WO2023146238A1

WO2023146238A1 - Compression system and clothing treating apparatus comprising same

Info

Publication number: WO2023146238A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/001052
Authority: WO
Inventors: 최병하; 김정한; 이장석
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2022-01-25
Filing date: 2023-01-20
Publication date: 2023-08-03
Also published as: KR20230114568A

Abstract

The present invention provides a compression system comprising: a compressor that compresses and discharges a coolant so as to minimize the amount of oil mixed in the coolant being supplied; a plurality of oil separators that separate the oil included in the discharged coolant; and a coolant pipeline connecting the compressor and the plurality of oil separators to form a movement path of the coolant, wherein the plurality of oil separators are connected in series along the movement path of the coolant.

Description

Compression system and clothes handling apparatus including the same

The present invention relates to a compression system and a clothes handling apparatus including the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a compression system for separating oil from carbon dioxide compressed by a compressor and discharged in a clothes treatment device performing carbon dioxide dry cleaning, and a clothes treatment device including the same.

Commonly used dry cleaning solvents are enzymatic health and safety hazards and are environmentally detrimental. Such dry cleaning solvents contain overchlorinated ethylene, which is suspected of being a carcinogen. Specifically, currently used gasoline-based solvents are flammable and produce smog.

In order to solve the problem of gasoline-based solvents, a dry cleaning system using carbon dioxide has been developed. Carbon dioxide is non-toxic, non-flammable, does not produce smog, and is available in infinite quantities. In addition, liquid carbon dioxide does not damage fabrics and can be dissolved in dyes, making it a good dry cleaning medium.

In a dry cleaning system using carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide is supplied to a washing tub to perform a washing operation, and contaminated carbon dioxide used in the washing operation is discharged into a distillation tank connected to the washing tub. Contaminated carbon dioxide is separated from contaminants while being evaporated by a heat exchanger disposed inside the distillation tank. At this time, the compressor provided in the dry cleaning system receives carbon dioxide from the distillation tank, compresses it into high-temperature carbon dioxide, and then supplies the carbon dioxide to the heat exchanger inside the distillation tank.

An oil compressor is generally used in such a dry cleaning system. An oil compressor refers to a compressor in which oil is separately supplied to lubricate the operation of the compressor. After the oil lubricates the operation of the compressor inside the compressor, a part thereof is mixed with the refrigerant and discharged together. Therefore, the oil compressor may be provided with an oil separator for separating oil from the refrigerant.

Such an oil separator is disclosed in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0217628 (hereinafter referred to as 'prior art').

In a clothes treatment apparatus performing carbon dioxide dry cleaning, since carbon dioxide directly contacts laundry, washing performance may deteriorate if carbon dioxide contains a lot of oil.

However, since the oil separation structure disclosed in the prior art has only one oil separator, there is a limit to effectively separating oil from the refrigerant, which may cause failure of other parts and reduce the efficiency of the refrigerant cycle. . In addition, when the oil separation structure disclosed in the prior art is used in a laundry treatment apparatus, a refrigerant containing a large amount of oil directly contacts laundry, resulting in deterioration in washing performance.

In addition, even if a plurality of oil separators are provided to solve this problem, there may be a problem that the oil separated from the oil separator tends to the lower pressure side due to the pressure difference between each oil separator, which causes the separated oil to be sent to the compressor. When recovering, it can lead to oil shortages.

The problem to be solved by the present specification is to provide a compression system that can more effectively separate oil from the refrigerant discharged from the oil compressor to reduce failure of other parts and improve the efficiency of the refrigerant cycle, and a clothes handling apparatus including the same will be.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a compression system capable of improving washing performance by minimizing the oil content of a refrigerant and a clothes treatment apparatus including the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a compression system capable of solving a phenomenon in which oil recovered to a compressor is insufficient due to a difference in oil level between a plurality of oil separators and a clothes treatment apparatus including the same.

A compression system according to an aspect of the present disclosure for achieving the above object includes a compressor for compressing and discharging a refrigerant; A plurality of oil separators for separating oil contained in the discharged refrigerant; and a refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor and the plurality of oil separators to form a refrigerant movement path.

At this time, the plurality of oil separators may be connected in series along the refrigerant movement path.

Through this, it is possible to more effectively separate the oil from the refrigerant discharged from the oil compressor, thereby reducing the failure of other parts and improving the efficiency of the refrigerant cycle.

In addition, washing performance can be improved by minimizing the oil content of the refrigerant.

