Patent Description:
Patent Literature <NUM> (<CIT>) discloses an installation method for a refrigerant cycle apparatus. In this installation method, first, a refrigerant having non-flammability and a high global warming potential (GWP) is removed from a refrigerant cycle apparatus having been already installed. Next, a refrigerant having flammability and a low GWP is put into the refrigerant cycle apparatus.

<CIT> discloses an installation method for a refrigerant cycle apparatus including a first heat source unit, a utilization unit, and a connection pipe, the installation method comprising: a first refrigerant recovery step of recovering a first refrigerant having a first GWP and at least one of flammability or toxicity from the first heat source unit; and a second refrigerant accommodation step of accommodating, in the first heat source unit, a second refrigerant recovered from the refrigerant cycle apparatus and having a second GWP and at least one of non-flammability or non-toxicity.

Non-flammable refrigerants currently on the market are being replaced by refrigerants having a small GWP but having flammability or toxicity (hereinafter, referred to as a "flammable refrigerant or the like") for the purpose of suppressing global warming. It is therefore expected that a refrigerant cycle apparatus using a flammable refrigerant or the like will become dominant among refrigerant cycle apparatuses manufactured in factories in the future. On the other hand, in some buildings, the use of a flammable refrigerant or the like may be deemed undesirable from the viewpoint of safety. In this way, there is still a need for both a non-flammable refrigerant and a flammable refrigerant or the like in the market.

In order to respond to all refrigerant needs, it is conceivable to adopt the following installation procedure. First, a refrigerant circuit of a refrigerant cycle apparatus to be shipped from a factory is evacuated or filled with air. Next, the refrigerant cycle apparatus is transported to an installation site. Finally, the installed refrigerant cycle apparatus is filled with a desired refrigerant.

However, the refrigerant cycle apparatus not accommodating a refrigerant could be damaged by transportation.

A method according to a first aspect is defined in appended claim <NUM>. The method includes installing a refrigerant cycle apparatus. The refrigerant cycle apparatus includes a first heat source unit, a utilization unit, and a connection pipe. The method includes a first refrigerant recovery step and a second refrigerant accommodation step. In the first refrigerant recovery step, a first refrigerant is recovered from the first heat source unit. The first refrigerant has a first GWP and at least one of flammability or toxicity. In the second refrigerant accommodation step, a second refrigerant is accommodated in the first heat source unit. The second refrigerant is recovered and regenerated from an existing facility, has a second GWP, and has at least one of non-flammability or non-toxicity.

In this method, the second refrigerant can be used in the refrigerant cycle apparatus configured using a new first heat source unit. Therefore, the refrigerant cycle apparatus of a new model can be installed in an environment that does not permit use of the first refrigerant having flammability or toxicity.

According to the invention, the existing facility is an existing refrigerant cycle apparatus. The existing refrigerant cycle apparatus includes a second heat source unit, the utilization unit, and the connection pipe. The method further includes a second refrigerant recovery and regeneration step, a disconnection step, and a connection step. In the second refrigerant recovery and regeneration step, the second refrigerant is recovered from the existing facility, and the second refrigerant is regenerated. In the disconnection step, the second heat source unit is disconnected from the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus. In the connection step, the first heat source unit is connected to the connection pipe to configure the refrigerant cycle apparatus.

In this method, the refrigerant cycle apparatus of a new model can be configured using a part of the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus. Therefore, costs of the refrigerant cycle apparatus can be reduced.

A method according to a second aspect is the method according to the first aspect, further comprising a transportation step of transporting, before the first refrigerant is recovered from the first heat source unit, the first heat source unit to a building in which the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus is installed.

A method according to a third aspect is the method according to the first or second aspect, in which in the second refrigerant recovery and regeneration step, the second refrigerant is accommodated in at least the refrigerant storage container.

In this method, the second refrigerant is accommodated in the refrigerant storage container. It is therefore easy to know an amount of the recovered second refrigerant by the number of refrigerant storage containers used.

