Duke Energy Corporation
CHILLER REFRIGERATION CIRCUIT RECHARGING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract:

A portable apparatus for recharging liquid refrigerant, such as a glycol/water mixture, in a refrigeration circuit of a chiller system includes a frame, a reservoir containing the liquid refrigerant mounted to the frame, and a recharging circuit mounted to the frame. The recharging circuit is fluidly coupled to the reservoir and is configured to receive the liquid refrigerant from the reservoir. The recharging circuit comprises a filter configured to remove particulate matter from the liquid refrigerant, an air bubble separator configured to remove air bubbles from the liquid refrigerant, a pump, a flow regulating valve, and at least one outlet port configured to be fluidly coupled to the refrigeration circuit via a hose. The pump is configured to pump the liquid refrigerant from the reservoir through the filter and the air bubble separator, and into the refrigeration circuit via the hose.