U.S. patent application number 15/500994 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-03 for refrigeration facility.
This patent application is currently assigned to DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.. Invention is credited to Makoto IKEMIYA, Noritaka KAMEI, Kazuhide MIZUTANI, Naohiro TANAKA, Kazuma YOKOHARA.
Application Number | 20170219270 15/500994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55532751 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170219270 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YOKOHARA; Kazuma ; et
al. |
August 3, 2017 |
REFRIGERATION FACILITY
Abstract
A refrigeration facility such as a refrigeration container
includes a refrigeration device cooling an interior of the
refrigeration facility and including an evaporator allowing air
inside the refrigeration facility to pass through. A condensate
port serving as a corrosive gas detector is installed in a drain
hose. The drain hose disposes condensate water from a drain pan,
which collects condensate water generated by the evaporator.
Detecting corrosive gas in the air inside the container by using a
pH sensor to examine a pH value of condensate water in the drain
port allows for reducing the risk of corrosion of components
installed inside the container.
Inventors: |
YOKOHARA; Kazuma; (Osaka,
JP) ; MIZUTANI; Kazuhide; (Osaka, JP) ;
IKEMIYA; Makoto; (Osaka, JP) ; KAMEI; Noritaka;
(Osaka, JP) ; TANAKA; Naohiro; (Osaka,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD. |
Osaka-shi, Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Osaka-shi, Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
55532751 |
Appl. No.: |
15/500994 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
June 23, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2015/003143 |
371 Date: |
February 1, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 29/003 20130101;
F25D 2400/36 20130101; F25B 13/00 20130101; F25D 2321/142 20130101;
F25D 11/003 20130101; F25D 21/14 20130101; F25D 2321/143 20130101;
F25D 2321/146 20130101; F25D 2700/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 21/14 20060101
F25D021/14; F25D 29/00 20060101 F25D029/00; F25B 13/00 20060101
F25B013/00; F25D 11/00 20060101 F25D011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 16, 2014 |
JP |
2014-188190 |
Claims
1. A refrigeration facility including a refrigeration device, which
cools an interior of a storage chamber and has an evaporator
allowing air inside the storage chamber to pass through, the
refrigeration facility comprising: a condensate treatment unit
including a condensate collection unit collecting condensate water
generated by the evaporator and a condensate disposal unit
disposing condensate water from the condensate collection unit; and
a corrosive gas detector installed in the condensate treatment unit
to detect corrosive gas in air inside the container based on
properties of the condensate water.
2. The refrigeration facility of claim 1, wherein the corrosive gas
detector is installed in the condensate disposal unit.
3. The refrigeration facility of claim 2, wherein the refrigeration
device is a container refrigeration device including a casing
mounted to a container, the condensate disposal unit is a drain
hose connected to the condensate collection unit, the drain hose
has a part at a condensate disposal side located in an external
storage space, which is formed in the casing so as to house
refrigerant circuit components of the refrigeration device, and the
corrosive gas detector is installed in the drain hose at a location
inside the external storage space.
4. The refrigeration facility of claim 3, wherein a condensate trap
is formed in the drain hose at a location inside the external
storage space, and the corrosive gas detector is installed in the
condensate trap of the drain hose.
5. The refrigeration facility of claim 4, wherein the condensate
trap includes a first U-turn curving downward and a second U-turn
curving upward, which are formed in the run of the drain hose and
connected from upstream to downstream, and the corrosive gas
detector is installed in the second U-turn and located above a
level of condensate water accumulated in the first U-turn when the
condensate water flows through the second U-turn.
6. The refrigeration facility of claim 1, wherein the corrosive gas
detector is a condensate port including a portable pH sensor, which
measures a pH value as a property of the condensate water.
7. The refrigeration facility of claim 1, wherein the corrosive gas
detector includes a stationary pH sensor measuring a pH value as
the property of the condensate water, and the refrigeration
facility further includes a measurement result display connected to
the pH sensor and displaying measurement results provided by the
stationary pH sensor.
8. The refrigeration facility of claim 2, wherein the corrosive gas
detector is a condensate port including a portable pH sensor, which
measures a pH value as a property of the condensate water.