A method according to a fourth aspect is the method according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which in the second refrigerant recovery and regeneration step, the second refrigerant is accommodated in at least the first heat source unit.

In this method, the first heat source unit is used as a storage container for the second refrigerant. Therefore, since the number of refrigerant storage containers required for installing the refrigerant cycle apparatus can be reduced, an installation cost can be reduced.

A method according to a fifth aspect is the method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which in the second refrigerant recovery and regeneration step, at least one of second lubricating oil or water included in the second refrigerant is removed from the second refrigerant.

In this method, the second lubricating oil or water is removed from the second refrigerant. Therefore, the recovered second refrigerant can be reused in an apparatus that does not permit mixing of the second lubricating oil or water.

A method according to a sixth aspect is the method according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which in the first refrigerant recovery step, first lubricating oil accommodated in the first heat source unit is left in the first heat source unit.

In this method, the first lubricating oil is left in the first heat source unit. Therefore, when the second refrigerant permits the use of the first lubricating oil, the installation cost can be reduced.

A method according to a seventh aspect is the method according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which the first heat source unit includes a gas refrigerant port and a liquid refrigerant port. In the first refrigerant recovery step, the first refrigerant is recovered from the first heat source unit through the gas refrigerant port.

In this method, the first refrigerant is recovered in a gas state from the first heat source unit. It is therefore possible to suppress a situation in which the lubricating oil accommodated in the first heat source unit is taken out from the first heat source unit together with the first refrigerant.

A method according to an eighth aspect is the method according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, and further includes a first refrigerant regeneration step. In the first refrigerant regeneration step, the first refrigerant recovered in the first refrigerant recovery step is regenerated.

In this method, the first refrigerant recovered from the first heat source unit is regenerated. Therefore, the first refrigerant can be reused.

A method according to a ninth aspect is the method according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, and further includes a second refrigerant display step, in which a display indicating that the second refrigerant is used is attached to at least the first heat source unit.

This method enables a maintenance worker of the refrigerant cycle apparatus to easily understand that the second refrigerant is used in the refrigerant cycle apparatus. It is therefore possible to suppress a situation in which the refrigerant cycle apparatus is used in an incorrect manner.

A method according to a tenth aspect is the method according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, in which the second refrigerant is a mixed refrigerant including a component identical to a component of the first refrigerant.

In this method, the second refrigerant includes the component identical to the component of the first refrigerant. Thus, the first refrigerant recovered in the first refrigerant recovery step can be reused in the refrigerant cycle apparatus.

A method according to an eleventh aspect is the method according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, in which the second GWP is larger than the first GWP.

In this method, a global usage of the second refrigerant having a large second GWP can be reduced by recovering and regenerating the second refrigerant from existing facilities. Therefore, global warming can be suppressed.

In the present disclosure, two types of refrigerants, a first refrigerant R1 and a second refrigerant R2, are used.

The first refrigerant R1 has a first GWP and at least one of flammability or toxicity. As used herein, the term "flammability" includes Class A2L ("low flammability"), Class A2 ("flammability"), and Class A3 ("high flammability") in the safety classification designated in ISO <NUM>. Furthermore, as used herein, "toxicity" includes Class B2L, Class B2, and Class B3 in the safety classification designated in ISO <NUM>.

The second refrigerant R2 has a second GWP and at least one of non-flammability or non-toxicity. The second GWP is larger than the first GWP. The second refrigerant R2 may be, for example, a mixed refrigerant including a component identical to a component of the first refrigerant R1.

The first refrigerant R1 is, for example, R32. The second refrigerant R2 is, for example, R410A.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of a refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> installed by an installation method of the present disclosure. The refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> provides cold or heat to a user by circulating the second refrigerant R2. The refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> may be configured as any product including, for example, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a freezer, a water heater, or a floor heater. In the present disclosure, the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> will be described as an air conditioner.

The refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> includes a utilization unit <NUM>, a connection piping <NUM>, a first heat source unit <NUM>, and a remote controller <NUM>.

The refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> includes one or a plurality of utilization units <NUM>. The utilization unit <NUM> is installed in a room used by the user. One utilization unit <NUM> includes a utilization expansion valve <NUM>, a utilization heat exchanger <NUM>, and a utilization fan <NUM>.

The utilization expansion valve <NUM> controls a flow rate of the second refrigerant R2. The utilization expansion valve <NUM> functions as a decompressor for the second refrigerant R2, and thus, for example, can change the second refrigerant R2 in a liquid state into the second refrigerant R2 in a gas-liquid two-phase state.

The utilization heat exchanger <NUM> exchanges heat between the second refrigerant R2 and air. When the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> performs a cooling operation, the utilization heat exchanger <NUM> functions as an evaporator or a heat absorber for the second refrigerant R2. When the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> performs a heating operation, the utilization heat exchanger <NUM> functions as a condenser or a heat radiator for the second refrigerant R2.

The utilization fan <NUM> generates an air flow passing through the utilization heat exchanger <NUM> to promote heat exchange at the utilization heat exchanger <NUM>.

The connection piping <NUM> connects the utilization unit <NUM> and the first heat source unit <NUM>. The connection piping <NUM> includes a liquid refrigerant pipe <NUM> and a gas refrigerant pipe <NUM>. The liquid refrigerant pipe <NUM> principally guides, for example, the second refrigerant R2 in a liquid state or in a gas-liquid two-phase state. The gas refrigerant pipe <NUM> principally guides, for example, the second refrigerant R2 in a gas state.

The first heat source unit <NUM> is installed outside the room used by the user, typically outdoors. The first heat source unit <NUM> includes a compressor <NUM>, a four-way switching valve <NUM>, a heat source heat exchanger <NUM>, a heat source fan <NUM>, a heat source expansion valve <NUM>, a liquid refrigerant port <NUM>, a gas refrigerant port <NUM>, and first lubricating oil L1.

The compressor <NUM> sucks the second refrigerant R2 in a low-pressure gas state and discharges the second refrigerant R2 in a high-pressure gas state.

The four-way switching valve <NUM> changes connection of pipes. During cooling operation, the four-way switching valve <NUM> achieves connection depicted by solid lines in <FIG>. During heating operation, the four-way switching valve <NUM> achieves connection depicted by broken lines in <FIG>.

The heat source heat exchanger <NUM> exchanges heat between the second refrigerant R2 and air. When the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> performs a cooling operation, the heat source heat exchanger <NUM> functions as a condenser or a heat radiator for the second refrigerant R2. When the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> performs the heating operation, the heat source heat exchanger <NUM> functions as an evaporator or a heat absorber for the second refrigerant R2.

The heat source fan <NUM> generates an air flow passing through the heat source heat exchanger <NUM> to promote heat exchange at the heat source heat exchanger <NUM>.

The heat source expansion valve <NUM> controls a flow rate of the second refrigerant R2. The heat source expansion valve <NUM> functions as a decompressor for the second refrigerant R2, and thus, for example, can change the second refrigerant R2 in a liquid state into the second refrigerant R2 in a gas-liquid two-phase state.

The refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> may include only one of the utilization expansion valve <NUM> or the heat source expansion valve <NUM>.

The liquid refrigerant port <NUM> is an openable and closable valve. The liquid refrigerant port <NUM> is connected to the liquid refrigerant pipe <NUM>. The liquid refrigerant port <NUM> is opened when the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is used. The liquid refrigerant port <NUM> is closed when the first heat source unit <NUM> is installed, for example.

The gas refrigerant port <NUM> is an openable and closable valve. The gas refrigerant port <NUM> is connected to the gas refrigerant pipe <NUM>. The gas refrigerant port <NUM> is opened when the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is used. The gas refrigerant port <NUM> is closed when the first heat source unit <NUM> is installed, for example.

The first heat source unit <NUM> accommodates the first lubricating oil L1 for lubricating a sliding portion of the compressor <NUM>.

