U.S. patent application number 10/560621 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-10 for refrigeration apparatus constructing method, and refrigeration apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Daikin Industries, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Nobuki Matsui, Hiromune Matsuoka, Kazuhide Mizutani, Manabu Yoshimi.
Application Number | 20070101759 10/560621 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33543485 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070101759 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsuoka; Hiromune ; et
al. |
May 10, 2007 |
Refrigeration apparatus constructing method, and refrigeration
apparatus
Abstract
A refrigeration apparatus utilizes a separation membrane to
separate and eliminate a noncondensable gas from a refrigerant
inside a refrigerant circuit. The refrigeration apparatus has a gas
separation apparatus. The gas separation apparatus includes a
separation membrane apparatus connected to a liquid side
refrigerant circuit that connects a heat source side heat exchanger
and a utilization side heat exchanger. The separation membrane
apparatus has a separation membrane that separates from the
refrigerant and discharges out of the liquid side refrigerant
circuit the noncondensable gas remaining in a refrigerant
connecting pipe.
Inventors: |
Matsuoka; Hiromune; (Osaka,
JP) ; Mizutani; Kazuhide; (Osaka, JP) ;
Matsui; Nobuki; (Osaka, JP) ; Yoshimi; Manabu;
(Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GLOBAL IP COUNSELORS, LLP
1233 20TH STREET, NW, SUITE 700
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-2680
US
|
Assignee: |
Daikin Industries, Ltd.
Osaka-shi
JP
530-8323
|
Family ID: |
33543485 |
Appl. No.: |
10/560621 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
June 3, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP04/07690 |
371 Date: |
December 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/475 ; 62/149;
62/298 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 43/043
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/475 ;
062/298; 062/149 |
International
Class: |
F25D 19/00 20060101
F25D019/00; F25B 43/04 20060101 F25B043/04; F25B 45/00 20060101
F25B045/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2003 |
JP |
2003-175928 |
Oct 22, 2003 |
JP |
2003-361828 |
Claims
1. A method of constructing a refrigeration apparatus, comprising:
forming a refrigerant circuit by connecting a heat source unit and
a utilization unit to a refrigerant connecting pipe; and
discharging a noncondensable gas by operating a compressor of the
heat source unit to circulate a refrigerant inside the refrigerant
circuit, by using a membrane to separate the noncondensable gas
remaining inside the refrigerant connecting pipe from the
refrigerant flowing between a heat source side heat exchanger of
the heat source unit and a utilization side heat exchanger of the
utilization unit, and by discharging the noncondensable gas out of
the refrigerant circuit.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising installing
the heat source unit, the heat source side heat exchanger and the
utilization unit prior to the forming of the refrigerant
circuit.
3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the refrigerant
flowing between the heat source side heat exchanger and the
utilization side heat exchanger is a vapor-liquid separated gas
refrigerant that is separated into a liquid refrigerant and a gas
refrigerant containing the noncondensable gas, and the
noncondensable gas is separated from the vapor-liquid separated gas
refrigerant.
4. The method refrigeration as recited in claim 3, wherein the
noncondensable gas is released into an atmosphere.
5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: performing
a seal test on the refrigerant connecting pipe before discharging
the noncondensable gas; and reducing a pressure by releasing a
sealed gas inside the refrigerant connecting pipe into the
atmosphere after performing the seal test.
6. A refrigeration apparatus comprising: a gas separation apparatus
including a separation membrane connected to a liquid side
refrigerant circuit configured to connect a heat source side heat
exchanger and a utilization side heat exchanger, the separation
membrane being configured to separate from a refrigerant and
discharge out of the liquid side refrigerant circuit a
noncondensable gas remaining inside a refrigerant connecting pipe
by operating a compressor and circulating the refrigerant inside
the liquid side refrigerant circuit.
7. The refrigeration apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the
liquid side refrigerant circuit includes a receiver configured to
accumulate the refrigerant flowing between the heat source side
heat exchanger and the utilization side heat exchanger, and the gas
separation apparatus is connected to the receiver, and is
configured to separate the noncondensable gas contained in a gas
phase of the refrigerant that is accumulated in an upper part of
the receiver.
8. The refrigeration apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the
gas separation apparatus further includes a discharge valve
configured to release the noncondensable gas into the atmosphere
after separation.
9. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the refrigerant
flowing between the heat source side heat exchanger and the
utilization side heat exchanger is a vapor-liquid separated gas
refrigerant that is separated into a liquid refrigerant and a gas
refrigerant containing the noncondensable gas, and the
noncondensable gas is separated from the vapor-liquid separated gas
refrigerant.
10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the noncondensable
gas is released into an atmosphere.
11. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising performing
a seal test on the refrigerant connecting pipe before discharging
the noncondensable gas; and reducing a pressure by releasing a
sealed gas inside the refrigerant connecting pipe into the
atmosphere after performing the seal test.
12. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising performing
a seal test on the refrigerant connecting pipe before discharging
the noncondensable gas; and reducing a pressure by releasing a
sealed gas inside the refrigerant connecting pipe into the
atmosphere after performing the seal test.
13. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising performing
a seal test on the refrigerant connecting pipe before discharging
the noncondensable gas; and reducing a pressure by releasing a
sealed gas inside the refrigerant connecting pipe into the
atmosphere after performing the seal test.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration apparatus
constructing method and a refrigeration apparatus, and more
particularly relates to a refrigeration apparatus constructing
method, and a refrigeration apparatus comprising: a heat source
unit comprising a compressor and a heat source side heat exchanger;
a utilization unit comprising a utilization side heat exchanger;
and a refrigerant connecting pipe that connects the heat source
unit and the utilization unit.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] An example of a conventional refrigeration apparatus is a
separate type air conditioner. An air conditioner of this type
principally comprises: a heat source unit comprising a compressor
and a heat source side heat exchanger; a utilization unit
comprising a utilization side heat exchanger; and a liquid
refrigerant connecting pipe and a gas refrigerant connecting pipe
that connect these units.
[0003] In such an air conditioner, the series of construction
steps, from the equipment installation, piping, and wiring work to
the startup of operation principally comprises the following four
processes:
[0004] (1) installing equipment, piping, and wiring work;
[0005] (2) drawing a vacuum in the refrigerant connecting pipe;
[0006] (3) filling supplementary refrigerant (performed as needed);
and
[0007] (4) starting operation.
[0008] In the construction of an air conditioner as mentioned
above, the work of drawing a vacuum in the refrigerant connecting
pipe is important in order to prevent: the release of the
refrigerant into the atmosphere; the deterioration of the
refrigerant and the refrigerator oil due to residual oxygen gas; a
rise in the operating pressure due to the noncondensable gas, whose
principal component is an air component such as oxygen gas and
nitrogen gas; and the like; however, there is a problem because it
is necessary to perform troublesome work like connecting the vacuum
pump to the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe and the gas
refrigerant connecting pipe.
[0009] To solve this problem, an air conditioner has been proposed
that, by connecting a gas separation apparatus filled with an
adsorbent to a refrigerant circuit and circulating the refrigerant,
adsorbs and eliminates from the refrigerant the noncondensable gas
remaining inside the refrigerant connecting pipe after the
equipment installation, piping, and wiring work. It is possible to
omit the vacuum drawing work wherein a vacuum pump is used, thereby
simplifying the construction of the air conditioner (e.g., refer to
Patent Document 1). However, with this air conditioner, a large
amount of the adsorbent is needed to enable the adsorption of as
much of the noncondensable gas contained in the refrigerant as
possible, which consequently increases the size of the overall
apparatus, and actually makes it problematic to mount on the
refrigeration apparatus.
[0010] In addition, an air conditioner has been proposed that:
connects a jig comprising a separation membrane to the refrigerant
circuit; fills the entire refrigerant circuit beforehand with a
refrigerant sealed in the heat source unit; mixes the refrigerant
and the noncondensable gas that remained inside the refrigerant
connecting pipe after equipment installation, piping, and wiring
work; subsequently supplies the separation membrane without raising
the pressure of the refrigerant and the noncondensable gas mixture;
and separates and eliminates the noncondensable gas. Thereby, it is
possible to omit the vacuum drawing work wherein a vacuum pump is
used, thereby simplifying the construction of the air conditioner
(e.g., refer to Patent Document 2). However, with this air
conditioner, the pressure differential cannot be increased between
the separation membrane upstream side (i.e., inside the refrigerant
circuit) and downstream side (i.e., outside the refrigerant
circuit), which is a problem because of the low efficiency by which
the separation membrane separates the noncondensable gas.
<Patent Document 1>
[0011] Published Unexamined Utility Model Application H05-69571
<Patent Document 2>
[0012] Japanese Published Patent Application No. H10-213363
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to improve the
efficiency of separating a noncondensable gas with a separation
membrane in a refrigeration apparatus constituted, for the purpose
of omitting the vacuum drawing work, so that, by using a separation
membrane, it can separate and eliminate the noncondensable gas, in
a state mixed with a refrigerant inside a refrigerant circuit, that
was left inside the refrigerant connecting pipe during on-site
construction.
