JP2014195801A - Refrigeration cycle device crushing processing method, refrigeration cycle device, and crushing processing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve safety when performing a crushing process on a refrigeration air conditioner or the like using a combustible refrigerant.SOLUTION: Combustible refrigeration air conditioners 11a that are refrigeration air conditioners 11 each including a combustible refrigerant as a refrigerant and incombustible refrigeration air conditioners 11b that are the refrigeration air conditioners 11 each of which does not include the combustible refrigerant are input to a crusher 12 in an order such that the combustible refrigeration air conditioners 11a more than a predetermined number are not input continuously. Furthermore, internal air of the crusher 12 is inhaled by an inhaler 13 and the refrigerant contained in the inhaled air is collected in a refrigerant collection cylinder 15 (via a condenser 14).

Description

  The present invention relates to a crushing method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus and a refrigeration cycle apparatus. In particular, the present invention uses a method for crushing refrigeration air conditioning equipment and the like using a flammable refrigerant, a method used for recovering or destroying refrigerant used in such refrigeration air conditioning equipment and the like, and a flammable refrigerant. It relates to refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.

  Conventionally, chlorofluorocarbons and fluorocarbons are used as refrigerants used in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment such as air conditioners (air conditioners) because of their chemical stability. Since these refrigerants destroy the ozone layer and greatly affect global warming, when the product is used, the refrigerant is collected and detoxified (for example, patent documents) 1).

  In particular, small refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment such as home air conditioners often use a hermetic compressor to prevent leakage of refrigerant during use, and refrigeration oil that serves as lubricating oil for the compressor is used together with the refrigerant. Enclosed in the refrigeration circuit. When the refrigerant is recovered from the product, the refrigerant dissolved in the refrigeration oil is also recovered, so that the refrigerant and the refrigeration oil are simultaneously extracted from the product.

JP-A-8-10572

In recent years, countermeasures against global warming have been studied in various fields, and refrigerants used in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment can also be used in the atmosphere, such as R32 (CH ₂ F ₂ : difluoromethane), which has less impact on global warming. Fluorocarbon refrigerants with flammable regions are being studied.

Currently, the refrigerant used in home air conditioners is a mixture of R410A R32 and R125 (C ₂ HF ₅ : pentafluoroethane). This R410A has a GWP (Global Warming Potential: Coefficient when the global warming impact of CO ₂ is 1), which is an index of the impact on global warming, of 2,080, and has a great impact on global warming . Therefore, the R32 as an alternative material for R410A (GWP 675) and R1234yf, R1234ze (both _C 3 _H 2 _{F 4:} tetrafluoropropene, GWP is R1234yf is 4, R1234ze 9) is noted, and mixtures thereof together ing.

However, since these alternative substances are not necessarily free from global warming, it is indispensable to collect and process the refrigerant when the product is used. In the home appliance recycling plant, it is necessary to collect and process while taking safety measures for combustible refrigerants. These alternative materials are less flammable and less flammable than R290 (C ₃ H ₈ : propane) and R600 (C ₄ H ₁₀ : butane), which are used as fuel gas. Very little effect. However, unlike the handling of non-flammable refrigerants that have been enclosed in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment so far, a handling method for an unexpected situation is desired.

  Conventionally, in a refrigerant recovery operation, it is a common method to recover each used product by a refrigerant recovery machine. The recovered refrigerant is compressed, cooled and liquefied and stored in a dedicated cylinder. The refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment main body from which the refrigerant has been collected, after valuable materials and the like are collected by manual dismantling, is put into a crusher and then flowed to a machine sorting step.

  In these crushing methods for refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, considering that the refrigerant is flammable, the refrigerant is not collected for each product, and the refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment is thrown into the crusher without removing the refrigerant. It is necessary to take measures against In the case of an apparatus using a flammable refrigerant, it is necessary to sufficiently consider the safety of the introduction into the crusher without removing the refrigerant.

  An object of this invention is to improve the safety | security at the time of performing the crushing process of the refrigerating air-conditioning apparatus etc. which use a combustible refrigerant | coolant, for example.

A crushing method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
It is a crushing method of a refrigeration cycle apparatus in which a plurality of refrigeration cycle apparatuses that are used with a refrigerant enclosed therein are sequentially put into a crusher and crushed,
A flammable refrigeration cycle apparatus, which is a refrigeration cycle apparatus in which a flammable refrigerant is sealed as a refrigerant, is thrown into the crusher while controlling the flammable refrigeration cycle apparatus so as not to be continuously charged more than a predetermined number. is there.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the refrigeration cycle apparatus filled with the flammable refrigerant is controlled so that the predetermined number of refrigeration cycle apparatuses are not continuously charged, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus is charged into the crusher. Safety at the time of crushing the used refrigeration cycle apparatus (refrigeration air conditioning equipment, etc.) is improved.

