WO1990007092A1 - Appareil permettant de separer des agents contaminants d'un milieu refrigerant - Google Patents

Appareil permettant de separer des agents contaminants d'un milieu refrigerant Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1990007092A1
WO1990007092A1 PCT/AU1989/000535 AU8900535W WO9007092A1 WO 1990007092 A1 WO1990007092 A1 WO 1990007092A1 AU 8900535 W AU8900535 W AU 8900535W WO 9007092 A1 WO9007092 A1 WO 9007092A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
refrigerant
separation chamber
outlet
contaminants
contaminated
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1989/000535
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jeffrey Alan Graham
Original Assignee
Roads Corporation
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 Roads Corporation filed Critical Roads Corporation
Publication of WO1990007092A1 publication Critical patent/WO1990007092A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D1/00—Evaporating
    • B01D1/02—Evaporators with heating coils
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D1/00—Evaporating
    • B01D1/0082—Regulation; Control
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D1/00—Evaporating
    • B01D1/04—Evaporators with horizontal tubes
    • 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
    • F25B43/00—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to removal of impurities or contaminants from refrigerants used in refrigeration systems, and in particular to apparatus for separating and removing those impurities or contaminants from the refrigerant of such systems.
  • the invention is applicable to vapour compression refrigeration systems used in air conditioning plants and equipment, and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to that exemplary application. It is to be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to that application.
  • refrigerant used in a vapour compression refrigeration system tends to become contaminated with foreign impurities. This may include liquid matter such as oil as well as solid impurities including waxes and metal particles.
  • the impurities reduce the efficiency of operation and retard the cooling ability of the refrigeration system. Therefore, after contamination reaches unacceptable levels, the refrigerant needs to be replaced. At present the contaminated refrigerant is usually released into the atmosphere and replaced with fresh refrigerant.
  • fluorocarbons such as
  • the refrigerant be recycled by removing the impurities and re-using the cleaned or de-contaminated refrigerant.
  • Driers are available for removing liquid impurities from refrigerants. However, these driers are not able to effectively remove solid impurities from the contaminated refrigerants.
  • the present invention provides apparatus for separating and removing contaminants from refrigerant of a vapour compression refrigeration system, including: a primary separation chamber; a refrigerant inlet through which contaminated refrigerant is introduced into the primary separation chamber; a refrigerant outlet through which de-contaminated refrigerant is removed from the apparatus; a contaminant outlet through which contaminants separated from the refrigerant are discharged from the apparatus; and, heating means for heating to vapourize the contaminated refrigerant, wherein vapourized refrigerant in the primary separation chamber separates from solid contaminants and liquid contaminants having a boiling point higher than the refrigerant, the de-contaminated refrigerant being removed through the refrigerant outlet while the separated contaminates accumulate within the apparatus for subsequent discharge through the contaminant outlet.
  • the apparatus further includes a secondary separation chamber and communication means permitting fluid communication between the primary and secondary separation chambers.
  • the refrigerant outlet is connected to the secondary separation chamber so that in use, vapourized de-contaminated refrigerant in the primary separation chamber flows to the secondary separation chamber and from there flows through the refrigerant outlet out of the apparatus, with contaminants entrained in the vapourized refrigerant in the secondary separation chamber tend to separating out from the refrigerant in the secondary separation chamber.
  • a primary separation vessel providing the primary separation chamber and a secondary separation vessel provides the secondary separation chamber.
  • at least one connection tube extends between the separation vessels providing the co munication means in this at least one embodiment.
  • the heating means includes one or more heating elements located in the primary separation chamber for vaporizing contaminated refrigerant entering through the refrigerant inlet.
  • the heating element(s) may include a heating tube extending within the primary separation chamber and through which a heated fluid is passed to transfer heat energy to refrigerant within the primary separation chamber.
  • the apparatus further includes control means for controlling flow of refrigerant through the refrigerant inlet and outlet and flow of contaminants through the contaminant outlet, wherein during an operating cycle of the apparatus, the control means initially opens the refrigerant inlet and refrigerant outlet to introduce contaminated refrigerant into the primary separation chamber and simultaneously remove from the apparatus de-contaminated refrigerant. Thereafter the refrigerant inlet and refrigerant outlet are closed, and the contaminant outlet is opened for discharge of accumulated contaminants from the apparatus. The control means then operated to close the contaminant outlet.