[0014] A refrigeration apparatus constructing method according to
the first invention is a method of constructing a refrigeration
apparatus, comprising: a heat source unit comprising a compressor
and a heat source side heat exchanger; a utilization unit
comprising a utilization side heat exchanger; and a liquid
refrigerant connecting pipe that connects the heat source unit and
the utilization unit; the method comprising the steps of an
equipment installing step and a noncondensable gas discharging
step. The equipment installing step constitutes a refrigerant
circuit by installing the heat source unit and the utilization
unit, and connecting the refrigerant connecting pipe. The
noncondensable gas discharging step operates the compressor to
circulate a refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit, uses a
membrane to separate a noncondensable gas remaining inside the
refrigerant connecting pipe from the refrigerant flowing between
the heat source side heat exchanger and the utilization side heat
exchanger, and discharges the noncondensable gas out of the
refrigerant circuit.
[0015] With this method of constructing the refrigeration
apparatus, the equipment arranging step constitutes the refrigerant
circuit by installing the heat source unit and the utilization unit
and connecting the refrigerant connecting pipe; subsequently, the
noncondensable gas discharging step raises the pressure of the
refrigerant and the noncondensable gas, flowing between the heat
source side heat exchanger and the utilization side heat exchanger,
by operating the compressor and circulating the noncondensable gas
remaining inside the refrigerant connecting pipe along with the
refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit, and using a membrane to
separate from the noncondensable gas-containing refrigerant, whose
pressure has been increased, the noncondensable gas and discharging
it out of the refrigerant circuit. Thus, by operating the
compressor and circulating the refrigerant, the pressure
differential between the upstream side (i.e., inside the
refrigerant circuit) and the downstream side (i.e., outside of the
refrigerant circuit) of the separation membrane used in membrane
separation can be increased, and the efficiency of separating the
noncondensable gas in the separation membrane can consequently be
improved.
[0016] A refrigeration apparatus constructing method according to
the second invention is a method of constructing a refrigeration
apparatus, comprising: a heat source unit comprising a compressor
and a heat source side heat exchanger; a utilization unit
comprising a utilization side heat exchanger; and a liquid
refrigerant connecting pipe that connects the heat source unit and
the utilization unit; the method comprising the steps of a
refrigerant circuit constituting step and a noncondensable gas
discharging step. The refrigerant circuit constituting step
constitutes a refrigerant circuit by connecting the heat source
unit and the utilization unit via the refrigerant connecting pipe.
The noncondensable gas discharging step operates the compressor to
circulate a refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit, uses a
separation membrane to separate a noncondensable gas remaining
inside the refrigerant connecting pipe from the refrigerant flowing
between the heat source side heat exchanger and the utilization
side heat exchanger, and discharges the noncondensable gas out of
the refrigerant circuit.
[0017] With this method of constructing the refrigeration
apparatus, the refrigerant circuit constituting step connects the
heat source unit and the utilization unit via the refrigerant
connecting pipe; subsequently, the noncondensable gas discharging
step raises the pressure of the refrigerant and the noncondensable
gas, flowing between the heat source side heat exchanger and the
utilization side heat exchanger, by operating the compressor and
circulating the noncondensable gas remaining inside the refrigerant
connecting pipe along with the refrigerant inside the refrigerant
circuit, and using a separation membrane to separate the
noncondensable gas from the noncondensable gas-containing
refrigerant, whose pressure has been increased, and discharging it
out of the refrigerant circuit. Thus, by operating the compressor
and circulating the refrigerant, the pressure differential between
the upstream side (i.e., inside the refrigerant circuit) and the
downstream side (i.e., outside of the refrigerant circuit) of the
separation membrane used in membrane separation can be increased,
and the efficiency of separating the noncondensable gas in the
separation membrane can consequently be improved.
[0018] A refrigeration apparatus constructing method according to
the third invention is a refrigeration apparatus constructing
method as recited in the first or second invention, wherein, in the
noncondensable gas discharging step, the refrigerant flowing
between the heat source side heat exchanger and the utilization
side heat exchanger is vapor-liquid separated into liquid
refrigerant and the noncondensable gas-containing gas refrigerant,
and the noncondensable gas is subsequently separated from the
vapor-liquid separated gas refrigerant.
[0019] With this method of constructing the refrigeration
apparatus, the refrigerant flowing between the heat source side
heat exchanger and the utilization side heat exchanger is
gas-liquid separated into noncondensable gas-containing gas
refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, and the amount of gas processed
by membrane separation is reduced, thereby enabling a reduction in
the size of a gas separation apparatus.
[0020] A refrigeration apparatus constructing method according to
the fourth invention is a refrigeration apparatus constructing
method as recited in the third invention, wherein in the
noncondensable gas discharging step, the separated noncondensable
gas is released into the atmosphere.
[0021] Because a vessel, and the like, that accumulates the
separated noncondensable gas is no longer necessary with this
method of constructing the refrigeration apparatus, the size of the
gas separation apparatus that performs membrane separation can be
further reduced.
[0022] A refrigeration apparatus constructing method according to
the fifth invention is a invention through the fourth invention,
further comprising: a seal testing step that, before the
noncondensable gas discharging step, performs a seal test on the
refrigerant connecting pipe; and a sealed gas releasing step that,
after the seal testing step, reduces pressure by releasing a sealed
gas inside the refrigerant connecting pipe into the atmosphere.
[0023] With this method of constructing the refrigeration
apparatus, a seal test is performed on the refrigerant connecting
pipe using the sealed gas, such as nitrogen gas, and the sealed gas
is released into the atmosphere; consequently, the amount of oxygen
gas remaining inside the refrigerant connecting pipe after these
steps is reduced. Thereby, because the amount of oxygen gas
circulating inside the refrigerant circuit together with the
refrigerant can be reduced, the risk of a problem like
deterioration of the refrigerant or the refrigerator oil can be
eliminated.
[0024] The refrigeration apparatus according to the sixth invention
is a refrigeration apparatus that constitutes a refrigerant
circuit, wherein a heat source unit comprising a compressor and a
heat source side heat exchanger, and a utilization unit comprising
a utilization side heat exchanger, are connected via a refrigerant
connecting pipe, comprising: a gas separation apparatus comprising
a separation membrane connected to a liquid side refrigerant
circuit that connects the heat source side heat exchanger and the
utilization side heat exchanger, and that is capable of separating
from the refrigerant and discharging out of the refrigerant circuit
the noncondensable gas remaining inside the refrigerant connecting
pipe by operating the compressor and circulating the refrigerant
inside the refrigerant circuit.
[0025] With this refrigeration apparatus, the heat source unit and
the utilization unit are connected via the refrigerant connecting
pipe; subsequently, the pressure of the refrigerant and the
noncondensable gas, flowing between the heat source side heat
exchanger and the utilization side heat exchanger, is raised by
operating the compressor and circulating the noncondensable gas,
whose principal component is an air component such as oxygen gas
and nitrogen gas, remaining inside the refrigerant connecting pipe
along with the refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit; a
separation apparatus having a separation membrane is used to
separate the noncondensable gas from the noncondensable
gas-containing refrigerant, whose pressure has been increased; and
the noncondensable gas is then discharged out of the refrigerant
circuit. Thereby, by operating the compressor and circulating the
refrigerant, the pressure differential between the upstream side
(i.e., inside the refrigerant circuit) and the downstream side
(i.e., outside of the refrigerant circuit) of the separation
membrane increases, and the efficiency of separating the
noncondensable gas in the separation membrane can consequently be
improved.
[0026] The refrigeration apparatus according to the seventh
invention is a refrigeration apparatus as recited in the sixth
invention, wherein the liquid side refrigerant circuit further
comprises a receiver capable of accumulating the refrigerant
flowing between the heat source side heat exchanger and the
utilization side heat exchanger. The gas separation apparatus is
connected to the receiver, and separates the noncondensable gas
contained in the gas refrigerant accumulated in the upper part of
the receiver.
[0027] With this refrigeration apparatus, the gas separation
apparatus is connected to the receiver provided in the liquid side
refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant flowing through the liquid
side refrigerant circuit is gas-liquid separated into
noncondensable gas-containing gas refrigerant and liquid
refrigerant, the amount of processed gas is reduced, and the gas
separation apparatus can subsequently separate the noncondensable
gas, consequently reducing the size of the gas separation
apparatus.
[0028] The refrigeration apparatus according to the eighth
invention is a refrigeration apparatus as recited in the seventh
invention, wherein the gas separation apparatus further comprises a
discharge valve for releasing the separated noncondensable gas into
the atmosphere.
[0029] Because a vessel, and the like, that accumulates the
separated noncondensable gas is no longer necessary with this
refrigeration apparatus, the size of the gas separation apparatus
can be further reduced.
