Patent Application
20230203356
The present disclosure relates to the use of a refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle apparatus, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus.
Conventionally, hydrofluoroolefins (HFO refrigerants) having lower global warming potential (hereinafter also simply referred to as GWP) than HFC refrigerants have attracted attention for refrigeration apparatuses. For example, 1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132) is considered as a refrigerant with low GWP in Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-196312).
The use of a composition as a refrigerant according to a first aspect is the use of a composition as a refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a first component, and a refrigerant pipe. The refrigerant pipe connects the compressor and the first component. The refrigerant pipe has a pipe diameter less than or equal to ⅜ inch or a length greater than or equal to 5 cm. The composition includes one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of ethylene-based fluoroolefins, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf), and 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze).
Hereinafter, the use of a refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle apparatus and the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present disclosure will be specifically described with reference to examples. However, the following description is not intended to limit the present disclosure.
A refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is an apparatus for performing vapor-compression refrigeration cycles to process a heat load of a target space. For example, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is an air-conditioning apparatus for conditioning air in a target space.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 mainly includes an outdoor unit 20; an indoor unit 30; a liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 6 and a gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 5 each connecting the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30; a remote controller (not illustrated); and a controller 7 that controls the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1.
In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1, refrigeration cycles are performed such that a refrigerant enclosed in a refrigerant circuit 10 is compressed, and is then cooled or condensed, and is then decompressed, and is then heated or evaporated, and is then compressed again. In the present embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 10 is filled with a refrigerant for performing vapor-compression refrigeration cycles.
Examples of the refrigerant filling the refrigerant circuit 10 include one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of ethylene-based fluoroolefins, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf), and 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze). Note that regarding the burning velocity defined by the ISO 817, 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze) with a burning velocity of 1.2 cm/s is more preferable than 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) with a burning velocity of 1.5 cm/s. Regarding the LFL (Lower Flammability Limit) defined by the ISO 817, 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze) with a LFL of 65,000 vol·ppm or 6.5% is more preferable than 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) with a LFL of 62,000 vol·ppm or 6.2%. In particular, the refrigerant may include one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of 1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132), 1,1-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132a), 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123), monofluoroethylene (HFO-1141), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CFO-1113), and perfluoroolefins. Above all, the refrigerant preferably includes 1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132) and/or 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123).
Herein, examples of ethylene-based fluoroolefins include 1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132), 1,1-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132a), 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123), monofluoroethylene (HFO-1141), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CFO-1113), and perfluoroolefins. Examples of perfluoroolefins include tetrafluoroethylene (FO-1114).
Note that the refrigerant circuit 10 is also filled with refrigerator oil together with the aforementioned refrigerant.
The outdoor unit 20 is connected to the indoor unit 30 via the liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 6 and the gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 5, and consists part of the refrigerant circuit 10. The outdoor unit 20 mainly includes a compressor 21, a four-way switching valve 22, an outdoor heat exchanger 23, an expansion valve 24, an outdoor fan 25, a receiver 41, a gas-side shut-off valve 28, a liquid-side shut-off valve 29, and a first refrigerant pipe 11 to a seventh refrigerant pipe 17.
The compressor 21 is a device that compresses a low-pressure refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle up to a high pressure. Herein, the compressor 21 may be a hermetic compressor in which a rotary-type or scroll-type positive-displacement compression element is rotationally driven by a compressor motor. In the present embodiment, a rotary compressor is used. The compressor motor is used to change the volume, and its operating frequency can be controlled with an inverter. The seventh refrigerant pipe 17, which is a suction pipe, is connected to the suction side of the compressor 21. The first refrigerant pipe 11, which is a discharge pipe, is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 21.
The four-way switching valve 22 is a valve that switches a flow channel as the movement of its valve element (not illustrated) is controlled, and is a valve that switches the refrigerant circuit 10 between a cooling connection state and a heating connection state. Specifically, in the cooling connection state, the four-way switching valve 22 is switched to a state of connecting the first refrigerant pipe 11 connected to the discharge side of the compressor 21 and the second refrigerant pipe 12 connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 23, and connecting the seventh refrigerant pipe 17 connected to the suction side of the compressor 21, the receiver 41, the sixth refrigerant pipe 16, and the fifth refrigerant pipe 15 connected to the gas-side shut-off valve 28. Meanwhile, in the heating connection state, the four-way switching valve 22 is switched to a state of connecting the first refrigerant pipe 11 connected to the discharge side of the compressor 21 and the fifth refrigerant pipe 15 connected to the gas-side shut-off valve 28, and connecting the seventh refrigerant pipe 17 connected to the suction side of the compressor 21, the receiver 41, the sixth refrigerant pipe 16, and the second refrigerant pipe 12 connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 23.
