WO1990005669A1 - Procedes et articles de recuperation d'un refrigerant mis a l'event d'un systeme d'echange thermique - Google Patents

Procedes et articles de recuperation d'un refrigerant mis a l'event d'un systeme d'echange thermique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1990005669A1
WO1990005669A1 PCT/US1989/004824 US8904824W WO9005669A1 WO 1990005669 A1 WO1990005669 A1 WO 1990005669A1 US 8904824 W US8904824 W US 8904824W WO 9005669 A1 WO9005669 A1 WO 9005669A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
refrigerant
heat exchange
cylinder
wrap
tank
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1989/004824
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Bernie Keneavy
Original Assignee
Coil Matic, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Coil Matic, Inc. filed Critical Coil Matic, Inc.
Priority to PCT/US1990/002513 priority Critical patent/WO1991006478A1/fr
Priority to AU56398/90A priority patent/AU5639890A/en
Publication of WO1990005669A1 publication Critical patent/WO1990005669A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • F25B45/00—Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant
    • 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
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D5/00—Devices using endothermic chemical reactions, e.g. using frigorific mixtures
    • 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
    • F25B2345/00—Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor
    • F25B2345/002—Collecting refrigerant from a cycle
    • 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
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
    • F25D31/006—Other cooling or freezing apparatus specially adapted for cooling receptacles, e.g. tanks

