JPS63306375A - Refrigerant recovery device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a refrigerant collection device for recovering refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle when a refrigeration cycle is disassembled or when a vehicle is scrapped.

[Prior art] The refrigerant (chlorofluorocarbon) used in the refrigeration cycle has high chemical stability, non-flammability, low toxicity, and is inexpensive compared to its performance. When a cycle is disassembled, the refrigerant is dumped into the atmosphere without being recovered.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] In recent years, chlorofluorocarbons released into the atmosphere have destroyed the ozone layer in the adult world, and the ultraviolet rays absorbed by the ozone layer have reached the earth's surface, causing an increase in skin cancer. do. or,
It has been raised that chlorofluorocarbons may combine with CO2 in the atmosphere and encircle the earth, causing a greenhouse effect that causes the surface temperature to rise.

In addition, since refrigerants always have high chemical stability, if impurities mixed into the refrigerant are removed, the refrigerant becomes equivalent to a newly manufactured refrigerant. For this reason, it is a waste from a resource standpoint to throw away useful materials.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a refrigerant collection device that can reliably recover refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle in a short time.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a refrigerant recovery tank that is connected to the refrigeration cycle via a first opening/closing means, and an air pressure system that reduces the air pressure inside the refrigerant recovery tank. A technical means is adopted comprising a lowering means, a cooling tank connected to the refrigerant recovery tank via a second opening/closing means, and a cooling means for cooling the cooling tank.

[Function] In the present invention having the above configuration, first, the atmospheric pressure in the refrigerant recovery tank is lowered by the atmospheric pressure lowering means.

Next, the first WU closing means is opened to establish communication between the refrigeration cycle in which refrigerant is to be recovered and the refrigerant recovery tank. Then,
The refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle flows into the refrigerant recovery tank in a gas state C, where the atmospheric pressure has decreased due to the pressure of the refrigerant filled in the refrigeration cycle, and is recovered in the refrigerant recovery tank.

Then, by closing the first opening/closing means, gaseous refrigerant is stored in the refrigerant recovery tank.

Next, the second opening means is opened to communicate the refrigerant recovery tank with the cooling tank cooled by the cooling means. Then, the gaseous refrigerant stored in the refrigerant recovery tank flows into the cooled cooling tank due to the pressure difference due to the temperature difference, is cooled and liquefied, and is stored in the cooling tank as a liquefied refrigerant. Then, by closing the second opening/closing means, the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle recovered in the refrigerant recovery tank is recovered as liquefied refrigerant in the cooling tank.

In addition, oil, impurities, etc. contained in the refrigerant remain in the refrigerant recovery tank and are separated.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle can be recovered as liquefied refrigerant in the cooling tank at a high recovery rate in a short time.

[Example] Next, the refrigerant entrainment device of the present invention will be described based on an example not shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a refrigerant entrainment device mounted on a vehicle, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicular refrigeration cycle.

A refrigerant compressor 210 of a refrigerated vehicle 200 for traveling is connected to an engine 110 for traveling of the vehicle 100. This refrigerant compressor 210 is connected to the crankshaft of the engine 110 via a belt 211 and a pulley 212, and when the electromagnetic clutch 213 of the refrigerant compressor 210 is energized, the power of the engine 110 is transferred to the refrigerant compressor 21.
0.

The refrigeration cycle 200 shown in this embodiment has a refrigerant compression type 21
0, a refrigerant condenser 220 mounted on the front of the vehicle,
Receiver 230, refrigerant pressure reduction device 2401, ventilation duct 310 of air conditioner 300 installed in the instrument panel inside the vehicle interior
A refrigerant evaporator 250 installed inside the refrigerant pipe 26
connected by 0.

A high-pressure charge valve 214 is provided at the refrigerant discharge port of the refrigerant compressor 210. Furthermore, a low-pressure charge pulp 215 is provided at the refrigerant suction port of the refrigerant compressor 210. The high pressure charge valve 214 and the low pressure charge pulp 215 are provided to supply refrigerant into the refrigeration cycle 200.

The refrigerant collection device 400 of the present invention that recovers refrigerant from the refrigeration cycle 200 is a vehicle 5001. : A mounted mobile type, including a refrigerant recovery tank 410, a vacuum pump 420 which is a means for lowering the air pressure in the refrigerant recovery tank 410, a cooling tank 430, and a cooling tank 430.
and cooling means 440 for cooling the.