In addition, the compression system includes a connection pipe through which oil can flow between each oil separation device and a return pipe through which oil can be recovered from the plurality of oil separation devices to the compressor, and the plurality of oil separation devices The device includes a first oil separator provided closest to the compressor on a moving path of the refrigerant, and a second oil separator provided next to the first oil separator, and the connection pipe is connected to the first oil separator. The separator may be connected to the second oil separator, and the return pipe may connect the first oil separator to the compressor.

In addition, the connection pipe may include a first flow resistance body providing resistance to the flow of oil.

In addition, the first flow resistance body may be formed in a capillary structure on the connection pipe.

In addition, the recovery pipe may include a second flow resistance body providing resistance to the flow of oil.

In addition, the second flow resistance body may be formed in a capillary structure on the recovery pipe.

In addition, the connection pipe includes a first flow resistance body that provides resistance to the flow of oil, and the return pipe includes a second flow resistance body that provides resistance to the flow of oil, and the second flow resistance body provides resistance to the flow of oil. may be smaller than the flow resistance of the first flow resistance member.

Through this, it is possible to solve a phenomenon in which oil recovered to a compressor is insufficient due to a difference in oil level occurring between a plurality of oil separators.

In addition, the first flow resistor and the second flow resistor may have a capillary structure, and the second flow resistor may have a shorter length than the first flow resistor.

In addition, the first flow resistor and the second flow resistor may be formed in a capillary structure, and the passage sectional area of the second flow resistor may be wider than that of the first flow resistor.

A laundry treatment apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure for achieving the above object includes a washing unit supplied with a refrigerant and washing laundry; a distillation unit including a shell forming a distillation space accommodating the refrigerant discharged from the washing unit, and a heating unit disposed inside the shell to heat the refrigerant accommodated in the distillation space; a compression system for compressing the refrigerant distilled in the distillation space and supplying the compressed refrigerant to the heating unit; a refrigeration unit for freezing the refrigerant discharged from the heating unit; and a storage unit for storing the refrigerant liquefied by the refrigerating unit.

At this time, the compression system includes a compressor for compressing and discharging the refrigerant, and a plurality of oil separators for separating the oil contained in the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, and the plurality of oil separators are the movement path of the refrigerant. can be connected in series along

Through this specification, it is possible to more effectively separate the oil from the refrigerant discharged from the oil compressor, thereby reducing the failure of other parts and improving the efficiency of the refrigerant cycle.

In addition, it is possible to solve a phenomenon in which oil recovered to a compressor is insufficient due to a difference in oil level between a plurality of oil separators.

1 illustrates a dry cleaning system of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present specification.

2 illustrates a compression system according to one embodiment of the present specification.

3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an oil recovery amount of a compression system according to an embodiment of the present specification.

Figure 4 shows a state before operation of the compression system according to another embodiment of the present specification.

5 illustrates an operating state of a compression system according to another embodiment of the present specification.

6 illustrates a state after operation of a compression system according to another embodiment of the present specification.

The terms used in the embodiments have been selected from general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible while considering the functions in the present disclosure, but they may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a person skilled in the art, the emergence of new technologies, and the like. In addition, in a specific case, there are also terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the corresponding description. Therefore, terms used in the present disclosure should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the general content of the present disclosure, not simply the name of the term.

The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used together in consideration of ease of writing the specification, and do not have meanings or roles that are distinct from each other by themselves. In addition, in describing the embodiments included in the present disclosure, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments included in the present disclosure, the detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments included in the present disclosure, the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and all changes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure , it should be understood to include equivalents or substitutes.

Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first and second, may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

It is understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but other elements may exist in the middle. It should be. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another element, it should be understood that no other element exists in the middle.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Terms such as “comprise” or “having” described throughout the specification are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features It should be understood that the presence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not precluded.

The expression of "at least one of a, b, and c" described throughout the specification means 'a alone', 'b alone', 'c alone', 'a and b', 'a and c', 'b and c' ', or 'all a, b, and c'.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Hereinafter, in the laundry treatment apparatus 1 of the present specification, an example in which dry cleaning is performed using carbon dioxide as a solvent will be described. However, it is not limited thereto, and the dry cleaning system of the clothing apparatus according to the present specification may be replaced with other solvents that undergo cycles in the same or similar manner.

Hereinafter, the laundry treatment apparatus 1 according to the present specification includes a supply unit 10, a washing unit 30, a distillation unit 40, a compression system 50, a refrigerating unit 60, and a storage unit. (20) may be included, but may be implemented except for some of these configurations, and other additional configurations are not excluded.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the laundry treatment device 1 may include a supply unit 10 . The supply unit 10 may be connected to the washing unit 30 . The supply unit 10 may supply the refrigerant R to the washing unit 30 . Hereinafter, the refrigerant R may be understood to refer to carbon dioxide.

