WO2009003479A1 - A method of reducing air and moisture in air conditioning systems - Google Patents

A method of reducing air and moisture in air conditioning systems Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009003479A1
WO2009003479A1 PCT/DK2008/000247 DK2008000247W WO2009003479A1 WO 2009003479 A1 WO2009003479 A1 WO 2009003479A1 DK 2008000247 W DK2008000247 W DK 2008000247W WO 2009003479 A1 WO2009003479 A1 WO 2009003479A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air conditioning
conditioning system
air
coolant
moisture
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK2008/000247
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Louis B. Cording
Original Assignee
Agramkow Fluid Systems A/S
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 Agramkow Fluid Systems A/S filed Critical Agramkow Fluid Systems A/S
Publication of WO2009003479A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009003479A1/en

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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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of reducing air and moisture in air conditioning systems, said air conditioning system comprising a plurality of service valves, a supply valve, a discharge valve and a compressor, said air conditioning system being flushed in that the supply valve is opened, whereby coolant is filled into the air conditioning system via the service valves, following which the supply valve is closed and the discharge valve is opened, said compressor being simultaneously used for emptying the air conditioning system of the supplied coolant.
  • An air conditioning system is a system which controls the air temperature in rooms, such as e.g. in cars, trains, aircraft and buildings.
  • rooms such as e.g. in cars, trains, aircraft and buildings.
  • an air conditioning system it is possible to achieve a desired temperature in the room in which an individual is present.
  • the ability of the system to cool the air is based on the same principles as underlie refrigerators.
  • an air conditioning system contains a coolant which undergoes various changes of state in order to cool the air.
  • An air conditioning system essentially comprises a compressor, two heat exchangers and an expansion valve as well as a coolant which circulates in the system. The air is cooled by allowing the coolant to absorb heat in the one heat exchanger and to give off heat in the other heat exchanger.
  • Coolants for air conditioning systems may be both synthetic and natural.
  • the synthetic coolants comprise coolants such as CFC, HCFC and HFC.
  • the synthetic coolants cause damage to the ozone layer and increase the greenhouse effect.
  • the natural coolants comprise coolants such as propane, butane, ammonia and carbon dioxide. The natural coolants damage the environment to a smaller extent than the synthetic coolants.
  • the present invention remedies the problems of the most immediate prior art by flushing the air and moisture of the air conditioning system out with coolant in stead of pumping with a vacuum pump. This will accelerate the service of the air conditioning system, and the vacuum pump will moreover be saved.
  • the invention provides a method of reducing air and moisture in air condi- tioning systems, said air conditioning system being flushed twice or several times with a coolant, whose pressure is higher than the pressure of the air in the system, so that the necessary reduction of air and moisture in the air conditioning system is established at a higher total gas pressure.
  • the pressure of air/moisture may be brought to a lower level than with just one flushing. This results in a lower load of the compressor.
  • the mix ratio between air/moisture in the air conditioning system and the coolant which is filled into the system means that it will be optimum to repeat the flushing process. Even with several flushings the procedure will still be faster than with a vacuum pump, and less energy will have been spent on emptying the system of air/moisture.
  • the optimum mix ratio is at a coolant pressure which is 4 to 8 times greater than the pressure of the air in the system.
  • the air conditioning system When a container with coolant is connected, the air conditioning system may be flushed with coolant from the container, and when the flushing has been completed, the coolant may be returned to the container, so that it may be re-used for subsequent flushings. Then, the coolant in the container may be used for filling into the air conditioning system after the service has been terminated.
  • the air conditioning system contains a coolant which undergoes both changes of state, such as pressure, temperature and volume, and changes of phase, such as gas and liquid.
  • the system is flushed with coolant in stead of evacuating to a low vacuum level with a vacuum pump.
  • the system In order for the air conditioning system to be flushed, the system must comprise a plurality of service valves 2, 3, a supply valve 6, a discharge valve 7 and a compressor 9.
  • the flushing itself takes place in that first the supply valve 6 is opened. This means that coolant stored in a container 10 will flow into the air conditioning system via the service valves 2, 3.
  • the supply valve 6 When the coolant is inside the air conditioning system 1 , the supply valve 6 is closed, and the discharge valve 7 is opened.
  • the compressor 9 is started, ensuring that the coolant disappears from the air con- ditioning system 1 together with the air and the moisture that might be present in the air conditioning system.
  • the coolant flows from the air conditioning system and back into the storage container 10, so that it may subsequently be filled into the air conditioning system again.
  • the mix ratio between coolant and air/moisture in the air conditioning sys- tern means that the partial pressure of the air after a flushing will be considerably lower than the air pressure, if coolant had not been filled into the air conditioning system. This also means that less energy has to be supplied to the compressor than if a vacuum pump had been used.
  • the number of necessary flushings is dependent on the amount of supplied coolant as well as the ability of the compressor to empty the system.
  • the compressor will be capable of emptying the air conditioning system down to a sufficiently low pressure after three flushings. If a lower mix ratio is used, the system has to be flushed several times.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Compressors, Vaccum Pumps And Other Relevant Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A method and a system for flushing air conditioning systems, said air conditioning system (1 ) comprising a plurality of service valves (2, 3), a supply valve (6), a discharge valve (7) and a compressor (9). The air conditioning system (1 ) is flushed in that the supply valve (6) is opened, whereby coolant from a container (10) is filled into the air conditioning system (1 ) via the service valves (2, 3). Then, the supply valve (6) is closed, and the discharge valve (7) is opened. At the same time, the air conditioning system (1 ) is emptied of the supplied coolant by means of the compressor (9).