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerant circuit of an
air conditioner that serves as a refrigeration apparatus according
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 2 depicts the schematic structure of a receiver and a
gas separation apparatus of the air conditioner according to the
first embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 3 lists the molecular weight data for various
gases.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the refrigerant circuit of the
air conditioner according to a first modified example of the first
embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the refrigerant circuit of the
air conditioner according to a second modified example of the first
embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 6 depicts the schematic structure of the receiver and
the gas separation apparatus of the air conditioner according to
the second modified example of the first embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the refrigerant circuit of the
air conditioner that serves as the refrigeration apparatus
according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the refrigerant circuit of the
air conditioner according to a first modified example of the second
embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the refrigerant circuit of the
air conditioner that serves as the refrigeration apparatus
according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 10 depicts the schematic structure of a separation
membrane apparatus of the air conditioner according to the third
embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the refrigerant circuit of
the air conditioner according to a first modified example of the
third embodiment.
[0041] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the refrigerant circuit of
the air conditioner according to a second modified example of the
third embodiment.
[0042] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the refrigerant circuit of
the air conditioner that serves as the refrigeration apparatus
according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0043] The following explains the embodiments of a refrigeration
apparatus constructing method and refrigeration apparatus according
to the present invention, based on the drawings.
First Embodiment
(1) Constitution of an Air Conditioner
[0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerant circuit of an
air conditioner 1 as one example of a refrigeration apparatus
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The air
conditioner 1 in the present embodiment is a cooling dedicated air
conditioner, and comprises a heat source unit 2, a utilization unit
5, and a liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and a gas refrigerant
connecting pipe 7 that connect the heat source unit 2 and the
utilization unit 5.
[0045] The utilization unit 5 principally comprises a utilization
side heat exchanger 51.
[0046] The utilization side heat exchanger 51 is equipment capable
of cooling the air inside a room by a refrigerant that flows
therewithin.
[0047] The heat source unit 2 principally comprises a compressor
21, a heat source side heat exchanger 23, a heat source side
expansion valve 26, a liquid side gate valve 27, and a gas side
gate valve 28.
[0048] The compressor 21 is equipment for compressing the gas
refrigerant that is taken in.
[0049] The heat source side heat exchanger 23 is equipment capable
of condensing the refrigerant using air or water as a heat source.
The heat source side expansion valve 26 is connected on the exit
side of the heat source side heat exchanger 23 for regulating the
refrigerant pressure, the refrigerant flow, and the like. The
liquid side gate valve 27 and the gas side gate valve 28 are
connected to the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas
refrigerant connecting pipe 7, respectively.
[0050] The liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6 is connected
between the entrance side of the utilization side heat exchanger 51
of the utilization unit 5 and the exit side of the heat source side
heat exchanger 23 of the heat source unit 2. The gas refrigerant
connecting pipe 7 is connected between the exit side of the
utilization side heat exchanger 51 of the utilization unit 5 and
the intake side of the compressor 21 of the heat source unit 2. The
liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant
connecting pipe 7 are, for example, the refrigerant connecting
pipes constructed on-site when newly constructing an air
conditioner 1, or the refrigerant connecting pipes diverted from an
existing air conditioner when replacing just the heat source unit 2
and the utilization unit 5.
[0051] Here, the refrigerant circuit that ranges from the
utilization side heat exchanger 51 to the heat source side heat
exchanger 23, including the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6,
the liquid side gate valve 27, and the heat source side expansion
valve 26, is a liquid side refrigerant circuit 11. In addition, the
refrigerant circuit that ranges from the utilization side heat
exchanger 51 to the heat source side heat exchanger 23, including
the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 7, the gas side gate valve 28,
and the compressor 21, is a gas side refrigerant circuit 12.
Namely, a refrigerant circuit 10 of the air conditioner 1 comprises
the liquid side refrigerant circuit 11 and the gas side refrigerant
circuit 12.
[0052] In the present embodiment, the air conditioner 1 further
comprises a receiver 25 provided in the liquid side refrigerant
circuit 11. More specifically, it is provided between the heat
source side heat exchanger 23 and the heat source side expansion
valve 26. The receiver 25 is capable of accumulating the
refrigerant condensed by the heat source side heat exchanger 23.
Furthermore, the liquid refrigerant condensed by the heat source
side heat exchanger 23 flows outward from the lower part of the
receiver 25, and is sent to the heat source side expansion valve
26. Consequently, the gas refrigerant not condensed by the heat
source side heat exchanger 23 is gas-liquid separated inside the
receiver 25, and accumulates in the upper part of the receiver 25
(refer to FIG. 2).
[0053] The air conditioner 1 further comprises a gas separation
apparatus 31 connected to the liquid side refrigerant circuit 11.
In the present embodiment, the gas separation apparatus 31
principally comprises a separation membrane apparatus 34.
[0054] By operating the compressor 21 and circulating the
refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit 10, the separation
membrane apparatus 34 can discharge from the refrigerant to outside
of the refrigerant circuit 10 the noncondensable gas remaining in
the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant
connecting pipe 7. Here, the noncondensable gas is a gas whose
principal component is an air component, such as oxygen gas and
nitrogen gas. Consequently, if the refrigerant is circulated inside
the refrigerant circuit 10, it flows into the receiver 25 without
being condensed in the heat source side heat exchanger 23, and
accumulates along with the gas refrigerant in the upper part of the
receiver 25.
[0055] In the present embodiment, the separation membrane apparatus
34 is equipment provided integrally with the upper part of the
receiver 25, and, as depicted in FIG. 2, comprises: a container
main body 34a wherein one part is in communication with the upper
part of the receiver 25; a separation membrane 34b disposed so that
it splits the space inside the container main body 34a into a space
S.sub.1 and a space S.sub.2; and a discharge valve 34c connected to
the space S.sub.2.
[0056] The separation membrane 34b, which is called a porous
membrane, is made of a material such as a polyimide membrane, a
cellulose acetate membrane, a polysulfone membrane, and a carbon
membrane, and has a function wherein water vapor, oxygen gas,
nitrogen gas, and the like, which are components that have
comparatively small molecular weights, permeate, but the gas
refrigerant, which has a large molecular weight, does not. Here,
the porous membrane has numerous extremely fine pores, and the gas
inside these pores separate when passing through, depending on the
speed differential, i.e., components having a small molecular
diameter permeate, but components having a large molecular diameter
do not. For example, because the molecular weights (more
specifically, the molecular diameters) of the R22 and R134a, as
well as the molecular weights of the R32 and R125 contained in the
mixed refrigerants R407C and R410A, which are used as refrigerants
in the air conditioner, are larger than the molecular weights (more
specifically, the molecular diameters) of any of the water vapor,
oxygen gas, and nitrogen gas, as depicted in FIG. 3, they can be
separated by the separation membrane 34b. The space S.sub.1 is in
communication with the upper part of the receiver 25. The space
S.sub.2 is the space into which flows the air component that
permeated the separation membrane 34b. The discharge valve 34c is
provided for opening the space S.sub.2 to the atmosphere, and is
capable of releasing the air component (such as oxygen gas and
nitrogen gas, which permeated the separation membrane 34b and
flowed into the space S.sub.2) from the space S.sub.2 into the
atmosphere.
(2) Method of Constructing the Air Conditioner
[0057] The following explains the method of constructing the air
conditioner 1.
<Equipment Installing Step (Refrigerant Circuit Constituting
Step)>
[0058] The air conditioner 1 and the refrigerant circuit 10 are
constituted by first emplacing the newly equipped utilization unit
5 and the heat source unit 2, installing the liquid refrigerant
connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 7, and
connecting the utilization unit 5 and the heat source unit 2. At
this point, the liquid side gate valve 27 and the gas side gate
valve 28 of the newly equipped heat source unit 2 are shut off, and
the refrigerant circuit of the heat source unit 2 is pre-filled
with a predetermined amount of the refrigerant. Furthermore, the
discharge valve 34c of the separation membrane apparatus 34 is shut
off.
[0059] Furthermore, if replacing the utilization unit 5, the heat
source unit 2, or both by diverting the liquid refrigerant
connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 7 that
constitute an existing air conditioner, then, in the procedure
mentioned above, only the utilization unit 5 and the heat source
unit 2 are newly emplaced.
<Seal Testing Step>
[0060] A seal test is performed on the liquid refrigerant
connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 7 after
constituting the refrigerant circuit 10 of the air conditioner 1.
However, if the utilization unit 5 is not provided with a gate
valve, and the like, for the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6
and the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 7, then the seal test is
performed on the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas
refrigerant connecting pipe 7 in a state connected to the
utilization unit 5.
[0061] First, nitrogen gas is supplied as the seal test gas from a
supply port (not shown), which is provided in the liquid
refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant connecting
pipe 7, and the like, to a seal test portion, which includes the
liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant
connecting pipe 7, and the pressure of the seal test portion is
then raised to the seal test pressure. Furthermore, after the
supply of the nitrogen gas stops, it is verified whether the seal
test portion holds the seal test pressure for the prescribed test
time.
