WO2015028298A1

WO2015028298A1 - Device with granular material filling

Info

Publication number: WO2015028298A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/067182
Authority: WO
Inventors: Uwe FÖRSTER; Martin Kaspar; Sabine BITZER; Roger Gorges
Original assignee: Mahle International Gmbh
Priority date: 2013-08-27
Filing date: 2014-08-11
Publication date: 2015-03-05
Also published as: EP3039356A1; US20160169567A1; JP2016535234A; EP3039356B1; DE102013217072A1; CN105473959A

Abstract

The invention relates to a device comprising a fluid inlet (6) and a fluid outlet (7), wherein the device is in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit via the fluid inlet (6) and the fluid outlet (7), wherein the device contains a granular material which can absorb an amount of fluid from the refrigerant, wherein the amount of granular material contained in the device is calculated according to the formula MG = W / WA, where MG is the mass in [g] of the granular material contained in the device, W is the total amount of fluid in [g] that can be absorbed by the granular material, and WA is the amount of fluid that can be absorbed per gram of granular material.

Description

Device with Granulatbefüllunq

Description Technical area

The invention relates to a device having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the device being in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit via the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the device having a granulate through which a quantity of fluid from the refrigerant can be received.

State of the art

In automotive vehicle air conditioning refrigerant circuits, condensers are used to cool the refrigerant to the condensation temperature and to condense the refrigerant. Regularly, capacitors have a collector in which a volume of refrigerant is kept in order to compensate for volume fluctuations in the refrigerant circuit and to achieve a stable supercooling of the refrigerant.

Often, additional means for drying and / or filtering the refrigerant are provided in the collector. The means for drying is regularly formed by a granulate. The granules occupy a volume fraction of the collector or the condenser, whereby the filling volume for the refrigerant is reduced. The space available for the condenser or the collector within the motor vehicle is constantly decreasing, so that the total volume of the condenser or the collector to be realized overall also has to be reduced continuously. A disadvantage of the solutions in the prior art is in particular that the receiving volume of the condenser or the collector for refrigerant due to the arrangement of granules for drying the refrigerant and the ever-decreasing dimensions of the capacitor or the collector constantly decreases. This leads to a low temperature stability in the condenser and thus to a negative influence on the refrigerant circuit. Moreover, it is disadvantageous that, due to customer requirements, an ever greater fluid absorption capacity is required for the granules contained in the condenser or in the collector.

Presentation of the invention, object, solution, advantages

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a device which contains a granulate for drying the refrigerant, which offers the greatest possible fluid absorption capacity and at the same time occupies the lowest possible volume.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. One embodiment of the invention relates to a device having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein the device is in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit via the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the device having a granulate through which a quantity of fluid from the refrigerant can be received the amount of granules contained in the device is of the formula MG = W / WA calculated, wherein MG denotes the mass of the granules contained in the device in [g], W denotes the total amount of fluid receivable by the granules and WA denotes the amount of fluid receivable per gram of granules.

A calculation of the granules contained in the device according to the formula given above is particularly advantageous, since so the interpretation of the amount of granules on the basis of the amount of fluid to be absorbed in the refrigerant circuit or in the capacitor happens.

It is particularly advantageous if the amount of fluid that can be absorbed per gram of granules WA is in a range of 0.1 to 0.4, preferably in a range of 0.2 to 0.3, preferably in a range of 0.23 to 0.25 is. An ingestible amount of fluid per gram of granules in the range specified above is particularly advantageous, since the smallest possible total volume of the granules, the largest possible amount of the fluid can be added. This results in advantages in terms of the required installation space of the device or of a device connected to the collector, which contains the granules,

It is also preferable if the volume of the granules contained in the device is calculated in relation to the total amount of fluid that can be absorbed by the granules according to the formula VG / W = 1 / (WA / SG), where VG is the volume of the granules in [ cm ³ ], W denotes the total quantity of fluid that can be taken up by the granulate in [g], WA denotes the amount of fluid that can be taken up per gram of granulate and SG denotes the bulk density in [g / cm ³ ]. On the basis of such a formula, the volume of the granules contained in the device can be calculated in a simple manner. The contained volume is directly dependent on the amount of fluid to be absorbed within the device,

It is particularly advantageous if the volume of the granulate contained in the device is in a range of 4.4 cm ³ / g to 7 cm ³ / g, and preferably in a range of 4, relative to the total amount of fluid that can be absorbed by the granules. 7 cm ³ / g to 6.2 cm ³ / g, preferably at about 6 cm 7g.

Such a ratio of the contained volume of the granules to the total amount of fluid that can be taken up by the granules is particularly advantageous, since the required volume can be kept relatively low in comparison to a conventional granulate which regularly requires a larger volume per perceptible amount of fluid. Furthermore, it is preferable if the fluid taken up by the granules is water.

Advantageously, bound or entrained water is bound by the granules in the refrigerant. In this way, water is drawn from the refrigerant and the refrigerant is dried.

It is also expedient for the device to have a collector, the collector being arranged on a region of the device which forms the transition from the majority of liquid refrigerant to the majority of liquid, undercooled refrigerant, the collector having the granules.