The figure which shows the structure of the crushing processing equipment which concerns on Embodiment 1 and 6. FIG. The specification table of R32 which is an example of a combustible refrigerant | coolant. Risk assumption table for cases where refrigeration and air conditioning equipment is put into crushers. The graph which shows the relationship between the gas concentration of the explosion limit of a combustible refrigerant | coolant, and the dust concentration in the atmosphere of a crusher. The figure which shows the structure of the crushing processing equipment which concerns on Embodiment 2 and 7. FIG. The figure which shows the structure of the crushing processing equipment which concerns on Embodiment 3 and 8. FIG. The figure which shows the example which affixes a caution label to the refrigeration air conditioning equipment which concerns on Embodiment 4 and 9. FIG. The figure which shows the example which affixes an identification tag to the refrigeration air conditioning equipment which concerns on Embodiment 5 and 10. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of each embodiment, the directions such as “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “front”, “back” are However, it is not intended to limit the arrangement or orientation of devices, instruments, parts, or the like.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a crushing treatment facility 10 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a crushing treatment facility 10 is a facility (system) that inputs and crushes a plurality of refrigerating and air-conditioning devices 11 into a crusher 12 in order. The refrigeration / air conditioning equipment 11 is an example of a refrigeration cycle apparatus that is used with a refrigerant sealed therein. In addition, this Embodiment is applicable also to refrigeration cycle apparatuses other than the refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11, such as a refrigerator.

  The crushing processing equipment 10 is sent from a crusher 12 that is input into the refrigeration and air-conditioning apparatus 11 without collecting refrigerant, an inhaler 13 that sucks air inside the crusher 12, and the inhaler 13. A condenser 14 that condenses the refrigerant in the air and a refrigerant recovery cylinder 15 (container) that recovers the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 14 are provided.

  In the crushing method for the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment, the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11a (combustible refrigerating cycle apparatus) that is the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 in which a combustible refrigerant (for example, R32) is sealed as a refrigerant, The combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a is put into the crusher 12 while being controlled so as not to be continuously put in more than a predetermined number N (N is an integer of 1 or more).

  Specifically, the following method can be taken.

  As a first method, the flammable refrigeration air conditioner 11a and the nonflammable refrigeration air conditioner 11b, which is the refrigeration air conditioner 11 in which the flammable refrigerant is not sealed, are continuously provided in a number greater than the predetermined number N. Then, they are put into the crusher 12 in the order that they are not put in.

  For example, N = 2. That is, the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a and the non-combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11b are thrown into the crusher 12 in the order in which more than two combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a are not thrown continuously.

  Or, for example, N = 1. That is, the combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11a and the non-combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11b are alternately put into the crusher 12 one by one.

  As the incombustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11b, the refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11 in which a nonflammable refrigerant (for example, R410A) is sealed, or the refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11 from which the refrigerant (for example, R32, but may be R410A) is extracted after use is used. Put into the crusher 12.

  As a second method, when a predetermined number N of the combustible refrigeration air conditioners 11a are continuously inserted into the crusher 12, the combustible refrigeration air conditioner 11a is passed after a predetermined period T (T is longer than 0). Is newly put into the crusher 12.

  For example, T = (time required to put one refrigeration / air-conditioning device 11 into the crusher 12). You may think that what utilized the period of this T for the crushing process of the nonflammable refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11b is a 1st method.

  In the crushing processing method for the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment, the air inside the crusher 12 is further sucked by the inhaler 13 and the refrigerant is collected from the sucked air (via the condenser 14) by the refrigerant recovery cylinder. 15 recovered. At this time, depending on the type of the refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11 put into the crusher 12, a single type or a plurality of types of refrigerants are collected together in the refrigerant collection cylinder 15.

  As the crusher 12 installed in the home appliance recycling plant, a vertical crusher is mainly used, and the crusher 12 shown in FIG. 1 is also a vertical crusher. The vertical axis crusher is characterized by a mechanism in which the object to be crushed is crushed while the rotor 21 at the bottom of the crusher 12 rotates, and the rotating rotor 21 itself serves as a blower fan. The air is taken in from the outside, and the wind is generated inside the crusher 12. Usually, the particle size of the material to be crushed is adjusted to 40 to 60 mm (millimeters) by the choke ring that keeps the distance between the rotor 21 and the inner wall of the crusher 12 described above.