Description

A METHOD OF REDUCING AIR AND MOISTURE IN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS
The prior art
The present invention relates to a method of reducing air and moisture in air conditioning systems, said air conditioning system comprising a plurality of service valves, a supply valve, a discharge valve and a compressor, said air conditioning system being flushed in that the supply valve is opened, whereby coolant is filled into the air conditioning system via the service valves, following which the supply valve is closed and the discharge valve is opened, said compressor being simultaneously used for emptying the air conditioning system of the supplied coolant.
An air conditioning system is a system which controls the air temperature in rooms, such as e.g. in cars, trains, aircraft and buildings. Thus, with an air conditioning system it is possible to achieve a desired temperature in the room in which an individual is present. The ability of the system to cool the air is based on the same principles as underlie refrigerators. Thus, an air conditioning system contains a coolant which undergoes various changes of state in order to cool the air.
An air conditioning system essentially comprises a compressor, two heat exchangers and an expansion valve as well as a coolant which circulates in the system. The air is cooled by allowing the coolant to absorb heat in the one heat exchanger and to give off heat in the other heat exchanger.
Coolants for air conditioning systems may be both synthetic and natural.
The synthetic coolants comprise coolants such as CFC, HCFC and HFC. The synthetic coolants, however, cause damage to the ozone layer and increase the greenhouse effect. The natural coolants comprise coolants such as propane, butane, ammonia and carbon dioxide. The natural coolants damage the environment to a smaller extent than the synthetic coolants.
It is necessary to service the air conditioning system at regular intervals. In addition, the air conditioning system may become incapable of functioning, for which reason it is likewise necessary to service it.
When servicing an air conditioning system, it is important to ensure that all air and moisture, if any, are pumped out of the air conditioning system.
Various methods of ensuring that all air and moisture, if any, are pumped out of the air conditioning system, are described in the literature. Two examples of known systems are given in JP9292170 by Seiko Seiki and SU 1693328 by Khmelnitskij Ti Bytovogo Obsl. In both systems, the compressor forming part of an air conditioning system is also used for emptying the coolant circuit of coolant when so required, most frequently in connection with service of the system. However, a compressor forming part of an air conditioning system is not capable of providing a pressure which is suffi- cient for reducing air and moisture in air conditioning systems to a desirably low level.
The object of the invention
The present invention remedies the problems of the most immediate prior art by flushing the air and moisture of the air conditioning system out with coolant in stead of pumping with a vacuum pump. This will accelerate the service of the air conditioning system, and the vacuum pump will moreover be saved.
The invention provides a method of reducing air and moisture in air condi- tioning systems, said air conditioning system being flushed twice or several times with a coolant, whose pressure is higher than the pressure of the air in the system, so that the necessary reduction of air and moisture in the air conditioning system is established at a higher total gas pressure.
By flushing the air conditioning system several times, the pressure of air/moisture may be brought to a lower level than with just one flushing. This results in a lower load of the compressor.
The mix ratio between air/moisture in the air conditioning system and the coolant which is filled into the system, means that it will be optimum to repeat the flushing process. Even with several flushings the procedure will still be faster than with a vacuum pump, and less energy will have been spent on emptying the system of air/moisture.
The optimum mix ratio is at a coolant pressure which is 4 to 8 times greater than the pressure of the air in the system.
When a container with coolant is connected, the air conditioning system may be flushed with coolant from the container, and when the flushing has been completed, the coolant may be returned to the container, so that it may be re-used for subsequent flushings. Then, the coolant in the container may be used for filling into the air conditioning system after the service has been terminated.
The drawing
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained more fully below with reference to the drawing, which schematically shows an air condition- ing system. Description of the exemplary embodiments
With reference to the drawing, an example of an embodiment of an air conditioning system is shown. The air conditioning system contains a coolant which undergoes both changes of state, such as pressure, temperature and volume, and changes of phase, such as gas and liquid.
To accelerate service of the air conditioning system, the system is flushed with coolant in stead of evacuating to a low vacuum level with a vacuum pump.
In order for the air conditioning system to be flushed, the system must comprise a plurality of service valves 2, 3, a supply valve 6, a discharge valve 7 and a compressor 9. The flushing itself takes place in that first the supply valve 6 is opened. This means that coolant stored in a container 10 will flow into the air conditioning system via the service valves 2, 3. When the coolant is inside the air conditioning system 1 , the supply valve 6 is closed, and the discharge valve 7 is opened. At the same time, the compressor 9 is started, ensuring that the coolant disappears from the air con- ditioning system 1 together with the air and the moisture that might be present in the air conditioning system. The coolant flows from the air conditioning system and back into the storage container 10, so that it may subsequently be filled into the air conditioning system again.
With the above procedure, air and moisture will have been removed from the air conditioning system, and, therefore, the same result is achieved as if a vacuum pump had been used.
The mix ratio between coolant and air/moisture in the air conditioning sys- tern means that the partial pressure of the air after a flushing will be considerably lower than the air pressure, if coolant had not been filled into the air conditioning system. This also means that less energy has to be supplied to the compressor than if a vacuum pump had been used.
If the air conditioning system is flushed only once, it is not certain, however, that a pressure has been achieved which is sufficiently low for the filling of the air conditioning system to be started.
It will thus be necessary to repeat the flushing process a number of times in order to achieve the desired pressure. The number of necessary flushings is dependent on the amount of supplied coolant as well as the ability of the compressor to empty the system.
If the air conditioning system is filled with coolant at a pressure of 4 to 8 times the pressure of the air in the system, the compressor will be capable of emptying the air conditioning system down to a sufficiently low pressure after three flushings. If a lower mix ratio is used, the system has to be flushed several times.
Typically, it will take 30 to 45 minutes to empty an air conditioning system by means of a vacuum pump. However, a flushing process in which the air conditioning system is emptied down to the same pressure as with a vacuum pump, will just take 10 minutes.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS
1. A method of reducing air and moisture in air conditioning systems, said air conditioning system (1) comprising a plurality of service valves (2, 3), a supply valve (6), a discharge valve (7) and a compressor (9), said air conditioning system (1) being flushed in that the supply valve (6) is opened, whereby coolant is filled into the air conditioning system (1 ) via the service valves (2, 3), following which the supply valve (6) is closed and the discharge valve (7) is opened, said compressor (9) being simultaneously used for emptying the air conditioning system of the supplied coolant, characterized in that the air conditioning system is flushed twice or several times with a coolant whose pressure is higher than the pressure of the air in the system, so that the necessary reduction of air and moisture in the air conditioning system is established at a higher total gas pressure.
2. A method of reducing air and moisture in air conditioning systems according to claim ^characterized in that the air conditioning system is flushed before the actual filling of the system is started.
3. A method of reducing air and moisture in air conditioning systems according to claim 2, characterized in that the pressure of the coolant is 4 to 8 times greater than the pressure of the air in the system.
4. A method of flushing air conditioning systems according to claim 1 , characterized in that the air conditioning system comprises a container (10) for coolant, wherein the coolant in the container (10) is first used for flushing the air conditioning system and is then filled into the air conditioning system when the service has been completed.
PCT/DK2008/000247 2007-07-02 2008-07-01 A method of reducing air and moisture in air conditioning systems WO2009003479A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DK200700968A DK200700968A (en) 2007-07-02 2007-07-02 Method and systems for flushing air conditioners
DKPA200700968 2007-07-02

