IT202100032135A1 - CLEANING METHOD FOR AN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND RELATED REFRIGERANT - CONTAMINANT LIQUID SEPARATION DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

TITLE: CLEANING METHOD FOR AN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND RELATED REFRIGERANT FLUID SEPARATION DEVICE? CONTAMINATING LIQUID

DESCRIPTION

The present invention belongs to the technical sector of air conditioning and refrigeration systems, for example chiller systems and heat pumps.

In particular, the object of the present invention is a reclamation method for an air conditioning system. The invention? else? relating to a refrigerant fluid-contaminating liquid separation device for the reclamation of said air conditioning system.

Air treatment or conditioning systems are used in work environments for thermo-hygrometric control.

These systems usually use an energy generator/absorber that uses a refrigerant fluid, which is generally ? a gas, put into circulation in an air conditioning circuit. The air conditioning circuit containing the gas? in turn responsible for cooling or heating a further carrier fluid, generally water, which is then put into circulation through a further circuit (system) in the rooms of a building.

For example, therefore, for heating, hot air conditioning systems are powered by a heat generator which causes the heating of a hot carrier fluid, put into circulation in the building system. The generator can be a heat pump; in this last case the system can work both cold and hot.

Typically, in an air conditioning system four fundamental components can be identified, connected in a circuit, in particular: an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve.

In the case of air conditioning for cooling, the compressor receives the refrigerant fluid in gaseous form, compresses it at high temperature and pushes it into the condenser at high pressure. At this point the gas at high pressure and temperature passes through the condenser and undergoes cooling through heat exchange, which brings it to a liquid state. The expansion valve reduces the pressure of the refrigerant and returns it to the gaseous state in the evaporator, which cools. The evaporator exchanges heat with the carrier fluid, cooling it.

After that? the cycle of the refrigerant fluid from the compressor restarts (refrigeration cycle).

In particular in chiller systems, the evaporator is also an exchanger inside which the refrigerant fluid circulates. This exchanger, typically plate or tube bundle, exchanges heat with a liquid, for example water, oil or glycol, which acts as a carrier fluid, then put into circulation in the rooms of a building.

After subsequent work cycles, disadvantageously,? It is possible that the exchanger becomes damaged or breaks, causing a failure in the entire system and contamination of the refrigerant fluid with the carrier fluid in contact for the heat exchange. From now on, therefore, the carrier fluid will be defined as ?contaminating?, given that it is? responsible for the contamination of the refrigerant fluid and the consequent need? of reclamation.

Contamination of the refrigerant fluid leads to a decrease in system performance and, in most cases, to system blockage and serious and costly damage to components.

Furthermore, the mixture of refrigerant fluid and contaminating liquid, once it has entered into circulation in the entire circuit of the air conditioning system, is difficult to extract and separate into its components.

? It is therefore good practice to carry out a clean-up operation every time blockages, stops, failures or breakages of the components of the air conditioning circuit (evaporators or condensers, exchangers, compressors) are diagnosed in the system.

? therefore the need was strongly felt? to clean up air conditioning systems in the event of a fault, in a simple way.

The state of the art presents various solutions for the reclamation of air conditioning systems.

One solution involves the use of a washing detergent or cleaning agent of specific composition. The detergent is circulated through the entire circuit using a dedicated washing machine, or is injected directly from a pressure container.

Inconveniently, the residues of the cleaning agent must be well removed after washing; To do this, the circuit must be dried by applying vacuum.

Disadvantageously, these methods present some problems.

Firstly, the remediation times with the methods? proposed by the state of the art are rather long, and these solutions are also very expensive in economic terms, as well as polluting.

? therefore the need to propose a reclamation method capable of overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art is strongly felt.

This need? satisfied by a method of remediation of an air conditioning system and by a refrigerant fluid-contaminating liquid separation device in accordance with the attached independent claims. The dependent claims describe preferred or advantageous embodiments.