Definitions

  • Compressor type heat exchange systems generally comprise a compressor in combination with a refrigerant either to absorb heat from or to release heat into ambient atmosphere. In either case, this is accomplished by cycling a gaseous refrigerant through the heat exchange system under pressure. More particularly, a compressor of the heat exchange system compresses the gaseous refrigerant cycled therethrough into a liquid so that the expansion and contraction properties of the refrigerant may be utilized to alter the temperature of the refrigerant and effect heat absorption.
  • compressor heat exchange systems There are generally two types of compressor heat exchange systems. There is an air-conditioning or refrigeration system which is designed to take heat " from a building or an enclosure, respectively, and transfer it to ambient environment. There is also a heat pump system which is designed so that it can take heat from the ambient environment and transfer it into the interior of a building, or it can reverse the action and function as an air-conditioning or refri ⁇ geration system. As already recited above, both of these heat exchange systems rely upon a refrigerant in a pres ⁇ surized state to alter temperature. The most common of these refrigerants are halogenated hydrocarbons , particularly chlorofluourocarbons (CFCs) such as dichlorodifluoromethane and the like.
  • CFCs chlorofluourocarbons
  • the CFCs are generally referred to as freons, and they normally exist in a gaseous state under ambient conditions.
  • the compressors utilize work to place the refrigerants in a pressurized state and convert them into liquid form.
  • refrigerants such as the CFCs can no longer be vented to atmosphere and must be collected and properly disposed of or reused.
  • EPA Environmental Protection Agency
  • refrigerants such as the CFCs can no longer be vented to atmosphere and must be collected and properly disposed of or reused.
  • the alternate method available today is to simply reduce the pressure within a collecting cy ⁇ linder by chilling the cylinder so that the refrigerants can be collected therein in liquid form.
  • the reduced pressure and cooler environ- ents within the interiors thereof keep the refrigerants in a condensed or liquid condition and flowing from the heat exchange systems into the chilled cylinders, i.e., the refrigerants flow from hot to cold.
  • the present invention alleviates the above-referenced problems and shortcomings of the present state of the art through the discovery of a novel, yet simple method to collect refrigerants from heat exchange systems.
  • the present invention is premised on the realization that a refrigerant can be collected in a collecting cylinder by chilling the cylinder with a chemically activatable cold wrap. More particularly, one method of the present invention can be accomplished by surrounding the collecting cylinder with a chemically activatable cold wrap which is of a size large enough to substan ⁇ tially cover the outer walls of the cylinder and capable of reducing the internal temperature and pressure of the cylinder, activating the cold wrap, and collecting the refrigerant in the chilled cylinder in a condensed or liquid state.
  • the heat within the cylinder is believed to be absorbed therefrom by the wrap causing the internal temperature and pressure in the cylinder to drop.
  • the refrigerant within the heat exchange system will flow into the chilled cylinder in a condensed or liquid state.
  • Another method falling within the contem- plation of this invention is the use of a chemically activatable cold wrap in combination with a series of coils connecting a heat exchange system to a col ⁇ lecting cylinder.
  • the cold wrap when acti ⁇ vated will reduce the temperature and pressure inside of the coils so that the refrigerant will flow from the heat exchange system into the cylinder via the chilled coils in a condensed or liquid form.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chemically activatable cold wrap for use in the present in ⁇ vention
  • Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional diagrammatical view of a holding cylinder in combination with a chemically activatable coil wrap for use in the present invention
  • Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
  • a refrigerant is vented from a heat ex ⁇ change system into a collecting cylinder.
  • the heat exchange system can be, for instance, a heat pump, an air-conditioning system or a refrigeration unit. All of these systems employ a compressor to compress the refrigerant introduced therein so that the expansion and contraction properties of the refrigerant can be utilized to absorb heat. This is accomplished as earlier discussed by continuously cycling the refrigerants through these heat exchange systems under pressure in a condensed or liquid form.
  • a heat exchange system 11 is generally shown. It includes a vent 12 to release a refrigerant therefrom.
  • the refrigerant may be any of a variety of different halogenated hydrocarbons such as the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) .
  • CFCs chlorofluorocarbons
  • One of the mc ⁇ t commonly used refrigerants in the industry is R-12 or Freon-12 sold by DuPont. This is a dichlorodifluoromethane.
  • a tube 14 connects vent 12 with a collecting cylinder 15 through valve 16.
  • the collecting cylinder 15 is a sealed metal tank that includes an externally threaded inlet 17 which leads to valve 16 and into the interior of the collecting cylinder 15.
  • collecting cylinder 15 includes a top wall 18, a bottom wall 19 and a cylindrical side wall 21.
  • Standard collecting cylinders used to reclaim and store vented refrigerants generally can have diameters from about 12 to about 17 inches and a height of about 18 inches. These metal cylinders are well known to those versed in this art and generally hold from about 20 to 50 lbs. of condensed refrigerant.
  • the collecting cylinder 15 is encased or encircled by a chemically activatable cold wrap 22.
  • chemically activatable cold wrap 22 is an elongated plastic pouch. Within the interior of cold wrap 22 is a rupturable pouch 23.
  • Rupturable pouch 23 is filled with a heat exchange liquid such as water.
  • the particulate material 24 in cold wrap 22 is of course separated from the heat exchange liquid until pouch 23 is ruptured.
  • Rupturable pouch 23 therefore should be formed out of any material which is suitable for rupturing on demand and for isolating the heat ex ⁇ change liquid from the particulate material 24 until the pouch is selectively ruptured.
  • the inner side of cold wrap 22 is a heat exchange surface 25 which on one side thereof is in direct contact with the heat exchange liquid and on the other side thereof is in direct contact with outer cylindrical side wall 21 of collecting cylinder 15.
  • Outer surface 26 of cold wrap 22 is exposed to ambient when cold wrap 22 is .positioned around collecting cylinder 15.
  • Outer surface 26 preferably is formed of any suitable insulating material.
