KR20230023354A - Refrigerant recovery system and for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerant regeneration machine. A refrigerant regeneration machine according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first container storing a refrigerant; a regeneration unit which separates oil mixed with the refrigerant supplied from the first container; a second container storing the refrigerant regenerated from the regeneration unit; a first pipe connecting the first container with the regeneration unit so that the refrigerant stored in the first container is supplied to the regeneration unit; a second pipe connecting the regeneration unit with the second container so that the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit is supplied to the second container; and a bypass unit which connects the first pipe with the second pipe and supplies the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit to the first pipe or the second container. According to the present invention, the purity of a regenerated refrigerant can be improved.

Description

Refrigerant regenerator and its control method {REFRIGERANT RECOVERY SYSTEM AND FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a refrigerant regenerator and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a refrigerant regenerator and a control method thereof to which a bypass cycle is applied to secure a compressor suction superheat during refrigerant regeneration.

A refrigerant regenerator is a device that recovers a refrigerant used in an air conditioner, etc., separates oil mixed with the refrigerant from the refrigerant, and regenerates the recovered refrigerant into a pure refrigerant.

A general refrigerant regenerator includes a pre-regeneration container in which the refrigerant before regeneration is stored, a charging unit and an oil collector for separating oil mixed with the refrigerant from the refrigerant, and a post-regeneration container in which the refrigerant after regeneration is stored.

Meanwhile, Prior Art 1 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-183851) discloses a refrigerant regeneration device that removes oil mixed with the refrigerant by using triboelectric charge through a needle valve. However, prior art 1 has a problem in that the quality of the regenerated refrigerant deteriorates as the refrigerant in the container before regeneration is rapidly supplied to the container after regeneration through the charging unit and the oil collector during the initial operation of the compressor.

In addition, Prior Art 2 (Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1594119) discloses a refrigerant recovery, purification, supply device and method for removing oil mixed with a refrigerant using a simple distillation method. However, as a heating device for vaporizing the vessel before regeneration is required for distillation, the size of the product increases and energy consumption for regeneration is high.

JP 2009183851A KR 101594119B1

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerant regenerator capable of regenerating a refrigerant in a state in which a compressor suction superheat is sufficiently secured.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerant regenerator with improved regenerated refrigerant quality.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerant regenerator capable of automatically switching from a vacuum mode to a regeneration mode.

The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first container in which a refrigerant is stored; a regeneration unit separating oil mixed with the refrigerant supplied from the first container; a second container in which the refrigerant regenerated by the regeneration unit is stored; a first pipe connecting the first container and the regeneration unit so that the refrigerant stored in the first container is supplied to the regeneration unit; a second pipe connecting the regeneration unit and the second container so that the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit is supplied to the second container; and a bypass unit connecting the first pipe and the second pipe and supplying the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit to the first pipe or the second container.

The bypass unit may include a bypass pipe connecting the first pipe and the second pipe; and a check valve disposed in the bypass pipe and blocking a flow of refrigerant from the first pipe to the bypass pipe. a bypass valve disposed in the bypass pipe and supplying the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit to the first pipe or the second container; and a controller configured to open and close the bypass pipe by adjusting the bypass valve according to an operation mode.

and a second valve disposed in the second pipe and regulating a flow of refrigerant from the regeneration unit to the second container, wherein the control unit, in a bypass mode, discharges the refrigerant from the regeneration unit into the first container. The second valve may be closed so as to be supplied to the pipe, and the bypass pipe may be opened by adjusting the bypass valve.

The regeneration unit may include a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant supplied from the first container and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; a first temperature sensor disposed in the first heat exchanger and sensing an evaporation temperature of the first heat exchanger; and and a second temperature sensor disposed at a suction end of the compressor and sensing a suction temperature of the compressor, wherein the control unit includes an evaporation temperature detected by the first temperature sensor and a suction temperature detected by the second temperature sensor. Calculate a compressor intake superheat based on, and when the calculated intake superheat is higher than a set value, open the second valve so that the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit is supplied to the second container, and the bypass valve It is possible to close the bypass pipe by adjusting.

The bypass valve may be a solenoid valve that opens and closes according to an operation mode.

The bypass valve may be a three-way valve switched according to an operation mode.