The characteristics and advantages of the method of remediation of an air conditioning system and of the refrigerant fluid-contaminating liquid separation device will however be evident from the following description of their preferred examples of implementation, given for indicative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the attached figures, in which:

- does figure 1 show an operating diagram of an air conditioning system connected to a refrigerant fluid separation device? contaminating liquid, in accordance with the invention;

- figure 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a refrigerant fluid separation device? contaminating liquid;

- figure 3 shows a top view of an embodiment of a refrigerant fluid separation device? contaminating liquid;

- figure 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of a refrigerant fluid separation device? contaminating liquid.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, with the reference number 1 yes? Is a refrigerant fluid separation device indicated overall? contaminating liquid.

In particular, this device is based on the concept of cyclonic separation, through which? It is possible to purify a gas from contaminating dust or liquids inside it by exploiting the principle of centrifugal force.

With particular reference to figure 1, with the letter I yes ? overall indicated air conditioning system I, equipped with a compressor A, a condenser B, an evaporator C and a lamination or expansion valve D.

The method of remediation of an air conditioning system in accordance with the invention? illustrated in Figure 1 and includes the following steps:

a) provide a refrigerant fluid separation device 1 F ? contaminating liquid Lc, comprising a container 2 of substantially cylindrical shape, having a lateral shell 21 and an upper base wall 22 and an opposite lower base wall 23 which define the cavity inside the container 2, for example a cylinder, said container 2 comprising: - a refrigerant fluid inlet mouth 10 arranged in proximity of the lateral shell 21 of the container and a refrigerant fluid outlet mouth 11, located nearby of the upper base wall 22, suitable for connection to the air conditioning system I;

- a contaminating liquid discharge outlet Lc 14 located nearby? of the lower base wall 23;

b) connect the refrigerant fluid inlet 10 downstream of the evaporator and upstream of the compressor; c) fluidly connect the refrigerant fluid outlet port 11 to the compressor suction port;

d) operate the compressor for a specific period of time, so as to make a quantity flow? predefined amount of refrigerant fluid F from the refrigerant fluid inlet port 10 towards the cavity? internal of the container 2 and in such a way that as a result of the cyclonic separation, the contaminating liquid Lc separates from the refrigerant fluid F in the container 2 and precipitates to the bottom of the container 2.

In other words, the contaminating liquid Lc, pi? heavy compared to the refrigerant fluid and part of the compressor oil settles on the bottom of the container, near the of the lower base wall 23, due to the effect of the cyclonic vortex.

According to a preferred embodiment, the reclamation method in accordance with claim 1 additionally provides that, in an advantageous form shown in figure 2, the refrigerant fluid separation device 1? contaminating liquid Lc includes a filter element 3, for example a cartridge filter, in fluid communication with the refrigerant fluid outlet mouth 11 and a system connection mouth 12 fluidly connected with the filter element 3 and suitable for being connected with the air conditioning system I.

Furthermore, according to this preferred embodiment, phase c) involves fluidly connecting the system connection port 12 to the suction port of compressor A. Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, phase d) of the reclamation method do you plan to operate exclusively the compressor connected to the refrigerant fluid separation device 1 F ? contaminating liquid Lc without activating any other additional compressor applied to the air conditioning system. Preferably, after a certain number of reclamation cycles, the contaminating liquid Lc has reached a certain limit level inside the container 2, and therefore must be discharged.

According to a preferred embodiment, the refrigerant fluid separation device 1 F? contaminating liquid Lc includes a recuperator 6 fluidly connected to the container 2 via a service duct 60 located in correspondence with the upper base wall 22. This service duct 60 includes a service valve 600 suitable for regulating the flow through said service duct 60 .

According to this embodiment variant, after having operated the compressor A for a specific period of time, it is planned to monitor the level of contaminating liquid Lc inside the container 2 and, when the level of contaminating liquid Lc reaches a predetermined threshold, the subsequent phases of:

- stop compressor A,

- close the fluid communication of the refrigerant fluid inlet port 10 and the refrigerant fluid outlet port 11 or of the system connection port 12,

- open the service valve 600;

- discharge the refrigerant F which is still in the container 2 into the recuperator 6 through the service duct 60;

- close the service valve 600;

- open the contaminating liquid discharge mouth 14.

In this way the residual contaminating liquid Lc is discharged inside the container 2, avoiding the dragging and dispersion of the refrigerant fluid F.

