JP3361765B2 - Refrigeration cycle apparatus, method of forming the same, and outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to replacement of refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle device. For more details,
The present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle apparatus that newly replaces only a heat source unit and an indoor unit and does not replace a connection pipe that connects the heat source unit and the indoor unit, and a replacement method and an operating method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Separators that have been commonly used from the past
FIG. 11 shows a T-shaped air conditioner. In FIG.
A is a heat source machine, which includes a compressor 1, a four-way valve 2, a heat source machine side heat exchanger 3, a first operation valve 4, a second operation valve 7, and an accumulator 8. Reference numeral B denotes an indoor unit, which includes a flow rate regulator 5 (or a flow rate control valve 5) and a use side heat exchanger 6. The heat source unit A and the indoor unit B are installed at distant places and are connected by the first connection pipe C and the second connection pipe D to form a refrigeration cycle.

One end of the first connecting pipe C is connected to the heat source side heat exchanger 3 via the first operating valve 4, and the other end of the first connecting pipe C is connected to the flow rate regulator 5. ing. Second
One end of the connecting pipe D is connected to the four-way valve 2 via the second operation valve 7, and the other end of the second connecting pipe D is connected to the use side heat exchanger 6. Also, U of accumulator 8
An oil return hole 8a is provided in the lower portion of the character-shaped outflow pipe.

The flow of the refrigerant in this air conditioner will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the solid arrow indicates the flow of cooling operation,
The dashed arrow indicates the flow of heating operation. First, the flow of the cooling operation will be described. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 passes through the four-way valve 2 and flows into the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3,
Here, heat is exchanged with a heat source medium such as air and water to condense and liquefy. The condensed and liquefied refrigerant flows into the flow rate regulator 5 through the first operation valve 4 and the first connection pipe C, where it is decompressed to a low pressure and becomes a low-pressure two-phase state, and the use side heat exchanger 6 uses air, etc. It heat-exchanges with the medium on the user side to evaporate and gasify. The evaporated and gasified refrigerant returns to the compressor 1 through the second connecting pipe D, the second operation valve 7, the four-way valve 2 and the accumulator 8.

Next, the flow of the heating operation will be described. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 flows into the user-side heat exchanger 6 through the four-way valve 2, the second operation valve 7, and the second connection pipe D, and the air or the like is used there. Condensate and liquefy by heat exchange with the side medium. The condensed and liquefied refrigerant flows into the flow rate controller 5, where it is decompressed to a low pressure and becomes a low-pressure two-phase state.
After passing through the first connection pipe C and the first operation valve 4, the heat source side heat exchanger 3 exchanges heat with a heat source medium such as air and water to evaporate.
Gasify. The evaporated and gasified refrigerant returns to the compressor 1 through the four-way valve 2 and the accumulator 8.

Conventionally, CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) or HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) has been used as a refrigerant for such an air conditioner.
Since chlorine contained in these molecules destroys the ozone layer in the stratosphere, CFCs have already been completely abolished, and HCFCs have started production regulations.

Instead of these, an air conditioner using HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) containing no chlorine in the molecule has been put into practical use. If the air conditioner using CFC or HCFC is deteriorated, these refrigerants will be completely abolished.
Since production is regulated, it is necessary to replace with an air conditioner using HFC. Heat source unit A and indoor unit B are HF
Refrigerator oil, organic materials, and heat exchangers used in C are HCFC
Since it is different from HFC, it is necessary to replace it with a dedicated HFC, and it is originally a heat source unit A and an indoor unit B for CFC / HCFC.
Is old and needs to be replaced,
Exchange is also relatively easy.

On the other hand, the first connecting the heat source unit A and the indoor unit B
When the connection pipe C and the second connection pipe D have long pipe lengths or are buried in a building such as a pipe shaft or an overhead ceiling, it is difficult to replace them with new pipes and they do not deteriorate. Therefore, if the first connecting pipe C and the second connecting pipe D used in the air conditioner using CFC or HCFC can be used as they are, the piping work can be simplified.

However, in the first connecting pipe C and the second connecting pipe D used in the air conditioner using CFC or HCFC, the mineral oil which is the refrigerating machine oil of the air conditioner using CFC or HCFC is used. Sludge from CFCs / HCFCs and deterioration of refrigerating machine oil remains.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a critical solubility curve showing the solubility of HFC refrigerating machine oil and HFC refrigerant (R407C) when mineral oil is mixed, in which the horizontal axis represents the amount of oil (wt%) and the vertical axis represents the temperature ( ° C) is shown. When a certain amount or more of mineral oil is mixed in the refrigerating machine oil (synthetic oil such as ester oil and ether oil) of the air conditioner using HFC, the compatibility with the HFC refrigerant is lost as shown in FIG. When the liquid refrigerant is stored in the compressor 8, the HFC refrigerating machine oil separates and floats on the liquid refrigerant, so the refrigerating machine oil does not return to the compressor from the oil return hole 8a at the bottom of the accumulator 8 The sliding part of is seized. Further, if mineral oil is mixed, the HFC refrigerating machine oil is deteriorated. Further, if CFC / HCFC is mixed, the chlorine component contained therein deteriorates the HFC refrigerating machine oil. Further, the chlorine component contained in the sludge formed by the deteriorated product of the CFC / HCFC refrigerating machine oil deteriorates the HFC refrigerating machine oil.

For this reason, the first connecting pipe C and the second connecting pipe C, which have been used in the air conditioner using CFC or HCFC in the past, are used.
The connection pipe D of the
Cleaning with FC141b or HCFC225) is performed (hereinafter, this is referred to as cleaning method 1). Also,
There is a method disclosed in JP-A-7-83545. As shown in FIG. 13, this is the HFC without using the cleaning device.
Heat source unit A, HFC indoor unit B, first connection pipe C, second connection pipe D are connected (step 100), HFC,
After the HFC refrigerating machine oil is filled (step 101), it is washed by operating (step 102), and then the refrigerant and the refrigerating machine oil in the air conditioner are recovered and filled with a new refrigerant and the refrigerating machine oil (step 103). ), It is proposed to repeat the cleaning by the operation a predetermined number of times (steps 104 and 105) (hereinafter, this is referred to as cleaning method 2).

[0012]

The above conventional cleaning method 1 has the following problems. First, since the cleaning liquid used is HCFC and the ozone depletion potential is not zero, the refrigerant of the air conditioner is changed from HCFC to HFC.
It is inconsistent with substituting for. In particular, HCFC141b
Has a large ozone depletion coefficient of 0.11.

Secondly, the cleaning liquid used is not completely safe in flammability and toxicity. HCFC
141b is flammable and has low toxicity. HCFC225 is nonflammable but has low toxicity. Third, the boiling point is high (HCF
C141b is 32 ℃, HCFC225 is 51.1-5
6.1 ° C.), when the outside air temperature is lower than this boiling point, especially in the winter, the cleaning liquid is in a liquid state after cleaning, and the first connecting pipe C
And remains in the second connection pipe D. These cleaning solutions are HCF
Since it is C, it contains a chlorine component and the refrigerating machine oil for HFC deteriorates.

Fourthly, it is necessary to recover the entire cleaning liquid from the environmental point of view, and the cleaning work is troublesome, such as re-cleaning with high-temperature nitrogen gas so that the above-mentioned third problem does not occur.

Further, the above conventional cleaning method 2 has the following problems. First, cleaning with HFC refrigerant is required three times in the example of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-83545, and since the HFC refrigerant used in each cleaning operation contains impurities, it can be reused on the spot after recovery. Is impossible. In other words, a refrigerant that is three times the normal amount of the refrigerant to be filled is required, which is a cost and environmental problem.

Secondly, since the refrigerating machine oil is also replaced after each cleaning operation, the refrigerating machine oil needs to be three times the normal amount of the filled refrigerating machine oil, which is a cost and environmental problem. Further, since the HFC refrigerating machine oil is an ester oil or an ether oil and has a high hygroscopic property, it is also necessary to control the water content of the replacement refrigerating machine oil.
Further, since the person who cleans the refrigerating machine oil encloses it, there is a risk of excess or deficiency, and there is a possibility that it may interfere with the subsequent operation. It causes overheating and causes insufficient lubrication when it is insufficiently filled).

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an existing refrigeration cycle apparatus using a refrigerant which is considered to have a problem in terms of environmental protection has no problem in terms of environmental protection. A refrigerating cycle device for substituting a refrigerating medium with such a refrigerant, a method for substituting the same, and a method for operating the same.

[0018]

According to the invention of claim 1 of the present application,
The refrigeration cycle device is based on CFC and HCFC refrigerants.
Reuse the connecting pipe used in the refrigeration cycle device and compress it.
From the machine to the heat source side heat exchanger, flow rate regulator, and usage side heat exchanger
First, the HFC refrigerant is circulated through the compressor in sequence.
A refrigeration cycle apparatus having a refrigerant circuit, the above-mentioned use
Residual in the connection pipe between the side heat exchanger and the compressor
From the above HFC refrigerant that has flowed in residual foreign matter
It is characterized in that it is provided with a foreign matter capturing means for capturing.
There is . The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the invention of claim 2 of the present application is used in a refrigeration cycle apparatus for CFC refrigerant or HCFC refrigerant.
The first refrigerant circuit that circulates the HFC refrigerant through the compressor through the heat source side heat exchanger, the flow rate controller, the use side heat exchanger, and the accumulator in order by reusing the used connection pipe. A refrigeration cycle apparatus provided with the connection arrangement between the heat exchanger on the utilization side and the accumulator.
The HFC cooling that has flowed in the residual foreign matter remaining in the pipe.
It is characterized in that it is provided with a foreign matter capturing means for capturing it from the medium .

The refrigeration cycle device according to the invention of claim 3 is used in a refrigeration cycle device for CFC refrigerant or HCFC refrigerant.
The first refrigerant circuit that circulates the HFC refrigerant through the compressor through the heat source side heat exchanger, the flow rate controller, the use side heat exchanger, and the accumulator in order by reusing the used connection pipe. A refrigeration cycle apparatus provided with the refrigerant which bypasses the refrigerant circuit between the utilization side heat exchanger and the accumulator, and which remains in the connection pipe.
The present invention is characterized by including a first bypass passage having a foreign matter capturing means for capturing the foreign matter from the HFC refrigerant that has flowed in .

A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention bypasses the refrigerant circuit between the heat source side heat exchanger and the flow rate regulator of the first refrigerant circuit, and
A second bypass passage having a cooling means for the refrigerant is provided, and a heating means for the refrigerant is further provided on the upstream side of the foreign substance capturing means of the first bypass passage.

In a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a first refrigerating cycle apparatus is provided upstream of the heating means in the first bypass passage.
It is characterized in that it is provided with a flow rate control means, and further provided with a second flow rate control means downstream of the cooling means of the second bypass passage.

[0022]

[0023]

A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention comprises an oil separating means for separating an oil component of the refrigerant between the compressor of the first refrigerant circuit and the heat source side heat exchanger. It is characterized by that.

In the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the invention of claim 7 , the refrigerant circuit between the heat source side heat exchanger and the flow rate regulator of the first refrigerant circuit is bypassed, and
It is characterized by being provided with a third bypass passage having an oil separating means for separating an oil component of the refrigerant.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that an oil separating means for separating an oil component of the refrigerant is provided upstream of the cooling means in the second bypass passage.

A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the invention of claim 9
Is used in refrigeration cycle equipment for CFC and HCFC refrigerants.
Reusing the connection pipe used for heat exchange from the compressor to the heat source side
The pressure, the flow regulator, and the heat exchanger on the use side
A first refrigerant circuit for circulating the HFC refrigerant in the compressor;
From the compressor to the utilization side heat exchanger, the flow rate regulator, and the
HFC cooling is applied to the above compressor through the heat source side heat exchanger in sequence.
Refrigeration cycle provided with a second refrigerant circuit for circulating a medium
A device, wherein the heat exchange on the utilization side of the first refrigerant circuit
Between the compressor and the compressor, and of the second refrigerant circuit.
Between the heat source machine side heat exchanger and the compressor, the connection
The above HFC that has flowed in the residual foreign matter remaining in the piping
It is characterized in that it is provided with a foreign matter capturing means for capturing from the refrigerant.
To do . A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the invention of claim 10 is a refrigeration cycle apparatus for CFC refrigerant or HCFC refrigerant.
The first refrigerant circuit for reusing the connection pipe used in step 1, and circulating the HFC refrigerant through the compressor through the heat source side heat exchanger, the flow rate regulator, the use side heat exchanger, and the accumulator in order. And a second refrigerant circuit that circulates HFC refrigerant from the compressor to the utilization side heat exchanger, the flow rate regulator, the heat source side heat exchanger, and the accumulator in this order. It is a refrigeration cycle device
Te, between the said use side heat exchanger and the accumulator of the first refrigerant circuit, and, between the second of said heat source unit side heat exchanger and the accumulator in the refrigerant circuit, the upper
The residual foreign matter remaining in the connecting pipe has flowed in.
The present invention is characterized in that a foreign matter capturing means for capturing the HFC refrigerant is provided.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the invention of claim 11 is used in a refrigeration cycle apparatus for CFC refrigerant or HCFC refrigerant.
A first refrigerant circuit for recirculating the used connection pipe, and circulating the HFC refrigerant through the compressor through the heat source side heat exchanger, the flow rate regulator, the use side heat exchanger, and the accumulator in this order. A second refrigerant circuit that circulates an HFC refrigerant from the compressor to the utilization side heat exchanger, the flow rate regulator, the heat source side heat exchanger, and the accumulator in this order. A refrigeration cycle apparatus ,
Bypassing the refrigerant circuit between the utilization side heat exchanger and the accumulator of the first refrigerant circuit, and between the flow rate regulator and the heat source unit side heat exchanger of the second refrigerant circuit. thereby bypassing the refrigerant circuit between said contact
The above HF that has flowed in the residual foreign matter remaining in the connecting pipe
It is characterized in that it is provided with a first bypass passage having a foreign matter trapping means for trapping it in the C refrigerant .

