WO2025112029A1

WO2025112029A1 - Economizer for hvac＆r system

Info

Publication number: WO2025112029A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/135804
Authority: WO
Inventors: Linzhong WANG; Zheyang LI; Lu MEI
Original assignee: Johnson Controls Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Wuxi Co Ltd; York Wuxi Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Co Ltd; Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
Current assignee: Johnson Controls Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Wuxi Co Ltd; York Wuxi Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Co Ltd; Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
Priority date: 2023-12-01
Filing date: 2023-12-01
Publication date: 2025-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-01

Abstract

An economizer (110) for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a shell (156) defining an internal volume (158), where the shell includes a working fluid inlet (160), a liquid working fluid outlet (164), and a vapor working fluid outlet (162). The economizer also includes a separator cylinder (168) disposed within the internal volume of the shell, where the separator cylinder is configured to receive a flow of working fluid via the working fluid inlet and to separate the flow of the working fluid into a vapor working fluid and a liquid working fluid, and a mesh partition (204) disposed within the internal volume, where the mesh partition is disposed between the separator cylinder and the vapor working fluid outlet.

Description

ECONOMIZER FOR HVAC＆R SYSTEM

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems, such as vapor compression systems or chiller systems, utilize a working fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) that changes phases between vapor, liquid, and combinations thereof in response to exposure to different temperatures and pressures within components of the HVAC&R system. A chiller system may place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a conditioning fluid (e.g., water) and may deliver the conditioning fluid to conditioning equipment and/or a conditioned environment of the chiller system. In such applications, the conditioning fluid may be passed through downstream equipment, such as air handlers, to condition other fluids, such as air in a building.

In typical chiller systems, the conditioning fluid is cooled by an evaporator that absorbs heat from the conditioning fluid by evaporating working fluid. The working fluid is then compressed by a compressor and transferred to a condenser. In the condenser, the working fluid is cooled, typically by a water or air flow, and condensed into a liquid. In some conventional designs, economizers are utilized in the chiller system to improve performance. In systems that employ flash tank economizers, the condensed working fluid may be directed to the flash tank economizer where the liquid working fluid at least partially evaporates. The resulting vapor may be extracted from the flash tank economizer and redirected to the compressor, while the remaining liquid working fluid from the flash tank economizer is directed to the evaporator. Unfortunately, existing flash tank economizers may be large and/or expensive. For example, existing flash tank economizers may substantially increase a physical footprint of a chiller system and/or installation of existing flash tank economizers may be complicated and expensive.

SUMMARY

A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.

In one embodiment, an economizer for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a shell defining an internal volume, where the shell includes a working fluid inlet, a liquid working fluid outlet, and a vapor working fluid outlet. The economizer also includes a separator cylinder disposed within the internal volume of the shell, where the separator cylinder is configured to receive a flow of working fluid via the working fluid inlet and to separate the flow of the working fluid into a vapor working fluid and a liquid working fluid, and a mesh partition disposed within the internal volume, where the mesh partition is disposed between the separator cylinder and the vapor working fluid outlet.

In another embodiment, an economizer for a chiller system includes a shell having a working fluid inlet, a liquid working fluid outlet, and a vapor working fluid outlet. The economizer also includes a separator cylinder disposed within the shell, where the separator cylinder includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder disposed within the first cylinder, and the separator cylinder is configured to separate a flow of the working fluid into a vapor working fluid and a liquid working fluid. The economizer further includes a baffle box disposed within the shell, where the baffle box extends from an upper portion of the shell, and the baffle box is disposed about the vapor working fluid outlet. The economizer also includes a mesh partition disposed within the shell, where the mesh partition is disposed between the separator cylinder and the baffle box.

In a further embodiment, an economizer for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system includes a shell having an internal volume and a working fluid inlet configured to direct a flow of working fluid into the internal volume. The economizer also includes a separator cylinder disposed within the internal volume of the shell, where the separator cylinder includes an annulus configured to receive the flow of working fluid, and the separator cylinder is configured to separate the flow of the working fluid into a vapor working fluid and a liquid working fluid. The economizer further includes a baffle plate disposed within the internal volume and extending from an upper portion of the shell and a mesh partition disposed within the internal volume and extending from the upper portion of the shell, where the mesh partition is disposed between the separator cylinder and the baffle plate.

DRAWINGS

Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building utilizing an embodiment of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system in a commercial setting, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vapor compression system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of an embodiment of the vapor compression system of FIG. 2, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of an embodiment of the vapor compression system of FIG. 2, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of an embodiment of an HVAC&R system including a flash tank economizer, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a flash tank economizer, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a partial schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a flash tank economizer, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers’ specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a, ” “an, ” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising, ” “including, ” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

As used herein, the terms “approximately, ” “generally, ” “substantially, ” and so forth, are intended to convey that the property value being described may be within a relatively small range of the property value, as those of ordinary skill would understand. For example, when a property value is described as being “approximately” equal to (or, for example, “substantially similar” to) a given value, this is intended to convey that the property value may be within +/-5%, within +/-4%, within +/-3%, within +/-2%, within +/-1%, or even closer, of the given value. Similarly, when a given feature is described as being “substantially parallel” to another feature, “generally perpendicular” to another feature, and so forth, this is intended to convey that the given feature is within +/-5%, within +/-4%, within +/-3%, within +/-2%, within +/-1%, or even closer, to having the described nature, such as being parallel to another feature, being perpendicular to another feature, and so forth. Mathematical terms, such as “parallel, ” “perpendicular, ” and “tangential” should not be rigidly interpreted in a strict mathematical sense, but should instead be interpreted as one of ordinary skill in the art would interpret such terms. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that two lines that are substantially parallel to each other are parallel to a substantial degree, but may have minor deviation from exactly parallel.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, such as a chiller or chiller system, having a vapor compression system with a flash tank economizer. The vapor compression system (e.g., a vapor compression circuit) may circulate a working fluid (e.g., a heat transfer fluid, a refrigerant) through a working fluid circuit in order to cool and/or heat a conditioning fluid (e.g., water) . The HVAC&R system may then direct the conditioning fluid to other equipment to condition a space and/or a component serviced by the HVAC&R system. The vapor compression system may include one or more heat exchangers configured to enable transfer of thermal energy (e.g., heat) between the working fluid and another fluid, such as the conditioning fluid. For example, the vapor compression system may include an evaporator configured to place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with the conditioning fluid to enable heat transfer from the conditioning fluid to the working fluid in order to cool the conditioning fluid (e.g., reduce a temperature of the conditioning fluid) and a condenser configured to place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid to enable heat transfer from the working fluid to the cooling fluid in order to cool the working fluid (e.g., reduce a temperature of the working fluid) .

