US20100251736A1 - Refrigerant circuit and method for managing oil therein - Google Patents
Refrigerant circuit and method for managing oil therein Download PDFInfo
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- US20100251736A1 US20100251736A1 US12/680,483 US68048310A US2010251736A1 US 20100251736 A1 US20100251736 A1 US 20100251736A1 US 68048310 A US68048310 A US 68048310A US 2010251736 A1 US2010251736 A1 US 2010251736A1
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- oil
- circuit
- low pressure
- refrigerant
- higher pressure
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B31/00—Compressor arrangements
- F25B31/002—Lubrication
- F25B31/004—Lubrication oil recirculating arrangements
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B1/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
- F25B1/10—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle with multi-stage compression
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2309/00—Gas cycle refrigeration machines
- F25B2309/06—Compression machines, plants or systems characterised by the refrigerant being carbon dioxide
- F25B2309/061—Compression machines, plants or systems characterised by the refrigerant being carbon dioxide with cycle highest pressure above the supercritical pressure
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
- F25B2400/07—Details of compressors or related parts
- F25B2400/075—Details of compressors or related parts with parallel compressors
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
- F25B2400/13—Economisers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
- F25B2500/16—Lubrication
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B9/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point
- F25B9/002—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point characterised by the refrigerant
- F25B9/008—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point characterised by the refrigerant the refrigerant being carbon dioxide
Definitions
- a conventional refrigerant circuit comprises a compressor unit, comprising one or a plurality of individual compressors, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, an expansion device and an evaporator in flow direction serially connected with each other.
- a two-stage refrigerant circuit comprises two refrigerant circuits working at different temperature levels and connected with each other. In a so called cascade arrangement the two refrigerant circuits are fluidly disconnected from each other and only in a heat exchange relationship connected with each other. In a booster arrangement, the two different level refrigerant circuits are fluidly connected with each other with the outlet of the lower compressor unit being typically at the same pressure level as the inlet of the higher pressure refrigerant circuit.
- a lubricant typically oil
- a lubricant is admixed to the refrigerant in a predetermined amount.
- an oil separator is typically provided in the high pressure line leaving the compressor unit and an oil level regulator is provided for the compressor unit in order to inject lubricant and oil, respectively, into a respective compressor of the compressor unit once the oil level therein is below a predetermined minimum oil level.
- Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a refrigerant circuit comprising a low pressure compressor unit having a low pressure refrigerant outlet in a low pressure sub-circuit and a higher pressure compressor unit having a higher pressure refrigerant inlet in a higher pressure sub-circuit, wherein the low pressure refrigerant outlet and the higher pressure refrigerant inlet are fluidly connected with each other, further comprising an oil reservoir connected by a low pressure oil inlet conduit to the low pressure sub-circuit for receiving oil there from and connected via a non-return valve to the higher pressure sub-circuit.
- lubricant and oil are exchangeable, i.e. the term oil is not restricted to oil in its narrow meaning but extends to lubricants as a whole.
- the respective compressor units may each comprise a single or a plurality of individual compressors.
- An other exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a method for managing oil in a refrigerant circuit comprising a low pressure compressor unit having a low pressure refrigerant outlet in a low pressure sub-circuit and a higher pressure compressor unit having a higher pressure refrigerant inlet in a higher pressure sub-circuit, wherein the low pressure refrigerant outlet and the higher pressure refrigerant inlet are fluidly connected with each other, comprising the step of collecting excess oil from the low pressure sub-circuit in an oil reservoir and pressurizing the oil in the oil reservoir for transferring oil into the higher pressure sub-circuit.
- FIG. 1 shows a refrigerant circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 shows part of a refrigerant circuit in accordance with an other embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 shows an other embodiment
- FIG. 4 shows an other embodiment.
- FIG. 1 shows a refrigerant circuit 2 comprising a low pressure sub-circuit 4 and a higher pressure sub-circuit 6 .
- the higher pressure sub-circuit 6 comprises a higher pressure compressor unit 8 having a number of individual compressors 10 , at least some thereof having a common higher pressure refrigerant inlet 12 .
- a higher pressure refrigerant outlet 14 connects compressor unit 18 via a high pressure refrigerant line 16 to a heat rejecting heat exchanger 18 which in case of a conventional refrigerant is typically termed a condenser and in case of a transcritical refrigerant is typically termed a gas cooler. While the present invention is applicable with conventional refrigerants and transcritical refrigerants, a transcritical refrigerant circuit embodying the present invention is preferred. Carbondioxide is a preferred transcritical refrigerant.