In the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the refrigerant circuit between the heat source side heat exchanger and the flow rate regulator of the first refrigerant circuit is bypassed, and the second refrigerant is used. The refrigerant circuit between the compressor and the use side heat exchanger of the circuit is bypassed, and a second bypass passage having a cooling means for the refrigerant is provided, and further the upstream of the foreign matter trapping means in the first bypass passage. It is characterized in that a heating means for the refrigerant is provided on the side.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigeration cycle apparatus in which a first bypass passage is provided upstream of the heating means.
It is characterized in that it is provided with a flow rate control means, and further provided with a second flow rate control means downstream of the cooling means of the second bypass passage.

[0031]

[0032]

The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the invention of claim 14 is between the compressor of the first refrigerant circuit and the heat source side heat exchanger and the compressor of the second refrigerant circuit. An oil separation means for separating an oil component of the refrigerant is provided between the heat exchanger on the use side and the heat exchanger on the use side.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigeration cycle device between the compressor of the first refrigerant circuit and the heat source unit side heat exchanger, and the compressor of the second refrigerant circuit. An oil separation means for separating the oil component of the refrigerant is provided between the cooling means and the cooling means.

In the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the refrigerant circuit between the heat source side heat exchanger and the flow rate regulator of the first refrigerant circuit is bypassed, and the second refrigerant is used. The refrigerant circuit between the compressor and the utilization side heat exchanger of the circuit is bypassed, and a third bypass passage having an oil separating means for separating an oil component of the refrigerant is provided. .

A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that an oil separating means for separating an oil component of the refrigerant is provided upstream of the cooling means in the second bypass passage.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it is provided with an indoor unit bypass passage capable of performing bypass control of the flow rate regulator and the use side heat exchanger.

A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a reflux passage for returning the oil component separated by the oil separating means to the accumulator downstream of the foreign matter capturing means. .

A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising mineral oil injecting means for injecting mineral oil into the refrigerant on the downstream side of the oil separating means in the second bypass passage.

A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a twenty-first aspect of the invention is characterized in that water supply means for injecting water into the refrigerant is provided downstream of the oil separation means in the second bypass passage.

A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a twenty-second aspect of the invention is characterized in that the refrigerant circuit is provided with a water adsorbing means for adsorbing water in the refrigerant.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the twenty- third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the foreign matter capturing means separates the foreign matter in the refrigerant by reducing the flow velocity of the refrigerant in a part of the refrigerant circuit. Is.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the foreign matter capturing means captures the foreign matter in the refrigerant by passing the refrigerant through mineral oil.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the foreign matter trapping means dissolves CFC and HCFC in the refrigerant by passing the refrigerant through mineral oil.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the foreign matter capturing means captures the foreign matter in the refrigerant by passing the refrigerant through a filter.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the foreign matter capturing means captures chlorine ions in the refrigerant by passing the refrigerant through an ion exchange resin.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the first bypass passage, the second bypass passage, or the third bypass passage is provided so as to be detachable from the refrigerant circuit.

A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 29
Has a compressor, heat source side heat exchanger, and accumulator
A room with a heat source unit, a flow controller, and a heat exchanger on the use side
And was used as a CFC or HCFC refrigerant.
Reusing the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe,
The heat source unit and the indoor unit are connected by the connection pipe of and the second connection pipe
A refrigeration cycle apparatus using the above HFC refrigerant,
Mineral oil remaining in the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe
Foreign matter trapped from the above HFC refrigerant flowing in
It is characterized by having means. Claim 30
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the invention of claim
Heat source machine with exchanger and accumulator, and flow rate adjustment
And an indoor unit having a heat exchanger on the use side,
The first connecting pipe and the second used for the medium and HCFC refrigerant
Reuse the connecting pipe of the above, and connect the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe.
Uses HFC refrigerant that connects the heat source unit and the indoor unit with a continuous pipe
A refrigeration cycle apparatus for
Flow solid foreign matter and liquid foreign matter remaining in the second connecting pipe.
Foreign matter capturing means for capturing the HFC refrigerant from the inside
It is characterized by having. Claim 31
Refrigeration cycle device by Ming, heat exchange on the compressor and heat source side
Source, which has a heater and an accumulator, a flow controller,
An indoor unit having a heat exchanger on the side of
First connection pipe and second connection used for CFC refrigerant
Reuse the pipes and connect the above-mentioned first and second connecting pipes.
Cooling using HFC refrigerant that connects the heat source unit and the indoor unit with
A freeze cycle device, comprising the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe.
The above-mentioned HF that has flowed in residual foreign matter remaining in the connecting pipe
Characterized by having foreign matter capturing means for capturing from C refrigerant
It is what

According to the thirty-second aspect of the present invention, in the method for forming a refrigeration cycle apparatus, the refrigerant is passed from the compressor to the heat source side heat exchanger, the flow rate regulator, the utilization side heat exchanger, and the accumulator in this order to the compressor. A first refrigerant circuit that circulates
A second refrigerant circuit for circulating a refrigerant from the compressor to the usage side heat exchanger, the flow rate regulator, the heat source side heat exchanger, and the accumulator in order, and a CFC refrigerant. Or in the existing refrigeration cycle apparatus using an HCFC refrigerant, while replacing the compressor, the heat source side heat exchanger, the flow rate regulator, the use side heat exchanger, and the accumulator with one using an HFC refrigerant , The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 31 is formed by using an existing refrigerant pipe connected to the flow rate adjuster and the usage-side heat exchanger.

[0050]

The refrigerating cycle according to the invention of claim 34
The outdoor unit of the unit is an outdoor unit that includes the compressor and the heat source side heat exchanger.
And an indoor unit including a flow rate regulator and a heat exchanger on the use side,
An outdoor unit of a refrigeration cycle device configured by connecting with a refrigerant pipe
In the refrigerant pipe built in the outdoor unit,
The above CFC that has flowed in the residual foreign matter remaining in the pipe
It is characterized in that it is provided with a foreign matter capturing means for capturing from the refrigerant.
To do .

A refrigeration cycle according to the invention of claim 35
The outdoor unit of the unit is a compressor, a four-way valve, and a heat source side heat exchanger.
Including the outdoor unit, and the room including the flow rate regulator and the heat exchanger on the use side
Refrigeration cycle device configured by connecting to the machine with a refrigerant pipe
In the outdoor unit of the above, between the four-way valve and the compressor
In the refrigerant pipe, remove the residual foreign matter remaining in the connecting pipe.
Capture captured from the inflowing CFC refrigerant
It is characterized in that it is provided with a foreign matter capturing means.
It

[0053]

[0054]

[0055]

[0056]

[0057]

[0058]

[0059]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted or simplified. Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner as an example of a refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, A is a heat source machine,
Compressor 1, four-way valve 2, heat source side heat exchanger 3, first operating valve 4, second operating valve 7, accumulator 8, oil separator 9
(Oil separation means) and foreign matter capturing means 13 are built in.

The oil separator 9 is provided in the discharge pipe of the compressor 1 and separates refrigerating machine oil discharged from the compressor 1 together with the refrigerant. The foreign matter capturing means 13 is provided between the four-way valve 2 and the accumulator 8. Reference numeral 9a is a bypass passage that starts from the bottom of the oil separator 9 and reaches the downstream side from the outlet of the foreign matter capturing means 13. An oil return hole 8a is provided in the lower portion of the U-shaped tubular outflow pipe of the accumulator 8.
Reference numeral B denotes an indoor unit, which includes a flow rate regulator 5 (or a flow rate regulation valve 5) and a use side heat exchanger 6.

C is a first connection pipe, one end of which is connected to the heat source side heat exchanger 3 via the first operation valve 4 and the other end of which is connected to the flow rate regulator 5. . D is
It is a second connection pipe, one end of which is connected via the four-way valve 2 and the second operation valve 7, and the other end of which is the use side heat exchanger 6.
Connected with. The heat source unit A and the indoor unit B are installed at distant places and are connected by the first connection pipe C and the second connection pipe D to form a refrigeration cycle. This air conditioner uses HFC as a refrigerant.

Next, the procedure of air conditioner replacement when the air conditioner using CFC or HCFC is deteriorated will be described. CFC or HCFC is collected, and the heat source unit A and the indoor unit B are replaced with those shown in FIG. As the first connecting pipe C and the second connecting pipe D, those of the air conditioner using the HCFC are reused. Since the heat source device A is filled with HFC in advance, the indoor unit B, the first connection pipe C, and the second connection pipe D are kept closed while the first operation valve 4 and the second operation valve 7 are closed. Vacuum is drawn in the connected state, and then the first operation valve 4 and the second
The operation valve 7 is opened and HFC is additionally charged. After that, the normal air conditioning operation and washing operation are performed.

Next, the contents of the normal air conditioning operation and cleaning operation will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the solid line arrow shows the flow of the cooling operation, and the broken line arrow shows the flow of the heating operation. First, the cooling operation will be described. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 is discharged from the compressor 1 together with the HFC refrigerating machine oil and flows into the oil separator 9.

Here, the refrigerating machine oil for HFC is completely separated, and only the gas refrigerant flows into the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3 through the four-way valve 2, where the heat source medium such as air and water and the heat source medium are separated. Use a exchanger to condense and liquefy. The condensed and liquefied refrigerant flows into the first connection pipe C via the first operation valve 4. When the HFC liquid refrigerant flows through the first connecting pipe C, the HFC is washed by gradually cleaning CFC / HCFC / mineral oil / mineral oil deteriorated substances (hereinafter referred to as residual foreign matter) remaining in the first connecting pipe C. Flowing along with the liquid refrigerant in the flow rate regulator 5, where it is decompressed to a low pressure and is in a low-pressure two-phase state.
At the same time, it exchanges heat with the medium on the use side such as air to evaporate and gasify.

The evaporated and gasified refrigerant flows into the second connection pipe D together with the foreign matter remaining in the first connection pipe C. Second
As for the residual foreign matter remaining in the connection pipe of, since the refrigerant flowing here is in a gaseous state, a part of the residual foreign matter adhering to the inner surface of the pipe flows as a mist in the gas refrigerant, but most of the residual liquid remains. Foreign matter flows at a slower flow rate than that of the gas refrigerant and is dragged by the gas refrigerant by the shearing force generated at the gas-liquid interface, and flows in a ring shape on the inner surface of the pipe.
Although it is slower than the connection pipe C, the cleaning is surely performed.

After that, the gas refrigerant flows into the foreign matter capturing means 13 through the second operation valve 7 and the four-way valve 2 together with the residual foreign matter in the first connecting pipe C and the residual foreign matter in the second connecting pipe D. The residual foreign matter has different phases depending on the boiling point, and is classified into three types: solid foreign matter, liquid foreign matter, and gas foreign matter. The foreign matter capturing means 13 completely separates and captures the solid foreign matter and the liquid foreign matter from the gas refrigerant. Part of the foreign gas is captured,
Some are not captured. Thereafter, the gas refrigerant returns to the compressor 1 through the accumulator 8 together with the gas foreign matter not captured by the foreign matter capturing means 13. In addition, the refrigerant circuit during the cooling operation, that is, the refrigerant circuit that returns from the compressor 1 to the heat source machine side heat exchanger 3, the flow rate controller 5, the usage side heat exchanger 6, and the accumulator 8 in sequence to the compressor 1 again. Is referred to as a first refrigerant circuit in this specification.

The HFC refrigerating machine oil that has been completely separated from the gas refrigerant in the oil separator 9 merges with the mainstream downstream of the foreign matter capturing means 13 via the bypass 9a and returns to the compressor 1. The refrigerating machine oil for HFC does not mix with the mineral oil remaining in the first connecting pipe C and the second connecting pipe D, and is HFC.
However, the HFC refrigerating machine oil is not deteriorated by the mineral oil.

Further, solid foreign matters are not mixed with the HFC refrigerating machine oil, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil does not deteriorate. The HFC refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit for one cycle, and only a part of the gas foreign matter is captured while passing through the foreign matter capturing means 13 once, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil and the gas foreign matter are mixed. Deterioration of HFC refrigeration oil is a chemical reaction and does not proceed rapidly. An example thereof is shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the time change of deterioration when chlorine is mixed in the HFC refrigeration oil (175 ° C.), the horizontal axis represents time (hr), and the vertical axis represents total acid value (mgKOH / g). Show. Gaseous foreign matter that is not captured during one passage through the foreign matter capturing means 13 passes through the foreign matter capturing means 13 many times as the HFC refrigerant circulates, so that the foreign matter capturing means 13 is faster than the HFC refrigerating machine oil is deteriorated. Just capture it.

Next, the flow of heating operation will be described. Compressor 1
The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by is discharged from the compressor 1 together with the HFC refrigerating machine oil and flows into the oil separator 9. Here, the refrigerating machine oil for HFC is completely separated, and only the gas refrigerant passes through the four-way valve 2 and the second operation valve 7 and then the second connecting pipe D.
Flow into.