9. The refrigeration facility of claim 3, wherein the corrosive gas
detector is a condensate port including a portable pH sensor, which
measures a pH value as a property of the condensate water.
10. The refrigeration facility of claim 4, wherein the corrosive
gas detector is a condensate port including a portable pH sensor,
which measures a pH value as a property of the condensate
water.
11. The refrigeration facility of claim 5, wherein the corrosive
gas detector is a condensate port including a portable pH sensor,
which measures a pH value as a property of the condensate
water.
12. The refrigeration facility of claim 2, wherein the corrosive
gas detector includes a stationary pH sensor measuring a pH value
as the property of the condensate water, and the refrigeration
facility further includes a measurement result display connected to
the pH sensor and displaying measurement results provided by the
stationary pH sensor.
13. The refrigeration facility of claim 3, wherein the corrosive
gas detector includes a stationary pH sensor measuring a pH value
as the property of the condensate water, and the refrigeration
facility further includes a measurement result display connected to
the pH sensor and displaying measurement results provided by the
stationary pH sensor.
14. The refrigeration facility of claim 4, wherein the corrosive
gas detector includes a stationary pH sensor measuring a pH value
as the property of the condensate water, and the refrigeration
facility further includes a measurement result display connected to
the pH sensor and displaying measurement results provided by the
stationary pH sensor.
15. The refrigeration facility of claim 5, wherein the corrosive
gas detector includes a stationary pH sensor measuring a pH value
as the property of the condensate water, and the refrigeration
facility further includes a measurement result display connected to
the pH sensor and displaying measurement results provided by the
stationary pH sensor.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration facility,
which includes a refrigeration device cooling an interior of a
storage chamber, and more specifically to a technique for lowering
the risk of corrosion of components installed in the interior of
the storage chamber.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Refrigeration containers used in, e.g., marine
transportation are known in the art as refrigeration facilities
provided with a refrigeration device for cooling an interior of a
container. Such refrigeration containers include a container
refrigeration device cooling the interior of a container body.
Refrigeration storages and cold storages are also known in the art
as a refrigeration facilities cooling an interior of a
container.
[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a container refrigeration
device. This container refrigeration device is installed at a front
opening of a container. The container refrigeration device includes
a frame, at a lower side of which an outside storage space facing
an exterior of the container is formed. A compressor, a condenser,
an exterior fan, and other components are installed in this outside
storage space. Moreover, an inside storage space facing an interior
of the container is formed at an upper side of the frame. An
evaporator and an interior fan are installed in this inside storage
space. In this container refrigeration device, the compressor, the
condenser and the evaporator are connected by a refrigerant pipe
thus forming a refrigerant circuit. A refrigerating cycle is
operated as a refrigerant is circulated through this refrigerant
circuit, and air inside the container is cooled by the
evaporator.
CITATION LIST
Patent Documents
[0004] PATENT DOCUMENT 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
No. 2004-325022
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0005] In a refrigeration container loaded with plants such as
grapes, fumigation is applied to sterilize an interior of the
container. However, cases have occurred where components installed
inside the container have suffered from corrosion due to fumigants
released during fumigation, as well as due to gases (e.g.,
SO.sub.2) emerging from disinfectant wipes. Corrosion may occur on
components made of copper (pipes, temperature thermistors etc.),
aluminum (fan blades, plate members etc.), or stainless steel.
[0006] Components suffering from corrosion need to be repaired or
exchanged. Moreover, while the corrosion of components can be
detected after the fact, it is difficult to estimate in advance
whether corrosion is imminent. A procedure is conceivable where,
for example, a worker surveys whether air inside the container
contains SO.sub.2 and, based on results of this survey, estimates
the possibility of corrosion. This, however, is no realistic
procedure. The corrosion of components is a problem occurring not
only in refrigeration containers. It may also occur in
refrigeration facilities such as refrigeration storages and cold
storages.
[0007] In view of the foregoing background, the present invention
attempts to provide a technique for easily surveying corrosion of
components installed inside a refrigeration facility.