The regeneration unit may include a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant supplied from the first container and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; an oil separator separating oil mixed with the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger; a charger for charging the oil mixed with the refrigerant discharged from the oil separator; a collector for collecting oil charged in the charger and supplying the regenerated refrigerant to the compressor; a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger and the air; and a four-way valve disposed at a discharge end of the compressor and supplying the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the first heat exchanger or the second pipe.

a first valve disposed in the first pipe and regulating the flow of the refrigerant from the first container to the regeneration unit; and and a control unit controlling the first valve and the four-way valve according to an operation mode, wherein the control unit closes the first valve in a vacuum mode and supplies the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the second pipe. The four-way valve can be switched.

A first pressure sensor disposed at a suction end of the compressor and measuring a suction pressure of the compressor, The controller may open the first valve and switch the four-way valve so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is supplied to the first heat exchanger when the suction pressure measured by the first pressure sensor is less than or equal to the set pressure. .

In order to achieve the above object, a control method of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes operating a compressor so that the refrigerant stored in the first container is supplied to a regeneration unit that separates oil mixed with the refrigerant; opening a bypass pipe by adjusting a bypass valve so that the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit is re-supplied to the regeneration unit; and closing the bypass pipe by adjusting the bypass valve so that the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit is supplied to a second container when the suction superheat of the compressor is equal to or greater than a set value.

The suction superheat of the compressor may be calculated based on the evaporation temperature of the first heat exchanger detected through the first temperature sensor and the suction temperature of the compressor detected through the second temperature sensor.

The step of closing the bypass pipe by adjusting the bypass valve may be performed when the maintenance time of the suction superheat degree elapses a set time.

It is performed before the step of operating the compressor, and performing a vacuum mode to remove the refrigerant and air remaining in the regeneration unit,

The performing of the vacuum mode may include closing a first valve to regulate a flow of refrigerant from the first vessel to the regeneration unit; switching the four-way valve so that the discharge end of the compressor and the second pipe are connected; and and operating the compressor to discharge the refrigerant and air remaining in the regeneration unit to the second pipe.

When the suction pressure of the compressor measured by the first pressure sensor is less than or equal to the set pressure, the first valve may be opened, the four-way valve may be switched so that the discharge end of the compressor and the first heat exchanger are connected, and the compressor may be stopped. there is.

Details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to the refrigerant regenerator of the present invention, there are one or more of the following effects.

First, as the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit is supplied back to the regeneration unit through the bypass unit, it is possible to secure the compressor suction superheat.

Second, the purity of the regenerated refrigerant can be improved as the compressor intake superheat is secured.

Third, as the vacuum mode is automatically switched from the vacuum mode to the regeneration mode through the four-way valve of the regeneration unit, user convenience can be improved and device malfunction can be prevented.

Fourth, since the vacuum mode for discharging the refrigerant and air remaining in the regeneration unit is performed, contamination of the refrigerant that occurs when the refrigerant before regeneration and the residual refrigerant are different can be prevented in advance.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an exemplary view showing a refrigerant flow in a vacuum mode of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an exemplary view showing a refrigerant flow in a bypass mode of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an exemplary view showing a refrigerant flow in a regeneration mode of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerant regenerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a control block diagram of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a control method of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart showing a control method in a vacuum mode of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a refrigerant regenerator in a bypass mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a graph for comparing compressor suction superheat of a conventional refrigerant regenerator and a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a graph for comparing the purity of regenerated refrigerant between a conventional refrigerant regenerator and a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them, will become clear with reference to the detailed description of the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only these embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to completely inform the person who has the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numbers designate like elements throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to drawings for explaining a refrigerant regenerator according to embodiments of the present invention.

1 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the overall configuration of the refrigerant regenerator will be described with reference to FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerant regenerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention separates a first container 10 in which a refrigerant is stored, a refrigerant supplied from the first container 10, and oil mixed with the refrigerant. a regenerating unit 20 to store the refrigerant regenerated in the regenerating unit 20; a second container 30; The first pipe 40 connecting the first container 10 and the regeneration unit 20 so that the refrigerant stored in the first container 10 is supplied to the regeneration unit 20 and the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 The regeneration unit ( 20) includes a bypass unit 60 that selectively supplies the refrigerant discharged from the first pipe 40 or the second container 30.

The first container 10 may be connected to a device using a refrigerant such as an air conditioner. The first container 10 may collect and store refrigerant used in an air conditioner or the like. Refrigerant before regeneration may be stored in the first container 10 . The first vessel 10 may be referred to as a “pre-regeneration vessel”.