- Line 20 connects the heat rejecting heat exchanger 18 with a receiver 22 .
- Receiver outlet 24 is connected via an expansion means 26 to an evaporator 28 .
- Line 30 connects the output 32 of the evaporator 28 with the medium pressure line 34 which further connects to the higher pressure refrigerant inlet 12 .
- An inter cooler circuit 36 serves for sub cooling a refrigerant leaving the receiver 22 , as known in the art.
- a branch-off line 45 can be provided connecting a refrigerant line portion at a position before the expansion means 26 with the line 30 at a position before the low pressure expansion device 44 , especially at a position between the branching off medium pressure line 34 and the low pressure expansion device 44 .
- Low pressure sub-circuit 4 similarly comprises a low pressure compressor unit 38 having a plurality of individual compressors 40 and a common low pressure refrigerant outlet 42 which, in this embodiment, is identical to the medium pressure line 34 and the higher pressure refrigerant inlet 12 , but is at least fluidly connected to the higher pressure refrigerant inlet 12 .
- a low pressure expansion device 44 and a low pressure evaporator 46 close the low pressure sub-circuit 4 to the low pressure refrigerant inlet 48 .
- refrigerant circuits 2 comprising a transcritical refrigerant and particularly carbondioxide.
- This type of refrigerant circuit is adapted for use in a refrigeration apparatus, but the present invention can be used with other refrigerant apparatus, like air conditioning apparatus, etc.
- the low pressure expansion device 44 and evaporator 46 respectively provide the so-called deep temperature cooling, i.e. the cooling of frozen goods in a temperature range of approximately minus 20 to minus 25° C. within the goods compartment.
- the higher pressure expansion device 26 and evaporator 28 provide the so-called normal temperature cooling for conventional non-frozen goods in a temperature range of around 0 to plus 5° C. within the goods compartment.
- the temperatures and the pressures of the refrigerant in the system are approximately 10 to 12 bar and minus 40 to minus 35° C. in the low pressure refrigerant inlet line, approximately 30.5 bar and minus 5° C. at the low pressure refrigerant outlet 42 and depending on the ambient temperature of the heat rejecting heat exchanger 18 between approximately 80 to 90 bar and approximately 40° C. in summer operational mode and 45 bar and plus 10° C. in winter operational mode.
- a higher pressure oil system 50 connects the oil sumps of the compressors 10 with each other in order to provide an equal oil level within the compressors.
- a similar compensation conduit 52 connects the individual compressors 40 of the low pressure compressor unit 38 .
- This compensation conduit 52 is further connected via low pressure oil inlet conduit 54 to an oil reservoir 56 .
- a low pressure shut-off valve 58 is arranged in the oil inlet conduit 54 .
- Oil reservoir 56 is connected by means of oil discharge conduit 60 to the higher pressure sub-circuit 6 and preferably to the higher pressure refrigerant inlet 12 .
- the oil discharge conduit 60 comprises an oil discharge valve 62 which preferably is a non-return valve 62 , but may also be a shut-off valve.
- a pressure release means 64 is connected to the oil reservoir 56 .
- the pressure release means 64 comprises a release conduit 66 connecting the oil reservoir 56 with a low pressure section line 48 and comprises a release valve 68 .
- Oil reservoir 56 can be fluidly connected to the oil sump of the low pressure compressor unit 38 and particularly to the individual oil sumps of the compressors 40 so that oil level in the oil sump(s) and the oil reservoir 56 are always flush, if the low pressure discharge valve 58 is in its open state.
- a tapping means (not shown) can be provided for each individual compressor 40 or the whole low pressure compressor unit 38 for tapping just the excess oil from the low pressure compressor unit 38 . In both cases excess oil is collected in the oil reservoir 56 .
- the low pressure discharge valve 58 is closed and the pressure in the oil reservoir 56 is increased, for example by allowing heating of the oil reservoir 56 and the refrigerant and oil therein by means of ambient conditions.
- the oil reservoir 56 will be in a machine room at a temperature of roughly 20° C., while the temperature of the oil and the refrigerant in the oil reservoir 56 will be much lower, dependent on the fluid exchange with the low pressure compressor unit 38 . If for example carbondioxide having a temperature of approximately minus 30° C.
- the pressure within the oil reservoir 56 will substantially increase and will particularly be above the pressure of roughly 30 bar at the higher pressure refrigerant inlet 12 and once the oil discharge valve 62 opens, the oil can be transferred due to the pressure difference to the higher pressure refrigerant in the line 12 .