Solution to the Problem
[0008] A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a
refrigeration facility including a refrigeration device (10), which
cools an interior of a storage chamber and has an evaporator (24)
allowing air inside the container to pass through, the
refrigeration facility including: a condensate treatment unit (40)
including a condensate collection unit (41) collecting condensate
water generated by the evaporator (24) and a condensate disposal
unit (42) disposing condensate water from the condensate collection
unit (41); and a corrosive gas detector (50) installed in the
condensate treatment unit (40) to detect corrosive gas in air
inside the container based on properties of the condensate
water.
[0009] In the first aspect, by using the corrosive gas detector
(50) to examine the properties of the condensate water, it may be
detected whether corrosion of components installed inside the
container is imminent.
[0010] In a second aspect, which is an embodiment of the first
aspect, the corrosive gas detector (50) may be installed in the
condensate disposal unit (42).
[0011] In the second aspect, the corrosive gas detector (50) is
installed in the condensate disposal unit (42). The corrosive gas
detector (50) may as well be installed in the condensate collection
unit (41). Since, however, the condensate disposal unit (42) may be
installed at an arbitrary spot in the refrigeration facility, in
the second aspect corrosive gas detection may be performed easily
at an arbitrary location.
[0012] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, which is an
embodiment of the second aspect, the refrigeration device (10) may
be a container refrigeration device (10) including a casing (12)
mounted to a container (11), the condensate disposal unit (42) may
be a drain hose (42) connected to the condensate collection unit
(41), the drain hose (42) may have a part at a condensate disposal
side located in an external storage space (S1), which is formed in
the casing (12) so as to house refrigerant circuit components of
the refrigeration device (10), and the corrosive gas detector (50)
may be installed in the drain hose (42) at a location inside the
external storage space (S1).
[0013] According to the third aspect, in the container
refrigeration device (10), corrosive gas inside the container may
be detected by using the corrosive gas detector (50) installed in
the drain hose (42) provided in the exterior storage space (S1),
which is easy to access for maintenance.
[0014] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which is an
embodiment of the third aspect, a condensate trap (44) may be
formed in the drain hose (42) at a location inside the external
storage space (S1), and the corrosive gas detector (50) may be
installed in the condensate trap (44) of the drain hose (42).
[0015] In the fourth aspect, the condensate trap (44) is installed
in the drain hose (42). As condensate accumulates in the condensate
trap (44), corrosive gas detection may be performed easily based on
the properties of the accumulated condensate water.
[0016] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which is an
embodiment of the fourth aspect, the condensate trap (44) may
include a first U-turn (44a) curving downward and a second U-turn
(44b) curving upward, which are formed in the run of the drain hose
(42) and connected from upstream to downstream, and the corrosive
gas detector (50) may be installed in the second U-turn portion
(44b) and located above a level of condensate water accumulated in
the first U-turn (44a) when the condensate water flows through the
second U-turn (44b).
[0017] In the fifth aspect, condensate water accumulates in the
first U-turn (44a) of the condensate trap (44). Installed above the
level of the accumulated condensate water when the condensate water
flows out of the second U-turn (44b), the corrosive gas detector
(50) may perform corrosive gas detection based on the water
properties gained from information regarding the condensate water.
Moreover, accumulating in the first U-turn (44a), the condensate
water seals off an end of the drain hose (42) inside the container
from an end of the drain hose (42) at a disposal side. When the
refrigeration device is operated and the container is cooled
inside, pressure inside the container lowers and air tends to enter
from the condensate disposal side. As a countermeasure, condensate
water accumulated in the first U-turn (44a) serves as a seal and
keeps air from entering the container.
[0018] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which is an
embodiment of any one of the first to fifth aspects, the corrosive
gas detector (50) may be a condensate port (43) including a
portable pH sensor (45), which measures a pH value as a property of
the condensate water.
[0019] In the sixth aspect, installing the portable pH sensor (45)
in the condensate port (43), which is provided for a refrigeration
facility such as a refrigeration container or a refrigeration
storage, allows for detecting corrosive gas inside the
container.