  • the control means may include control valves actuable to open and close the refrigerant inlet and refrigerant outlet and contaminant outlet. Moreover, at least one timer device may be provided and operable to cause timed actuation of the control valve(s) to open and/or close the inlet and outle (s) .
  • the control means may further include at least one pressure sensitive switch. That switch is operable to cause actuation of the control valve to open the contaminant outlet when refrigerant vapour pressure within the primary separation chamber reaches a predetermined upper level and thereby discharge the accumulated contaminants through the contaminant outlet, and to subsequently close the contaminant cutlet when that refrigerant vapour pressure drops to a predetermined lower level.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the control means of the apparatus of Fig. 1.
  • apparatus 1 having primary separation vessel 2 providing primary separation chamber 3 as well as secondary separation vessel 4 providing secondary separation chamber 5.
  • separation vessel 4 is located above separation vessel 2 for use of apparatus 1. This assists in minimizing transfer of contaminants from separation chamber 3 as will become more apparent hereinafter.
  • distinct primary and secondary separation vessels 2,4 individually provide separation chambers 3,5. It is also envisaged that, in at least one alternative embodiment (not shown) , primary and secondary separation chambers 3,4 be enclosed in a single separation vessel with a partition separating those two chambers 3,4.
  • Separation vessels 2,4 are of any suitable shape and size.
  • vessels 2,4 each have an elongate tubular body 6 with closed ends 7 to provide cylindrical shaped separation chambers 3,5.
  • Vessels 2,4 are conveniently constructed from materials used in the refrigeration industry, such as 16 gauge refrigeration copper pipe.
  • Refrigerant inlet 8 communicates with separation chamber
  • inlet 8 and outlets 9,10 to separation chambers 3,5 are provided by refrigeration standard pipe fittings mounted on vessels 2,4.
  • Apparatus 1 further has communication means 11 permitting fluid communication between separation chambers 3,4.
  • communication means 9 includes at least one (two as shown) connection tube 12 providing a communication passage between chambers 3,5.
  • a criteria on the selection of the number and size of tubes 12 is that they have a combined communication passage sufficient in size to allow the vaporized refrigerant to pass through into secondary separation chamber 5 at a relatively low vapour velocity. As will become more apparent hereinafter this will minimise the amount of contaminants that may be entrained by the refrigerant. If the vapour volocity is too high then excessive amounts of contaminants may be carried through connection tube(s) 12 between separation chambers 3,5.
  • Apparatus 1 also includes heating means 13 for heating refrigerant to cause vapourization of refrigerant in separation chamber 3. In this embodiment, heating means 13 is supported within chamber 3.
  • heating means 13 is situated outside separation vessel 2 to heat tubular body 6 and thereby refrigerant within separartion chamber 3.
  • heating means 13 is again situated outside separation vessel 2 and arranged to heat refrigerant before it is introduced into separation chamber 3.
  • One form of heating means 13 for refrigerants such as
  • R-11 includes heating element 14 passing through separation chamber 3, heating element 14 having heating tube 15 coiled within separation chamber 3 and through a heating fluid such as water flows to transfer heat energy to the refrigerant.
  • Tube 15 is made of copper material formed into a compressed coil, in at least one embodiment. Since the boiling temperature of R-11 is about 23 C the heat provided by hot water is normally sufficient to vaporize the contaminated refrigerant.
  • Alternative embodiments envisage other heating means 13, such as one or more electrically powered heating elements, the selection of which may depend upon the refrigerant being de-contaminated.
  • heating tube 15 is supported in primary separation chamber 3, with opposing ends of tube 15 being connected to, or forming, heating fluid inlet 16 and outlet 17.
  • the external diameter of coiled heating tube 15 approximately corresponds with the internal diameter of tubular body 6. That coiled heating tube 15 extends substantially along the entire length of primary separation chamber 3, in this embodiment, thereby maximizing efficiency of heat energy transfer from the heating fluid to the refrigerant.
  • control means 18 In this embodiment, operation of apparatus 1 is controlled by control means 18 as shown in Fig. 2.
  • Control means 18 is electrically powered and enables apparatus 1 to operate on ah automatic basis, in this embodiment.
  • control means 18 is connectable to a mains A.C. electric power supply.
  • Control means 18 includes electrical network 19 incorporating separate control valves 20,21,22 respectively at refrigerant inlet 8 and outlet 9, and at contaminant outlet 10. Those valves 20,21,22 are actuable to open and close inlet 8 and outlets 9,10 thereby to control the flow of refrigerant and contaminants through apparatus 1.
