JP2005188825A

JP2005188825A - Washing method and device for refrigerant pipe

Info

Publication number: JP2005188825A
Application number: JP2003430836A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hideaki Sodeyama; 英明袖山
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-12-25
Filing date: 2003-12-25
Publication date: 2005-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2023-12-25
Also published as: JP3971372B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely and efficiently remove remaining oil and dust in an existing pipe, in washing the existing refrigerant pipe after recovering the refrigerant to replace a new refrigerant machine for an old refrigerant machine in an air-cooled separate type air conditioner. <P>SOLUTION: The existing pipe is washed through a process for connecting a washing device having a means for mixing and dissolving a nitrogen gas in the wash fluid and supplying the same to the pipe, with the existing pipe as substitute for an old outdoor unit, a process for connecting a communication pipe with the existing pipe as substitute for an old indoor unit, a process for successively cleaning and washing the pipe by pressurizing the wash fluid to flow in one direction from the washing device to the existing pipe, a process for successively cleaning and washing the pipe by pressurizing the wash fluid to flow in the reverse direction from the washing device to the existing pipe, a process for getting out foreign matters remaining in the existing pipe, and a process for allowing the nitrogen gas to be pressurized and flow into the existing pipe from a nitrogen gas cylinder to get out and recover the wash fluid by pressurized blow, and simultaneously to discharge the foreign matters in the pipe. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明は、旧冷媒で使用されていた冷暖房装置、冷凍機などの冷凍空調機を新冷媒対応のものと取り替える際に、冷凍空調機の室内機と室外機を接続する既設の冷媒配管を洗浄する方法とその装置に関する。 The present invention cleans existing refrigerant pipes that connect indoor units and outdoor units of refrigeration and air conditioners when replacing refrigeration and air conditioning units such as air conditioning units and refrigerators that were used with old refrigerants with new refrigerants And a method for the same.

Ｒ１２、Ｒ５０２、Ｒ２２等のＣＦＣ系、ＨＣＦＣ系の旧冷媒から、分子に塩素が含まれないＲ４１０Ａ、Ｒ４０７Ｃ、Ｒ４０４Ａ等のＨＦＣ系の新冷媒に対応した冷凍空調機に取り替える場合、空調機の室内機と室外機は容易に交換可能であるが、両機を接続する配管は、配管長が長い場合、或いは壁面や天井裏等建物に埋設されている場合は交換が困難であり、また、老巧化し難く、仮に交換可能な場所であってもコストの面で既設配管を引き続き利用した方が有利なことから、旧冷媒機から新冷媒機に取り替える作業において、既設の配管を洗浄し、新品同様の清浄化機能が得られるように処理して再利用するようにしている。 When replacing old CFC and HCFC refrigerants such as R12, R502, and R22 with refrigeration air conditioners that support new HFC refrigerants such as R410A, R407C, and R404A that do not contain chlorine in their molecules, Units and outdoor units can be easily replaced, but the pipes that connect the two units are difficult to replace if the pipe length is long or is buried in a building such as a wall or ceiling. Since it is more difficult to convert the existing piping from the viewpoint of cost even if it is a place where it can be replaced, the existing piping is cleaned from the old refrigerant machine to replace it with the new refrigerant machine. It is processed and reused so that the cleaning function can be obtained.

従来、既設の配管を洗浄する場合、洗浄流体としてＲ２２等の冷媒フロンやＲ４０７Ｃ等の洗浄フロンを用い、これを配管内に循環させて旧冷媒の回収と洗浄を同時に行うようにしていた。また、洗浄後さらに窒素ガスを既設配管に強制的に吹き込んで、管内をブロー洗浄するようにしていた（例えば特許文献１参照）。 Conventionally, when cleaning an existing pipe, a refrigerant flon such as R22 or a washing flon such as R407C is used as a cleaning fluid, and this is circulated in the pipe to recover and clean the old refrigerant at the same time. Further, after cleaning, nitrogen gas is forcibly blown into the existing pipe to blow-clean the inside of the pipe (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

特開２００１−１４１３４０号公報JP 2001-141340 A

Ｒ２２等の旧冷媒を洗浄流体として用い、配管内を循環洗浄する場合、Ｒ２２等は沸点が極めて低いため洗浄用冷媒ガスを放出する危険があり、取り扱いが極めて困難であった。 When an old refrigerant such as R22 is used as a cleaning fluid and the inside of the pipe is circulated and washed, since the boiling point of R22 and the like is extremely low, there is a risk of releasing a cleaning refrigerant gas, which is extremely difficult to handle.

また、旧冷媒の圧縮機に用いられる潤滑油は鉱物油であるのに対し、新冷媒の圧縮機に用いられる潤滑油はエステル系、エーテル系の合成油であり、両者は性質を異にし、両者が混合した場合に乳濁化、粘液化して機械の潤滑作用に支障を来たし、細部を閉塞させたり圧縮機を焼損に至らしめたりする場合がある。 In addition, the lubricating oil used in the old refrigerant compressor is mineral oil, whereas the lubricating oil used in the new refrigerant compressor is an ester-based or ether-based synthetic oil. When they are mixed, they may become emulsified and mucous, which may hinder the lubrication of the machine, block the details, and cause the compressor to burn out.