The regeneration unit 20 may be connected to the first container 10 through the first pipe 40 and connected to the second container 30 through the second pipe 50 . The regeneration unit 20 may receive the refrigerant before regeneration from the first container 10, regenerate the refrigerant by separating the oil mixed with the refrigerant, and supply the regenerated refrigerant to the second container 30.

The regeneration unit 20 includes a compressor 25 for compressing the refrigerant, a first heat exchanger 21 for exchanging heat between the refrigerant supplied from the first container 10 and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 25, and a first heat exchanger. An oil separator 22 for separating the refrigerant discharged from (21) and the oil mixed with the refrigerant, a charger 23 for charging the refrigerant discharged from the oil separator 22 and the oil mixed with the refrigerant, and a charger 23 ) In the collector 24 where the charged oil is collected, the second heat exchanger 27 where the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 21 exchanges heat, and the compressor 25 disposed at the discharge end of the compressor 25 It may include a four-way valve 26 for supplying the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 21 or the second pipe 50.

In the first heat exchanger 21, the refrigerant supplied from the first container 10 may flow into the first heat exchanger 21, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 25 may flow into the other side. An expansion valve 28 for expanding the refrigerant may be disposed at an inlet end of the first heat exchanger 21 . The refrigerant before regeneration supplied to the first heat exchanger 21 is expanded by the expansion valve 28 and evaporated through heat exchange with the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 25 . The first heat exchanger 21 may be referred to as an "evaporator". The first heat exchanger 21 may be a plate heat exchanger.

The oil separator 22 may have one side connected to the first heat exchanger 21 and the other side connected to the charger 23 . The oil separator 22 receives the refrigerant from the first heat exchanger 21 and may primarily separate the oil mixed with the refrigerant.

The charger 23 may have one side connected to the oil separator 22 and the other side connected to the oil collector 24 . The charger 23 may receive the refrigerant primarily separated from the oil in the oil separator 22 and charge the refrigerant and the oil mixed with the refrigerant. The charger 23 may be a corona charging type charger. Specifically, the charger 23 includes a counter electrode (not shown) and a discharge electrode (not shown), and generates a corona discharge between the counter electrode and the discharge electrode to generate a refrigerant flowing through the charger 23 and The oil mixed with the refrigerant may be charged.

The collector 24 may have one side connected to the charger 23 and the other side connected to the compressor 25 . The collector 24 may receive a charged refrigerant and oil mixed with the refrigerant from the charger 23, and may separate the refrigerant and the oil by collecting only the oil mixed with the refrigerant. Specifically, the oil collector 24 includes a plurality of films (not shown) made of a conductive layer and an insulating layer, and generates an electric field between the plurality of films to collect only the oil charged in the charger 23 from the refrigerant. can do.

Therefore, the refrigerant and the oil mixed with the refrigerant may be secondarily separated through the charger 23 and the collector 24.

That is, the oil mixed with the refrigerant in the regeneration unit 20 is primarily separated in the oil separator 22, and secondarily separated through the charger 23 and the collector 24, and the regeneration unit 20 The purity of the refrigerant supplied can be improved.

The compressor 25 may have one side connected to the collector 24 and the other side connected to the four-way valve 26 . The compressor 25 may compress the regenerated refrigerant passing through the oil separator 22, the charger 23, and the collector 24. The compressor 25 may supply the compressed refrigerant to the first heat exchanger 21 or the second pipe 50 .

The second heat exchanger 27 may have one side connected to the first heat exchanger 21 and the other side connected to the second pipe 50 . The refrigerant that is heat exchanged in the first heat exchanger 21 and supplied to the second heat exchanger 27 may be condensed through heat exchange with air. The second heat exchanger 27 may be referred to as a “condenser”. In the second heat exchanger 27, a fan 27a forming an air flow may be disposed.

The four-way valve 26 may be connected to the first heat exchanger 21, the discharge end of the compressor 25, the suction end of the compressor 25, and the second pipe 50, respectively. The four-way valve 26 switches the refrigerant flow path according to the operation mode of the refrigerant regenerator 1 to supply the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 25 to the first heat exchanger 21 or the second pipe 50.

The second container 30 stores the refrigerant recovered from the regeneration unit 20. can In the second container 30, the refrigerant after regeneration may be stored. The second vessel 30 may be referred to as a “post-regeneration vessel”.

The first pipe 40 may connect the first container 10 and the inlet end of the regeneration unit 20 . A refrigerant before regeneration may flow inside the first pipe 40 .

The second pipe 50 may connect the second container 30 and the outlet end of the regeneration unit 20 . Inside the second pipe 50, the refrigerant after regeneration may flow.

