JP2013139934A - Suction method of refrigerant leakage inhibitor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method by which a refrigerant leakage inhibitor can be easily sucked into a refrigerant circuit without spending much equipment costs irrespective of seasons.SOLUTION: Air conditioning equipment starts pump-down operation, first. During the pump-down operation, a refrigerant leakage inhibitor liq1 is sucked into a refrigerant circuit 10 from a service port 20d disposed between a liquid side shut-off valve and the inlet of a compressor in the refrigerant circuit 10. Alternatively, during the maintenance of the air conditioning equipment, the refrigerant circuit 10 is vacuumized and, then, during a time when the refrigerant circuit 10 is vacuum, the refrigerant leakage inhibitor liq1 is sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10 from the service port 20d disposed in the refrigerant circuit 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerant leakage prevention agent inhalation method, in particular, in a refrigeration apparatus having a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a liquid side closing valve, and an indoor heat exchanger, and circulates in the circuit. The present invention relates to a method for sucking a refrigerant leakage preventing agent for preventing leakage of refrigerant into a refrigerant circuit.

  The refrigerant flows through the refrigerant piping of the refrigerant circuit. However, when a crack or corrosion occurs in the refrigerant pipe due to the influence of the use conditions or the environment, the refrigerant leaks out of the refrigerant pipe from the portion of the refrigerant pipe where the crack or the like has occurred. On the other hand, a technique is known in which a refrigerant leakage preventive agent is sucked into the refrigerant pipe to repair a portion where a crack or the like is generated by the inhibitor.

  Examples of the method for sucking the refrigerant leakage preventing agent into the refrigerant circuit include the methods disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-276211) and Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-276202). . In Patent Document 1, a liquid refrigerant is also accommodated in a container in which refrigerating machine oil, fine particles, and the like, which are refrigerant leakage preventing agents, are accommodated, and this container is connected to a refrigerant circuit. And in patent document 1, when the liquid refrigerant in a container vaporizes, a pressure difference will arise between the refrigerant circuit side and a container side, and the refrigerant | coolant leakage prevention agent in a container will be inhaled to the refrigerant circuit side. In patent document 2, the container in which the refrigerant | coolant leakage prevention agent is accommodated is connected to the refrigerant circuit via the high pressure pump, and the said inhibitor is suck | inhaled to the refrigerant circuit side by operating a high pressure pump.

  However, in the method of Patent Document 1, the container has a double structure in order to prevent the refrigerating machine oil and the fine particles from being mixed with the liquid refrigerant. Furthermore, in the method of Patent Document 1, since the liquid refrigerant is vaporized to become a gas refrigerant, the container has a structure with relatively high pressure resistance. As a result, the equipment cost increases. Further, in the method of Patent Document 1, the suction operation of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent to the refrigerant circuit side must be performed during the cooling cycle of the refrigerant circuit, that is, in the summer, and thus the season in which the operation is performed. Will be limited.

  In addition, the method of Patent Document 2 requires a high-pressure pump as described above. As a result, the equipment cost is high. Further, in the method of Patent Document 2, the refrigerant leakage prevention agent suction operation to the refrigerant circuit side is performed during the heating cycle of the refrigerant circuit, that is, in winter, in order to improve the diffusibility of the refrigeration oil. Therefore, the season for performing the operation is limited.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method capable of easily sucking the refrigerant leakage preventing agent into the refrigerant circuit regardless of the season and without incurring equipment costs.

  A refrigerant leakage preventing agent inhalation method according to a first aspect of the present invention is a refrigeration apparatus having a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a liquid side closing valve, and an indoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant leakage prevention agent for preventing leakage of the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant is sucked into the refrigerant circuit. This method comprises a first step and a second step. In the first step, the pump down operation is started by the refrigeration apparatus. The pump-down operation is an operation in which the compressor is operated by closing the liquid side closing valve. The second step is a step of sucking the refrigerant leakage preventive agent into the refrigerant circuit from a port provided between the liquid side closing valve and the compressor suction port in the refrigerant circuit during the pump down operation. .

  Here, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent is sucked into the refrigerant circuit during the pump-down operation. Then, since the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit is sucked into the casing of the compressor, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent is sucked into the casing of the compressor together with the refrigerant. Therefore, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent can be easily sucked into the refrigerant circuit without using a special device such as a high-pressure pump. In addition, since the pump-down operation is performed regardless of the season such as summer or winter, there is no limitation that the refrigerant leakage prevention agent may not be sucked in depending on the season. Furthermore, since the refrigerant leakage preventing agent is sucked into the refrigerant circuit from a port provided between the liquid side closing valve and the compressor suction port in the refrigerant circuit, it is relatively close to the suction side of the compressor. It is taken into the refrigerant circuit from the port of the refrigerant pipe. Thereby, most of the said inhibitor comes to be taken in in a compressor, without remaining in another apparatus (for example, outdoor heat exchanger). Therefore, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent is reliably diffused and can eventually reach the entire refrigerant circuit, so that the effect of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent can be prevented from diminishing.