すなわち、鉱物油とＨＦＣ系の新冷媒は相溶性がなく、既設配管内に汚れとして鉱物油が残っていると、鉱物油は新冷媒の冷凍サイクルが旧冷媒の冷凍サイクルよりも高温高圧であるために酸化分解し易く、汚れをさらに増殖させる。そして、酸化分解の生成物である炭化物、水酸物が空調機システム内のドライヤー、細部、圧縮機吸入弁、アキュームレータ、膨張弁等を閉塞させ、やがて圧縮機を焼損させる危険がある。 In other words, mineral oil and the new HFC refrigerant are not compatible, and if mineral oil remains as dirt in the existing piping, the mineral oil has a higher temperature and pressure in the refrigeration cycle of the new refrigerant than the refrigeration cycle of the old refrigerant. Therefore, it is easy to oxidatively decompose and to further increase the soil. Then, carbides and hydroxides, which are products of oxidative decomposition, may block the dryer, details, compressor intake valve, accumulator, expansion valve, etc. in the air conditioner system, and eventually burn the compressor.

このような新旧冷媒が混合することによる弊害は既設配管に鉱物油が僅かな量残っていても生じることから、新冷媒機を支障なく正常に動作させるためには既設の配管も新規なものに取り替えることが最も望ましいが、前述の通り、建物の構造上、既設配管の取り替えが困難な場合があること、冷媒フロンや洗浄フロンを洗浄流体として用いる従来の洗浄方法によって残油を所定量以下除去することを新旧冷媒機の生産メーカーにおいて推奨するのみで残油を完全に除去するようには指導していないこと等の理由から、前記従来方法によって既設配管の洗浄を行っているのが実情である。 The adverse effects of mixing old and new refrigerants will occur even if a small amount of mineral oil remains in the existing pipes.Therefore, the existing pipes will also be new to operate the new refrigerant machine normally without any problems. It is most desirable to replace it, but as mentioned above, it may be difficult to replace the existing piping due to the structure of the building, and residual oil is removed below a predetermined amount by the conventional cleaning method using refrigerant CFC or cleaning CFC as cleaning fluid. The fact is that existing pipes are being cleaned by the conventional method, for example, because the manufacturer of the old and new refrigerant machines is only recommended to do so and it is not instructed to completely remove residual oil. is there.

しかしながら、例えば建物の屋上又は地上に設置した１台の室外機と建物の各階の複数の室内機の間で冷媒を循環させる空調機の設置態様において、仮に従来の洗浄方法によって配管内を流動する鉱油を殆ど除去できたとしても、配管溶接時の銅酸化被膜や配管内に残存した鉱油の炭化物などに僅かな量の鉱油が付着していた場合、これと新冷媒が混ざってスラッジを発生させ、交換したばかりの室外及び各階の新冷媒機を故障に至らしめ、結局、配管も含めた建物全体の空調設備を新調しなければならない事態も生じ兼ねない。
従って、前記の洗浄方法に加えて、さらに既設配管に残った僅かな量の油、塵埃を確実に除去する手段を講じることが、冷媒移行に伴う新冷媒機の故障を未然に防止し、正常な機能動作を確保するために極めて重要である。 However, for example, in an installation mode of an air conditioner in which a refrigerant is circulated between one outdoor unit installed on the roof or the ground of a building and a plurality of indoor units on each floor of the building, the inside of piping is temporarily flown by a conventional cleaning method. Even if the mineral oil can be almost removed, if a small amount of mineral oil adheres to the copper oxide film at the time of pipe welding or the carbide of mineral oil remaining in the pipe, this will mix with the new refrigerant and generate sludge. The new refrigerant machines on the outside and on each floor that have just been replaced may be damaged, and eventually the air conditioning equipment for the entire building, including the pipes, must be renewed.
Therefore, in addition to the above-described cleaning method, it is possible to prevent the failure of the new refrigerant machine due to the refrigerant transfer in advance by taking measures to reliably remove a small amount of oil and dust remaining in the existing piping. It is extremely important to ensure proper functional operation.

本発明は、従来技術の有するこのような問題点に鑑み、既設配管の残油、塵埃を確実且つ効率的に除去する洗浄方法及び洗浄装置を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning method and a cleaning apparatus that reliably and efficiently remove residual oil and dust from existing piping.

前記課題を解決するため本発明は、空冷セパレート型の空調機で、旧冷媒機を新冷媒機に入れ替えるため、冷媒回収後に既設の冷媒配管を洗浄する方法において、洗浄液に窒素ガスを混合溶解して配管に流入する手段を有する洗浄装置を旧室外機に代えて既設配管に接続する工程と、旧室内機に代えて既設配管に連絡配管を接続する工程と、洗浄装置から既設配管に洗浄液を加圧し一方向に流入させて管内を順次清浄化洗浄する工程と、洗浄装置から既設配管に前記とは逆方向に洗浄液を加圧し流入させて管内を順次清浄化洗浄する工程と、既設配管内に残存した異物を抜き取る工程と、既設配管に窒素ガスボンベから窒素ガスを加圧流入させて、加圧ブローにより洗浄液を抜き取り回収し、同時に管内の異物を排出させる工程と、を備えたことを特徴とするものである。 In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is an air-cooled separate type air conditioner, in which an old refrigerant machine is replaced with a new refrigerant machine. A step of connecting a cleaning device having means for flowing into the pipe to the existing pipe instead of the old outdoor unit, a step of connecting a connecting pipe to the existing pipe instead of the old indoor unit, and a cleaning liquid from the cleaning device to the existing pipe. Pressurizing and flowing in one direction to sequentially clean and clean the inside of the pipe, cleaning the pressure from the cleaning device to the existing pipe in the opposite direction and flowing the cleaning liquid in the opposite direction to sequentially clean and wash the inside of the pipe, and the existing pipe A step of extracting the foreign matter remaining in the pipe, and a step of injecting nitrogen gas into the existing piping from a nitrogen gas cylinder under pressure, extracting and recovering the cleaning liquid by pressure blow, and simultaneously discharging the foreign matter in the pipe. And it is characterized in and.