[0020] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, which is an
embodiment of any one of the first to fifth aspects, the corrosive
gas detector (50) may include a stationary pH sensor (47) measuring
the pH value as the property of the condensate water, and the
refrigeration facility may further include a measurement result
display (48) connected to the pH sensor and displaying measurement
results provided by the sensor.
[0021] In the seventh aspect, the pH sensor (47) is permanently
installed in a refrigeration facility such as a refrigeration
container or a refrigeration storage and detects corrosive gas
inside the refrigeration facility. Measurement results provided by
the pH sensor (47) are displayed on the measurement result display
(48).
Advantages of the Invention
[0022] According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, by
using the corrosive gas detector (50) to examine properties of the
condensate water, it may be easily determined whether corrosion of
the components installed inside the container is imminent. Thus, an
imminent corrosion of the components inside the container may be
delayed by cleaning the interior of the container. Further, in the
first aspect of the present disclosure, simply installing the
corrosive gas detector (50) in the condensate treatment unit (40)
may reduce the risk of failures of the refrigeration device and may
cut costs to a minimum.
[0023] According to the second aspect of the present disclosure,
the corrosive gas detector (50) is installed in the condensate
disposal unit (42), the installation location of which may be
chosen relatively freely within the refrigeration device.
Therefore, corrosive gas detection for the interior of the
container may be performed even outside the container, which
improves efficiency in performing the detection procedure.
[0024] According to the third aspect of the present disclosure,
disposing the drain hose (42) in the external storage space (S1) of
the container refrigeration device (10) and installing the
corrosive gas detector (50) in the drain hose (42) allows for
performing corrosive gas detection for the interior of the
container (11) in the external storage space (S1), which is easy to
access for maintenance.
[0025] According to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure,
installing the condensate trap (44) in the drain hose (42) and
having the condensate water accumulate in the condensate trap (44)
may allow for easily performing corrosive gas detection based on
the properties of the accumulated condensate water as well as for
maintaining an uncomplicated configuration.
[0026] According to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the
corrosive gas detector (50) is installed above the level of the
condensate water accumulated in the first U-turn (44a) of the
condensate trap (44) when the condensate water flows out of the
second U-turn (44b). Thus, using this corrosive gas detector (50)
may allow for easily and accurately performing corrosive gas
detection based on the properties of the condensate water gained
from information regarding the condensate water level. Moreover,
since it is superfluous to provide a sealant for preventing water
leakage from the condensate port (43), an uncomplicated
configuration may be maintained.
[0027] According to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure,
installing the condensate port (43) in a refrigeration facility
such as a refrigeration container or a refrigeration storage allows
for easily detecting corrosive gas in an interior of the
refrigeration facility by using the portable pH sensor (45).
[0028] According to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure,
the pH sensor (45) is permanently installed in a refrigeration
facility such as a refrigeration container or a refrigeration
storage, and measurement results provided by the pH sensor (47) are
displayed on the measurement result display (46). Thus, if a
concentration of corrosion gas in the interior of the refrigeration
facility is high, an alarm signal may be given out to prompt
cleaning of the interior of the refrigeration facility. Further, by
re-performing the corrosion gas detection after the cleaning, it
may be determined whether the interior of the refrigeration
facility is clean.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container refrigeration
device according to an embodiment of the present invention when
viewed from outside the container.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating a
configuration of the container refrigeration device according to
the embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a piping system diagram illustrating a
configuration of a refrigerant circuit of the embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a front view of the container refrigeration device
having an electrical component box removed.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container refrigeration
device having the electrical component box, a condenser and a gas
mixture supply device removed.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a side view showing a part of a drain hose at a
condensate disposal side.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a back view of the container refrigeration
device.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container
refrigeration device.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a part of the condensate
disposal side according to a variation of the embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a part of the drain hose
at a condensate disposal side according to another variation of the
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in
detail with reference to the drawings. In the following
embodiments, the present invention has been applied to a container
(refrigeration container) serving as an example refrigeration
device. Note that the beneficial embodiments explained below are
mere examples in nature, and are not intended to limit the scope,
applications, and use of the present invention.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a container refrigeration device
(10) is designed to cool or to refrigerate an interior of a
container (11) used in, e.g., marine transportation. The container
refrigeration device (10) includes a refrigerant circuit (20)
employing a refrigerating cycle to cool air in the container (11)
(see FIG. 3). The interior of a container (11) is loaded with
plants (15) packed in boxes, such as grapes.