Regarding the residual foreign matter remaining in the second connecting pipe, since the refrigerant flowing therethrough is in a gaseous state, some of the residual foreign matter adhering to the inner surface of the pipe flows in the gas refrigerant in the form of mist. Most liquid residual foreign matter flows at a slower speed than the flow rate of the gas refrigerant, and flows in an annular shape on the inner surface of the pipe in a form that is dragged by the gas refrigerant due to the shearing force generated at the gas-liquid interface, so the cleaning time is Although it is slower than the first connecting pipe C, it is certainly washed.

After that, the gas refrigerant flows into the utilization side heat exchanger 6 together with the residual foreign matter in the second connection pipe D, where it exchanges heat with the utilization side medium such as air to be condensed and liquefied. The condensed and liquefied refrigerant flows into the flow rate controller 5, where it is decompressed to a low pressure, enters a low-pressure two-phase state, and flows into the first connection pipe C. Due to the gas-liquid two-phase state, the flow velocity is high, and the residual foreign matter is cleaned together with the liquid refrigerant, and is cleaned at a speed faster than that of the first connecting pipe during the cooling operation.

The refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state, together with the residual foreign matter washed from the second connecting pipe D and the first connecting pipe C, passes through the first operation valve 4 and is transferred to the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3. Evaporates and gasifies by exchanging heat with heat source media such as air and water. The evaporated and gasified refrigerant flows into the foreign matter capturing means 13 via the four-way valve 2.

The residual foreign matter has different phases depending on the boiling point, and is classified into three types: solid foreign matter, liquid foreign matter, and gas foreign matter. The foreign matter capturing means 13 completely separates and captures the solid foreign matter and the liquid foreign matter from the gas refrigerant. Part of the foreign gas is captured, and part is not captured. After that, the gas refrigerant is
It returns to the compressor 1 through the accumulator 8 together with the gaseous foreign matter not captured by the foreign matter capturing means 13. In addition, the refrigerant circuit during the heating operation, that is, the refrigerant circuit that returns from the compressor 1 to the usage side heat exchanger 6, the flow rate regulator 5, the heat source side heat exchanger 3 and the accumulator 8 in sequence to the compressor 1 again. Is referred to as a second refrigerant circuit in this specification.

The HFC refrigerating machine oil completely separated from the gas refrigerant in the oil separator 9 merges with the main stream downstream of the foreign substance capturing means 13 through the bypass 9a, and returns to the compressor 1. The refrigerating machine oil for HFC does not mix with the mineral oil remaining in the connecting pipe C of the second connecting pipe D and the second connecting pipe D.
However, the HFC refrigerating machine oil is not deteriorated by the mineral oil.

Further, solid foreign matters are not mixed with the HFC refrigerating machine oil, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil does not deteriorate. The HFC refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit for one cycle, and only a part of the gas foreign matter is captured while passing through the foreign matter capturing means 13 once, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil and the gas foreign matter are mixed. The deterioration of refrigerating machine oil for HFC is a chemical reaction and does not proceed rapidly. An example thereof is shown in FIG. Since the gaseous foreign matter that has not been captured while passing through the foreign matter capturing means 13 once passes through the foreign matter capturing means 13 many times as the HFC refrigerant circulates, HF
The foreign matter capturing means 13 is faster than the C refrigerator oil is deteriorated.
You can capture with.

Next, an example of the foreign matter capturing means 13 will be described. FIG. 3 shows an example of the foreign matter capturing means 13. Reference numeral 51 is a cylindrical container, 52 is an outflow pipe provided on the upper part of the container 51, 53 is a filter formed and installed on the inner surface of the upper part of the container 51 in the shape of a conical fan shape, 54
Is mineral oil pre-filled in the container 51, and 55 is the container 51
Inflow pipe provided on the lower side surface of the
No. 5 is an outflow hole provided in a large number on the side surface of the pipe inside the container 51.

The filter 53 is, for example, in the form of a mesh in which fine wires are woven, or is formed of sintered metal, and each gap is several microns to several tens of microns, and solid foreign matter cannot pass therethrough. . In addition, mist-like liquid foreign matter that may exist in a small amount in the upper space of the container 51,
When it tries to pass through the filter 53, it is captured here and flows toward the side surface of the container due to gravity, and falls to the lower part of the container 51. 56 is an ion exchange resin that captures chlorine ions. In FIG. 1, the outflow pipe 52 is the ion exchange resin 5
Inlet pipe 55 is connected to accumulator 8 via 6
It is connected to the.

The gas refrigerant flowing in through the inflow pipe 55 passes through the outflow hole 55a in the mineral oil 54 in the form of bubbles, passes through the filter 53 and the ion exchange resin 56, and flows out through the outflow pipe 52. The solid foreign matter that has flown in together with the gas refrigerant through the inflow pipe 55 flows out into the mineral oil 54 through the outflow hole 55a, and the mineral oil 54 becomes a resistance to decrease the speed, and settles on the bottom of the container 51 due to gravity. Even if there is no mineral oil 54, the cross-sectional area of the container 51 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the inflow pipe 55, and when entering the inside of the container 51, the flow velocity of the refrigerant (gas) decreases, so that solid foreign matter acts on gravity. Is separated from the refrigerant (gas) by and is deposited in the lower part of the container 51. Further, even if the solid foreign matter is blown up to the upper part of the mineral oil 54 due to the large gas flow velocity in the mineral oil 54, the filter 5
Captured by 3.

The liquid foreign matter that has flowed in together with the gas refrigerant through the inflow pipe 55 flows out into the mineral oil 54 through the outflow hole 55a, and the mineral oil 54 becomes a resistance to reduce the speed, and is separated into gas and liquid and stays with the mineral oil 54. To do. Even if there is no mineral oil 54, the cross-sectional area of the container 51 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the inflow pipe 55, and when entering the inside of the container 51, the flow velocity of the refrigerant (gas) decreases, so that the liquid foreign matter acts by gravity. Are separated from the refrigerant (gas) by and are retained in the lower portion of the container 51. Mineral oil 54
The gas flow velocity in the inside is high, the liquid level of mineral oil 54 is disturbed,
Even if the mineral oil becomes a mist and flows in the flow of the gas refrigerant, it is captured by the filter 53, is captured here as described above, and flows toward the side surface of the container 51 due to gravity, thereby causing the container 5 to flow.
It falls to the bottom of 1.

The foreign matters flowing in together with the gas refrigerant from the inflow pipe 55 pass through the outflow hole 55a in the mineral oil 54 in the form of bubbles, pass through the filter 53 and the ion exchange resin 56, and flow out from the outflow pipe 52. To do. The main component in the gaseous foreign matter is CFC or HCFC, but these are dissolved in the mineral oil 54. An example is shown in FIG. FIG. 4A is a solubility curve between mineral oil and CFC, and FIG. 4B is a solubility curve between mineral oil and HCFC. In the figure, the horizontal axis is temperature (° C),
The vertical axis represents the pressure (kg / cm ² ) of CFC or HCFC, and shows the solubility curve using the concentration (wt%) of CFC or HCFC as a parameter.

The foreign matters flowing in together with the gas refrigerant through the inflow pipe 55 are bubbled in the mineral oil 54 through the outflow holes 55a, so that the contact with the mineral oil 54 is increased and the CFC and HC are increased.
FC is more reliably dissolved in mineral oil 54. However, HFC
Does not dissolve in mineral oil, so all of it flows out of the outflow pipe 52. In this way, the solid foreign matter and the liquid foreign matter are completely separated and captured inside the container 51. Also, CFC and HCFC, which are the main components of the gaseous foreign matter, are mostly dissolved and captured while passing through this portion several times.

Further, chlorine components other than CFCs and HCFCs in the residual foreign matter are dissolved in the trace amount of water in the refrigerant circuit and are present as chlorine ions, so that they are captured by passing through the ion exchange resin 56 several times. To be done.

Next, the oil separator 9 will be described. An example of a high performance oil separator is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-19721. FIG. 5 shows its internal structure. Reference numeral 71 is a closed container having a circular body portion composed of an upper shell 71a and a lower shell 71b, and 72 is an inlet pipe having a mesh body 73 at the tip, and the inlet pipe 72 penetrates the substantially central portion of the upper shell 71a. The container 71 is attached so as to project. Reference numeral 78 denotes a circular speed equalizing plate, which is provided on the upper part of the mesh body 73 and is made of punching metal or the like having a large number of small holes, and 79 denotes an upper space formed above the speed controlling plate 78. It is a space. 74 is an outlet pipe having an end portion in the refrigerant outflow space 79, and 77 is an oil drain pipe.

By connecting a plurality of such high-performance oil separators in series, an oil separator having a separation efficiency of 100% can be obtained. FIG. 6 shows the experimental results of the flow velocity and separation efficiency of the gas refrigerant in the oil separator having the structure of FIG. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the average flow velocity in the container (m / s), and the vertical axis represents the separation efficiency (%). By setting the inner diameter of the first oil separator of the in-line oil separator so that the maximum flow velocity is 0.13 m / s or less, refrigerating machine oil generally discharged from the compressor 1 has a refrigerant flow rate ratio of 1.5 wt%. Because of the following, on the secondary side of the first oil separator, the refrigerant flow rate of the refrigerating machine oil is 0.05 wt% or less.

At this ratio, since the gas-liquid two-phase flow of the gas refrigerant and the refrigerating machine oil is a spray flow, the second oil separator has the same diameter or more and the mesh of the inflow pipe is sintered. Refrigerating machine oil can be completely separated by making the eyes such as metal very fine. As described above, it is possible to realize an oil separator having a separation efficiency of 100% by combining the dimensions of existing oil separators or combining a plurality of oil separators. The oil separator 9 shown in FIG. .

As described above, by incorporating the oil separator 9 and the foreign matter capturing means 13 in the heat source unit A, the heat source unit A and the indoor unit B
CFC or HCFC that has deteriorated over time without replacing only the first connecting pipe C and the second connecting pipe D with a new one.
The air conditioner using HFC can be replaced with a new air conditioner using HFC. According to such a method, unlike the conventional cleaning method 1, as a method for reusing the existing pipe, a cleaning liquid (HCFC14
1b and HCFC225) are not used, so there is no possibility of ozone layer depletion and flammability.
There is no toxicity, there is no concern about residual cleaning liquid, and there is no need to collect cleaning liquid.

Further, unlike the conventional cleaning method 2, it is not necessary to repeat the cleaning operation 3 times to replace the HFC refrigerant or the HFC refrigerating machine oil 3 times, so that only one HFC or refrigerating machine oil is required, which is a cost.・ Environmentally advantageous. Further, there is no need to manage the refrigerating machine oil for replacement, and there is no risk of excess or deficiency of the refrigerating machine oil. Further, there is no fear of incompatibility of the HFC refrigerating machine oil or deterioration of the refrigerating machine oil.

In this embodiment, an example in which one indoor unit B is connected has been described, but it goes without saying that an air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units B are connected in parallel or in series produces the same effect. . Also, the heat source side heat exchanger 3
Even if an ice heat storage tank or a water heat storage tank (including hot water) is installed in series or in parallel with, it is clear that the same effect can be obtained. Further, it is clear that the same effect can be obtained in an air conditioner in which a plurality of heat source units A are connected in parallel. Not only the air conditioner but also a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle applied product in which the unit containing the heat source side heat exchanger and the unit containing the use side heat exchanger are installed separately. For example, it is clear that the same effect is achieved.

Embodiment 2. FIG. 7: is a figure which shows the refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning apparatus as an example of the refrigerating-cycle apparatus by Embodiment 2 of this invention. In FIG. 7, reference numeral B
Since D to 1 to 9 and 8a and 9a are the same as those in the first embodiment, detailed description will be omitted.

Next, 12a is a cooling means (cooling device) for cooling and liquefying a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, 12b is a heating means (heating device) for gasifying a low-pressure two-phase refrigerant, and 13 is an outlet of the heating means 12b. The foreign matter catching means (foreign matter catching device) provided in series in the section. 14a is the foreign matter capturing means 1
The first solenoid valve is provided at the outlet of No. 3, and the second solenoid valve 14b is provided at the inlet of the heating means 12b.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a first switching valve, which is an outlet end of the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3 during cooling operation, an outlet end of the four-way valve 2 during heating operation, an inlet end of the cooling means 12a, and the solenoid valve. 14a
The following connection switching is performed among the four locations at the exit end of the, according to the operation mode. That is, during the cooling cleaning operation, the outlet end of the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3 during the cooling operation is connected to the inlet end of the cooling means 12a, and the outlet end of the solenoid valve 14a and the inlet end of the four-way valve 2 during the cooling operation are connected. Connect (exit end at heating operation). Also, during the heating cleaning operation, the outlet end of the four-way valve 2 during the heating operation and the inlet end of the cooling means 12a are connected, and the outlet end of the solenoid valve 14a and the heat source side heat exchanger 3 inlet during the heating operation. Connect to the end (exit end during cooling operation).

Reference numeral 11 denotes a second switching valve, which connects the outlet end of the cooling means 12a to the first operation valve 4 during the cooling / cleaning operation and the normal cooling operation, and during the heating / cleaning operation and the normal heating operation. The outlet end of the cooling means 12a is connected to the second operation valve 7
And the inlet end of the electromagnetic valve 12b is connected to the second operation valve 7 during the cooling and cleaning operation, and the inlet end of the electromagnetic valve 12b is connected to the first operation valve 4 during the heating and cleaning operation. . 14c is a third solenoid valve, and the first switching valve 10
Of the second switching valve 11 to the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3 of
Is a solenoid valve provided in the middle of a pipe connecting between the first operation valve 4 and the connection end thereof. Reference numeral 14d denotes a fourth solenoid valve, which is a pipe connecting between a connection end of the first switching valve 10 to the four-way valve 2 and a connection end of the second switching valve 11 to the second operation valve 7. It is a solenoid valve provided on the way.