<Sealed Gas Releasing Step>
[0062] After the seal test has ended, the ambient gas (the sealed
gas) in the seal test portion is released into the atmosphere to
reduce the pressure in the seal test portion. At this point,
because the ambient gas in the seal test portion contains a large
amount of nitrogen gas that was used in the seal test, the greater
part of the ambient gas in the seal test portion is substituted by
nitrogen gas after being released into the atmosphere, thereby
reducing the amount of oxygen gas. Additionally, to prevent the
infiltration of air from outside of the refrigerant circuit 10 when
performing the work of releasing the ambient gas into the
atmosphere, the pressure in the seal test portion, which includes
the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant
connecting pipe 7, is reduced to a pressure slightly higher than
atmospheric pressure.
<Noncondensable Gas Discharging Step>
[0063] The liquid side gate valve 27 and the gas side gate valve 28
of the heat source unit 2 are opened, after the sealed gas has been
released, creating a state wherein the refrigerant circuit of the
utilization unit 5 and the refrigerant circuit of the heat source
unit 2 are connected. Thereby, the refrigerant that was pre-filled
in the heat source unit 2 is supplied to the entire refrigerant
circuit 10. However, if the required refrigerant fill quantity is
insufficient with just the amount of refrigerant pre-filled in the
heat source unit 2, e.g., in the case wherein the refrigerant
connecting pipes 6, 7 are long, then refrigerant can be externally
supplemented and then filled as needed. Furthermore, if the heat
source unit 2 is not pre-filled with refrigerant, then the entire
amount of the refrigerant needed is externally filled. Thereby, the
sealed gas (containing the noncondensable gas remaining in the
utilization unit 5 if simultaneously performing the seal test on
the utilization unit 5), which serves as the noncondensable gas
remaining in the refrigerant connecting pipes 6, 7 after the sealed
gas releasing step, is mixed with the refrigerant inside the
refrigerant circuit 10.
[0064] In this circuit configuration, operation is performed by
activating the compressor 21 and circulating the refrigerant inside
the refrigerant circuit 10, the same as in normal operation. At
this time, the opening of the heat source side expansion valve 26
is regulated to bring the pressure in the range from the discharge
side of the compressor 21 to the heat source side expansion valve
26 of the liquid side refrigerant circuit 11 to the condensing
pressure of the refrigerant. Namely, the pressure in the receiver
25 is raised to the condensing pressure of the refrigerant.
Thereby, refrigerant in a saturated, gas-liquid mixed phase, which
contains the noncondensable gas (the air component largely
containing nitrogen gas) remaining in the liquid refrigerant
connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 7 after
releasing the sealed gas, flows into the receiver 25. The
refrigerant that flows into the receiver 25 is gas-liquid separated
into liquid refrigerant and gas refrigerant, which contains
noncondensable gas. Moreover, the gas refrigerant containing
noncondensable gas accumulates in the upper part space of the
receiver 25, and the liquid refrigerant flows out from the lower
part of the receiver 25 and is sent to the heat source side
expansion valve 26.
[0065] In this state, the discharge valve 34c of the separation
membrane apparatus 34 opens, and the space S.sub.2 of the
separation membrane apparatus 34 transitions to the opened to the
atmosphere state. In so doing, the space S.sub.1 is in
communication with the upper part of the receiver 25, and a
pressure differential, corresponding to the pressure differential
between the atmospheric pressure and the condensing pressure of the
refrigerant, consequently arises between the space S.sub.1 and the
space S.sub.2. This pressure differential creates a propulsive
force, and the noncondensable gas contained in the gas refrigerant
remaining in the space S.sub.1 permeates the separation membrane
34b, flows to the space S.sub.2 side, and is released into the
atmosphere. However, the gas refrigerant transitions to a state
wherein it remains inside the receiver 25, without permeating the
separation membrane 34b. When this operation is performed for the
prescribed time, the noncondensable gas, remaining in the liquid
refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant connecting
pipe 7, is discharged from the interior of the refrigerant circuit
10.
[0066] In performing the above, the noncondensable gas is
discharged from the interior of the refrigerant circuit 10, and the
discharge valve 34c of the separation membrane apparatus 34 is
subsequently closed.
(3) Features of the Air Conditioner, and its Method of
Construction
[0067] In the present embodiment, the air conditioner 1 and its
method of construction have the following features.
(A)
[0068] In the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment, the gas
separation apparatus 31 comprising the separation membrane 34b is
connected to the liquid side refrigerant circuit 11; therein, the
noncondensable gas, such as oxygen gas and nitrogen gas remaining
in the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant
connecting pipe 7 after the equipment installing step (the
refrigerant circuit constituting step), is separated by a membrane,
and can be discharged out of the refrigerant circuit 10;
consequently, the size of the gas separation apparatus 31 can be
reduced compared with the conventional case that uses a gas
separation apparatus that utilizes large amounts of adsorbent.
Thereby, the vacuum drawing work can be omitted during construction
without increasing the overall size of the refrigeration apparatus
(the heat source unit 2 in the present embodiment).
(B)
[0069] In the air conditioner 1, the heat source unit 2 and the
utilization unit 5 are connected, via the refrigerant connecting
pipes 6, 7 in the equipment installing step (the refrigerant
circuit constituting step); subsequently, in the noncondensable gas
discharging step, the noncondensable gas remaining in the
refrigerant connecting pipes 6, 7 is circulated along with the
refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit 10 by operating the
compressor 21 (specifically, cooling operation or heating
operation), thereby raising the pressure of the refrigerant and the
noncondensable gas flowing between the heat source side heat
exchanger 23 and the utilization side heat exchanger 51, separating
the noncondensable gas from the noncondensable gas-containing
refrigerant, whose pressure has been increased, using the gas
separation apparatus 31, and discharging the noncondensable gas out
of the refrigerant circuit 10. It is possible to improve the
separation efficiency of the noncondensable gas in the separation
membrane 34b because it is possible to increase the pressure
differential between the upstream side (i.e., the space S.sub.1
side) and the downstream side (i.e., the space S.sub.2 side) of the
separation membrane 34b of the separation membrane apparatus 34
that constitutes the gas separation apparatus 31.
(C)
[0070] In addition, in the air conditioner 1, the size of the gas
separation apparatus 31 can be reduced because the gas separation
apparatus 31 is connected to the receiver 25 (in the present
embodiment, provided integrally with the receiver 25) provided in
the liquid side refrigerant circuit 11, the refrigerant flowing in
the liquid side refrigerant circuit 11 is gas-liquid separated into
liquid refrigerant and noncondensable gas-containing gas
refrigerant, the amount of processed gas is reduced, and the gas
separation apparatus 31 can subsequently separate and discharge the
noncondensable gas.
[0071] In addition, the air conditioner 1 further comprises a
discharge valve 34c that discharges the noncondensable gas
separated by the gas separation apparatus 31, consequently making
the vessel, and the like, that accumulates the separated
noncondensable gas unnecessary, thereby enabling a further
reduction in the size of the gas separation apparatus that performs
membrane separation.
(D)
[0072] With the method of constructing the air conditioner 1, the
seal test of the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas
refrigerant connecting pipe 7 is performed using the sealed gas,
such as nitrogen gas, and the sealed gas is released into the
atmosphere; consequently, it is possible after these steps to
reduce the amount of oxygen gas remaining inside the liquid
refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant connecting
pipe 7. Thereby, the amount of oxygen gas circulating together with
the refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit 10 can be reduced,
and it is possible to eliminate the risk of problems, such as
deterioration in the refrigerant or the refrigerator oil.
(4) Modified Example 1
[0073] Because the gas separation apparatus 31 of the
abovementioned embodiments is provided so that the noncondensable
gas is separated from the gas refrigerant in the upper part of the
receiver 25, it is possible to separate and eliminate moisture in
the gas refrigerant inside the receiver 25 that exists as water
vapor, but it is not possible to separate and eliminate the
moisture that exists in the liquid refrigerant.
[0074] Consequently, as a result of a large amount of moisture
unfortunately remaining in the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6
and the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 7 due to, for example, the
circumstances in which the piping is constructed, it is possible
that a case may arise in which the moisture, along with the
noncondensable gas, such as nitrogen gas or oxygen gas, cannot be
eliminated from inside the refrigerant circuit 10 to a level that
allows operation.
[0075] To prevent this, the separation membrane apparatus 34 may be
connected to the receiver 25, and a dryer 44 may be connected to
the liquid side refrigerant circuit 11, as in a gas separation
apparatus 131 incorporated in a heat source unit 102 of an air
conditioner 101 of the present modified example depicted in FIG. 4.
Furthermore, in FIG. 4, the dryer 44 is connected to the upstream
side of the receiver 25, i.e., between the heat source side heat
exchanger 23 and the receiver 25, but may also be connected to the
downstream side of the receiver 25, i.e., between the receiver 25
and the heat source side expansion valve 26.
[0076] Thereby, the noncondensable gas can be separated and
discharged, and the moisture remaining inside the liquid
refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant connecting
pipe 7 can be reliably eliminated from inside the refrigerant
circuit 10 to a level that allows operation.