[0041] The container (11) has the shape of a box with an open end.
A casing (12) is attached to close this one open end. The casing
(12) includes an exterior wall (12a) located outside the container
(11) and an interior wall (12b) located inside the container (11).
The exterior and interior walls (12a) and (12b) may be made of, for
example, aluminum alloy.
[0042] The exterior wall (12a) is attached to a periphery of the
opening of the container (11) so as to close the open end of the
container (11). The exterior wall (12a) is formed such that a lower
part of the exterior wall (12a) protrudes into the container
(11).
[0043] The interior wall (12b) faces the exterior wall (12a). The
interior wall (12b) fits the lower part of the exterior wall (12a),
and protrudes into the container. A thermal insulator (12c) is
provided in a space between the interior and exterior walls (12b)
and (12a).
[0044] A lower part of the casing (12) is formed so as to protrude
into the container (11). In this way, an external storage space
(S1) is formed outside the container (11) in the lower part of the
casing (12), and an internal storage space (S2) is formed inside
the container (11) in an upper part of the casing (12).
[0045] The casing (12) has two access doors (16), which are
arranged side by side in a width direction and can be opened and
closed during maintenance. An electrical component box (17)
adjacent to an external fan (25), which will be described later, is
located in the external storage space (S1) of the casing (12).
[0046] A partition plate (18) is located inside the container (11).
This partition plate (18) is a substantially rectangular plate
member, and stands upright against a face of the casing (12) inside
the container (11). This partition plate (18) separates the
internal storage space (S2) from the interior of the container
(11).
[0047] A suction port (18a) is formed between an upper end of the
partition plate (18) and a ceiling surface of the container (11).
Air inside the container (11) is taken through the suction port
(18a) into the internal storage space (S2).
[0048] A floorboard (19) is provided inside the container (11),
leaving a gap between the floorboard (19) and a bottom surface of
the container (11). The boxed plants (15) are placed on the
floorboard (19). An air passage (19a) is formed between the
floorboard (19) and the bottom surface of the container (11). A gap
is left between a lower end of the partition plate (18) and the
bottom surface of the container (11) and communicates with the air
passage (19a).
[0049] A blowout port (18b) is provided at a front side of the
container (11) at the floorboard (19) (on the right in FIG. 2) for
blowing air treated by the container refrigeration device (10)
(i.e., cooled air inside the container) into the container
(11).
[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the container refrigeration device (10)
includes a refrigerant circuit (20) in which a vapor compression
refrigeration cycle is operated as a refrigerant is circulated. The
refrigerant circuit (20) includes a compressor (21), a condenser
(22), an expansion valve (23), and an evaporator (24), which are
connected by a refrigerant pipe (28) in this order.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the compressor (21) and the
condenser (external heat exchanger) (22) are housed in the external
storage space (S1). The external fan (25) is located above the
condenser (22). The external fan (25) is driven in rotation by an
external fan motor (25a), guides air outside the container (11)
into the external storage space (S1), and sends the air to the
condenser (22). In the condenser (22), heat is exchanged between a
refrigerant flowing through the condenser (22) and the outside
air.
[0052] The evaporator (24) is housed in the internal storage space
(S2). Two internal fans (26) are located above the evaporator (24)
in the internal storage space (S2) and arranged side by side in the
width direction of the casing (12).
[0053] The internal fans (26) are driven in rotation by internal
fan motors (26a), and guide the air inside the container (11)
through the suction port (18a) to send the air into the evaporator
(24). In the evaporator (24), heat is exchanged between a
refrigerant flowing through the evaporator (24) and the air inside
the container. The air inside the container is cooled when passing
through the evaporator (24) as heat is dissipated by the
refrigerant, and is then blown via the air passage (19a) from the
blowout port (18b) into the container (11).
