US20090165472A1 - System performance correction by modifying refrigerant composition in a refrigerant system - Google Patents
System performance correction by modifying refrigerant composition in a refrigerant system Download PDFInfo
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- US20090165472A1 US20090165472A1 US12/297,260 US29726006A US2009165472A1 US 20090165472 A1 US20090165472 A1 US 20090165472A1 US 29726006 A US29726006 A US 29726006A US 2009165472 A1 US2009165472 A1 US 2009165472A1
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- refrigerant
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- heat exchanger
- cycling
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- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 151
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 title claims description 19
- 230000001351 cycling effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims 11
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 230000001143 conditioned effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 7
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
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- XPDWGBQVDMORPB-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluoroform Chemical compound FC(F)F XPDWGBQVDMORPB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VQTUBCCKSQIDNK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isobutene Chemical compound CC(C)=C VQTUBCCKSQIDNK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propane Chemical compound CCC ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910021529 ammonia Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000001273 butane Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000010725 compressor oil Substances 0.000 description 2
- RWRIWBAIICGTTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N difluoromethane Chemical compound FCF RWRIWBAIICGTTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- NBVXSUQYWXRMNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N fluoromethane Chemical compound FC NBVXSUQYWXRMNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- NNPPMTNAJDCUHE-UHFFFAOYSA-N isobutane Chemical compound CC(C)C NNPPMTNAJDCUHE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N n-butane Chemical compound CCCC IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
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- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 2
- NSGXIBWMJZWTPY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane Chemical compound FC(F)(F)CC(F)(F)F NSGXIBWMJZWTPY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- AWTOFSDLNREIFS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane Chemical compound FCC(F)(F)C(F)F AWTOFSDLNREIFS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- WGCNASOHLSPBMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydroxyacetaldehyde Natural products OCC=O WGCNASOHLSPBMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001282 iso-butane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 description 1
- MSSNHSVIGIHOJA-UHFFFAOYSA-N pentafluoropropane Chemical compound FC(F)CC(F)(F)F MSSNHSVIGIHOJA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000001294 propane Substances 0.000 description 1
- QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N propylene Natural products CC=C QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000004805 propylene group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([*:1])C([H])([H])[*:2] 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K5/00—Heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants; Materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion
- C09K5/02—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used
- C09K5/04—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to vapour or vice versa
- C09K5/041—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to vapour or vice versa for compression-type refrigeration systems
- C09K5/044—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to vapour or vice versa for compression-type refrigeration systems comprising halogenated compounds
- C09K5/045—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to vapour or vice versa for compression-type refrigeration systems comprising halogenated compounds containing only fluorine as halogen
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B45/00—Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
- F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
- F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
- F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
- F25J1/0245—Different modes, i.e. 'runs', of operation; Process control
- F25J1/0249—Controlling refrigerant inventory, i.e. composition or quantity
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
- F25B2500/18—Optimization, e.g. high integration of refrigeration components
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B9/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point
- F25B9/002—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point characterised by the refrigerant
- F25B9/006—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point characterised by the refrigerant the refrigerant containing more than one component
Definitions
- This invention relates to correcting system performance of a refrigerant system by modifying the refrigerant composition in the refrigerant system.
- Refrigerant systems are employed to change the temperature and/or humidity of a secondary fluid.
- One common example is an air conditioning or heat pump system, which is utilized to condition air to be delivered into an indoor environment.
- Another example is a chiller system delivering chilled water or glycol solution for cooling purposes.
- a typical vapor compression refrigerant system includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser downstream of the compressor, an expansion device downstream of the condenser, and an evaporator downstream of the expansion device.
- Refrigerant circulates between these four basic components, and a number of other optional components and sub-circuits.
- One control feature that is often incorporated into a refrigerant system is the ability to cycle, or temporarily turn off the compressor.