The first switching valve 10 is provided so as to allow the flow of the refrigerant from the outlet end of the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3 during the cooling operation to the inlet end of the cooling means 12a, but not vice versa. The check valve 10a and the check valve 10 provided so as to allow the refrigerant to flow from the outlet end of the four-way valve 2 during the heating operation to the inlet end of the cooling means 12a but not the other way around.
b, a check valve 10c provided to allow the flow of the refrigerant from the outlet end of the first solenoid valve 14a to the outlet end of the heat source device side heat exchanger 3 during the cooling operation, but not vice versa, First
Since the refrigerant is allowed to flow from the outlet end of the electromagnetic valve 14a to the outlet end of the four-way valve 2 during the heating operation, but not the opposite, the check valve 10d is provided.
It is a switching valve capable of self-switching by the pressure of each connection end regardless of an electric signal.

The cooling source of the cooling means 12a may be either air or water, and the heating source of the heating means 12b may be either air or water or a heater. Also,
The cooling means 12a and the heating means 12b are the first switching valve 10
The high-temperature and high-pressure side pipe and the low-temperature and low-pressure side pipe sandwiched between the second switching valve 11 and the second switching valve 11 are brought into thermal contact with each other. It may be configured with a low-pressure side pipe. That is, heat may be transferred between the heating means 12b and the cooling means 12a.

With the above-described structure, the heat source device A includes the oil separator 9, the separated oil bypass passage 9a, the cooling means 12a,
Heating means 12b, foreign matter capturing means 13, first switching valve 1
0, the second switching valve 11, the first solenoid valve 14a, the second solenoid valve 14b, the third solenoid valve 14c, the fourth solenoid valve 14d.
Built in. The refrigerant circuit portion including the heating means 12b and the foreign matter capturing means 13 is referred to as a first bypass passage in this specification. Further, the refrigerant circuit portion including the cooling means 12a is referred to as a second bypass passage in this specification. Furthermore, this air conditioner uses HFC as a refrigerant.

Next, the procedure of air conditioner replacement when the air conditioner using CFC or HCFC is deteriorated will be described. CFC or HCFC is collected, and the heat source unit A and the indoor unit B are replaced with those shown in FIG. As the first connection pipe C and the second connection pipe D, those of the air conditioner using the HCFC are reused. Since the heat source device A is filled with HFC in advance, the indoor unit B, the first connection pipe C, and the second connection pipe D are kept closed while the first operation valve 4 and the second operation valve 7 are closed. Vacuum is drawn in the connected state, and then the first operation valve 4 and the second
The operation valve 7 is opened and HFC is additionally charged. After that, the cleaning operation is first performed, and then the normal air conditioning operation is performed.

Next, the contents of the cleaning operation will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the solid line arrow shows the flow of the cooling cleaning operation, and the broken line arrow shows the flow of the heating cleaning operation. First, the cooling cleaning operation will be described. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 is discharged from the compressor 1 together with the HFC refrigerating machine oil, and flows into the oil separator 9. Here, the refrigerating machine oil for HFC is completely separated, and only the gas refrigerant flows through the four-way valve 2 into the heat source machine side heat exchanger 3, where it is exchanged with a heat source medium such as air and water. To some extent liquefy.

The refrigerant which has been condensed and liquefied to some extent flows into the cooling means 12a through the first switching valve 10, where it is completely condensed and liquefied, and then passes through the second switching valve 11 and the first operating valve 4 to the first switching valve 11. Flowing into the connecting pipe C of. When the HFC liquid refrigerant flows through the first connecting pipe C, the HFC is washed by gradually cleaning CFC / HCFC / mineral oil / mineral oil deteriorated substances (hereinafter referred to as residual foreign matter) remaining in the first connecting pipe C. Flow into the flow rate controller 5, where it is decompressed to a low pressure and becomes a low-pressure two-phase state, and heat is exchanged with a use-side medium such as air in the use-side heat exchanger 6 to some extent evaporate and gasify To do.

The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has been vaporized and gasified to some extent flows into the second connection pipe D together with the foreign matter remaining in the first connection pipe C. The residual foreign matter remaining in the second connection pipe D has a high flow velocity because the refrigerant flowing therethrough is in a gas-liquid two-phase state, and the residual foreign matter is washed with the liquid refrigerant.
It is cleaned at a faster speed than the connection pipe C of.

After that, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has been vaporized and gasified to some extent, together with the residual foreign matter in the first connecting pipe C and the residual foreign matter in the second connecting pipe D, the second operating valve 7, the second operating valve 7, Through the switching valve 11 and the second solenoid valve 14b of the heating means 12
b, where it is completely evaporated and gasified, and then flows into the foreign matter capturing means 13. The residual foreign matter has different phases depending on the boiling point, and is classified into three types: solid foreign matter, liquid foreign matter, and gas foreign matter. The foreign matter capturing means 13 completely separates and captures the solid foreign matter and the liquid foreign matter from the gas refrigerant.

Part of the gaseous foreign matter is trapped and part of it is not trapped. After that, the gas refrigerant returns to the compressor 1 through the first electromagnetic valve 14a, the first switching valve 10, the four-way valve 2 and the accumulator 8 together with the gas foreign matter not captured by the foreign matter capturing means 13. The HFC refrigerating machine oil that has been completely separated from the gas refrigerant in the oil separator 9 merges with the mainstream downstream of the foreign substance capturing means 13 through the bypass 9a and returns to the compressor 1, so that the first connecting pipe CFC and the second connecting pipe D do not mix with the residual mineral oil, and HFC refrigerating machine oil is HFC.
However, the HFC refrigerating machine oil is not deteriorated by the mineral oil.

Further, solid foreign matters are not mixed with the HFC refrigerating machine oil, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil does not deteriorate. The HFC refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit for one cycle, and only a part of the gas foreign matter is captured while passing through the foreign matter capturing means 13 once, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil and the gas foreign matter are mixed. Deterioration of HFC refrigeration oil is a chemical reaction and does not proceed rapidly. An example thereof is shown in FIG. Foreign matter capturing means 13
The foreign gas that has not been captured while passing through the HFC refrigerant passes through the foreign material capturing means 13 many times as the HFC refrigerant circulates.
The foreign matter catching means 13 may catch the refrigerating machine oil faster than it deteriorates.

Next, the flow of the heating and cleaning operation will be described. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 is discharged from the compressor 1 together with the HFC refrigerating machine oil and flows into the oil separator 9.
Here, the refrigerating machine oil for HFC is completely separated, and only the gas refrigerant passes through the four-way valve 2 and the first switching valve 10 to cool the cooling means 1.
It flows into 2a.

Here, the gas refrigerant is cooled and condensed and liquefied to some extent. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has been condensed and liquefied to some extent passes through the second switching valve 11 and the second operation valve 7 to the second switching valve 11.
Flowing into the connection pipe D of. The residual foreign matter remaining in the second connection pipe has a high flow velocity because the refrigerant flowing therethrough is in a gas-liquid two-phase state, and the residual foreign matter is cleaned together with the liquid refrigerant, so It is cleaned at a speed faster than that of the connecting pipe C.

After that, the refrigerant condensed and liquefied to some extent is
Together with the residual foreign matter in the second connection pipe D, it flows into the usage-side heat exchanger 6, where it is heat-exchanged with the usage-side medium such as air and is completely condensed and liquefied. The condensed and liquefied refrigerant flows into the flow rate controller 5, where it is decompressed to a low pressure, enters a low-pressure two-phase state, and flows into the first connection pipe C. Because of the gas-liquid two-phase state, the flow velocity is high, and the residual foreign matter is cleaned together with the liquid refrigerant, and is cleaned at a speed faster than that of the first connecting pipe C during the cooling cleaning operation. Along with the residual foreign matter washed from the second connection pipe D and the first connection pipe C, the refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state is the first operation valve 4, the second switching valve 11, the second solenoid valve 14b.
After that, it is heated by the heating means 12b, evaporated and gasified, and flows into the foreign matter capturing means 13.

The residual foreign matter has different phases depending on the difference in boiling point, and is classified into three types: solid foreign matter, liquid foreign matter, and gas foreign matter. The foreign matter capturing means 13 completely separates and captures the solid foreign matter and the liquid foreign matter from the gas refrigerant. Part of the foreign gas is captured, and part is not captured. After that, the gas refrigerant passes through the first switching valve 10 and the four-way valve 2 together with the gas foreign matter that has not been captured by the foreign matter capturing means 13, and then the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3
In this case, the blower or the like is stopped to pass through it without heat exchange, and then returns to the compressor 1 via the accumulator 8.

The HFC refrigerating machine oil completely separated from the gas refrigerant in the oil separator 9 merges with the main stream downstream of the foreign matter capturing means 13 via the bypass 9a, and returns to the compressor 1. The refrigerating machine oil for HFC does not mix with the residual mineral oil remaining in the connecting pipe C and the second connecting pipe D of HFC.
However, the HFC refrigerating machine oil is not deteriorated by the mineral oil.

Further, solid foreign matters are not mixed with the HFC refrigerating machine oil, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil does not deteriorate. The HFC refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit for one cycle, and only a part of the gas foreign matter is captured while passing through the foreign matter capturing means 13 once, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil and the gas foreign matter are mixed. Deterioration of HFC refrigeration oil is a chemical reaction and does not proceed rapidly. An example thereof is shown in FIG. Foreign matter capturing means 13
The foreign gas that has not been captured while passing through the HFC refrigerant passes through the foreign material capturing means 13 many times as the HFC refrigerant circulates.
The foreign matter catching means 13 may catch the refrigerating machine oil faster than it deteriorates. Since the foreign matter capturing means 13 and the oil separator 9 are exactly the same as those shown in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

Next, the normal air conditioning operation will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the solid arrow indicates the flow of normal cooling operation,
The dashed arrow indicates the flow of normal heating operation. First, the normal cooling operation will be described. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 is discharged from the compressor 1 together with the HFC refrigerating machine oil, and flows into the oil separator 9. Here, the refrigerating machine oil for HFC is completely separated, and only the gas refrigerant flows into the heat source machine side heat exchanger 3 through the four-way valve 2 and exchanges heat with a heat source medium such as air and water. Condensate and liquefy.

Most of the condensed and liquefied refrigerant passes through the third solenoid valve 14c, while a part thereof passes through the first switching valve 1
0, the cooling means 12a, and the second switching valve 11, after merging, they flow into the first operation valve 4, the first connection pipe C, the flow rate controller 5, and the like. The pressure is reduced to a low pressure in 2 to form a low-pressure two-phase state, and heat is exchanged with a use-side medium such as air in the use-side heat exchanger 6 to evaporate and gasify. The evaporated and gasified refrigerant is the second connection pipe D, the second operation valve 7, the fourth solenoid valve 14d, the four-way valve 2, the accumulator 8
After that, the compressor 1 is returned to.

The HFC refrigerating machine oil completely separated from the gas refrigerant in the oil separator 9 merges with the main stream downstream of the four-way valve 2 through the bypass 9a and returns to the compressor 1. Since the first solenoid valve 14a and the second solenoid valve 14b are closed, the foreign matter capturing means 13 is isolated as a closed space, and the foreign matter captured during the cleaning operation may return to the operation circuit again. Absent. Further, as compared with the first embodiment, since the foreign matter capturing means 13 is not used, the suction pressure loss of the compressor 1 is small and the reduction in capacity is small.

Next, the flow of the normal heating operation will be described. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 is discharged from the compressor 1 together with the HFC refrigerating machine oil, and flows into the oil separator 9. Here, the refrigerating machine oil for HFC is completely separated, only the gas refrigerant passes through the four-way valve 2, and most of it is the fourth solenoid valve 1.
4d, on the other hand, partly through the first switching valve 10, the cooling means 12a, and the second switching valve 11, after they merge, they flow into the second operation valve 7, Through the connection pipe D of the above, and flows into the heat exchanger 6 on the use side, where it is heat-exchanged with a medium on the use side such as air to be completely condensed and liquefied.

The condensed and liquefied refrigerant flows into the flow rate controller 5, where it is decompressed to a low pressure to be in a low-pressure two-phase state, and the first connecting pipe C, the first operation valve 4 and the third solenoid valve 14c are provided.
Through the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3, where heat is exchanged with a heat source medium such as air and water to evaporate and gasify. evaporation·
The gasified refrigerant returns to the compressor 1 via the four-way valve 2 and the accumulator 8.

The HFC refrigerating machine oil completely separated from the gas refrigerant in the oil separator 9 returns to the compressor 1 via the bypass passage 9a. Since the first electromagnetic valve 14a and the second electromagnetic valve 14b are closed, the foreign matter capturing means 13 is isolated as a closed space, so that the foreign matter captured during the cleaning operation is
Never return to the driving circuit again. In addition, the first embodiment
Compared with, the suction pressure loss of the compressor 1 is small and the deterioration of the capacity is small because it does not pass through the foreign matter capturing means 13.