A collector is particularly advantageous for purifying the refrigerant to provide volumetric storage by which fluctuations of the refrigerant volume within the refrigeration cycle can be compensated and to perform drying of the refrigerant. The drying is based in particular especially on the withdrawal of water from the refrigerant, for example by a granulate,

A collector preferably represents a unit connected to the device, which is in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit in the interior of the condenser. In this case, the fluid transfer from the device into the collector is preferably arranged in a region which lies in the flow direction after the condensation section of the condenser and in the flow direction before the subcooling section. The fluid exiting from the collector into the device advantageously likewise lies in the flow direction downstream of the condensate section and before the subcooling section of the condenser, but in the direction of flow after the fluid passes into the collector,

Moreover, it is advantageous if the granules are held by a receiving structure in the device and / or in the collector, wherein the receiving structure prevents flushing of the granules.

The granules can be held together for example by a net-like material such that a flow of the refrigerant through the net-like material and past the granules is possible. The reticulated material serves primarily to fix the granules in the device or in the collector to prevent flushing of the granules. The granules may for example be arranged in a flow-through ble dryer cartridge, which can be easily maintained and replaced. In addition, it is expedient if the granules have a binder-free structure.

A binder-free structure is particularly advantageous because binders have no or limited ability to also accept and bind a fluid, such as water. As a result of the binder-free structure, the volume fraction normally occupied by the binder can be replaced by the granules. be filled. In this way, overall, the fluid absorption capacity of the granules is increased, whereby at a constant volume compared to a binder-containing granules, a larger amount of fluid can be absorbed.

It is also expedient if the device and / or the collector have means for filtering the refrigerant.

This is particularly advantageous in order to free the refrigerant from dirt particles. As a result, the highest possible quality of the refrigerant can be ensured as long as possible.

It is also advantageous if the granules contained in the device and / or in the collector is a binder-free zeolitic granules with faujasite structure.

A binder-free zeolitic granules is particularly advantageous in order to be able to absorb as large an amount of fluid as possible with the lowest possible volume of the granules.

Zeolites generally belong to a class of crystalline aluminosilicates. In particular, the synthetic zeolites of economic importance. Zeolites with faujasite structure are divided into two classes. Zeolites with a molar SiO ₂ / Al _2O 3 ratio greater than 3.0 are referred to as Y zeolites. Zeolites with a molar SiO ₂ / Al ₂ O ₃ ratio of less than 3.0 are referred to as X zeolites. Particularly advantageous in this case is a zeolite having a molar SiO ₂ / Al ₂ O ₃ ratio greater than 3.0 and an average diameter of the granular shaped bodies of greater than 400 μm. The average transport pore diameter is advantageously greater than 150 nm, wherein the mesopore content of the zeolite is below 15%, preferably below 10%. Other binder-free granules with comparable structures and properties are providable for use in the device, in the collector or condenser.

According to the inventive concept, it is expedient if the device is a condenser, in particular for the condensation of a refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit of a motor vehicle.

It is also advantageous if the device is an accumulator, in particular for the storage of a refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit of a motor vehicle.

Alternatively, it is advantageous if the device is a combination unit of a plurality of units, such as in particular a capacitor with an accumulator. Advantageous developments of the present invention are described in the subclaims and in the following description of the figures.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following the invention will be explained in detail by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawing shows:

1 is a schematic view of a condenser in tube-fin construction, wherein on one of the manifolds of the condenser, a collector is arranged, which has means for filtering, drying and storage of the refrigerant.

Preferred embodiment of the invention The device according to the invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment as a capacitor. However, this is not restrictive, and the device according to the invention may also be an accumulator or a combination unit, for example, capacitor and accumulator or some other device.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a condenser 1 in a tube-and-fin design. The condenser 1 is formed from a plurality of mutually parallel tubes 5, which are accommodated at each end in a first collecting tube 2 and a second collecting tube 3. The tubes 5 are fluid-tightly connected to the headers 2, 3. A fluid inlet 6 is arranged in the upper region on the left-hand manifold 2 and a fluid outlet 7 in the lower region of the manifold 2. The condenser 1 is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet 6 and the fluid outlet 7 with a refrigerant circuit, for example of a motor vehicle.

Inside the collecting pipes 2 and 3, a plurality of partitions are arranged, which divide the interior of the respective collecting pipe 2, 3 into a plurality of separate subregions. In this way, a condensation section and also a subcooling path is formed within the condenser 1. The refrigerant flows along the fluid inlet 6 in the upper region of the collecting tube 2, which is separated by a partition wall, and from there through a part of the tubes 5 in the upper region of the collecting tube 3. There, a deflection takes place, whereupon the refrigerant another portion of the tubes 5 flows back into a central region within the collecting tube 2. There, the refrigerant is deflected again and flows along a further portion of the tubes 5 in a central region within the manifold 3.