- the oil discharge valve 62 is a non-return valve, which opens for example if the pressure difference is approximately 0.07 bar, it will automatically open once the pressure in the oil reservoir 56 exceeds the pressure of the higher pressure refrigerant inlet 12 .
- the oil discharge valve 62 is a shut-off valve, it can actively be opened and closed for transferring the oil.
- the oil discharge valve 62 closes automatically or will be actively closed and the overpressure of the oil reservoir 56 is discharged to the release valve 68 to the low pressure suction line 48 .
- the low pressure discharge valve 58 can be opened again in order to allow the collection of excess oil in the oil reservoir 56 .
- Sensor means can be provided for detecting whether sufficient excess oil has been collected in the oil reservoir 56 and a control (not shown) can initiate the oil transportation as previously described. It is also possible to provide a timer which after a pre-determined time has elapsed, starts a corresponding oil transfer operation. It is within the average skill of the skilled person in the field to provide the necessary sensors, control, etc. for implementing either of the described oil transfer modes.
- the oil discharge valve 62 is closed again and ambient air around the oil reservoir 56 may heat up the refrigerant and oil within the oil reservoir 56 .
- a slight temperature increase will be sufficient to provide a sufficient pressure difference between the oil reservoir and the higher pressure refrigerant inlet line 12 for transferring the oil thereto.
- FIG. 2 discloses an other alternative for generating the necessary pressure difference in the oil reservoir 56 by means of a heater 70 which can be an autonomous heater 70 , which is for example electrically powered. It is also possible to direct any hot refrigerant from any other part of the refrigerant circuit through heating lines thus serving as heater 70 .
- the embodiment of FIG. 2 corresponds to that of FIG. 1 .
- the oil transfer operation corresponds more or less to that of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the exception that instead of allowing heating up of the oil and refrigerant in the reservoir 56 the heater 70 will be turned on once the low pressure discharge valve 58 has been closed. Again, the oil discharge valve 62 will automatically opened or actively opened so that the pressure difference can drive the oil through the oil discharge line 60 to the higher pressure sub-circuit 6 and preferably the higher pressure refrigerant inlet of the higher pressure compressor unit 8 .
- high pressure refrigerant from receiver 22 can be used for pressurizing the oil reservoir 56 .
- a pressurizing line 72 connects receiver 22 via pressurizing valve 74 with the oil reservoir 56 .
- the oil transfer operation with the embodiment of FIG. 3 is again very similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively.
- FIG. 4 is very similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3 but allows to transfer oil from the higher pressure sub-circuit 6 to the low pressure sub-circuit 4 by means of oil transfer conduit 76 and oil transfer valve 78 .
- the oil transfer conduit 76 is connected to the higher pressure oil compensation line 8 which connects individual pressures 10 of the higher pressure compressor unit 8 or an individual oil sump of at least one compressor 10 .
- a tapping means (not shown) can be provided for tapping just excess oil to the oil transfer conduit 76 .
- the conventional oil transfer operation transferring oil from the low pressure sub-circuit 4 to the higher pressure sub-circuit 8 is conventional as disclosed with respect to sub-circuit 4 .
- the oil transfer in the opposite direction can for example be performed once the oil discharge valve 62 was closed.
- oil transfer valve 78 If the oil transfer valve 78 is subsequently opened, excess oil from the higher pressure compressor unit 8 may flow, for example due to difference in pressure to the oil reservoir 56 . Subsequently, the oil transfer valve 78 will be closed and once the low pressure discharge valve 58 will be opened after releasing the surplus pressure through the release valve 68 , normal operation is resumed.
- this low pressure discharge valve 58 can be closed and the oil transfer valve 78 can be opened, so that pressure difference with drive excess oil from the higher pressure sub-circuit to the oil reservoir 56 .
- the individual approaches as shown above for increasing the pressure in the oil reservoir 56 for transferring oil to the higher pressure sub-circuit can be used various combinations with each other. It is also possible to use the additional oil transfer conduit 76 and oil transfer valve 78 with any of the above embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3 . With the exception of the above-mentioned automatic non-return valve, the actively controlled valves can be solenoid valves, etc.