前記工程を含む冷媒配管の洗浄方法において、洗浄液として塩化メチレン、メチルアルコール、イソプロピルアルコール、アセトン等の沸点の低い洗浄液を用いることが好ましい。 In the refrigerant pipe cleaning method including the above steps, it is preferable to use a cleaning liquid having a low boiling point such as methylene chloride, methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and acetone as the cleaning liquid.

また、本発明は、空冷セパレート型の空調機で旧冷媒機を新冷媒機に入れ替えるため、冷媒を回収した後に既設の冷媒配管を洗浄する装置であって、洗浄液に窒素ガスを混合溶解して既設配管に吐出する手段を備え、旧室内機との接続部が連絡配管で閉鎖された既設配管に前記吐出手段から既設配管に窒素ガスを混合溶解させた洗浄液を一方向に送出して、管内を順次清浄化洗浄するとともに、既設配管の最も低い位置の連絡配管接続部において既設配管内に残存した異物を抜き取るように構成していることを特徴とする。 Further, the present invention is an apparatus for cleaning an existing refrigerant pipe after recovering the refrigerant in order to replace the old refrigerant machine with the new refrigerant machine in an air-cooled separate type air conditioner, and mixing and dissolving nitrogen gas in the cleaning liquid Provided with means for discharging into the existing piping, and sending the cleaning solution in which nitrogen gas is mixed and dissolved in the existing piping from the discharge means to the existing piping whose connection with the old indoor unit is closed by the communication pipe in one direction, Are sequentially cleaned, and foreign matter remaining in the existing pipe is extracted at the connecting pipe connecting portion at the lowest position of the existing pipe.

本発明の好適な実施形態を図面を参照して説明する。
図１は旧冷媒機を新冷媒機に交換するとともに、本発明により既設配管を洗浄するときの作業手順の概要を表している。 Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an outline of an operation procedure when an old refrigerant machine is replaced with a new refrigerant machine and an existing pipe is washed according to the present invention.

〔冷媒回収と旧機取り外し〕
先ず、旧冷媒機及び配管内の冷媒を回収装置を用いて回収する。冷媒回収後、旧冷媒機の室外機を取り外し、既設配管の室外機連結管口に本発明の洗浄装置の接続管を接続する。また、旧冷媒機の室内機も取り外し、既設配管の室内連結管口には、連絡配管を接続する。 [Refrigerant recovery and removal of old machine]
First, the old refrigerant machine and the refrigerant in the pipe are recovered using a recovery device. After collecting the refrigerant, the outdoor unit of the old refrigerant unit is removed, and the connection pipe of the cleaning device of the present invention is connected to the outdoor unit connection pipe port of the existing pipe. Moreover, the indoor unit of an old refrigerant machine is also removed, and a connecting pipe is connected to the indoor connecting pipe port of the existing pipe.

〔既設配管洗浄〕
洗浄装置と連絡配管を既設配管に取り付けたならば、洗浄装置を作動させて以下の手順で洗浄を行う。 [Cleaning of existing piping]
If the cleaning device and the communication pipe are attached to the existing piping, the cleaning device is operated and cleaning is performed according to the following procedure.

（一方向洗浄）
洗浄装置に接続した既設配管の一対の連結管口の一方に、洗浄液を洗浄装置から既設配管内に加圧流入させて、管内を浄化する。配管内を流通し、洗浄装置側に戻ってきた洗浄液は一旦回収タンクに流しいれ、そこから回収缶に送って回収する。 (One-way cleaning)
The cleaning liquid is pressurized and flowed from the cleaning device into the existing piping into one of the pair of connection pipe ports of the existing piping connected to the cleaning device to purify the inside of the tube. The cleaning liquid that circulates in the piping and returns to the cleaning device side is once poured into the recovery tank, and then sent to the recovery can for recovery.

（逆方向洗浄）
次いで、一方向切替弁によって洗浄液の流入方向を変換し、既設配管の他方の連結管口から、洗浄液を加圧流入させ、前記とは逆方向に洗浄液を配管内に通して、管内を浄化する。 (Reverse cleaning)
Next, the inflow direction of the cleaning liquid is changed by the one-way switching valve, the cleaning liquid is pressurized and introduced from the other connecting pipe port of the existing pipe, and the cleaning liquid is passed through the pipe in the opposite direction to purify the inside of the pipe. .

（異物の抜き取り）
既設配管内に両方向から洗浄液を流入させて管内を浄化したならば、先ず、管内に残存する異物を抜き取る。この抜き取りは既設配管の最も低い部位において行う。例えば数階建ての建物の既設配管を洗浄する場合、最も低い階、つまり一階の室内機に代えて既設配管の連結管路に接続した連絡配管において行う。 (Extraction of foreign matter)
If the cleaning liquid is allowed to flow into the existing pipe from both directions to purify the inside of the pipe, first, the foreign matter remaining in the pipe is extracted. This extraction is performed at the lowest part of the existing piping. For example, when cleaning the existing piping of a several-story building, it is performed on the connecting pipe connected to the connecting pipe of the existing piping instead of the indoor unit on the lowest floor, that is, the first floor.