  • a layer of insulation 30 may be attached to or fitted over the outer surface 26 of cold wrap 22.
  • the layer of insulation 30 can be formed of any suitable material, such as foam, rubber, styrofoam, urethane, aluminum or the like, and can be integrally attached to outer surface 26 of cold wrap 22. Alternatively, insulation layer 30 may be wrapped around outer surface 26 of cold wrap 22 and affixed thereon by any suitable means.
  • outer surface 26 of cold wrap 22 includes a fastener which is a hook and pile type fastening mechanism.
  • This hook and pile type fastening mechanism includes a plurality of pile members 27 adhered to one end 28 of cold wrap 22. Adhered to the opposite end of 29 of cold wrap 22 are complimentary strips of a hook material 31 which are adapted to stick on to the pile portions 27.
  • Chemically activatable cold wraps are well known to those versed in the medical field and can incorporate a variety of different chemicals or blends thereof. Exemplary of such chemically activatable cold wraps are disclosed in Caillouette et al, U.S. Patent No. 3,175,558, Truelock et al, U.S. Patent No. 4,382,466, Hubbard, U.S. Patent No. 4,688,572, Cardos et al, U.S. Patent No. 4,689,165 and Van Cleve, U.S. Patent No. 4,676,247, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
  • the particulate material 24 as indicated is a chemical or blend of chemicals which upon disso ⁇ lution in the heat exchange fluid will initiate an endothermic reaction.
  • the heat exchange liquid will be water and the chemical 24 can be ammonium nitrate, urea, formamide or the like. These chemicals are well known and their chemical reactions are also well known.
  • One formulation suitable for use with this invention contains by weight upon disso ⁇ lution of about 38% ammonium nitrate, about 31%. urea, and about 31% water.
  • sufficient heat exchange liquid and chemical 24 should be provided to ideally lower the temperature of the interior of the cylinder 15 from ambient to about 40°F for about 10-20 minutes.
  • the internal temperature of a collecting cylinder 15 it is believed that the amount, rate and physical state at which the refrigerant is transferred will be maximized. It should be understood, however, all that is necessary to collect a refrigerant from a heat exchanger into a collecting cylinder is to reduce the internal temperature and pressure of the collecting cylinder by only a few degrees below that temperature inside of the heat exchanger to effect the transfer of the refrigerant from the heat exchanger into the collecting cylinder in a condensed or liquid state.
  • a cold wrap comprises 38% ammonium nitrate, 31% urea and 31% water
  • about 1 lb. of the mixture in a cold wrap is required for about every 2 lbs. of refrigerant to be reclaimed. This is believed to represent a ball park figure when selecting a cold wrap for use in accordance with this invention.
  • the col ⁇ lecting cylinder is capable of holding 20 lbs. of a condensed refrigerant
  • a cold wrap containing at least about 8 lbs. of chemical mixture should be used to ensure that the internal temperature and pressure of the cylinder is sufficiently reduced to effect trans- fer of 16 lbs. of condensed refrigerant into the cylinder, i.e., about 80% of the filling capacity of the cylinder.
  • the refrigerant vent 12 of heat exchanger 11 is connected to the externally threaded inlet 17 of cylinder 15 using tube 14.
  • Cylinder 15 is preferably first wrapped with cold wrap 22 by simply placing it around the outer surface 21 of cylinder 15 and fastening it via complimentary hook and pile fasteners 31 and 27. This puts the heat exchange surface 25 of cold wrap 22 directly in contact with the cylindrical outer metal walls 21 of cylinder 15. In this arrangement, the insulated outer surface 26 of cold wrap 22 is exposed to ambient. Pouch 23 of cold wrap 22 is then ruptured causing the heat exchange liquid to come into contact with the particulate chemical material 24 to initiate an endothermic reaction and to absorb heat. This in effect will reduce the temperature and pressure in the interior of cylinder 15.
  • Cold wrap 22 can then be covered with insulation layer 30.
  • Valve 16 is then opened to permit the refrigerant in heat exchanger 11 to flow into cylinder 15 in a condensed or liquid state. It should be understood that the present invention also contemplates rupturing rupturable pouch. 23 before encircling cylinder 15 with cold wrap 22 and that insulation layer 30 may be fitted over cold wrap 22 after valve 16 is vented open.
  • a cooling wrap is in the form of a box 31 wherein the interior is filled with a heat exchange liquid.
  • the top of box 31 includes a com ⁇ partment 32 containing a chemical identical to that described earlier herein which upon dissolution in the heat exchange liquid will cause an endother ic reac ⁇ tion to occur.
  • a tubular serpentine member or a series of coils 34 extends from the refrigerant outlet 12 of heat exchanger 11 through the interior of box 31 in contact with the heat exchange liquid to the opposite side of box 31 and connects to the internally threaded inlet 35 of cylinder 36.
  • compartment 32 is opened allowing the chemical therein to mix with the heat exchange liquid causing an endothermic reaction and heat to be absorbed from the interior of coils 34.
  • Valve 38 of tank 36 is then opened allowing the refrigerant to pass from port 12 through chilled coils 34 where it should remained in a condensed or liquid state while passing through chilled coils 34 within box 31.
  • the refrigerant will then flow into cylinder 36 and can be stored as a liquid until rejuvenated.
  • box 31 may include an inlet port 39 and com ⁇ partment 32 may include an inlet port 41 so that the heat exchange liquid within box 31 and the chemical within the compartment 32, respectively, can be added at or prior to reaching the site and replaced after use thereof.
  • Handle 42 attached to box 31 provides for easy transport.
  • a series of coils could simply be run through a container which includes a plurality of individual cold wraps. This obviously will have the same heat exchange effect as cooling box 31.
  • a unitary cold wrap designed to effectively cover the series of serpentine coils could be employed.
  • the cold wraps can be conveniently carried to the service sites prior to inspection of heat exchange systems even when such systems are located in diffi- cult-to-reach places.
  • the cold wraps of the present invention eliminate the need to resort to the use of dry ice or the bulky, heavy mechanical units and the disadvantages of using same.
  • the cold wraps easily and effectively conform to the shape of the cylinders to maximize heat absorption therefrom.
  • heat transfer is less effective in view of the difficulty of surrounding the collection cylinders with the dry ice.
  • the present invention provides a solution to the problem of collecting refrigerants from heat exchange systems located in inaccessible places.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)