According to the invention, a device 1 for separating refrigerant fluid F - contaminating liquid Lc for the reclamation of an air conditioning system comprises - a container 2 of substantially cylindrical shape, having a lateral shell 21 and an upper base wall 22 and a wall of the lower base 23 opposites that define the cavity? inside the container 2, for example a cylinder, said container 2 comprising: - a refrigerant fluid inlet mouth 10 arranged in proximity of the lateral shell 21 of the container and a refrigerant fluid outlet mouth 11, located nearby of the upper base wall 22, suitable for connection to the air conditioning system;

- a contaminating liquid discharge mouth 14.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the container 2 develops in height along a main Z-Z direction, and the refrigerant fluid separation device 1 F? contaminating liquid Lc comprises an inlet sleeve 100 on which ? the refrigerant fluid inlet port 10 has been obtained.

Preferably, having identified a radial direction an inlet direction K-K inclined with respect to the radial direction X-X, or said inlet sleeve 100 extends along the radial direction in such a way as to favor the cyclonic motion of the refrigerant fluid F inside the container 2.

? the meaning of the term "radial direction" is clear for those skilled in the art. By radial direction X-X we mean a direction that develops perpendicularly from the main Z-Z axis of the cylindrical container, moving away from said axis, towards the lateral shell.

In other words, in a top view of the refrigerant fluid separation device? contaminating liquid Lc, like that of figure 3, the radial direction ? any direction perpendicular to the main Z-Z axis of the container 2, passing through a point belonging to said main Z-Z axis.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the container 2 develops in height along a main Z-Z direction, and the refrigerant fluid separation device 1 F? contaminating liquid Lc includes an outlet sleeve 111 on which ? the refrigerant fluid outlet port 11 has been obtained.

Preferably, the inlet sleeve 100 and/or the outlet sleeve 111 are pipe stubs with a diameter between 20 and 100 mm, even more so? preferably 80 mm.

There? guarantees a low speed? of the passage of the refrigerant fluid and prevents the entrainment of the contaminating liquid Lc.

Preferably, the inlet sleeve 100 and/or the outlet sleeve 111 are welded to the side shell.

Preferably, the section of said refrigerant fluid inlet mouth 10 and/or of said refrigerant fluid outlet mouth 11 are variable via Rotalock type tightening fittings based on the charge of the refrigerant gas to be treated.

Furthermore, preferably, the contaminating liquid discharge mouth 14? obtained on a drain sleeve. Preferably, the drain hose ? a piece of pipe with a diameter between 15 and 40 mm, even more? preferably 22mm.

Preferably, the discharge sleeve includes a ball valve suitable for allowing the discharge of polluted substances by natural fall.

According to an advantageous variant, in the device 1 for separating the refrigerant fluid F - contaminating liquid Lc, the container 2 also includes

- a filtering element 3, for example a cartridge filter, in fluid communication with the refrigerant fluid outlet mouth 11;

- a system connection mouth 12 fluidly connected to the filter element 3 and suitable for being connected to the air conditioning system I.

Preferably, the refrigerant fluid outlet port 11? connected to the filter element 3 through a first duct 31.

Furthermore, preferably, the device 1 includes a filter change valve 350 on said first pipe 31, suitable for interrupting the passage of refrigerant fluid F towards the filtering element 3, so as to allow the replacement of the filtering element 3 after a predetermined number of reclamation cycles.

In particular, according to this advantageous variant, the first pipe 31 is connected to a 310 filter inlet.

Furthermore, preferably, the system connection port 12? connected to the filter element 3 through a second pipe 30 connected to a filter outlet 300. In other words, the system connection mouth 12 is connected downstream of the filter element 3, that is? on the side of the filter element opposite to the filter inlet mouth 310. That is to say that the system connection mouth 12 is connected from the outlet of the filter element 3, once the refrigerant fluid F is passed through the filter element 3.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant fluid separation device 1 F is contaminating liquid Lc includes a shut-off valve 120, 130 installed nearby? of the refrigerant fluid inlet port 11 and of the system connection port 12 and/or of the refrigerant fluid outlet port 11 and of the contaminating liquid discharge port 14.

This shut-off valve 120, 130 ? suitable for blocking the flow of refrigerant fluid F.