  • Electromagnetic or solenoid actuated control valves 20,21,22 are used in this embodiment, although alternative control valves may be equally suitable.
  • Control means 18 also includes timer device 23 operable to cause timed actuation of control valves 20,21 for opening inlet 8 and outlet 9 for predetermined period.
  • Device 23 includes timer 24 and associated switch 25 which is closed for the predetermined period to connect valves 20,21 to the power supply for actuation to open inlet 8 and outlet 9.
  • Timer 24 is conveniently adjustable to vary the predetermined period. That adjustment may be manual.
  • Control means 18 further includes pressure sensitive switch device 26 operable to cause actuation of control valve 22 for opening outlet 10 when pressure of refrigerant vapour in separation chambers 3,4 reaches a predetermined upper level.
  • pressure sensitive switch device 26 operable to cause actuation of control valve 22 for opening outlet 10 when pressure of refrigerant vapour in separation chambers 3,4 reaches a predetermined upper level.
  • valve 22 is connected to the power supply for actuation thereof to open outlet 10.
  • pressure switch device 26 operates to disconnect the power supply and valve 22 thereby resulting in the closing of outlet 10.
  • Pressure sensitive switch device 26 is also interposed in network 19 between the power supply and switch 24, and operable to supply power to timer deivce 23 only when pressure within separation chambers 3,5 is below the predetermined upper level. In this way, pressure sensitive switch device 26 alternatively connects the power supply to control valve 22 and timer device 23. (and thus control valves 20,21). Conveniently, switch device 26 is exposed to refrigerant vapour pressure in secondary separation chamber 5. Switch device 26 may be adjustable to vary the predetermined upper and lower levels at which switching occurs that adjustment may be manual.
  • float switch 27 may be provided in a waste container (not shown) receiving the discharged contaminants from outlet 10, to prevent the operation of apparatus 1 should the level of contaminants within the container reach a predetermined maximum level. Float switch 27 operates to disconnect the supply power from network 19 and thereby disable apparatus 1.
  • control means 18 also includes check valve 28 provided downstream of contaminant outlet control valve 22 to prevent the contaminants from returning through contaminant outlet 10 into chambers 3,5.
  • apparatus 1 can be installed as a permanent part of a refrigeration system. Thus, apparatus 1 will operate to periodically or continuously de-contaminate the refrigerant of that system.
  • apparatus 1 may be portable for use in de-contaminating refrigerant from a plurality of refrigeration systems, apparatus 1 being transported to those systems as required.
  • apparatus 1 may be permanently located at a de-contamination plant remote from refrigeration systems, and the refrigerant from those systems transported in containers to the apparatus for de-contamination and subsequent return to the refrigeration systems.
  • refrigerant inlet and outlet control valves 20,21 are initially actuated to respectively allow contaminated liquid refrigerant to be introduced through open inlet 8 into primary separation chamber 3 and allow de-contaminated refrigerant to be removed from secondary separation chamber 5 through open outlet 9.
  • Contaminant outlet control valve 21 is initially actuated to close outlet 10 during this cycle period.
  • vaporized refrigerant in separation chamber 3 separates from contaminants and flows into separation chamber 5 and finally through outlet 9 to leave apparatus 1. Contaminants, separated from the refrigerant settle and accumulate at the bottom of separation chamber 3.
  • Secondary separation chamber 5 allows any remaining contaminates that may be entrained in the refrigerant to separate out as well as allowing the refrigerant to partially cool before being removed from apparatus 1. Those separated contaminants may drain back to primary separation chamber 3 through connection tubes 12. The refrigerant vapour velocity along connection tubes 12 is such that contaminants in primary separation chamber 3 are not generally entrained into the refrigerant vapour and carried up to secondary separation chamber 5..
  • timer device 23 initiates actuation of refrigeration control valves 20,21 to close inlet 8 and outlet 9. In one embodiment the predetermined period is of the order of about 30 minutes.
  • inlet 8 and outlet 9 Closure of inlet 8 and outlet 9 causes the refrigerant vapour pressure to rise within separation chambers 3,5. When that pressure reaches a predetermined upper level (as set by switch device 26), then switch device 26 operates to initiate actuation of contaminant control valve 22 to open outlet 10.
  • a predetermined upper level of vapour pressure is of the order of 21 Kpa.
  • the refrigerant vapour pressure which has built up within separation chamber 3, causes contaminants accumulated within chamber 3 to disgorge out through contaminant outlet 10 to a waste container.
  • the apparatus of the present invention enables relatively simple and inexpensive re-cycling of refrigerant from refrigeration systems. As such, costs of operating those sytems may be minimized.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Vaporization, Distillation, Condensation, Sublimation, And Cold Traps (AREA)