The exhaust air volume of the vertical crusher at this time is generally a numerical value of approximately 2,000 to 4,000 m ³ / h (cubic meter per hour). Moreover, the average amount of dust generated from the inside of the air conditioner outdoor unit (outdoor unit) is about 6 g per unit. The explosion limit value due to the refrigerant gas concentration decreases with the concentration of dust floating in the same atmosphere, but by managing the exhaust air volume and the dust concentration inside the crusher 12, the inside of the crusher 12 is always incombustible. By setting the area, the risk of dust ignition can be reduced.

  FIG. 2 is a specification table of R32, which is an example of a combustible refrigerant. FIG. 3 is a risk assumption table regarding a case where the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 (flammable refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 a) is thrown into the crusher 12. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the gas concentration at the explosion limit (lower limit) of the combustible refrigerant (R32) and the dust concentration in the atmosphere of the crusher 12.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the combustible refrigerant is R32 gas (difluoromethane) as the examination condition, and the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 a is input to the crusher 12 as it is for each assumed air volume of the crusher 12. This is the change in the explosion limit.

As can be seen from the number of units per minute and the refrigerant concentration in the table of FIG. 3, the refrigerant gas concentration in the exhaust air volume of the crusher 12 is less than the general exhaust air volume in the vertical crusher. The air volume is 1,000 m ³ / h, and it is 7.2 vol% under the condition of 2 units per minute (120 units per hour). It is far below the explosion limit of R32 (13.3 vol%), and the risk of explosion is extremely high. Low. It can be seen that ignition does not occur unless the devices using the flammable refrigerant are randomly and continuously introduced into the crusher 12.

However, in the actual crushing process, the amount of dust inside the crusher 12 is affected, and if the dust concentration increases, the explosion limit decreases and the risk increases. The regression line in the graph of FIG. 4 represents the change in the explosion limit due to the dust concentration. The explosion limit when the dust concentration is 0 g / m ³ (grams per hour) is 13.3 Vol%, which is the explosion limit of R32. This indicates that the dust concentration is 47 g / m ³ and the explosion limit is zero, that is, the dust combustible region has an explosion risk only by the dust concentration.

The plot in the graph of FIG. 4 shows the number of units that are introduced into the crusher 12 per minute, the gas concentration, and the dust when the general exhaust air volume in the vertical crusher is 2,000 m ³ / h. It shows the relationship of concentration. Here, it can be seen that the inside of the crusher 12 is in a non-combustible region up to the introduction of 3 units per minute. Considering the sudden factors that occur inside the crusher 12 and ensuring a certain level of safety, if there is an interval of 1 or 2 units per minute, there is no risk of dust ignition I can say that.

  As described above, in the relationship between the exhaust air volume and the dust volume, if the number of flammable refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a input to the crusher 12 is 2 or less per minute, the possibility of dust ignition is extremely low. In other words, there is no problem in terms of safety unless the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a is continuously crushed. Further, when the crushing process is performed without extracting the flammable refrigerant, safety is ensured by not performing continuous crushing, such as alternately charging with a product using the nonflammable refrigerant.

  From the above, in the first method described above, it is preferable to set N = 2. That is, it is desirable that the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a and the non-combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11b are introduced into the crusher 12 in an order that does not continuously add more than two combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a. According to this method, the safety at the time of crushing the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a is improved.

  In the first method described above, it is more preferable to set N = 1. In other words, it is more preferable that the combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11a and the nonflammable refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11b are alternately put into the crusher 12 one by one. According to this method, the safety at the time of crushing the combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11a is further improved.

  The second method described above is the same as the first method. That is, when two flammable refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatuses 11a are continuously inserted into the crusher 12, or each time one flammable refrigeration and air-conditioning device 11a is input into the crusher 12, the next combustible is waited for a predetermined period T to elapse. Desirably, the refrigerating and refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11 a is put into the crusher 12.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the refrigerant processing step of the used refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11 (flammable refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11a) that uses a flammable refrigerant, it is nonflammable when the crushing process is performed without extracting the refrigerant. Safety is ensured by not crushing continuously, such as by alternately charging with products that use refrigerant. The entire refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 is put into the crusher 12, the air inside the crusher 12 is sucked, and the refrigerant gas in the atmosphere is condensed to recover the refrigerant.

  According to this embodiment, the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11a is directly fed into the crusher 12, so that the combustible refrigerant can be properly recovered without being handled by a manual operation of condensing and recovering the combustible refrigerant with the refrigerant recovery machine. It is possible to avoid unexpected situations due to human error. In addition, efficiency can be expected by omitting the process of condensing and liquefying CFC from used products. R32, which is being considered for its application, has flammability, but its flammability is low, and if it is crushed under certain conditions, it can process used products in an efficient process that ensures safety. .

  In addition, this Embodiment is not restricted only to R32, It can apply also to another combustible refrigerant | coolant.