  A refrigerant leakage preventing agent inhalation method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a refrigeration apparatus having a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a liquid side closing valve, and an indoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant leakage preventing agent for preventing leakage of the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant is sucked into the refrigerant circuit. This method comprises a first step and a second step. The first step is a step of evacuating the refrigerant circuit during maintenance of the refrigeration apparatus. The second step is a step of sucking the refrigerant leakage preventing agent into the refrigerant circuit from a port provided in the refrigerant circuit while the refrigerant circuit is in a vacuum state.

  Here, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent is sucked into the refrigerant circuit by evacuation performed during maintenance of the refrigeration apparatus. Therefore, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent can be easily sucked into the refrigerant circuit without using a special device such as a high-pressure pump. In addition, since the maintenance of the refrigeration apparatus is performed regardless of the season such as summer or winter, there is no restriction that the refrigerant leakage prevention agent may not be sucked in depending on the season.

  The inhalation method of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent according to the third aspect of the present invention is the inhalation method according to the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the refrigerant leakage preventing agent is enclosed in a single-use type container.

  Thereby, the refrigerant | coolant leakage prevention agent enclosed with the container is used up once. For this reason, the refrigerating machine oil contained in the refrigerant leakage preventive agent does not have to be used due to oxidation and deterioration. Further, when the refrigerant leakage preventing agent is sucked into the refrigerant circuit, the operator does not need to measure the amount of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent, so that the convenience for the worker is improved. In particular, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent is automatically sucked into the refrigerant circuit when the refrigerant circuit is evacuated by evacuation or pump-down operation. Therefore, the container containing the refrigerant leakage preventing agent may not have a relatively high pressure resistance. Therefore, no equipment cost is required.

  The refrigerant leakage preventing agent inhalation method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is the inhalation method according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a third step. A 3rd step is a step which connects the opening part of the container which has enclosed the refrigerant | coolant leakage preventing agent with a refrigerant circuit through a port before a 2nd step. In the second step, the port is closed while the refrigerant leakage preventing agent is being sucked.

  Thereby, after refrigerant | coolant leak prevention agent in a container is inhaled by the refrigerant circuit, it can prevent that gas, such as nitrogen, for example enters a refrigerant circuit from a container subsequently.

  A refrigerant leakage preventing agent suction method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the suction method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the port is provided in a gas side closing valve further included in the refrigerant circuit. ing.

  As a result, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent is sucked into the refrigerant circuit from the position of the gas side closing valve. Since the gas side shut-off valve is located close to the suction port of the compressor, most of the inhibitor can be taken into the compressor more reliably.

  According to the refrigerant leakage preventing agent inhalation method of the first aspect of the present invention, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent can be easily sucked into the refrigerant circuit without using a special device. Further, there is no restriction that the refrigerant leakage preventing agent cannot be sucked in depending on the season, and further, it is possible to prevent the effect of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent from diminishing.

  According to the refrigerant leakage preventing agent suction method according to the second aspect of the present invention, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent can be easily sucked into the refrigerant circuit without using a special device. In addition, there is no restriction such that the refrigerant leakage preventing agent may not be inhaled depending on the season.

  According to the refrigerant leakage preventing agent inhalation method according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to use the inhibiting agent in which the refrigerating machine oil contained in the refrigerant leakage preventing agent is oxidized and deteriorated. Moreover, the convenience of the operator can be improved, and the equipment cost is not required.

  According to the refrigerant leakage preventing agent inhalation method of the fourth aspect of the present invention, after the refrigerant leakage preventing agent in the container is sucked into the refrigerant circuit, for example, a gas such as nitrogen enters the refrigerant circuit from the container. Can be prevented.

  According to the refrigerant leakage preventing agent inhalation method of the fifth aspect of the present invention, most of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent is more reliably taken into the compressor.

The refrigerant circuit figure concerning this embodiment. The figure which shows the container with which the refrigerant | coolant leak prevention agent which concerns on this embodiment is enclosed. The figure for demonstrating the structure of the suction device used when suck | inhaling a refrigerant | coolant leakage prevention agent in a refrigerant circuit. It is a figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of the suction | inhalation method of the refrigerant | coolant leakage preventing agent which concerns on this embodiment, Comprising: The figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of the suction | inhalation method performed especially at the time of pump down driving | operation. It is a figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of the suction | inhalation method of the refrigerant | coolant leakage prevention agent which concerns on this embodiment, Comprising: The figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of the suction | inhalation method performed especially at the time of vacuuming. The figure which shows a series of flow of the repair work of the air conditioning apparatus in which the suction | inhalation method of the refrigerant | coolant leak prevention agent which concerns on this embodiment is included. The figure which shows a series of flow of the repair work of the air conditioning apparatus in which the suction | inhalation method of the refrigerant | coolant leak prevention agent which concerns on this embodiment is included.

Hereinafter, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent inhalation method according to the present invention will be described in detail 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>
(1) Overview FIG. 1 shows a refrigerant circuit 10 of a refrigeration apparatus to which a suction method for a refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the present embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 10 is a circuit formed in a so-called separator-type air conditioner 100 that is configured by being divided into an outdoor unit 100a installed outdoors and an indoor unit 100b installed indoors. Take a case.

  Here, examples of the operation type of the air conditioner 100 include a cooling operation, a heating operation, and a pump down operation. The pump-down operation is an operation in which the compressor 11 is operated by closing a liquid side shut-off valve 15 described later, and the refrigerant remaining in the refrigerant pipe connecting various devices constituting the refrigerant circuit 10 is removed from the outdoor unit. It is used in the work of confining in 100a.