At the outer periphery of the manifold 3, a collector 4 is arranged. This collector 4 is essentially formed by a cylindrical tube which is closed at its upper and lower ends. In this collector 4 are Mit- tel for filtering and drying and storage of the refrigerant flowing through the condenser 1 is provided. The collector 4 is connected to the manifold 3 in the area indicated by the reference numeral 8. In this area 8 also takes place, the refrigerant transfer from the manifold 3 into the collector 4 and the collector 4 back into the manifold 3 instead. The fluid passes into the collector 4 is separated from the collector 4 by a partition wall in the manifold 3 from the area of fluid transfer.

The refrigerant, which has flowed into the middle region of the collecting pipe 3, flows further into the collector 4. In the collector 4, the refrigerant is dried by a granulator arranged in the collector 4, wherein substantially water is removed from it. Furthermore, a means for filtering the refrigerant may be provided in the collector 4, which removes mitgeschwemmte dirt particles from the refrigerant. Furthermore, the internal volume of the collector 4 forms a storage space, which is designed to store a defined amount of refrigerant. In the collector 4, the liquid phase of the refrigerant is further separated from the gaseous phase. The gaseous phase of the refrigerant preferably collects in the upper region of the collector 4. From the collector 4, the refrigerant finally flows into a lower region of the collecting tube 3 and from there through the tubes 5 located below into a lower region of the collecting tube 2 There, the refrigerant flows through the fluid outlet 7 from the condenser.

The capacitor shown in Fig. 1 represents an exemplary embodiment of a capacitor with laterally arranged collector 4 in tube-fin construction. In alternative embodiments, for example, the number of provided in the headers 2, 3 partitions vary, as well as the arrangement and Position of the collector 4 on the condenser 1. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the granules, which serves for drying of the refrigerant, disposed within the collector 4. They are in Native embodiments also providable embodiments, in which the granules are arranged in one of the manifolds or in another portion of the condenser or the refrigerant circuit.

The granules can be received in the interior of the collector 4, for example by a tissue material, whereby an unwanted flushing out of the granules from the collector 4 can be prevented. Alternatively, the granules may be received, for example, in a tubular solid body, which allows via fluid communication between the inside and the outside of the solid.

In advantageous embodiments, in particular the part of the collector 4, which contains the granules or the means for filtering, can be exchanged in a simple manner. For this purpose, for example, a screw connection between a so-called dryer cartridge and a receptacle may be provided or a bayonet closure.

Alternatively to the condenser shown in Fig. 1 in tube-fin construction, a capacitor can be provided in stacked disc design. A condenser in stacked disk design is characterized in particular by the fact that the individual flow channels and collecting regions are formed in the interior of the condenser by stacking a plurality of disk elements. The disk stack forms the condenser. By a clever design of the individual disc elements can thereby be achieved an advantageous fluid management within the capacitor. Examples of the construction of a disk-disk-type capacitor are known in many ways from the prior art.

The embodiment of the capacitor shown in Fig. 1 has no overall restrictive effect on the design of the capacitor or the collector. It is merely an exemplary representation in order to clarify the concept of the invention.

Claims

claims

An apparatus comprising a fluid inlet (6) and a fluid outlet (7), the device being in fluid communication with the refrigerant circuit via the fluid inlet (6) and the fluid outlet (7), the device having a granule through which a fluid inlet Fluid amount from the refrigerant can be received, characterized in that the amount of granules contained in the device according to the formula

MG = W / WA, where MG denotes the mass of the granules contained in the device in [g], W denotes the total amount of fluid that can be taken up by the granules in [g] and WA denotes the amount of fluid that can be received per gram of granules.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized gekennieichnet that the amount of fluid per gram granulate WA in a range from 0.1 to 0.4, preferably in a range of 0.2 to 0.3, preferably in a range of 0.23 to 0.25.

3. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of the granules contained in the device in relation to the aggregate by the granules total fluid amount according to the formula

VG / W = 1 / (WA / SG), where VG denotes the volume of the granules in [cm ³ ], W denotes the total amount of fluid that can be taken up by the granules in [g], WA denotes the amount of fluid that can be taken per gram of granules and SG the

Bulk density in [g / cm ³ ].

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of the granules contained in the device (1) in relation to the total amount of fluid that can be absorbed by the granules in a range from 4.4 cm ³ / g to 7 cm ³ / g and preferably in a range from 4.7 cm ³ / g to 6.2 cm ³ / g, preferably at about 6 cm ³ / g,

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid absorbed by the granules is water.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a collector (4), wherein the collector (4) is arranged on a region (8) of the device, in which the transition from the majority of liquid refrigerant to a majority liquid supercooled refrigerant takes place, the collector (4) having the granules,

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the granules are held by a receiving structure in the device and / or in the collector, wherein the receiving structure prevents flushing of the granules.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the granules have a binder-free structure.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device and / or the collector (4) comprise means for filtering the refrigerant.

10.Vorrichtung according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the device and / or in the collector (4) contained granules is a binder-free zeolitic granules with Faujasitstruktur.

1 1.Vorrichtung according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is a capacitor (1), in particular for the condensation of a refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit of a motor vehicle.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is an accumulator (1), in particular for the storage of a refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit of a motor vehicle,

13.Vorrichtung according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is a combination unit of a plurality of units, in particular a capacitor with an accumulator.