In bypass mode, the bypass unit 60 bypasses the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 and flows through the second pipe 50 to the first pipe 40 and supplies it to the regeneration unit 20 again. can

The bypass unit 60 is disposed in the bypass pipe 61 connecting the first pipe 40 and the second pipe 50, the bypass pipe 61, and the bypass pipe in the first pipe 40. The refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 is disposed in the check valve 62 and the bypass pipe 61 that blocks the flow of refrigerant toward 61 and is supplied to the first pipe 40 or the second container 30. It may include a bypass valve 63 that does.

The bypass pipe 61 may be branched from the second pipe 50 and joined to the first pipe 40 . The bypass pipe 61 may be branched at the outlet end of the regeneration unit 20 and joined at the inlet end of the regeneration unit 20 .

The bypass valve 63 may be located at a front end of the check valve 62 based on the refrigerant flow direction. The bypass valve 63 can be selectively opened and closed according to the operation mode to control the flow of refrigerant in the bypass pipe 61 . The bypass valve 63 may be a solenoid valve.

The refrigerant regenerator 1 may include a valve 70 that controls the flow of refrigerant between the containers 10 and 30 and the regeneration unit 20 .

The valve 70 regulates the flow of refrigerant from the first container 10 to the regeneration unit 20 and the first valve 71 that regulates the flow of refrigerant from the regeneration unit 20 to the second container 30. It may include a second valve 72 that regulates.

The first valve 71 may be disposed in the first pipe 40 . The first valve 71 may be located on the inlet side of the regeneration unit 20 . Specifically, the first valve 71 may be located at a front end of the joining point P2 of the bypass pipe 61 based on the refrigerant flow direction.

The second valve 72 may be disposed in the second pipe 50 . The second valve 72 may be located on the outlet side of the regeneration unit 20 . Specifically, the second valve 72 may be located at the rear end of the branch point P1 of the bypass pipe 61 based on the refrigerant flow direction.

The refrigerant regenerator 1 may include a manifold 80 that switches a refrigerant flow path so that the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 is supplied to the second container 30 or discharged to the discharge unit 90 .

The manifold 80 may be disposed on the second pipe 50 . The manifold 80 may communicate with each of the second container 30 , the discharge unit 90 and the regeneration unit 20 . The manifold 80 may guide the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 to the second container 30 or the discharge unit 90 according to the operation mode of the refrigerant regenerator 1 . Specifically, in the vacuum mode, the manifold 80 is switched to be connected to the discharge unit 90 by a user or manager and guides the refrigerant and air remaining in the regeneration unit 20 to be discharged to the discharge unit 90. can do. Here, the discharge unit 90 may be a container in which air or refrigerant is stored.

<Vacuum mode>

2 is an exemplary view showing a refrigerant flow in a vacuum mode of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the vacuum mode of the refrigerant regenerator 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 .

The vacuum mode of the refrigerant regenerator 1 is a mode in which refrigerant and air remaining in the regeneration unit 20 are discharged prior to performing the regeneration mode, which is the main operation of the refrigerant regenerator 1. In a device using a refrigerant such as an air conditioner, the type of refrigerant may vary depending on various factors such as a place where the refrigerant is used. That is, the type of refrigerant stored in the first container 10 and the type of refrigerant remaining after regeneration in the regeneration unit 20 may be different from each other. Contamination of the regenerated refrigerant may occur because the refrigerant supplied from one container 10 and the residual refrigerant are mixed. Therefore, it is preferable to perform the vacuum mode prior to the regeneration mode of the refrigerant regenerator 1 in order to prevent contamination of the regenerated refrigerant.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the first valve 71 may be closed to regulate the refrigerant flow from the first container 10 to the regeneration unit 20 . The bypass valve 63 may be closed to prevent the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 from being supplied to the regeneration unit 20 again. The four-way valve 26 connects the discharge end of the compressor 25 and the second pipe 50 to collect the refrigerant and air remaining in the regeneration unit 20 into the compressor 25, and exchanges first heat with the suction end of the compressor 25. Group 21 can be switched to be connected.

When the compressor 25 is operated under the control of the valves 71, 61, and 26, the refrigerant and air remaining in the oil separator 22, charger 23, and collector 24 are sucked into the compressor 25. The refrigerant and air remaining in the heat exchangers (21, 27) pass through the four-way valve (26) and are sucked into the compressor (25), and the remaining refrigerant and air sucked into the compressor (25) are discharged through the second pipe (50). It can be.