  A refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit 10. The refrigerant passes through the refrigerant pipe that forms the refrigerant circuit 10, but when the crack or corrosion occurs in the refrigerant pipe due to, for example, use conditions or environment, the refrigerant is introduced from the part of the refrigerant pipe where the crack or the like has occurred. It will flow out of the refrigerant circuit 10. Then, the heat exchange capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the indoor heat exchanger 16, which will be described later, may be reduced due to a shortage of the refrigerant amount.

  Therefore, the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 for preventing the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 from leaking outside the circuit 10 is sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10 according to the present embodiment. In particular, in the present embodiment, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10 at low cost and easily. Regarding the method of sucking the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 into the refrigerant circuit 10, This will be described later.

(2) Refrigerant Circuit (2-1) Configuration of Refrigerant Circuit As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerant circuit 10 mainly includes a compressor 11, a four-way switching valve 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, an expansion valve 14, and a liquid. The side closing valve 15, the indoor heat exchanger 16, the gas side closing valve 17, and the accumulator 18 are configured. The compressor 11, the four-way switching valve 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the expansion valve 14, the liquid side closing valve 15, the gas side closing valve 17, and the accumulator 18 are provided in the casing of the outdoor unit 100a. The indoor heat exchanger 16 is provided in the casing of the indoor unit 100b.

  The compressor 11 is a mechanism for compressing the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit 10 and is a variable capacity compressor. Specifically, a rotary compressor, a container-type compression element (not shown) accommodated in a casing (not shown), and a compressor motor (not shown) also accommodated in the casing. ) Driven hermetic compressor. In the casing of the compressor 11, a high-pressure space (not shown) filled with the refrigerant after being compressed by the compression element is formed, and refrigeration oil is stored in the high-pressure space. The rotation speed of the compressor motor can be varied by driving with an inverter, and thus the capacity of the compressor 11 can be controlled.

  The four-way switching valve 12 is for switching the refrigerant circulation direction in the refrigerant circuit 10. The first port p <b> 1 of the four-way switching valve 12 is connected to the discharge port 11 a of the compressor 11, and the second port p <b> 2 is connected to one end of the outdoor heat exchanger 13. The third port p3 of the four-way switching valve 12 is connected to the suction port 11b of the compressor 11 via the accumulator 18, and the fourth port p4 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 16 via the gas side shut-off valve 17. Connected to one end. When the air conditioner 100 performs the cooling operation and the pump-down operation, the four-way switching valve 12 has the first port p1 and the second port p2 internally connected, and the third port p3 and the fourth port p4. Can be connected in the first connection state (see the solid line in the four-way switching valve 12 in FIG. 1). The four-way switching valve 12 takes a second connection state in which the first port p1 and the fourth port p4 are internally connected and the second port p2 and the third port p3 are internally connected during heating operation. (See dotted line in the four-way selector valve 12 in FIG. 1).

  The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is for exchanging heat between the outdoor air taken in by the outdoor fan 13a provided inside the outdoor unit 100a and the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is composed of a plurality of fins stacked in one direction and a plurality of heat transfer tubes provided on the fins so as to penetrate the fins. Can be. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as a condenser during the cooling operation and functions as an evaporator during the heating operation. The air after heat exchange is performed by the outdoor heat exchanger 13 is discharged outside the outdoor unit.

  The expansion valve 14 is for depressurizing the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 and for discharging the depressurized refrigerant, and is constituted by an electric expansion valve. Both ends of the expansion valve 14 are connected to the other ends of the heat exchangers 13 and 16 via filters 19a and 19b.

  The liquid side closing valve 15 is a valve provided between the expansion valve 14 and the other end side of the indoor heat exchanger 16. The liquid side closing valve 15 can be fully opened or fully closed, and opens and closes the flow of the refrigerant between the expansion valve 14 and the indoor heat exchanger 16.

  The indoor heat exchanger 16 is for exchanging heat between indoor air taken in by an indoor fan 16a provided inside the indoor unit 100b and refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10. Similarly to the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the indoor heat exchanger 16 includes a plurality of fins stacked in one direction and a plurality of heat transfer tubes provided on the fins so as to penetrate each fin. It can be a fin-and-tube type heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger 16 functions as an evaporator during cooling operation and functions as a condenser during heating operation. The air after the heat exchange is performed by the indoor heat exchanger 16 is supplied to the room.

  The gas side closing valve 17 is a valve provided between the other end side of the indoor heat exchanger 16 and the fourth port p4 of the four-way switching valve 12. The gas-side closing valve 17 can be fully opened or fully closed, and opens and closes the refrigerant flow between the indoor heat exchanger 16 and the fourth port p4 of the four-way switching valve 12.

  The accumulator 18 is connected between the suction side of the compressor 11, more specifically, between the third port p3 of the four-way switching valve 12 and the suction port 11b of the compressor 11, and the indoor heat exchange functioning as an evaporator. The refrigerant that cannot be evaporated in the vessel 16 and is in a liquid state is separated from the gas refrigerant. Only the separated gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 11 by the accumulator 18.