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Abstract
Refrigerant circuit (2) comprising a low pressure compressor unit (38) having a low pressure refrigerant outlet (42) in a low pressure sub-circuit (4) and a higher pressure compressor unit (8) having a higher pressure refrigerant inlet (12) in a higher pressure sub-circuit (6), wherein the low pressure refrigerant outlet (42) and the higher pressure refrigerant inlet (12) are fluidly connected with each other, further comprising an oil reservoir (56) connected by a low pressure oil inlet conduit (54) to the low pressure sub-circuit (4) for receiving oil therefrom and connected via an oil discharge (62) to the higher pressure sub-circuit (6).
Description
- This application is entitled to the benefit of, and incorporates by reference essential subject matter disclosed in PCT Application No. PCT/ EP2007/008485 filed on Sep. 28, 2007.
- Refrigerant circuits are known and widely induced, for example in air conditioning systems, refrigeration apparatus, etc. A conventional refrigerant circuit comprises a compressor unit, comprising one or a plurality of individual compressors, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, an expansion device and an evaporator in flow direction serially connected with each other. A two-stage refrigerant circuit comprises two refrigerant circuits working at different temperature levels and connected with each other. In a so called cascade arrangement the two refrigerant circuits are fluidly disconnected from each other and only in a heat exchange relationship connected with each other. In a booster arrangement, the two different level refrigerant circuits are fluidly connected with each other with the outlet of the lower compressor unit being typically at the same pressure level as the inlet of the higher pressure refrigerant circuit.
- In order to maintain lubrication of the components and particularly of the pressure unit in the refrigerant circuit, a lubricant, typically oil, is admixed to the refrigerant in a predetermined amount. Typically approximately 2% of the refrigerant is lubricant and oil, respectively, while the remaining approximately 98% are the actual refrigerant. In order to maintain correct lubrication of the compressor unit an oil separator is typically provided in the high pressure line leaving the compressor unit and an oil level regulator is provided for the compressor unit in order to inject lubricant and oil, respectively, into a respective compressor of the compressor unit once the oil level therein is below a predetermined minimum oil level. In two stage refrigerant circuit having the two stages fluidly connected with each other, there is the risk for accumulating lubricant in one of the two stages. While it is relatively easy to inject lubricant accumulated from the higher pressure sub-circuit into the low pressure sub-circuit, the opposite, i.e. transferring lubricant from the low pressure sub-circuit into the higher pressure sub-circuit requires to bridge a substantial pressure difference.
- Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide means for transferring lubricant from the low pressure sub-circuit to the higher pressure sub-circuit.
- Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a refrigerant circuit comprising a low pressure compressor unit having a low pressure refrigerant outlet in a low pressure sub-circuit and a higher pressure compressor unit having a higher pressure refrigerant inlet in a higher pressure sub-circuit, wherein the low pressure refrigerant outlet and the higher pressure refrigerant inlet are fluidly connected with each other, further comprising an oil reservoir connected by a low pressure oil inlet conduit to the low pressure sub-circuit for receiving oil there from and connected via a non-return valve to the higher pressure sub-circuit.
- It is to be noted that in the context of this description the terms lubricant and oil are exchangeable, i.e. the term oil is not restricted to oil in its narrow meaning but extends to lubricants as a whole.
- The respective compressor units may each comprise a single or a plurality of individual compressors.
- An other exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a method for managing oil in a refrigerant circuit comprising a low pressure compressor unit having a low pressure refrigerant outlet in a low pressure sub-circuit and a higher pressure compressor unit having a higher pressure refrigerant inlet in a higher pressure sub-circuit, wherein the low pressure refrigerant outlet and the higher pressure refrigerant inlet are fluidly connected with each other, comprising the step of collecting excess oil from the low pressure sub-circuit in an oil reservoir and pressurizing the oil in the oil reservoir for transferring oil into the higher pressure sub-circuit.
- Embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail below with reference to the figures, wherein:
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FIG. 1 shows a refrigerant circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 shows part of a refrigerant circuit in accordance with an other embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 shows an other embodiment; and -
FIG. 4 shows an other embodiment. - The respective embodiments comprise similar or identical portions and elements and like reference numbers correspond to similar or identical features. Any disclosures given with respect to any of the embodiments likewise applies to the other embodiments unless it is technically impossible in view of the differences between the embodiments.