The laundry treatment device 1 may include a washing unit 30 . Refrigerant R may be supplied to the washing unit 30 . The refrigerant R may be supplied from the supply unit 10 and/or the storage unit 20 to be described later. The washing unit 30 may wash laundry. Also, the washing unit 30 may perform a rinsing process following the washing process. The contaminated refrigerant R that has been washed and/or rinsed may be discharged to the distillation unit 40 .

The laundry treatment device 1 may include a distillation unit 40 . The distillation unit 40 may be disposed next to the washing unit 30 on the path of the refrigerant R. The distillation unit 40 may separate impurities from the contaminated refrigerant R.

Specifically, the distillation unit 40 may include a shell 41 . A distillation space D may be formed inside the shell 41 . The distillation space D may be formed as an airtight space by the shell 41 . The distillation space D may accommodate the contaminated refrigerant R discharged after washing in the washing unit 30 therein.

The shell 41 may include an inlet 42 and an outlet 43 . The contaminated refrigerant R discharged from the washing unit 30 may flow into the distillation space D through the inlet 42 . The refrigerant R distilled in the distillation space D may flow into a compression system 50 to be described later through a discharge port 43 .

The clothes handling device 1 may include a compression system 50 . One side of the compression system 50 may be connected to the distillation space D of the distillation unit 40, and the other side of the compression system 50 may be connected to the heating unit 44 of the distillation unit 40. The compression system 50 may compress the refrigerant R distilled in the distillation space D. The compression system 50 may supply the refrigerant R compressed to a high temperature and high pressure to the heating unit 44 of the distillation unit 40 . The compression system 50 will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7 .

The distillation unit 40 may include a heating unit 44 . The heating unit 44 may be disposed inside the shell 41 . One side of the heating unit 44 may be connected to the compression system 50 and the other side may be connected to the refrigeration unit 60 . The heating unit 44 may heat the contaminated refrigerant R received in the distillation unit 40 through the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant R introduced from the compression system 50 .

The clothes handling device 1 may include a refrigerating unit 60 . One side of the refrigerating unit 60 may be connected to the heating unit 44 and the other side of the refrigerating unit 60 may be connected to the storage unit 20 . The refrigerant R passing through the heating unit 44 may flow into the refrigerating unit 60, and the refrigerating unit 60 freezes the refrigerant R discharged from the heating unit 44, and then the storage unit 20 ) can be supplied.

The clothes handling device 1 may include a storage unit 20 . One side of the storage unit 20 may be connected to the refrigeration unit 60 . The storage unit 20 may store the refrigerant R liquefied by the refrigerating unit 60 . When the washing and/or rinsing process starts, the storage unit 20 may supply the refrigerant R stored therein to the washing unit 30 .

Hereinafter, the circulation of carbon dioxide (R) according to the washing and/or rinsing process of the laundry treatment device 1 will be described.

Laundry may be placed in the washing unit 30 for washing and/or rinsing, and when the door of the washing unit 30 is closed, the washing tub of the washing unit 30 is depressurized to a vacuum state. Before the washing and/or rinsing process starts, gaseous carbon dioxide R is supplied from the supply unit 10 and/or storage unit 20, and the washing unit 30 is pressurized by the carbon dioxide R. can

During the washing process, carbon dioxide (R) may dissolve contaminants in the laundry inside the washing unit 30 . When the washing process is finished, the contaminated carbon dioxide (R) in a liquid state inside the washing unit 30 may be discharged to the distillation unit 40 through the outlet.

A rinsing process may be started immediately after the washing process is finished, and at this time, clean carbon dioxide (R) may be supplied to the washing unit 30 again. When the rinsing process is finished, like the washing process, carbon dioxide (R) in a liquid state inside the washing unit 30 may be discharged to the distillation unit 40 through the outlet.

Contaminated carbon dioxide R discharged from the washing unit 30 may be collected in the distillation space D formed inside the shell 41 of the distillation unit 40 .

In parallel with the rinsing process, in the distillation unit 40, distillation of carbon dioxide (R) in a contaminated liquid state may be started. Distillation may be performed while the contaminated carbon dioxide R received inside the distillation space D is heated by the heating unit 44 disposed inside the distillation unit 40 .