(5) Modified Example 2
[0077] With the abovementioned gas separation apparatuses 31, 131,
the separation membrane apparatus 34 is constituted integrally with
the receiver 25; however, the separation membrane apparatus 34 may
be connected to the upper part of the receiver 25 via a gas
refrigerant introduction circuit 238, as in a gas separation
apparatus 231 incorporated in a heat source unit 202 of an air
conditioner 201 in the present modified example depicted in FIG. 5
and FIG. 6. Here, the gas refrigerant introduction circuit 238 is a
conduit for introducing to the separation membrane apparatus 34 the
noncondensable gas-containing gas refrigerant that accumulated in
the upper part of the receiver 25, and comprises a gas refrigerant
introduction valve 238a for distributing and shutting off the
noncondensable gas-containing gas refrigerant introduced to the
separation membrane apparatus 34 from the upper part of the
receiver 25.
[0078] Furthermore, with the gas separation apparatus 231, the
operation of discharging the sealed gas, which serves as the
noncondensable gas, from inside the refrigerant circuit 10 is
performed by the following procedure. First, the gas refrigerant
introduction valve 238a is opened, and the noncondensable
gas-containing gas refrigerant (supply gas) that accumulated in the
upper part of the receiver 25 is introduced to the separation
membrane apparatus 34. Then, the discharge valve 34c of the
separation membrane apparatus 34 is opened, and the space S.sub.2
of the separation membrane apparatus 34 transitions to the opened
to the atmosphere state. In so doing, because the space S.sub.1 of
the separation membrane apparatus 34 is in communication with the
upper part of the receiver 25, a pressure differential arises
between the space S.sub.1 and the space S.sub.2 corresponding to
the pressure differential between the atmospheric pressure and the
condensing pressure of the refrigerant. Consequently, this pressure
differential forms a propulsive force, the noncondensable gas
contained in the supply gas inside the space S.sub.1 permeates the
separation membrane 34b, flows to the space S.sub.2 side, and is
then released into the atmosphere through the discharge valve 34c.
However, the gas refrigerant contained in the supply gas
transitions to a state where it accumulates inside the space
S.sub.1, without permeating the separation membrane 34b. When this
operation is executed for the prescribed time, the noncondensable
gas remaining in the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the
gas refrigerant connecting pipe 7 is discharged from the interior
of the refrigerant circuit 10. Then, after the noncondensable gas
has been discharged from the interior of the refrigerant circuit
10, the gas refrigerant introduction valve 238a and the discharge
valve 34c that constitute the gas separation apparatus 231 are both
shut off.
Second Embodiment
(1) Constitution of the Air Conditioner
[0079] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the refrigerant circuit of an
air conditioner 501 as one example of the refrigeration apparatus
according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The
air conditioner 501 is capable of cooling operation and heating
operation in the present embodiment, and comprises a heat source
unit 502, the utilization unit 5, and the liquid refrigerant
connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 7 for
connecting the heat source unit 502 and the utilization unit 5.
Furthermore, the constitutions of the utilization unit 5 and the
refrigerant connecting pipes 6, 7 of the air conditioner 501 in the
present embodiment are the same as the utilization unit 5 and the
refrigerant connecting pipes 6, 7 of the first embodiment and its
modified examples, and their explanations are therefore
omitted.
[0080] The heat source unit 502 principally comprises the
compressor 21, a four-way switching valve 522, the heat source side
heat exchanger 23, a bridge circuit 524, a receiver 25, a heat
source side expansion valve 26, a liquid side gate valve 27, and a
gas side gate valve 28. Namely, the heat source unit 502 of the
present embodiment, in addition to the constitution of the heat
source units 2, 102, 202 of the first embodiment and its modified
examples, comprises the four-way switching valve 522 and the bridge
circuit 524, and both the utilization side heat exchanger 51 and
the heat source side heat exchanger 23 function as a condenser and
an evaporator of the refrigerant. The following explains the
four-way switching valve 522 and the bridge circuit 524.
[0081] The function of the four-way switching valve 522 is to
switch the direction of the refrigerant flow when changing between
cooling operation and heating operation; during cooling operation,
the discharge side of the compressor 21 and the gas side of the
heat source side heat exchanger 23 can be connected, and the intake
side of the compressor 21 and the gas side gate valve 28 can be
connected. During heating operation, the discharge side of the
compressor 21 and the gas side gate valve 28 can be connected, and
the intake side of the compressor 21 and the gas side of the heat
source side heat exchanger 23 can be connected.
[0082] The bridge circuit 524 comprises four check valves
524a-524d, and is connected between the heat source side heat
exchanger 23 and the liquid side gate valve 27. Here, a check valve
524a permits only the distribution of the refrigerant from the heat
source side heat exchanger 23 to the receiver 25. A check valve
524b permits only the distribution of the refrigerant from the
liquid side gate valve 27 to the receiver 25. A check valve 524c
permits only the distribution of the refrigerant from the receiver
25 to the liquid side gate valve 27. A check valve 524d permits
only the distribution of the refrigerant from the receiver 25 to
the heat source side heat exchanger 23. Thereby, when the
refrigerant flows from the heat source side heat exchanger 23 side
toward the utilization side heat exchanger 51 side as during
cooling operation, the bridge circuit 524 functions so that the
refrigerant is flowed through the entrance of and into the receiver
25, and the refrigerant flowing out of the exit of the receiver 25
flows toward the utilization side heat exchanger 51 side after
expanding in the heat source side expansion valve 26; additionally,
when the refrigerant flows from the utilization side heat exchanger
51 side toward the heat source side heat exchanger 23 side as
during heating operation, the bridge circuit 524 functions so that
the refrigerant flows through the entrance of and into the receiver
25, and the refrigerant flowing out of the exit of the receiver 25
flows toward the heat source side heat exchanger 23 side after
expanding in the heat source side expansion valve 26.
[0083] Here, a liquid side refrigerant circuit 511 comprises the
refrigerant circuit that ranges from the utilization side heat
exchanger 51 to the heat source side heat exchanger 23, including
the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6, the liquid side gate
valve 27, the bridge circuit 524, the receiver 25, and the heat
source side expansion valve 26. In addition, a gas side refrigerant
circuit 512 comprises the refrigerant circuit ranging from the
utilization side heat exchanger 51 to the heat source side heat
exchanger 23, including the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 7, the
gas side gate valve 28, the four-way switching valve 522, and the
compressor 21. In other words, a refrigerant circuit 510 of the air
conditioner 501 comprises the liquid side refrigerant circuit 511
and the gas side refrigerant circuit 512.
[0084] The air conditioner 501 further comprises the gas separation
apparatus 231, which is connected to the liquid side refrigerant
circuit 511. The gas separation apparatus 231 is the same as the
gas separation apparatus 231 in the modified example of the first
embodiment, and its explanation is therefore omitted.
(2) Method of Constructing the Air Conditioner
[0085] The following explains the method of constructing the air
conditioner 501. Furthermore, excepting the noncondensable gas
discharging step, the procedure is the same as the air conditioner
1 constructing method of the first embodiment, and its explanation
is therefore omitted.
<Noncondensable Gas Discharging Step>
[0086] The liquid side gate valve 27 and the gas side gate valve 28
of the heat source unit 502 are opened, after the sealed gas has
been released, creating a state wherein the refrigerant circuit of
the utilization unit 5 and the refrigerant circuit of the heat
source unit 502 are connected. Thereby, the refrigerant that was
pre-filled in the heat source unit 502 is supplied to the entire
refrigerant circuit 510. However, if the required refrigerant fill
quantity is not met with just the amount of refrigerant pre-filled
in the heat source unit 502, e.g., if the refrigerant connecting
pipes 6, 7 are long, then refrigerant can be externally
supplemented and then filled as needed. Furthermore, if the heat
source unit 502 is not pre-filled with refrigerant, then the entire
amount of the refrigerant needed is externally filled. Thereby, the
sealed gas (containing the noncondensable gas remaining in the
utilization unit 5 if simultaneously performing the seal test on
the utilization unit 5), which serves as the noncondensable gas
remaining in the refrigerant connecting pipes 6, 7 after the sealed
gas releasing step, is mixed with the refrigerant inside the
refrigerant circuit 510.
[0087] In this circuit configuration, operation is performed by
activating the compressor 21 and circulating the refrigerant inside
the refrigerant circuit 510.
(Case of Discharging Noncondensable Gas While Performing Cooling
Operation)
[0088] First, the case of performing the operation that circulates
the refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit 510 by the cooling
operation will be explained. At this time, the four-way switching
valve 522 is in the state depicted by the solid line in FIG. 7,
i.e., the discharge side of the compressor 21 and the gas side of
the heat source side heat exchanger 23 are connected, and the
intake side of the compressor 21 and the gas side gate valve 28 are
connected. In addition, the heat source side expansion valve 26 is
in a state wherein its opening is regulated. Furthermore, the gas
refrigerant introduction valve 238a and the discharge valve 34c
that constitute the gas separation apparatus 231 are both shut off,
and the gas separation apparatus 231 is in an unused state.
