EP2397794B1 - Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Rückgewinnung einer flüchtigen Substanz - Google Patents

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Rückgewinnung einer flüchtigen Substanz Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2397794B1
EP2397794B1 EP11170208.0A EP11170208A EP2397794B1 EP 2397794 B1 EP2397794 B1 EP 2397794B1 EP 11170208 A EP11170208 A EP 11170208A EP 2397794 B1 EP2397794 B1 EP 2397794B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pressure
refrigerant
reduced pressure
liquid
volatile substance
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP11170208.0A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2397794A3 (de
EP2397794A2 (de
Inventor
Andrew Gigiel
John Lawrence
Judith Evans
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ernest West & Beynon Ltd
Refrigeration Developments and Testing Ltd
JTL Systems Ltd
Original Assignee
Ernest West & Beynon Ltd
Refrigeration Developments and Testing Ltd
JTL Systems Ltd
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Application filed by Ernest West & Beynon Ltd, Refrigeration Developments and Testing Ltd, JTL Systems Ltd filed Critical Ernest West & Beynon Ltd
Publication of EP2397794A2 publication Critical patent/EP2397794A2/de
Publication of EP2397794A3 publication Critical patent/EP2397794A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2397794B1 publication Critical patent/EP2397794B1/de
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B43/00—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B45/00—Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2345/00—Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor
    • F25B2345/002—Collecting refrigerant from a cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2345/00—Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor
    • F25B2345/003—Control issues for charging or collecting refrigerant to or from a cycle