  In addition, the configuration of the crushing processing facility 10 according to the present embodiment, the crushing processing method of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11, and the like are not limited to those described above or illustrated. For example, the type of the crusher 12 may be a two-axis shear crusher instead of the vertical crusher.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the crushing processing facility 10 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, the crushing treatment facility 10 includes a crusher 12, an inhaler 13, and a condenser 14 as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), and a molecular sieve that separates the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 14. 16 (zeolite or the like) and a plurality of refrigerant recovery cylinders 15 (containers) for recovering the refrigerant separated by the molecular sieve 16.

  In the crushing method for the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment, the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11a is introduced into the crusher 12 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and then the air inside the crusher 12 is sucked. The refrigerant is sucked by the vessel 13 and separated from the sucked air (via the condenser 14) by the molecular sieve 16 for each type of refrigerant, and the separated refrigerant is collected in the refrigerant collection cylinder 15 corresponding to the type of refrigerant.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the crushing treatment facility 10 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, the crushing treatment facility 10 includes a crusher 12 and an inhaler 13 as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), but instead of the condenser 14 and the refrigerant recovery cylinder 15, A destruction device 17 for destroying the refrigerant in the air that is sent is provided.

  In the crushing method for the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment, the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11a is introduced into the crusher 12 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and then the air inside the crusher 12 is sucked. The refrigerant is sucked by the container 13 and the refrigerant contained in the sucked air is destroyed by the destruction device 17.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the entire refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 is put into the crusher 12, the air inside the crusher 12 is sucked, and the air containing the refrigerant is directly put into the breaker 17 to supply the refrigerant. Destroy.

  According to the present embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, the structure of the crushing processing equipment 10 which concerns on this Embodiment, the crushing processing method of the refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11, etc. are not limited to what was mentioned above or illustrated. For example, the molecular sieve 16 may be another scientific or physical means.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
The difference between the present embodiment and the first to third embodiments will be mainly described.

  In the present embodiment, the flammable refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11a is provided with a caution display section that urges attention so as not to continuously crush more than a predetermined number N without removing the refrigerant.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a caution label 22 is attached to the refrigeration air conditioner 11 (flammable refrigeration air conditioner 11a).

  In FIG. 7, a caution label 22 is attached to the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11a as an example of a caution display section. On the caution label 22, for example, a cautionary note “Do not continuously crush the product without removing the refrigerant” is printed. This is an example when N = 1. For example, if N = 2, the precautionary statement is “do not crush the product more than 2 (or 3 or more) continuously without removing the refrigerant”.

  According to this embodiment, by clearly indicating to the device itself that it is not necessary to continuously put into the crusher 12, for example, even if it is a recycling process that performs refrigerant recovery, there is a problem such as forgetting to remove the refrigerant. The risk of developing into a fire can be reduced.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
The difference between the present embodiment and the first to third embodiments will be mainly described.

  In this Embodiment, the information recording part which recorded the information which shows whether the refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11 is the combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11a is provided in the refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11. FIG.

  In the crushing processing method for the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11 according to the present embodiment, information is read from an information recording unit provided in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11 with a reader, and the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11 is crusher 12 based on the read information. Controls the timing of input to.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the identification tag 23 is affixed to the refrigeration / air conditioning equipment 11.

  In FIG. 8, an identification tag 23 (for example, an IC tag) is affixed to the refrigeration / air conditioning equipment 11 as an example of an information recording unit. The identification tag 23 records data (information) indicating whether or not the refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11 is the combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11a. In addition, you may make it affix the identification tag 23 only to the combustible refrigerating air-conditioning apparatus 11a. Further, a barcode label or the like may be used instead of the identification tag 23.

  According to the present embodiment, when the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a is put into the crusher 12, the throwing interval is increased by reading the identification tag 23, and the throwing is temporarily suspended. It is possible to easily and accurately determine whether or not to take measures such as first inserting the device 11b. Note that the treatment (timing control) may be performed manually by a person, or may be performed automatically by a control device such as a computer (for example, using a belt conveyor). Good.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a crushing treatment facility 10 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a crushing treatment facility 10 is a facility (system) that inputs and crushes a plurality of refrigerating and air-conditioning devices 11 into a crusher 12 in order. The refrigeration / air conditioning equipment 11 is an example of a refrigeration cycle apparatus that is used with a refrigerant sealed therein. In addition, this Embodiment is applicable also to refrigeration cycle apparatuses other than the refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11, such as a refrigerator.

  The crushing processing equipment 10 is sent from a crusher 12 that is input into the refrigeration and air-conditioning apparatus 11 without collecting refrigerant, an inhaler 13 that sucks air inside the crusher 12, and the inhaler 13. A condenser 14 that condenses the refrigerant in the air and a refrigerant recovery cylinder 15 (container) that recovers the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 14 are provided. Although not shown, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 is transported by a transporter such as a belt conveyor and is put into the crusher 12. Further, the drive of the transporter is controlled by a control device such as a computer.

