JP2010002136A - Air conditioning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioning apparatus capable of collecting moisture mixed in a refrigerant without using a drier. <P>SOLUTION: In this air conditioning apparatus 1, an ice collector 50 is disposed in parallel with the low pressure-side pipe 70 of a refrigerant circuit 10. The water mixed in the refrigerant freezes to be ice particles, and is captured by a filter 54 of the ice collector 50, when a control section 6 executes a water collecting operation mode. As a result, deterioration of a refrigerating machine oil caused by the water in the refrigerant, and failures such as corrosion of piping and blocking of piping can be prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner that cools and heats a room such as a building by vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation.

  In an air conditioner that requires local piping work, excessive moisture may be mixed into the piping during installation. If a refrigerant with a low saturated moisture concentration is used, the moisture will freeze and block the piping. Sometimes. For this reason, a method of adsorbing moisture by connecting a dryer to the refrigerant circuit has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

However, when a dryer is used, components inside the dryer may be decomposed in the refrigerant circuit, and the piping may be blocked by the decomposed powder.
JP-A-10-253179

  The subject of this invention is providing the air conditioning apparatus which can collect | recover the water | moisture content mixed in the refrigerant | coolant, without using a dryer.

  An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a vapor compression refrigerant circuit, an ice collector, and a control unit. The ice collector is attached to the low pressure side of the refrigerant circuit and captures ice particles contained in the refrigerant. The control unit executes a moisture recovery operation mode in which operation is performed with the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the ice collector being equal to or lower than the freezing temperature of water.

  In this air conditioner, water mixed in the refrigerant is frozen by the water recovery operation to become ice particles and captured by the ice collector. As a result, failures such as deterioration of refrigerating machine oil, pipe corrosion, and pipe blockage due to moisture in the refrigerant are prevented.

  An air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the ice collector is a container that allows the refrigerant to pass therethrough, and a filter that partitions the interior of the container so as to intersect the refrigerant flow direction. have.

  In this air conditioner, ice particles in the refrigerant are removed easily and inexpensively by the container and the filter. In addition, since it is not chemical adsorption by the adsorbent, it is possible to prevent failure due to decomposition of the adsorbent and secondary chemical reaction by the adsorbent.

  An air conditioner according to a third aspect is the air conditioner according to the second aspect, wherein a sight glass for observing the filter is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the container.

  In this air conditioner, the operator can visually confirm the amount of ice particles captured by the filter during the water recovery operation.

  An air conditioner according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the ice collector is an oil reservoir that passes the refrigerant through the refrigerating machine oil and captures the ice particles in the refrigerating machine oil.

  In this air conditioner, ice particles in the refrigerant are easily and inexpensively removed by the refrigerating machine oil. In addition, since it is not chemical adsorption by the adsorbent, it is possible to prevent failure due to decomposition of the adsorbent and secondary chemical reaction by the adsorbent. Furthermore, even ultrafine ice that is not captured by the filter is captured.

  An air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the ice collector is a swirl separator that swirls the refrigerant and separates the ice particles by centrifugal force.

  In this air conditioner, since chemical adsorption by the adsorbent is not performed, the decomposition of the adsorbent and the failure due to the secondary chemical reaction by the adsorbent are prevented. Furthermore, even ultrafine ice that is not captured by the filter is captured.

  In the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, failures such as deterioration of refrigerating machine oil, pipe corrosion, and pipe blockage due to moisture in the refrigerant are prevented.

  In the air conditioner according to the second aspect of the present invention, ice particles in the refrigerant are removed easily and inexpensively. In addition, failure due to decomposition of the adsorbent and secondary chemical reaction due to the adsorbent is prevented.

  In the air conditioner according to the third aspect of the invention, the operator can visually confirm the amount of ice particles captured by the filter during the moisture recovery operation, so that the operator himself can decide whether or not to continue the moisture recovery operation. Judgment can be made.

  In the air conditioner according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, ice particles in the refrigerant are removed easily and inexpensively. In addition, failure due to decomposition of the adsorbent and secondary chemical reaction due to the adsorbent is prevented. Furthermore, even ultra-fine ice that cannot be captured by the filter is captured, so that the water recovery capability is improved.

  In the air conditioner according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, failure due to decomposition of the adsorbent and secondary chemical reaction due to the adsorbent is prevented. Furthermore, even ultra-fine ice that cannot be captured by the filter is captured, so that the water recovery capability is improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are specific examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
<Configuration of air conditioner>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air-conditioning apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 1 performs air conditioning in a room such as a building by a vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation. The air conditioner 1 mainly includes an outdoor unit 2 as a heat source unit, an indoor unit 4 as a utilization unit connected in parallel thereto, and a control unit 6 that controls the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 4. . The refrigerant circuit 10 is configured by connecting the outdoor unit 2, the indoor unit 4, and a refrigerant communication pipe.

