(19)
(11) EP 0 742 414 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
20.11.1996 Bulletin 1996/47

(43) Date of publication A2:
13.11.1996 Bulletin 1996/46

(21) Application number: 96630028.7

(22) Date of filing: 25.04.1996
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6: F25B 45/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR IT

(30) Priority: 08.05.1995 US 436731

(71) Applicant: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
St. Louis Missouri 63136 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Hanna, William T.
    Gahanna, Ohio 43230 (US)
  • Murray, Joseph G.
    Worthington, Ohio 43235 (US)
  • Osborne, Rodney L.
    Hebron, Ohio 43025 (US)
  • Faught, John H.
    Grove City, Ohio 43123 (US)

(74) Representative: Waxweiler, Jean et al
Dennemeyer & Associates Sàrl P.O. Box 1502
1015 Luxembourg
1015 Luxembourg (LU)

   


(54) Method and apparatus for recovering refrigerant


(57) Apparatus for recovering refrigerant from a refrigeration system having a high pressure liquid side and a low pressure vapor side comprises a storage receptacle (16) for receiving recovered refrigerant, a liquid flow circuit (36) for recovering liquid from the high pressure side of the system, a vapor flow circuit (38) for recovering vapor from the low pressure side of the system, and a vapor feedback flow circuit (40) from the receptacle (16) to the inlet side of a vapor reducing section (76) of the vapor flow circuit. The apparatus is operable in a liquid recovery mode and in a vapor recovery mode, and an arrangement (202) for automatically purging non-compressible gases from liquid refrigerant is provided in the vapor flow circuit on the downstream side of the vapor reducing section thereof. During a liquid recovery operation, vapor is fed back from the storage receptacle (16) to the inlet side of the vapor reducing section (76) and non-condensable gas in the liquid refrigerant flowing therefrom is separated from the liquid prior to return of the liquid refrigerant to the storage receptacle (16). During a vapor recovery operation, the apparatus is operable to shift back to the liquid recovery mode in response to a high pressure in the storage receptacle (16), whereby vapor in the receptacle (16) is fed back and reduced to a liquid from which non-condensable gas is removed prior to return of the liquid to the receptacle (16). Gas removed from the liquid refrigerant is accumulated and periodically exhausted to atmosphere.






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