  In the crushing method for the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment, the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11a (combustible refrigerating cycle apparatus) that is the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 in which a combustible refrigerant (for example, R32) is sealed as a refrigerant, In order to prevent the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a from being continuously supplied more than a predetermined number N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1), the control device controls the drive of the transporter to input the crusher 12.

  Specifically, the following method can be taken.

  As a first method, the flammable refrigeration air conditioner 11a and the nonflammable refrigeration air conditioner 11b, which is the refrigeration air conditioner 11 in which the flammable refrigerant is not sealed, are continuously provided in a number greater than the predetermined number N. Then, they are put into the crusher 12 in the order that they are not put in.

  For example, N = 2. That is, the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a and the non-combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11b are thrown into the crusher 12 in the order in which more than two combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a are not thrown continuously.

  Or, for example, N = 1. That is, the combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11a and the non-combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11b are alternately put into the crusher 12 one by one.

  In this case, a transporter that transports the combustible refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11a and a transporter that transports the nonflammable refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11b are provided as the transporters. And the drive of two conveying machines is controlled with a control apparatus, and the order of injection | throwing-in of the combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11a and the nonflammable refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11b is controlled.

  As the incombustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11b, the refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11 in which a nonflammable refrigerant (for example, R410A) is sealed, or the refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11 from which the refrigerant (for example, R32, but may be R410A) is extracted after use is used. Put into the crusher 12.

  In addition, regarding the selection of the combustible refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11a and the non-combustible refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11b transported by each transport machine, image processing is performed on the model name, display, etc. described in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11 in advance by a camera or the like. It is automatically sorted into each conveyor.

  As a second method, when a predetermined number N of the combustible refrigeration air conditioners 11a are continuously inserted into the crusher 12, the combustible refrigeration air conditioner 11a is passed after a predetermined period T (T is longer than 0). Is newly put into the crusher 12.

  For example, T = (time required to put one refrigeration / air-conditioning device 11 into the crusher 12). You may think that what utilized the period of this T for the crushing process of the nonflammable refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11b is a 1st method.

  In this case, the transporter transports only the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a. When the predetermined number N of the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning devices 11a are continuously inserted, the control device stops the driving of the transfer device, and the driving of the transfer device is resumed when the predetermined period T elapses.

  In the crushing processing method for the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment, the air inside the crusher 12 is further sucked by the inhaler 13 and the refrigerant is collected from the sucked air (via the condenser 14) by the refrigerant recovery cylinder. 15 recovered. At this time, depending on the type of the refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11 put into the crusher 12, a single type or a plurality of types of refrigerants are collected together in the refrigerant collection cylinder 15.

  As the crusher 12 installed in the home appliance recycling plant, a vertical crusher is mainly used, and the crusher 12 shown in FIG. 1 is also a vertical crusher. The vertical axis crusher is characterized by a mechanism in which the object to be crushed is crushed while the rotor 21 at the bottom of the crusher 12 rotates, and the rotating rotor 21 itself serves as a blower fan. The air is taken in from the outside, and the wind is generated inside the crusher 12. Usually, the particle size of the material to be crushed is adjusted to 40 to 60 mm (millimeters) by the choke ring that keeps the distance between the rotor 21 and the inner wall of the crusher 12 described above.

The exhaust air volume of the vertical crusher at this time is generally a numerical value of approximately 2,000 to 4,000 m ³ / h (cubic meter per hour). Moreover, the average amount of dust generated from the inside of the air conditioner outdoor unit (outdoor unit) is about 6 g per unit. The explosion limit value due to the refrigerant gas concentration decreases with the concentration of dust floating in the same atmosphere, but by managing the exhaust air volume and the dust concentration inside the crusher 12, the inside of the crusher 12 is always incombustible. By setting the area, the risk of dust ignition can be reduced.

  FIG. 2 is a specification table of R32, which is an example of a combustible refrigerant. FIG. 3 is a risk assumption table regarding a case where the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 (flammable refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 a) is thrown into the crusher 12. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the gas concentration at the explosion limit (lower limit) of the combustible refrigerant (R32) and the dust concentration in the atmosphere of the crusher 12.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the combustible refrigerant is R32 gas (difluoromethane) as the examination condition, and the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 a is input to the crusher 12 as it is for each assumed air volume of the crusher 12. This is the change in the explosion limit.