<Indoor unit>
The indoor unit 4 is installed by being embedded or suspended in a ceiling of a room such as a building or by hanging on a wall surface of the room, and has an indoor expansion valve 41 and an indoor heat exchanger 42. The indoor expansion valve 41 is an electric expansion valve and is connected to the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 42. The indoor heat exchanger 42 is a cross fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger composed of heat transfer tubes and a large number of fins, and serves as a refrigerant evaporator during cooling operation to cool indoor air. During the heating operation, it becomes a refrigerant condenser and heats indoor air.

<Outdoor unit>
The outdoor unit 2 is installed outside a building or the like, and includes a compressor 21, a four-way switching valve 22, an outdoor heat exchanger 23, and an outdoor expansion valve 35. The compressor 21 is an inverter compressor whose capacity can be changed by rotational speed control.

  The four-way switching valve 22 is a valve that switches the direction of refrigerant flow. During the cooling operation, the discharge side of the compressor 21 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 are connected, and the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 42 and the suction side of the compressor 21 are connected (four-way switching in FIG. 1). (See solid line for valve 22). Further, during the heating operation, the discharge side of the compressor 21 and the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 42 are connected, and the suction side of the compressor 21 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 are connected (four in FIG. 1). (Refer to the broken line of the path switching valve 22).

  The outdoor heat exchanger 23 is a cross fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger composed of heat transfer tubes and a large number of fins. The outdoor heat exchanger 23 serves as a refrigerant condenser during the cooling operation, and serves as a refrigerant evaporator during the heating operation. It becomes.

  The outdoor expansion valve 35 is an electric expansion valve, and is connected between the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the indoor expansion valve 41 in order to adjust the pressure, flow rate, and the like of the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit 10 on the outdoor side. The

(Ice collector)
The ice collector 50 is arranged for the purpose of freezing and collecting the moisture mixed in the refrigerant before it is sucked into the compressor 21. The ice collector 50 is arranged in parallel with the low-pressure side pipe 70 upstream of the suction port of the compressor 21, and the first shut-off valve 391 and the first stop valve are disposed in advance at positions upstream and downstream of the ice collector 50. Two closing valves 392 are attached. A third closing valve 393 is connected in the middle of the low-pressure side pipe 70.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ice collector 50. In FIG. 2, the ice collector 50 includes a cylindrical container 51, a refrigerant introduction pipe 52 that guides the refrigerant to the inside of the container 51, a refrigerant outlet pipe 53 that guides the refrigerant to the outside of the container 51, and the inside of the container 51 with the refrigerant. It has the filter 54 which partitions off so that it may cross | intersect a flow direction. The filter 54 captures ice particles that are about to pass through the refrigerant. A sight glass 51 a is provided on the outer periphery of the container 51 so that the ice captured by the filter 54 can be seen.

<Operation of air conditioner>
(Cooling operation)
During the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 22 is in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the discharge side of the compressor 21 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 23, and the suction side of the compressor 21 is indoor heat exchange. The gas is connected to the gas side of the vessel 42. The outdoor expansion valve 35 is open.

  In this state, when the compressor 21 is started, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 23. The gas refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and condenses to become a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant toward the indoor expansion valve 41. The high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant is decompressed by the indoor expansion valve 41 to become a low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and enters the indoor heat exchanger 42. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant exchanges heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 42 to become a gas refrigerant, and is sucked into the compressor 21 again.

(Heating operation)
During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 22 is in the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1, the discharge side of the compressor 21 is connected to the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 42, and the suction side of the compressor 21 is the outdoor heat exchanger 23. The gas side is contacted. The degree of opening of the outdoor expansion valve 35 is adjusted in order to reduce the refrigerant going to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 to an evaporation pressure at which the refrigerant can be evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Further, the indoor expansion valve 41 is opened.

  In this state, when the compressor 21 is started, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 42. The gas refrigerant is condensed by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 42 to become a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant that has exited the indoor heat exchanger 42 is decompressed by the outdoor expansion valve 35, becomes a low-temperature / low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and enters the outdoor heat exchanger 23. This gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 23 to become a gas refrigerant, and is sucked into the compressor 21 again.

(Moisture recovery operation)
The water recovery operation is an operation that lowers the pressure on the low pressure side compared with the normal operation, whereby the water mixed in the refrigerant freezes into ice particles and passes through the ice collector 50. Be captured. Hereinafter, the operation will be specifically described with reference to the operation flow in the moisture recovery operation mode of FIG.