[0054] The container refrigeration device (10) includes a gas
mixture supply device (30) for regulating oxygen concentration
inside the container by supplying a gas mixture, which has a low
oxygen concentration, into the container (11). The gas mixture
supply device (30) is a unit located in a lower left corner of the
external storage space (S1) as shown in FIG. 1. An inverter box
(29) housing a drive circuit for driving the compressor (21) at a
variable velocity is located to the right of the gas mixture supply
device (30).
[0055] FIG. 4 is a front view of the container refrigeration device
(10) having the electrical component box (17) removed. FIG. 5 is a
perspective view of the container refrigeration device (10) having
the electrical component box (17), the condenser (22), and a gas
mixture supply device (30) removed. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a
part of a condensate disposal side of the drain hose (42). Further,
FIG. 7 is a back view of the container refrigeration device (10),
and FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container
refrigeration device (10).
[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, according to this embodiment, a drain
pan (condensate collection unit) (41) collecting condensate water
generated by the evaporator (24) is provided at a bottom of the
internal storage space (S2). This drain pan (41) has an inclined
face which becomes lower from both ends toward a center of the
casing (12). The drain hose (condensate disposal unit) (42), which
disposes condensate water from the drain pan (41), is connected to
a center of the drain pan (41) and extends into the external
storage space (S1). The drain pan (41) and the drain hose (42) form
the condensate treatment unit (40).
[0057] The drain hose (42) has a part at the condensate disposal
side located in the external storage space (S1), which is formed in
the casing (12) so as to house components of the refrigerant
circuit (20). The drain hose (42) includes the condensate port
(43), which is located inside the external storage space (S1).
Specifically, the condensate trap (44) is formed in the drain hose
(42) inside the external storage space (S1), and the condensate
port (43) is installed in the condensate trap (44) of the drain
hose (42).
[0058] As schematically shown in FIG. 9, the condensate port (43)
may include a portable corrosive gas sensor (45) detecting
corrosive gas in the air inside the container based on properties
of the condensate water. Such a condensate port (43) is a port
detecting corrosive gas in the air inside the container based on
the properties of the condensate water, and forms the corrosive gas
detector (50) of the present invention. More precisely, a portable
pH sensor measuring a hydrogen ion exponent (pH value) of the
condensate water may be employed as the portable corrosive gas
sensor (45).
[0059] The condensate trap (44) specifically includes a first
U-turn (44a) curving downward and a second U-turn (44b) curving
upward, which are formed in the run of the drain hose (42) and
connected from upstream to downstream. The condensate port (43),
which is the corrosive gas detector (50), is installed in the
second U-turn portion (44b) and located above a level of condensate
water accumulated in the first U-turn (44a) when the condensate
water flows through the second U-turn (44b).
[0060] In the present embodiment, when the refrigeration device
(11) is operated, water drops condensed on the evaporator drop down
into the drain pan (41) as indicated by arrows in FIG. 7, and this
condensate water flows toward the center of the drain pan (41).
Then, the condensate water flows through the drain hose (42) and is
disposed via the condensate trap (44) out of the device.
[0061] While detecting corrosive gas inside the container, the pH
sensor (45) is installed in the condensate port (43) and examines
the properties (pH value) of the condensate water. A low pH value
detected by the pH sensor (45) signifies a high acidity and it may
be concluded that corrosion of components installed inside the
container is imminent since it may be assumed that acid gasses
contained in the air inside the container may be found dissolved in
the condensate water. In the case where corrosion inside the
container is imminent, it is beneficial to clean the interior of
the container. A high pH value, however, signifies a low acidity,
which may lead to the conclusion that corrosion of components
installed inside the container is not imminent.
Advantages of Embodiment
[0062] According to the present embodiment, the condensate port
(43) is installed in the drain hose (42) and serves as the
corrosive gas detector (50). The pH sensor (45) is installed in
this condensate port (43) to measure the pH value of the condensate
water. In this way it may be determined whether the condensate
water has a high acidity, and thus it may be easily determined
whether corrosion of the components installed inside the container
is imminent. If corrosion of the components installed inside the
container is imminent, it is beneficial to clean the interior of
the container.