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FIG. 1 shows arefrigerant circuit 2 comprising alow pressure sub-circuit 4 and ahigher pressure sub-circuit 6. Thehigher pressure sub-circuit 6 comprises a higherpressure compressor unit 8 having a number ofindividual compressors 10, at least some thereof having a common higherpressure refrigerant inlet 12. A higherpressure refrigerant outlet 14 connectscompressor unit 18 via a highpressure refrigerant line 16 to a heat rejectingheat exchanger 18 which in case of a conventional refrigerant is typically termed a condenser and in case of a transcritical refrigerant is typically termed a gas cooler. While the present invention is applicable with conventional refrigerants and transcritical refrigerants, a transcritical refrigerant circuit embodying the present invention is preferred. Carbondioxide is a preferred transcritical refrigerant. -
Line 20 connects the heat rejectingheat exchanger 18 with areceiver 22.Receiver outlet 24 is connected via an expansion means 26 to anevaporator 28.Line 30 connects theoutput 32 of theevaporator 28 with themedium pressure line 34 which further connects to the higherpressure refrigerant inlet 12. Aninter cooler circuit 36 serves for sub cooling a refrigerant leaving thereceiver 22, as known in the art. - Optionally, a branch-off
line 45 can be provided connecting a refrigerant line portion at a position before the expansion means 26 with theline 30 at a position before the lowpressure expansion device 44, especially at a position between the branching offmedium pressure line 34 and the lowpressure expansion device 44. -
Low pressure sub-circuit 4 similarly comprises a lowpressure compressor unit 38 having a plurality ofindividual compressors 40 and a common lowpressure refrigerant outlet 42 which, in this embodiment, is identical to themedium pressure line 34 and the higherpressure refrigerant inlet 12, but is at least fluidly connected to the higherpressure refrigerant inlet 12. - A low
pressure expansion device 44 and alow pressure evaporator 46 close thelow pressure sub-circuit 4 to the lowpressure refrigerant inlet 48. - The embodiment of
FIG. 1 as well as the further embodiments as described here arerefrigerant circuits 2 comprising a transcritical refrigerant and particularly carbondioxide. This type of refrigerant circuit is adapted for use in a refrigeration apparatus, but the present invention can be used with other refrigerant apparatus, like air conditioning apparatus, etc. In a supermarket refrigerant apparatus the lowpressure expansion device 44 andevaporator 46, respectively provide the so-called deep temperature cooling, i.e. the cooling of frozen goods in a temperature range of approximately minus 20 to minus 25° C. within the goods compartment. On the other hand, the higherpressure expansion device 26 andevaporator 28 provide the so-called normal temperature cooling for conventional non-frozen goods in a temperature range of around 0 to plus 5° C. within the goods compartment. In an operational mode providing the before mentioned temperatures for the lowpressure refrigeration consumer 46 and the normalpressure refrigeration consumer 28, the temperatures and the pressures of the refrigerant in the system are approximately 10 to 12 bar andminus 40 to minus 35° C. in the low pressure refrigerant inlet line, approximately 30.5 bar and minus 5° C. at the lowpressure refrigerant outlet 42 and depending on the ambient temperature of the heat rejectingheat exchanger 18 between approximately 80 to 90 bar and approximately 40° C. in summer operational mode and 45 bar and plus 10° C. in winter operational mode. - A higher
pressure oil system 50 connects the oil sumps of thecompressors 10 with each other in order to provide an equal oil level within the compressors. Asimilar compensation conduit 52 connects theindividual compressors 40 of the lowpressure compressor unit 38. Thiscompensation conduit 52 is further connected via low pressureoil inlet conduit 54 to anoil reservoir 56. A low pressure shut-offvalve 58 is arranged in theoil inlet conduit 54.Oil reservoir 56 is connected by means ofoil discharge conduit 60 to thehigher pressure sub-circuit 6 and preferably to the higherpressure refrigerant inlet 12. Theoil discharge conduit 60 comprises anoil discharge valve 62 which preferably is anon-return valve 62, but may also be a shut-off valve. Moreover, a pressure release means 64 is connected to theoil reservoir 56. Preferably, the pressure release means 64 comprises arelease conduit 66 connecting theoil reservoir 56 with a lowpressure section line 48 and comprises arelease valve 68. - During normal operation, the low