The outdoor heat exchanger 23 is a heat exchanger that functions as a heat radiator or condenser for a high-pressure refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle during the cooling operation, and functions as an evaporator for a low-pressure refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle during the heating operation. The gas-side end portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is connected to the four-way switching valve 22 via the second refrigerant pipe 12. The liquid-side end portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is connected to the expansion valve 24 via the third refrigerant pipe 13.
The expansion valve 24 is provided between the liquid-side outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the liquid-side shut-off valve 29 in the refrigerant circuit 10. The expansion valve 24 is a motor-operated expansion valve with an opening degree that is adjustable as the movement of its valve element (not illustrated) relative to a valve seat (not illustrated) is controlled. The expansion valve 24 and the liquid-side shut-off valve 29 are connected via the fourth refrigerant pipe 14.
The outdoor fan 25 produces an air flow for causing outdoor air to be sucked into the outdoor unit 20, and causing the sucked air to exchange heat with a refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 23, and then causing the air to be discharged to the outside. The outdoor fan 25 is rotationally driven by an outdoor fan motor.
The receiver 41 is a refrigerant container that is provided between the suction side of the compressor 21 and one of connection ports of the four-way switching valve 22, and that can store an excess refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 as a liquid refrigerant. The inlet side of the receiver 41 is connected to the four-way switching valve 22 via the sixth refrigerant pipe 16. The outlet side of the receiver 41 is connected to the suction side of the compressor 21 via the seventh refrigerant pipe 17.
The liquid-side shut-off valve 29 is a manual valve disposed at a portion of the outdoor unit 20 connected to the liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 6.
The gas-side shut-off valve 28 is a manual valve disposed at a portion of the outdoor unit 20 connected to the gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 5.
The outdoor unit 20 includes an outdoor unit controller 27 that controls the operation of each portion consisting the outdoor unit 20. The outdoor unit controller 27 has a microcomputer including a CPU and a memory, for example. The outdoor unit controller 27 is connected to an indoor unit controller 34 of each indoor unit 30 via a communication line, and transmits and receives control signals, for example.
The outdoor unit 20 is provided with a discharge pressure sensor 61, a discharge temperature sensor 62, a suction pressure sensor 63, a suction temperature sensor 64, an outdoor heat exchange temperature sensor 65, and an outdoor air temperature sensor 66, for example. Each of such sensors is electrically connected to the outdoor unit controller 27, and transmits a detection signal to the outdoor unit controller 27. The discharge pressure sensor 61 detects the pressure of a refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe 11 that is the discharge pipe connecting the discharge side of the compressor 21 and one of the connection ports of the four-way switching valve 22. The discharge temperature sensor 62 detects the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe 11 that is the discharge pipe. The suction pressure sensor 63 detects the pressure of a refrigerant flowing through the seventh refrigerant pipe 17 that is the suction pipe connecting the suction side of the compressor 21 and the receiver 41. The suction temperature sensor 64 detects the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the seventh refrigerant pipe 17 that is the suction pipe. The outdoor heat exchange temperature sensor 65 detects the temperature of a refrigerant flowing through the liquid-side outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 on the side opposite to the side connecting to the four-way switching valve 22. The outdoor air temperature sensor 66 detects the temperature of outdoor air before it passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 23.
The indoor unit 30 is disposed on an indoor wall surface or ceiling as a target space, for example. The indoor unit 30 is connected to the outdoor unit 20 via the liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 6 and the gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 5, and consists part of the refrigerant circuit 10.
The indoor unit 30 includes an indoor heat exchanger 31, an eighth refrigerant pipe 18, a ninth refrigerant pipe 19, and an indoor fan 32.
The indoor heat exchanger 31 is connected at its liquid-side end to the liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 6 via the eighth refrigerant pipe 18, and is connected at its gas-side end to the gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 5 via the ninth refrigerant pipe 19. The indoor heat exchanger 31 is a heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator for a low-pressure refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle during the cooling operation, and functions as a condenser for a high-pressure refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle during the heating operation.
The indoor fan 32 produces an air flow for causing indoor air to be sucked into the indoor unit 30, and causing the sucked air to exchange heat with a refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 31, and then causing the air to be discharged to the outside. The indoor fan 32 is rotationally driven by an indoor fan motor.
