Reduction of oil entrapment in heat exchanger tubing
US6810999B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 7, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/1397
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A thin coating of a solution containing a low surface energy material is applied on the inner surface of tubing of a condenser or an evaporator of an air conditioning system. The solution is run through the tubing of the heat exchanger and drained. After drying, a monomolecular layer of the low surface energy material in solution remains on the inner surface of the tubing. A polymer with a lower surface energy and chemical and thermal resistance is employed, such as silane, fluorocarbons, polyetheretherketon (PEEK) and polysulfone. The thin coating of the lower surface energy material in solution prevents lubricating oil from the compressor which mixes with the refrigerant from wetting over the inner surface of the tubing, encouraging the formation of oil droplets. By preventing the build up of lubricating oil, heat transfer is improved.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.