[0063] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the drain trap (44) is
formed in the drain hose (42), and the condensate port (43) is
installed in the condensate trap (44). Thus, as shown in FIG. 9,
the pH sensor (45) may be securely introduced into the condensate
water. This may make corrosion gas detection more precise.
[0064] Further, in the present embodiment, the condensate port
(43), which is the corrosive gas detector (50), is installed above
the level of the condensate water accumulated in the first U-turn
(44a) of the condensate trap (44) when the condensate water flows
out of the second U-turn (44b). Thus, the condensate port (43)
above the level of the condensate water may perform the corrosive
gas detection easily and accurately based on the properties of the
condensate water accumulated in the first U-turn (44a) of the
condensate trap (44). Moreover, since it is superfluous to provide
a sealant for preventing water leakage from the condensate port
(43), an uncomplicated configuration may be maintained.
[0065] Furthermore, since in the present embodiment condensate
water accumulates in the first U-turn (44a), an end of the drain
hose (42) inside the container and an end of the drain hose (42) at
a disposal side are sealed off by the condensate water. Generally,
when a refrigeration device is operated and an interior of a
container is cooled, pressure inside the container lowers and air
tends to enter from a condensate disposal side. As a
countermeasure, in the above configuration, the condensate water
accumulated in the first U-turn (44a) serves as a seal and keeps
air from entering the container.
Other Embodiments
[0066] The above embodiment may have the following
configurations.
[0067] Regarding the above embodiment, an example has been
described where the present invention is applied to the container
(11) including the container refrigeration device (10) cooling the
interior of the container. However, the present invention is not
limited to the container (11). The present invention may be for
example applied to a refrigeration storage or a cold storage, given
that the refrigeration storage or cold storage is a refrigeration
facility, which includes a refrigeration device cooling the
interior of the facility, and that this refrigeration device has an
evaporator, which allows air inside the facility to pass
through.
[0068] Furthermore, regarding the present embodiment, an example
has been described where the properties of the condensate water are
examined using the portable pH sensor (45), and where corrosive gas
inside the container is detected based on these properties. As
shown in FIG. 10, however, a stationary pH sensor (47) serving as
the corrosive gas detector (50) may be installed in the drain hose
(42) instead. In this case, a measurement result display (48),
which is connected to the pH sensor (47) and displays measurement
results provided by the pH sensor (47), is installed in the
container refrigeration device (10) (see FIG. 1). FIG. 1 shows an
example where the measurement result display (48) is installed in
the electrical component box (17). Installing the measurement
result display (46) allows for giving out a warning signal to
prompt cleaning of the interior of the container. Further, by
re-performing the corrosion gas detection after the cleaning, it
may be determined whether the interior of the container is
clean.
[0069] Moreover, in the above embodiment, the corrosive gas
detector (50) is installed in the drain hose (42). However, as long
as the corrosive gas detector (50) is installed at a location in
the condensate treatment unit (40) which is reached by the
condensate water, the corrosive gas detector (50) may as well be
installed in the drain pan (41). Also, in the case where the
corrosive gas detector (50) is installed in the drain hose (42), an
installation location different from that in the above embodiment
may be chosen.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0070] As can be seen from the foregoing, the present invention is
useful for a technique for lowering the risk of corrosion of
components installed inside a refrigeration facility, which
includes a refrigeration device cooling an interior of the
refrigeration facility.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
[0071] 10 Container Refrigeration Device (Refrigeration Device)
[0072] 11 Container (Refrigeration Facility)
[0073] 12 Casing
[0074] 24 Evaporator
[0075] 40 Condensate Treatment Unit
[0076] 41 Drain Pan (Condensate Collection Unit)
[0077] 42 Drain Hose (Condensate Disposal Unit)
[0078] 43 Condensate Port (Corrosive Gas Detector)
[0079] 44 Condensate Trap
[0080] 45 pH Sensor
[0081] 47 pH Sensor
[0082] 48 Measurement Result Display
[0083] 50 Corrosive Gas Detector
[0084] S1 External Storage Space
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