The remote controller <NUM> is provided so as to correspond to each utilization unit <NUM>. The remote controller <NUM> enables the user to provide an instruction to the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM>. The remote controller <NUM> can communicate with the utilization unit <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> that has been operated before the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is installed. The existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is an existing facility.

The existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> includes the utilization unit <NUM>, the connection piping <NUM>, and a second heat source unit <NUM>. The existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> uses the second refrigerant R2.

The utilization unit <NUM> of the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is the same as the utilization unit <NUM> included in the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM>.

The connection piping <NUM> of the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is the same as the connection piping <NUM> included in the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM>.

The second heat source unit <NUM> of the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is different from the first heat source unit <NUM> included in the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM>. The second heat source unit <NUM> includes a compressor <NUM>, the four-way switching valve <NUM>, a heat source heat exchanger <NUM>, a heat source fan <NUM>, a heat source expansion valve <NUM>, a liquid refrigerant port <NUM>, and a gas refrigerant port <NUM>. These constituent parts have functions similar to functions of constituent parts of the first heat source unit <NUM>. The second heat source unit <NUM> is assumed to be a product of an older model than the first heat source unit <NUM>.

The second heat source unit <NUM> accommodates second lubricating oil L2 for lubricating a sliding portion of the compressor <NUM>.

The existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is installed by the following method.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second heat source unit <NUM> waiting for shipment in a factory F already accommodates a predetermined amount of the second refrigerant R2. This is because, if a refrigerant circuit of the second heat source unit <NUM> is evacuated or filled with air, the second heat source unit <NUM> could be damaged by transportation.

In the factory F, a refrigerant storage container <NUM> that accommodates the second refrigerant R2 for additional filling is prepared. In the present description, it is assumed that the number of refrigerant storage containers <NUM> is one. Alternatively, the number of refrigerant storage containers <NUM> may be two or more.

One or a plurality of utilization units <NUM> and the connection piping <NUM> are installed in a building B.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second heat source unit <NUM> and the refrigerant storage container <NUM> are transported to the building B. The connection piping <NUM> is connected to the liquid refrigerant port <NUM> and the gas refrigerant port <NUM> of the second heat source unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is configured.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second heat source unit <NUM> is additionally filled with the second refrigerant R2 accommodated in the refrigerant storage container <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> receives the second refrigerant R2 in an amount required by the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> as a whole. Accordingly, the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> can be used.

An installation method according to a first embodiment will be described. In this installation method, the second heat source unit <NUM> included in the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is replaced with the first heat source unit <NUM> to be newly shipped. Specifically, the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is installed by the following method.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> using the second refrigerant R2 is installed in the building B. The first heat source unit <NUM> accommodates a predetermined amount of the first refrigerant R1 waiting for shipment in the factory F.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first heat source unit <NUM> is transported to the building B. A first refrigerant storage container <NUM>, a second refrigerant storage container <NUM>, and a third refrigerant storage container <NUM> that are empty are prepared near the building B. In the present description, it is assumed that the number of the first refrigerant storage containers <NUM>, the number of the second refrigerant storage containers <NUM>, and the number of the third refrigerant storage containers <NUM> are all one. Alternatively, the numbers may be two or more.

Next, the first refrigerant R1 is recovered from the first heat source unit <NUM>. At this time, the first refrigerant R1 in a gas state may be recovered from the first heat source unit <NUM> through the gas refrigerant port <NUM>. During the recovery of the first refrigerant R1, the first lubricating oil L1 accommodated in the first heat source unit <NUM> may be left in the first heat source unit <NUM>. By recovering the first refrigerant R1 in a gas state, the first lubricating oil L1 in a liquid state can remain in the first heat source unit <NUM>.

The recovered first refrigerant R1 is regenerated by a refrigerant regenerator <NUM>. In this regeneration processing, the refrigerant regenerator <NUM> may remove water included in the first refrigerant R1 from the first refrigerant R1.