Preferably, the refrigerant fluid separation device 1 F ? contaminating liquid Lc includes a safety valve 131 installed nearby? of the refrigerant fluid inlet port 11, suitable for interrupting the entry of refrigerant fluid F in the event of unexpected overpressure.

Preferably, the shut-off valve 120, 130 ? a solenoid valve.

In one embodiment of the invention, the refrigerant fluid separation device 1 F is contaminating liquid Lc, includes a contaminating liquid level indicator element, for example a float, inserted in the cavity? inside of the container 2.

This contaminating liquid level indicator element? operationally connected with the shut-off valve 130 in such a way as to interrupt the entry of refrigerant fluid F once a pre-established threshold of contaminating liquid level Lc has been reached.

Preferably, the refrigerant fluid separation device 1 F ? contaminating liquid Lc includes a recuperator 6 fluidly connected to the container 2 via a service duct 60 located in correspondence with the upper base wall 22. This service duct 60 includes a service valve 600 suitable for regulating the flow through said service duct 60 .

In particular, in one embodiment, when the shut-off valve 120, 130 blocks the flow of refrigerant fluid F, the service valve 600 ? suitable to open to allow the flow of the refrigerant fluid F through said service duct 60 to reach the recuperator 6.

In other words, the device detects when the contaminating liquid Lc inside the container 2 is having reached a limit level, at that point it blocks the flow of the refrigerant fluid F through the inlet mouth 10 and the outlet mouth 11 or the system connection mouth 12 by means of said shut-off valves 120, 130 and induces the refrigerant fluid F to be collected in the recuperator 6 passing through the service duct 60, so as not to allow it to escape or be dispersed during the discharge phase of the contaminating liquid Lc. According to a variant of embodiment shown in figure 4, the refrigerant fluid separation device 1 is contaminating liquid Lc includes, inserted in the side shell 21 of the container 2, indicators made of transparent material, for example glass, suitable for visually indicating the quantity of contaminating liquid Lc contained inside the container 2.

Preferably, in proximity? of the refrigerant fluid inlet port 11 ? a safety shut-off valve 131 has been installed, suitable for interrupting the entry of refrigerant fluid F in the event of unexpected overpressure. Preferably, moreover, the inlet sleeve 100 includes a ball valve suitable for isolating the device from the gas circuit.

In a preferred embodiment, the refrigerant fluid separation device 1 F? contaminating liquid Lc includes a contaminating liquid level indicator element operationally connected to the safety shut-off valve 131 so as to interrupt the inlet of refrigerant fluid F once a pre-established contaminating liquid level threshold Lc has been reached.

In particular, preferably, if the pre-established threshold of contaminating liquid level Lc is exceeded, the safety shut-off valve 131 blocks the flow of refrigerant fluid F coming from the circuit and prevents the contaminating liquid Lc from arriving at the compressor.

Said contaminating liquid level indicator element? for example a float inserted into the cavity? inside of the container 2.

According to one embodiment, the filter element 3 is a cartridge filter for the insertion of three cartridges, for example of the h48 type, suitable for carrying out humidity treatment remaining after the first cyclonic separation. In particular, according to said embodiment, following the cyclonic separation the refrigerant fluid evaporates, separating itself from the contaminating liquid Lc, to then be further filtered in the filtering element 3 by the cartridge filters, to then return to the compressor and restore the normal refrigeration cycle .

Preferably, the outlet sleeve 111 includes a ball valve suitable for allowing the isolation of the device from the gas circuit.

Innovatively, the present invention allows the drawbacks of the prior art reclamation methods to be brilliantly overcome.

In particular, advantageously, the possibility? to connect the refrigerant fluid separation device 1? contaminating liquid Lc downstream of the evaporator and upstream of the compressor allows remediation to be carried out on the air conditioning system without the aid of external energy, but only exploiting the natural circulation of refrigerant fluid F in the refrigeration circuit.

Furthermore, conveniently, the reclamation method according to the present invention does not require the bypass of any component even in the smallest plant systems? complex.

Advantageously, this reclamation method allows all the components of the air conditioning system to be cleaned without resulting in their subsequent replacement, if not necessary, as instead envisaged by the reclamation methods of the prior art.

Conveniently, the refrigerant fluid separation device 1 is contaminating liquid Lc in accordance with the present invention allows the air conditioning system to be cleaned in a simple way, thanks only to the cyclonic motion inside the container 2.