Abstract

Un réfrigérant de type Fréon qui est mis à l'évent d'un système d'échange thermique tel qu'un système d'air conditionné, est transferré directement de la soupape de refoulement du système d'échange thermique par l'intermédiaire d'un tube vers un cylindre au réservoir de récupération (15). Les parois latérales métalliques externes (21) du réservoir de récupération (15) sont enveloppées avec une enveloppe froide chimiquement activable (22). L'enveloppe froide peut, par exemple, contenir une poche cassable contenant un mélange chimique de nitrate d'ammonium et d'urée pour l'isoler de l'eau à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe froide. Lors de la rupture de la poche, le mélange chimique est dissous dans l'eau et une réaction endo-thermique commence. Il s'ensuit que la chaleur à l'intérieur du réservoir est absorbée par l'enveloppe froide provoquant la chute de la température et de la pression à l'intérieur du réservoir. Ceci permet de transférer sensiblement tout le réfrigérant du système d'échange thermique au réservoir refroidi (15).
PCT/US1989/004824 1988-11-17 1989-10-27 Procedes et articles de recuperation d'un refrigerant mis a l'event d'un systeme d'echange thermique WO1990005669A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1990/002513 WO1991006478A1 (fr) 1989-10-27 1990-05-07 Reservoirs destines a recevoir les refrigerants evacues par le systeme d'echange de chaleur et methodes de fonctionnement
AU56398/90A AU5639890A (en) 1989-10-27 1990-05-07 Collecting containers for collecting refrigerants vented from heat exchange systems and methods

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US25272888A 1988-11-17 1988-11-17
US252,728 1988-11-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1990005669A1 true WO1990005669A1 (fr) 1990-05-31

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ID=22957281

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PCT/US1989/004824 WO1990005669A1 (fr) 1988-11-17 1989-10-27 Procedes et articles de recuperation d'un refrigerant mis a l'event d'un systeme d'echange thermique

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AU (1) AU4500289A (fr)
WO (1) WO1990005669A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1067340A3 (fr) * 1999-07-05 2001-07-04 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Piège pour recueillir le gaz de remplacement dans un dispositif de conditionnement d'air

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3614875A (en) * 1969-08-18 1971-10-26 Gerald Lee Mccallun Apparatus for holding articles
US4483157A (en) * 1983-12-23 1984-11-20 Human Robert J Cold pack for beverage keg
US4556091A (en) * 1982-09-30 1985-12-03 Aga, A.B. Method and apparatus for cooling selected wall portions of a pressurized gas cylinder during its filling
US4592358A (en) * 1984-08-17 1986-06-03 Westplate Wayne J Therapeutic device
US4676247A (en) * 1985-08-21 1987-06-30 Cleve Ardry J Van Multi-pocket therapeutic anatomical wrap
US4761961A (en) * 1986-07-03 1988-08-09 Messer, Griesheim Gmbh Procedure for removal of low-boiling refrigerants from refrigerative and air-conditioning units
US4802343A (en) * 1987-07-01 1989-02-07 The Coca-Cola Company Self-cooling container

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3614875A (en) * 1969-08-18 1971-10-26 Gerald Lee Mccallun Apparatus for holding articles
US4556091A (en) * 1982-09-30 1985-12-03 Aga, A.B. Method and apparatus for cooling selected wall portions of a pressurized gas cylinder during its filling
US4483157A (en) * 1983-12-23 1984-11-20 Human Robert J Cold pack for beverage keg
US4592358A (en) * 1984-08-17 1986-06-03 Westplate Wayne J Therapeutic device
US4676247A (en) * 1985-08-21 1987-06-30 Cleve Ardry J Van Multi-pocket therapeutic anatomical wrap
US4761961A (en) * 1986-07-03 1988-08-09 Messer, Griesheim Gmbh Procedure for removal of low-boiling refrigerants from refrigerative and air-conditioning units
US4802343A (en) * 1987-07-01 1989-02-07 The Coca-Cola Company Self-cooling container

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1067340A3 (fr) * 1999-07-05 2001-07-04 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Piège pour recueillir le gaz de remplacement dans un dispositif de conditionnement d'air

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4500289A (en) 1990-06-12

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