The regenerated first refrigerant R1 is transferred from the refrigerant regenerator <NUM> to the first refrigerant storage container <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first refrigerant storage container <NUM> finishes accommodating the first refrigerant R1. In the first heat source unit <NUM>, almost no first refrigerant R1 is present.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second refrigerant R2 is recovered from the second heat source unit <NUM> of the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM>. At this time, the second refrigerant R2 is regenerated by the refrigerant regenerator <NUM>. In this regeneration processing, the refrigerant regenerator <NUM> removes at least one of the second lubricating oil L2 or water included in the second refrigerant R2 from the second refrigerant R2. Preferably, the refrigerant regenerator <NUM> removes the second lubricating oil L2 from the second refrigerant R2. The refrigerant regenerator <NUM> may remove both the second lubricating oil L2 and water from the second refrigerant R2.

The regenerated second refrigerant R2 is transferred from the refrigerant regenerator <NUM> to the second refrigerant storage container <NUM> and the third refrigerant storage container <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second refrigerant storage container <NUM> and the third refrigerant storage container <NUM> finish accommodating the second refrigerant R2. In the second heat source unit <NUM>, almost no second refrigerant R2 is present.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second heat source unit <NUM> is disconnected from the connection piping <NUM> of the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM>. This disconnection may be performed by closing the liquid refrigerant port <NUM> and the gas refrigerant port <NUM> configured by openable and closable valves, which does not necessarily involve removal of the second heat source unit <NUM>.

Next, the first heat source unit <NUM> is connected to the connection piping <NUM>. Accordingly, the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is configured.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the regenerated second refrigerant R2 accommodated in the second refrigerant storage container <NUM> and the third refrigerant storage container <NUM> is accommodated in the first heat source unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> receives the second refrigerant R2 in an amount required by the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> as a whole. Accordingly, the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> can be used.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a display S indicating that the second refrigerant R2 is used is attached to at least a part of the utilization unit <NUM>, the connection piping <NUM>, and the first heat source unit <NUM>. The remote controller <NUM> may include a display unit <NUM> that electrically displays that the second refrigerant R2 is used.

The display unit <NUM> may display not only the name of the second refrigerant R2 but also at least part of the properties (for example, flammability or non-flammability, toxicity or non-toxicity, specific gravity, or the like) of the second refrigerant R2, the fact that the second refrigerant R2 accommodated in the refrigerant cycle unit <NUM> has been once recovered from any refrigerant circuit, and the fact that the second refrigerant R2 accommodated in the refrigerant cycle unit <NUM> has been regenerated. The display unit <NUM> may display the above information not only as characters but also in a form such as a bar code or a QR code (registered trademark).

An optimum operation of the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> (for example, an opening degree of the expansion valve and a number of rotations of the compressor) varies depending on a type of refrigerant used. Thus, a control unit of the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> needs to know the type of refrigerant to be used.

The refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> may include a refrigerant setting switch for the purpose of notifying the control unit of the type of refrigerant. In this case, an installation operator can manually switch the refrigerant setting switch to notify the control unit of the type of refrigerant. The control unit can change the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus <NUM> in accordance with the type of refrigerant designated by the refrigerant setting switch.