[0089] If the compressor 21 is activated with the refrigerant
circuit 510 and the gas separation apparatus 231 in this state,
then the gas refrigerant is sucked into and compressed by the
compressor 21, sent to the heat source side heat exchanger 23 via
the four-way switching valve 522, wherein heat is exchanged with
the air or the water that serves as the heat source, and condensed.
This condensed liquid refrigerant flows through the check valve
524a of the bridge circuit 524 and into the receiver 25. At this
point, the heat source side expansion valve 26 connected to the
downstream side of the receiver 25 is in a state wherein its
opening is regulated, and the refrigerant pressure ranging from the
discharge side of the compressor 21 to the heat source side
expansion valve 26 of the liquid side refrigerant circuit 511 rises
to the condensing pressure of the refrigerant. Namely, the
refrigerant pressure inside the receiver 25 rises to the condensing
pressure of the refrigerant. Consequently, the noncondensable
gas-containing (specifically, sealed gas) refrigerant in a
saturated, gas-liquid mixed phase, remaining in the liquid
refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant connecting
pipe 7 after releasing the sealed gas, flows into the receiver 25.
Furthermore, the refrigerant that flows into the receiver 25 is
gas-liquid separated into liquid refrigerant and noncondensable
gas-containing gas refrigerant. Moreover, the gas refrigerant
containing the noncondensable gas accumulates in the upper part of
the receiver 25, and the liquid refrigerant temporarily accumulates
inside the receiver 25, subsequently flows out from the lower part
of the receiver 25, and is sent to the heat source side expansion
valve 26. The liquid refrigerant sent to this heat source side
expansion valve 26 expands, transitions to a gas-liquid two-phase
state, and is sent to the utilization unit 5 via the check valve
524c of the bridge circuit 524, the liquid side gate valve 27, and
the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6. Furthermore, the
refrigerant sent to the utilization unit 5 evaporates, after it is
heat exchanged with the indoor air by the utilization side heat
exchanger 51. This evaporated gas refrigerant once again is sucked
into the compressor 21 via the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 7,
the gas side gate valve 28, and the four-way switching valve
522.
[0090] In this cooling operation state, the operation that
discharges the noncondensable gas can be performed the same as the
gas separation apparatus 231 of the first embodiment and its
modified examples. This procedure is the same as the operation that
discharges the noncondensable gas in the gas separation apparatus
231 of the modified example in the first embodiment, and its
explanation is therefore omitted.
(Case of Discharging Noncondensable Gas While Performing Heating
Operation)
[0091] Next, the case of performing the operation that circulates
the refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit 510 by the heating
operation will be explained. At this time, the four-way switching
valve 522 is in the state depicted by the broken line in FIG. 7,
i.e., the discharge side of the compressor 21 and the gas side gate
valve 28 are connected, and the intake side of the compressor 21
and the gas side of the heat source side heat exchanger 23 are
connected. In addition, the heat source side expansion valve 26 is
in a state wherein its opening is regulated. Furthermore, the gas
refrigerant introduction valve 238a and the discharge valve 34c
that constitute the gas separation apparatus 231 are both shut off,
and the gas separation apparatus 231 is in an unused state.
[0092] If the compressor 21 is activated with the refrigerant
circuit 510 and the gas separation apparatus 231 in this state,
then the gas refrigerant is sucked into and compressed by the
compressor 21, sent to the utilization unit 5 via the four-way
switching valve 522, the gas side gate valve 28, and the gas
refrigerant connecting pipe 7. The refrigerant sent to the
utilization unit 5 is condensed after it is heat exchanged with the
indoor air by the utilization side heat exchanger 51. This
condensed liquid refrigerant flows through the liquid refrigerant
connecting pipe 6, the liquid side gate valve 27, the check valve
524b of the bridge circuit 524, and into the receiver 25. At this
point, the heat source side expansion valve 26 connected to the
downstream side of the receiver 25 is in a state wherein its
opening is regulated, the same as during cooling operation, and the
refrigerant pressure ranging from the discharge side of the
compressor 21 to the heat source side expansion valve 26 of the
liquid side refrigerant circuit 511 rises to the condensing
pressure of the refrigerant. Namely, the refrigerant pressure
inside the receiver 25 rises to the condensing pressure of the
refrigerant. Consequently, the noncondensable gas-containing
(specifically, sealed gas) refrigerant in a saturated, gas-liquid
mixed phase, remaining in the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6
and the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 7 after releasing the
sealed gas, flows into the receiver 25, the same as during cooling
operation. Furthermore, the refrigerant that flows into the
receiver 25 is gas-liquid separated into liquid refrigerant and
noncondensable gas-containing gas refrigerant. Moreover, the gas
refrigerant containing the noncondensable gas accumulates in the
upper part of the receiver 25, and the liquid refrigerant
temporarily accumulates inside the receiver 25, subsequently flows
out from the lower part of the receiver 25, and is sent to the heat
source side expansion valve 26. The liquid refrigerant sent to this
heat source side expansion valve 26 expands, transitions to a
gas-liquid two-phase state, and is sent to the heat source side
heat exchanger 23 via the check valve 524d of the bridge circuit
524. Furthermore, the refrigerant sent to the heat source side heat
exchanger 23 evaporates, after it is heat exchanged with air or
water serving as the heat source. This evaporated gas refrigerant
once again is sucked into the compressor 21 via the four-way
switching valve 522.
[0093] In this heating operation state as well, the operation that
discharges the noncondensable gas can be performed the same as in
the cooling operation state. This procedure is the same as the
abovementioned operation that discharges noncondensable gas in the
cooling operation state, i.e., the operation that discharges the
noncondensable gas in the gas separation apparatus 231 of the
modified example in the first embodiment, and its explanation is
therefore omitted.
[0094] Thus, in the air conditioner 501 of the present embodiment,
the operation that discharges the noncondensable gas remaining in
the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant
connecting pipe 7 from inside the refrigerant circuit 510 can be
performed using the gas separation apparatus 231 by circulating the
refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit 510, the same as the
first embodiment and its modified examples.
(3) Modified Example 1
[0095] With the abovementioned gas separation apparatus 231, the
receiver 25 and the separation membrane apparatus 34 are connected
via the gas refrigerant introduction circuit 238, but may be
integrally constituted, as in the gas separation apparatus 31
incorporated in a heat source unit 602 of an air conditioner 601 in
the present modified example depicted in FIG. 8, the same as the
gas separation apparatus 31 in the first embodiment.
(4) Another Modified Example
[0096] In the air conditioners 501, 601 comprising the
abovementioned gas separation apparatuses 31, 231, a dryer may be
connected to the liquid side refrigerant circuit 511 to eliminate
moisture remaining in the refrigerant circuit 510, the same as the
air conditioner 101 in the modified example of the first
embodiment.
Third Embodiment
(1) Constitution of the Air Conditioner
[0097] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a refrigerant circuit of an
air conditioner 1001 as one example of a refrigeration apparatus
according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the
present embodiment, the air conditioner 1001 is capable of cooling
operation and heating operation, the same as the air conditioner
501 of the second embodiment, and comprises a heat source unit
1002, the utilization unit 5, and the liquid refrigerant connecting
pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 7 for connecting the
heat source unit 1002 and the utilization unit 5. Furthermore,
excepting a gas separation apparatus 1031 of the present
embodiment, the constitution of the air conditioner 1001 is the
same as the air conditioner 501 of the second embodiment, and its
explanation is therefore omitted.
[0098] In the present embodiment, the gas separation apparatus 1031
principally comprises a separation membrane apparatus 1034.
[0099] The separation membrane apparatus 1034 separates the
noncondensable gas from the noncondensable gas-containing gas
refrigerant that accumulated in the upper part of the receiver 25,
and discharges the separated noncondensable gas out of the
refrigerant circuit 510, the same as the separation membrane
apparatus 34 of the first and second embodiments. The separation
membrane apparatus 1034 is connected to the receiver 25 via the gas
refrigerant introduction circuit 238. In the present embodiment,
the separation membrane apparatus 1034 comprises, as depicted in
FIG. 10, an apparatus main body 1034a, a separation membrane 1034b
disposed so that it partitions the space inside the apparatus main
body 1034a into a space S.sub.3 (upstream side) and a space S.sub.4
(downstream side) in communication with the gas refrigerant
introduction circuit 238, a discharge valve 1034c connected to the
space S.sub.3, and a gas refrigerant outflow circuit 1041 connected
to the space S.sub.4. In the present embodiment, the separation
membrane 1034b uses a membrane capable of selectively permeating
gas refrigerant from the noncondensable gas-containing gas
refrigerant. A nonporous membrane made of polysulfone membrane,
silicone rubber membrane, and the like, is used for such a
separation membrane. Here, the nonporous membrane is a homogenous
membrane that does not have numerous extremely fine pores like a
porous membrane, and the gas separates due to the speed
differential when permeating the inside of the membrane through the
processes of dissolving, diffusing, and de-dissolving; in other
words, components having a high boiling point and that are highly
soluble in the membrane permeate, while components having a low
boiling point and that are poorly soluble in the membrane do not
permeate. Here, because the boiling points of the R22 and R134a
used as the refrigerant in the air conditioner, and the R32 and the
R125 contained in the mixed refrigerants R407c and R410a, are all
higher than the boiling points of water vapor, oxygen gas, and
nitrogen gas, they can be separated by this nonporous membrane.