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009003479A1 true WO2009003479A1 (en) 2009-01-08

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3914252A1 (en) * 1989-04-29 1990-10-31 Behr Gmbh & Co Cleaning of refrigerant circuit for motor vehicle air-conditioner - by removing and passing refrigerant through filter and evaporator and then collecting tank equipped with oil separator
SU1693328A1 (en) * 1988-12-07 1991-11-23 Хмельницкий Технологический Институт Бытового Обслуживания Stand for charging domestic refrigerators
US5379605A (en) * 1994-01-27 1995-01-10 Wynn's Climate Systems, Inc. Method for cleaning air conditioning system
JPH09292170A (en) * 1996-04-26 1997-11-11 Seiko Seiki Co Ltd Air conditioning unit
JP2002107011A (en) * 2000-10-02 2002-04-10 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Cleaning operation method of refrigerating cycle equipment
JP2004278859A (en) * 2003-03-13 2004-10-07 Hitachi Ltd Piping flushing device and piping flushing method

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SU1693328A1 (en) * 1988-12-07 1991-11-23 Хмельницкий Технологический Институт Бытового Обслуживания Stand for charging domestic refrigerators
DE3914252A1 (en) * 1989-04-29 1990-10-31 Behr Gmbh & Co Cleaning of refrigerant circuit for motor vehicle air-conditioner - by removing and passing refrigerant through filter and evaporator and then collecting tank equipped with oil separator
US5379605A (en) * 1994-01-27 1995-01-10 Wynn's Climate Systems, Inc. Method for cleaning air conditioning system
JPH09292170A (en) * 1996-04-26 1997-11-11 Seiko Seiki Co Ltd Air conditioning unit
JP2002107011A (en) * 2000-10-02 2002-04-10 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Cleaning operation method of refrigerating cycle equipment
JP2004278859A (en) * 2003-03-13 2004-10-07 Hitachi Ltd Piping flushing device and piping flushing method

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DK200700968A (en) 2009-01-03

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