As described above, by incorporating the oil separator 9 and the foreign matter capturing means 13 in the heat source unit A, the heat source unit A and the indoor unit B
CFC or HCFC that has deteriorated over time without replacing only the first connecting pipe C and the second connecting pipe D with a new one.
The air conditioner using HFC can be replaced with a new air conditioner using HFC. According to such a method, unlike the conventional cleaning method 1, as a method for reusing the existing pipe, a cleaning liquid (HCFC14
1b and HCFC225) are not used, so there is no possibility of ozone layer depletion and flammability.
There is no toxicity, there is no concern about residual cleaning liquid, and there is no need to collect cleaning liquid.

Further, unlike the conventional cleaning method 2, it is not necessary to repeat the cleaning operation 3 times to replace the HFC refrigerant or the HFC refrigerating machine oil 3 times.・ Environmentally advantageous. Further, there is no need to manage the refrigerating machine oil for replacement, and there is no risk of excess or deficiency of the refrigerating machine oil. Further, there is no fear of incompatibility of the HFC refrigerating machine oil or deterioration of the refrigerating machine oil.

First solenoid valve 14a, second solenoid valve 14
By providing b, the third solenoid valve 14c, and the fourth solenoid valve 14d, while passing through the foreign matter capturing means 13 during the cleaning operation to obtain the above-described cleaning effect, during the normal operation after the cleaning operation, Since the first solenoid valve 14a and the second solenoid valve 14b are closed and the foreign matter capturing means 13 is isolated as a closed space, the foreign matter captured during the cleaning operation does not return to the operation circuit again. Further, as compared with the first embodiment, since the foreign matter capturing means 13 is not used, the suction pressure loss of the compressor 1 is small and the reduction in capacity is small.

Further, the cooling means 12a, the heating means 12b,
Since the first switching valve 10 and the second switching valve 11 are provided, the first connecting pipe C during the cleaning operation regardless of cooling / heating.
Since the liquid refrigerant or the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows in the second connection pipe D, the cleaning effect is high and the cleaning time can be shortened for cleaning the residual foreign matter. Also, the cooling means 12a,
Since the amount of heat exchange can be controlled by the heating means 12b, almost the same cleaning operation can be performed under any condition regardless of the outside air temperature and the load inside the room, and the effect and labor are constant.

In this embodiment, an example in which one indoor unit B is connected has been described, but it goes without saying that an air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units B are connected in parallel or in series produces the same effect. . Also, the heat source side heat exchanger 3
Ice storage tank or water storage tank (including hot water) in series or in parallel with
It is clear that the same effect can be obtained even when the is installed. Further, it is clear that the same effect can be obtained in an air conditioner in which a plurality of heat source units A are connected in parallel. Not only the air conditioner but also a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle applied product in which the unit containing the heat source side heat exchanger and the unit containing the use side heat exchanger are installed separately. For example, it is clear that the same effect is achieved.

Third Embodiment FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner as an example of a refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 9, reference numeral B
Since D to D, 1 to 8 and 8a are the same as those described in the first and second embodiments, detailed description will be omitted. Further, reference numerals 10, 11, 12a, 12b and 13 are
Since it is the same as that described in the second embodiment,
Detailed description is omitted.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, an oil separator 9 is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, but the first switching valve 1 is used.
0 and the cooling means 12a are different.
Further, 9a is a bypass path which starts from the bottom of the oil separator 9 and returns to the downstream side of the foreign matter capturing means 13 in Embodiments 1 and 2.
But the return position is the same as that of the foreign matter capturing means 13 and the first
Of the switching valve 10 of FIG. Further, 15 is a first flow rate control means provided between the second switching valve 11 and the heating means 12b, and 16 is a second flow rate provided between the cooling means 12a and the second switching valve 11. It is a control means.

CC is the first connecting pipe C and the first operating valve 4
Is a third connection pipe provided between the second connection pipe D and the second operation valve 7, and a third connection pipe DD is provided between the second connection pipe D and the second operation valve 7. 17a is the third provided on the third connection pipe CC.
17b is a fourth operation valve provided in the fourth connection pipe DD, and 17c is a pipe between the first operation valve 4 and the third operation valve 17a of the third connection pipe CC. A fifth operating valve provided between the first switching valve 10 and 17d is a portion of the third connecting pipe CC closer to the first connecting pipe C than the third operating valve 17a and the second switching valve. Sixth provided between 11 and
And 17e is a seventh operation provided between the first switching valve 10 and the pipe of the fourth connection pipe DD between the second operation valve 7 and the fourth operation valve 17b. The valve 17f is an eighth valve provided between the second switching valve 11 and a portion of the fourth connection pipe DD closer to the second connection pipe D than the fourth operation valve 17b.
It is the operation valve of.

E is a washing machine constructed as described above, and includes an oil separator 9, a bypass 9a, a cooling means 12a, a heating means 12b, a foreign matter capturing means 13, a first switching valve 10,
The second switching valve 11, the first flow rate control means 15, and the second flow rate control means 16 are incorporated. This washing machine E
Is detachably connected to the entire air conditioner from the fifth to eighth operation valves 17c to 17f. In the present specification, the refrigerant circuit portion including the heating means 12b and the foreign matter capturing means 13 will be referred to as the first bypass passage as described in the second embodiment. Further, regardless of the presence or absence of the oil separator 9, the refrigerant circuit portion including the cooling means 12a is
It will be the second bypass. Further, assuming that only the oil separator 9 is present without including the cooling means 12a, this will be referred to as a third bypass passage.

18a is a fifth solenoid valve provided between the first connecting pipe C and the flow rate regulator 5, and 18b is a second solenoid valve.
Is a sixth solenoid valve provided between the connection pipe D and the use side heat exchanger 6, and 18c is a connection end of the fifth solenoid valve 18a on the first connection pipe C side and a sixth solenoid valve 18b. It is a seventh electromagnetic valve provided in the middle of the piping of the bypass passage 18d that connects the second connection piping D side connection end. F is an indoor bypass machine having built-in fifth to seventh electromagnetic valves 18a to 18c. This air conditioner uses HFC as a refrigerant.

Next, the procedure of air conditioner replacement when the air conditioner using CFC or HCFC is deteriorated will be described. The CFC or HCFC is collected, and the heat source unit A and the indoor unit B are replaced with those shown in FIG. As the first connecting pipe C and the second connecting pipe D, those of the air conditioner using the HCFC are reused. Third connection pipe CC and fourth connection pipe D
D will be newly installed. The washing machine E is connected to the third connection pipe CC via the fifth and sixth operation valves 17c and 17d, and
It is connected to the fourth connection pipe DD via the seventh and eighth operation valves 17e and 17f. The first connecting pipe C and the second connecting pipe D are connected to the indoor unit B via the indoor bypass unit F.

Since the heat source unit A is preliminarily filled with HFC, the first operation valve 4 and the second operation valve 7 remain closed,
Indoor unit B, first connection pipe C, second connection pipe D, third
Of the connection pipe CC, the fourth connection pipe DD, the washing machine E, and the indoor bypass machine F are connected to each other, and then the first operation valve 4 and the second operation valve 7 are opened and HFC is added. Perform filling.

Then, first, the third and fourth operation valves 17
a, 17b are closed, and the 4th-8th operation valves 17c-17
The cleaning operation is performed by opening f, closing the fifth and sixth electromagnetic valves 18a and 18b, and opening the seventh electromagnetic valve 18c. After that, the third and fourth operation valves 17a and 17b are opened, and the fourth to eighth operation valves 17c to 17f are closed.
Normal air conditioning operation is performed by opening the fifth and sixth electromagnetic valves 18a and 18b and closing the seventh electromagnetic valve 18c.

Next, the contents of the cleaning operation will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the solid line arrow shows the flow of the cooling cleaning operation, and the broken line arrow shows the flow of the heating cleaning operation. First, the cooling cleaning operation will be described. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 is discharged from the compressor 1 together with the HFC refrigerating machine oil, passes through the four-way valve 2 and flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 3, where a heat source such as air and water is supplied. It passes through without heat exchange with the medium and flows into the oil separator 9 via the first operation valve 4, the fifth operation valve 17c, and the first switching valve 10.

Here, the refrigerating machine oil for HFC is completely separated, and only the gas refrigerant flows into the cooling means 12a where it is condensed and liquefied, and is slightly decompressed by the second flow rate control means 16 to be gas-liquid. It becomes a two-phase state. The refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state flows into the first connection pipe C via the second switching valve 11 and the sixth operation valve 17d.

The HFC gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is the first connecting pipe C.
CF remaining in the first connecting pipe C when flowing through
C / HCFC / mineral oil / mineral oil deteriorated matter (hereinafter referred to as residual foreign matter) is washed relatively quickly because of the gas-liquid two-phase state, and flows together with the HFC gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and passes through the seventh solenoid valve 18c,
The residual foreign matter in the connection pipe C flows into the second connection pipe D.

The residual foreign matter remaining in the second connecting pipe D has a high flow velocity because the refrigerant flowing therethrough is in a gas-liquid two-phase state, and the residual foreign matter is washed with the liquid refrigerant, resulting in a relatively high speed. To be washed. Then, the refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state,
Along with the residual foreign matter in the first connecting pipe C and the residual foreign matter in the second connecting pipe D, the pressure is reduced to a low pressure by the first flow rate control means 15 via the eighth operation valve 17f and the second switching valve 11. ,
It flows into the heating means 12b, where it is vaporized and gasified, and then flows into the foreign matter capturing means 13.

The residual foreign matter has different phases depending on the boiling point, and is classified into three types: solid foreign matter, liquid foreign matter, and gaseous foreign matter. The foreign matter capturing means 13 completely separates and captures the solid foreign matter and the liquid foreign matter from the gas refrigerant. Part of the foreign gas is captured, and part is not captured.

After that, the gas refrigerant together with the gas foreign matters not captured by the foreign matter capturing means 13 are the first switching valve 10 and the seventh switching valve.
The operation valve 17e, the second operation valve 7, the four-way valve 2, and the accumulator 8 are returned to the compressor 1. The HFC refrigerating machine oil that has been completely separated from the gas refrigerant in the oil separator 9 merges with the mainstream on the downstream side of the foreign matter capturing means 13 through the bypass 9a, and returns to the compressor 1. It does not mix with the mineral oil remaining in the connection pipe C and the second connection pipe D, and HF
The C refrigerating machine oil is not incompatible with HFC, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil is not deteriorated by mineral oil.

Further, solid foreign matters are not mixed with the HFC refrigerating machine oil, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil does not deteriorate. The HFC refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit for one cycle, and only a part of the gas foreign matter is captured while passing through the foreign matter capturing means 13 once, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil and the gas foreign matter are mixed. Deterioration of HFC refrigeration oil is a chemical reaction and does not proceed rapidly. An example thereof is shown in FIG. Foreign matter capturing means 13
The foreign gas that has not been captured while passing through the HFC refrigerant passes through the foreign material capturing means 13 many times as the HFC refrigerant circulates.
The foreign matter catching means 13 may catch the refrigerating machine oil faster than it deteriorates.

Next, the flow of the heating and cleaning operation will be described. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 is discharged from the compressor 1 together with the HFC refrigeration oil, and the four-way valve 2, the second operation valve 7, the seventh operation valve 17e, and the first switching valve 10 are discharged. After that, it flows into the oil separator 9. Here, the refrigerating machine oil for HFC is completely separated, and only the gas refrigerant flows into the cooling means 12a. Here, the gas refrigerant is cooled and condensed / liquefied.

The condensed and liquefied liquid refrigerant is slightly decompressed by the second flow rate control means 16 to be in a gas-liquid two-phase state,
Through the switching valve 11 and the eighth operation valve 17f, and flows into the second connection pipe D. The residual foreign matter remaining in the second connection pipe has a high flow velocity because the refrigerant flowing therethrough is in a gas-liquid two-phase state, and the residual foreign matter is washed with the liquid refrigerant and is washed at a relatively high speed. .

Then, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant passes through the seventh electromagnetic valve 18c together with the residual foreign matter in the second connecting pipe D,
It flows into the first connection pipe C. Here, because of the gas-liquid two-phase state, the flow velocity is high, and the residual foreign matter is washed with the liquid refrigerant, and is washed at a relatively high speed.

The refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state, together with the residual foreign matter washed from the second connecting pipe D and the first connecting pipe C, passes through the sixth operating valve 17d and the second switching valve 11, The flow rate control means 15 of No. 1 reduces the pressure to a low pressure, and the heating means 12b
Flowing in, where it is vaporized and gasified, and foreign matter capturing means 13
Flow into. The residual foreign matter has different phases depending on the boiling point, and is classified into three types: solid foreign matter, liquid foreign matter, and gas foreign matter.

The foreign matter capturing means 13 completely separates and captures the solid foreign matter and the liquid foreign matter from the gas refrigerant. Part of the foreign gas is captured, and part is not captured. After that, the gas refrigerant passes through the first switching valve 10 and the fifth operation valve 17c together with the gas foreign matter not captured by the foreign matter capturing means 13,
The heat flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 3, where the blower or the like is stopped to pass without heat exchange, and returns to the compressor 1 via the accumulator 8.

The HFC refrigerating machine oil completely separated from the gas refrigerant in the oil separator 9 merges with the main stream on the downstream side of the foreign matter capturing means 13 through the bypass 9a, and returns to the compressor 1. Refrigerating machine oil for HFC does not mix with the mineral oil remaining in the first connecting pipe C and the second connecting pipe D, and is HF.
It does not become incompatible with C, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil is not deteriorated by mineral oil.