The vapor compression system may also include a flash tank economizer (e.g., flash tank, economizer, intercooler) disposed along the working fluid circuit. The flash tank economizer is configured to receive a flow of the working fluid, such as from the condenser, and to separate the flow of the working fluid into vapor working fluid and liquid working fluid. The flash tank economizer may then direct the vapor working fluid toward a compressor of the working fluid circuit and may direct the liquid working fluid toward the evaporator. As described in further detail below, the flash tank economizer includes various features configured to enable improved separation of the working fluid into vapor working fluid and liquid working fluid. For example, the flash tank economizer includes a separator (e.g., internal separator, separator cylinder) disposed within a shell (e.g., an enclosure) of the flash tank economizer. The separator may include one or more cylinders configured to generate a generically circular motion or flow of the working fluid received by the flash tank economizer to enable separation of the working fluid into liquid working fluid and vapor working fluid. The flash tank economizer also includes one or more mesh structures and/or one or more baffles disposed between the separator and a vapor working fluid outlet of the flash tank economizer (e.g., relative to flow of the working fluid through the flash tank economizer) . In the manners described below, the mesh structures and/or baffles are configured to reduce liquid carryover (e.g., entrained liquid) in the vapor working fluid discharged from the flash tank economizer. The flash tank economizer further includes a liquid working fluid outlet (e.g., liquid drain pipe) configured to reduce bypass of vapor working fluid discharged from the flash tank economizer via the liquid working fluid outlet. These features, as well as additional features of present embodiments, are described in further detail below.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an environment for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system 10 in a building 12 for a typical commercial setting. The HVAC&R system 10 may include a vapor compression system 14 (e.g., a chiller) that supplies a chilled liquid, which may be used to cool the building 12. The HVAC&R system 10 may also include a boiler 16 to supply warm liquid to heat the building 12 and an air distribution system which circulates air through the building 12. The air distribution system can also include an air return duct 18, an air supply duct 20, and/or an air handler 22. In some embodiments, the air handler 22 may include a heat exchanger that is connected to the boiler 16 and the vapor compression system 14 by conduits 24. The heat exchanger in the air handler 22 may receive either heated liquid from the boiler 16 or chilled liquid from the vapor compression system 14, depending on the mode of operation of the HVAC&R system 10. The HVAC&R system 10 is shown with a separate air handler on each floor of building 12, but in other embodiments, the HVAC&R system 10 may include air handlers 22 and/or other components that may be shared between or among floors.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are embodiments of the vapor compression system 14 that can be used in the HVAC&R system 10. The vapor compression system 14 may circulate a working fluid (e.g., a heat transfer fluid, a refrigerant) through a circuit starting with a compressor 32. The circuit may also include a condenser 34, an expansion valve (s) or device (s) 36, and a liquid chiller or an evaporator 38. The vapor compression system 14 may further include a control panel 40 that has an analog to digital (A/D) converter 42, a microprocessor 44, a non-volatile memory 46, and/or an interface board 48.

Some examples of fluids that may be used as working fluids in the vapor compression system 14 are hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) based refrigerants, for example, R-410A, R-407, R-134a, R-1234ze, R1233zd, hydrofluoro olefin (HFO) , “natural” refrigerants like ammonia (NH3) , R-717, carbon dioxide (CO2) , R-744, or hydrocarbon based refrigerants, water vapor, or any other suitable refrigerant. In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 14 may be configured to efficiently utilize working fluids having a normal boiling point of about 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit) at one atmosphere of pressure, also referred to as low pressure working fluids, versus a medium pressure working fluid, such as R-134a. As used herein, “normal boiling point” may refer to a boiling point temperature measured at one atmosphere of pressure.

In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 14 may use one or more of a variable speed drive (VSDs) 52, a motor 50, the compressor 32, the condenser 34, the expansion valve or device 36, and/or the evaporator 38. The motor 50 may drive the compressor 32 and may be powered by a variable speed drive (VSD) 52. The VSD 52 receives alternating current (AC) power having a particular fixed line voltage and fixed line frequency from an AC power source, and provides power having a variable voltage and frequency to the motor 50. In other embodiments, the motor 50 may be powered directly from an AC or direct current (DC) power source. The motor 50 may include any type of motor that can be powered by a VSD or directly from an AC or DC power source, such as a switched reluctance motor, an induction motor, an electronically commutated permanent magnet motor, or another suitable motor.

The compressor 32 compresses a working fluid vapor and delivers the vapor to the condenser 34 through a discharge passage. In some embodiments, the compressor 32 may be a centrifugal compressor. The working fluid vapor delivered by the compressor 32 to the condenser 34 may transfer heat to a cooling fluid (e.g., water or air) in the condenser 34. The working fluid vapor may condense to a working fluid liquid in the condenser 34 due to thermal heat transfer with the cooling fluid. The liquid working fluid from the condenser 34 may flow through the expansion device 36 to the evaporator 38. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the condenser 34 is water cooled and includes a tube bundle 54 connected to a cooling tower 56, which supplies the cooling fluid to the condenser 34.

The liquid working fluid delivered to the evaporator 38 may absorb heat from a conditioning fluid, which may or may not be the same cooling fluid used in the condenser 34. The liquid working fluid in the evaporator 38 may undergo a phase change from the liquid working fluid to a working fluid vapor. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the evaporator 38 may include a tube bundle 58 having a supply line 60S and a return line 60R connected to a cooling load 62. The conditioning fluid of the evaporator 38 (e.g., water, ethylene glycol, calcium chloride brine, sodium chloride brine, or any other suitable fluid) enters the evaporator 38 via return line 60R and exits the evaporator 38 via supply line 60S. The evaporator 38 may reduce the temperature of the conditioning fluid in the tube bundle 58 via thermal heat transfer with the working fluid. The tube bundle 58 in the evaporator 38 can include a plurality of tubes and/or a plurality of tube bundles. In any case, the vapor working fluid exits the evaporator 38 and returns to the compressor 32 by a suction line to complete the cycle.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of the vapor compression system 14 with an intermediate circuit 64 incorporated between condenser 34 and the expansion device 36. The intermediate circuit 64 may have an inlet line 68 that is directly fluidly connected to the condenser 34. In other embodiments, the inlet line 68 may be indirectly fluidly coupled to the condenser 34. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the inlet line 68 includes a first expansion device 66 positioned upstream of an intermediate vessel 70. In some embodiments, the intermediate vessel 70 may be a flash tank (e.g., flash tank economizer, intercooler, economizer, etc. ) . In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the intermediate vessel 70 is incorporated as a flash tank economizer, and the first expansion device 66 is configured to lower the pressure of (e.g., expand) the liquid working fluid received from the condenser 34. During the expansion process, a portion of the liquid may vaporize, and thus, the intermediate vessel 70 may be used to separate the vapor from the liquid received from the first expansion device 66.