（洗浄液の抜き取り）
次いで、管内に流入させた洗浄液を抜き取り排出させて、洗浄装置において回収する。洗浄液の抜き取りは、洗浄装置に設置した窒素ガスボンベから窒素ガスを既設配管の一方の連結口から管内に吹き込み加圧ブローによって、洗浄液を他方の連結口から流下させて行い、これと同時に管内に未だ残存していた異物も洗浄液とともに抜き取る。窒素ガスの加圧ブローは、既設配管内の洗浄液が残らず蒸発して、管内周面が十分に乾燥するまで時間をかけて行う。 (Draining the cleaning solution)
Next, the cleaning liquid that has flowed into the pipe is extracted and discharged, and collected in the cleaning device. The cleaning liquid is extracted by blowing nitrogen gas from one connecting port of the existing piping into the pipe from the nitrogen gas cylinder installed in the cleaning apparatus, and causing the cleaning liquid to flow down from the other connecting port by the pressure blow. Any remaining foreign matter is removed together with the cleaning solution. The nitrogen gas pressure blow is performed over a period of time until the cleaning liquid in the existing pipe is completely evaporated and the inner peripheral surface of the pipe is sufficiently dried.

〔新冷媒機取り付け〕
既設配管内が乾燥したならば、洗浄装置と連絡配管を取り外し、新冷媒機の室外機と室内機を設置し、それぞれ接続口を既設配管に連結する。 [Attaching a new refrigerant unit]
When the existing piping is dry, remove the cleaning device and the connection piping, install the outdoor unit and indoor unit of the new refrigerant unit, and connect the connection ports to the existing piping.

〔真空乾燥〕
さらに、回路内への空気や水分の混入を防止するため、真空引きを行う。その後、新冷媒機の試運転を実施し、動作確認した後、本稼動する。 [Vacuum drying]
Furthermore, vacuuming is performed to prevent air and moisture from entering the circuit. After that, a trial operation of the new refrigerant machine is carried out, and after confirming the operation, it is fully operational.

図２は前記既設配管洗浄を行うための本発明の一実施形態の洗浄装置の外観図、図３はその概略回路構成図を示している。図中、符号１は洗浄装置、２は既設配管、３は連絡配管、４は流路方向切替弁である。 FIG. 2 is an external view of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for cleaning the existing pipe, and FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit configuration diagram thereof. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a cleaning device, 2 is an existing pipe, 3 is a connecting pipe, and 4 is a flow direction switching valve.

図示されるように、洗浄装置１は、洗浄液タンク１１、ポンプ１２、窒素ガスボンベ１３、回収タンク１４、１４、回収缶１５、１５、予備タンク１６、受皿１７等の各部材を有して構成されている。これら構成部材は、互いに配管Ｐで接続された状態で、台車１８上に収納されて適宜な場所へ一体に持ち運んで利用できるようになっている。また、各配管Ｐの管路上には、流路を開閉するバルブＶ１〜Ｖ１８が設けてある。なお、台車１８に載せず、各構成部材を旧冷媒機の室外機設置場所まで持ち運んで接続してもよい。 As shown in the figure, the cleaning apparatus 1 includes members such as a cleaning liquid tank 11, a pump 12, a nitrogen gas cylinder 13, recovery tanks 14 and 14, recovery cans 15 and 15, a spare tank 16, and a tray 17. ing. These components are stored on the carriage 18 in a state where they are connected to each other by a pipe P, and can be used by being carried together to an appropriate place. Further, valves V1 to V18 for opening and closing the flow paths are provided on the pipes of the respective pipes P. In addition, you may carry and connect each structural member to the outdoor unit installation place of an old refrigerant machine, without mounting on the trolley | bogie 18. FIG.

洗浄液タンク１１は、適宜な容量の蓋付きステンレス製タンクであり、図４（Ａ）に示されるように、その蓋１１ａには打ち抜きによって通孔を列設させた網部１１ｂが設けられ、当該網部の上面に、活性炭とシリカゲルからなる水分除去フィルター１１ｃを設置してある。この水分除去フィルター１１ｃは、タンクから洗浄液が流出する際にタンク内に流入する空気の水分を除去し、併せて蒸気化する洗浄液の臭気を除去するためのものである。 The cleaning liquid tank 11 is a stainless steel tank with a lid having an appropriate capacity, and as shown in FIG. 4A, the lid 11a is provided with a net portion 11b in which through holes are arranged by punching. A moisture removal filter 11c made of activated carbon and silica gel is installed on the upper surface of the net. The moisture removing filter 11c is for removing moisture from the air flowing into the tank when the cleaning liquid flows out of the tank, and removing the odor of the cleaning liquid that is vaporized.