Thereby, the separation membrane 1034b can selectively permeate the
gas refrigerant from the noncondensable gas-containing gas
refrigerant (specifically, the supply gas, which is a gaseous
mixture of the noncondensable gas and the gas refrigerant
accumulated in the upper part of the receiver 25), thereby causing
the gas refrigerant to flow from the space S.sub.3 into the space
S.sub.4. The gas refrigerant outflow circuit 1041 is provided so
that the space S.sub.4 of the separation membrane apparatus 1034
and the intake side of the compressor 21 are connected, and
comprises a gas refrigerant return valve 1041 a that distributes
and shuts off the gas refrigerant that permeates the separation
membrane 1034b and returns into the refrigerant circuit 510. Here,
the gas refrigerant outflow circuit 1041 is provided so that the
gas refrigerant returns to the intake side of the compressor 21,
which has the lowest refrigerant pressure inside the refrigerant
circuit 510, and the pressure differential between the space
S.sub.3 and the space S.sub.4 can thereby be increased. The
discharge valve 1034c can release the noncondensable gas, remaining
inside the space S.sub.3, into the atmosphere by causing the gas
refrigerant to permeate the separation membrane 1034b, and can
thereby discharge the noncondensable gas out of the refrigerant
circuit 510.
(2) Method of Constructing the Air Conditioner
[0100] The following explains the method of constructing the air
conditioner 1001. Furthermore, excepting the noncondensable gas
discharging step, the procedure is the same as the air conditioner
1 constructing method of the first embodiment, and its explanation
is therefore omitted.
<Noncondensable Gas Discharging Step>
[0101] After the sealed gas has been released, the liquid side gate
valve 27 and the gas side gate valve 28 of the heat source unit
1002 are opened, creating a state wherein the refrigerant circuit
of the utilization unit 5 and the refrigerant circuit of the heat
source unit 1002 are connected. Thereby, the refrigerant that was
pre-filled in the heat source unit 1002 is supplied to the entire
refrigerant circuit 510. However, if the required refrigerant fill
quantity is not met just with the amount of refrigerant pre-filled
in the heat source unit 1002, e.g., if the refrigerant connecting
pipes 6, 7 are long, then refrigerant can be externally
supplemented and then filled as needed. Furthermore, if the heat
source unit 1002 is not pre-filled with refrigerant, then the
entire amount of the refrigerant needed is externally filled.
Thereby, the sealed gas (containing the noncondensable gas
remaining in the utilization unit 5 if simultaneously performing
the seal test on the utilization unit 5), which serves as the
noncondensable gas remaining in the refrigerant connecting pipes 6,
7 after the sealed gas releasing step, is mixed with the
refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit 510.
[0102] In this circuit configuration, operation is performed by
activating the compressor 21 and circulating the refrigerant inside
the refrigerant circuit 510.
(Case of Discharging Noncondensable Gas While Performing Cooling
Operation)
[0103] First, the case of performing the operation that circulates
the refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit 510 by the cooling
operation will be explained. At this time, the four-way switching
valve 522 is in the state depicted by the solid line in FIG. 9,
i.e., the discharge side of the compressor 21 and the gas side of
the heat source side heat exchanger 23 are connected, and the
intake side of the compressor 21 and the gas side gate valve 28 are
connected. In addition, the heat source side expansion valve 26 is
in a state wherein its opening is regulated. Furthermore, the gas
refrigerant introduction valve 238a, the gas refrigerant return
valve 1041 a, and the discharge valve 1034c that constitute the gas
separation apparatus 1031 are all shut off, and the gas separation
apparatus 1031 is in an unused state.
[0104] If the compressor 21 is activated with the refrigerant
circuit 510 and the gas separation apparatus 1031 in this state,
then cooling operation is performed the same as in the second
embodiment. Furthermore, the operation of the refrigerant circuit
510 is the same as in the second embodiment, and its explanation is
therefore omitted.
[0105] The following explains the operation of discharging the
noncondensable gas from inside the refrigerant circuit 510 using
the gas separation apparatus 1031. First, the gas refrigerant
introduction valve 238a is opened, and the noncondensable
gas-containing gas refrigerant (supply gas) that accumulated in the
upper part of the receiver 25 is introduced inside the separation
membrane apparatus 1034. Subsequently, the gas refrigerant return
valve 1041 a of the separation membrane apparatus 1034 is opened,
and the refrigerant pressure inside the space S.sub.4 of the
separation membrane apparatus 1034 reaches a pressure the same as
the pressure of the refrigerant flowing on the intake side of the
compressor 21. In so doing, the space S.sub.3 of the separation
membrane apparatus 1034 is in communication with the upper part of
the receiver 25, and a pressure differential consequently arises
between the space S.sub.3 and the space S.sub.4 that corresponds to
the pressure differential between the condensing pressure of the
refrigerant and the pressure on the intake side of the compressor
21. Consequently, this pressure differential forms a propulsive
force, and the gas refrigerant contained in the supply gas that
accumulated inside the space S.sub.3 permeates the separation
membrane 1034b, flows to the space S.sub.4 side, and returns to the
intake side of the compressor 21 through the gas refrigerant return
valve 1041a. However, the noncondensable gas (nonpermeating gas),
remaining inside the space S.sub.3 due to the gas refrigerant
permeating the separation membrane 1034b and flowing to the space
S.sub.4 side, is released into the atmosphere by the opening of the
discharge valve 1034c. If this operation is executed for the
prescribed time, then the noncondensable gas remaining in the
liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 6 and the gas refrigerant
connecting pipe 7 is discharged from inside the refrigerant circuit
510.
[0106] Furthermore, after the noncondensable gas is discharged from
inside the refrigerant circuit 510, the gas refrigerant
introduction valve 238a, the gas refrigerant return valve 1041a,
and the discharge valve 1034c that constitute the gas separation
apparatus 1031 are all turned off.
(Case of Discharging Noncondensable Gas While Performing Heating
Operation)
[0107] The following explains the case wherein the operation that
circulates the refrigerant inside the refrigerant circuit 510 is
performed by the heating operation. At this time, the four-way
switching valve 522 is in the state depicted by the broken line in
FIG. 9, i.e., in a state wherein the discharge side of the
compressor 21 is connected to the gas side gate valve 28, and the
intake side of the compressor 21 is connected to the gas side of
the heat source side heat exchanger 23. In addition, the heat
source side expansion valve 26 is in a state in which its opening
is regulated. Furthermore, the gas refrigerant introduction valve
238a, the gas refrigerant return valve 1041 a, and the discharge
valve 1034c that constitute the gas separation apparatus 1031 are
all shut off, and the gas separation apparatus 1031 is in an unused
state.
[0108] If the compressor 21 is activated with the refrigerant
circuit 510 and the gas separation apparatus 1031 in this state,
the same heating operation as in the second embodiment is
performed. Furthermore, the operation of the refrigerant circuit
510 and the gas separation apparatus 1031 is the same as the
operation to discharge the noncondensable gas in the cooling
operation state, and its explanation is therefore omitted.
(3) Features of the Air Conditioner, and the Constructing Method
Thereof
[0109] The air conditioner 1001 of the present embodiment differs
from the constitution of the air conditioners 1, 101, 201, 501, 601
of the first and second embodiments in that a nonporous membrane is
employed as the separation membrane 1034b, which constitutes the
separation membrane apparatus 1034, that selectively permeates the
refrigerant, but otherwise has the same features as the air
conditioners 1, 101, 201, 501, 601 and their constructing methods
in the first and second embodiments.
(4) Modified Example 1
[0110] The abovementioned gas separation apparatus 1031 is
constituted so that the gas refrigerant separated in the separation
membrane apparatus 1034 is returned to the intake side of the
compressor 21 via the gas refrigerant outflow circuit 1041, but may
be provided so that a gas refrigerant outflow circuit 1141 is
connected between the separation membrane apparatus 1034 and the
heat source side expansion valve 26 downstream side (specifically,
between the downstream side of the heat source side expansion valve
26 and the check valves 524c, 524d of the bridge circuit 524), as
in a gas separation apparatus 1131 incorporated in a heat source
unit 1102 of an air conditioner 1101 of the present modified
example depicted in FIG. 11.
(5) Modified Example 2
[0111] With the abovementioned gas separation apparatuses 1031,
1131, the receiver 25 and the separation membrane apparatus 1034
are connected via a gas refrigerant introduction circuit 238, but
the receiver 25 and the separation membrane apparatus 1034 may be
constituted integrally, as in a gas separation apparatus 1231
incorporated in a heat source unit 1202 of an air conditioner 1201
of the present modified example depicted in FIG. 12, the same as
the gas separation apparatus 31 in the first embodiment. At this
time, the upper part space (i.e., the space on the upstream side of
the separation membrane 34b) of the receiver 25 is connected to the
discharge valve 1034c, and the space on the downstream side of the
separation membrane 1034b is connected to the gas refrigerant
outflow circuit 1041.