  Moreover, the refrigerant circuit 10 according to the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of service ports (corresponding to ports) 20a, 20c, 20d,. The service ports 20a, 20c, 20d,... Are used as ports connected to the refrigerant circuit 10 for the measurement of the refrigerant pressure, the refrigerant recovery operation, and the refrigerant charging operation during the maintenance of the air conditioner 100. .

  In the present embodiment, as an example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a case where three service ports 20 a, 20 c, and 20 d are provided on the refrigerant circuit 10 is illustrated. The service port 20 a is provided on a refrigerant pipe that connects the second port p <b> 2 of the four-way switching valve 12 and the outdoor heat exchanger 13. The service port 20 c is provided in the liquid side closing valve 15, and the service port 20 d is provided in the gas side closing valve 17. In other words, the ports 20 c and 20 d other than the service port 20 a can be said to be ports provided between the liquid side shut-off valve 15 and the suction port 11 b of the compressor 11 in the refrigerant circuit 10.

  In the present embodiment, the service ports 20a, 20c, 20d,... Are also used as ports when the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10. In particular, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is preferably sucked from a portion close to the suction side of the compressor 11. Therefore, the service port 20d, the service port 20c, and the service port 20a are preferable in order of the refrigerant leak preventing agent liq1 in order.

(2-2) Flow of Refrigerant in Various Operations (2-2-1) Cooling Operation When the air conditioner 100 performs a cooling operation, the refrigerant circuit 10 performs a cooling cycle. At this time, as already described, the outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger 16 functions as an evaporator. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the four-way switching valve 12 connects the first port p1 and the second port p2 and adopts a first connection state connecting the third port p3 and the fourth port p4.

  When the compressor 11, the outdoor fan 13a, and the indoor fan 16a are driven, first, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 11 and compressed to become a high-pressure refrigerant. The high-pressure gas refrigerant is then sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 13 via the four-way switching valve 12. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 13 is condensed by exchanging heat with outdoor air supplied by the outdoor fan 13a, and becomes high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant is then sent to the expansion valve 14 via the filter 19a, and is decompressed by the expansion valve 14 to become a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The low-pressure gas-liquid two-layer refrigerant is sent to the indoor unit 100b through the filter 19b and the liquid-side shut-off valve 15. The low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant sent to the indoor unit 100b is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 16, where it is evaporated by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 16. . Next, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the outdoor unit 100 a through the gas-side closing valve 17 and flows into the accumulator 18 through the four-way switching valve 12. The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the accumulator 18 is again sucked into the compressor 11.

(2-2-2) Heating operation When the air-conditioning apparatus 100 performs a heating operation, the refrigerant circuit 10 performs a heating cycle. At this time, as already described, the outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator, and the indoor heat exchanger 16 functions as a condenser. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1, the four-way switching valve 12 takes a second connection state in which the first port p1 and the fourth port p4 are connected and the second port p2 and the third port p3 are connected.

  When the compressor 11, the outdoor fan 13a, and the indoor fan 16a are driven, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is first sucked into the compressor 11 and compressed to become a high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-pressure gas refrigerant is then sent to the indoor unit 100b via the four-way switching valve 12 and the gas-side closing valve 17. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor unit 100b is condensed by exchanging heat with the indoor air supplied by the indoor fan 16a in the indoor heat exchanger 16, and becomes high-pressure liquid refrigerant. This high-pressure liquid refrigerant is sent to the outdoor unit 100a, and is sent to the expansion valve 14 via the liquid-side closing valve 15 and the filter 19b in the unit 100a. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant is decompressed by the expansion valve 14 to become a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and then sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 13 through the filter 19a. The low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase liquid refrigerant evaporates by exchanging heat with outdoor air supplied by the outdoor fan 13a in the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and becomes low-pressure gas refrigerant. This low-pressure gas refrigerant flows into the accumulator 18 through the four-way switching valve 12. The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the accumulator 18 is again sucked into the compressor 11.

(2-2-3) Pump-down operation When the air-conditioning apparatus 100 performs the pump-down operation, the refrigerant circuit 10 performs a cooling cycle, and the indoor heat exchanger 16 functions as an evaporator. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the four-way switching valve 12 connects the first port p1 and the second port p2 and adopts a first connection state connecting the third port p3 and the fourth port p4.

  First, the compressor 11, the outdoor fan 13a, and the indoor fan 16a are driven for a predetermined time. At this time, both the liquid side closing valve 15 and the gas side closing valve 17 are in the open state.

  In this case, as in the refrigeration cycle, the high-pressure refrigerant sucked and compressed by the compressor 11 is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 to become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant is decompressed by the expansion valve 14 to become a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and then evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 16 to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant. This low-pressure gas refrigerant flows into the accumulator 18 of the outdoor unit 100a through the gas-side shut-off valve 17, and is sucked into the compressor 11 before long.

  When a predetermined time elapses after the fans 13a and 16a are driven, the liquid side closing valve 15 is closed. At this time, the gas side shut-off valve 17 is in an open state. The opening of the expansion valve 14 may be gradually reduced and then closed.

  Thereby, the refrigerant circuit 10 between the liquid side closing valve 15 and the suction port 11b of the compressor 11 is in a so-called vacuum state. Therefore, the refrigerant between the closing valve 15 and the suction port 11b of the compressor 11 is the indoor heat exchanger 16, the gas side closing valve 17, the fourth port p4 and the third port p3 of the four-way switching valve 12, the accumulator. The air is sucked into the compressor 11 through 18.

