JP7498618B2 - Air-cooled refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air-cooled refrigerator, and more specifically, to an air-cooled refrigerator equipped with a condenser.

An air-cooled refrigerator (e.g., air conditioner) installed in a building for air conditioning recovers heat from the air and dissipates it from a condenser installed outside the building. The refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, and cools the air by using a refrigeration cycle and a refrigerant (e.g., a refrigerant gas).

The refrigeration cycle includes four processes: compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation. These processes are carried out by the compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator, respectively. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed during the compression process exchanges heat with the outside air in the condenser, condensing and changing phase to room-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid. This refrigerant liquid becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid during the expansion process, and evaporates by absorbing heat from the surrounding air in the evaporator, lowering the temperature of the surrounding air. The evaporated refrigerant is compressed by the compressor to become a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas.

An example of a conventional refrigerator is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes an example of an auxiliary cooling device used with an air-cooled condenser, and when the temperature of the heat exhaust part of the condenser is high, this auxiliary cooling device cools the condenser by passing the intake air used to cool the condenser through a cooling mat that is supplied with water.

JP 2007-198617 A

In recent years, due to the effects of global warming and other factors, the outside air temperature has become more frequent than the design temperature for heat exchange with the refrigerant gas in the condenser, causing a decline in the heat dissipation capacity of the condenser. If the heat dissipation capacity of the condenser declines, the cooling performance of the refrigerator will decline and it may trip and stop operating. For this reason, there is a demand for further improvement in the heat dissipation capacity of the condenser in air-cooled refrigerators.

The present invention aims to provide an air-cooled refrigerator that can improve the heat dissipation capacity of the condenser.

The air-cooled refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a condenser having refrigerant pipes through which a refrigerant flows, a water receiving section installed on the top of the condenser and capable of storing water and having a hole in the bottom, a water storage section installed on the bottom of the condenser and storing the water that falls from the water receiving section, one or more pipes connected to the water receiving section and supplying the water to the water receiving section, and a water storage tank for storing rainwater. The rainwater stored in the water storage tank is supplied to the water receiving section by at least one of the pipes.

The present invention provides an air-cooled refrigerator that can improve the heat dissipation capacity of the condenser.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a condenser of the air-cooled refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a water storage section installed below the condenser. FIG. 1 illustrates a renewable energy power source and the components of a condenser that are powered by the power source. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an air-cooled refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The air-cooled refrigerator of the present invention uses water, not just air, to remove heat from the refrigerant gas when the refrigerant gas exchanges heat (dissipates heat) in the condenser, improving the heat dissipation capacity of the condenser and suppressing deterioration of the cooling performance of the refrigerator and the occurrence of tripping. The water used for heat exchange with the refrigerant gas in the condenser can be discarded water (for example, rainwater or condensed water obtained from another heat exchanger). Using water for heat exchange with the refrigerant gas in the condenser improves heat dissipation efficiency (cooling efficiency), resulting in energy savings and reducing the running costs of the refrigerator.

The air-cooled refrigerator according to the present invention can be used in any air conditioning equipment, for example, in an air-cooled refrigerator (air conditioner) installed inside a nuclear power plant and used for air conditioning.

Below, an air-cooled refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an air-cooled refrigerator 51 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows the elements that perform the refrigeration cycle of the air-cooled refrigerator 51, namely, the condenser 1, the expansion valve 21, the evaporator 31, and the compressor 41. The air-cooled refrigerator 51 according to this embodiment uses a refrigerant gas as the refrigerant.

The condenser 1 performs the condensation process. That is, the condenser 1 dissipates heat from the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 41, cools it, and condenses it into room-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid.

The expansion valve 21 performs the expansion process. That is, the expansion valve 21 reduces the pressure of the room temperature, high pressure refrigerant liquid produced by condensation in the condenser 1, changing it into a low temperature, low pressure refrigerant liquid.

The evaporator 31 performs the evaporation process. That is, the evaporator 31 evaporates the refrigerant liquid that has been changed to a low temperature and low pressure by the expansion valve 21, and changes it into a low temperature and low pressure refrigerant gas. The refrigerant liquid absorbs heat from the surrounding air and evaporates, lowering the temperature of the surrounding air.