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for extracting volatile substances, such as refrigerants, from a system such as a refrigeration system or heat pump.
  • Refrigerant may need to be extracted from a refrigeration system for cleaning, recovery or destruction, prior to returning it to the system, recharging the system, or prior to disposal of the system. In all three cases, it is important to extract substantially all of the refrigerant from the system, and to be able to do so as quickly as possible.
  • refrigerant is extracted from a refrigeration system using the compressor as a pump, or by means of an external vacuum pump or compressor.
  • the latter is preferable because a harder vacuum may be needed to extract the refrigerant than the internal compressor is capable of producing.
  • An example of such methods is disclosed in US-A-6427457 .
  • Another method is disclosed in US 4 856 290 .
  • the reduced pressure may be applied from a low pressure reservoir that is evacuated substantially constantly by a vacuum pump or compressor, the reservoir being connected intermittently to the system. This allows the reservoir to be the subject of continuous suction and for any rise in the pressure within it during the times it is connected to the system to be overcome in the periods between connection.
  • the reduced pressure is pulsed on and off. This causes instantaneous boiling or flashing of the refrigerant or volatile substance within the system, such that it is extracted as a mixture of liquid and vapour, such as for example foam. As a result, since most of the substance is extracted as liquid, the latent heat of evaporation of the liquid is extracted outside the system, thereby avoiding excessive cooling within the system.
  • the method comprises at least two stages.
  • the pressure applied to the substance is progressively reduced.
  • the applied pressure is above the vapour pressure of the substance, so that instantaneous boiling occurs and the temperature of the remaining substance drops, as does the vapour pressure of the substance.
  • the application of the reduced pressure is then switched off while the pressure is reduced, and the reduced pressure is then applied to the remaining substance once more.
  • instantaneous boiling of the substance occurs mainly due to the sensible heat of the substance itself.
  • the pressure applied to the substance is at or around a minimum pressure, and is applied intermittently to the substance at relatively long intervals compared to the initial stage.
  • the remaining substance absorbs heat from the surrounding system, its temperature rises, and its vapour pressure is above the applied pressure so that instantaneous boiling occurs when the reduce pressure is applied once again.
  • the intermittent application of the reduced pressure may cause the remaining refrigerant in the system to move along through the system with each pulse, thereby encountering a part of the system that has not previously been cooled by evaporation of refrigerant, and avoiding excessive cooling of the refrigerant.
  • the reduced pressure may be applied alternately to the low and high sides of the system, so that the remaining substance moves back and forth within the system, thus improving the heat exchange with the system.
  • the initial stage extracts the substance relatively quickly, using the sensible heat of the substance, while the final stage extracts the remaining substance efficiently, leaving as little substance remaining as possible.
  • the method may determine that substantially all of the substance has been extracted, by detecting that the pressure remains low and substantially constant during application of the reduced pressure, and between applications of the reduced pressure even if heat is applied to the system.
  • the method may determine that substantially all the refrigerant has been removed by the temperature of refrigerant removed in each pulse being substantially equal to the temperatures before and after the pulse.
  • the method may determine that substantially all refrigerant has been removed by a change of sound made as refrigerant is removed in each pulse.
  • Embodiments of the invention may advantageously extract substantially all of the volatile substance from a system more quickly than conventional methods. Embodiments of the invention may alternatively or additionally extract a greater proportion of the volatile substance than conventional methods. This advantage has significant environmental benefits, as it reduces emissions into the environment.
  • aspects of the invention include apparatus and/or a computer programme for performing the method.
  • the refrigerant extraction apparatus comprises, in series: an inlet 1 for connection to a refrigeration system; a low pressure reservoir 2; a liquid separator 3 for removing liquid entrained in the extracted refrigerant gas; a vacuum pump 4; a compressor 5 for compressing the extracted refrigerant gas, a condenser 6, and a refrigerant reservoir 7, such as a cylinder, for storing the extracted refrigerant liquid.
  • the inlet comprises one or more valve(s) that are intermittently opened to connect the low pressure from the vacuum pump 4 and low pressure reservoir 2 to the refrigeration system.
  • the valves comprise a pair of valves V1, V2, connected respectively to the low side and high side inlets LO, HI of the refrigeration system.
  • Each of the valves V1, V2 is a back-to-back valve, to hold pressure in either direction.
  • the low inlet LO pressure may be read directly by pressure gauges G1, G2 that operate respectively at higher and lower pressure ranges.
  • Pressure transducers P1, P2 measure the pressure respectively downstream and upstream of the valves V1, V2.
  • Valve V3 opens to connect the gauge G2 and pressure transducer P2 only when the pressure has fallen to the appropriate level, and is protected by a mechanical switch controlled by the gauge G1.
  • Temperature sensor T1 measures the temperature at the inlet 1; this sensor needs to have a very fast response time.
  • Temperature sensor T2 measures the temperature at the liquid separator 3, and is connected to a heater control (not shown) that maintains the temperature of the liquid separator substantially constant, for example around 50°C with the refrigerant R245fa (pentafluoropropane).
  • Temperature sensor T3 measures the temperature
  • pressure transducer P4 measures the pressure at the condenser 6.
  • Temperature sensor T4 (not shown) measures ambient temperature.