The indoor unit 30 includes the indoor unit controller 34 that controls the operation of each unit consisting the indoor unit 30. The indoor unit controller 34 has a microcomputer including a CPU and a memory, for example. The indoor unit controller 34 is connected to the outdoor unit controller 27 via the communication line, and transmits and receives control signals, for example.
The indoor unit 30 is provided with an indoor liquid-side heat exchange temperature sensor 71 and an indoor air temperature sensor 72, for example. Each of such sensors is electrically connected to the indoor unit controller 34, and transmits a detection signal to the indoor unit controller 34. The indoor liquid-side heat exchange temperature sensor 71 detects the temperature of a refrigerant flowing through the liquid-refrigerant-side outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 31. The indoor air temperature sensor 72 detects the temperature of indoor air before it passes through the indoor heat exchanger 31.
In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1, the outdoor unit controller 27 and the indoor unit controller 34 are connected via the communication line, thus consisting the controller 7 that controls the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1.
The controller 7 mainly includes a CPU (central processing unit) and a memory, such as ROM and RAM. Note that various processes and control performed by the controller 7 are implemented as the portions, which are included in the outdoor unit controller 27 and/or the indoor unit controller 34, function in an integrated manner.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can execute at least a cooling operation mode and a heating operation mode.
The controller 7 determines whether the instruction indicates the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode, based on an instruction received from the remote controller or the like, and executes the mode.
In the cooling operation mode, the operating frequency of the compressor 21 is controlled to control the volume so that the evaporating temperature of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 reaches a target evaporating temperature, for example.
The gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 passes through the first refrigerant pipe 11, the four-way switching valve 22, and the second refrigerant pipe 12, and is then condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 23. The refrigerant that has flowed through the outdoor heat exchanger 23 flows through the third refrigerant pipe 13, and is then decompressed while passing through the expansion valve 24.
The refrigerant decompressed in the expansion valve 24 flows through the liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 6 via the fourth refrigerant pipe 14 and the liquid-side shut-off valve 29, and is then sent to the indoor unit 30. After that, the refrigerant flows through the eighth refrigerant pipe 18, and then evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger 31, and further flows into the gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 5 via the ninth refrigerant pipe 19. The refrigerant that has flowed through the gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 5 is sucked into the compressor 21 again via the gas-side shut-off valve 28, the fifth refrigerant pipe 15, the four-way switching valve 22, the sixth refrigerant pipe 16, the receiver 41, and the seventh refrigerant pipe 17.
In the heating operation mode, the operating frequency of the compressor 21 is controlled to control the volume so that the condensation temperature of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 reaches a target condensation temperature, for example.
The gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 flows through the first refrigerant pipe 11, the four-way switching valve 22, the fifth refrigerant pipe 15, and the gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 5, and is then sent to the indoor unit 30. After that, the refrigerant flows into the gas-side end of the indoor heat exchanger 31 via the ninth refrigerant pipe 19 so that the refrigerant is condensed or is allowed to radiate heat in the indoor heat exchanger 31. The refrigerant, which has been condensed or has been allowed to radiate heat in the indoor heat exchanger 31, passes through the eighth refrigerant pipe 18, and flows through the liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 6, and then flows into the outdoor unit 20.
The refrigerant that has passed through the liquid-side shut-off valve 29 of the outdoor unit 20 passes through the fourth refrigerant pipe 14, and is then decompressed in the expansion valve 24. The refrigerant decompressed in the expansion valve 24 passes through the third refrigerant pipe 13, and then evaporates in the outdoor heat exchanger 23. The refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is sucked into the compressor 21 again via the second refrigerant pipe 12, the four-way switching valve 22, the sixth refrigerant pipe 16, the receiver 41, and the seventh refrigerant pipe 17.
In the present embodiment, a refrigerant pipe with a pipe diameter less than or equal to ⅜ inch and a length greater than or equal to 5 cm is used as the first refrigerant pipe 11 that is the refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor 21 and the four-way switching valve 22. Examples of such a refrigerant pipe include a pipe with a pipe diameter of ⅛ inch and a length greater than or equal to 5 cm, a pipe with a pipe diameter of ¼ inch and a length greater than or equal to 15 cm, and a pipe with a pipe diameter of ⅜ inch and a length greater than or equal to 55 cm.
In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a refrigerant that may undergo a disproportionation reaction when a predetermined condition is satisfied is used. In particular, in the refrigerant circuit 10, a disproportionation reaction is highly likely to occur in the compressor 21 where a refrigerant is likely to be in a high-temperature, high-pressure state and electric energy may be generated around an electrical contact or frictional heat may be generated around a sliding portion. Such a disproportionation reaction that has occurred in the compressor 21 may propagate to elements other than the compressor 21 in the refrigerant circuit 10.