At this time, the user or manager may adjust the manifold 80 disposed in the second pipe 50 to recover or discharge the residual refrigerant and air discharged from the regeneration unit 20 to the discharge unit 90. .

<Bypass Mode>

3 is an exemplary view showing a refrigerant flow in a bypass mode of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the bypass mode of the refrigerant regenerator 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 .

In the bypass mode of the refrigerant regenerator 1, in the initial operation of the compressor 25, the refrigerant regenerated in the regeneration unit 20 is returned to the regeneration unit 20 until the suction superheat of the compressor 25 is secured. This is a mode for improving the purity of the regenerated refrigerant by bypassing it.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the second valve 72 may be closed to prevent the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 from being supplied to the second container 30 . The bypass valve 63 may be opened so that the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 is supplied to the regeneration unit 20 again. The four-way valve 26 may be switched so that the discharge end of the compressor 25 and the first heat exchanger 21 are connected to evaporate the refrigerant supplied from the first container 10 .

When the compressor 25 is operated under the control of the valves 72, 63, and 26, the refrigerant stored in the first container 10 flows into the regeneration unit 20 and is expanded through the expansion valve 28 to remove the refrigerant. 1 can be supplied to the heat exchanger (21). The refrigerant supplied to the first heat exchanger 21 may be evaporated by exchanging heat with the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 25 . The refrigerant evaporated in the first heat exchanger 21 is supplied to the oil separator 22 and may be primarily separated from the oil mixed with the refrigerant. The refrigerant primarily regenerated in the oil separator 22 may flow into the charger 23 and be corona charged together with the oil not separated in the oil separator 22 . The oil charged in the charger 23 is collected in the collector 24 and is secondarily separated from the refrigerant, and the refrigerant charged in the charger 23 passes through the collector 24 to the compressor 25. can be inhaled. The refrigerant sucked into the compressor 25 may be discharged from the regeneration unit 20 after passing through the first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 27 and exchanging heat in each heat exchanger. The refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 may be supplied to the regeneration unit 20 again along the bypass pipe 61 . The refrigerant regenerator 1 may repeat the above process until the suction superheat of the compressor 25 is secured.

<Play mode>

4 is an exemplary view showing a refrigerant flow in a regeneration mode of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the regeneration mode of the refrigerant regenerator 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 .

The regeneration mode of the refrigerant regenerator 1 is a main operation of refrigerant regeneration, in which the refrigerant flows in the order of the first container 10 - the regeneration unit 20 - the second container 30.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the bypass valve 63 may be closed to prevent the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 from being supplied to the regeneration unit 20 again. The four-way valve 26 may be switched so that the discharge end of the compressor 25 and the first heat exchanger 21 are connected to evaporate the refrigerant supplied from the first container 10 .

When the compressor 25 is operated under the control of the valves 63 and 26, the refrigerant stored in the first container 10 flows into the regeneration unit 20 and is expanded through the expansion valve 28 to perform first heat exchange. It can be supplied to group 21. The refrigerant supplied to the first heat exchanger 21 may be evaporated by exchanging heat with the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 25 . The refrigerant evaporated in the first heat exchanger 21 is supplied to the oil separator 22 and may be primarily separated from the oil mixed with the refrigerant. The refrigerant primarily regenerated in the oil separator 22 may flow into the charger 23 and be corona charged together with the oil not separated in the oil separator 22. The oil charged in the charger 23 is collected in the collector 24 and is secondarily separated from the refrigerant, and the refrigerant charged in the charger 23 passes through the collector 24 to the compressor 25. can be inhaled. The refrigerant sucked into the compressor 25 may be discharged from the regeneration unit 20 after passing through the first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 27 and exchanging heat in each heat exchanger. The refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 may be supplied to the second container 30 along the second pipe 50 .

5 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerant regenerator according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the refrigerant regenerator according to another embodiment of the present invention, the description described above in FIGS. 1 to 4 may be equally applied to the same configuration as the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, a different configuration of the refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , the bypass unit 60 may include a bypass valve 63 ′ that is selectively switched according to an operation mode to control the flow of refrigerant in the bypass pipe 61 . The bypass valve 63' may be a three-way valve.

The bypass valve 63' is switched so that the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 is re-supplied to the regeneration unit 20 along the bypass pipe 61 in the bypass mode of the refrigerant regenerator 1'. can The bypass valve 63' can be switched so that the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 is supplied to the second container 30 along the second pipe 50 in the regeneration mode of the refrigerant regenerator 1'. there is.