Note that the refrigerant collection device 400 of this embodiment is intended for recovering refrigerant from the frozen cycle 200 of the vehicle 100.
The refrigerant recovery tank 41G has an internal capacity of about 30 ft. The internal capacity of the refrigerant recovery tank 410 is approximately 30J.
If so, about 95% of the refrigerant in the vehicle refrigeration cycle 200 can be recovered in a gas state.

The refrigerant recovery tank 410 is connected to the high pressure charge valve 214 of the refrigerant compressor 210 by a first pipe 411 . This first piping 411 is equipped with a first electromagnetic valve 412 which is the first opening/closing means of the present invention. This first solenoid valve 412 is
When energized, the refrigeration cycle 200 and the refrigerant recovery tank 410 are communicated with each other, and when not energized, the refrigeration cycle 200 and the refrigerant recovery tank 410 are cut off. - The refrigerant recovery tank 410 is connected to the vacuum pump 420 by a second pipe 421. This second pipe 421 is equipped with a third solenoid valve 422 which is a third opening m means of the actual 1M mode. This third solenoid valve 422 connects the refrigerant recovery tank 410 and the vacuum pump 420 when energized, and communicates between the refrigerant recovery tank 410 and the vacuum pump 4 when not energized.
20.

Further, a pressure gauge 423 is provided on the second pipe 421 closer to the refrigerant recovery tank 410 than the third electromagnetic valve 422 is for displaying the pressure inside the refrigerant recovery tank 410 to the operator.

Additionally, a cooling tank 43 is located above the refrigerant recovery tank 410.
0 through a third pipe 431. This third pipe 431 is connected to the 21st magnetic valve 43 which is the second opening/closing means of the present invention.
2. The second electromagnetic valve 432 connects the refrigerant recovery tank 410 and the cooling tank 430 when energized, and cuts off the de-energized refrigerant recovery tank 41G and the cooling tank 430.

Further, at the lower part of the refrigerant recovery tank 410, a discharge port 450 for extracting oil and impurities left in the refrigerant recovery tank 410 and a manual valve 451 for opening and closing the discharge port 450 are provided.

The cooling means 440 of this embodiment includes a storage tank 441 that accommodates the cooling tank 430, and liquefied nitrogen 442 that is stored between the cooling tank 430 and the storage tank 441. -120
kept below ℃. This storage tank 441 is a vacuum insulated container in which the inside of the wall surface is kept in a vacuum state.

In addition, a release hole 443 that is open to the atmosphere is provided at the top of the storage tank 441, and a recovery port 43 for taking out the refrigerant provided at the bottom of the internal cooling tank 430 is provided at the bottom.
A communication hole 444 is provided for guiding 3 to the outside.

The recovery port 433 is provided with a manual pulp 434 that opens and closes the recovery port 433 .

Note that the cooling tank 430 and the cooling means 440 can lower the air pressure inside the cooling tank 430 by keeping the inside of the cooling tank 430 at a low temperature by the cooling means 440. By communicating with the refrigerant recovery tank 410, the pressure inside the refrigerant recovery tank 410 is lowered, and separately from the vacuum pump 420, it functions as the pressure lowering means of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an electric circuit 600 that controls energization of the refrigerant entrainment device 400.

The electric circuit 600 includes a control circuit 620 that is activated when the main switch 610 is turned on.

This control circuit 620 is a microcomputer, and includes a pressure sensor 630 (pressure detection means that outputs a signal corresponding to the pressure in the refrigerant recovery tank 410) that generates an output signal according to the numerical value of the pressure gauge 423, and a refrigerant recovery device. A restart switch 640 instructs to start @400, detects the temperature of the cooling tank 430, and outputs input according to the temperature of the cooling tank 430.
A signal from a temperature sensor 650 that generates a signal is input.

The control circuit 620 then controls the energization of the first solenoid valve 412, the second solenoid valve 432, the relay coil 660, and the upper temperature limit lamp 670.

When the relay coil 660 is energized, the relay switch 661 is turned on, and the vacuum pump 420 and the third solenoid valve 422 are energized. Further, the temperature rise lamp 670 lights up to notify the operator when the temperature inside the cooling tank 430 rises above a predetermined temperature due to, for example, the liquefied nitrogen inside the storage tank 441 running out.

Note that 680 shown in the figure indicates a battery that is a power source for the vehicle.