この洗浄液タンク１１に貯留される洗浄液には、塩化メチレン、メチルアルコール、イソプロピルアルコール、アセトン等が用いられる。これらは既設配管内の汚れ分、油分に良くなじむとともに比較的低温で蒸発し易く、管内を効率良く浄化でき、また、洗浄液をパージするため配管内を窒素ガスで加圧ブローした際に直ぐに蒸発して管内を確実に乾燥させることができる。前記洗浄液の内、沸点が約４０．２℃の塩化メチレンが最も望ましく、配管内に水分がある場合は、塩化メチレンに、水分量に応じて５〜５０％程度のメチルアルコールを混合してもよい。メチルアルコールを単独で洗浄液に用いてもよい。なお、メチルアルコールの沸点は約６４．６℃であり、洗浄後の真空引きで確実に乾燥除去される。 As the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank 11, methylene chloride, methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, or the like is used. These are well adapted to dirt and oil in the existing pipes and easily evaporate at a relatively low temperature, so that the inside of the pipes can be purified efficiently, and also evaporates immediately when the pipe is pressurized and blown with nitrogen gas to purge the cleaning liquid. Thus, the inside of the tube can be surely dried. Among the cleaning liquids, methylene chloride having a boiling point of about 40.2 ° C. is most desirable. When there is water in the pipe, about 5 to 50% methyl alcohol may be mixed with methylene chloride depending on the amount of water. Good. Methyl alcohol may be used alone for the cleaning liquid. The boiling point of methyl alcohol is about 64.6 ° C., and it is surely dried and removed by evacuation after washing.

ポンプ１２は、渦流タービン型のポンプが用いられ、ポンプ吸込側から洗浄液と窒素ガスを吸引し、これらの混合、攪拌及び加圧を行って窒素ガスを洗浄液内に溶解し、ミクロ状に小さな窒素ガスの気泡が洗浄液内に無数に存在する状態で、所定の圧力を保持したままポンプ吐出口から吐出するように設けてある。 The pump 12 is a vortex turbine type pump. The pump 12 sucks cleaning liquid and nitrogen gas from the pump suction side, mixes, stirs and pressurizes them, dissolves the nitrogen gas in the cleaning liquid, and forms microscopically small nitrogen. In a state where countless gas bubbles are present in the cleaning liquid, the gas is discharged from the pump discharge port while maintaining a predetermined pressure.

回収タンク１４、１４は、既設配管２を通って返ってきた洗浄液が回収缶１５、１５に流入する前に経由するタンクであり、ここで洗浄液内に含まれる窒素ガス分を分離して洗浄液の臭気の除去を図るものである。
詳しくは、回収タンク１４は、適宜な容量の蓋付きステンレス製タンクであり、図４（Ｂ）に示されように、その蓋１４ａには多数の通孔を列設させた網部１４ｂが設けられ、当該網部の上面に、粒状活性炭を固化してなるエアフィルター１４ｃを設置してある。そして、既設配管２から返ってきた洗浄液の通路管を蓋１４ａの液流入口１４ｄに固着し、そこから洗浄液をタンク内にシャワー状に噴出させれば、洗浄液に混入していた窒素ガスが洗浄液の分子とともに、また、洗浄液の蒸発分子が、前記網部１４ｂを通ってエアフィルター１４ｃ内に流入する。すると、エアフィルター１４ｃでは洗浄液の分子をフィルターで吸着し、窒素ガス成分はフィルターを通過して外気に拡散され、これにより洗浄液の臭気が装置外部に漏れ出ることを防止するようになっている。
このような粒状活性炭からなるエアフィルターは、図４（Ｂ）に示されるように、回収缶１５の蓋部にも設けてある。
なお、同図に示されるように、回収タンク１４内に貯まった洗浄液は、接続管１４ｅを通って回収缶１５へと送出される。 The recovery tanks 14 and 14 are tanks through which the cleaning liquid returned through the existing pipe 2 passes before flowing into the recovery cans 15 and 15. Here, the nitrogen gas contained in the cleaning liquid is separated to remove the cleaning liquid. It is intended to remove odors.
Specifically, the recovery tank 14 is a stainless steel tank with a lid having an appropriate capacity, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the lid 14a is provided with a mesh portion 14b in which a large number of through holes are arranged. The air filter 14c formed by solidifying granular activated carbon is installed on the upper surface of the mesh portion. Then, the passage pipe of the cleaning liquid returned from the existing pipe 2 is fixed to the liquid inlet 14d of the lid 14a, and from there, the cleaning liquid is sprayed into the tank in a shower shape, so that the nitrogen gas mixed in the cleaning liquid is removed from the cleaning liquid. In addition, the evaporation molecules of the cleaning liquid flow into the air filter 14c through the mesh part 14b. Then, in the air filter 14c, molecules of the cleaning liquid are adsorbed by the filter, and the nitrogen gas component passes through the filter and is diffused to the outside air, thereby preventing the odor of the cleaning liquid from leaking out of the apparatus.
Such an air filter made of granular activated carbon is also provided on the lid of the recovery can 15 as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the cleaning liquid stored in the recovery tank 14 is sent to the recovery can 15 through the connection pipe 14e.

洗浄装置１は、屋外の室外機が設置されていた場所まで運ばれ、その接続管１ａ、１ｂを、流路方向切替弁４を介して、既設配管２の室外機と接続していた連結管口２１ａ、２１ｂに接続して設置される。また、建物内の既設配管２の室内機と接続していた連結管口２２ａ、２２ｂには連絡配管３を接続し、洗浄の準備が完了する。 The cleaning apparatus 1 is transported to the place where the outdoor outdoor unit is installed, and the connecting pipes 1a and 1b are connected to the outdoor unit of the existing pipe 2 via the flow direction switching valve 4. It is connected to the ports 21a and 21b. Further, the connecting pipe 3 is connected to the connecting pipe ports 22a and 22b connected to the indoor unit of the existing pipe 2 in the building, and the preparation for cleaning is completed.

洗浄装置１の設置が完了したならば、ポンプ１２を作動して洗浄液を既設配管２内に、以下の工程の如く送出させて洗浄が行われる。 When the installation of the cleaning apparatus 1 is completed, the pump 12 is operated and the cleaning liquid is sent into the existing pipe 2 as shown in the following steps for cleaning.