Specifically, the carbon dioxide R distilled and discharged in the distillation space D may flow into the compression system 50 connected to the discharge port 43 of the shell 41 . The compression system 50 may generate high-temperature and high-pressure carbon dioxide R by compressing the introduced carbon dioxide R. The high-temperature and high-pressure carbon dioxide (R) may be supplied to a flow path constituting the heating unit 44 disposed inside the distillation unit 40 and connected to the compression system 50, flowing along the flow path of the heating unit 44. The high-temperature carbon dioxide (R) may heat the contaminated carbon dioxide (R) accommodated inside the distillation space (D). At this time, the carbon dioxide (R) introduced into the heating unit 44 has already been distilled out of the distillation space (D), and it can be understood that it is carbon dioxide (R) in a clean state.

Impurities may be separated while carbon dioxide (R) is distilled in the distillation space (D). That is, carbon dioxide (R) from contaminated carbon dioxide (R) is distilled and introduced into the compression system 50, and impurities may be precipitated on the lower side of the distillation space (D). The impurities thus precipitated can be collected in a waste drum.

Clean carbon dioxide (R) that has passed through the heating unit 44 may be frozen by the refrigerating unit 60 . The frozen carbon dioxide R may be liquefied and stored in the storage unit 20 .

As a result, the circulation of carbon dioxide (R) during one washing and/or rinsing process is completed, and the carbon dioxide (R) stored in the storage unit 20 for the next washing and/or rinsing process is returned to the washing unit 30. can be supplied.

2 illustrates a compression system according to one embodiment of the present specification. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an oil recovery amount of a compression system according to an embodiment of the present specification.

Hereinafter, the compression system 50 according to the present specification will be described as being used in a dry cleaning system using carbon dioxide (R) as an example. However, it is not limited thereto, and the compression system 50 according to the present specification can be widely used in fields where an oil compressor is used, such as a refrigerator.

The compression system 50 according to an embodiment of the present specification includes a compressor 100, a plurality of oil separators 110, a refrigerant pipe 120, a connection pipe 130, and a return pipe 140. It may include, but may be implemented except for some of these configurations, and does not exclude additional configurations.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a compression system 50 may include a compressor 100 . The compressor 100 may compress and discharge the refrigerant R. The compressor 100 may be an oil compressor in which oil O is separately used for lubrication of operation. For example, the compressor 100 may be a rotary compressor such as a screw compressor or a reciprocating compressor such as a linear compressor.

The compression system 50 may include a plurality of oil separators 110 . The plurality of oil separators 110 may separate the oil O included in the refrigerant R discharged from the compressor 100 .

Hereinafter, in the present specification, the plurality of oil separators 110 are described as being formed of three

oil separators

111, 112, and 113 as an example, but the plurality of oil separators 110 are formed of two oil separators. It may be formed, or it may be formed of four or more oil separation devices.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the plurality of oil separators 110 may include a first oil separator 111 , a second oil separator 112 , and a third oil separator 113 . The first oil separator 111 may be provided closest to the compressor 100 on the moving path of the refrigerant R. The second oil separation device 112 may be provided next to the first oil separation device 111 on the moving path of the refrigerant R. The third oil separator 113 may be provided next to the second oil separator 112 on the moving path of the refrigerant R.

All of the plurality of oil separation devices 110 may be disposed horizontally with respect to the direction of gravity. The first oil separator 111 to the third oil separator 113 may be connected to each other by a connecting pipe 130 to be described later. In this case, the first oil separator 111 to the third oil separator 113 ) is installed at the same height as each other, it is possible to prevent the oil O from flowing unnecessarily along the connection pipe 130 by gravity.

All of the plurality of oil separation devices 110 according to the present specification may have the same oil separation efficiency. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , each of the plurality of oil separators 110 may have an oil separation efficiency of 90%, which means that the refrigerant (R) including the oil (O) separates each oil. It can be understood that 90% of the contained oil (O) is separated from the refrigerant (R) each time it passes through the devices (111, 112, 113).

Alternatively, the plurality of oil separation devices 110 may have different oil separation efficiencies. For example, the oil separation efficiency of the first oil separation device 111, which requires separation of the most oil O, may have the highest oil separation efficiency, and may have lower oil separation efficiency as the distance from the compressor 100 increases. .

Each of the plurality of oil separators 110 may include a filter 114 . The filter 114 may be disposed in an upper region of each of the

oil separators

111, 112, and 113. The oil (O) may be separated as the refrigerant (R) flowing into the respective oil separation devices (111, 112, 113) passes through the filter (114). The oil O separated by the filter 114 may fall to the bottom of each of the

oil separators

111, 112, and 113 and be collected.