Additionally, the intermediate vessel 70 may provide for further expansion of the liquid working fluid because of a pressure drop experienced by the liquid working fluid when entering the intermediate vessel 70 (e.g., due to a rapid increase in volume experienced when entering the intermediate vessel 70) . The vapor in the intermediate vessel 70 may be drawn by the compressor 32 through a suction line 74 of the compressor 32. In other embodiments, the vapor in the intermediate vessel may be drawn to an intermediate stage of the compressor 32 (e.g., not the suction stage) . The liquid that collects in the intermediate vessel 70 may be at a lower enthalpy than the liquid working fluid exiting the condenser 34 due to expansion in the expansion device 66 and/or the intermediate vessel 70. The liquid from intermediate vessel 70 may then flow in line 72 through a second expansion device 36 to the evaporator 38.

It should be appreciated that any of the features described herein may be incorporated with the vapor compression system 14 or any other suitable HVAC&R systems. For example, the present techniques may be incorporated with any HVAC&R system having a flash tank economizer, such as the intermediate vessel 70. The discussion below describes the present techniques incorporated with embodiments of the HVAC&R system 10 configured as a water-cooled chiller. However, it should be noted that the systems and methods described herein may be incorporated with other embodiments of the HVAC&R system 10, such as air-cooled chillers.

With the foregoing in mind, FIG. 5 is a schematic of an embodiment of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system 100 (e.g., vapor compression system) , such as a water-cooled chiller system. The HVAC&R system 100 includes similar elements as those described above. For example, the HVAC&R system 100 includes a working fluid circuit 102 (e.g., vapor compression circuit) having a compressor system 104, a condenser 106, and an evaporator 108. It should be appreciated that the HVAC&R system 100 may also include other components similar to those described above, such as the control panel 40, one or more motors 50 configured to drive compressors of the compressor system 104, one or more VSDs configured to enable variable speed operation of compressors of the compressor system 104, and so forth. The HVAC&R system 100 further includes an economizer 110 (e.g., flash tank, flash tank economizer, intermediate vessel 70) disposed along the working fluid circuit 102. As discussed in further detail below, the economizer 110 is configured to enable improved separation of a flow of working fluid into vapor working fluid and liquid working fluid.

The working fluid circuit 102 may circulate a working fluid therethrough to enable heat transfer between the working fluid and one or more additional fluids, such as a conditioning fluid, a cooling fluid, another suitable fluid, or any combination thereof. In particular, the compressor system 104 is configured to circulate the working fluid along the working fluid circuit 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the compressor system 104 includes a first compressor 112 and a second compressor 114 arranged in series with one another along the working fluid circuit 102. For example, the first compressor 112 may be a low pressure (e.g., low stage, first stage) compressor, and the second compressor 114 may be a high pressure (e.g., high stage, second stage) compressor. Thus, the first compressor 112 may receive a flow of working fluid from the evaporator 108 and may pressurize the working fluid to a first pressure (e.g., low pressure, intermediate pressure) . The second compressor 114 may receive the flow of working fluid from the first compressor 112 and may pressurize the working fluid to a second pressure (e.g., high pressure) that is greater than the first pressure. However, it should be appreciated that other embodiments of the HVAC&R system 100 may include the compressor system 104 having another number (e.g., one, three, four, etc. ) of compressors and/or another arrangement of compressors.

The compressor system 104 (e.g., second compressor 114, first compressor 112 and second compressor 114) is configured to direct compressed working fluid (e.g., vapor working fluid) to the condenser 106, which is configured to transfer heat from the working fluid to a cooling fluid (e.g., water) . The working fluid may therefore condense to a working fluid liquid in the condenser 106. From the condenser 106, the working fluid may flow through a first expansion device 116 (e.g., electronic expansion valve [EEV] , expansion device 66) . In some embodiments, the first expansion device 116 may be a flash tank feed valve configured to control flow of the liquid working fluid to the economizer 110. The first expansion device 116 is also configured to lower the pressure of (e.g., expand) the liquid working fluid received from the condenser 106. During the expansion process, a portion of the liquid working fluid may vaporize, and thus, the economizer 110 may operate to separate the vapor working fluid from the liquid working fluid received from the first expansion device 116. Additionally, the economizer 110 may enable further expansion of the liquid working fluid due to a pressure drop experienced by the liquid working fluid upon entering the economizer 110 (e.g., due to a rapid increase in volume experienced upon entering the economizer 110) .

In accordance with present techniques, the economizer 110 is configured to enable improved separation of the working fluid into vapor working fluid and liquid working fluid. The economizer 110 is also configured to enable improved discharge of the vapor working fluid and the liquid working fluid from the economizer 110. For example, the economizer 110 is configured to discharge vapor working fluid with reduced entrainment of liquid working fluid therein (e.g., reduced liquid carryover) and to discharge liquid working fluid with reduced vapor bypass (e.g., reduced vapor working fluid included with discharged liquid working fluid) . Features and configurations of the economizer 110 incorporating the present techniques are described in further detail below.

Vapor working fluid within the economizer 110 may be directed to flow toward the compressor system 104. For example, the vapor working fluid may be directed to enter the compressor system 104 downstream of the first compressor 112 (e.g., low stage compressor) and upstream of the second compressor 114 (e.g., high stage compressor) , relative to a direction of working fluid flow through the compressor system 104. In other words, the vapor working fluid may be directed to an intermediate stage of the compressor system 104. A valve 118 (e.g., economizer valve, interstage valve, solenoid valve, control valve, etc. ) may be disposed along the working fluid circuit 102 to control flow of the vapor working fluid from the economizer 110 to the compressor system 104 (e.g., second compressor 114) . In some embodiments, when the valve 118 is open (e.g., fully open) , additional liquid working fluid within the economizer 110 may vaporize and provide additional subcooling of the liquid working fluid within the economizer 110.

The liquid working fluid that collects in the economizer 110 may flow from the economizer 110, through a second expansion device 120 (e.g., expansion device 36, an orifice, etc. ) , and to the evaporator 108. In some embodiments, the working fluid circuit 102 may additionally or alternatively include a valve 122 (e.g., drain valve, liquid level control valve, butterfly valve) configured to regulate flow of liquid working fluid from the economizer 110 to the evaporator 108. For example, the valve 122 may be controlled (e.g., via the control panel 40) based on an amount of suction superheat of the working fluid and/or based on a level of liquid working fluid in the economizer 110. The liquid working fluid directed to the evaporator 108 may absorb heat from a conditioning fluid (e.g., water) , which may cause the liquid working fluid to evaporate to become vapor working fluid. Thereafter, the vapor working fluid may be directed from the evaporator 108 to the compressor system 104 (e.g., first compressor 112) to complete and restart the vapor compression cycle.