Advantageously, the filter element 3 treats the humidity remaining after the cyclonic separation inside container 2, increasing the effectiveness of the reclamation.

Advantageously, the conformation of the inlet sleeve 100? such as to optimize the cyclonic separation inside the container 2.

Advantageously, the safety shut-off valve 131 makes the device safe and suitable for intervening in the event of a failure or unexpected overpressure.

Advantageously, the Lc contaminant liquid level monitoring lights allow you to have constant control over the remediation process. Furthermore, advantageously, these indicators make it very simple to evaluate when and if the remediation actually takes place? concluded, i.e. when you can no longer be found? no presence of contaminating liquid Lc inside the container 2.

In order to satisfy specific needs, a person skilled in the art could make variations or replacements of elements with functionally equivalent ones to the embodiments of the present invention.

These variants are also included in the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims (15)

1. Method of reclamation of an air conditioning system (I) equipped with a compressor (A), a condenser (B), an evaporator (C) and an expansion valve (D), including the following phases: a) provide a device (1) for separating the refrigerant fluid (F)? contaminating liquid (Lc), comprising a container (2) of substantially cylindrical shape, having a lateral shell (21) and an upper base wall (22) and a lower base wall (23) opposite which define the cavity inside the container (2), for example a cylinder, said container (2) comprising: - a refrigerant fluid inlet (10) located nearby of the lateral shell (21) of the container and a refrigerant fluid outlet (11), located nearby of the upper base wall (22), suitable for connection to the air conditioning system (I); - a contaminating liquid discharge mouth (14) located nearby? of the lower base wall (23); b) connect the refrigerant fluid inlet (10) downstream of the evaporator and upstream of the compressor; c) fluidly connect the refrigerant fluid outlet port (11) to the compressor suction port; d) operate the compressor for a specific period of time, so as to make a quantity flow? predefined amount of refrigerant fluid (F) from the refrigerant fluid inlet port (10) towards the cavity? internal of the container (2) and in such a way that as a result of the cyclonic separation, the contaminating liquid (Lc) separates from the refrigerant fluid (F) in the container (2) and precipitates to the bottom of the container (2). 2. Reclamation method according to claim 1, in which the container (2) comprises - a filtering element (3), for example a cartridge filter, in fluid communication with the refrigerant fluid outlet mouth (11); - a system connection port (12) fluidly connected to the filter element (3) and suitable for connection to the air conditioning system (I); and in which phase c) involves fluidly connecting the system connection port (12) to the compressor suction port. 3. Remediation method according to claim 1, wherein, if the air conditioning system includes more? of a compressor (A), phase d) involves operating exclusively the compressor connected to the refrigerant fluid separation device (1) (F) ? contaminating liquid (LC), without activating any other additional compressor applied to the air conditioning system. 4. Reclamation method according to claim 2 or 3, in which the refrigerant fluid separation device (1) (F) is contaminating liquid (Lc) includes a recuperator (6) fluidly connected to the container (2) via a service duct (60) located in correspondence with the upper base wall (22), said service duct (60) including a service valve (600) suitable for regulating the flow through said service duct (60), and in which, after having operated the compressor (A) for a specific period of time, it is envisaged to monitor the level of contaminating liquid (Lc) inside? inside the container (2) and, when the level of contaminating liquid (Lc) reaches a predetermined threshold, the following phases are envisaged: - stop the compressor (A), - close the fluid communication of the refrigerant fluid inlet port (10) and the refrigerant fluid outlet port (11) or of the system connection port (12), - open the service valve (600); - discharge the refrigerant fluid (F) which is still in the container (2) into the recuperator (6) through the service duct (60); - close the service valve (600); - open the contaminating liquid discharge mouth (14). 