  • Valves V4, V5 and V6 are switchable so as to bypass the vacuum pump 4, under the control of pressure transducer P3 which measures the intermediate pressure downstream of the vacuum pump 4.
  • Stepper expansion valves V7 and V8 hold the intermediate pressure substantially constant, for example at 1 bara, under the control of pressure transducers P5 and P6 respectively.
  • FIG. 2 outlines the method of operation of the embodiment.
  • the refrigerant extraction apparatus is first connected in a fluid-tight manner to the refrigeration circuit of the refrigeration system from which the refrigerant is to be extracted.
  • the pressure P1 applied by the refrigerant extraction apparatus is progressively reduced, for example by varying the speed of the vacuum pump 4, or by throttling the line between the vacuum pump 4 and the low pressure reservoir 2, until a minimum applied pressure P1 is reached.
  • FIG. 2 One example of the initial stage is shown in Figure 2 .
  • the initial value of P1 is set (S1), then the valves V1 and/or V2 are open (S2) so as to apply the pressure P1 to the refrigeration system.
  • This causes instantaneous boiling or flashing of the refrigerant, which entrains liquid refrigerant in a mixture of vapour and liquid.
  • the mixture is sucked out of the refrigeration system into the liquid separator 3, where the remaining liquid refrigerant boils and is prevented from reaching the vacuum pump 4 and/or the compressor 5, which may be damaged by liquid refrigerant.
  • vapour and liquid mixture is more dense than the refrigerant in the vapour phase.
  • the mass that can be extracted by each pulse is therefore greater than it would be if the refrigerant were in the vapour phase.
  • the detected pressure P2 within the system will rise initially as the refrigerant boils, but will then reduce down to the pressure P1 as the temperature of the refrigerant reduces to below boiling point, and become constant.
  • the valves V1, V2 are closed (S4) and the pressure P1 is then reduced (S5).
  • the step size of the pressure reduction may be predetermined, or may vary from one step to the next.
  • the method progresses to the final stage; otherwise, the cycle of the initial stage repeats by opening the valves V1/V2 (S2).
  • the interval between opening the valves V1/V2 in the initial stage is relatively short, such as 5-10 seconds, but is determined by the detected pressures P1, P2.
  • valves V1, V2 are alternately held open for a short time t1 (S7, S9) so as to apply the reduced pressure P1 to the system.
  • this lowers the boiling point of the refrigerant to a temperature significantly lower than that of the refrigerant within the system, causing instantaneous boiling or flashing of the refrigerant, which entrains liquid refrigerant in a mixture of vapour and liquid, which is sucked out of the refrigeration system into the liquid separator 3, where the remaining liquid refrigerant boils.
  • valves V1, V2 are closed (S8, S10) for a time t2. During this time, the liquid in the system recovers some heat from its surroundings and the pressure is reduced in the low pressure reservoir 2. The refrigerant's temperature remains such that, when the low pressure is applied again, by operating valves V1 and/or V2, the refrigerant boils and a liquid and gas mixture results.
  • valves V1, V2 When the valves V1, V2 are opened once again, the remaining refrigerant is sucked towards the open inlet. Alternately opening the valves V1, V2 to the low and high inlets LO, HI causes the remaining refrigerant to move back and forth within the system, thus improving the heat exchange with the system.
  • valves V1, V2 The process of opening (S7, S9) and closing (S8, S10) the valves V1, V2 is repeated until it is determined (S11) that substantially all of the refrigerant has been extracted. This may be determined when the pressure within the refrigeration system, such as determined by pressure transducer P2, remains low and substantially constant when the valves V1, V2 are open, and stays at the same level when the valves V1, V2 are closed. This indicates that there is substantially no evaporation of refrigerant within the system, and therefore substantially no refrigerant.
  • the method may determine (S11) that substantially all the refrigerant has been removed, by the temperature (T1) of refrigerant removed in each pulse being substantially equal to the temperatures before and after the pulse.
  • the method may determine (S11) that substantially all refrigerant has been removed by a change in the sound made as refrigerant is removed in each pulse, for example by means of an acoustic sensor.
  • the process may be terminated, either immediately or after one or more further cycles of opening and closing the valves V1, V2 (S7-S10).
  • the timing of the valves V1, V2 during the final stage may be periodic, and may remain constant during extraction of the refrigerant, or may be varied to optimize the process, for example in response to measurements from the refrigeration system.
  • the opening and closing of the valves V1 and V2 and the control of the pressure P1 may be performed manually, or automatically by means of a suitable control, such as an electronic control.
  • a suitable control such as an electronic control.
  • the electronic control may be programmable so as to implement the method of the embodiment, for example by means of a computer program.
  • the computer program may be stored on a carrier or medium and loaded into the control.
  • a refrigerant extraction apparatus was used to extract R245fa (pentafluoropropane) from the refrigeration system of an electronic system of an aircraft.
  • R245fa has a boiling point of around 15°C at 1 atmosphere. Applying a continuous vacuum cools the refrigerant to around -80°C, at which point the force due to surface tension exceeds the force due to vapour pressure of the refrigerant so that change of state throughout the refrigerant cannot occur.
  • valves V1 and V2 are opened periodically once per minute, with a duty cycle of 1:14 or 6.66%.
  • one of the vacuum pump 4 and compressor 5 may be omitted.
  • the initial or final stages may be performed separately; for example, the refrigerant may be extracted entirely by the process of the final stage, although this would be slower than performing both stages.
  • only the initial stage may be performed.
  • aspects of the present invention may be applied to the removal of liquids other than refrigerants, such as water.
  • the removal may be from refrigeration or other systems.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Vaporization, Distillation, Condensation, Sublimation, And Cold Traps (AREA)