The compressor 41 performs the compression process. That is, the compressor 41 compresses the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas produced by evaporation in the evaporator 31, and changes it into high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a condenser 1 of an air-cooled refrigerator 51 according to this embodiment. The condenser 1 uses air and water (particularly, discarded water) to cool the refrigerant gas.

The condenser 1 comprises a refrigerant tube 2, fins 3, and a fan 11. The refrigerant tube 2 is a tube through which a refrigerant flows. A plurality of fins 3 are installed on the refrigerant tube 2, and have the effect of efficiently cooling the refrigerant gas flowing inside the refrigerant tube 2. The fan 11 is installed at any position on the side of the condenser 1, and blows air through the refrigerant tube 2 and the fins 3 to cool the refrigerant gas flowing inside the refrigerant tube 2.

High-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas flows into the refrigerant pipe 2 from the compressor 41. The condenser 1 cools this refrigerant gas and condenses it into room-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid. The refrigerant pipe 2 sends this refrigerant liquid out to the expansion valve 21.

The condenser 1 further includes a water receiving section 4, a water storage section 5, a water storage tank 12, a first pipe 13, and a second pipe 14.

The water receiving section 4 is a container that is installed on top of the condenser 1 and can store water used for heat exchange of the refrigerant gas, and has multiple holes 4a at the bottom. A first pipe 13 and a second pipe 14 are connected to the water receiving section 4. The water receiving section 4 stores water supplied by the first pipe 13 and the second pipe 14, and the stored water falls from the hole 4a at the bottom to the refrigerant tube 2 and the fins 3 by the action of gravity. The hole 4a at the bottom of the water receiving section 4 is large enough to allow the water stored in the water receiving section 4 to fall as droplets or in a mist. The refrigerant gas flowing inside the refrigerant tube 2 is cooled by the water that falls from the water receiving section 4 in addition to the air blown by the fan 11.

The water storage section 5 is installed under the condenser 1 and is a container that stores the water that falls from the water receiving section 4. A part of the refrigerant pipe 2 is arranged in the water storage section 5, and a condenser outlet 15 that allows the refrigerant liquid to flow out to the expansion valve 21 is provided. In addition, a valve 6 (e.g., a solenoid valve) is installed in the water storage section 5. When the valve 6 is opened, the water stored in the water storage section 5 is discharged from the water storage section 5.

The water tank 12 is a container for collecting rainwater. The water tank 12 is installed, for example, on the roof of a building.

The first pipe 13 connects the water tank 12 and the water receiving section 4, and supplies rainwater stored in the water tank 12 to the water receiving section 4. A valve 10 (e.g., a solenoid valve) is installed in the first pipe 13.

The second pipe 14 connects the water receiving section 4 to a device other than the condenser 1, and supplies condensed water generated by the device other than the condenser 1 to the water receiving section 4. The device other than the condenser 1 is, for example, a heat exchanger (for example, a condenser of a refrigerator installed in a room other than the room in which the air-cooled refrigerator 51 is installed) inside the building in which the air-cooled refrigerator 51 is installed (for example, the building of a nuclear power plant), or a heat exchanger outside the building in which the air-cooled refrigerator 51 is installed. A valve 8 (for example, a solenoid valve) is installed in the second pipe 14.

The condenser 1 can have at least one water tank 12. Rainwater stored in the water tank 12 is supplied to the water receiving section 4 through a first pipe 13, and condensed water generated by a device other than the condenser 1 is supplied through a second pipe 14. The condenser 1 can have at least one first pipe 13 and at least one second pipe 14. The condenser 1 may have only one of the first pipe 13 and the second pipe 14. In addition, the first pipe 13 and the second pipe 14 may each supply water other than rainwater and condensed water, such as tap water, to the water receiving section 4.

The condenser 1 is equipped with a temperature switch 9 that controls valve 10 and valve 8, and a temperature switch 7 that controls valve 6. When the temperature of the outside air rises and reaches a predetermined set temperature, the temperature switch 9 operates to open valve 10 and valve 8. When the temperature of the water stored in the water storage section 5 rises and reaches a predetermined set temperature, the temperature switch 7 operates to open valve 6.

In conventional air-cooled refrigerators, the refrigerant gas flowing through the refrigerant tube 2 is cooled and condensed using only air blown by a fan 11.