In addition to the improved operation of the economizer 110 mentioned above and described in further detail below, the present techniques also enable improved installation and packaging of the economizer 110 with the working fluid circuit 102. For example, embodiments of the economizer 110 described herein may have a configuration (e.g., footprint, size) that is smaller than traditional economizer or flash tank designs. Accordingly, the economizer 110 may be more readily installed and packaged with other components of the working fluid circuit 102. For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the economizer 110 (e.g., a shell of the economizer 110) may be mounted to (e.g., mounted above and/or on top of) the condenser 106 (e.g., a shell of the condenser 106) , such as via one or more structural supports 124 (e.g., mounts, brackets, braces) . To this end, the economizer 110 may be arranged in a generally horizontal configuration, such that the shell of the economizer 110 extends (e.g., horizontally, longitudinally) along the shell of the condenser 106. The improved installation and packaging of the economizer 110 may enable assembly and installation of the economizer 110 with other components of the working fluid circuit 102 at a manufacturing facility, instead of assembly and installation of the economizer 110 at a final destination (e.g., customer site or location) of the working fluid circuit 102. In this way, present embodiments also enable reduced costs associated with labor and transportation of the HVAC&R system 100.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of the economizer 110 that may be incorporated with embodiments of the HVAC&R system 100, such as the HVAC&R system 100 of FIG. 5 or any other suitable HVAC&R system. To facilitate discussion, the economizer 110 and components thereof, will be described below with reference to a longitudinal axis 150, a vertical axis 152, which is oriented relative to gravity, and a lateral axis 154 (e.g., radial axis) . As described below, the economizer 110 includes features configured to enable improved separation of a flow of working fluid into vapor working fluid and liquid working fluid. The economizer 110 is also configured to reduce entrainment of liquid working fluid in the vapor working fluid discharged from the economizer 110 and to reduce vapor working fluid bypass in the liquid working fluid discharged from the economizer 110.

The economizer 110 includes a shell 156 that defines an internal volume 158 therein. The economizer 110 (e.g., the shell 156) also includes a working fluid inlet 160 configured direct a flow of working fluid into the internal volume 158 (e.g., from the condenser 106) , a vapor working fluid outlet 162 configured to discharge vapor working fluid from the internal volume 158 (e.g., toward the second compressor 114) , and a liquid working fluid outlet 164 configured to discharge liquid working fluid from the internal volume 158 (e.g., toward the evaporator 108) . The shell 156 further includes a longitudinal axis 166 (e.g., central axis) , which may extend along the longitudinal axis 150 in an installed configuration or orientation of the economizer 110. More particularly, the longitudinal axis 166 of the shell 156 may extend generally horizontally in the installed configuration. For example, the shell 156 may be mounted or coupled to the condenser 106, which may also include a shell extending generally along the longitudinal axis 150 (e.g., horizontally) .

The economizer 110 further includes a separator 168 (e.g., internal separator, separator cylinder) configured to receive the flow of working fluid and to separate the flow of working fluid into the vapor working fluid and the liquid working fluid. In particular, the separator 168 includes a first cylinder 170 (e.g., outer cylinder) and a second cylinder 172 (e.g., inner cylinder) disposed within (e.g., nested within) the first cylinder 170 to define an annulus 174 extending between the first cylinder 170 and the second cylinder 172. As described further below with reference to FIG. 7, the economizer 110 may further include an inlet conduit configured to direct a flow of the working fluid from the working fluid inlet 160 into the annulus 174 of the separator 168. As the working fluid flows into the annulus 174, the working fluid may undergo a reduction in pressure, which may cause a portion of the working fluid (e.g., liquid working fluid) to vaporize or “flash” to generate vapor working fluid. Additionally, the separator 168 (e.g., the first cylinder 170) may induce a circular or swirl flow pattern of the working fluid within the annulus 174. In other words, the working fluid may flow within the annulus 174 about a central axis 176 of the separator 168. As a result, centrifugal forces acting on the flow of working fluid may cause liquid working fluid to separate from vapor working fluid within the annulus 174. For example, liquid working fluid (e.g., liquid droplets) may impinge against and/or collect on an inner surface 178 of the first cylinder 170.

Force of gravity (e.g., along the vertical axis 152) may then drive liquid droplets accumulated on the inner surface 178 to flow downward (e.g., relative to the vertical axis 152) toward a base plate 180 of the separator 168. The base plate 180 may be a perforated plate, a slotted plate, or other porous structure (e.g., having openings or apertures) . The base plate 180 may also be coupled to (e.g., sealed against, secured to) the inner surface 178 of the first cylinder 170, such as via welding, brazing, an adhesive, or other suitable technique. Vapor working fluid, from which the liquid working fluid has separated, may continue to flow (e.g., swirl) through the annulus 174 and may ultimately flow out of the annulus 174 at a top 182 of the separator 168, as indicated by arrows 184.

As shown, the base plate 180 is offset from the second cylinder 172 relative to the vertical axis 152. More specifically, the base plate 180 is disposed within the first cylinder 170 below the second cylinder 172 relative to the vertical axis 152. Thus, the annulus 174 formed between the first cylinder 170 and the second cylinder 172 may not extend to the base plate 180, and flow of vapor working fluid within the separator 168 may reduce in velocity as the vapor working fluid flows closer to the base plate 180. The reduction in velocity of the vapor working fluid adjacent to the base plate 180 may enable liquid working fluid (e.g., liquid droplets) flowing along the inner surface 178 of the first cylinder 170 to collect on the base plate 180 within the first cylinder 170 and remain substantially separated from the vapor working fluid. Further, as the base plate 180 may be sealed to the inner surface 178 of the first cylinder 170, the base plate 180 may block flow of vapor working fluid through a base 186 of the separator 168. In some instances, liquid working fluid collecting on the base plate 180 may block or occlude perforations 188 (e.g., holes, openings) formed in the base plate 180 (e.g., via surface tension) to further block flow of vapor working fluid therethrough. As liquid working fluid continues to accumulate on the base plate 180, a weight of the liquid working fluid may cause portions of the liquid working fluid to flow through the perforations 188, such that the liquid working fluid may be discharged from the base 186 of the separator 168, as indicated by arrows 190.

While the base plate 180 may be a perforated plate, the first cylinder 170 and the second cylinder 172 of the separator 168 may be formed from a solid, continuous, and/or non-perforated material (e.g., sheet metal, aluminum, steel) . The first cylinder 170 and the second cylinder 172 may therefore block flow of vapor working fluid and liquid working fluid therethrough. Accordingly, the separator 168 may discharge vapor working fluid via the top 182 of the separator 168 (e.g., annulus) and may discharge liquid working fluid via the base plate 180 at the base 186 of the separator 168 in the manner described above.