(6) Another Modified Example
[0112] In the abovementioned gas separation apparatus 1131, the
receiver 25 and the separation membrane apparatus 1034 may be
integrally constituted, as in the gas separation apparatus
1231.
[0113] In addition, in the air conditioners 1, 101, 201, 501, 601
of the first embodiment and its modified examples, the separation
membrane apparatus 1034 of the present embodiment and its modified
examples may be employed as the separation membrane apparatus that
constitutes the gas separation apparatus.
[0114] Furthermore, in the air conditioners 1001, 1101, 1201
comprising the abovementioned gas separation apparatuses 1031,
1131, 1231, the dryer for eliminating the moisture remaining in the
refrigerant circuit 510 may be connected to the liquid side
refrigerant circuit 511, the same as in the air conditioner 101 in
the modified example of the first embodiment.
Fourth Embodiment
(1) Constitution and Features of the Air Conditioner
[0115] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the refrigerant circuit of an
air conditioner 1501 as one example of the refrigeration apparatus
according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The
air conditioner 1501 is a so-called multitype air conditioner
capable of cooling operation and heating operation, and comprises a
heat source unit 1502, a plurality (in the present embodiment, two
units) of utilization units 1505, and a liquid refrigerant
connecting pipe 1506 and a gas refrigerant connecting pipe 1507
that connect the heat source unit 1502 and the plurality of
utilization units 1505.
[0116] Each utilization unit 1505 principally comprises the
utilization side heat exchanger 51 and a utilization side expansion
valve 1552. Here, the utilization side heat exchanger 51 is the
same as the utilization side heat exchanger 51 of the air
conditioner 501 of the second embodiment, and its explanation is
therefore omitted.
[0117] Each utilization side expansion valve 1552 is connected to
the liquid side of the respective utilization side heat exchanger
51 in order to regulate the refrigerant pressure, the refrigerant
flow, and the like. In the present embodiment, each utilization
side expansion valve 1552 has a function that expands the
refrigerant, particularly during cooling operation.
[0118] The heat source unit 1502 principally comprises the
compressor 21, the four-way switching valve 522, the heat source
side heat exchanger 23, a bridge circuit 1524, the receiver 25, a
heat source side expansion valve 1526, the liquid side gate valve
27, and the gas side gate valve 28. Here, the compressor 21, the
four-way switching valve 522, the heat source side heat exchanger
23, the receiver 25, the liquid side gate valve 27, and the gas
side gate valve 28 are the same as the compressor 21, the four-way
switching valve 522, the heat source side heat exchanger 23, the
receiver 25, the liquid side gate valve 27, and the gas side gate
valve 28 of the air conditioner 501 of the second embodiment, and
their explanations are therefore omitted.
[0119] In the present embodiment, the bridge circuit 1524 comprises
three check valves 524a-524c and the heat source side expansion
valve 1526, and is connected between the heat source side heat
exchanger 23 and the liquid side gate valve 27. Here, a check valve
524a permits only the distribution of the refrigerant from the heat
source side heat exchanger 23 to the receiver 25. A check valve
524b permits only the distribution of the refrigerant from the
liquid side gate valve 27 to the receiver 25. A check valve 524c
permits only the distribution of the refrigerant from the receiver
25 to the liquid side gate valve 27. The heat source side expansion
valve 1526 is connected between the exit of the receiver 25 and the
heat source side heat exchanger 23 to regulate the refrigerant
pressure, the refrigerant flow, and the like. In the present
embodiment, during cooling operation, the heat source side
expansion valve 1526 is fully closed and functions so that the
refrigerant flowing from the heat source side heat exchanger 23
toward the utilization side heat exchanger 51 flows via the
entrance of and into the receiver 25; during heating operation, its
opening is regulated, and it functions so that the refrigerant
flowing from the utilization side heat exchanger 51 (specifically,
the exit of the receiver 25) toward the heat source side heat
exchanger 23 is expanded. Thereby, when the refrigerant flows from
the heat source side heat exchanger 23 side toward the utilization
side heat exchanger 51 side as during cooling operation, the bridge
circuit 1524 functions so that the refrigerant is flowed through
the entrance of and into the receiver 25, and the refrigerant
flowing out of the exit of the receiver 25 is distributed to the
utilization side heat exchanger 51 side without expanding in the
heat source side expansion valve 1526; additionally, when the
refrigerant flows from the utilization side heat exchanger 51 side
toward the heat source side heat exchanger 23 side as during
heating operation, the bridge circuit 1524 functions so that the
refrigerant flows through the entrance of and into the receiver 25,
and the refrigerant flowing out of the exit of the receiver 25 is
distributed to the heat source side heat exchanger 23 side after
expanding in the heat source side expansion valve 1526.
[0120] The liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 1506 is connected
between the liquid side of the utilization side heat exchanger 51
of each of the plurality of utilization units 1505 and the liquid
side gate valve 27 of the heat source unit 1502. The gas
refrigerant connecting pipe 1507 is connected between the gas side
of the utilization side heat exchanger 51 of each of the plurality
of utilization units 1505 and the gas side gate valve 28 of the
heat source unit 1502. The liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 1506
and the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 1507 are the refrigerant
connecting pipes constructed on site when newly constructing the
air conditioner 1501, or the refrigerant connecting pipes diverted
from an existing air conditioner when replacing any one or both of
the heat source unit 1502 and the utilization units 1505.
[0121] Here, a liquid side refrigerant circuit 1511 comprises the
refrigerant circuit that ranges from the utilization side heat
exchanger 51 to the heat source side heat exchanger 23, including
the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 1506, the liquid side gate
valve 27, the bridge circuit 1524, the receiver 25, and the heat
source side expansion valve 1526. In addition, a gas side
refrigerant circuit 1512 comprises the refrigerant circuit ranging
from the utilization side heat exchanger 51 to the heat source side
heat exchanger 23, including the gas refrigerant connecting pipe
1507, the gas side gate valve 28, the four-way switching valve 522,
and the compressor 21. In other words, a refrigerant circuit 1510
of the air conditioner 1501 comprises the liquid side refrigerant
circuit 1511 and the gas side refrigerant circuit 1512.
[0122] The air conditioner 1501 further comprises the gas
separation apparatus 231, which is connected to the liquid side
refrigerant circuit 1511. The gas separation apparatus 231 can
separate from the refrigerant and discharge out of the refrigerant
circuit 1510 the noncondensable gas, remaining in the liquid
refrigerant connecting pipe 1506 and the gas refrigerant connecting
pipe 1507, by operating the compressor 21 and circulating the
refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 1510, and is built into the
heat source unit 1502 in the present embodiment. Here, the gas
separation apparatus 231 is the same as the gas separation
apparatus 231 of the air conditioner 201 in the modified example of
the first embodiment, and its explanation is therefore omitted.
[0123] In the air conditioner 1501 of this type as well, the
operation that discharges the noncondensable gas remaining in the
liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 1506 and the gas refrigerant
connecting pipe 1507 from inside the refrigerant circuit 1510 can
be performed using the gas separation apparatus 231 by using a
method of construction the same as the air conditioner 501 of the
second embodiment and circulating the refrigerant inside the
refrigerant circuit 1510.
[0124] In particular, in the case of a multitype air conditioner,
as in the air conditioner 1501 of the present embodiment, the
length and diameter of each of the refrigerant connecting pipes
1506, 1507 is larger than the refrigerant connecting pipes of the
comparatively compact air conditioner, as in a room air
conditioner, and the amount of noncondensable gas that must be
discharged from inside the refrigerant circuit 1510 is large;
consequently, this method of construction is useful.
(2) Modified Example
[0125] The receiver 25 and the separation membrane apparatus 34 may
be integrally constituted, as in the gas separation apparatus 31
according to the first and second embodiments.
[0126] In addition, the gas separation apparatuses 1031, 1131, 1231
each comprising a separation membrane 1034b made of a nonporous
membrane, according to the third embodiment and its modified
examples, may be used as the gas separation apparatus.
Another Embodiment
[0127] The above explained the embodiments of the present
invention, referencing the drawings, but the specific constitution
is not limited to these embodiments, and it is understood that
variations and modifications may be effected without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0128] For example, in the abovementioned embodiments, the present
invention was applied to an air conditioner capable of operation by
switching between cooling and heating operation, an air conditioner
dedicated to cooling operation, and a multitype air conditioner
with a plurality of utilization units connected thereto; however,
the present invention is not limited thereto, and may also be
applied to an ice thermal storage type air conditioner, other
separate type refrigeration apparatuses, and the like.
INDUSTRIAL FIELD OF APPLICATION
[0129] Using the present invention can improve the efficiency of
separating a noncondensable gas with a separation membrane in a
refrigeration apparatus constituted, for the purpose of omitting
the vacuum drawing work, so that, by using a separation membrane,
it can separate and eliminate the noncondensable gas, in a state
mixed with a refrigerant inside a refrigerant circuit, that was
left inside the refrigerant connecting pipe during on-site
construction.
* * * * *