Compression system 50 may include refrigerant piping 120 . The refrigerant pipe 120 is a pipe through which the refrigerant R flows into the compressor 100, a pipe connecting the compressor 100 and the first oil separator 111, and a pipe connecting the first oil separator 111 and the second oil separator 111. It can be understood as collectively referring to a pipe connecting between the oil separation devices 112 and a pipe connecting the second oil separation device 112 and the third oil separation device 113.

The refrigerant pipe 120 may be connected to an upper region of each of the

oil separators

111 , 112 , and 113 . Since the filter 114 is provided in the upper region of each

oil separator

111, 112, and 113, when the refrigerant pipe 120 is disposed in the upper region of each

oil separator

111, 112, and 113, the oil ( Since the refrigerant R containing O) easily passes through the filter 114, the oil O may be separated more efficiently.

The plurality of oil separators 110 may be connected in series with respect to the moving path of the refrigerant R. Specifically, the refrigerant pipe 120 connected to the outlet of the compressor 100 may be connected to the inlet of the first oil separator 111, and the refrigerant pipe 120 connected to the outlet of the first oil separator 111 may be It may be connected to the inlet of the second oil separator 112, and the refrigerant pipe 120 connected to the outlet of the second oil separator 112 may be connected to the inlet of the third oil separator 113, and the refrigerant ( R) may be discharged from the compression system 50 through the refrigerant pipe 120 connected to the outlet of the third oil separator 113.

When the plurality of oil separators 110 are connected in series along the path of the refrigerant (R) as described above, the refrigerant (R) containing the oil (O) passes through the plurality of oil separators 110 in sequence. Accordingly, the oil separation efficiency may be improved.

The compression system 50 may include a connector 130 . The connection pipe 130 may be connected to lower regions of each of the

oil separators

111, 112, and 113. Specifically, the connection pipe 130 is a pipe through which the oil O collected at the bottom of each of the

oil separators

111, 112, and 113 can flow. It may be desirable to be connected in That is, the connection pipe 130 is a path through which only the oil O flows, and is separated from the refrigerant pipe 120 forming a path of the refrigerant R.

Oil O may flow between the

respective oil separators

111, 112, and 113 through the connection pipe. Specifically, the connection pipe 130 may connect the first oil separation device 111 and the second oil separation device 112 . Also, the connection pipe 130 may connect the second oil separation device 112 and the third oil separation device 113 .

The compression system 50 may include a return pipe 140 . The recovery pipe 140 may recover the oil O from the plurality of oil separators 110 to the compressor 100 . The recovery pipe 140 may connect the first oil separator 111 and the compressor 100 . Specifically, the compressor 100 may include an oil chamber (not shown), and the return pipe 140 supplies oil (O) from the first oil separator 111 to the oil chamber (not shown) of the compressor 100. ) can be retrieved. That is, the recovery pipe 140 is also a path through which only the oil O flows, and is distinguished from the refrigerant pipe 120 forming a path of the refrigerant R.

Compression system 50 may include an oil return pump (not shown). An oil return pump (not shown) may be formed on the return pipe 140 or may be formed as one component of the compressor 100 . An oil recovery pump (not shown) may provide power to recover oil O from the first oil separator 111 while the compression system 50 is operating.

The compression system 50 may include a recovery check valve (not shown). The recovery check valve (not shown) may be formed on the recovery pipe 140 or may be formed as one component of the compressor 100 . The recovery check valve (not shown) may prevent the oil O from flowing backward from the compressor 100 to the first oil separator 111 .

Hereinafter, the operation of the compression system 50 according to the first embodiment of the present specification will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 .

When the compression system 50 operates as the washing process progresses, the refrigerant R is introduced into the compressor 100, compressed, and then discharged to the plurality of oil separators 110 along the refrigerant pipe 120. . At this time, the refrigerant R contains oil O lubricating the operation of the compressor 100 while going through a compression stroke in the compressor 100 .

As the refrigerant R discharged from the compressor 100 passes through the plurality of oil separators 110 along the refrigerant pipe 120, the oil O may be separated from the refrigerant R. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when each of the

oil separators

111, 112, and 113 has an oil separation efficiency of 90%, the refrigerant R derived from the compressor 100 contains Assuming that the amount of oil O is 100, 90 oil O can be separated as the refrigerant R passes through the first oil separator 111, and the remaining 10 oil O As the refrigerant (R) containing ) passes through the second oil separator 112, 9 oil (O) can be separated, and the refrigerant (R) containing the remaining 1 oil (O) is 0.9 oil (O) is separated while passing through the 3 oil separator 113, and the refrigerant (R) finally discharged from the compression system 50 may contain 0.1 oil (O).