洗浄液の送出は、ポンプ１２を作動させて、洗浄液タンク１１に貯留された洗浄液と窒素ガスボンベ１３内の窒素ガスをポンプ吸入口に導入し、ポンプ１２で加圧して洗浄液に窒素ガスを溶解し吐出して、既設配管２の連結管口２ａから配管内に流入させて行われる。 The cleaning liquid is delivered by operating the pump 12 to introduce the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank 11 and the nitrogen gas in the nitrogen gas cylinder 13 into the pump suction port, pressurizing the pump 12 to dissolve the nitrogen gas in the cleaning liquid, and discharging it. And it is made to flow in into piping from the connecting pipe port 2a of the existing piping 2.

既設配管２内に流入した洗浄液は、連結管口２１ａと連結管口２２ａの間の管路内を洗浄しながら流通し、連絡配管３で洗浄装置１側へ折り返されて、今度は連結管口２１ｂと連結管口２２ｂの間の管路内を洗浄しながら流通して連結管口２１ｂから排出され、回収タンク１４、回収缶１５内に回収される。 The cleaning liquid flowing into the existing pipe 2 flows while cleaning the inside of the pipe line between the connecting pipe port 21a and the connecting pipe port 22a, and is turned back to the cleaning device 1 side by the connecting pipe 3, and this time the connecting pipe port. The inside of the pipe line between 21b and the connecting pipe port 22b is washed while being discharged, discharged from the connecting pipe port 21b, and collected in the collecting tank 14 and the collecting can 15.

次いで、前記とは洗浄液の往復流路が逆となるように、流路方向切替弁で流路の切替操作を行って洗浄装置１の接続管１ａと既設配管２の連結管口２１ｂ、接続管１ｂと連結管口２１ａとをそれぞれ接続し、前記と同様に、ポンプ１２から吐出される洗浄液を既設配管２内に流入させて配管内を洗浄し、既設配管２から排出される洗浄液を回収タンク１４、回収缶１５で回収する。 Next, the flow direction switching valve is used to switch the flow path so that the reciprocal flow path of the cleaning liquid is opposite to that described above, so that the connection pipe 1a of the cleaning apparatus 1 and the connection pipe port 21b of the existing pipe 2 are connected. 1b and the connecting pipe port 21a are connected to each other, and in the same manner as described above, the cleaning liquid discharged from the pump 12 is caused to flow into the existing pipe 2 to clean the inside of the pipe, and the cleaning liquid discharged from the existing pipe 2 is collected in the recovery tank. 14. Collect with a collection can 15.

そして、既設配管２の往路と復路それぞれに洗浄液を流入させて管内を洗浄したならば、配管内に残存する異物を連絡配管３から抜き取り、その後、ボンベ１３の窒素ガスを連結管口２１ａから既設配管２内に吹き込み、加圧ブローによって管内に付着した洗浄液を吹き飛ばして連結管口２１ｂから流下せしめ、同時に連絡配管３から抜き取れなかった異物も吐出させる。このとき、既設配管２内に洗浄液が全く存在しないように時間をかけて、また断続的に弁の開閉操作を適宜行って、窒素ガスを加圧ブローする。 Then, if the cleaning liquid is allowed to flow into the forward path and the return path of the existing pipe 2 to clean the inside of the pipe, the foreign matter remaining in the pipe is extracted from the connecting pipe 3, and then the nitrogen gas in the cylinder 13 is installed from the connecting pipe port 21a. It blows into the pipe 2 and blows away the cleaning liquid adhering to the inside of the pipe by pressure blow to flow down from the connecting pipe port 21b. At the same time, foreign matter that cannot be removed from the connecting pipe 3 is also discharged. At this time, nitrogen gas is pressurized and blown by taking time so that no cleaning liquid is present in the existing pipe 2 and intermittently opening and closing the valve.

図５（Ａ）は、３階程度の低層建物の各階に設置された複数の室内機を屋上に設置した１台の室外機で作動させるように構成された旧冷媒機を新冷媒機に交換する場合の既設配管２を洗浄する概略回路構成図を示している。
また、同図（Ｂ）は、低層建物の各階に設置された複数の室内機を１階に設置した１台の室外機で作動させるように構成された旧冷媒機を新冷媒機に交換する場合の既設配管２を洗浄する概略回路構成図を示している。
両図示されるように、室外機に代えて洗浄装置１が設置され、各階の室内機に代えて流量調整弁付きの連絡配管Ａ〜Ｅが設置され、分岐ヘッダーの間にも流量調整弁付きの連絡配管Ｆ〜Ｈが設置され、それぞれ既設配管２の連結管口に接続される。各連絡配管に付された数字は調整弁の番号である。 Fig. 5 (A) shows the replacement of an old refrigerant machine configured to operate a plurality of indoor units installed on each floor of a low-rise building of about 3 floors with a single outdoor unit installed on the roof. The schematic circuit block diagram which wash | cleans the existing piping 2 in the case of doing is shown.
FIG. 2B also replaces an old refrigerant machine configured to operate a plurality of indoor units installed on each floor of a low-rise building with one outdoor unit installed on the first floor with a new refrigerant machine. The schematic circuit block diagram which wash | cleans the existing piping 2 in the case is shown.
As shown in both figures, the cleaning device 1 is installed in place of the outdoor unit, communication pipes A to E with a flow rate adjusting valve are installed in place of the indoor unit on each floor, and a flow rate adjusting valve is also provided between the branch headers. Are connected to the connection port of the existing pipe 2. The number attached to each communication pipe is the number of the regulating valve.