  An operator who installs or repairs the air conditioner (hereinafter referred to as an operator) installs the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 4 at each installation location, and the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 4 are connected to each other by the refrigerant communication pipe. After completion, the refrigerant inlet pipe 52 of the ice collector 50 is connected to the first closing valve 391 and the refrigerant outlet pipe 53 is connected to the second closing valve 392. At this time, the first closing valve 391 and the second closing valve 392 are closed. Next, the operator evacuates the ice collector 50, and after the evacuation, the third closing valve 393 is closed and the first closing valve 391 and the second closing valve 392 are opened. Then, the moisture recovery operation mode is executed via the control unit 6.

  In step S1, the control unit 6 confirms whether or not the outside air temperature Ta is lower than the predetermined temperature T, and in step S2, selects whether the moisture recovery operation is performed in the heating operation mode or the cooling operation mode. That is, when the outside air temperature Ta is lower than the predetermined temperature T, the heating operation mode is selected, and when the outside air temperature Ta is higher than the predetermined temperature T, the cooling operation mode is selected. In step S3, the operation mode selected in step S2 is started, and simultaneously the operation time t is measured. In the moisture recovery operation, the evaporation temperature Te is lowered to an icing temperature TL (for example, −5 ° C.) at which moisture mixed in the refrigerant freezes.

  In step S4, the control unit 6 determines whether or not a large amount of the collected ice particles accumulate in the ice collector 50 and the pressure loss increases, and whether or not the suction pressure Pe of the compressor 21 has decreased below the suction pressure lower limit Pmin. Determine. If the determination in step S4 is Yes, the moisture recovery operation is terminated, and if the determination is No, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, it is determined whether or not the operation time t has reached a predetermined time tset. If the determination in step S5 is Yes, the moisture recovery operation is terminated. If the determination is No, the process returns to step S3 and the moisture recovery operation is continued.

  Due to the water recovery operation as described above, the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the ice collector 50 becomes equal to or lower than the freezing temperature of water, so that water mixed in the refrigerant is frozen and captured by the filter 54. Since the operator can visually observe the amount of ice particles captured by the filter 54 through the sight glass 51a, the operator himself / herself determines whether or not the moisture recovery operation has been performed properly. If it is determined, the water recovery operation can be executed again via the control unit 6.

  On the other hand, when the operator determines that the water recovery operation has been performed appropriately, the first closing valve 391 and the second closing valve 392 are closed, and the ice collector 50 is removed and dried appropriately.

  In this embodiment, the ice collector 50 is detachable and is attached to the refrigerant circuit 10 immediately before the water recovery operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ice collector 50 is not limited to this. It may be always attached to the refrigerant circuit 10 and the control unit 6 may perform a water recovery operation as necessary.

<Features of First Embodiment>
In the air conditioner 1, the ice collector 50 is attached in parallel with the low-pressure side pipe 70 of the refrigerant circuit 10. When the control unit 6 is executing the moisture recovery operation mode, the water mixed in the refrigerant freezes to become ice particles and is captured by the filter 54 of the ice collector 50. As a result, failures such as deterioration of refrigerating machine oil, pipe corrosion, and pipe blockage due to moisture in the refrigerant are prevented.

  Moreover, since the sight glass 51a for observing the filter 54 is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the ice collector 50, the operator can confirm the amount of ice particles captured by the filter 54 visually. . As a result, the operator can determine whether or not to continue the moisture recovery operation.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air-conditioning apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is provided to the component same as 1st Embodiment of FIG. 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted. In FIG. 4, the ice collector 150 is arranged for the purpose of freezing and collecting the moisture mixed in the refrigerant before it is sucked into the compressor 21. The ice collector 150 is arranged in parallel with the low-pressure side pipe 70 upstream of the suction port of the compressor 21, and the first shut-off valve 391 and the first stop valve 391 are provided in advance at positions upstream and downstream of the ice collector 150. Two closing valves 392 are attached. A third closing valve 393 is connected in the middle of the low-pressure side pipe 70.

  FIG. 5 is a side view of the ice collector of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, the ice collector 150 is stored in a container 151, a refrigerant introduction pipe 152 that guides the refrigerant to the inside of the container 151, a refrigerant outlet pipe 153 that guides the refrigerant to the outside of the container 151, and the container 151. A refrigerating machine oil 154 is included. The end of the refrigerant introduction pipe 152 is immersed in the refrigerator oil 154, and the end of the refrigerant outlet pipe 153 is not immersed in the refrigerator oil 154. Since the gas refrigerant containing ice particles enters the refrigerating machine oil 154 from the refrigerant introducing pipe 152, the ice particles in the refrigerant are absorbed by the refrigerating machine oil 154, and only the gas refrigerant passes through the refrigerant outlet pipe 153 and is compressed into the compressor. 21 flows to the suction side. A sight glass 152 a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the refrigerant introduction tube 152 in order to visually check the state of the gas refrigerant passing through the refrigerant introduction tube 152.