As can be seen from the number of units per minute and the refrigerant concentration in the table of FIG. 3, the refrigerant gas concentration in the exhaust air volume of the crusher 12 is less than the general exhaust air volume in the vertical crusher. The air volume is 1,000 m ³ / h, and it is 7.2 vol% under the condition of 2 units per minute (120 units per hour). It is far below the explosion limit of R32 (13.3 vol%), and the risk of explosion is extremely high. Low. It can be seen that ignition does not occur unless the devices using the flammable refrigerant are randomly and continuously introduced into the crusher 12.

However, in the actual crushing process, the amount of dust inside the crusher 12 is affected, and if the dust concentration increases, the explosion limit decreases and the risk increases. The regression line in the graph of FIG. 4 represents the change in the explosion limit due to the dust concentration. The explosion limit when the dust concentration is 0 g / m ³ (grams per hour) is 13.3 Vol%, which is the explosion limit of R32. This indicates that the dust concentration is 47 g / m ³ and the explosion limit is zero, that is, the dust combustible region has an explosion risk only by the dust concentration.

The plot in the graph of FIG. 4 shows the number of units that are introduced into the crusher 12 per minute, the gas concentration, and the dust when the general exhaust air volume in the vertical crusher is 2,000 m ³ / h. It shows the relationship of concentration. Here, it can be seen that the inside of the crusher 12 is in a non-combustible region up to the introduction of 3 units per minute. Considering the sudden factors that occur inside the crusher 12 and ensuring a certain level of safety, if there is an interval of 1 or 2 units per minute, there is no risk of dust ignition I can say that.

  As described above, in the relationship between the exhaust air volume and the dust volume, if the number of flammable refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a input to the crusher 12 is 2 or less per minute, the possibility of dust ignition is extremely low. In other words, there is no problem in terms of safety unless the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a is continuously crushed. Further, when the crushing process is performed without extracting the flammable refrigerant, safety is ensured by not performing continuous crushing, such as alternately charging with a product using the nonflammable refrigerant.

  From the above, in the first method described above, it is preferable to set N = 2. That is, it is desirable that the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a and the non-combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11b are introduced into the crusher 12 in an order that does not continuously add more than two combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a. According to this method, the safety at the time of crushing the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a is improved.

  In the first method described above, it is more preferable to set N = 1. In other words, it is more preferable that the combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11a and the nonflammable refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11b are alternately put into the crusher 12 one by one. According to this method, the safety at the time of crushing the combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11a is further improved.

  The second method described above is the same as the first method. That is, when two flammable refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatuses 11a are continuously inserted into the crusher 12, or each time one flammable refrigeration and air-conditioning device 11a is input into the crusher 12, the next combustible is waited for a predetermined period T to elapse. Desirably, the refrigerating and refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11 a is put into the crusher 12.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the refrigerant processing step of the used refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11 (flammable refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11a) that uses a flammable refrigerant, it is nonflammable when the crushing process is performed without extracting the refrigerant. Safety is ensured by not crushing continuously, such as by alternately charging with products that use refrigerant. The entire refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 is put into the crusher 12, the air inside the crusher 12 is sucked, and the refrigerant gas in the atmosphere is condensed to recover the refrigerant.

  According to this embodiment, the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11a is directly fed into the crusher 12, so that the combustible refrigerant can be properly recovered without being handled by a manual operation of condensing and recovering the combustible refrigerant with the refrigerant recovery machine. It is possible to avoid unexpected situations due to human error. In addition, efficiency can be expected by omitting the process of condensing and liquefying CFC from used products. R32, which is being considered for its application, has flammability, but its flammability is low, and if it is crushed under certain conditions, it can process used products in an efficient process that ensures safety. .

  In addition, this Embodiment is not restricted only to R32, It can apply also to another combustible refrigerant | coolant.

  In addition, the configuration of the crushing processing facility 10 according to the present embodiment, the crushing processing method of the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11, and the like are not limited to those described above or illustrated. For example, the type of the crusher 12 may be a two-axis shear crusher instead of the vertical crusher.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
In the present embodiment, differences from the sixth embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the crushing processing facility 10 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, the crushing treatment facility 10 includes a crusher 12, an inhaler 13, and a condenser 14 as in the sixth embodiment (see FIG. 1), and a molecular sieve that separates the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 14. 16 (zeolite or the like) and a plurality of refrigerant recovery cylinders 15 (containers) for recovering the refrigerant separated by the molecular sieve 16. Although not shown, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 is transported by a transporter such as a belt conveyor and is put into the crusher 12. Further, the drive of the transporter is controlled by a control device such as a computer.

  In the crushing processing method for the refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11 according to the present embodiment, the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a is introduced into the crushing machine 12 in the same manner as in the sixth embodiment, and then the air inside the crushing machine 12 is sucked. The refrigerant is sucked by the vessel 13 and separated from the sucked air (via the condenser 14) by the molecular sieve 16 for each type of refrigerant, and the separated refrigerant is collected in the refrigerant collection cylinder 15 corresponding to the type of refrigerant.