pressure discharge valve 58 is open, while theoil discharge valve 62 and therelease valve 68 are closed. Excess oil from the lowpressure compressor unit 38 may flow through the low pressure oil inlet conduit 54 into theoil reservoir 56.Oil reservoir 56 can be fluidly connected to the oil sump of the lowpressure compressor unit 38 and particularly to the individual oil sumps of thecompressors 40 so that oil level in the oil sump(s) and theoil reservoir 56 are always flush, if the lowpressure discharge valve 58 is in its open state. Alternatively, a tapping means (not shown) can be provided for eachindividual compressor 40 or the whole lowpressure compressor unit 38 for tapping just the excess oil from the lowpressure compressor unit 38. In both cases excess oil is collected in theoil reservoir 56. Once oil has accumulated in theoil reservoir 56, the lowpressure discharge valve 58 is closed and the pressure in theoil reservoir 56 is increased, for example by allowing heating of theoil reservoir 56 and the refrigerant and oil therein by means of ambient conditions. Typically theoil reservoir 56 will be in a machine room at a temperature of roughly 20° C., while the temperature of the oil and the refrigerant in theoil reservoir 56 will be much lower, dependent on the fluid exchange with the lowpressure compressor unit 38. If for example carbondioxide having a temperature of approximately minus 30° C. and a pressure of approximately 14.3 bar is allowed to warm up to approximately 2° C., the pressure within theoil reservoir 56 will substantially increase and will particularly be above the pressure of roughly 30 bar at the higherpressure refrigerant inlet 12 and once theoil discharge valve 62 opens, the oil can be transferred due to the pressure difference to the higher pressure refrigerant in theline 12. If theoil discharge valve 62 is a non-return valve, which opens for example if the pressure difference is approximately 0.07 bar, it will automatically open once the pressure in theoil reservoir 56 exceeds the pressure of the higherpressure refrigerant inlet 12. Alternatively, if theoil discharge valve 62 is a shut-off valve, it can actively be opened and closed for transferring the oil. - Once the oil has been transferred, the
oil discharge valve 62 closes automatically or will be actively closed and the overpressure of theoil reservoir 56 is discharged to therelease valve 68 to the lowpressure suction line 48. Once the pressure in the lowpressure suction line 48 and theoil reservoir 56 is balanced, the lowpressure discharge valve 58 can be opened again in order to allow the collection of excess oil in theoil reservoir 56. - Sensor means (not shown) can be provided for detecting whether sufficient excess oil has been collected in the
oil reservoir 56 and a control (not shown) can initiate the oil transportation as previously described. It is also possible to provide a timer which after a pre-determined time has elapsed, starts a corresponding oil transfer operation. It is within the average skill of the skilled person in the field to provide the necessary sensors, control, etc. for implementing either of the described oil transfer modes. - Situations might exist where the temperature in the machine room for the
oil reservoir 56 is not sufficient to generate sufficient pressure within thereservoir 56. For initiating or accelerating the built up of the pressure in theoil reservoir 56, it is possible to open theoil discharge valve 62 once the lowpressure discharge valve 58 has been closed for oil transfer. Once theoil discharge valve 62 is opened, higher pressure refrigerant from the higher pressurerefrigerant inlet 12 may flow into tooil reservoir 56 at a pressure of approximately 30.5 bar and a temperature of approximately minus 5° C. Accordingly, the pressure in theoil reservoir 56 will be relatively close to the target pressure for transferring the oil and at a relatively low temperature. Subsequently, theoil discharge valve 62 is closed again and ambient air around theoil reservoir 56 may heat up the refrigerant and oil within theoil reservoir 56. Already a slight temperature increase will be sufficient to provide a sufficient pressure difference between the oil reservoir and the higher pressurerefrigerant inlet line 12 for transferring the oil thereto. -
FIG. 2 discloses an other alternative for generating the necessary pressure difference in theoil reservoir 56 by means of aheater 70 which can be anautonomous heater 70, which is for example electrically powered. It is also possible to direct any hot refrigerant from any other part of the refrigerant circuit through heating lines thus serving asheater 70. With the exception ofheater 70, the embodiment ofFIG. 2 corresponds to that ofFIG. 1 . Also the oil transfer operation corresponds more or less to that of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 with the exception that instead of allowing heating up of the oil and refrigerant in thereservoir 56 theheater 70 will be turned on once the lowpressure discharge valve 58 has been closed. Again, theoil discharge valve 62 will automatically opened or actively opened so that the pressure difference can drive the oil through theoil discharge line 60 to thehigher pressure sub-circuit 6 and preferably the higher pressure refrigerant inlet of the higherpressure compressor unit 8. - In the embodiment of
FIG. 3 , which is again very similar to that ofFIGS. 1 and 2 , high pressure refrigerant fromreceiver 22 can be used for pressurizing theoil reservoir 56. To this effect, a pressurizingline 72 connectsreceiver 22 via pressurizingvalve 74 with theoil reservoir 56. The oil transfer operation with the embodiment ofFIG. 3 is again very similar to that ofFIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively. Once thepressure discharge valve 58 has been closed and once theoil reservoir 56 was accordingly isolated, the pressurizingvalve 74 is opened and allows inflow of high pressure refrigerant having a pressure of approximately 40 bar into theoil reservoir 56. Once the pressurizingvalve 74 has been closed, thedischarge valve 62 can open automatically or can actively be opened so that oil is transferred to thehigher pressure sub-circuit 6. - The embodiment of