- This control feature is normally included into at least one of the refrigerant circuits of the refrigerant system, should a refrigerant system be delivering more capacity than is necessary.
- Such cycling is inefficient, presents a discomfort to an occupant of the conditioned space, and can also cause reliability issues such as oil pump-out from the compressor oil sump. Therefore it would be desirable to reduce the amount of cycling. Further, cycling can result in temperature and humidity variations in the conditioned space that are dependent upon the frequency of cycling and duration of an off-cycle.
- the unit may begin to deteriorate.
- Examples of conditions that can lead to the reduced performance would include (but are not limited to) damaged, corroded or clogged condenser, and/or evaporator, external or internal surfaces. Again, this can cause the unit to “trip” or cycle, and can otherwise degrade performance.
- the only change to the refrigerant cycle would be the addition or removal of a refrigerant charge using the same refrigerant.
- this provides only a limited change or benefit to the unit operational characteristics (normally, the allowed refrigerant charge amount would not affect the unit capacity by more than 5% by slightly varying the amount of subcooling leaving the condenser coil).
- changes in the refrigerant charge level can result in component malfunction problems or operation outside of functional specification.
- a refrigerant system with a distinct new refrigerant should any of the above, or similar problems be detected, while the old refrigerant is either fully removed or partially removed/added into the system.
- the distinct new refrigerant should have different characteristics that in particular would result in the identified problems being addressed.
- a partial or complete changeover could occur from a typically higher pressure refrigerant to a lower pressure refrigerant (a high pressure refrigerant is broadly defined as a refrigerant that has a higher pressure than a low pressure refrigerant for the same saturation temperature). This typically would then result in lower unit capacity, and would reduce the amount of cycling.
- the agency qualification (such as UL, CSA, etc.) for the system would typically be automatically granted, and need not be redone.
- the refrigerant system, and its compressor will be operating at a lower pressure and lower current, should a higher pressure refrigerant be replaced with a lower pressure refrigerant.
- unit cycling losses can be substantially reduced, system reliability enhanced and comfort in the conditioned space significantly improved.
- the refrigerant addition can also be made on an iterative basis, where the unit performance is checked after a new refrigerant has been added to the system and a portion of the old refrigerant is removed (if necessary).
- the existing refrigerant mixture needs to be made less flammable.
- the refrigerant mixture can be made less flammable by adding another substance (refrigerant or compound) that is different than the original refrigerant mixture.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system.
- FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the present invention.
- a refrigerant system 20 includes a compressor 22 compressing a refrigerant and delivering it downstream to a condenser 24 .
- Refrigerant passes from the condenser 24 to an expansion device 26 , and then to an evaporator 28 .
- the condenser in a conventional air conditioning system is typically located outdoors, and delivers heat to the ambient environment.
- the evaporator is typically positioned indoors, and conditions air to be delivered into a building.
- refrigerant circulates between the four basic components, 22 , 24 , 26 and 28 interconnected in a closed-loop arrangement. Many other subsystems and components are often included in refrigerant systems. However, for purposes of explaining this invention, all that is necessary is to understand the basic refrigerant system schematic and operation.
- the distinct refrigerant or substance should have different thermo-physical properties and characteristics that in particular would result in the identified problems being addressed. In most cases, changing to a lower pressure refrigerant is desirable.
- a partial or full changeover could occur typically from a higher pressure refrigerant to a lower pressure refrigerant. This would then result in lower capacity, and would reduce the amount of cycling.
- R410A refrigerant As one example, by changing from R410A refrigerant to R407C refrigerant, it would be possible to reduce unit capacity up to 30%. Smaller unit capacity reduction would be expected if the R410A refrigerant were only partially replaced by the R407C refrigerant. Unit cycling losses can be substantially reduced, system reliability enhanced and comfort in the conditioned space significantly improved.
- the unit efficiency may increase because the heat exchanger coils would effectively become “oversized” when a change to a lower pressure refrigerant is made. This would be due to a difference in thermo-physical properties of the various refrigerants.