Therefore, the refrigerant regenerator 1' according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a second valve 72 for controlling the flow of refrigerant from the regenerating unit 20 to the second container 30 in the bypass mode; In the regeneration mode, the check valve 62 for regulating the flow of refrigerant from the first container 10 to the bypass pipe 61 may not be provided.

6 is a control block diagram of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a configuration related to control of the refrigerant regenerator 1 and the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 .

The refrigerant regenerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a temperature sensor 110 for sensing the temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the regeneration unit 20, and a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the refrigerant flowing in the regeneration unit 20. The controller 100 controls the four-way valve 26, the bypass valve 63, and the valve 70 according to the sensor 120 and the operation mode.

The temperature sensor 110 is disposed in the first heat exchanger 21 and measures the first temperature sensor 111 for detecting the evaporation temperature of the first heat exchanger 21 and the suction side of the compressor and measures the suction temperature of the compressor. It may include a second temperature sensor 112 to.

The control unit 100 may calculate the compressor intake superheat based on the evaporation temperature and intake temperature measured by the temperature sensor 110 .

The control unit 100 may adjust the bypass valve 63 and the second valve 72 by comparing the compressor intake superheat calculated by the temperature sensor 110 with a set value in the bypass mode.

The pressure sensor 120 may include a first pressure sensor 121 disposed at the suction end of the compressor and measuring the suction pressure of the compressor, and a second pressure sensor 122 disposed at the discharge end of the compressor and measuring the discharge pressure of the compressor. can

The control unit 100 may adjust the bypass valve 63 and the first valve 71 by comparing the compressor suction pressure measured by the first pressure sensor 121 and the set pressure in the vacuum mode.

The controller 100 may switch the four-way valve 26 so that the discharge end of the compressor is connected to the second pipe 50 and the suction end of the compressor is connected to the first heat exchanger 21 in the vacuum mode.

The controller 100 may switch the four-way valve 26 so that the discharge end of the compressor and the first heat exchanger 21 are connected in the bypass mode.

7 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a control method of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the control method of the refrigerant regenerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant and air remaining in the regeneration unit 20 are removed in a vacuum mode (S100), and the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 is regenerated again. It includes a bypass mode (S200) for supplying the unit 20 and a regeneration mode (S300) for regenerating the refrigerant.

8 is a flowchart showing a control method in a vacuum mode of a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a vacuum mode ( S100 ) for removing the refrigerant and air remaining in the regeneration unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 .

The controller 100 may close the first valve 71 to block the flow of the refrigerant from the first container 10 toward the regeneration unit 20 (S110). In addition, the controller 100 “ON” the bypass valve 63 to close the bypass pipe 61 in order to prevent the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 from being supplied to the regeneration unit 20 again. can do.

After S110, the controller 100 connects the compressor discharge end and the second pipe 50 to discharge residual refrigerant and air, and connects the compressor suction end and the first heat exchanger to collect the residual refrigerant and air into the compressor 25 ( 21) can be switched to connect the four-way valve 26 (S120).

After S120, the control unit 100 may operate the compressor 25 to supply the refrigerant and air remaining in the regeneration unit 20 to the second pipe 50 (S120). At this time, the user or manager may switch the manifold 80 disposed in the second pipe 50 to discharge the refrigerant and air discharged through the second pipe 50 to the discharge unit 90 .

After S130, the control unit 100 may compare the compressor suction pressure measured through the first pressure sensor 121 with the set pressure and determine (S140). For example, the set pressure may be atmospheric pressure.

The controller 100 may stop the compressor 25 so that the regeneration mode ends when the suction pressure of the compressor is equal to or less than the set pressure (S150). In addition, the controller 100 may open the first valve 71 to enter the bypass mode and adjust the bypass valve 63 to open the bypass pipe 61 . That is, the vacuum mode (S100) may be performed before the bypass mode (S200).

When the compressor suction pressure is higher than the set pressure, the control unit 100 may maintain the operation of the compressor 25 until the compressor suction pressure is reduced below the set pressure.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a refrigerant regenerator in a bypass mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a bypass mode ( S200 ) in which the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 is supplied to the regeneration unit 20 again will be described with reference to FIG. 9 .

The controller 100 may operate the compressor 25 so that the refrigerant stored in the first container 10 is supplied to the regeneration unit 20 that separates the oil mixed with the refrigerant (S210).