5. Device (1) for separating refrigerant fluid (F) - contaminating liquid (Lc) for the reclamation of an air conditioning system (I) through the reclamation method in accordance with any of the previous claims, comprising - a container (2) of substantially cylindrical shape, having a lateral shell (21) and an upper base wall (22) and a lower base wall (23) opposite which define the cavity inside the container (2), for example a cylinder, said container (2) comprising: - a refrigerant fluid inlet (10) located nearby of the casing (21) of the container and a refrigerant fluid outlet (11), located nearby of the upper base wall (22), suitable for connection to the air conditioning system; - a contaminating liquid discharge mouth (14). 6. Device (1) for separating refrigerant fluid (F) - contaminating liquid (Lc) according to claim 5, in which the container develops in height along a main direction (Z-Z), and in which the device (1) for separating refrigerant fluid (F) - contaminating liquid (Lc) includes an inlet sleeve (100) on which? the inlet mouth (10) has been obtained, and in which, having identified a radial direction (X-X) perpendicular to said main direction (Z-Z), the inlet sleeve (100) has a shape such as to allow the entry of the refrigerant fluid (F ) along a direction inclined with respect to the radial direction (X-X), for example said refrigerant fluid inlet mouth (10) develops along an inlet direction (K-K) inclined with respect to the radial direction (X-X), or said inlet sleeve (100 ) extends along the radial direction (X-X) and includes deviation vanes that generate an inclination along the inlet direction (K-K) of the flow of the incoming refrigerant fluid (F), so as to favor the cyclonic motion of the refrigerant fluid (F) inside the container (2). 7. Refrigerant fluid separation device (1) (F) ? contaminating liquid (Lc) according to claim 6, wherein said inlet sleeve (100) is welded to the side casing (21). 8. Device (1) for separating refrigerant fluid (F) - contaminating liquid (Lc) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, comprising - a filtering element (3), for example a cartridge filter, in fluid communication with the refrigerant fluid outlet mouth (11); - a system connection port (12) fluidly connected to the filter element (3) and suitable for connection to the air conditioning system (I). 9. Refrigerant fluid separation device (1) (F) ? contaminating liquid (Lc) according to claim 8, in which in proximity? of the refrigerant fluid inlet port (11) and of the system connection port (12) and/or of the refrigerant fluid outlet port (11) and of the contaminating liquid discharge port Lc (14) ? a shut-off valve (120, 130) suitable for blocking the flow of refrigerant fluid (F) has been installed. 10. Device (1) for separating refrigerant fluid (F) - contaminating liquid (Lc) according to claim 9, in which the shut-off valve (120, 130) is a solenoid valve. 11. Refrigerant fluid separation device (1) (F) ? contaminating liquid (Lc) according to claim 9 or 10, comprising a contaminating liquid level indicator element, for example a float, inserted in the cavity? inside the container (2), said contaminating liquid level indicator element being operationally connected with the shut-off valve (130) in such a way as to interrupt the entry of refrigerant fluid (F) once a pre-established contaminating liquid level threshold has been reached ( Luke). 12. Refrigerant fluid separation device (1) (F) ? contaminating liquid (Lc) in accordance with claim 11, comprising a recuperator (6) fluidly connected to the container (2) via a service duct (60) located in correspondence with the upper base wall (22), said service duct ( 60) including a service valve (600) suitable for regulating the flow through said service duct (60), in which when the shut-off valve (120, 130) blocks the flow of refrigerant fluid (F), the service valve (600) ? suitable to open to allow the flow of the refrigerant fluid (F) through said service duct (60) to reach the recuperator (6). 13. Refrigerant fluid separation device (1) (F) ? contaminating liquid (Lc) according to any one of claims 5 to 12, comprising indicators made of transparent material (200) inserted in the side shell (21) of the container (2), suitable for visually indicating the quantity of contaminating liquid (Lc) contained inside the container (2). 14. Refrigerant fluid separation device (1) (F) ? contaminating liquid (Lc) according to any of claims 5 to 13, in which in proximity? of the refrigerant fluid inlet port (11) ? a safety shut-off valve (131) is installed, suitable for interrupting the inlet of refrigerant fluid (F) in the event of unexpected overpressure. 15. Refrigerant fluid separation device (1) (f) ? contaminating liquid (Lc) according to any of claims 5 to 14, in which the refrigerant fluid outlet port (11) is connected to the filter element (3) through a first pipe (31), said device (1) including a filter change valve (350) on said first pipe (31), suitable for interrupting the passage of refrigerant fluid (f) towards the filter element (3), so as to allow the replacement of the filter element (3) after a predetermined number of cycles.