(3) Refrigerant leakage preventing agent Here, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10 will be described.

  The refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 includes refrigeration oil and fine particles. In particular, as the fine particles, it is preferable to use flexible particles that are substances that do not react with the refrigerant or the refrigerating machine oil. Examples of the flexible fine particles include fluororesin fine particles and silicon resin fine particles. In particular, as a fluororesin, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene; PTFE), which is excellent in flexibility and durability, is not easily dissolved in a normal solvent such as alcohol, and has a relatively large specific gravity, is preferable.

  Further, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is in the range of, for example, 1.00 to 70.00 mass% of one or more of various fine particles made of graphite, talc, copper, and aluminum with respect to the fine particles made of fluororesin. It may be a mixture of these. Alternatively, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is in the range of, for example, 1.00 to 70.00 mass% of one or more of various fine particles made of graphite, talc, copper, and aluminum with respect to the fine particles of silicon resin. It may be a mixture of.

  When the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 containing such fine particles is sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10, it is uniformly dispersed in the refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit 10. Then, when cracks or corrosion occurs in the refrigerant piping forming the refrigerant circuit 10, the fine particles in the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 enter the portions where the cracks or the like are generated, and gradually close the portions. That is, the part is blocked by the fine particles in the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1. Thereby, the refrigerant does not leak any more from the part where the crack or the like is generated.

  By the way, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 described above is sealed in a container 30 as shown in FIG. The container 30 is a one-time-use type container, and the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is enclosed in the container 30 in an amount used for one inhalation.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the container 30 has a container main body 31 and a nozzle 32 and is a transparent container formed of plastic, glass, or the like. The container main body 31 is a portion that accommodates the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1, has a cylindrical shape, and is approximately rectangular as shown in FIG. The nozzle 32 is for introducing the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 in the container main body 31 to the outside of the container main body 31, and protrudes from the container main body 31 above the main body 31 and is tapered. It has a shape. An opening 32 b is formed in the nozzle 32 along the protruding direction, and the opening 32 b is connected to the inside of the container main body 31.

  The tip portion 32a of the nozzle 32 is closed. Therefore, the container 30 has a structure in which the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 does not leak out of the container 30 when the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is stored. When the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10, the nozzle 32 is cut halfway along the dotted line d1 in FIG. 2 so that the opening 32b is exposed to the outside of the container 30. As a result, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 in the container main body 31 flows out of the container main body 31 through the opening 32b of the nozzle 32.

(4) Inhalation Method of Refrigerant Leakage Prevention Agent (4-1) Inhalation Device FIG. 3 schematically shows the structure of the inhalation device 50 used when the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 described above is sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10. Show.

  The suction device 50 is connected to the service ports 20a, 20c, 20d,... When sucking the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 into the refrigerant circuit 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the suction device 50 mainly includes a first tube 41, a second tube 42, an inter-tube valve 43, and a refrigerant state inspection instrument (specifically, a pressure gauge / vacuum gauge or a gauge manifold). 44.

  The first tube 41 extends in one direction, and a hole along the direction in which the first tube 41 extends is formed therein. This hole is a hole through which the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 in the container 30 passes. The inner diameter of the first tube 41 (that is, the diameter of the hole in the cut surface of the first tube 41) has a diameter larger than the diameter of the nozzle 32 of the container 30, and an opening is formed at one end of the first tube 41. The nozzle 32 of the container 30 with the portion 32b exposed is set. In particular, when the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is sucked, in order to prevent the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 from leaking out from the contact portion between the nozzle 32 and the first tube 41 in the container 30, the size of the hole of the first tube 41 is increased. The height is preferably slightly larger than the size of the opening 32b of the container 32.

  One end of the second tube 42 is connected to the first tube 41 via an inter-tube valve 43. The other end of the second tube 42 is bifurcated, one of which is connected to the refrigerant condition inspection device 44 and the other is connected to the service ports 20a, 20c, 20d,. Inside the second tube 42, a hole for allowing the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 to pass is formed in the same way as the first tube 41, and the inner diameter of the second tube 42 is the same size as the hole of the first tube 41. It is preferable.

  The inter-tube valve 43 connects the first tube 41 and the second tube 42 and opens and closes between the tubes 41 and 42. The refrigerant state inspection instrument 44 is for measuring the vacuum state in the second tube 42 and confirming the state by an operator.

  According to the inhaler 50 having such a configuration, when the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is inhaled, each tube 41, while the service ports 20a, 20c, 20d,. 42, the inter-tube valve 43 and the pressure gauge 44 are connected as shown in FIG. The nozzle 32 of the container 30 is set at one end of the first tube 41. Thereafter, the service ports 20a, 20c, 20d,... Are opened, and the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 in the container 30 is sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10.

  When the remaining amount of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 in the container 30 is about 20%, the service ports 20a, 20c, 20d,... Are closed, and the suction device 50 is removed from the refrigerant circuit 10. That is, the service ports 20a, 20c, 20d,... Are closed while the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is being sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10. This is to prevent a gas such as nitrogen contained in the container 30 from being sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10 after all the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 in the container 30 has been sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10.