Embodiment 8 FIG.
In the present embodiment, differences from the sixth embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the crushing treatment facility 10 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, the crushing treatment facility 10 includes a crusher 12 and an inhaler 13 as in the sixth embodiment (see FIG. 1), but instead of the condenser 14 and the refrigerant recovery cylinder 15, A destruction device 17 for destroying the refrigerant in the air that is sent is provided. Although not shown, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 is transported by a transporter such as a belt conveyor and is put into the crusher 12. Further, the drive of the transporter is controlled by a control device such as a computer.

  In the crushing processing method for the refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11 according to the present embodiment, the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment 11a is introduced into the crushing machine 12 in the same manner as in the sixth embodiment, and then the air inside the crushing machine 12 is sucked. The refrigerant is sucked by the container 13 and the refrigerant contained in the sucked air is destroyed by the destruction device 17.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the entire refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 is put into the crusher 12, the air inside the crusher 12 is sucked, and the air containing the refrigerant is directly put into the breaker 17 to supply the refrigerant. Destroy.

  According to the present embodiment, the same effect as in the sixth embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, the structure of the crushing processing equipment 10 which concerns on this Embodiment, the crushing processing method of the refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11, etc. are not limited to what was mentioned above or illustrated. For example, the molecular sieve 16 may be another scientific or physical means.

Embodiment 9 FIG.
In the present embodiment, differences from the sixth to eighth embodiments are mainly described.

  In the present embodiment, the flammable refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11a is provided with a caution display section that urges attention so as not to continuously crush more than a predetermined number N without removing the refrigerant.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a caution label 22 is attached to the refrigeration air conditioner 11 (flammable refrigeration air conditioner 11a).

  In FIG. 7, a caution label 22 is attached to the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11a as an example of a caution display section. On the caution label 22, for example, a cautionary note “Do not continuously crush the product without removing the refrigerant” is printed. This is an example when N = 1. For example, if N = 2, the precautionary statement is “do not crush the product more than 2 (or 3 or more) continuously without removing the refrigerant”.

  According to this embodiment, by clearly indicating to the device itself that it is not necessary to continuously put into the crusher 12, for example, even if it is a recycling process that performs refrigerant recovery, there is a problem such as forgetting to remove the refrigerant. The risk of developing into a fire can be reduced.

Embodiment 10 FIG.
In the present embodiment, differences from the sixth to eighth embodiments are mainly described.

  In this Embodiment, the information recording part which recorded the information which shows whether the refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11 is the combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11a is provided in the refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11. FIG.

  In the crushing processing method for the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11 according to the present embodiment, information is read from an information recording unit provided in the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11 with a reader, and the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11 is crusher 12 based on the read information. Controls the timing of input to.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the identification tag 23 is affixed to the refrigeration / air conditioning equipment 11.

  In FIG. 8, an identification tag 23 (for example, an IC tag) is affixed to the refrigeration / air conditioning equipment 11 as an example of an information recording unit. The identification tag 23 records data (information) indicating whether or not the refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11 is the combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11a. In addition, you may make it affix the identification tag 23 only to the combustible refrigerating air-conditioning apparatus 11a. Further, a barcode label or the like may be used instead of the identification tag 23.

  According to the present embodiment, when the combustible refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11a is put into the crusher 12, information read from the identification tag 23 by the reader (not shown) is sent to the control device. And a control apparatus judges the timing which throws in the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus 11 based on the information sent from the reader, and controls the drive of a conveyance machine. Thereby, for example, the interval between the flammable refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11a is increased, the flammable refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11a is temporarily put on hold, and the nonflammable refrigeration and air conditioning equipment 11b is first turned on automatically. It can be switched and controlled.

  Note that reading of information from the identification tag 23 may be performed by an operator using a reader. In addition, the information read from the identification tag 23 by the operator may be confirmed on a monitor or the like, and the combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11a or the noncombustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment 11b may be placed on the transporter based on the confirmation result.

  Thus, by providing the information recording part which recorded the information which shows whether the refrigerating air-conditioning equipment 11 is the combustible refrigerating air-conditioning equipment 11a in the refrigerating air-conditioning equipment 11, it is easy to determine whether it is the combustible refrigerating air-conditioning equipment 11a. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the processing (timing control).