The condenser 1 of the air-cooled refrigerator 51 according to this embodiment cools the refrigerant gas flowing through the refrigerant pipe 2 with air in the same manner as in the conventional case, and further cools and condenses the gas using water that falls from the water receiver 4. Rainwater and condensed water are supplied to the water receiver 4 through the first pipe 13 and the second pipe 14, respectively.

When the temperature of the outside air rises and reaches a predetermined set temperature, the temperature switch 9 opens the valves 10 and 8. This set temperature can be set arbitrarily depending on the heat dissipation capacity of the condenser 1, etc. When the valve 10 opens, rainwater stored in the water tank 12 is supplied to the water receiving section 4 from the first pipe 13. When the valve 8 opens, condensed water is supplied to the water receiving section 4 from the second pipe 14. The water supplied to the water receiving section 4 falls by gravity from the hole 4a at the bottom of the water receiving section 4, and reaches the refrigerant tube 2 and the fins 3.

When the outside air temperature becomes high, the heat dissipation capacity of the condenser 1 may decrease. To prevent this, when the outside air temperature becomes high, the temperature switch 9 opens valves 10 and 8, and the refrigerant gas is cooled using water. The water that falls from the water receiver 4 and reaches the refrigerant tube 2 and fins 3 cools the refrigerant gas flowing through the refrigerant tube 2 with sensible heat. In addition, the water that falls from the water receiver 4 forms droplets on the surfaces of the refrigerant tube 2 and fins 3. These droplets evaporate due to the air blown by the fan 11, and cool the refrigerant gas flowing through the refrigerant tube 2 with the heat of vaporization.

In this way, the condenser 1 of the air-cooled refrigerator 51 according to this embodiment not only cools the refrigerant gas flowing through the refrigerant tube 2 with air, but also with water (for example, water that is discarded, such as rainwater or condensed water), thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the refrigerant gas, improving the heat dissipation capacity of the condenser 1, and achieving energy saving effects.

If the water that falls from the water receiving section 4 does not adhere to the surfaces of the refrigerant tubes 2 and fins 3 or evaporate, it will accumulate in the water storage section 5. The water that accumulates in the water storage section 5 exchanges heat with the refrigerant liquid (refrigerant liquid produced by condensation of refrigerant gas) flowing through the refrigerant tubes 2 located inside the water storage section 5. In the water storage section 5, the refrigerant liquid flowing through the refrigerant tubes 2 is supercooled by the water that has accumulated in the water storage section 5, particularly near the condenser outlet 15. This supercooling further cools the refrigerant liquid, further improving the heat dissipation capacity of the condenser 1 and achieving further energy saving effects.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the water storage section 5 installed at the bottom of the condenser 1. The water storage section 5 has a screw 16 inside. The screw 16 is driven by a motor 17, and agitates the water stored in the water storage section 5, forcing a water flow 18 inside the water storage section 5.

If there is no flow 18 in the water in the water storage section 5, the heat exchange rate in the water storage section 5 is low, and the effect of supercooling the refrigerant liquid flowing through the refrigerant tube 2 is low. Therefore, a screw 16 is installed inside the water storage section 5, and the screw 16 creates a forced convection (water flow 18) in the water in the water storage section 5, increasing the heat exchange rate. This forced convection improves the cooling effect of the refrigerant liquid flowing through the refrigerant tube 2, resulting in a further supercooling effect of the refrigerant liquid and further improving the heat dissipation capacity of the condenser 1. Energy saving effects are also further improved.

The temperature switch 7 opens the valve 6 when the temperature of the water stored in the water storage section 5 rises and reaches a predetermined set temperature. This set temperature can be set arbitrarily depending on the expected temperature of the refrigerant liquid flowing through the refrigerant pipe 2, the capacity of the water storage section 5, and other factors. When the valve 6 opens, the water inside the water storage section 5 is discharged from the water storage section 5.

The temperature of the water inside the water storage section 5 rises due to heat exchange with the refrigerant liquid flowing through the refrigerant tube 2, and the heat exchange rate decreases. For this reason, when the temperature of the water stored in the water storage section 5 becomes high, it is necessary to replace this water to prevent a decrease in the heat exchange rate. When the temperature of the water stored in the water storage section 5 becomes high and the temperature switch 7 opens the valve 6, the water stored in the water storage section 5 is drained. After draining, the valve 6 closes and the water that falls from the water receiving section 4 is newly stored in the water storage section 5, thereby replacing the water stored in the water storage section 5. By opening the valve 6 and replacing the water inside the water storage section 5, the heat dissipation capacity of the condenser 1 can be further improved, and further energy saving effects can be obtained.