In contrast, the inventors of the present application have confirmed that the propagation of a disproportionation reaction can be suppressed in the first refrigerant pipe 11 connected to the compressor 21 when a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the test results described below.
Specifically, as illustrated in
In the following table, the field “Propagation of Disproportionation” indicates the presence or absence of the propagation of a disproportionation reaction through the refrigerant pipe 70. Specifically, each example was determined as “Propagation Present” if the decomposition rate of 1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132(E)) (i.e., the decomposition rate in the entirety of the first pressure-resistant container 50, the second pressure-resistant container 60, and the refrigerant pipe 70) measured using gas chromatography was greater than or equal to 90%. Meanwhile, each example was determined as “Propagation Absent” if the decomposition rate of 1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132(E)) (i.e., the decomposition rate in the entirety of the first pressure-resistant container 50, the second pressure-resistant container 60, and the refrigerant pipe 70) was 40 to 60%.
The foregoing test results demonstrate that the smaller the pipe diameter of the refrigerant pipe 70, the more likely the propagation of a disproportionation reaction is to be suppressed. In addition, the foregoing test results also demonstrate that the longer the refrigerant pipe 70, the more likely the propagation of a disproportionation reaction is to be suppressed.
In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a refrigerant pipe with a pipe diameter less than or equal to ⅜ inch and a length greater than or equal to 5 cm is used as the first refrigerant pipe 11 connected to the discharge side of the compressor 21. Therefore, even when a disproportionation reaction of a refrigerant has occurred in the compressor 21, the propagation of the disproportionation reaction can be suppressed in the first refrigerant pipe 11. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the propagation of the disproportionation reaction of the refrigerant to the four-way switching valve 22 connected to the first refrigerant pipe 11, and to each element and each refrigerant pipe connected beyond the four-way switching valve 22 in the refrigerant circuit 10.
The foregoing embodiment has exemplarily illustrated a case where the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 includes the refrigerant circuit 10 that can switch operation between the cooling operation and the heating operation.
In contrast, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 may be the one including a refrigerant circuit 10a specially designed for the cooling operation as illustrated in
In such a configuration, as a refrigerant pipe with a pipe diameter less than or equal to ⅜ inch and a length greater than or equal to 5 cm is used as the tenth refrigerant pipe 81 connected to the discharge side of the compressor 21, it is possible to obtain advantageous effects similar to those of the foregoing embodiment even in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 including the refrigerant circuit 10a specially designed for the cooling operation. Specifically, even when a disproportionation reaction of a refrigerant has occurred in the compressor 21, it is possible to suppress the propagation of the disproportionation reaction to the outdoor heat exchanger 23.
The foregoing embodiment has exemplarily illustrated a case where the first refrigerant pipe 11 extending from the compressor 21 is a single pipe.
In contrast, the refrigerant pipe extending from the compressor 21 may include a plurality of branched pipes. Accordingly, even when the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the branched pipes for passing a refrigerant is the same as the cross-sectional area of a single refrigerant pipe for passing a refrigerant, the pipe diameters of the branched pipes can be reduced. Thus, the propagation of a disproportionation reaction can be suppressed easily. Further, the propagation of a disproportionation reaction can also be suppressed easily when the total length of the plurality of branched pipes can be made longer than the length of a single refrigerant pipe.
The first component is not limited, and may be a component other than the pipes consisting the refrigerant circuit. For example, when the refrigerant circuit includes a four-way switching valve, the first component may be the four-way switching valve. Meanwhile, when the refrigerant circuit includes an outdoor heat exchanger and does not include a four-way switching valve, the first component may be the outdoor heat exchanger.
The refrigerant pipe may have a pipe diameter less than or equal to ⅜ inch and a length greater than or equal to 5 cm.
Note that 1,2-difluoroethylene may be trans-1,2-difluoroethylene [(E)-HFO-1132], cis-1,2-difluoroethylene [(Z)-HFO-1132], or a mixture of them.
(Supplement)
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it is to be understood that various changes to the forms or details are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure recited in the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-148669 | Sep 2020 | JP | national |
This application is a Continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2021/032299, filed on Sep. 2, 2021, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) to Patent Application No. JP 2020-148669, filed in Japan on Sep. 4, 2020, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2021/032299 | Sep 2021 | US |
| Child | 18115915 | US |