The separator 168 may be positioned and secured within the internal volume 158 of the shell 156 in any suitable manner. For example, one or more supports, braces, brackets, or other structural members may extend from an inner surface 192 of the shell 156 to contact and support one or more components of the separator 168 (e.g., first cylinder 170, second cylinder 172) . In some embodiments, the base 186 of the separator 168 (e.g., first cylinder 170) may abut the inner surface 192 of the shell 156, and the first cylinder 170 may include a recess 194 formed at the base 186 to enable flow of liquid working fluid out of the separator 168 and along the inner surface 192 of the shell 156. Liquid working fluid discharged from the separator 168 may flow along the inner surface 192 at a lower portion 196 of the shell 156 (e.g., relative to the vertical axis 152) toward the liquid working fluid outlet 164, as indicated by arrow 198.

Vapor working fluid discharged from the separator 168 (e.g., the annulus 174) at the top 182 of the separator 168 may flow toward the vapor working fluid outlet 162, as indicated by arrow 200. For example, the vapor working fluid may flow along the inner surface 192 of the shell 156 at an upper portion 202 (e.g., upper section, upper half) of the shell 156 (e.g., relative to the vertical axis 152) . To reduce entrainment of liquid working fluid within the vapor working fluid directed toward the vapor working fluid outlet 162, the economizer 110 includes a partition 204 (e.g., mesh partition, barrier, divider, panel) disposed within the internal volume 158 between the separator 168 and the vapor working fluid outlet 162 (e.g., relative to the longitudinal axis 150 and/or 166) . In the illustrated embodiment, the partition 204 is coupled to and extends from the inner surface 192 of the shell 156 at the upper portion 202 of the shell 156. For example, the partition 204 may extend from the inner surface 192 generally along the vertical axis 152. The partition 204 may be formed from any suitable porous structure, such as a woven mesh, layers of mesh, wire mesh, polymer mesh, a perforated plate, any other suitable porous structure, or a combination thereof configured to enable flow of vapor (e.g., gas) therethrough and also enable capture of liquid working fluid entrained within the vapor working fluid.

Moreover, the partition 204 may have any suitable size or dimensions. As shown, the partition 204 may extend a vertical dimension 206 (e.g., longitudinal dimension, along vertical axis 152) from the inner surface 192 at the upper portion 202 (e.g., top, uppermost portion) of the shell 156. In some embodiments, the vertical dimension 206 may be approximately equal to two-thirds of a height 208 (e.g., vertical height, along vertical axis 152) of the shell 156. Thus, the partition 204 may be offset from the inner surface 192 at the lower portion 196 of the shell 156 by a distance 210 (e.g., vertical distance) to define a gap 212 (e.g., vertical gap) extending between the lower portion 196 of the shell 156 and the partition 204. The gap 212 may reduce, avoid, and/or substantially mitigate a pressure drop or loss in the liquid working fluid flowing along the inner surface 192 at the lower portion 196 of the shell 156 toward the liquid working fluid outlet 164.

In any case, the partition 204 is configured to capture liquid working fluid (e.g., liquid droplets) that may be entrained within the vapor working fluid discharged from the separator 168. For example, liquid droplets entrained within the vapor working fluid may impinge against and/or may collect on fibers, strands, filaments, or other structures of the partition 204. Liquid droplets captured by the partition 204 may therefore be separated from the vapor working fluid and may be directed to flow (e.g., via force of gravity) downward, relative to the vertical axis 152, toward the lower portion 196 of the shell 156, as indicated by arrows 214. Thereafter, the liquid droplets may collect on the inner surface 192 of the shell 156 at the lower portion 196 of the shell 156 and may flow toward the liquid working fluid outlet 164 with the liquid working fluid discharged from the separator 168.

The partition 204 (e.g., mesh partition) may enable the vapor working fluid to flow therethrough toward the vapor working fluid outlet 162, as indicated by arrow 216. The partition 204 includes a depth 218 (e.g., extending along the longitudinal axis 150 and/or 166) . The depth 218 may be any suitable dimension and may be select to enable desired capture of liquid working fluid (e.g., liquid droplets) that may be entrained in the vapor working fluid directed therethrough. For example, in some embodiments, the depth 218 may be approximately 1 to 5 inches, 2 to 4 inches, 3 inches, or any other suitable dimension. In this way, the partition 204 enables reduced entrainment of liquid working fluid (e.g., liquid carryover) within the vapor working fluid directed to the vapor working fluid outlet 162.

To further enable reduced entrainment of liquid working fluid within the vapor working fluid directed to the vapor working fluid outlet 162, the economizer 110 includes a baffle box 220 (e.g., vapor working fluid discharge section, compartment, enclosure, chamber, frame) disposed within the internal volume 158 of the shell 156. The baffle box 220 may include one or more baffles, plates, mesh structures, and/or other suitable elements configured to reduce entrainment of liquid working fluid within the vapor working fluid directed to the vapor working fluid outlet 162. In the illustrated embodiment, the baffle box 220 is coupled to and extends from the inner surface 192 of the shell 156 at the upper portion 202 of the shell 156. Additionally, the baffle box 220 generally surrounds a flow path extending into the vapor working fluid outlet 162. That is, the baffle box 220 includes components that generally encircle a discharge port 222 of the vapor working fluid outlet 162 formed in the shell 156.

For example, the baffle box 220 may include a baffle plate 224 extending (e.g., vertically extending) from the inner surface 192 of the shell 156 at the upper portion 202 of the shell 156. The baffle plate 224 is disposed between the vapor working fluid outlet 162 and the partition 204 relative to the longitudinal axis 150 and/or 166. The baffle plate 224 and the partition 204 may each extend along the vertical axis 152 and the lateral axis 154, and thus, the baffle plate 224 may generally face the partition 204. The baffle plate 224 may be a generally solid, continuous, and/or non-perforated sheet or panel that blocks flow of vapor and liquid therethrough. Accordingly, after the vapor working fluid flows through the partition 204, the vapor working fluid may impinge against the baffle plate 224. As the vapor working fluid impinges against the baffle plate 224, liquid working fluid (e.g., liquid droplets) remaining entrained within the vapor working fluid may form and/or collect on the baffle plate 224. Liquid droplets that form on the baffle plate 224 may flow (e.g., via force of gravity) toward a base edge 226 of the baffle plate 224, while the vapor working fluid may be re-directed to flow around the baffle plate 224 (e.g., below the base edge 226, relative to the vertical axis 152) . In some embodiments, the baffle plate 224 may have a vertical dimension extending from the inner surface 192 at the upper portion 202 to the base edge 226 that is approximately equal to half of the height 208 of the shell 156. Further, in some embodiments, the baffle plate 224 may have a generally semi-circular geometry.