When the valve 6 is installed at the top of the water storage section 5, the hot water stored in the water storage section 5 can be discharged more effectively.

The components of the condenser 1 can be powered by electricity generated using natural energy such as solar or wind power.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing a power source based on natural energy and the components of the condenser 1 to which power is supplied from this power source. As an example, Figure 3 shows a configuration in which power generated by solar power is supplied to the components of the condenser 1. Examples of the components of the condenser 1 to which power is supplied from solar power generation are the valves 6, 8, and 10, the temperature switches 7 and 9, and the motor 17 that drives the screw 16.

The solar panel 61, which generates electricity from sunlight, is connected to a charge controller 62. The charge controller 62 is connected to a storage battery 63, valves 6, 8, 10, temperature switches 7, 9, and a motor 17. The charge controller 62 controls charging to the storage battery 63 and discharging the storage battery 63. Power is supplied from the solar panel 61 and the storage battery 63 to the valves 6, 8, 10, the temperature switches 7, 9, and the motor 17 under the control of the charge controller 62.

In the air-cooled refrigerator 51 according to this embodiment, electricity generated using natural energy can be used to power the components of the condenser 1, resulting in energy savings. In addition, the heat dissipation capacity of the condenser 1 often declines during the day when there is a lot of solar radiation and the outside air temperature rises, so by using electricity generated by solar power generation, the refrigerant gas can be cooled and the heat dissipation capacity of the condenser 1 can be improved sufficiently.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and various modifications are possible. For example, the above-mentioned examples have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to an embodiment that includes all of the configurations described. It is also possible to replace part of the configuration of one example with the configuration of another example. It is also possible to add the configuration of another example to the configuration of one example. It is also possible to delete part of the configuration of each example, or to add or replace other configurations.

1...condenser, 2...refrigerant pipe, 3...fins, 4...water receiving section, 4a...hole, 5...water storage section, 6...valve, 7...temperature switch, 8...valve, 9...temperature switch, 10...valve, 11...fan, 12...water storage tank, 13...first pipe, 14...second pipe, 15...condenser outlet, 16...screw, 17...motor, 18...water flow, 21...expansion valve, 31...evaporator, 41...compressor, 51...air-cooled chiller, 61...solar panel, 62...charge controller, 63...storage battery.

Claims (7)

a condenser having a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant flows;
a water receiving portion that is installed on the upper portion of the condenser, is capable of storing water, and has a hole at the bottom;
a water storage section disposed under the condenser and configured to store the water dropped from the water receiving section;
At least one first pipe and at least one second pipe connected to the water receiving portion and supplying the water to the water receiving portion;
A water tank for collecting rainwater,
a first valve provided in the first pipe;
a second valve provided in the second pipe;
a temperature switch for controlling the first valve and the second valve;
Equipped with
The rainwater stored in the water tank is supplied to the water receiving section through the first pipe, and condensed water generated in a device other than the condenser is supplied to the water receiving section through the second pipe.
The device other than the condenser is a heat exchanger located inside or outside a building in which the air-cooled refrigerator having the condenser is installed,
When the temperature of the outside air rises and reaches a predetermined temperature, the temperature switch opens the first valve to supply the rainwater as the water from the first pipe to the water receiving section, and opens the second valve to supply the condensed water as the water from the second pipe to the water receiving section, thereby supplying both the rainwater and the condensed water to the water receiving section.
An air-cooled refrigerator characterized by: A part of the refrigerant pipe is disposed in the water storage section.
The air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 1. The water storage section includes a screw that agitates the water stored in the water storage section.
The air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 2. A valve provided in the water storage portion;
A temperature switch for controlling the valve provided in the water storage portion ;
Equipped with
The temperature switch controlling the valve provided in the water storage section opens the valve provided in the water storage section and discharges the water from the water storage section when the temperature of the water stored in the water storage section reaches a predetermined temperature.
The air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 2. The screw is supplied with power generated by solar power.
The air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 3. The first valve, the second valve, and the temperature switch are supplied with power generated by solar power.
The air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 1 . The valve provided in the water storage section and the temperature switch controlling the valve are supplied with power generated by solar power.
The air-cooled refrigerator according to claim 4 .

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