- the oversizing effect can be especially important if the coils are substantially damaged, “aged” or clogged, as mentioned above. In this case, by using a lower pressure refrigerant, the compressor loading and compressor discharge pressure can typically be reduced. Further, unit cycling on a high-pressure switch can be avoided if the clogged condenser coil was the cause of this problem.
- the refrigerant additions can be made to/from the R410A refrigerant from/to any of the R407C, R22, R134a, or R404A refrigerants. Also, the additions can be done to/from the R404A refrigerant from/to any of the R407C, R22, or R134a refrigerants. Also, the R407C refrigerant can be replaced partially or completely by the R22, or R134a refrigerants. Lastly, the additions can be performed to/from the R22 from/to R134a refrigerant. Of course, these examples don't cover a wide spectrum of available refrigerants and substances, and other combinations are possible.
- other pure refrigerants that would fall within the scope of this invention may include (but are not limited to): R-11, R-113, R-115, R-116, R-12, R-123, R-124, R-125, R-13, R-142b, R-143a, R-152a, R-227ea, R-23, R-236fa, R-245ca, R-245fa, R-32, R-41, Propane, Butane, Isobutene, ammonia, propylene, and carbon dioxide.
- the removal or addition would be relatively straightforward, since the system components, such as the compressors, heat exchangers and even expansion devices may handle the refrigerant additions without any modification. For most systems, it will often not even be necessary to use different compressor oil, since the same oil is compatible with many refrigerants.
Abstract
An adequate operation and performance of a refrigerant system includes the steps of adding a refrigerant that is different from the original refrigerant, into the refrigerant system should any operational problems be observed during operation of the refrigerant system. As an example, should the refrigerant system be cycling frequently, a lower pressure refrigerant may be added or replace, partially or fully, the refrigerant the system being initially charged with. By making this change, the present invention can, for example, lower the provided system capacity, and hence reduce the amount of cycling. Additionally, conditioned space comfort and system reliability would be improved. Further, changes over time, such as the degradation of the heat exchanger performance, and their negative effect on system operation can be alleviated by such a refrigerant substitution.
Description
- This invention relates to correcting system performance of a refrigerant system by modifying the refrigerant composition in the refrigerant system.
- Refrigerant systems are employed to change the temperature and/or humidity of a secondary fluid. One common example is an air conditioning or heat pump system, which is utilized to condition air to be delivered into an indoor environment. Another example is a chiller system delivering chilled water or glycol solution for cooling purposes.
- As known, a typical vapor compression refrigerant system includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser downstream of the compressor, an expansion device downstream of the condenser, and an evaporator downstream of the expansion device. Refrigerant circulates between these four basic components, and a number of other optional components and sub-circuits.
- One control feature that is often incorporated into a refrigerant system is the ability to cycle, or temporarily turn off the compressor. This control feature is normally included into at least one of the refrigerant circuits of the refrigerant system, should a refrigerant system be delivering more capacity than is necessary. Such cycling is inefficient, presents a discomfort to an occupant of the conditioned space, and can also cause reliability issues such as oil pump-out from the compressor oil sump. Therefore it would be desirable to reduce the amount of cycling. Further, cycling can result in temperature and humidity variations in the conditioned space that are dependent upon the frequency of cycling and duration of an off-cycle. This problem is further aggravated by a frequent requirement of continuous indoor fan operation such that, during the compressor off-cycle, moisture is accumulated on the evaporator external surfaces and is re-evaporated into the airstream supplied to the conditioned space. It is often the case that once a refrigerant system is installed at a specific location, it is later determined that the system is over-specified and excess capacity has been provided. Such systems will cycle frequently, which, as explained above, is undesirable.