Further, solid foreign matters are not mixed with the HFC refrigerating machine oil, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil does not deteriorate. The HFC refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit for one cycle, and only a part of the gas foreign matter is captured while passing through the foreign matter capturing means 13 once, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil and the gas foreign matter are mixed. Deterioration of HFC refrigeration oil is a chemical reaction and does not proceed rapidly. An example thereof is shown in FIG. Foreign matter capturing means 13
The foreign gas that has not been captured while passing through the HFC refrigerant passes through the foreign material capturing means 13 many times as the HFC refrigerant circulates.
The foreign matter catching means 13 may catch the refrigerating machine oil faster than it deteriorates. Since the foreign matter capturing means 13 and the oil separator 9 are exactly the same as those shown in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

Next, the normal air conditioning operation will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the solid line arrow indicates the flow of the normal cooling operation, and the broken line arrow indicates the flow of the normal heating operation. First, the normal cooling operation will be described. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 is discharged from the compressor 1, passes through the four-way valve 2,
It flows into the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3, where it is condensed with the heat source medium such as air and water by a heat exchanger. The condensed and liquefied refrigerant flows into the flow rate regulator 5 through the first operation valve 4, the third operation valve 17a, the first connection pipe C, and the fifth electromagnetic valve 18a, and is depressurized to a low pressure here. Becomes a low-pressure two-phase state,
The use side heat exchanger 6 exchanges heat with a use side medium such as air to evaporate and gasify.

The evaporated and gasified refrigerant is used for the sixth solenoid valve 1
8b, the second connection pipe D, the fourth operation valve 17b, the second operation valve 7, the four-way valve 2, the accumulator 8 and the compressor 1
Return to. Since the fifth to eighth operation valves 17c to 17f are closed, the foreign matter capturing means 13 is isolated as a closed space, so that the foreign matter captured during the cleaning operation does not return to the operation circuit again. Further, as compared with the first embodiment, since the foreign matter capturing means 13 is not used, the suction pressure loss of the compressor 1 is small and the reduction in capacity is small.

Next, the flow of the normal heating operation will be described. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 is discharged from the compressor 1, passes through the four-way valve 2 and flows into the second operation valve 7, the fourth operation valve 17b, and the second connection pipe D. , 6th solenoid valve 1
After passing through 8b, it flows into the use side heat exchanger 6, where it is heat-exchanged with the use side medium such as air to be condensed and liquefied.

The condensed and liquefied refrigerant flows into the flow rate controller 5, where it is decompressed to a low pressure and becomes a low-pressure two-phase state, and the fifth solenoid valve 18a, the first connecting pipe C, and the third operating valve 1 are connected.
7a, the first operation valve 4, the heat source side heat exchanger 3 flows in,
Here, heat is exchanged with a heat source medium such as air and water to evaporate and gasify. The evaporated and gasified refrigerant returns to the compressor 1 via the four-way valve 2 and the accumulator 8.

Since the fifth to eighth operation valves 17c to 17f are closed, the foreign matter capturing means 13 is isolated as a closed space, so that the foreign matter captured during the cleaning operation returns to the operation circuit again. There is no. Further, as compared with the first embodiment, since the foreign matter capturing means 13 is not used, the suction pressure loss of the compressor 1 is small and the reduction in capacity is small. Further, unlike the second embodiment, since the refrigerant does not flow to the cooling means 12a, there is no loss of heating capacity.

As described above, by incorporating the oil separator 9 and the foreign matter capturing means 13 in the cleaning machine E, the heat source machine A and the indoor machine B
CFC or HCFC that has deteriorated over time without replacing only the first connecting pipe C and the second connecting pipe D with a new one.
The air conditioner using HFC can be replaced with a new air conditioner using HFC. By such a method, unlike the conventional cleaning method 1 as a method for reusing existing pipes, a cleaning liquid (HCFC14
1b and HCFC225) are not used, so there is no possibility of ozone layer depletion and flammability.
There is no toxicity, there is no concern about residual cleaning liquid, and there is no need to collect cleaning liquid.

Further, unlike the conventional cleaning method 2, it is not necessary to repeat the cleaning operation 3 times to replace the HFC refrigerant or the HFC refrigerating machine oil 3 times, so that only one HFC or refrigerating machine oil is required and the cost is reduced.・ Environmentally advantageous. Further, there is no need to manage the refrigerating machine oil for replacement, and there is no risk of excess or deficiency of the refrigerating machine oil. Further, there is no fear of incompatibility of the HFC refrigerating machine oil or deterioration of the refrigerating machine oil.

Further, since the fifth to eighth operation valves 17c to 17f are provided, the foreign matter capturing means 13 is passed during the cleaning operation to obtain the above-described cleaning effect, and at the time of the normal operation after the cleaning operation, 5-8 operating valves 17c-17f are closed,
Since the foreign matter capturing means 13 is isolated as a closed space, the foreign matter captured during the cleaning operation does not return to the operation circuit again. Further, as compared with the first embodiment, since the foreign matter capturing means 13 is not used, the suction pressure loss of the compressor 1 is small and the reduction in capacity is small.

Further, the cooling means 12a and the heating means 12
Since b, the first switching valve 10 and the second switching valve 11 are provided, liquid refrigerant or gas-liquid two is connected to the first connection pipe C and the second connection pipe D during the cleaning operation regardless of cooling / heating. Since the phase refrigerant flows, the cleaning effect is high and the cleaning time can be shortened for cleaning the residual foreign matter. Further, since the amount of heat exchange can be controlled by the cooling means 12a and the heating means 12b, almost the same cleaning operation can be performed under any condition regardless of the outside air temperature or the load inside the room, and the effect and time can be made constant.

Further, since the first flow rate control means 15 and the second flow rate control means 16 are provided, the refrigerant flowing through the first and second connection pipes C and D can always be in the gas-liquid two-phase state. Therefore, the cleaning effect is high and the cleaning time can be shortened for cleaning the residual foreign matter. Also, the first
Since the pressure and dryness of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the second connection pipes C and D can also be controlled, almost the same cleaning operation can be performed under any condition, and the effect and labor are constant.

Further, since the indoor bypass machine F is provided, the states of the refrigerants flowing through the first and second connecting pipes C and D can be made almost the same, so that uniform cleaning operation is possible and the effect and time are constant. Turn into. Moreover, since the residual foreign matter does not flow into the new indoor unit B, the indoor unit B can be prevented from being contaminated.

Further, the oil separator 9, the bypass 9a, the cooling means 12a, the heating means 12b, the foreign matter capturing means 13, the first
Since the switching valve 10, the second switching valve 11, the first flow rate control means 15, and the second flow rate control means 16 are built in the cleaning machine E, the heat source machine A can be downsized and the cost can be reduced. Also,
The heat source device A can be a common heat source device even when the first and second connecting pipes C and D are newly installed.

Further, the washing machine E has the fifth to eighth operation valves 17
Since the parts c to 17f are detachably connected to the entire air conditioner, after closing the operation valves after the washing operation, the refrigerant inside the washer E is recovered, removed from the air conditioner, and removed. The cleaning operation can be performed by mounting the air conditioner on the same air conditioner.

In this embodiment, an example in which one indoor unit B is connected has been described, but it goes without saying that an air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units B are connected in parallel or in series produces the same effect. . Also, the heat source side heat exchanger 3
Even if an ice heat storage tank or a water heat storage tank (including hot water) is installed in series or in parallel with, it is clear that the same effect can be obtained.

Further, it is apparent that the same effect can be obtained in an air conditioner in which a plurality of heat source units A are connected in parallel. Not only the air conditioner but also a vapor compression type refrigeration cycle applied product in which the unit containing the heat source side heat exchanger and the unit containing the use side heat exchanger are installed separately. For example, it is clear that the same effect is achieved. Further, in this embodiment, only one washing machine E is installed in one air conditioner, but it is obvious that the same effect can be obtained even if a plurality of washing machines E are installed.

Fourth Embodiment In Embodiment 4 of the present invention, in FIG. 9 of Embodiment 3, an inlet for injecting mineral oil is provided between the oil separator 9 and the second switching valve 11 of the washing machine E, or Provide a tank. During the washing operation, this mineral oil is supplied to the first and second connecting pipes C and D,
The residual foreign matter in which the refrigerating machine oil has sludged is dissolved in this mineral oil for cleaning, and the foreign matter capturing means 13 captures the foreign matter in the same manner as in the third embodiment.

Embodiment 5. FIG. In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, in FIG. 9 of the third embodiment, an injection port for injecting water is provided between the oil separator 9 and the second switching valve 11 of the washing machine E, or water is injected. Provide a tank. During the cleaning operation, this water is supplied to the first and second connecting pipes C and D to ionize the iron chloride for cleaning, and the foreign matter capturing means 13
It is captured as in the third embodiment. Of the water at this time, the supersaturated portion of the low-pressure refrigerant becomes liquid water, but since this water has a higher density than mineral oil, it stays at the bottom of the foreign matter capturing means 13. Moisture saturated with the low-pressure refrigerant is the heat source unit A or the first, second, third, and fourth connection pipes C, D, CC, D.
By providing a dryer (moisture adsorbing means) on any of D, it is possible to adsorb to the dryer and reduce the water content in the refrigerant circuit.

In the second embodiment, as described in the third embodiment, the indoor bypass machine F can be installed. Further, also in the fifth embodiment, similar to the third embodiment, the heating means 12b and the foreign matter capturing means 1 are provided.
The refrigerant circuit portion including 3 (first bypass passage) and the refrigerant circuit portion including the cooling means 12a (second bypass passage) can be closed or separated from the refrigerant circuit main pipe. Although not illustrated one by one, the present invention also includes such combinations or modifications.

[0160]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to claim 1,
According to Ming, in the cooling circuit, the pressure from the utilization side heat exchanger is
Foreign matter capture to capture foreign matter in the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit to the compressor
Since it is equipped with a means, in the refrigerant washed from the existing connection pipe
The solid foreign matter and the liquid foreign matter can be sufficiently separated and captured.
it can. In the case of gaseous foreign matter, the refrigerant passes through the foreign matter capturing means several times.
Can be caught out . According to the invention described in claim 2 , in the cooling circuit, the refrigerant circuit from the utilization side heat exchanger to the accumulator is provided with the foreign matter capturing means for capturing the foreign matter in the refrigerant, so that the existing connection pipe is used for cleaning. The solid foreign matter and the liquid foreign matter in the refrigerant can be sufficiently separated and captured. The gaseous foreign matter can be captured while the refrigerant passes through the foreign matter capturing means several times.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the cooling circuit, the first bypass passage that bypasses the refrigerant circuit from the heat exchanger on the utilization side to the accumulator is provided to trap foreign matter in the refrigerant. Since the means is provided, the solid foreign matter and the liquid foreign matter in the refrigerant washed from the existing connection pipe can be sufficiently separated and captured. The gaseous foreign matter can be captured while the refrigerant passes through the foreign matter capturing means several times.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 4 , in the invention described in claim 3 , the second bypass passage for bypassing the refrigerant circuit from the heat source side heat exchanger to the flow rate regulator is provided to provide the refrigerant. And a heating means for the refrigerant on the upstream side of the foreign matter trapping means in the first bypass passage. As a result, foreign matter in the cleaned refrigerant can be sufficiently separated and captured from the existing connection pipe, and further, the heating means and the cooling means for the refrigerant are provided, so that the connection to the indoor unit during the cleaning operation can be achieved. Since the liquid refrigerant or the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows through the pipe, the cleaning effect is high and the cleaning time can be shortened for cleaning the residual foreign matter. Further, since the amount of heat exchange can be controlled by the heating means and the cooling means, almost the same cleaning operation can be performed under any condition regardless of the outside air temperature and the load inside the room, and the effect and labor can be made constant.

According to the invention of claim 5 , in the invention of claim 4 , a first flow rate control means is provided on the upstream side of the heating means of the first bypass passage, and further the second bypass passage is provided. The second flow rate control means was provided on the downstream side of the cooling means. That is, the flow rate control means for controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the connecting pipe from the heat source unit to the indoor unit or flowing out from the connecting pipe to the indoor unit is provided. As a result, the refrigerant flowing through the connection pipe to the indoor unit can be in a gas-liquid two-phase state without fail, so that the cleaning effect is high for further cleaning the residual foreign matter, and the cleaning time can be shortened. In addition, since the pressure and dryness of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the connecting pipe can be controlled, more or less the same cleaning operation can be performed under any condition, and the effect and labor are constant.

[0164]

[0165]

According to the invention described in claim 6 , in the invention described in claims 1 to 5 , the oil for separating the oil component of the refrigerant is provided in the refrigerant circuit from the compressor to the heat source side heat exchanger. Equipped with a separating means. Thereby, the foreign matter trapping means is provided in the refrigerant circuit to sufficiently separate and trap the foreign matter from the refrigerant, and the oil separator is provided to sufficiently separate the refrigerating machine oil for the new refrigerant from the refrigerant, and thereby the new refrigerating machine oil. Can be prevented from flowing into the indoor unit side. Therefore, the foreign matter in the cleaned refrigerant and the new refrigerating machine oil (for example, HFC refrigerating machine oil) are not mixed, and the new refrigerating machine oil does not deteriorate.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7 , in the invention of claim 3 , a third bypass passage for bypassing the refrigerant circuit from the heat source side heat exchanger to the flow rate regulator is provided,
An oil separation means for separating the oil component of the refrigerant was provided. Thereby, the foreign matter trapping means is provided in the refrigerant circuit of the washing machine to sufficiently separate and trap the foreign matter from the refrigerant, and the oil separator is provided to sufficiently separate the refrigerating machine oil for the new refrigerant from the refrigerant,
It is possible to prevent new refrigerating machine oil from flowing into the indoor unit side. Therefore, the foreign matter in the cleaned refrigerant and the new refrigerating machine oil (for example, HFC refrigerating machine oil) are not mixed, and the new refrigerating machine oil does not deteriorate.