このような回路構成の既設配管２を前記図３に示した洗浄装置１で洗浄する場合、洗浄装置１のバルブＶｎと連絡配管Ａ〜Ｈの各調整弁は、室外機が屋上に設置された形態では、例えば図６（Ａ）欄の如く開閉動作が行われる。また、１階に設置された形態では、例えば同図（Ｂ）欄の如く開閉操作が行われる。なお、同図欄中の循環洗浄は、洗浄液を既設配管内に循環流入出させる操作をいう。これは既設配管２内の付着物が多く、汚れがなかなか落ちない場合に行われる。本発明では洗浄液として主として塩化メチルメチレンを用いており、既設配管２内を一方向に通すことで管内の汚れや異物は１００％に近い割合で除去できることから、旧冷媒から新冷媒の移行に伴う洗浄の際には循環洗浄は殆ど行われない。 When the existing piping 2 having such a circuit configuration is cleaned by the cleaning device 1 shown in FIG. 3, the outdoor unit is installed on the roof of the valve Vn of the cleaning device 1 and the adjustment valves of the communication piping A to H. In the embodiment, for example, the opening / closing operation is performed as shown in FIG. In the form installed on the first floor, for example, the opening / closing operation is performed as shown in FIG. In addition, the circulation cleaning in the figure column means the operation of circulating the cleaning liquid into and out of the existing piping. This is performed when there are many deposits in the existing pipe 2 and the dirt does not easily fall off. In the present invention, methylmethylene chloride is mainly used as the cleaning liquid, and dirt and foreign matter in the pipe can be removed at a rate close to 100% by passing through the existing pipe 2 in one direction. At the time of cleaning, circulating cleaning is hardly performed.

また、このような低層建物の既設配管を洗浄する場合の、管内の液抜きと異物の抜き取りは、室外機が屋上にある態様では、図７（Ａ）に示されるように、一階の既設配管２の連結管路に接続した連絡配管３のバルブＶ１４を開口して行われる。また、室外機が１階にある態様では、同図（Ｂ）に示されるように、最上階の既設配管の連結管路に接続した連絡配管３のバルブＶ１４でエアー抜きを行い、返ってくる洗浄液が洗浄装置１に流入する手前の配管にバルブＶ１９を設け、このバルブＶ１９を開閉操作して液抜きと異物の除去が行われる。 In addition, when washing the existing pipes of such low-rise buildings, the drainage of the pipes and the removal of foreign matter are performed on the first floor as shown in FIG. 7 (A) when the outdoor unit is on the rooftop. This is performed by opening the valve V14 of the connecting pipe 3 connected to the connecting pipe line of the pipe 2. Moreover, in the aspect in which the outdoor unit is on the first floor, as shown in FIG. 5B, the air is vented by the valve V14 of the connecting pipe 3 connected to the connecting pipe of the existing pipe on the uppermost floor, and then returns. A valve V19 is provided in the pipe before the cleaning liquid flows into the cleaning device 1, and the valve V19 is opened and closed to remove the liquid and remove foreign matter.

なお、室外機が屋上にある態様では、洗浄装置１をわざわざ屋上に運び込まなくとも、図７（Ａ）中に破線で示すように、地上に設置した洗浄装置１から延長管４を室外機設置場所まで配し、この延長管５を介して洗浄液を既設配管に入出させるようにしてもよい。なお、本発明は、洗浄液を流出させるポンプ１２の出力に応じて、７階程度の中層建物やそれ以上の高層建物の既設配管２の洗浄にも利用可能である。 In the mode in which the outdoor unit is on the roof, the extension pipe 4 is installed on the outdoor unit from the cleaning unit 1 installed on the ground as shown by the broken line in FIG. 7A even if the cleaning unit 1 is not carried on the roof. It may be arranged up to a place, and the cleaning liquid may be made to enter and exit the existing pipe through the extension pipe 5. In addition, this invention can be utilized also for the washing | cleaning of the existing piping 2 of a middle-rise building of about 7 floors or a higher-rise building beyond it according to the output of the pump 12 which flows out a washing | cleaning liquid.

なお、溶接配管工事においては、僅かな窒素ガスのブロー雰囲気内、アルコール等酸化防止剤の吹付け、比較的短いエルボ等の場合は溶接後直ぐに水に浸して冷却し酸化物を除去するが、このときに管内に水分が残り、真空乾燥、エアブロー、窒素ガスブローによるフラッシングが不十分であると、どうしても水蒸気として管内に残り、管が冷却されたときに結露となって、管内に水分液として残存することになる。この水分が冷凍サイクル内部の、細部の氷結、オイルの加水分解等を誘発し、障害を起こす原因となる。本発明の洗浄方法及び装置は、このような水分の除去、新設配管時の管内酸化被膜やゴミ、水分等を除去するための方法及び装置としても有効なものである。 In welding piping work, in a slight nitrogen gas blowing atmosphere, spraying of antioxidants such as alcohol, in the case of relatively short elbows etc., it is immersed in water immediately after welding and cooled to remove oxides, At this time, moisture remains in the tube, and if flushing by vacuum drying, air blowing, or nitrogen gas blowing is insufficient, it always remains in the tube as water vapor, and condensation occurs when the tube is cooled, and it remains as moisture in the tube. Will do. This moisture causes detailed icing and oil hydrolysis inside the refrigeration cycle, causing damage. The cleaning method and apparatus of the present invention are also effective as a method and apparatus for removing such moisture and removing the oxide film, dust, moisture, etc. in the pipe at the time of newly installed piping.