Claims (14)

  1. Verfahren zum Absaugen einer flüchtigen Substanz aus einem System, das Folgendes umfasst:
    a. intermittierendes Anlegen von Unterdruck an die flüchtige Substanz in dem System durch Ein- und Aus-Pulsieren des Unterdrucks, sodass Entspannungsverdampfen oder Schnellverdampfen der flüchtigen Substanz stattfindet und die flüchtige Substanz ein Gemisch aus Flüssigkeit und Dampf bildet;
    b. Absaugen des Gemischs aus Flüssigkeit und Dampf aus dem System; und
    c. Beenden des Prozesses als Reaktion auf eine Feststellung, dass im Wesentlichen die gesamte flüchtige Substanz abgesaugt wurde.
  2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Unterdruck durch Mittel außerhalb des Systems angelegt wird.
  3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, wobei das Mittel zum Anlegen von Unterdruck eine Vakuumpumpe und/oder einen Verdichter umfasst.
  4. Verfahren nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Mittel zum Anlegen von Unterdruck einen Behälter umfasst, der intermittierend mit dem System verbunden wird.
  5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4, wobei der Druck in dem Behälter gesenkt wird, wenn der Behälter nicht mit dem System verbunden ist.
  6. Verfahren nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Gemisch aus Flüssigkeit und Dampf durch Anlegen des Unterdrucks abgesaugt wird.
  7. Verfahren nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei flüssige flüchtige Substanz in dem Gemisch aus Flüssigkeit und Dampf außerhalb des Systems verdampft und gesammelt wird.
  8. Verfahren nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei der angelegte Druck fortschreitend gesenkt wird.
  9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8, wobei das intermittierende Anlegen des Unterdrucks gemäß einem abgefühlten Druck in dem System gesteuert wird.
  10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8 oder 9, wobei während eines Anfangsstadiums der angelegte Druck fortschreitend gesenkt wird und während eines Endstadiums der angelegte Druck im Wesentlichen auf einem Mindestdruck ist.
  11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, wobei das Intervall zwischen dem Anlegen des Unterdrucks während des Anfangsstadiums wesentlich kürzer ist als in dem Endstadium.
  12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, wobei der Unterdruck während des Endstadiums periodisch angelegt wird.
  13. Vorrichtung, die eine zum Ausführen des Verfahrens nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche konfigurierte elektronische Steuerung umfasst.
  14. Computerprogramm, das dazu angeordnet ist, das Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12 auszuführen.
EP11170208.0A 2010-06-18 2011-06-16 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Rückgewinnung einer flüchtigen Substanz Not-in-force EP2397794B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1010219.2A GB2481243B (en) 2010-06-18 2010-06-18 Volatile substance recovery method and apparatus

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2397794A2 EP2397794A2 (de) 2011-12-21
EP2397794A3 EP2397794A3 (de) 2013-03-20
EP2397794B1 true EP2397794B1 (de) 2016-04-20

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EP11170208.0A Not-in-force EP2397794B1 (de) 2010-06-18 2011-06-16 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Rückgewinnung einer flüchtigen Substanz

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EP (1) EP2397794B1 (de)
ES (1) ES2578195T3 (de)
GB (1) GB2481243B (de)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10352600B2 (en) * 2016-05-23 2019-07-16 Snap-On Incorporated Apparatus and method for a multi-phase vacuum-assisted recovery of refrigerant
US10871317B2 (en) 2016-05-23 2020-12-22 Snap-On Incorporated Apparatus and method for indicating status of multi-phase vacuum-assisted recovery of refrigerant

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050097904A1 (en) * 2003-11-07 2005-05-12 Alexander Lifson Refrigerant system with controlled refrigerant charge amount

Family Cites Families (7)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4856290A (en) * 1988-07-26 1989-08-15 Rodda Richard K Refrigerant reclamation system
US5044166A (en) * 1990-03-05 1991-09-03 Membrane Technology & Research, Inc. Refrigeration process with purge and recovery of refrigerant
US5375425A (en) * 1992-11-25 1994-12-27 Cobb; Douglas A. Collection method for gaseous or liquid phase materials
KR100189120B1 (ko) * 1996-09-04 1999-06-01 윤종용 다단진공장치 및 그 방법
KR100189121B1 (ko) * 1996-09-04 1999-06-01 윤종용 다단진공장치
US6408637B1 (en) * 1999-11-01 2002-06-25 Century Mfg. Co. Apparatus and method for recovering and recycling refrigerant
US6427457B1 (en) 2000-06-23 2002-08-06 Snap-On Technologies, Inc. Refrigerant recycling system with automatic detection of optional vacuum pump

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050097904A1 (en) * 2003-11-07 2005-05-12 Alexander Lifson Refrigerant system with controlled refrigerant charge amount

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2481243B (en) 2012-11-14
EP2397794A3 (de) 2013-03-20
ES2578195T3 (es) 2016-07-21
EP2397794A2 (de) 2011-12-21
GB201010219D0 (en) 2010-07-21
GB2481243A (en) 2011-12-21

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