Further, according to the invention of claim 8 , in the invention of claim 4 , an oil separating means for separating the oil component of the refrigerant is provided upstream of the cooling means of the second bypass passage. Thereby, the heating means and the cooling means of the refrigerant further enhance the cleaning effect of foreign matter in the connection pipe and enhance the foreign matter capturing effect, and the oil separator allows new refrigerating machine oil to flow into the indoor unit side. Can be prevented. Further, the foreign matter in the cleaned refrigerant and the new refrigerating machine oil (for example, HFC refrigerating machine oil) are not mixed, and the new refrigerating machine oil does not deteriorate.

According to the invention described in claim 9, the cooling circuit
In the refrigerant circuit from the user side heat exchanger to the compressor in
From the heat source side heat exchanger to the compressor in the heating circuit
The refrigerant circuit is equipped with foreign matter capturing means for capturing foreign matter in the refrigerant.
I got it. As a result, in the refrigerant washed from the existing connection pipe
The solid foreign matter and the liquid foreign matter can be sufficiently separated and captured.
it can. In the case of gaseous foreign matter, the refrigerant passes through the foreign matter capturing means several times.
Can be caught out . According to the invention of claim 10, the foreign matter in the refrigerant is in the refrigerant circuit from the utilization side heat exchanger to the accumulator in the cooling circuit and in the refrigerant circuit from the heat source side heat exchanger to the accumulator in the heating circuit. And a foreign matter capturing means for capturing. Thus, the solid foreign matter and the liquid foreign matter in the refrigerant washed from the existing connection pipe can be sufficiently separated and captured. The gaseous foreign matter can be captured while the refrigerant passes through the foreign matter capturing means several times.

According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the refrigerant circuit from the utilization side heat exchanger to the accumulator in the cooling circuit is bypassed, and the refrigerant from the flow rate controller to the heat source side heat exchanger in the heating circuit is bypassed. First to bypass the circuit
A bypass passage was provided and foreign matter capturing means for capturing foreign matter in the refrigerant was provided. Thus, the solid foreign matter and the liquid foreign matter in the refrigerant washed from the existing connection pipe can be sufficiently separated and captured. The gaseous foreign matter can be captured while the refrigerant passes through the foreign matter capturing means several times.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, in the eleventh aspect of the invention, the cooling circuit bypasses the refrigerant circuit from the heat source side heat exchanger to the flow rate controller, and the heating circuit compresses the refrigerant circuit. A second bypass path for bypassing the refrigerant circuit from the machine to the utilization side heat exchanger is provided with a cooling means for the refrigerant, and a heating means for the refrigerant is provided on the upstream side of the foreign matter capturing means in the first bypass path. As a result, foreign matter in the refrigerant that has been washed from the existing connection pipe can be sufficiently separated and captured, and further, since the refrigerant heating means and cooling means are provided, cleaning is performed regardless of cooling or heating. Since the liquid refrigerant or the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows through the connecting pipe to the indoor unit during operation, the cleaning effect is high and the cleaning time can be shortened for cleaning the residual foreign matter. Further, since the amount of heat exchange can be controlled by the heating means and the cooling means, almost the same cleaning operation can be performed under any condition regardless of the outside air temperature and the load inside the room, and the effect and labor can be made constant.

According to the invention of claim 13, in the invention of claim 12, a first flow rate control means is provided on the upstream side of the heating means of the first bypass passage, and further the cooling means of the second bypass passage is provided. The second flow rate control means was provided on the downstream side. That is, the flow rate control means for controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the connecting pipe from the heat source unit to the indoor unit or flowing out from the connecting pipe to the indoor unit is provided. As a result, the refrigerant flowing through the connection pipe to the indoor unit can be in a gas-liquid two-phase state without fail, so that the cleaning effect is high for further cleaning the residual foreign matter, and the cleaning time can be shortened. In addition, since the pressure and dryness of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the connecting pipe can be controlled, more or less the same cleaning operation can be performed under any condition, and the effect and labor are constant.

[0173]

[0174]

According to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, it is used as a refrigerant circuit from the compressor in the cooling circuit to the heat source side heat exchanger and from the compressor in the heating circuit. The refrigerant circuit to the side heat exchanger was equipped with an oil separation means for separating the oil component of the refrigerant. Thereby, the foreign matter trapping means is provided in the refrigerant circuit to sufficiently separate and trap the foreign matter from the refrigerant, and the oil separator is provided to sufficiently separate the refrigerating machine oil for the new refrigerant from the refrigerant, and thereby the new refrigerating machine oil. Can be prevented from flowing into the indoor unit side. Therefore, the foreign matter in the cleaned refrigerant and the new refrigerating machine oil (for example, HFC refrigerating machine oil) are not mixed, and the new refrigerating machine oil does not deteriorate.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the refrigerant circuit is from the compressor in the cooling circuit to the heat source side heat exchanger, and the compressor is in the heating circuit from the cooling means. The refrigerant circuit of No. 1 was equipped with an oil separation means for separating the oil component of the refrigerant. Thereby, the heating means and the cooling means of the refrigerant further enhance the cleaning effect of foreign matter in the connection pipe and enhance the foreign matter capturing effect, and the oil separator allows new refrigerating machine oil to flow into the indoor unit side. Can be prevented. Further, the foreign matter in the cleaned refrigerant and the new refrigerating machine oil (for example, HFC refrigerating machine oil) are not mixed, and the new refrigerating machine oil does not deteriorate.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh aspect of the invention, the cooling circuit bypasses the refrigerant circuit from the heat source side heat exchanger to the flow rate controller, and the heating circuit changes from the compressor. A third bypass passage for bypassing the refrigerant circuit to the heat exchanger on the use side was provided, and an oil separation means for separating the oil component of the refrigerant was provided. Thereby, the foreign matter capturing means is provided in the refrigerant circuit of the washing machine to sufficiently separate and capture the foreign matter from the refrigerant, and the oil separator is provided to sufficiently separate the refrigerating machine oil for the new refrigerant from the refrigerant. It is possible to prevent the refrigerating machine oil from flowing into the indoor unit side. Therefore, the foreign matter in the cleaned refrigerant and the new refrigerating machine oil (for example, HFC refrigerating machine oil) are not mixed, and the new refrigerating machine oil does not deteriorate.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the invention, in the twelfth aspect of the invention, the oil separating means for separating the oil component of the refrigerant is provided upstream of the cooling means of the second bypass passage. Thereby, the heating means and the cooling means of the refrigerant further enhance the cleaning effect of foreign matter in the connection pipe and enhance the foreign matter capturing effect, and the oil separator allows new refrigerating machine oil to flow into the indoor unit side. Can be prevented. Further, the foreign matter in the cleaned refrigerant and the new refrigerating machine oil (for example, HFC refrigerating machine oil) are not mixed, and the new refrigerating machine oil does not deteriorate.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, since the indoor bypass unit for bypassing the indoor unit with the refrigerant is provided, the states of the refrigerant flowing through the connecting pipes connected to both sides of the indoor unit can be made substantially the same. , Uniform cleaning operation is possible, and the effect and labor are constant. Moreover, since the residual foreign matter does not flow into the replaced new indoor unit, the contamination of the new indoor unit can be prevented.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the reflux passage for returning the oil component separated by the oil separating means to the accumulator downstream of the foreign matter capturing means. This allows
Refrigerating machine oil (for example, HF) in the refrigerant discharged from the compressor.
(Refrigerating machine oil for C) is separated from the refrigerant and returned to the compressor together with the refrigerant after the foreign matter is captured, so the refrigerating machine oil does not mix with the mineral oil remaining in the connecting pipe, and the HFC refrigerating machine oil is It does not become incompatible with HFC. Further, the HFC refrigerating machine oil is not deteriorated by the mineral oil.

According to the twentieth aspect of the invention, the mineral oil injection means for injecting the mineral oil into the refrigerant is provided on the downstream side of the oil separation means of the second bypass passage. With this, since it is possible to inject mineral oil into the refrigerant flowing into the connection pipe connected to the indoor unit, the residual foreign matter in the connection pipe in which the refrigerating machine oil is sludged is dissolved in this mineral oil for cleaning, It can be captured by the foreign matter capturing means.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the invention, the water injection means for injecting water into the refrigerant is provided on the downstream side of the oil separation means of the second bypass passage. As a result, water can be injected into the refrigerant flowing into the connection pipe connected to the indoor unit, so that iron chloride in the connection pipe can be ionized to clean and to be captured by the foreign matter capturing means.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the invention, the refrigerant circuit is provided with the water adsorption means for adsorbing the water in the refrigerant. As a result, it is possible to adsorb and reduce water that has been supersaturated by pouring for cleaning iron chloride.

According to the twenty- third aspect of the invention, since the foreign matter capturing means reduces the flow velocity of the refrigerant to separate the foreign matter in the refrigerant, the foreign matter in the refrigerant can be separated.

According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the foreign matter trapping means can trap the foreign matter in the refrigerant by passing the refrigerant through the mineral oil.

[0186] According to the invention described in claim 25, in the extraneous matter catching means, by passing the refrigerant in mineral oil, it is a Turkey be captured by dissolving CFC and HCFC in the refrigerant.

According to the twenty-sixth aspect of the invention, the foreign matter in the refrigerant can be trapped by passing the refrigerant through the filter in the foreign matter catching means.

According to the twenty-seventh aspect of the invention, in the foreign matter capturing means, the chlorine ions in the refrigerant can be captured by passing the refrigerant through the ion exchange resin.

According to the twenty-eighth aspect of the invention, the first bypass passage, the second bypass passage, and the third bypass passage are provided so as to be detachable from the refrigerant circuit. As a result, the portion of the bypass passage including the foreign matter capturing means can be separated from the main pipe of the refrigerant pipe, and after the washing operation, the bypass passage can be closed and normal operation can be performed. Therefore, the foreign matter captured during the cleaning operation does not return to the operation circuit again. Further, since the foreign matter capturing means is not used, the suction pressure loss of the compressor is small and the performance is not deteriorated. Further, when the washing machine is configured to include the oil separator and the foreign matter capturing means in the bypass passage, the washing machine portion can be separated from the main pipe of the refrigerant pipe, and the washing machine can be used after the washing operation. Can be closed for normal operation. Furthermore, since the washing machine can be detached from the entire refrigeration cycle apparatus and detachably connected, the washing machine can be removed after the washing operation.

According to the inventions of claims 29 to 31, the CFC
The first connecting pipe and the first connecting pipe used for the refrigerant and HCFC refrigerant
Reuse the second connection pipe, and connect the first connection pipe and the second connection pipe.
Mineral oil, solid foreign matter and liquid foreign matter remaining in the piping
Foreign matter capture that captures things from the inflowing HFC refrigerant
Since it is equipped with a trapping means, the refrigerant washed from the existing connection pipe
Sufficiently separate mineral oil or solid foreign matter from liquid foreign matter
Can be captured. For gaseous foreign matter, the refrigerant is
It can be captured in several passes through the steps .

[0191] According to the invention described in claim 32, (first
In the existing refrigeration cycle apparatus using (refrigerant), the device can be replaced with one using (second refrigerant), and the existing refrigerant piping can be used to form the refrigeration cycle apparatus of each of the above inventions. With this, foreign substances in the existing refrigerant pipe are captured, new refrigerating machine oil is prevented from flowing into the existing connecting pipe, and only the heat source unit and the indoor unit are newly replaced,
Do not replace the connection pipe that connects the heat source unit and the indoor unit,
A refrigeration cycle device using an old aging refrigerant (eg, CFC or HCFC) is replaced with a new refrigerant (eg, HF).
It can be replaced with a refrigeration cycle device using C). Also, since the connecting pipe is not washed with a dedicated washing liquid, there is no possibility of ozone layer depletion,
In addition, there is no flammability and toxicity, and there is no concern about residual cleaning liquid.
There is no need to collect the cleaning liquid. In addition, the required HFC and refrigeration oil are minimized, which is advantageous in terms of cost and environment. Further, there is no need to manage the refrigerating machine oil for replacement, and there is no risk of excess or deficiency of the refrigerating machine oil. Further, there is no fear of incompatibility of the HFC refrigerating machine oil or deterioration of the refrigerating machine oil.

The invention according to claim 33 or 34
According to the above, the CFC refrigerant is installed in the refrigerant pipe built in the outdoor unit.
And remaining in the existing connection pipe used for HCFC refrigerant.
Trapped residual foreign matter from the flowing HFC refrigerant
Since it is equipped with a foreign matter trapping means, it can be washed from the existing connection pipe.
Sufficiently separates solid foreign substances and liquid foreign substances in the purified HFC refrigerant
Can be captured. In addition, the foreign gas is HFC
If the refrigerant passes through the foreign matter capturing means several times, it may be captured.
I can .

[0193]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner as an example of a refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a time change of deterioration when chlorine is mixed in the HFC refrigeration oil (175 ° C.).

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a foreign matter capturing unit 13.

FIG. 4 is a solubility curve of mineral oil and CFC, and mineral oil and HC.
The figure which shows the solubility curve with FC.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a structure of an oil separator.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the flow velocity of gas refrigerant and separation efficiency in an oil separator.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner as an example of a refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state of normal air conditioning operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner as an example of a refrigeration cycle device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state of normal air conditioning operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of a conventional separate type air conditioner.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a critical solubility curve showing solubility of HFC refrigerating machine oil and HFC refrigerant when mineral oil is mixed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a conventional method for cleaning an air conditioner.

