), a replaceable filter (3), a fan (5) and hot air (7). With a number of air diffusers (8) arranged inside the duct (4) for circulation in the environment, and also in an environment near a retail cooling shelf without lids or an array of the cooling shelves It has a device for adjusting and controlling the conditions.

For the purpose of embodying the present invention, at least one fan (5) housed in the transport duct (4) becomes hot via the upper part of the retail cooling shelf or its cooling shelf array without a lid. Indoors in retail stores, large retail stores, air-conditioned areas or anywhere else, through several suction grilles (2) located in the air intakes of the unit for distributing and supplying the gas Inhale air flow (M _2A ). The air flow (M _2A ) is routed through several replaceable filters (3) and at least one heat exchanger (6) arranged in a duct (4) for carrying hot air. Circulated.

As the air passes through the heat exchanger (6), it is heated by the heat exchanger and produced with the second fluidized air (M _1F ) of the heat recovery unit. The hot air is air-conditioned in retail stores, large retail stores, by means of several diffusers (8) housed in a retail cooling shelf without lids or in the lower part of the cooling shelf array. Distributed in a room or anywhere else in the room.

The supply of hot airflow (M _2A ) into a retail store, large retail store, air-conditioned area or anywhere else in the room is controlled by a controller (19). The control device (19) uses a predetermined measuring device (20, 21) appropriately distributed in the air-conditioned environment together with other conventional automatic devices attached to retail cooling shelves without lids. This makes it possible for retail stores that handle perishable goods to be more comfortable for retail customers who can maintain air temperatures at predetermined predetermined conditions in the vicinity of an uncovered retail cooling shelf or an array of cooling shelves. A microclimate is brought about.

The perspective view of the cooling shelf for retail without a lid | cover which comprises the target object of this invention. In this case, the cooled air curtain is indicated by the symbol (M _1A ), and the hot air flow generated based on the heat utilization developed during the previous refrigerant fluid condensation or cooling process is indicated by the symbol. (M _2A ). The heated air flow (M _2A ) passes through a predetermined duct (4, 7) and a diffuser (8) for carrying and circulating the air, and the retail cooling shelf without a lid or its cooling. Through the lower part of the shelf array, it is introduced into the interior of a retail store, a large retail store or an air-conditioned area. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1 showing a lidless retail cooling shelf interconnected to a cooling circuit according to one embodiment for a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the duct (4) which conveys and supplies the heated air (7) which comprises the target object of this invention. The perspective view which shows another embodiment of a duct. 1 is an overall view of an improved heat recovery system that is intended for air conditioning and that reduces cold corridor action, which constitutes an object of the present invention. FIG. In this case, FIG. 4 shows the direction of recirculation of heated air (M _2A ) generated and circulated in the lower part of the lidless retail cooling shelf by several heat spreaders (8). In the air inlet of the unit for distributing and supplying heated air (1), through a suction grill (2) suitably installed in place above the lidless retail cooling shelf, Hot air flow is sucked in.

Explanation of symbols

  1: heated air, 2: grill, 3: filter, 4: duct, 5: fan, 6: small heat exchanger, 7: duct, 8: air diffuser, 14: compressor, 15: intermediate heat exchanger , 16: condensation unit, 17: heat insulation tank, 18: circulation pump, 20, 21: predetermined measuring device.

Claims (9)

A unit that collects and uses heat;
A unit used to alleviate the effect known as a cold corridor, in a retail store, large retail store or air-conditioned area for the display, distribution and / or sale of perishable food A unit for distributing and supplying heated air through an installed lidless retail cooling shelf or a lower portion of the cooling shelf array;
The unit for distributing and supplying the heated air is a store, a large retail store, an air-conditioned area, or others through the lower part of the lidless retail cooling shelf or the cooling shelf array. An improved heat recovery system for air conditioning for reducing cold corridor action, which has a function of guiding the heated air into the room at any place in the room.   The unit for distributing and supplying the heated air installed in the vicinity of the lidless retail refrigeration shelf or in the array of the refrigeration shelves or anywhere else has any type, shape and structure. An improved heat recovery system for air conditioning to reduce cold corridor effects as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it can. The means used for air conditioning with reduced cold corridor effects are applicable to any cooling system that operates at positive or negative temperatures, whether or not by vapor compression,
In the cooling system, a precondensation and / or cooling process is triggered by a predetermined physical method from a refrigerant fluid of any physical properties and chemical composition,
The process has the purpose of utilizing the heat released during the process to raise the temperature of another practical fluid utilized as a heat medium stream. An improved heat recovery system for air conditioning to reduce cold corridor effects.   Used later to raise the temperature of the air as it passes through at least one heat exchanger mounted in the uncovered retail cooling shelf or its line, or anywhere else, and any physical With the aim of heating a second functional fluid having a physical property, the improved heat recovery system can be used by a refrigerant fluid of any physical nature during the condensation and / or cooling process of the prior refrigerant fluid. An improved heat recovery system for air conditioning to reduce cold corridor effects according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the developed heat is available.   The arrangement, design and number of heat exchangers used in the recovery units (15, 16) and the heat utilization unit (6) depend on the set cooling power. An improved heat recovery system for air conditioning to reduce cold corridor effects according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is configurable by design.   The second functional fluid that absorbs heat during the pre-cooling fluid condensation and / or cooling process is stored in an insulated tank (17) or not stored for subsequent lidless retailing Cold corridor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is circulated towards the cooling shelf or an array of cooling shelves, or a heat exchanger (6) provided at any other location. Improved heat recovery system for air conditioning to reduce the effect.   The unit for distributing and supplying the heated air can be configured in any shape, design and arrangement, at a position above the lidless retail refrigeration shelf or an array of the refrigeration shelves, or elsewhere. An improved heat recovery system for air conditioning to reduce cold corridor effects according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it can be arranged.   A duct for directing and distributing air (4), which directs air into the interior of a store, large retail store or air-conditioned area, is located in the lower part of the lidless retail cooling shelf or its cooling shelf array Air conditioning for reducing cold corridor effects according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it terminates at an exhaust outlet supplying a flow path for the heated air (1). Improved heat recovery system.   9. Reducing cold corridor effects according to claim 1, characterized in that an adjustment and control device (19) is used, which allows an appropriate control of the functional parameters of the equipment. Improved heat recovery system for air conditioning.

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