FIG. 4 is very similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 3 but allows to transfer oil from thehigher pressure sub-circuit 6 to thelow pressure sub-circuit 4 by means ofoil transfer conduit 76 andoil transfer valve 78. Particularly, theoil transfer conduit 76 is connected to the higher pressureoil compensation line 8 which connectsindividual pressures 10 of the higherpressure compressor unit 8 or an individual oil sump of at least onecompressor 10. Again, a tapping means (not shown) can be provided for tapping just excess oil to theoil transfer conduit 76. The conventional oil transfer operation transferring oil from thelow pressure sub-circuit 4 to thehigher pressure sub-circuit 8 is conventional as disclosed with respect tosub-circuit 4. The oil transfer in the opposite direction can for example be performed once theoil discharge valve 62 was closed. If theoil transfer valve 78 is subsequently opened, excess oil from the higherpressure compressor unit 8 may flow, for example due to difference in pressure to theoil reservoir 56. Subsequently, theoil transfer valve 78 will be closed and once the lowpressure discharge valve 58 will be opened after releasing the surplus pressure through therelease valve 68, normal operation is resumed. - Alternatively, beginning with the normal operation mode, where only the low
pressure discharge valve 50 is open, this lowpressure discharge valve 58 can be closed and theoil transfer valve 78 can be opened, so that pressure difference with drive excess oil from the higher pressure sub-circuit to theoil reservoir 56. - It is to be noted, that the individual approaches as shown above for increasing the pressure in the
oil reservoir 56 for transferring oil to the higher pressure sub-circuit can be used various combinations with each other. It is also possible to use the additionaloil transfer conduit 76 andoil transfer valve 78 with any of the above embodiments ofFIGS. 1 to 3 . With the exception of the above-mentioned automatic non-return valve, the actively controlled valves can be solenoid valves, etc. - In general the pressure figures are given as absolute pressures.
- While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalence my be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that it is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments within the scope of the dependent claims.
Claims (16)
1. Refrigerant circuit comprising a low pressure compressor unit having a low pressure refrigerant outlet in a low pressure sub-circuit and a higher pressure compressor unit having a higher pressure refrigerant inlet in a higher pressure sub-circuit, wherein the low pressure refrigerant outlet and the higher pressure refrigerant inlet are fluidly connected with each other, further comprising an oil reservoir connected by a low pressure oil inlet conduit to the low pressure sub-circuit for receiving oil therefrom and connected via an oil discharge to the higher pressure sub-circuit and a receiver in the higher pressure sub-circuit, a pressurizing line connecting the receiver with the oils reservoir and a pressurizing valve in the pressurizing line.
2. Refrigerant circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the oil reservoir is connected to a tapping means for tapping excess oil from the low pressure compressor unit.
3. Refrigerant circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the oil reservoir is fluidly connected to the oil sump of the low pressure compressor unit so that the oil level in the oil reservoir and that of the oil sump in the low pressure compressor unit are same level during operation.
4. Refrigerant circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising a low pressure shut-off valve in the oil inlet conduit.
5. Refrigerant circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the oil reservoir further comprises a pressure release means.
6. Refrigerant circuit according to claim 5 , wherein the pressure relief means is a release conduit connecting the oil reservoir with a low pressure section line and comprising a release valve.
7. Refrigerant circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising a heater connected to the oil reservoir.
8. Refrigerant circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising a oil transfer conduit with an oil transfer valve connecting the higher pressure compressor unit to the oil reservoir.
9. Refrigeration apparatus comprising a refrigerant circuit comprising a low pressure compressor unit having a low pressure refrigerant outlet in a low pressure sub-circuit and a higher pressure compressor unit having a higher pressure refrigerant inlet in a higher pressure sub-circuit wherein the low pressure refrigerant outlet and the higher pressure refrigerant inlet are fluidly connected with each other, further comprising an oil reservoir connected by a low pressure oil inlet conduit to the low pressure sub-circuit for receiving oil therefrom and connected via an oil discharge to the higher pressure sub-circuit and a receiver in the higher pressure sub-circuit, a pressurizing line connecting the receiver with the oils reservoir and a pressurizing valve in the pressurizing line.