  In addition, since the attachment procedure of the ice collector 150 to the refrigerant circuit 10 and the control flow of water removal operation are the same as that of 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.

<Features of Second Embodiment>
The ice collector 150 allows the refrigerant to pass through the refrigerating machine oil 154 and captures the ice particles in the refrigerating machine oil 154, so that even ultrafine ice that cannot be captured by the filter can be captured, and the water recovery capability is improved.

  Moreover, since the sight glass 152a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the refrigerant introduction pipe 152, the operator must visually confirm the generation state of ice particles from the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant introduction pipe during the water recovery operation. Can do. As a result, the operator can determine whether or not to continue the moisture recovery operation.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air-conditioning apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is provided to the component same as 1st Embodiment of FIG. 6, and description is abbreviate | omitted. In FIG. 6, the ice collector 250 is arranged for the purpose of freezing and collecting moisture mixed in the refrigerant before it is sucked into the compressor 21. The ice collector 250 is arranged in parallel with the low-pressure side pipe 70 upstream of the suction port of the compressor 21, and the first shut-off valve 391 and the first stop valve 391 are provided in advance at positions upstream and downstream of the ice collector 250. Two closing valves 392 are attached. A third closing valve 393 is connected in the middle of the low-pressure side pipe 70.

  FIG. 7 is a side view of the ice collector of the air conditioner according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 7, the ice collector 250 includes a container 251, a refrigerant introduction pipe 252 that guides the refrigerant to the inside of the container 251, a refrigerant outlet pipe 253 that guides the refrigerant to the outside of the container 251, and ice particles accumulated in the lower part of the container 251. A recovery container 254 for recovery and a closing valve 255 connected between the container 251 and the recovery container 254 are provided.

  The container 251 is a funnel-shaped container that swirls a fluid and separates dust using the centrifugal force. The refrigerant introduction pipe 252 penetrates the circumferential wall of the container 251 to the inside, and the refrigerant outlet pipe 253 penetrates the upper wall from the circumferential center of the container 251 to the outside. Therefore, the gas refrigerant flows in a spiral from the circumferential direction and exits from the upper level. At this time, the ice particles in the gas refrigerant are centrifuged, fall by gravity, and accumulate in the lower part.

  A sight glass 251a is provided at the lower portion of the container 251 so that the accumulation of ice particles can be visually observed. The ice particles accumulated in the lower part of the container 251 can be moved to the collection container 254 by opening the closing valve 255.

  In addition, since the installation procedure of the ice collector 250 to the refrigerant circuit 10 and the control flow of the water removal operation are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

<Features of Third Embodiment>
Since the ice collector 250 swirls the refrigerant and separates the ice particles by centrifugal force, it can capture even ultrafine ice that is not captured by the filter, and the water recovery capability is improved.

  In addition, since the sight glass 251a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the container 251, the operator can visually confirm the amount of ice particles captured during the water recovery operation. As a result, the operator can determine whether or not to continue the moisture recovery operation.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is useful for an air conditioner in which moisture may be excessively mixed into a pipe during installation.

The schematic structure figure of the air harmony device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view of the ice collector of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Operation flow in moisture recovery operation mode. The schematic block diagram of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The side view of the ice collector of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The schematic block diagram of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The side view of the ice collector of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioning apparatus 6 Control part 10 Refrigerant circuit 50,150,250 Ice collector 51,151,251 Container 51a Sight glass 54 Filter

Claims (5)

A vapor compression refrigerant circuit (10);
An ice collector (50, 150, 250) attached to the low pressure side of the refrigerant circuit (10) and capturing ice particles contained in the refrigerant;
A controller (6) that executes a moisture recovery operation mode in which the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the ice collector (50, 150, 250) is set to be equal to or lower than the freezing temperature of water;
An air conditioner (1) comprising: The ice collector (50)
A container (51) through which the refrigerant passes;
A filter (54) for partitioning the inside of the container (51) so as to intersect the flow direction of the refrigerant;
Having
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1. A sight glass (51a) for observing the filter (54) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the container (51).
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 2. The ice collector (150) is an oil reservoir that passes the refrigerant through refrigerating machine oil and captures the ice particles in the refrigerating machine oil.
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1. The ice collector (250) is a swivel separator that swirls the refrigerant and separates the ice particles by centrifugal force.
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1.

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