旧冷媒機を新冷媒機に交換するとともに、本発明により既設配管を洗浄するときの作業手順の概要を表した図である。It is a figure showing the outline | summary of the work procedure when replacing | exchanging an old refrigerant machine with a new refrigerant machine and wash | cleaning existing piping by this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の洗浄装置の概略外観図である。It is a schematic external view of the washing | cleaning apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 図２の装置の概略回路構成図である。It is a schematic circuit block diagram of the apparatus of FIG. （Ａ）は洗浄液タンク、（Ｂ）は回収タンクの構成を示した断面図である。(A) is a washing | cleaning liquid tank, (B) is sectional drawing which showed the structure of the collection | recovery tank. （Ａ）、（Ｂ）はそれぞれ低層建物に設置された態様の既設配管を洗浄する場合の概略回路構成図である。(A), (B) is a schematic circuit block diagram in the case of wash | cleaning the existing piping of the aspect installed in the low-rise building, respectively. 図５の既設配管を洗浄するときのバルブの開閉手順の一例を示した図である。It is the figure which showed an example of the opening / closing procedure of the valve | bulb when wash | cleaning the existing piping of FIG. （Ａ）、（Ｂ）はそれぞれ低層建物に設置された態様の既設配管を洗浄する場合に液抜きを行うときの回路構成を示した図である。(A), (B) is the figure which showed the circuit structure when draining liquid, respectively, when wash | cleaning the existing piping of the aspect installed in the low-rise building, respectively.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１洗浄装置、２既設配管、３連絡配管、４流路方向切替弁、５延長管 1 cleaning device, 2 existing piping, 3 connection piping, 4 flow direction switching valve, 5 extension tube

Claims

空冷セパレート型の空調機で、旧冷媒機を新冷媒機に入れ替えるため、冷媒回収後に既設の冷媒配管を洗浄する方法において、
洗浄液に窒素ガスを混合溶解して配管に流入する手段を有する洗浄装置を旧室外機に代えて既設配管に接続する工程と、
旧室内機に代えて既設配管に連絡配管を接続する工程と、
洗浄装置から既設配管に洗浄液を加圧し一方向に流入させて管内を順次清浄化洗浄する工程と、
洗浄装置から既設配管に前記とは逆方向に洗浄液を加圧し流入させて管内を順次清浄化洗浄する工程と、
既設配管内に残存した異物を抜き取る工程と、
既設配管に窒素ガスボンベから窒素ガスを加圧流入させて、加圧ブローにより洗浄液を抜き取り回収し、同時に管内の異物を排出させる工程と、
を備えたことを特徴とする冷媒配管の洗浄方法。 In an air-cooled separate type air conditioner, in order to replace the old refrigerant machine with the new refrigerant machine, in the method of cleaning the existing refrigerant piping after collecting the refrigerant,
A step of connecting a cleaning device having a means for mixing and dissolving nitrogen gas into the cleaning liquid and flowing into the piping instead of the old outdoor unit to the existing piping;
Connecting the connection pipe to the existing pipe instead of the old indoor unit;
A process of pressurizing the cleaning liquid from the cleaning device to the existing piping and flowing it in one direction to sequentially clean and clean the inside of the pipe;
A step of pressurizing and injecting the cleaning liquid in the opposite direction from the cleaning device to the existing piping to sequentially clean and wash the inside of the pipe;
A process of removing foreign matter remaining in the existing piping;
A process of injecting nitrogen gas into an existing pipe from a nitrogen gas cylinder under pressure, extracting and recovering the cleaning liquid by pressure blow, and simultaneously discharging foreign matter in the pipe;
A method for cleaning refrigerant piping, comprising:

洗浄液として塩化メチレンなどの沸点の低い洗浄液を用いたことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の冷媒配管の洗浄方法。 The method for cleaning a refrigerant pipe according to claim 1, wherein a cleaning liquid having a low boiling point such as methylene chloride is used as the cleaning liquid.

空冷セパレート型の空調機で旧冷媒機を新冷媒機に入れ替えるため、冷媒を回収した後に既設の冷媒配管を洗浄する装置であって、
洗浄液に窒素ガスを混合溶解して既設配管に吐出する手段を備え、
旧室内機との接続部が連絡配管で閉鎖された既設配管に前記吐出手段から既設配管に窒素ガスを混合溶解させた洗浄液を一方向に送出して、管内を順次清浄化洗浄するとともに、
既設配管の最も低い位置の連絡配管接続部において既設配管内に残存した異物を抜き取るように構成された冷媒配管の洗浄装置。

In order to replace an old refrigerant machine with a new refrigerant machine with an air-cooled separate type air conditioner, an apparatus for cleaning existing refrigerant pipes after collecting the refrigerant,
Equipped with a means for mixing and dissolving nitrogen gas in the cleaning liquid and discharging it into the existing piping,
While sending the cleaning solution in which nitrogen gas is mixed and dissolved in the existing pipe from the discharge means in one direction to the existing pipe whose connection with the old indoor unit is closed by the communication pipe, the inside of the pipe is sequentially cleaned and washed,
A refrigerant pipe cleaning device configured to extract foreign matter remaining in an existing pipe at a connection pipe connecting portion at the lowest position of the existing pipe.