  As described above, the inhaler 50 according to the present embodiment is configured by equipment that is always possessed by an operator such as a service person of the air conditioner 100, and has a simple configuration. Therefore, a special device such as a high-pressure pump is not required as a device for sucking the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1, and the cost can be reduced.

(4-2) Flow of Operation of Refrigerant Leakage Prevention Agent Inhalation Method The refrigerant leakage prevention agent inhalation method according to the present embodiment mainly includes the following two methods.

  In the following, the case where the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is sucked from the service port 20d provided in the gas side closing valve 17 is taken as an example.

(4-2-1) Inhalation method 1
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation flow of the suction method of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a case where the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is sucked during the pump-down operation.

  Step S11: The operator cuts the nozzle 32 of the container 30 along the dotted line d1 in FIG. 2 to expose the opening 32b of the container 30.

  Steps S12 to S13: The operator sets the suction device 50 as shown in FIG. 3, and connects the device 50 to the service port 20d in the gas side shut-off valve 17 (S12). And an operator sets the container 30 of step S11 to the 1st tube 41 of the said apparatus 50 (S13). As a result, the opening 32b of the container 30 is connected to the refrigerant circuit 10 via the service port 20d (steps S11 to S13 correspond to the third step).

  Step S14: The air conditioner 100 is caused to start the pump down operation (corresponding to the first step). Note that the start instruction for the pump-down operation and the control for closing the liquid-side closing valve 15 are performed by a control unit (not shown) included in the air conditioner 100.

  Step S15: During the pump-down operation in step S14, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10 (corresponding to the second step).

  Steps S16 to S18: About 80% of the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 in the container 30 is sucked and about 20% of the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 remains in the container 30 (Yes in S16). The person closes the valve 43 (S17), and then ends the pump-down operation. (S18). Thereby, the suction operation of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is completed.

  The confirmation of how much refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 remains in the container 30 may be a visual confirmation by the operator. Alternatively, when there is a sensor that detects the remaining amount of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 in the container 30, when the sensor detects that the remaining amount of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is about 20%, The harmony device 100 may be configured to automatically close the inter-tube valve 43.

(4-2-2) Inhalation method 2
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation flow of the suction method of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a case where the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is sucked when evacuation is performed during maintenance of the air conditioner 100 or the like.

  Step S21: The operator cuts the nozzle 32 of the container 30 along the dotted line d1 in FIG. 2 to expose the opening 32b of the container 30.

  Steps S22 to S23: The operator sets the suction device 50 as shown in FIG. 3, and connects the device 50 to the service port 20d in the gas side shut-off valve 17 (S22). And an operator sets the container 30 of step S21 to the 1st tube 41 of the inhaler 50 (S23). As a result, the opening 32b of the container 30 is connected to the refrigerant circuit 10 via the service port 20d (steps S21 to S23 correspond to the third step).

  Step S24: The operator performs an evacuation operation of the refrigerant circuit 10 (corresponding to the first step).

  Step S25: While the refrigerant circuit 10 is in a vacuum state, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is automatically sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10 (corresponding to the second step).

  Steps S26 to S28: About 80% of the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 in the container 30 is sucked and about 20% of the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 remains in the container 30 (Yes in S26). The person closes the valve 43 (S27), and then finishes the evacuation. (S28). Thereby, the suction operation of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is completed.

  The confirmation of how much refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 remains in the container 30 may be a visual confirmation by the operator. Alternatively, when there is a sensor that detects the remaining amount of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 in the container 30, when the sensor detects that the remaining amount of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is about 20%, The harmony device 100 may be configured to automatically close the inter-tube valve 43.

(4-3) Flow of Repair Work Next, the actual use of the above-described inhalation methods 1 and 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 7 are diagrams illustrating an overall flow of repair work of the air conditioner 100.

  Steps S31 to S32: When a customer using the air conditioner 100 makes a complaint such as “Cooling operation but the room does not cool” or “An error code is displayed on the remote controller”. S31) First, the operator starts repair work of the air conditioner 100 by starting inspection work of the outdoor unit 100a (S32).

  Steps S33 to S34: The operator investigates whether or not the refrigerant leaks in the flare portion of the outdoor unit 100a. When the refrigerant leaks in the flare part (Yes in S33), the operator performs retightening and reworking of the flare part, and collects the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 10 and A refrigerant charging operation is performed (S34). Thereby, the repair work of the air conditioning apparatus 100 is completed (S47).

  Steps S35 to S36: When the refrigerant does not leak in the flare part (No in S33), the operator determines whether or not the refrigerant leaks in the brazed part of the refrigerant pipe constituting the refrigerant circuit 10. To investigate the. If a refrigerant leak has occurred in the brazing portion of the refrigerant pipe (Yes in S35), the operator can recover the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 10, dispose of the recovered refrigerant, A re-brazing operation and a new refrigerant charging operation are performed in the generated portion (S36). Thereby, the repair work of the air conditioning apparatus 100 is completed (S47).