- Further, as the unit ages, its performance may begin to deteriorate. Examples of conditions that can lead to the reduced performance would include (but are not limited to) damaged, corroded or clogged condenser, and/or evaporator, external or internal surfaces. Again, this can cause the unit to “trip” or cycle, and can otherwise degrade performance.
- Traditionally, once a system is in the field, the only change to the refrigerant cycle would be the addition or removal of a refrigerant charge using the same refrigerant. However, this provides only a limited change or benefit to the unit operational characteristics (normally, the allowed refrigerant charge amount would not affect the unit capacity by more than 5% by slightly varying the amount of subcooling leaving the condenser coil). In addition, changes in the refrigerant charge level can result in component malfunction problems or operation outside of functional specification.
- In a disclosed embodiment of this invention, it is proposed to partially or fully charge a refrigerant system with a distinct new refrigerant should any of the above, or similar problems be detected, while the old refrigerant is either fully removed or partially removed/added into the system. The distinct new refrigerant should have different characteristics that in particular would result in the identified problems being addressed.
- As one example, should excess unit delivered capacity be identified, a partial or complete changeover could occur from a typically higher pressure refrigerant to a lower pressure refrigerant (a high pressure refrigerant is broadly defined as a refrigerant that has a higher pressure than a low pressure refrigerant for the same saturation temperature). This typically would then result in lower unit capacity, and would reduce the amount of cycling.
- In such circumstances, the agency qualification (such as UL, CSA, etc.) for the system would typically be automatically granted, and need not be redone. This should be true since the refrigerant system, and its compressor, will be operating at a lower pressure and lower current, should a higher pressure refrigerant be replaced with a lower pressure refrigerant. Thus, unit cycling losses can be substantially reduced, system reliability enhanced and comfort in the conditioned space significantly improved. By reducing cycling, the present invention will address all these concerns. The refrigerant addition can also be made on an iterative basis, where the unit performance is checked after a new refrigerant has been added to the system and a portion of the old refrigerant is removed (if necessary). If the system performance still remains unsatisfactory, then an additional amount of the new refrigerant is added to the system. As the new refrigerant is added, it may also be desirable to remove, add or maintain the same level of the old refrigerant in the system.
- For instance, under some circumstances, it would be also beneficial to add a small amount of another substance that is compatible with the existing refrigerant to make the refrigerant less flammable. This situation may arise, for example, when refrigerant in some of the systems is a mixture of several pure refrigerant components. As a system refrigerant leak develops, some of the refrigerant components in the mixture can leak more than the others. Thus over time, it might be possible for the remaining mixture to have a different composition than the original mixture. Therefore in case of leakage, it may become necessary to replenish the system with a specific refrigerant component of the mixture to achieve the same refrigerant mixture composition as before the leakage has occurred. This becomes especially important, if the leakage of a particular refrigerant fraction caused the refrigerant mixture to become more flammable.
- It is also possible that under some circumstances and for some installations, that the existing refrigerant mixture needs to be made less flammable. In this case, the refrigerant mixture can be made less flammable by adding another substance (refrigerant or compound) that is different than the original refrigerant mixture.
- These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerant system. -
FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the present invention. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , arefrigerant system 20 includes acompressor 22 compressing a refrigerant and delivering it downstream to acondenser 24. Refrigerant passes from thecondenser 24 to anexpansion device 26, and then to anevaporator 28. As is known, the condenser in a conventional air conditioning system is typically located outdoors, and delivers heat to the ambient environment. The evaporator is typically positioned indoors, and conditions air to be delivered into a building. As also known, refrigerant circulates between the four basic components, 22, 24, 26 and 28 interconnected in a closed-loop arrangement. Many other subsystems and components are often included in refrigerant systems. However, for purposes of explaining this invention, all that is necessary is to understand the basic refrigerant system schematic and operation. - When it has been determined that the
refrigerant system 20 is operating less than optimally, a decision can be made to partially or fully change the refrigerant. In a disclosed embodiment of this invention, it is proposed to partially or fully charge a refrigerant system with a new distinct refrigerant or substance, and either partially or fully remove the old refrigerant should any of the abovementioned problems be determined. The distinct refrigerant or substance should have different thermo-physical properties and characteristics that in particular would result in the identified problems being addressed. In most cases, changing to a lower pressure refrigerant is desirable. - As one major example, should reduced capacity be desired, a partial or full changeover could occur typically from a higher pressure refrigerant to a lower pressure refrigerant. This would then result in lower capacity, and would reduce the amount of cycling.