Alternatively, the control unit of the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> may automatically recognize the type of refrigerant. For example, the control unit can recognize the type of refrigerant used by knowing a balance point of a refrigerant cycle.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
In the installation method according to the present embodiment, the second refrigerant R2 can be used in the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> configured using a new first heat source unit <NUM>. Therefore, the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> of a new model can be installed in an environment that does not permit use of the first refrigerant R1 having flammability or toxicity.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
In the installation method according to the present embodiment, the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> of a new model can be configured using a part of the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM>. Therefore, costs of the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> can be reduced.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
In the installation method according to the present embodiment, the second refrigerant R2 is accommodated in the second refrigerant storage container <NUM> and the third refrigerant storage container <NUM>. It is therefore easy to know the amount of the recovered second refrigerant R2 by the number of refrigerant storage containers used.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
In the installation method according to the present embodiment, at least one of the second lubricating oil L2 or water is removed from the second refrigerant R2. Therefore, the recovered second refrigerant R2 can be reused in an apparatus that does not permit mixing of the second lubricating oil L2 or water.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
In the installation method according to the present embodiment, the first lubricating oil L1 may be left in the first heat source unit <NUM>. Therefore, when the second refrigerant R2 permits the use of the first lubricating oil L1, an installation cost can be reduced.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
In the installation method according to the present embodiment, the first refrigerant R1 may be recovered in a gas state from the first heat source unit <NUM>. It is therefore possible to suppress a situation in which the first lubricating oil L1 accommodated in the first heat source unit <NUM> is taken out from the first heat source unit <NUM> together with the first refrigerant R1.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
In the installation method according to the present embodiment, the first refrigerant R1 recovered from the first heat source unit <NUM> is regenerated. Therefore, the first refrigerant R1 can be reused.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
The installation method according to the present embodiment enables a maintenance worker of the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> to easily understand that the second refrigerant R2 is used in the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> by viewing the display S or the display unit <NUM>. It is therefore possible to suppress a situation in which the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is used in an incorrect manner.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
In the installation method according to the present embodiment, the second refrigerant R2 may include a component identical to the component of the first refrigerant R1. Thus, the first refrigerant R1 recovered in the step of recovering the first refrigerant R1 can be reused in the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM>.

For example, a case where the first refrigerant R1 is R32 and the second refrigerant R2 is R410A is considered. R410 is a mixture of R32 and R125. Thus, the first refrigerant R1 (or R32) recovered and regenerated from the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> can be used as a raw material of the regenerated second refrigerant R2 (or R410A) used in the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM>.

By regenerating the recovered first refrigerant R1 in this manner, the regenerated first refrigerant R1 can be used in a different apparatus.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
In the installation method according to the present embodiment, by regenerating the second refrigerant R2 recovered from the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM>, a production amount of the second refrigerant R2 having a large second GWP can be reduced as compared with a case where the installation method according to the present embodiment is not used. Therefore, global warming can be suppressed.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
The refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment uses the second refrigerant R2. Therefore, the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> using the first heat source unit <NUM> of a new model can be used in an environment that does not permit use of the first refrigerant R1.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
The maintenance worker of the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> can easily obtain information on the refrigerant used in the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment by viewing the display S or the display unit <NUM>. It is therefore possible to suppress a situation in which the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is used in an incorrect manner.

An installation method according to a second embodiment will be described. This installation method is different from the installation method according to the first embodiment in that the first heat source unit <NUM> is used as a refrigerant storage container for accommodating the second refrigerant R2.

In the installation method according to the second embodiment, the second heat source unit <NUM> included in the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is replaced with the first heat source unit <NUM> to be newly shipped, as in the first embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first heat source unit <NUM> is transported to the building B. The first refrigerant storage container <NUM> and the second refrigerant storage container <NUM> that are empty are prepared near the building B. In the present description, it is assumed that the number of the first refrigerant storage containers <NUM> and the number of the second refrigerant storage containers <NUM> are both one. Alternatively, the numbers may be two or more.

The regenerated second refrigerant R2 is transferred from the refrigerant regenerator <NUM> to the first heat source unit <NUM> and the second refrigerant storage container <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first heat source unit <NUM> and the second refrigerant storage container <NUM> finish accommodating the second refrigerant R2. In the second heat source unit <NUM>, almost no second refrigerant R2 is present.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second heat source unit <NUM> is disconnected from the connection piping <NUM> of the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM>. Next, the first heat source unit <NUM> is connected to the connection piping <NUM>. Accordingly, the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is configured.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the regenerated second refrigerant R2 included in the second refrigerant storage container <NUM> is additionally accommodated in the first heat source unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the display S indicating that the second refrigerant R2 is used is attached to at least a part of the utilization unit <NUM>, the connection piping <NUM>, or the first heat source unit <NUM>. The remote controller <NUM> may include a display unit <NUM> that electrically displays that the second refrigerant R2 is used. The content and form of the information displayed on the display unit <NUM> are similar to those in the first embodiment.