[Explanation of symbols]

A heat source unit, B indoor unit, C first connection pipe,
D 2nd connection pipe, E Cleaning machine, CC 3rd connection pipe, DD 4th connection pipe, 1 Compressor 1, 2
Four-way valve 2, 3 Heat source side heat exchanger, 4 First operation valve, 5 Flow rate regulator, 6 Use side heat exchanger, 7
2nd operation valve, 8 accumulator, 9 oil separator, 10 1st switching valve, 11 2nd switching valve,
12a cooling means, 12b heating means, 13 foreign matter capturing means, 14a to 14d first to fourth solenoid valves,
15 first flow rate control means, 16 second flow rate control means, 17a to 17f third to eighth operation valves, 18a
-18c 5th-7th electromagnetic valve, 51 container, 52
Outflow piping, 53 filter, 54 mineral oil, 55
Inflow piping, 56 ion exchange resin.

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-9-236363 (JP, A) JP-A-58-130967 (JP, A) JP-A-5-5580 (JP, A) JP-A-9-196518 (JP , A) JP-A-7-110179 (JP, A) JP-A-8-86519 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F25B 43/00-47/00 F25B 1/00

Claims (34)

(57) [Claims] 1. A refrigeration cycle of CFC refrigerant or HCFC refrigerant
Reusing the connecting pipe used in the
After passing through the side heat exchanger, the flow rate regulator, and the use side heat exchanger
The first refrigerant circuit for circulating the HFC refrigerant in the compressor
A refrigeration cycle apparatus having the above-mentioned utilization side heat exchanger
Between the compressor and the compressor, the
The foreign matter trapped in the HFC refrigerant that has flowed in the foreign matter
A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising an object capturing means . 2. A refrigeration cycle of CFC refrigerant or HCFC refrigerant
Reusing the connecting pipe used in the
Machine side heat exchanger, flow controller, user side heat exchanger and accum
The HFC refrigerant is circulated through the above compressor through the
It is a refrigeration cycle device equipped with a first refrigerant circuit that
Between the user side heat exchanger and the accumulator.
The residual foreign matter remaining in the connecting pipe has flowed in.
A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising: a foreign matter capturing unit that captures the HFC refrigerant . 3. A refrigeration cycle of CFC refrigerant or HCFC refrigerant
Reusing the connecting pipe used in the
Machine side heat exchanger, flow controller, user side heat exchanger and accum
The HFC refrigerant is circulated through the above compressor through the
It is a refrigeration cycle device equipped with a first refrigerant circuit that
Te, refrigerant between said utilization side heat exchanger and the accumulator
Bypass the circuit and leave it in the connecting pipe.
Captured residual foreign matter from the above HFC refrigerant
A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising: a first bypass path having foreign matter capturing means for 4. The heat source unit side heat exchange of the first refrigerant circuit.
Bypasses the refrigerant circuit between the converter and the flow regulator
In addition, a second bypass passage having a cooling means for the refrigerant is provided.
In addition , further upstream of the foreign matter capturing means of the first bypass path.
4. A cooling medium heating means is provided on the side.
Refrigeration cycle device described in . 5. The heating means of the first bypass passage.
A first flow rate control means is provided on the flow side, and further the second bypass is provided.
Bei the second flow control means downstream of the cooling means of the path path
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the refrigeration cycle apparatus is provided. 6. The compressor and the compressor of the first refrigerant circuit.
Oil that separates the oil component of the refrigerant between the heat source side heat exchanger
6. Any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a separating means.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus described therein. 7. The heat source unit side heat exchange of the first refrigerant circuit.
Bypasses the refrigerant circuit between the converter and the flow regulator
At the same time, it has an oil separation means for separating the oil component of the refrigerant.
The third aspect is characterized in that the third bypass route is provided.
On-board refrigeration cycle equipment. 8. The cooling means of the second bypass passage.
An oil separation means for separating the oil component of the refrigerant was provided on the flow side.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 4, wherein . 9. A refrigeration cycle of CFC refrigerant or HCFC refrigerant
Reusing the connecting pipe used in the
The machine side heat exchanger, the flow rate regulator, and the use side heat exchanger are sequentially installed.
Through the first refrigerant circuit for circulating the HFC refrigerant through the compressor.
From the compressor to the utilization side heat exchanger and the flow rate control.
The compressor through the regulator and the heat exchanger on the heat source side
A second refrigerant circuit for circulating the HFC refrigerant in the
A freezing cycle apparatus, wherein the utilization side heat exchanger of the first refrigerant circuit and the compressor
Between the heat source unit side heat of the second refrigerant circuit and
Between the exchanger and the compressor, the
Captured residual foreign matter from the above HFC refrigerant
A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising: foreign matter capturing means for 10. A refrigeration cycle of CFC refrigerant or HCFC refrigerant
The first, which recycles the connection pipe used in the Clu device and circulates the HFC refrigerant through the compressor through the heat source side heat exchanger, the flow rate controller, the use side heat exchanger, and the accumulator in order. A refrigerant circuit, and a second refrigerant circuit for circulating HFC refrigerant from the compressor to the compressor through the utilization side heat exchanger, the flow rate regulator, the heat source side heat exchanger, and the accumulator in order. Refrigeration cycle equipment with
Between the utilization side heat exchanger and the accumulator of the first refrigerant circuit, and between the heat source unit side heat exchanger and the accumulator of the second refrigerant circuit, Contact
The above HF that has flowed in the residual foreign matter remaining in the connecting pipe
A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising: foreign matter capturing means for capturing from C refrigerant . 11. A refrigeration cycle of CFC refrigerant or HCFC refrigerant
The first, which recycles the connection pipe used in the Clu device and circulates the HFC refrigerant through the compressor through the heat source side heat exchanger, the flow rate controller, the use side heat exchanger, and the accumulator in order. A refrigerant circuit, and a second refrigerant circuit for circulating HFC refrigerant from the compressor to the compressor through the utilization side heat exchanger, the flow rate regulator, the heat source side heat exchanger, and the accumulator in order. Refrigeration cycle equipment with
And bypassing the refrigerant circuit between the utilization side heat exchanger of the first refrigerant circuit and the accumulator, and the flow rate regulator and the heat source unit side of the second refrigerant circuit. thereby bypassing the refrigerant circuit between the heat exchanger, the contact
The above HF that has flowed in the residual foreign matter remaining in the connecting pipe
A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising: a first bypass passage having a foreign matter trapping means for trapping from the C refrigerant . 12. The refrigerant circuit between the heat source side heat exchanger and the flow rate regulator of the first refrigerant circuit is bypassed, and the compressor and the utilization side of the second refrigerant circuit are bypassed. Bypass the refrigerant circuit with the heat exchanger,
A second bypass passage having a cooling means for the refrigerant is provided, and a heating means for the refrigerant is further provided on the upstream side of the foreign matter capturing means of the first bypass passage.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to 1. 13. A first flow rate control means is provided on the upstream side of the heating means of the first bypass path, and a second flow rate control means is provided on the downstream side of the cooling means of the second bypass path. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 12, wherein. 14. The compressor and the upper part of the first refrigerant circuit.
Between the heat source unit side heat exchanger and the second refrigerant circuit
Between the compressor and the utilization side heat exchanger of the passage, of the refrigerant
An oil separating means for separating an oil component is provided.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13 . 15. The compressor and the upper part of the first refrigerant circuit.
Between the heat source unit side heat exchanger and the second refrigerant circuit
Between the compressor and the cooling means of the passage, the oil component of the refrigerant
An oil separation means for separating the oil is provided.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to item 12 . 16. The heat source unit side heat of the first refrigerant circuit
Bypasses the refrigerant circuit between the exchanger and the flow regulator
And the compressor and the utilization of the second refrigerant circuit
While bypassing the refrigerant circuit between the side heat exchanger,
Third Viper Having Oil Separating Means For Separating Oil Component Of Refrigerant
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the refrigeration cycle apparatus is provided with a drainage passage . 17. The cooling means of the second bypass passage
An oil separation means for separating the oil component of the refrigerant is provided on the upstream side.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: 18. The flow rate regulator and the utilization side heat exchanger
It was equipped with an indoor unit bypass that can control the bypass of
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that . 19. An oil separator separated by the oil separating means.
A part of the accumulator downstream of the foreign matter capturing means.
9. A return path for returning to the above is provided.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of 14 to 17 . 20. The oil separating means of the second bypass passage.
Equipped with mineral oil injection means for injecting mineral oil into the refrigerant on the downstream side of
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 5 or 12, characterized in that . 21. The oil separating means of the second bypass passage.
Was equipped with water injection means for injecting water into the refrigerant on the downstream side of the
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 5 or 12, characterized in that . 22. Adsorb moisture in the refrigerant to the refrigerant circuit
22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:
The refrigeration cycle device described . 23. The foreign matter capturing means is provided in the refrigerant circuit.
Partly reduce the flow velocity of the refrigerant to separate foreign matter in the refrigerant
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to 1. 24. The foreign matter capturing means uses a refrigerant in mineral oil.
Foreign matter in the refrigerant was captured by passing it through
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that . 25. The foreign matter capturing means uses a refrigerant in mineral oil.
Dissolves CFC and HCFC in the refrigerant by passing
The cooling / freezing cycle device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling / freezing cycle device is provided. 26. The foreign matter capturing means filters the refrigerant.
Foreign matter in the refrigerant by trapping it through
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that . 27. The foreign matter capturing means uses a coolant for ion exchange.
Capture chlorine ions in the refrigerant by passing through a replacement resin
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to 1. 28. The first bypass path and the second bypass path
Disconnect the line or the third bypass line from the refrigerant circuit.
It is provided in the present, The claim 3, 4, 7, 11,
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of 12 and 16 . 29. Compressor, heat source side heat exchanger, accumulator
Heat source device having a heat exchanger, flow rate regulator, and heat exchanger on the use side
Equipped with an indoor unit having CFC refrigerant or HCFC refrigerant
Reuse the used first and second connection pipes
Then, the heat source device and the room are connected by the first connection pipe and the second connection pipe.
Refrigeration cycle equipment using HFC refrigerant connected to internal unit
The first connection pipe and the second connection pipe.
Captures residual mineral oil from the above HFC refrigerant
Refrigeration cycle characterized by comprising foreign matter capturing means for
Device . 30. A compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, an accumulator
Heat source device having a heat exchanger, flow rate regulator, and heat exchanger on the use side
Equipped with an indoor unit having CFC refrigerant or HCFC refrigerant
Reuse the used first and second connection pipes
Then, the heat source device and the room are connected by the first connection pipe and the second connection pipe.
Refrigeration cycle equipment using HFC refrigerant connected to internal unit
The first connection pipe and the second connection pipe.
The above-mentioned HF that has flowed in the remaining solid foreign matter and liquid foreign matter
Characterized by having foreign matter capturing means for capturing from C refrigerant
Refrigeration cycle device . 31. A compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, an accumulator
Heat source device having a heat exchanger, flow rate regulator, and heat exchanger on the use side
Equipped with an indoor unit having CFC refrigerant or HCFC refrigerant
Reuse the used first and second connection pipes
Then , the heat source device and the room are connected by the first connection pipe and the second connection pipe.
Refrigeration cycle equipment using HFC refrigerant connected to internal unit
The first connection pipe and the second connection pipe.
From the HFC refrigerant that has flowed in residual residual foreign matter
Frozen server characterized by comprising foreign matter capturing means for capturing
Uccle device . 32. A first refrigerant circuit for circulating a refrigerant to the compressor through a heat source side heat exchanger, a flow rate regulator, a use side heat exchanger, and an accumulator in order from the compressor, and from the compressor. A second refrigerant circuit that circulates a refrigerant through the compressor through the usage-side heat exchanger, the flow rate regulator, the heat-source-unit-side heat exchanger, and the accumulator in order, <first refrigerant> In an existing refrigeration cycle apparatus using a CFC refrigerant or an HCFC refrigerant , the compressor, the heat source side heat exchanger, the flow rate regulator, the usage side heat exchanger, and the accumulator are <second refrigerant> HFC refrigerant. Is used, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 31 is formed by using an existing refrigerant pipe connected to the flow rate regulator and the use side heat exchanger. A method for forming a refrigeration cycle device, which is characterized. 33. An outdoor unit including a compressor and a heat source side heat exchanger.
And an indoor unit including a flow rate controller and a heat exchanger on the use side, C
No. 1 pipe and No. 1 used in FC refrigerant and HCFC refrigerant
Outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle device configured by connecting with 2 pipes
In the refrigerant pipe built in the outdoor unit,
Residual foreign matter that has remained in the second pipe and the second pipe
Foreign matter capturing means for capturing the HFC refrigerant from the above
An outdoor unit of a refrigeration cycle device, which is characterized by being provided . 34. A compressor, a four-way valve and a heat source side heat exchanger are included.
The outdoor unit and the indoor unit including the flow rate regulator and the heat exchanger on the use side.
And were used as CFC and HCFC refrigerants.
Refrigeration cycle device configured by connecting with piping and second piping
In the outdoor unit, the cooling between the four-way valve and the compressor
In the medium pipe, remaining in the first pipe and the second pipe
Captured residual foreign matter from the above HFC refrigerant
Refrigeration cycle characterized by comprising foreign matter capturing means for
The outdoor unit of the device .