- As one example, by changing from R410A refrigerant to R407C refrigerant, it would be possible to reduce unit capacity up to 30%. Smaller unit capacity reduction would be expected if the R410A refrigerant were only partially replaced by the R407C refrigerant. Unit cycling losses can be substantially reduced, system reliability enhanced and comfort in the conditioned space significantly improved.
- In some cases, when the adjustments to the refrigerant mixture are made, the unit efficiency may increase because the heat exchanger coils would effectively become “oversized” when a change to a lower pressure refrigerant is made. This would be due to a difference in thermo-physical properties of the various refrigerants. The oversizing effect can be especially important if the coils are substantially damaged, “aged” or clogged, as mentioned above. In this case, by using a lower pressure refrigerant, the compressor loading and compressor discharge pressure can typically be reduced. Further, unit cycling on a high-pressure switch can be avoided if the clogged condenser coil was the cause of this problem.
- For example, the refrigerant additions can be made to/from the R410A refrigerant from/to any of the R407C, R22, R134a, or R404A refrigerants. Also, the additions can be done to/from the R404A refrigerant from/to any of the R407C, R22, or R134a refrigerants. Also, the R407C refrigerant can be replaced partially or completely by the R22, or R134a refrigerants. Lastly, the additions can be performed to/from the R22 from/to R134a refrigerant. Of course, these examples don't cover a wide spectrum of available refrigerants and substances, and other combinations are possible. As an example, other pure refrigerants that would fall within the scope of this invention may include (but are not limited to): R-11, R-113, R-115, R-116, R-12, R-123, R-124, R-125, R-13, R-142b, R-143a, R-152a, R-227ea, R-23, R-236fa, R-245ca, R-245fa, R-32, R-41, Propane, Butane, Isobutene, ammonia, propylene, and carbon dioxide. Also, examples of the suitable refrigerant mixtures are listed below: R-401a, R-401b, R-401c, R-402a, R-402b, R-407a, R-407b, R-407d, R-408a, R-409a, R-409b, R-410b, R-500, R-501, R-507a, R-32/R-125, R-22/isobutane/R-142b, and ammonia/butane. It should be noted that for most refrigerants, the removal or addition would be relatively straightforward, since the system components, such as the compressors, heat exchangers and even expansion devices may handle the refrigerant additions without any modification. For most systems, it will often not even be necessary to use different compressor oil, since the same oil is compatible with many refrigerants.
- It also has to be noted that although a single-circuit refrigerant system configuration was described, multi-circuit arrangements are also feasible.
- Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
Claims (24)
1. A method of operational maintenance for a refrigerant system comprising the steps of:
(1) providing a refrigerant system having a compressor for compressing a first refrigerant, delivering that refrigerant to a first heat exchanger, then to an expansion device, and then to a second heat exchanger, the refrigerant returning from the second heat exchanger to the compressor;
(2) operating the refrigerant system and monitoring the operation of the refrigerant system;
(3) adding a distinct substance into the refrigerant should the monitoring of step (2) indicate that a distinct substance can assist in elimination of operational concerns.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the said distinct substance has a different composition than said first refrigerant.
3. (canceled)
4. The method as set forth in claim 3 , wherein said second refrigerant is a pure refrigerant.
5. (canceled)
6. The method as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the second refrigerant is operable at a lower pressure than the first refrigerant.
7.-10. (canceled)
11. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a portion of said first refrigerant is removed or added to the system.
12. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a portion of said first refrigerant is not removed and not added to the system.
13. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the said distinct substance replaces a portion of the first refrigerant.
14. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein one of the concerns monitored in step (2) would be a high amount of cycling of the refrigerant system between on and off states.
15. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein one of the concerns monitored in step (2) would be a flammability of said first refrigerant.
16. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein one of the concerns monitored in step (2) would be whether at least one of the refrigerant system heat exchangers has degraded in any manner.
17.-18. (canceled)
19. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein one of the concerns monitored in step (2) would be whether performance of said compressor has degraded in any manner.
20. A refrigerant system comprising:
a compressor for compressing refrigerant, delivering the first refrigerant to a first heat exchanger, then to an expansion device, then to a second heat exchanger, with the refrigerant returning from the second heat exchanger to the compressor, and the refrigerant system being initially charged with a first refrigerant; and
a second refrigerant added to the system, said second refrigerant being operable at a lower pressure than the first refrigerant the system being initially charged with.
21. The refrigerant system as set forth in claim 20 , wherein the first refrigerant is R410A and the second refrigerant is any one of R407C, R22, R134a, and R404A.
22. The refrigerant system as set forth in claim 20 , wherein the first refrigerant is R404A and the second refrigerant is any one of R407C, R22, and R134a.
23. The refrigerant system as set forth in claim 20 , wherein the first refrigerant is R407C and the second refrigerant is one of R22 and R134a.
24. The refrigerant system as set forth in claim 20 , wherein the first refrigerant is R22 and the second refrigerant is R134a.
25. The refrigerant system as set forth in claim 20 , wherein said second refrigerant is a pure refrigerant
26. The refrigerant system as set forth in claim 20 , wherein said second refrigerant is a refrigerant mixture.
27. The refrigerant system as set forth in claim 20 , wherein said first refrigerant is a pure refrigerant.
28. The refrigerant system as set forth in claim 20 , wherein said first refrigerant is a refrigerant mixture.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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PCT/US2006/015641 WO2007123544A1 (en) | 2006-04-25 | 2006-04-25 | System performance correction by modifying refrigerant composition in a refrigerant system |
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US20090165472A1 true US20090165472A1 (en) | 2009-07-02 |
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US12/297,260 Abandoned US20090165472A1 (en) | 2006-04-25 | 2006-04-25 | System performance correction by modifying refrigerant composition in a refrigerant system |
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US (1) | US20090165472A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101479539A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007123544A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN102242994A (en) * | 2011-07-05 | 2011-11-16 | 绍兴西爱西尔数控科技有限公司 | Refrigerant filling machine front liquid storage device with cooling function |
CN112503813A (en) * | 2020-12-04 | 2021-03-16 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Method and device for replacing air conditioner refrigerant |
CN114893879A (en) * | 2022-04-26 | 2022-08-12 | 重庆美的通用制冷设备有限公司 | Refrigerant switching method and switching device, readable storage medium and refrigeration device |
Families Citing this family (3)
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CN103031115A (en) * | 2012-11-13 | 2013-04-10 | 常州大学 | Mixed refrigerant |
CN105164226A (en) * | 2013-03-08 | 2015-12-16 | 霍尼韦尔国际公司 | Low GWP heat transfer compositions including CO2 |
CN115046323B (en) * | 2022-06-30 | 2023-05-12 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Refrigerating regulation system, refrigerating system, electric appliance and refrigerating method |
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CN112503813A (en) * | 2020-12-04 | 2021-03-16 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Method and device for replacing air conditioner refrigerant |
CN114893879A (en) * | 2022-04-26 | 2022-08-12 | 重庆美的通用制冷设备有限公司 | Refrigerant switching method and switching device, readable storage medium and refrigeration device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN101479539A (en) | 2009-07-08 |
WO2007123544A1 (en) | 2007-11-01 |
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