As such, when the three

oil separation devices

111, 112, and 113 having an oil separation efficiency of 90% are connected in series, they can finally have an oil separation efficiency of 99.9%, so a very high oil separation efficiency can be achieved. .

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 2 , a pressure drop may occur whenever the refrigerant R passes through each of the

oil separators

111, 112, and 113. For example, a pressure drop may occur when the refrigerant (R) collides with a diaphragm (filter) of a diaphragm type oil separator.

Specifically, assuming that the pressure of the refrigerant R discharged from the compressor 100 is 40 bar, and that a pressure drop of 0.5 bar occurs each time it passes through each of the

oil separators

111, 112, and 113, the first oil The pressure inside the separator 111 may be 39.5 bar, the pressure inside the second oil separator 112 may be 39.0 bar, and the pressure inside the third oil separator 113 may be 38.5 bar.

The plurality of oil separation devices 110 are connected to each other by a connecting pipe 130, and the pressure difference between the first oil separation device 111 to the third oil separation device 113 is transmitted through the connecting pipe 130. A flow of oil (O) may be generated. Specifically, the oil O is transferred from the first oil separation device 111 having a relatively high pressure to the second oil separation device 112 having a relatively medium pressure, and also in the second oil separation device 112 having a relatively heavy pressure. It can flow to the third oil separator 113 having a relatively low pressure.

Therefore, while the compression system 50 is operating, although the most oil O is separated from the first oil separator 111, the oil O of the first oil separator 111 over time ) can be continuously lowered. The oil O collected in the first oil separation device 111 should be returned to the compressor 100 through the return pipe 140. As described above, the oil O of the first oil separation device 111 A drop in the oil level may cause a phenomenon in which the oil O returned to the compressor 100 is insufficient, and as a result, the compression efficiency of the compressor 100 may be reduced.

This problem can be solved by the structure of the compression system 50 according to another embodiment of the present specification, which will be described later.

Figure 4 shows a state before operation of the compression system according to another embodiment of the present specification. 5 illustrates an operating state of a compression system according to another embodiment of the present specification. 6 illustrates a state after operation of a compression system according to another embodiment of the present specification.

A detailed configuration of the compression system 50 according to another embodiment of the present specification, which is not described below, may be understood to be the same as the compression system 50 according to an embodiment of the present specification described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 there is.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6 , the connection pipe 130 may include a first flow resistance body 131 . The first flow resistor 131 may control the flow of oil O. The first flow resistance body 131 may be formed in a capillary structure on the connection pipe 130 .

Specifically, the first flow resistance body 131 may provide resistance to the flow of the oil O, and through this, the first flow resistance body 131 controls the flow of the oil O in the connection pipe 130. can delay That is, when a force for oil O to flow from one oil separation device to another oil separation device occurs due to a certain pressure gradient or the like, the first flow resistor 131 responds to this force. It can be understood as performing the function of resisting and slowing down the flow.

The recovery pipe 140 may include a second flow resistance body 141 . The second flow resistor 141 may control the flow of oil O. It may be formed in a capillary structure on the recovery pipe 140.

Specifically, the second flow resistance body 141 may provide resistance to the flow of the oil O, and may be designed (or specified) to have appropriate flow resistance. The oil level of the oil O in the first oil separator 111 can be maintained at an appropriate level by appropriately adjusting the flow resistance of the second flow resistor 141 . For example, when the length of the second flow resistance body 141 is shortened and the flow resistance is reduced, the speed at which oil O is recovered from the first oil separation device 111 to the compressor 100 increases. The oil level of the oil O in the oil separator 111 may be lowered. Conversely, when the length of the second flow resistance body 141 increases and the flow resistance increases, the oil level of the oil O in the first oil separator 111 may increase.

The flow resistance of the second flow resistance body 141 may be at least smaller than the flow resistance of the first flow resistance body 131 . For example, when the flow resistance of the second flow resistance body 141 is adjusted by the length of the capillary structure, the cross-sectional areas of the two

flow resistance bodies

141 and 131 are the same and the length of the second flow resistance body 141 is the first flow resistance body 141. It may be formed shorter than the length of the resistor 131 . In contrast, when the flow resistance of the second flow resistor 141 is adjusted by the flow cross-sectional area of the capillary structure, the length of the two

flow resistors

141 and 131 is the same and the flow cross-sectional area of the second flow resistor is the first flow resistor ( 131) may be formed wider than the cross-sectional area of the passage

Through this, while the compression system 50 is operating, the oil O collected in the first oil separator 111 is transferred to the second oil separator 112 due to the pressure difference between the plurality of oil separators 110. ) or the third oil separator 113 can be suppressed, and the problem that the amount of oil O recovered from the first oil separator 111 to the compressor 100 is insufficient can be prevented. there is.