Next, the operation of the control circuit 620 will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

This control circuit 620 starts operating when the main switch 610 is turned on. When the main switch 610 is turned on, first, in step S1, the relay coil 660 is energized to turn the relay switch 661 ON.
,, the third solenoid valve 422 and the vacuum pump 420 are energized, and the vacuum pump 420 is operated.

Next, in step S2, it is determined whether the fluctuation rate of the pressure in the refrigerant recovery tank 410 has decreased to a predetermined fluctuation rate or less, and if the determination result is NO, step S2 is performed.
Repeat step 2.

If the determination result is YES, in step S3, the relay coil 660 is de-energized and the relay switch 66 is turned off.
1, the third solenoid valve 422 and the vacuum pump 420
energization is stopped. Subsequently, in step S4, the first electromagnetic valve 412 is turned on. Next, in step 85, it is determined whether the fluctuation rate of the pressure within the refrigerant recovery tank 410 has decreased to a predetermined fluctuation rate or less. If the determination result is NO, step S5 is repeated.

If the determination result in step S5 is YES, the first solenoid valve 412 is turned off in step S6, and the second solenoid valve 432 is turned on in step 87.

Next, in step S8, it is determined whether the fluctuation rate of the pressure within the refrigerant recovery tank 410 has decreased to a predetermined fluctuation rate or less. If the determination result is NO, step S8 is repeated.

Further, if the determination result in step S8 is YES, the second electromagnetic valve 432 is turned off in step S9. Next, in step S10, it is determined whether the restart switch 640 has been turned on. If the determination result is NO, step 310 is not repeated.

Further, if the determination result in step S10 is YIES, the process returns to step S4.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained based on the time chart shown in FIG.

First, the first pipe 411 is connected to the high pressure charge valve 214 of the freezing cycle 200.

Next, the main switch 610 is turned on at time t1. Then, by the action of the control circuit 620, the relay coil 660 is turned on, and the third solenoid valve 422 and the vacuum pump 420 are energized. As a result, the refrigerant recovery tank 4
10 and the vacuum pump 420 communicate with each other via the second arrangement 421, the vacuum pump 420 operates, and the inside of the refrigerant recovery tank 410 is evacuated.

When the atmospheric pressure in the refrigerant recovery tank 410 decreases and the fluctuation rate of the atmospheric pressure falls below a predetermined fluctuation rate, the control circuit 6
20, the relay coil 660 is turned off, the electricity supply between the third electromagnetic valve 422 and the vacuum pump 420 is stopped, the communication between the refrigerant recovery tank 410 and the vacuum pump 420 is cut off, and the vacuum pump 420 is activated. stop. At the same time, the first electromagnetic valve 412 is energized, and the high-pressure charge valve 214 and the refrigerant recovery tank 410 communicate with each other via the first pipe 411.

At this time, the first engine 110 of the vehicle 100 is started, the cooler switch is turned on, and the electromagnetic clutch 213 is turned on.
energize. When the ri magnetic clutch 213 is energized,
The rotation of the engine 110 is transmitted to the refrigerant compression valve 210,
A refrigerant compression opening 210 compresses and discharges refrigerant.

As a result of the above, the gaseous refrigerant discharged by the refrigerant compression opening 210 flows into the refrigerant recovery tank 410 via the high-pressure charge valve 214 and the first pipe 411.
Stored in 0.

When the atmospheric pressure in the refrigerant recovery tank 410 increases due to the gaseous refrigerant recovered in the refrigerant recovery tank 410, and the rate of change in the air pressure falls below a predetermined rate of change, the energization of the first electromagnetic valve 412 is stopped at time t3. The refrigeration cycle 200 and the refrigerant recovery tank 410 are communicated with each other. At the same time, the second solenoid valve 432 is energized, and the refrigerant recovery tank 4
10 and the inside of the cooling tank 430 are communicated via a third pipe 431. Then, the gaseous refrigerant stored in the refrigerant recovery tank 410 is maintained at −120° C. or lower and flows into the cooling tank 430 in a nearly vacuum state. The refrigerant that has flowed into the cooling tank 430 is cooled in the cooling tank 430 and instantly liquefied, and is then transferred to the cooling tank 430 as a liquefied refrigerant.
stored within.

When the gaseous refrigerant in the refrigerant recovery tank 410 is recovered into the cooling tank 430 with a low air pressure, the air pressure in the refrigerant recovery tank 410 decreases, and the rate of change in the air pressure falls below a predetermined rate of change, at time t4. The second electromagnetic valve 432 is de-energized, and the inside of the refrigerant recovery tank 410 and the cooling tank 4 are
Communication with the inside of 30 is cut off.