  Steps S37 to S38: When there is no refrigerant leakage even in the brazed portion of the refrigerant pipe (No in S35), the operator confirms whether the inspection work in the indoor unit 100b is possible. For example, when the air conditioner 100 cannot be stopped due to a situation such as a store that does not want to stop the cooling operation because there are customers at present, and therefore the inspection of the indoor unit 100b is impossible. (No in S37), the operator performs the method of sucking the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 into the refrigerant circuit 10 during the pump-down operation in the order of steps S11 to S17 in FIG. Implement (S38).

  Step S39: If the season is eventually turned off and the operation of the air conditioner 100 is stopped (Yes in S39), the operations after Step S37 are performed. If the season is not off (No in S39), the repair work of the air conditioner 100 is assumed for the time being (S47).

  Steps S40 to S42: In step S37, when the inspection operation of the indoor unit 100b is possible (Yes in S37), the operator determines whether or not the refrigerant leaks in the flare portion on the indoor unit 100b side. Investigate (S40). When the refrigerant leaks in the flare part (Yes in S41), the operator performs retightening and reworking of the flare part, and collects the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 10 and A refrigerant charging operation is performed (S42).

  Steps S43 to S44: When no refrigerant leaks in the flare portion (No in S41), the operator determines that cracks and corrosion have occurred in the refrigerant piping. Therefore, the worker first performs a recovery operation of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 (S43) and a nitrogen replacement operation (S44). Here, the nitrogen replacement operation is an operation for confirming from which part of the refrigerant piping the refrigerant is leaking in the refrigerant circuit 10.

  Step S45: The operator calculates the amount of refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant pressure (specifically, the degree of pressure decrease), and compares the calculated result with a predetermined value. This is because if the calculation result is smaller than the predetermined value, the refrigerant leakage can be stopped by suction of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 into the refrigerant circuit 10.

  Steps S46 to 47: When the calculation result, that is, when the refrigerant leakage amount is smaller than the predetermined value (Yes in S45), the operator performs the above-described steps S21 to S27 in FIG. A method of sucking the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 into the refrigerant circuit 10 is performed (S46). Next, the worker performs a refrigerant charging operation. Thereby, the repair work of the air conditioning apparatus 100 is completed (S47).

  Steps S48 to S50: If the amount of refrigerant leakage is larger than the predetermined value in Step S45 (No in S45), the operator investigates the location of the refrigerant leakage (S48), and the component where the refrigerant has leaked Is exchanged (S49). Next, the operator performs a method of sucking the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 into the refrigerant circuit 10 during evacuation in the order of steps S21 to S27 of FIG. 5 described above (S50). Thereafter, the worker performs a refrigerant charging operation. Thereby, the repair work of the air conditioning apparatus 100 is completed (S47).

  In summary, in the present embodiment, if the indoor unit 100b is not inspected, the suction method of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 by the pump-down operation is adopted (S37 to S38), and after the indoor unit 100b is inspected. For example, the suction method of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 at the time of evacuation is adopted (S46, S50). That is, when the air-conditioning apparatus 100 cannot be stopped for a long time, the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 is sucked by the pump-down operation. Accordingly, the leakage of the refrigerant can be stopped without stopping the operation of the air conditioner 100. In addition, when the operation of the air conditioner 100 can be stopped for a long time, an inhalation method of the refrigerant leakage preventive agent liq1 using evacuation, which is an operation that must be performed before charging the refrigerant, is performed. Do.

  Moreover, in step S46 mentioned above, since the refrigerant | coolant leakage amount is comparatively small, the suction | inhalation method of the refrigerant | coolant leakage preventing agent liq1 which concerns on this embodiment is performed, without replacing components. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve the simplification of repair work and the reduction of the repair cost as much as work such as parts replacement is not performed. On the other hand, in step S51, since the refrigerant leakage amount is relatively large and the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 can no longer stop the refrigerant leakage that is currently occurring, the parts are being replaced. However, when the parts are replaced, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is sucked at the same time, so that the recurrence of the refrigerant leakage is prevented.

(5) Features (5-1)
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10 while the air conditioner 100 is performing the pump-down operation. Then, as the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 is sucked into the casing of the compressor 11, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq <b> 1 is also sucked into the casing of the compressor 11. Therefore, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 can be easily sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10 without using a special device such as a high-pressure pump.

  In addition, since the pump-down operation is performed regardless of the season such as summer or winter, there is no restriction that the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 may not be sucked depending on the season.

  Further, since the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 is taken into the refrigerant circuit 10 from the service ports 20c and 20d of the refrigerant pipe relatively close to the suction port 11b of the compressor 11, most of the prevention agent liq1 is in other devices ( For example, it is taken into the compressor 11 without remaining in the outdoor heat exchanger 13). For this reason, the fine particles in the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 are mixed with the refrigerating machine oil in the compressor 11 and diffused by using the oil rising, and eventually can reach the whole refrigerant circuit 10. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the effect of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 from fading.

(5-2)
In the present embodiment, the refrigerant leakage preventive agent liq1 is sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10 by evacuation performed during maintenance of the air conditioner 100 other than during the air conditioner 100 performing the pump-down operation. The Therefore, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 can be easily sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10 at low cost. In addition, there is no restriction such as the case where the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 cannot be sucked in depending on the season, such as in summer and winter.