Abstract

L'appareil décrit (1) sert à séparer et à extraire des agents contaminants d'un milieu réfrigérant d'un système de réfrigération à compression de vapeur. L'appareil (1) comprend une chambre de séparation primaire (3), une entrée (8) pour le milieu réfrigérant à travers laquelle le milieu réfrigérant contaminé est introduit dans la chambre de séparation primaire (3), ainsi qu'une sortie (9) pour le milieu réfrigérant à travers laquelle le milieu réfrigérant décontaminé est retiré de l'appareil (1). Les agents contaminants séparés du milieu réfrigérant sont séparés par une sortie (10) pour agents contaminants. Un organe chauffant (13) assure l'évaporation du milieu réfrigérant contaminé, de sorte que le milieu réfrigérant ainsi évaporé, qui est contenu dans la chambre de séparation primaire (3), se sépare des agents contaminants solides et des agents contaminants liquides ayant un point d'ébullition supérieur à lui. Le milieu réfrigérant décontaminé est retiré par la sortie (9) pour milieu réfrigérant, pendant que les particules contaminées séparées s'accumulent dans l'appareil (1), en vue de leur décharge ultérieure par la sortie (10).
PCT/AU1989/000535 1988-12-19 1989-12-14 Appareil permettant de separer des agents contaminants d'un milieu refrigerant WO1990007092A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPJ202588 1988-12-19
AUPJ2025 1988-12-19

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1990007092A1 true WO1990007092A1 (fr) 1990-06-28

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1989/000535 WO1990007092A1 (fr) 1988-12-19 1989-12-14 Appareil permettant de separer des agents contaminants d'un milieu refrigerant

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CA (1) CA2005805A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1990007092A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2375056A (en) * 2001-01-25 2002-11-06 Richard Geoffrey John Franklin Apparatus and method for removing volatile contaminants from thermal oil

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3478529A (en) * 1968-04-17 1969-11-18 Phillips Petroleum Co Purification of refrigerant
GB1189803A (en) * 1968-01-22 1970-04-29 Stal Refrigeration Ab Method of Removing Water and Oil from the Refrigerant in a Compressor Type Refrigerating System.
EP0016509A2 (fr) * 1979-03-23 1980-10-01 Grasso's Koninklijke Machinefabrieken N.V. Dispositif pour séparer l'huile du fluide réfrigérant
AU1909588A (en) * 1987-11-04 1989-05-04 Spx Corporation Refrigerant recovery and purification system
WO1989003963A1 (fr) * 1987-10-19 1989-05-05 Steenburgh Leon R Jr Van Procede et appareil de regeneration de refrigerant

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1189803A (en) * 1968-01-22 1970-04-29 Stal Refrigeration Ab Method of Removing Water and Oil from the Refrigerant in a Compressor Type Refrigerating System.
US3478529A (en) * 1968-04-17 1969-11-18 Phillips Petroleum Co Purification of refrigerant
EP0016509A2 (fr) * 1979-03-23 1980-10-01 Grasso's Koninklijke Machinefabrieken N.V. Dispositif pour séparer l'huile du fluide réfrigérant
WO1989003963A1 (fr) * 1987-10-19 1989-05-05 Steenburgh Leon R Jr Van Procede et appareil de regeneration de refrigerant
AU1909588A (en) * 1987-11-04 1989-05-04 Spx Corporation Refrigerant recovery and purification system

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2375056A (en) * 2001-01-25 2002-11-06 Richard Geoffrey John Franklin Apparatus and method for removing volatile contaminants from thermal oil
GB2375056B (en) * 2001-01-25 2004-08-25 Richard Geoffrey John Franklin Improvements relating to oil decontamination and method therefor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2005805A1 (fr) 1990-06-19

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