As described above, the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 200 can be recovered as a liquefied refrigerant in the refrigerant recovery tank 410 in a short time and at a high recovery rate.

Furthermore, oil, impurities, etc. contained in the refrigerant remain in the refrigerant recovery tank 410.

When recovering the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle 200 of another vehicle 100 continuously, the first pipe 41 of the refrigerant recovery bag N400
1 is connected to the pressure charge valve 214 of the refrigeration cycle 200 of the vehicle 100 from which refrigerant is to be recovered next.

On the other hand, during the previous refrigerant recovery, when the communication between the inside of the refrigerant recovery tank 410 and the inside of the cooling tank 430 was cut off, the air pressure inside the refrigerant recovery tank 410 decreased when communicating with the cooling tank 430. . Therefore, when refrigerant is to be recovered continuously, the vacuum pump 420 is used to remove the refrigerant from the refrigerant recovery tank
There is no need to evacuate the inside of 10.

Then, at time t5, the restart switch 640 is turned to
By doing so, the first solenoid valve 412 is energized, and the high pressure charge valve 214 and the refrigerant recovery tank 410 are connected to the first solenoid valve 412.
It communicates via piping 411.

At this time, the refrigeration cycle 20G of the vehicle 10G is activated,
The refrigerant compressor 210 is caused to compress and discharge refrigerant. As a result, the gaseous refrigerant discharged by the refrigerant compression Ia 210 flows into the refrigerant recovery tank 41G via the high-pressure charge valve 214 and the first pipe 411.
Stored in 0.

When the fluctuation rate of the atmospheric pressure inside the refrigerant recovery tank 410 falls below a predetermined fluctuation rate, the energization of the first solenoid valve 412 is stopped at time t6, and the inside of the refrigeration cycle 200 and the refrigerant recovery tank 41 are stopped.
Communication with 0 is cut off. At the same time, the second solenoid valve 432
is energized, and the inside of the refrigerant recovery tank 410 and the cooling tank 43
0 through a third pipe 431. Then,
The gaseous cold tofu stored in the refrigerant recovery tank 410 is
The liquid flows into the cooling tank 430 which is maintained at -120° C. or lower and is in a near-vacuum state, liquefies, and is stored in the cooling tank 430 .

When the fluctuation rate of the atmospheric pressure inside the refrigerant recovery tank 410 falls below a predetermined fluctuation rate, the energization of the second electromagnetic valve 432 is stopped at time t1, and the inside of the refrigerant recovery tank 410 and the cooling tank 43 are stopped.
Communication with 0 is cut off.

As a result, the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle 200 of the other vehicle 100 is recovered into the cooling tank 430 as a liquefied refrigerant.

Furthermore, oil, impurities, and the like contained in the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle 200 of another vehicle 100 remain in the refrigerant recovery tank 410 .

In the case where the refrigerated tofu of the refrigeration cycle 200 of another vehicle 100 is subsequently recovered, the first pipe 411 of the refrigerant collection device 400 is connected to the vehicle 100 from which the refrigerant is to be recovered next.
By connecting to the high-pressure V-di valve 214 of the refrigeration cycle 200 and turning on the restart switch 640, the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 200 can be recovered into the cooling tank 430.

When recovering the liquefied refrigerant in the cooling tank 430, the liquefied refrigerant in the cooling tank 430 can be taken out from the recovery port 433 by opening a manual valve 434 provided at the recovery port 433.

In addition, when recovering oil and impurities left in the refrigerant recovery tank 410, by opening the manual valve 451 provided at the outlet 450, the oil and impurities in the refrigerant recovery tank can be removed from the outlet 450. can be taken out. At this time, the air pressure inside the refrigerant recovery tank 410 becomes the same as the outside air pressure, so the next time the refrigeration cycle 20 (l
To recover the refrigerant, turn the main switch 610 ON again and switch the refrigerant collection device 400 to the refrigerant recovery tank 410.
It is activated by vacuuming.

Furthermore, when the liquefied nitrogen 442 in the storage tank 441 is exhausted, the cooling tank 430 to which the temperature sensor 650 is attached
When the temperature rises, the temperature rise lamp 670 lights up, notifying the operator that the liquefied nitrogen 442 in the storage tank 441 has run out.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the cooling tank 430, the liquid nitrogen 442 and the i
Although an example of direct contact has been shown, in this embodiment, a perforated plate 445 is provided at the lower part of the cooling tank 430, and liquefied nitrogen 442 is stored in the lower part of the perforated plate 445. is cooled by the vapor portion of liquefied nitrogen 442.