(5-3)
In the present embodiment, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is enclosed in a single-use type container 30. Therefore, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 enclosed in the container 30 is used up once. Therefore, the refrigerating machine oil contained in the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 does not have to be used because the refrigerating machine oil is deteriorated by oxidation. Further, when the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 is sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10, the operator does not need to measure the amount of the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1, so that the convenience for the operator is improved.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is automatically sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10 when the refrigerant circuit 10 is evacuated by evacuation or pump-down operation. Therefore, the container 30 containing the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 may not have a relatively high pressure resistance. Therefore, no equipment cost is required.

(5-4)
In the present embodiment, before the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10, the opening 32b of the container 30 containing the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is provided in the service ports 20a, 20c, 20d,. .. is connected to the refrigerant circuit 10 via During the inhalation of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1, the service ports 20a, 20c, 20d,... That are used for inhaling the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 are closed. Thereby, after refrigerant | coolant leak prevention agent liq1 in the container 30 is inhaled by the refrigerant circuit 10, it can prevent that gas, such as nitrogen, for example enters into the refrigerant circuit 10 from the container 30 subsequently.

(5-5)
In particular, in the present embodiment, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 can be sucked into the refrigerant circuit 10 from the position of the gas side closing valve 17. Since the gas side shut-off valve 17 is located near the suction port 11b of the compressor 11, most of the inhibitor liq1 is taken into the compressor 11 more reliably.

(6) Modification (6-1) Modification A
In the above embodiment, the case where the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 is sucked from the service port 20d provided in the gas side shut-off valve 17 has been described as an example. However, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 may flow from the service port 20c provided in the liquid side closing valve 15.

(6-2) Modification B
In the above embodiment, the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 has been described as being inhaled by the inhaler 50 shown in FIG. However, the device for sucking the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 into the refrigerant circuit 10 may be a device other than the configuration shown in FIG.

(6-3) Modification C
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 7, the suction method of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 by the pump-down operation is adopted before the inspection of the indoor unit 100b, and the vacuum suction is performed after the inspection of the indoor unit 100b. It has been explained that the method of sucking the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 at the time is adopted. However, in the present invention, it is appropriately determined in what case the suction method of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 during the pump-down operation or the suction method of the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 during the evacuation is adopted. Can do. Therefore, when the suction method of the refrigerant leakage preventing agent liq1 by the pump-down operation and the suction method of the refrigerant leakage prevention agent liq1 at the time of evacuation are performed is not limited to the cases shown in FIGS. .

(6-4) Modification D
In the said embodiment, as shown to FIGS. 6-7, it demonstrated that the 3rd step was performed before the 1st step. However, the third step may be performed before the second step, and thus may be performed between the first step and the second step.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Refrigerant circuit 11 Compressor 12 Four-way switching valve 13 Outdoor heat exchanger 13a Outdoor fan 14 Expansion valve 15 Liquid side closing valve 16 Indoor heat exchanger 16a Indoor fan 17 Gas side closing valve 18 Accumulator 19a, 19b Filters 20a, 20c, 20d ... Service port 30 Container 31 Container body 32 Nozzle 32a Nozzle tip 32b Opening 41 First tube 42 Second tube 43 Inter-tube valve 44 Refrigerant state inspection instrument 50 Inhaler liq1 Refrigerant leakage preventive agent

JP 2010-762211 A JP 2010-276202 A

Claims (5)

In a refrigeration apparatus (100) having a refrigerant circuit (10) including a compressor (11), an outdoor heat exchanger (13), an expansion valve (14), a liquid side closing valve (15), and an indoor heat exchanger (16). A refrigerant leakage preventive agent for sucking into the refrigerant circuit a refrigerant leakage preventive agent (liq1) for preventing leakage of refrigerant circulating in the circuit,
A first step of causing the refrigeration apparatus to start a pump-down operation for closing the liquid side closing valve and operating the compressor;
During the pump-down operation, the refrigerant leakage preventive agent is supplied from the ports (20c, 20d,...) Provided between the liquid side shut-off valve and the compressor inlet in the refrigerant circuit. A second step for inhalation into the circuit;
A method for inhaling a refrigerant leakage preventing agent. In a refrigeration apparatus (100) having a refrigerant circuit (10) including a compressor (11), an outdoor heat exchanger (13), an expansion valve (14), a liquid side closing valve (15), and an indoor heat exchanger (16). A refrigerant leakage preventing agent suction method (lig1) for preventing leakage of refrigerant circulating in the circuit is sucked into the refrigerant circuit,
A first step of evacuating the refrigerant circuit during maintenance of the refrigeration apparatus;
A second step of sucking the refrigerant leakage preventive agent into the refrigerant circuit from the ports (20a, 20c, 20d, ...) provided in the refrigerant circuit while the refrigerant circuit is in a vacuum state;
A method for inhaling a refrigerant leakage preventing agent. The refrigerant leakage preventing agent is enclosed in a single-use container (30).
The method for inhaling the refrigerant leakage preventing agent according to claim 1 or 2. Before the second step, a third step of connecting the opening (32b) of the container (30) enclosing the refrigerant leakage preventing agent to the refrigerant circuit via the port;
Further comprising
In the second step, the port is closed while the refrigerant leakage preventing agent is being sucked.
The method for inhaling a refrigerant leakage preventing agent according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The port is provided in a gas side closing valve (17) further included in the refrigerant circuit.
The method for inhaling a refrigerant leakage preventive agent according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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