Unlike the compression system 50 according to another embodiment of the present specification, the first flow resistor 131 is provided only between the first oil separation device 111 and the second oil separation device 112, and the second oil separation device 131 is provided. The first flow resistor 131 may not be provided between the separation device 112 and the third oil separation device 113 . Specifically, as long as the flow of oil O from the first oil separator 111 to the second oil separator 112 is suppressed, the first oil due to the pressure difference between the plurality of oil separators 110 is suppressed. Since the unnecessary flow of oil O from the separator 111 to the second oil separator 112 and the third oil separator 113 can be prevented, the oil O in the first oil separator 111 can be prevented. ) can prevent shortages.

Also, unlike the compression system 50 according to another embodiment of the present specification, the return pipe 140 may not include the second flow resistance body 141 . Specifically, since the flow resistance of the connection pipe 130 provided with the first flow resistor 131 is greater than the flow resistance of the recovery pipe 140 without the second flow resistor 141, the plurality of oil separation devices The flow of oil O from the first oil separation device 111 to the second oil separation device 112 or the third oil separation device 113 due to the pressure difference between the 110 and 110 can be prevented, and recovery If the oil level of the oil O in the first oil separation device 111 can be properly maintained only by the flow resistance of the pipe 140 itself, the object of the present specification can be achieved even without the second flow resistance body 141. can

Also, unlike the compression system 50 according to another embodiment of the present specification, the first flow resistor 131 and the second flow resistor 141 may be control valves. This control valve may be set to adjust the flow rate of oil (O) based on the data on the pressure difference between the plurality of oil separators 110, or the control valve is electronically controlled so that the oil is stored in real time. It is also possible to control the amount of flow of (O).

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 , the principle of controlling the flow of oil O by the first flow resistor 131 and the second flow resistor 141 will be described.

4 shows a state before the compression system 50 according to another embodiment of the present specification operates.

Referring to FIG. 4 , since the refrigerant R does not pass through the plurality of oil separators 110 before the compression system 50 operates, a pressure drop does not occur, so the internal pressure of the plurality of oil separators 110 may all be the same. Accordingly, the oil levels of the oil O of the first oil separator 111, the second oil separator 112, and the third oil separator 113 may be in the same state.

5 shows a state in which the compression system 50 according to another embodiment of the present specification is in operation.

Referring to FIG. 5 , as described above, the largest amount of oil O can be separated in the first oil separator 111, and in the second oil separator 112, the first oil separator 111 Oil (O) smaller than the amount of separated oil (O) can be separated, and in the third oil separator 113, oil smaller than the amount of oil (O) separated in the second oil separator 112 (O) can be isolated. Therefore, considering the flow of the oil O according to the pressure gradient and the fact that the oil O is returned to the compressor 100 through the return pipe 140, the third oil separation device 111 The oil level of the oil O may be lowered toward the separating device 113 .

At this time, the connection pipe 130 provided between the first oil separator 111 and the second oil separator 112, and between the second oil separator 112 and the third oil separator 113 Since the first flow resistor 131 capable of suppressing the flow of oil O is provided in the connection pipe 130 provided in the first oil separator 111, the second oil separator 112, and the 3 In spite of the pressure gradient of the oil separator 113, from the first oil separator 111 to the second oil separator 112 and from the second oil separator 112 to the third oil separator 113 It is possible to suppress the flow of oil (O). Through this, the oil O of the first oil separator 111 may maintain a higher oil level than the oil O of the second oil separator 112 . The oil O of the second oil separator 112 may maintain a higher oil level than the oil O of the third oil separator 113 .

Meanwhile, when the compression system 50 operates, the oil O collected in the first oil separator 111 may be returned to the compressor 100 through the return pipe 140 . At this time, the first oil separation device ( Oil O of 111 is suppressed from flowing toward the second oil separator 112 and can be effectively recovered toward the compressor 100 .

At this time, while the oil O of the first oil separator 111 is returned to the compressor 100, the oil level of the oil O of the first oil separator 111 may be lowered to some extent. However, it is possible to prevent the oil O from unnecessarily escaping from the first oil separator 111 to the second oil separator 112 by the first flow resistor 131, and Since the refrigerant R is continuously supplied to the first oil separator 111, the oil level of the oil O of the first oil separator 111 may be maintained at a certain level. In this way, it is possible to solve the problem that the oil O recovered from the first oil separator 111 to the compressor 100 is insufficient.

6 shows a state after stopping the operation of the compression system 50 according to another embodiment of the present specification.