After S210, the control unit 100 may “OFF” the bypass valve 63 to open the bypass pipe 61 so that the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 is supplied to the regeneration unit 20 again. (S220). Also, the controller 100 may close the second valve 72 to prevent the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 from being supplied to the second container 30 .

After S220 , the control unit 100 may detect the evaporation temperature of the first heat exchanger through the first temperature sensor 111 and the suction temperature of the compressor through the second temperature sensor 112 . The controller 100 may calculate a compressor intake superheat based on the evaporation temperature of the first heat exchanger and the compressor intake temperature detected by the temperature sensor 110 (S230). At this time, the evaporation temperature of the first heat exchanger may be referred to as "first temperature" and the compressor intake temperature may be referred to as "second temperature".

After S230, the controller 100 may compare and determine the compressor intake superheat degree and the set value (S240). At this time, the set value may be set to an appropriate value capable of preventing damage to the compressor and evaporating the refrigerant supplied from the first container 10 in the first heat exchanger 21 . As an example, the set value may be set to 10 °C.

When the compressor suction superheat degree is higher than the set value, the control unit 100 may determine whether the compressor suction superheat degree maintenance time has passed the set time (S250). For example, the setting time may be set to 100 seconds.

The controller 100 closes the bypass pipe 61 by turning the bypass valve 63 "ON" to exit the bypass mode and enter the regeneration mode when the compressor suction superheat maintenance time has elapsed. It can be closed (S250). Also, the controller 100 may open the second valve 72 .

10 is a graph comparing suction superheat of a compressor of a conventional refrigerant regenerator and a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a graph comparing the purity of regenerated refrigerant between a conventional refrigerant regenerator and a refrigerant regenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the effect of improving the purity of the regenerated refrigerant in the refrigerant regenerator according to the present invention as the bypass cycle is provided will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 .

Referring to FIG. 10 (a), in the case of a conventional refrigerant regenerator, it can be confirmed that the compressor suction superheat is not sufficiently secured for a predetermined period during the initial operation of the compressor and is unstable.

Referring to FIG. 10 (b), on the other hand, in the case of the refrigerant regenerator according to the present invention, it can be confirmed that the compressor suction superheat is sufficiently secured and stable during the initial operation of the compressor.

Referring to FIG. 11 (a), in the case of a conventional refrigerant regenerator to which the bypass cycle is not applied, it can be seen that the purity of the regenerated refrigerant is 94wt%.

Referring to FIG. 11 (b), in the case of the refrigerant regenerator according to the present invention to which the bypass cycle is applied, the purity of the regenerated refrigerant is 99.7 wt%, which is 5.7 wt% higher than that of the conventional refrigerant regenerator. .

The difference in the quality of the regenerated refrigerant as described above occurs when the refrigerant is regenerated in a state in which a suction superheat degree of the compressor is not sufficiently secured when the compressor is initially operated in the case of a conventional refrigerant regenerator.

In the case of a conventional refrigerant regenerator, when the compressor is initially operated, sufficient heat exchange is not performed in the first heat exchanger, so the refrigerant before regeneration does not evaporate, and the refrigerant before regeneration in a liquid refrigerant state flows into the charging unit and the oil collector, and is mixed with the refrigerant. There is a problem that the separated oil is not separated. Accordingly, the liquid refrigerant mixed with oil flows into the second container, and the quality of the regenerated refrigerant is deteriorated.

On the other hand, in the case of the refrigerant regenerator 1 of the present invention, when the compressor is initially operated, the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit 20 through the bypass unit 60 is supplied to the regeneration unit 20 again and regenerated, so that the compressor sucks. Refrigerant regeneration is stably performed in a state where the superheat degree is sufficiently secured. Accordingly, the quality of the regenerated refrigerant is improved by preventing the liquid refrigerant mixed with oil from being introduced into the second container.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and in the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. Of course, various modifications are possible by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

1: Refrigerant Regenerator
10: first container
20: regeneration unit
30: second container
40: first pipe
50: second pipe
60: bypass unit
70: valve
80: manifold
90: discharge unit
100: control unit
110: temperature sensor
120: pressure sensor

Claims (14)