To reduce re-entrainment of the liquid droplets within the vapor working fluid flowing across the base edge 226 and below the baffle plate 224, the baffle plate 224 includes a lip 228 extending from and along the base edge 226 to form a channel 230 (e.g., drain channel) extending along the base edge 226 of the baffle plate 224. In particular, the lip 228 and the channel 230 are formed on a side of the baffle plate 224 opposite the vapor working fluid outlet 162. Liquid droplets accumulated on the baffle plate 224 may flow downward (e.g., relative to the vertical axis 152) and into the channel 230, as indicated by arrow 232. The liquid working fluid captured by the lip 228 may be directed to flow within the channel 230, such as along the lateral axis 154, to contact the inner surface 192 of the shell 156 at lateral portions of the shell 156, as discussed further below. The liquid working fluid may then flow along the inner surface 192 toward the lower portion 196 of the shell 156 to be directed toward the liquid working fluid outlet 164.

In addition to the baffle plate 224 disposed on a first side 234 of the baffle box 220, the baffle box 220 may include additional elements or components disposed on other sides 236 (e.g., lateral sides, vertical sides) of the baffle box 220. For example, the baffle box 220 may include one or more porous structures, such as mesh structures, perforated plates, perforated baffles, or other porous structures configured to capture liquid working fluid that may be entrained in the vapor working fluid directed toward the vapor working fluid outlet 162. The porous structures may function to capture liquid working fluid entrained within the vapor working fluid in manners similar to those described above. Elements of the baffle box 220 are described further below with reference to FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the baffle box 220 may define an open base 238 that may be generally unobstructed to enable flow of vapor working fluid vertically upward, relative to the vertical axis 152, into the baffle box 220 and toward the vapor working fluid outlet 162 formed in the upper portion 202 of the shell 156. In this way, the economizer 110 is configured to substantially reduce entrainment of liquid working fluid within the vapor working fluid discharged from the economizer 110, as indicated by arrow 240. As the vapor working fluid discharged from the economizer 110 may be directed to the compressor system 104 (e.g., the second compressor 114) , the compressor system 104 may not receive liquid working fluid, which may improve operation of the compressor system 104 and the HVAC&R system 100 generally.

As mentioned above, the economizer 110 includes the liquid working fluid outlet 164 configured to receive and discharge liquid working fluid separated from the vapor working fluid within the economizer 110. As shown, the liquid working fluid outlet 164 may be formed in the lower portion 196 of the shell 156. In some embodiments, the liquid working fluid outlet 164 may be generally aligned with the vapor working fluid outlet 162 along the vertical axis 152. The liquid working fluid outlet 164 is configured to receive the liquid working fluid that is separated from the vapor working fluid via the separator 168, the partition 204, and the baffle box 220.

The liquid working fluid outlet 164 also includes features to enable improved reduction of vapor working fluid bypass (e.g., discharge of vapor working fluid via the liquid working fluid outlet 164) , as well as improved control of a level of liquid working fluid (e.g., more stable liquid level) within the economizer 110 (e.g., via improved control of the valve 122) . For example, the liquid working fluid outlet 164 (e.g., the economizer 110) includes a first conduit 242 (e.g., outer conduit) and a second conduit 244 (e.g., inner conduit) extending within the first conduit 242. The first conduit 242 disposed external to the shell 156 and is secured (e.g., fastened, attached) to an outer surface 246 of the shell 156. The first conduit 242 may include an end portion 248 and may define an internal cavity 250 that is fluidly coupled to the internal volume 158 and within which the liquid working fluid may accumulate. The second conduit 244 extends through the end portion 248 of the first conduit 242, through the internal cavity 250 of the first conduit 242 and into the internal volume 158 the shell 156. In other words, a distal end 251 of the second conduit 244 may be disposed within the internal volume 158 of the shell 156 and may be offset from the internal cavity 250 defined by the first conduit 242. The second conduit 244 also includes a plurality of apertures 252 formed therethrough (e.g., formed in a side of the second conduit 244) to enable more regulated and/or controlled flow of the liquid working fluid from the internal volume 158 and/or the internal cavity 250 and into the second conduit 244. In this way, vapor working fluid bypass through the liquid working fluid outlet 164 may be reduced. Liquid working fluid may be discharged from the economizer 110 by flowing into a passage 254 defined by the second conduit 244, from which the liquid working fluid may be directed to the evaporator 108.

As will be appreciated, the economizer 110 may include additional features, in accordance with the present techniques. For example, the shell 156 of the economizer 110 may include one or more sight glasses 256 configured to enable observation of operating conditions (e.g., working fluid liquid level, working fluid flow) within the shell 156. In some embodiments, the shell 156 may include end covers 258 coupled to a main body 260 of the shell 156, and the end covers 258 may have a generally curved or elliptical geometry. The curved or elliptical geometry of the end covers 258 may enable a reduction in manufacturing costs associated with the economizer 110 and/or provide an increase in the size of the internal volume 158, which may enable improved separation of the flow of working fluid into the vapor working fluid and the liquid working fluid.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shell 156 includes a first end cover 262 disposed at a first longitudinal end 264 of the economizer 110 and a second end cover 266 disposed at a second longitudinal end 268, opposite the first longitudinal end 264. As shown, the working fluid inlet 160 and the separator 168 are disposed more proximate to the first longitudinal end 264 than to the second longitudinal end 268, while the baffle box 220, the vapor working fluid outlet 162, and the liquid working fluid outlet 164 are disposed more proximate to the second longitudinal end 268 than to the first longitudinal end 264. Thus, the working fluid inlet 160 and the separator 168 are disposed in a first portion or section (e.g., a first half, first side) of the economizer 110, while the baffle box 220, the vapor working fluid outlet 162, and the liquid working fluid outlet 164 are disposed in a second portion or section (e.g., second half, second side) of the economizer 110, such as relative to a vertical center line 270 of the economizer 110.

FIG. 7 is a partial schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the economizer 110. The illustrated embodiment includes similar elements and element numbers as those described above with reference to FIG. 6. For example, the economizer 110 includes the separator 168 having the first cylinder 170 and the second cylinder 172, the partition 204, and the baffle box 220 with the baffle plate 224, the lip 228, and the channel 230. In the illustrated embodiment, the separator 168 includes stiffeners 288 (e.g., plates, panels, brackets, braces, supports) extending within the second cylinder 172 to increase a rigidity and stiffness of the second cylinder 172 and/or to maintain a desired configuration or orientation of the second cylinder 172 within the internal volume 158.