10. Method for managing oils in a refrigerant circuit comprising a low pressure compressor unit having a low pressure refrigerant outlet in a low pressure sub-circuit and a higher pressure compressor unit having a higher pressure refrigerant inlet in a higher pressure sub-circuit, wherein the low pressure refrigerant outlet and the higher pressure refrigerant inlet are fluidly connected with each other, further comprising a receiver in the higher pressure sub-circuit, a pressurizing line connecting the receiver with the oils reservoir and a pressurizing valve in the pressurizing line, comprising the step of collecting excess oil from the low pressure sub-circuit in an oil reservoir and pressurizing the oil in the oil reservoir for transferring oil into the higher pressure sub-circuit, wherein the step of pressurizing the oil reservoir comprises supplying refrigerant from the high pressure portion of the higher pressure sub-circuit into the oil reservoir.
11. Method according to claim 10 , further comprising the step of tapping excess oil from the low pressure compressor unit by means of a tapping means.
12. Method according to claim 10 , wherein the pressurizing is performed in intervals and further comprising the step of maintaining an equal oil level in the oil reservoir and the compressor unit at times where the oil in the reservoir is not pressurized.
13. Method according to claim 10 , further comprising the step of closing a shut-off valve in the oil inlet conduit to the oil reservoir before pressurizing the same.
14. Method according to claim 13 , further comprising the step of releasing pressure for the oil reservoir before opening the shut-off valve again.
15. Method according to claim 10 , wherein the step of pressurizing the oil reservoir comprises the heating thereof.
16. Method according to claim 10 , further comprising the step of transferring excess oil from the higher pressure sub-circuit to the oil reservoir.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2007/008485 WO2009039873A1 (en) | 2007-09-28 | 2007-09-28 | Refrigerant circuit and method for managing oil therein |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100251736A1 true US20100251736A1 (en) | 2010-10-07 |
Family
ID=39166345
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/680,483 Abandoned US20100251736A1 (en) | 2007-09-28 | 2007-09-28 | Refrigerant circuit and method for managing oil therein |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20100251736A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2198214B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101809384B (en) |
AT (1) | ATE501405T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602007013119D1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK2198214T3 (en) |
NO (1) | NO20100598L (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009039873A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20130283833A1 (en) * | 2011-01-14 | 2013-10-31 | Hans-Joachim Huff | Refrigeration System And Method For Operating A Refrigeration System |
US20150308723A1 (en) * | 2012-11-29 | 2015-10-29 | Johnson Controls Technology Company | Pressure control for refrigerant system |
WO2017100314A1 (en) * | 2015-12-08 | 2017-06-15 | Bitzer Kuehlmaschinenbau Gmbh | Cascading oil distribution system |
CN113503653A (en) * | 2021-08-04 | 2021-10-15 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Multi-compressor refrigeration system and air conditioner |
Families Citing this family (7)
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KR101166621B1 (en) * | 2009-12-24 | 2012-07-18 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Air conditioner and method of controlling the same |
WO2011101029A1 (en) * | 2010-02-17 | 2011-08-25 | Carrier Corporation | Refrigeration system and method for balancing the oil levels between compressors of a refrigeration system |
DE102013014543A1 (en) * | 2013-09-03 | 2015-03-05 | Stiebel Eltron Gmbh & Co. Kg | heat pump device |
EP3023712A1 (en) * | 2014-11-19 | 2016-05-25 | Danfoss A/S | A method for controlling a vapour compression system with a receiver |
EP3628940B1 (en) | 2018-09-25 | 2022-04-20 | Danfoss A/S | A method for controlling a vapour compression system based on estimated flow |
PL3628942T3 (en) | 2018-09-25 | 2021-10-04 | Danfoss A/S | A method for controlling a vapour compression system at a reduced suction pressure |
EP3742069B1 (en) * | 2019-05-21 | 2024-03-20 | Carrier Corporation | Refrigeration apparatus and use thereof |
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- 2007-09-28 US US12/680,483 patent/US20100251736A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2009039873A1 (en) | 2009-04-02 |
ATE501405T1 (en) | 2011-03-15 |
CN101809384A (en) | 2010-08-18 |
NO20100598L (en) | 2010-06-28 |
DK2198214T3 (en) | 2011-06-27 |
CN101809384B (en) | 2012-12-12 |
DE602007013119D1 (en) | 2011-04-21 |
EP2198214B1 (en) | 2011-03-09 |
EP2198214A1 (en) | 2010-06-23 |
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