Referring to FIG. 6 , recovery of oil O to the compressor 100 may be stopped. At this time, since the flow of the refrigerant R in the plurality of oil separation devices 110 is also stopped, the internal pressure of the plurality of oil separation devices 110 can be equilibrated again. The oil O accommodated in each of the plurality of oil separators 110 may be distributed to each of the

oil separators

111, 112, and 113 through a connecting pipe, and between the plurality of oil separators 110 Since there is no pressure difference, the oil level of the oil O accommodated in each of the plurality of oil separators 110 may be set equal to each other again.

Certain embodiments or other embodiments herein described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any of the above-described embodiments or other embodiments of the present specification may be used in combination or combination of respective configurations or functions.

For example, configuration A described in a specific embodiment and/or drawing may be combined with configuration B described in another embodiment and/or drawing. That is, even if the combination between the components is not directly explained, it means that the combination is possible except for the case where the combination is impossible.

The above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in all respects and should be considered illustrative. The scope of this specification should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of this specification are included in the scope of this specification.

The features of the present invention described above can be partially or wholly applied to the laundry handling apparatus in the field of this case.

Claims

A compressor that compresses and discharges the refrigerant;

a plurality of oil separators separating oil contained in the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; and

A refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor and the plurality of oil separators to form a refrigerant movement path;

The plurality of oil separators are connected in series along a refrigerant movement path.
According to claim 1,

Further comprising a connection pipe through which oil can flow between the respective oil separation devices, and a return pipe through which oil can be recovered from the plurality of oil separation devices to the compressor,

The plurality of oil separators include a first oil separator provided closest to the compressor on a moving path of the refrigerant, and a second oil separator provided next to the first oil separator,

The connection pipe connects the first oil separation device and the second oil separation device,

The recovery pipe connects the first oil separator and the compressor.
According to claim 2,

The compression system of claim 1 , wherein the connection pipe includes a first flow resistance body providing resistance to the flow of oil.
According to claim 3,

The first flow resistance body is formed in a capillary structure on the connecting pipe.
According to claim 2,

The compression system of claim 1 , wherein the return pipe includes a second flow resistance body providing resistance to the flow of oil.
According to claim 5,

The second flow resistance body is provided with a capillary structure formed on the recovery pipe compression system.
According to claim 2,

The connection pipe includes a first flow resistance body that provides resistance to the flow of oil,

The return pipe includes a second flow resistance body that provides resistance to the flow of oil,

The flow resistance of the second flow resistance body is smaller than the flow resistance of the first flow resistance body.
According to claim 7,

The first flow resistance body and the second flow resistance body are formed in a capillary structure,

The compression system of claim 1, wherein the length of the second flow resistance body is shorter than that of the first flow resistance body.
According to claim 7,

The first flow resistance body and the second flow resistance body are formed in a capillary structure,

The compression system in which the passage cross-sectional area of the second flow resistor is wider than the passage cross-sectional area of the first flow resistor.
a washing unit supplied with a refrigerant and washing laundry;

a distillation unit including a shell forming a distillation space accommodating the refrigerant discharged from the washing unit, and a heating unit disposed inside the shell to heat the refrigerant accommodated in the distillation space;

a compression system for compressing the refrigerant distilled in the distillation space and supplying the compressed refrigerant to the heating unit;

a refrigeration unit for freezing the refrigerant discharged from the heating unit; and

A storage unit for storing the refrigerant liquefied by the refrigerating unit,

The compression system,

A compressor that compresses and discharges the refrigerant;

a plurality of oil separators separating oil contained in the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; and

A refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor and the plurality of oil separators to form a refrigerant movement path;

The plurality of oil separators are connected in series along a refrigerant movement path.
According to claim 10,

A connection pipe through which oil can flow between the respective oil separation devices, and a return pipe through which oil can be recovered from the plurality of oil separation devices to the compressor,

The plurality of oil separators include a first oil separator provided closest to the compressor on a moving path of the refrigerant, and a second oil separator provided next to the first oil separator,

The connection pipe connects the first oil separation device and the second oil separation device,

The recovery pipe connects the first oil separator and the compressor.
According to claim 11,

The connection pipe includes a first flow resistance body that provides resistance to the flow of oil,

The return pipe includes a second flow resistance body providing resistance to the flow of the oil,

The flow resistance of the second flow resistance body is smaller than the flow resistance of the first flow resistance body.
According to claim 12,

The first flow resistance body and the second flow resistance body are formed in a capillary structure.
According to claim 13,

The length of the second flow resistance body is formed shorter than the length of the first flow resistance body.