As previously described, the lip 228 is configured to capture liquid working fluid accumulated on the baffle plate 224 within the channel 230 and to direct the liquid working fluid, as indicated by arrows 290, toward lateral edges 292 of the lip 228 and/or the channel 230. In some embodiments, the lip 228 and/or the baffle plate 224 may be disposed adjacent to and/or may at least partially abut the inner surface 192 of the shell 156 at lateral portions (e.g., side portions) of the shell 156 disposed opposite one another along the lateral axis 154 and relative to the internal volume 158. In this way, the liquid working fluid captured within the channel 230 may be directed to the inner surface 192 of the shell 156 to flow downward (e.g., along the vertical axis 152) toward the lower portion 196 of the shell 156 to flow toward the liquid working fluid outlet 164.

In some embodiments, the partition 204 may have an upper edge 294 (e.g., curved edge, upper geometry, relative to the vertical axis 152) configured to contact the inner surface 192 of the shell 156, such as at the upper portion 202 of the shell 156. For example, the upper edge 294 may include a curved geometry that corresponds to (e.g., matches) a geometry (e.g., radius of curvature) of the inner surface 192 of the shell 156. Thus, the upper edge 294 may contact the inner surface 192 of the shell 156, such as along a substantial portion and/or an entirety of the upper edge 294. In this way, the partition 204 may be configured to block bypass of vapor working fluid and liquid working fluid around (e.g., over, above, relative to the vertical axis 152) the partition 204. Similarly, the baffle plate 224 may include an upper edge 296 (e.g., curved edge, upper geometry, relative to the vertical axis 152) configured to contact the inner surface 192 of the shell 156, such as at the upper portion 202 of the shell 156. The upper edge 296 of the baffle plate 224 may also include a curved geometry that corresponds to (e.g., matches) a geometry (e.g., radius of curvature) of the inner surface 192 of the shell 156, such that the upper edge 296 may contact (e.g., abut) the inner surface 192 of the shell 156 along a substantial portion and/or an entirety of the upper edge 296.

As mentioned above, the separator 168 is configured to receive a flow of working fluid from the working fluid inlet 160 of the economizer 110. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the economizer 110 may include an inlet conduit 300 configured to direct the flow of working fluid from the working fluid inlet 160 to the annulus 174 extending between the first cylinder 170 and the second cylinder 172. Specifically, the working fluid inlet 160 may be formed in a lateral portion of the shell 156, and the inlet conduit 300 may extend along the lateral axis 154 from the working fluid inlet 160 and through the first cylinder 170 to fluidly couple the working fluid inlet 160 to the annulus 174. As the inlet conduit 300 is configured to direct the flow of working fluid into the annulus 174 along the lateral axis 154, the inlet conduit 300 may further facilitate the generation of a swirl or circular flow of the working fluid within the annulus 174 to enable separation of the liquid working fluid from the vapor working fluid.

The illustrated embodiment also includes additional structures or elements of an embodiment of the baffle box 220 that defines a vapor working fluid outlet section 302 within the internal volume 158 of the shell 156. In addition to the baffle plate 224 (e.g., solid plate, non-perforated plate) defining the first side 234 of the baffle box 220, the baffle box 220 includes a first mesh structure 304 (e.g., panel, side, sheet, layer) extending from the baffle plate 224 (e.g., along the longitudinal axis 150) to define a second side 306 of the baffle box 220 and a second mesh structure 308 (e.g., panel, side, sheet, layer) extending from the baffle plate 224 (e.g., along the longitudinal axis 150) to define a third side 310 of the baffle box 220, opposite the second side 306. Thus, the first mesh structure 304 and the second mesh structure 308 are disposed opposite one another relative to the vapor working fluid outlet 162. Each of first mesh structure 304 and the second mesh structure 308 may also extend along the longitudinal axis 150 and the vertical axis 154, as shown. In some embodiments, the first mesh structure 304 and the second mesh structure 308 are each coupled to the inner surface 192 of the shell 156 (e.g., at the upper portion 202 of the shell 156) to block bypass of vapor working fluid and/or liquid working fluid across the first mesh structure 304 and the second mesh structure 308 and toward the vapor working fluid outlet 162.

The first mesh structure 304 and the second mesh structure 308 may be any suitable porous structure configured to enable flow of the vapor working fluid therethrough and to capture and/or block flow of liquid working fluid (e.g., liquid droplets) therethrough. For example, the first mesh structure 304 and the second mesh structure 308 may include a woven mesh, a wire mesh, one or more layers of mesh, a perforated plate, another suitable porous structure, or any combination thereof.

The baffle box 220 further includes a fourth side 312 defined by an additional baffle plate 314. The additional baffle plate 314 may be a solid, continuous, and/or non- perforated baffle plate, in some embodiments. In such embodiments, liquid working fluid entrained within vapor working fluid may impinge against the additional baffle plate 314, collect on the additional baffle plate 314, and be directed (e.g., via force of gravity) in a downward direction (e.g., along the vertical axis 152) to fall toward the lower portion 196 of the shell 156 to be directed toward the liquid working fluid outlet 164. In other embodiments, the additional baffle plate 314 may be a mesh structure including, for example, a woven mesh, a wire mesh, one or more layers of mesh, a perforated plate, another suitable porous structure, or any combination thereof. In such embodiments, the mesh structure of the additional baffle plate 314 may be configured to capture liquid working fluid entrained within vapor working fluid and enable the vapor working fluid to flow thereacross. In any case, the additional baffle plate 314 may extend along the vertical axis 152 and the lateral axis 154, and the additional baffle plate 314 may be coupled to the first mesh structure 304 and the second mesh structure 308, in some embodiments. The additional baffle plate 314 may also include an upper edge 316 (e.g., curved edge, upper geometry, relative to the vertical axis 152) configured to contact the inner surface 192 of the shell 156, such as at the upper portion 202 of the shell 156. For example, the upper edge 316 may include a curved geometry that corresponds to (e.g., matches) a geometry (e.g., radius of curvature) of the inner surface 192 of the shell 156. Thus, the upper edge 316 may contact the inner surface 192 of the shell 156, such as along a substantial portion and/or an entirety of the upper edge 316. In this way, the additional baffle plate 314 may be configured to block bypass of vapor working fluid and liquid working fluid around (e.g., over, above, relative to the vertical axis 152) the additional baffle plate 314.

The baffle plate 224, the first mesh structure 304, the second mesh structure 308, and the additional baffle plate 314 may be coupled to one another to generally define a vapor working fluid flow path 318 extending through the vapor working fluid outlet section 302 to the vapor working fluid outlet 162 of the economizer 110. In this way, the baffle plate 224, the first mesh structure 304, the second mesh structure 308, and the additional baffle plate 314 may generally surround and/or enclose the discharge port 222 of the vapor working fluid outlet 162 and may cooperatively further block and/or reduce flow of liquid working fluid (e.g., entrained within vapor working fluid, liquid carryover) toward the vapor working fluid outlet 162. The vapor working fluid may enter the vapor working fluid flow path 318 by flowing through the first mesh structure 304 and/or the second mesh structure 308. Additionally or alternatively, the vapor working fluid may enter the vapor working fluid flow path 318 by flowing beneath one or more of the baffle plate 224, the first mesh structure 304, the second mesh structure 308, and the additional baffle plate 314 (e.g., relative to the vertical axis 152) and then flow upwards (e.g., along the vertical axis 152) along the working fluid flow path 318 toward the vapor working fluid outlet 162 with substantially reduced liquid working fluid entrained therein.