Although this reduces the liquefaction rate of the gaseous refrigerant that has flowed into the cooling tank 430, the amount of liquefied nitrogen 442 consumed can be kept low compared to the above embodiment.

(Modification) An example was shown in which the refrigeration cycle was operated when the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle was recovered into the refrigerant recovery tank, but without operating the refrigeration cycle, the pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle The refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle may be recovered in a refrigerant recovery tank.

Note that in this case, when the environmental temperature is high, such as during summer, the refrigerant recovery rate improves. Furthermore, in order to increase the recovery rate, the capacity and weight of the recovery tank may be increased.

Although an example is shown in which liquefied nitrogen is used as the cooling means, liquefied carbon, liquefied oxygen, ice, etc. may be used, or a refrigeration cycle may be used to forcibly cool the cooling tank.

The switching of the opening/closing means is shown as an example in which the opening/closing means is operated by instructions from a computer, but the switching of the opening/closing means may be controlled using a timer, or the operator may manually operate the opening/closing means by looking at a pressure gauge. You may also switch.

A solenoid valve that opens and closes by energizing is used as the opening/closing means, but
Other opening/closing means such as a manual switching valve may also be used.

At the inlet of the refrigerant recovery tank or the inlet of the cooling tank, a dryer, a filter containing synthetic zeolite, powdered rubber, etc. is installed to remove water in the refrigerant to be recovered, and to remove moisture from the refrigerant (Freon) used in vehicle refrigeration cycles. 12...Freon (trade name) is hydrochloric acid generated when it deteriorates, Freon 12
Freon 22 and the like generated in minute amounts by hydrolysis may be removed.

Although an example has been shown in which the refrigerant entrainment device is mounted on a vehicle, it may also be provided as a δ-type device. In that case, it may also be operated using a commercial power source.

Although the present invention has been described as an example in which refrigerant from a dual-purpose refrigeration cycle is recovered, refrigerant from other refrigeration cycles such as home, factory, and commercial refrigeration cycles may be recovered.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant entrainment device, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration cycle mounted on a vehicle, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant entrainment device. is an electric circuit diagram of the refrigerant entrainment device, Fig. 4 is a flow diagram showing the operation of the control circuit, Fig. 5 is a time chart for explaining the operation, and Fig. 6 is a
The figure is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant entrainment device showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure 200... Refrigeration cycle 400... Refrigerant collection device i1 410... Refrigerant recovery tank 412...
- First solenoid valve (first opening/closing means) 420... Vacuum pump (pressure reducing means) 422... Third solenoid valve (third opening/closing means) 430... Cooling tank 432... Second solenoid valve (Second opening/closing means) 440...Cooling means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) (a) a refrigerant recovery tank connected to the refrigeration cycle via a first opening/closing means; (b) an air pressure reducing means for reducing the air pressure within the refrigerant recovery tank; (c) A refrigerant recovery device comprising: a cooling tank connected to the refrigerant recovery tank via a second opening/closing means; and (d) a cooling means for cooling the cooling tank. 2) The pressure reducing means is a vacuum pump connected to the refrigerant recovery tank via a third opening/closing means, and by opening the third opening/closing means and operating the vacuum pump,
The refrigerant recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that the air pressure within the refrigerant recovery tank is reduced. 3) The pressure reducing means opens the second opening/closing means of the cooling tank and the cooling means connected to the refrigerant recovery tank via the second opening/closing means, and the inside is cooled by the cooling means. Scope 1 of the patent claims, characterized in that the air pressure in the refrigerant recovery tank is reduced by communicating a cooling tank with the refrigerant recovery tank.
The refrigerant recovery device described in section. 4) The refrigerant recovery tank includes a pressure detection means that outputs a signal according to the pressure inside the refrigerant recovery tank, and the first opening/closing means, the second opening/closing means, and the pressure reducing means are configured to detect the pressure. A refrigerant entrainment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that its operation is controlled by a control circuit in accordance with an output signal of the means. 5) The cooling means comprises a storage tank that stores the cooling tank, and liquefied nitrogen stored between the storage tank and the liquefaction tank. The refrigerant recovery device according to any one of Item 4.