A first container in which a refrigerant is stored;
a regeneration unit separating oil mixed with the refrigerant supplied from the first container;
a second container in which the refrigerant regenerated by the regeneration unit is stored;
a first pipe connecting the first container and the regeneration unit so that the refrigerant stored in the first container is supplied to the regeneration unit;
a second pipe connecting the regeneration unit and the second container so that the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit is supplied to the second container; and
A refrigerant regenerator comprising a bypass unit connecting the first pipe and the second pipe and supplying the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit to the first pipe or the second container.
According to claim 1,
The bypass unit,
a bypass pipe connecting the first pipe and the second pipe; and
a check valve disposed in the bypass pipe and blocking a flow of refrigerant from the first pipe to the bypass pipe;
a bypass valve disposed in the bypass pipe and supplying the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit to the first pipe or the second container; and
A refrigerant regenerator comprising a control unit that opens and closes the bypass pipe by adjusting the bypass valve according to an operation mode.
According to claim 2,
A second valve disposed in the second pipe and controlling the flow of the refrigerant from the regeneration unit to the second container;
The control unit,
In the bypass mode, the refrigerant regenerator closes the second valve so that the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit is supplied to the first pipe, and opens the bypass pipe by adjusting the bypass valve.
According to claim 3,
The regeneration unit,
A compressor that compresses the refrigerant;
a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant supplied from the first container and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor;
a first temperature sensor disposed in the first heat exchanger and sensing an evaporation temperature of the first heat exchanger; and
A second temperature sensor disposed at a suction end of the compressor and sensing a suction temperature of the compressor,
The control unit,
A compressor suction superheat is calculated based on the evaporation temperature detected by the first temperature sensor and the suction temperature detected by the second temperature sensor, and when the calculated suction superheat is higher than a set value, the discharged from the regeneration unit A refrigerant regenerator for opening the second valve so that refrigerant is supplied to the second container and closing the bypass pipe by adjusting the bypass valve.
According to claim 2,
The bypass valve is a refrigerant regenerator that is a solenoid valve that opens and closes according to an operation mode.
According to claim 2,
The bypass valve is a refrigerant regenerator that is a three-way valve that is switched according to an operation mode.
According to claim 1,
The regeneration unit,
A compressor that compresses the refrigerant;
a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant supplied from the first container and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor;
an oil separator separating oil mixed with the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger;
a charger for charging the oil mixed with the refrigerant discharged from the oil separator;
a collector for collecting oil charged in the charger and supplying the regenerated refrigerant to the compressor;
a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger and the air; and
A refrigerant regenerator comprising a four-way valve disposed at a discharge end of the compressor and supplying the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the first heat exchanger or the second pipe.
According to claim 7,
a first valve disposed in the first pipe and regulating the flow of the refrigerant from the first container to the regeneration unit; and
A control unit for adjusting the first valve and the four-way valve according to an operation mode,
The control unit,
In the vacuum mode, the first valve is closed and the refrigerant regenerator switches the four-way valve so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is supplied to the second pipe.
According to claim 8,
A first pressure sensor disposed at a suction end of the compressor and measuring a suction pressure of the compressor,
The control unit,
A refrigerant regenerator for opening the first valve and switching the four-way valve so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is supplied to the first heat exchanger when the suction pressure measured by the first pressure sensor is less than or equal to the set pressure.
operating a compressor so that the refrigerant stored in the first container is supplied to a regeneration unit that separates oil mixed with the refrigerant;
opening a bypass pipe by adjusting a bypass valve so that the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit is re-supplied to the regeneration unit;
and closing the bypass pipe by adjusting the bypass valve so that the refrigerant discharged from the regeneration unit is supplied to a second container when the suction superheat of the compressor is equal to or greater than a set value.
According to claim 10,
The suction superheat degree of the compressor is calculated based on the evaporation temperature of the first heat exchanger detected through the first temperature sensor and the suction temperature of the compressor detected through the second temperature sensor.
According to claim 10,
The step of closing the bypass pipe by adjusting the bypass valve,
A method of controlling a refrigerant regenerator performed when the holding time of the suction superheat degree has elapsed a set time.
According to claim 10,
It is performed before the step of operating the compressor, and performing a vacuum mode to remove the refrigerant and air remaining in the regeneration unit,
The step of performing the vacuum mode,
closing a first valve to regulate flow of refrigerant from the first vessel to the regeneration unit;
switching the four-way valve so that the discharge end of the compressor and the second pipe are connected; and
and operating the compressor to discharge the refrigerant and air remaining in the regeneration unit to the second pipe.
According to claim 13,
When the suction pressure of the compressor measured by the first pressure sensor is equal to or less than the set pressure, the first valve is opened, the four-way valve is switched so that the discharge end of the compressor is connected to the first heat exchanger, and the refrigerant stops the compressor. How to control the regenerator.

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