As described in detail above, present embodiments are directed to an economizer is configured to receive a flow of working fluid, such as from a condenser of a working fluid circuit, and to separate the flow of the working fluid into vapor working fluid and liquid working fluid. The economizer may then direct the vapor working fluid toward a compressor of the working fluid circuit and may direct the liquid working fluid toward an evaporator of the working fluid circuit. The economizer includes various features configured to enable improved separation of the working fluid into vapor working fluid and liquid working fluid. For example, the economizer includes a separator disposed within a shell of the economizer. The separator may include one or more cylinders configured to generate a generically circular motion or flow of the working fluid received by the economizer to enable separation of the working fluid into liquid working fluid and vapor working fluid. The economizer also includes one or more mesh structures, such as the partition discussed above, and one or more baffles, such as the baffle plate discussed above disposed between the separator and a vapor working fluid outlet of the economizer. The mesh structures and/or the baffles are configured to reduce liquid carryover (e.g., entrained liquid) in the vapor working fluid discharged from the economizer. The economizer further includes a liquid working fluid outlet configured to reduce bypass of vapor working fluid discharged from the economizer via the liquid working fluid outlet.

While only certain features and embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters (e.g., temperatures, pressures, etc. ) , mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc. ) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be noted that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.

Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described (i.e., those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the present disclosure, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed embodiments) . It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.

The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform] ing [a function] …” or “step for [perform] ing [a function] …” , it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112 (f) . However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112 (f) .

Claims

An economizer for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, comprising:

a shell defining an internal volume, wherein the shell comprises a working fluid inlet, a liquid working fluid outlet, and a vapor working fluid outlet;

a separator cylinder disposed within the internal volume of the shell, wherein the separator cylinder is configured to receive a flow of working fluid via the working fluid inlet and to separate the flow of the working fluid into a vapor working fluid and a liquid working fluid; and

a mesh partition disposed within the internal volume, wherein the mesh partition is disposed between the separator cylinder and the vapor working fluid outlet.
The economizer of claim 1, wherein the separator cylinder comprises a first cylinder, a second cylinder nested within the first cylinder, and an annulus extending between the first cylinder and the second cylinder, wherein the working fluid inlet is configured to direct the flow of working fluid into the annulus.
The economizer of claim 2, wherein the separator cylinder comprises a perforated plate disposed within the first cylinder, the perforated plate is sealed to the first cylinder, and the perforated plate is disposed below the second cylinder, relative to a vertical axis.
The economizer of claim 1, wherein the mesh partition extends from an upper portion of the shell, and the vapor working fluid outlet is formed in the upper portion of the shell.
The economizer of claim 4, wherein the mesh partition is offset from a lower portion of the shell, and the liquid working fluid outlet is formed in the lower portion of the shell.
The economizer of claim 1, comprising a baffle box disposed within the internal volume, wherein the baffle box extends from an upper portion of the shell, and the baffle box is disposed about the vapor working fluid outlet.
The economizer of claim 6, wherein the baffle box comprises a baffle plate disposed between the vapor working fluid outlet and the mesh partition.
The economizer of claim 7, wherein the baffle plate comprises a lip extending along a base edge of the baffle plate and defining a channel along the base edge of the baffle plate.
The economizer of claim 8, wherein the channel is defined on a side of the baffle plate opposite the vapor working fluid outlet.
The economizer of claim 1, wherein the liquid working fluid outlet comprises a first conduit and a second conduit disposed within the first conduit.
The economizer of claim 10, wherein the first conduit is attached to an outer surface of the shell, and the second conduit extends into the internal volume of the shell.
An economizer for a chiller system, comprising:

a shell comprising a working fluid inlet, a liquid working fluid outlet, and a vapor working fluid outlet;

a separator cylinder disposed within the shell, wherein the separator cylinder comprises a first cylinder and a second cylinder disposed within the first cylinder, and the separator cylinder is configured to separate a flow of working fluid into a vapor working fluid and a liquid working fluid;

a baffle box disposed within the shell, wherein the baffle box extends from an upper portion of the shell, and the baffle box is disposed about the vapor working fluid outlet; and

a mesh partition disposed within the shell, wherein the mesh partition is disposed between the separator cylinder and the baffle box.
The economizer of claim 12, wherein the baffle box comprises a baffle plate defining a first side of the baffle box, and the baffle plate is disposed between the vapor working fluid outlet and the mesh partition.
The economizer of claim 13, wherein the baffle box comprises:

a first mesh structure extending from the baffle plate and defining a second side of the baffle box; and

a second mesh structure extending from the baffle plate and defining a third side of the baffle box, opposite the second side.
The economizer of claim 13, wherein the baffle plate comprises a lip extending along a base edge of the baffle plate, and the lip defines a channel extending along the base edge of the baffle plate.
The economizer of claim 12, wherein the mesh partition extends from the upper portion of the shell and is offset from a lower portion of the shell.
The economizer of claim 12, wherein the liquid working fluid outlet comprises a first conduit attached to an outer surface of the shell and a second conduit disposed within the first conduit and extending into an internal volume of the shell.
An economizer for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system, comprising:

a shell comprising an internal volume and a working fluid inlet configured to direct a flow of working fluid into the internal volume;

a separator cylinder disposed within the internal volume of the shell, wherein the separator cylinder comprises an annulus configured to receive the flow of working fluid, and the separator cylinder is configured to separate the flow of working fluid into a vapor working fluid and a liquid working fluid;

a baffle plate disposed within the internal volume and extending from an upper portion of the shell; and

a mesh partition disposed within the internal volume and extending from the upper portion of the shell, wherein the mesh partition is disposed between the separator cylinder and the baffle plate.
The economizer of claim 18, wherein the shell comprises:

a liquid working fluid outlet configured to discharge the liquid working fluid from the internal volume; and

a vapor working fluid outlet configured to discharge the vapor working fluid from the internal volume,

wherein the liquid working fluid outlet and the vapor working fluid outlet are disposed on a side of the baffle plate opposite the mesh partition, relative to a longitudinal axis of the shell.
The economizer of claim 19, wherein, in an installed orientation of the economizer, the longitudinal axis of the shell extends generally horizontally.