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, you may implement in combination of 2 or more among these embodiment. Alternatively, one of these embodiments may be partially implemented. Alternatively, two or more of these embodiments may be partially combined. In addition, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various change is possible as needed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Crushing processing equipment, 11 Refrigeration air conditioning equipment, 11a Combustible refrigeration air conditioning equipment, 11b Nonflammable refrigeration air conditioning equipment, 12 Crusher, 13 Inhaler, 14 Condenser, 15 Refrigerant recovery cylinder, 16 Molecular sieve, 17 Destruction apparatus, 21 Rotor , 22 Caution label, 23 Identification tag.

Claims (17)

In the crushing processing method of a refrigeration cycle apparatus in which a plurality of refrigeration cycle apparatuses that are used with a refrigerant enclosed therein are sequentially put into a crusher and crushed,
A flammable refrigeration cycle apparatus, which is a refrigeration cycle apparatus in which a flammable refrigerant is sealed as a refrigerant, is charged into the crusher while being controlled so that the flammable refrigeration cycle apparatus is not continuously charged more than a predetermined number. A crushing method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus, which is characterized.   The combustible refrigeration cycle apparatus and the nonflammable refrigeration cycle apparatus which is a refrigeration cycle apparatus in which the flammable refrigerant is not sealed are arranged in the order in which the combustible refrigeration cycle apparatus is not continuously charged more than the predetermined number. 2. The crushing method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the crushing apparatus is charged into a crusher.   3. The refrigeration according to claim 2, wherein the combustible refrigeration cycle apparatus and the non-combustible refrigeration cycle apparatus are input to the crusher in an order in which more than two combustible refrigeration cycle apparatuses are not continuously input. A crushing method for a cycle device.   4. The crushing method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the combustible refrigeration cycle apparatus and the non-combustible refrigeration cycle apparatus are alternately put into the crusher one by one.   5. The crushing method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a refrigeration cycle apparatus in which an incombustible refrigerant is sealed is introduced into the crusher as the incombustible refrigeration cycle apparatus.   The crushing method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a refrigeration cycle apparatus from which refrigerant has been extracted after use is introduced into the crusher as the non-combustible refrigeration cycle apparatus.   When the predetermined number of the combustible refrigeration cycle devices are continuously input to the crusher, the combustible refrigeration cycle device is newly input to the crusher after a predetermined time has elapsed. The crushing processing method of 1 refrigeration cycle apparatus.   The method for crushing a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air inside the crusher is sucked by an inhaler, and the refrigerant is collected in the container from the sucked air.   2. The crushing method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein air inside the crusher is sucked by an inhaler, and a refrigerant contained in the sucked air is broken by a breaker.   Information indicating whether the refrigeration cycle apparatus is the combustible refrigeration cycle apparatus is read by a reader from an information recording unit provided in the refrigeration cycle apparatus, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus is converted into the crusher based on the read information. The crushing processing method of the refrigerating cycle apparatus of Claim 1 which controls the timing thrown in to a refrigeration cycle apparatus. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is transported by a transport machine, and a plurality of units are put into the crusher in order,
The flammable refrigeration cycle apparatus is thrown into the crusher while controlling the drive of the conveyor so that the flammable refrigeration cycle apparatus is not continuously charged more than a predetermined number. The crushing processing method of any one of 9 refrigeration cycle apparatuses.   Information indicating whether the refrigeration cycle apparatus is the combustible refrigeration cycle apparatus is read by a reader from an information recording unit provided in the refrigeration cycle apparatus, and the driving of the transporter is controlled based on the read information. The crushing processing method of the refrigeration cycle apparatus of Claim 11 characterized by the above-mentioned.   13. The crushing method for a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the driving of the transporter is controlled by a control device. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus that is used with the refrigerant sealed inside,
A refrigeration cycle apparatus provided with an information recording unit readable by a reader, which records information indicating whether the refrigeration cycle apparatus is a refrigeration cycle apparatus in which a flammable refrigerant is sealed as a refrigerant. . In the refrigeration cycle apparatus used with a flammable refrigerant sealed inside,
A refrigeration cycle apparatus, further comprising a caution display unit that urges attention so as not to continuously crush more than a predetermined number without removing the flammable refrigerant. In the crushing treatment equipment that crushes the refrigeration cycle device that is used with the refrigerant sealed inside,
A crusher for crushing the refrigeration cycle device;
A transporter that transports the refrigeration cycle apparatus and sequentially puts it into the crusher;
A control device for controlling the drive of the transport device so that a combustible refrigeration cycle device, which is a refrigeration cycle device in which a flammable refrigerant is sealed as a refrigerant, is not continuously put into the crusher more than a predetermined number of units. Characteristic crushing equipment. A reader that reads information indicating whether the refrigeration cycle apparatus is the combustible refrigeration cycle apparatus from an information recording unit provided in the refrigeration cycle apparatus;
The crushing processing equipment according to claim 16, wherein the control device controls driving of the transporter based on information read by the reader.

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