The setting of the type of refrigerant in the second embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment.

In the installation method according to the present embodiment, the first heat source unit <NUM> is used as a storage container for the second refrigerant R2. Therefore, since the number of refrigerant storage containers required for installing the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> can be reduced, the installation cost can be reduced.

An installation method according to a third embodiment will be described. In this installation method, unlike the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the second refrigerant R2 recovered from a separate-system refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> that does not share constituent parts with the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is used in the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM>. The separate-system refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> of a different system is an existing facility. The refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is installed by the following method.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the separate-system refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> using the second refrigerant R2 is installed in a building C. The separate-system refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> includes a utilization unit <NUM>, a connection pipe <NUM>, and a third heat source unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first refrigerant storage container <NUM> and the second refrigerant storage container <NUM> that are empty are prepared near the building C. In the present description, it is assumed that the number of the first refrigerant storage containers <NUM> and the number of the second refrigerant storage containers <NUM> are both one. Alternatively, the numbers may be two or more.

Next, the second refrigerant R2 is recovered from the third heat source unit <NUM>. The recovered second refrigerant R2 is regenerated by the refrigerant regenerator <NUM>. The regenerated second refrigerant R2 is transferred from the refrigerant regenerator <NUM> to the first refrigerant storage container <NUM> and the second refrigerant storage container <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first refrigerant storage container <NUM> and the second refrigerant storage container <NUM> finish accommodating the second refrigerant R2.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first refrigerant storage container <NUM> and the second refrigerant storage container <NUM> are transported to near the building B. The third refrigerant storage container <NUM> and the fourth refrigerant storage container <NUM> that are empty are prepared near the building B. In the present description, it is assumed that the number of the third refrigerant storage containers <NUM> and the number of the fourth refrigerant storage containers <NUM> are both one. Alternatively, the numbers may be two or more.

In the building B, the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is installed using a new first heat source unit <NUM>. The refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> is filled with the first refrigerant R1.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first refrigerant R1 is recovered from the first heat source unit <NUM> of the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM>. During the recovery of the first refrigerant R1, the first lubricating oil L1 accommodated in the first heat source unit <NUM> may be left in the first heat source unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the regenerated first refrigerant R1 is transferred from the refrigerant regenerator <NUM> to the third refrigerant storage container <NUM> and the fourth refrigerant storage container <NUM>. In the first heat source unit <NUM>, almost no first refrigerant R1 is present.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the regenerated second refrigerant R2 accommodated in the first refrigerant storage container <NUM> and the second refrigerant storage container <NUM> is accommodated in the first heat source unit <NUM>.

The setting of the type of refrigerant in the third embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment.

In the installation method according to the present embodiment, the refrigerant cycle apparatus <NUM> that is new as a whole can be installed using the first heat source unit <NUM> of a new mode.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
An installation method for a refrigerant cycle apparatus (<NUM>) including a first heat source unit (<NUM>), a utilization unit (<NUM>), and a connection pipe (<NUM>), the installation method comprising:
a first refrigerant recovery step (S102, S202) of recovering a first refrigerant (R1) having a first GWP and at least one of flammability or toxicity from the first heat source unit;
a second refrigerant recovery and regeneration step (S104, S204) of recovering a second refrigerant from an existing refrigerant cycle apparatus, and regenerating the second refrigerant,
the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus (<NUM>) including a second heat source unit (<NUM>), the utilization unit, and the connection pipe, and using the second refrigerant (R2),
the second refrigerant having a second GWP and at least one of non-flammability or non-toxicity;
a disconnection step (S106, S206) of disconnecting the second heat source unit from the connection pipe of the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus;
a connection step (S106, S206) of connecting the first heat source unit, from which the first refrigerant has been recovered, to the connection pipe to configure the refrigerant cycle apparatus; and
a second refrigerant accommodation step (S107, S204, S207) of accommodating, in the first heat source unit, the second refrigerant (R2) recovered and regenerated from the existing refrigerant cycle apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>).