Integrated system and method for producing regenerated, stabilized and traceable refrigerant compositions

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated system and method for regenerating fluoroolefin refrigerant compositions that are not suitable for and do not conform to existing industrial and environmental standards and producing industrially compliant refrigerant compositions that are traceable and stabilized to prevent oligomerization or polymerization of fluoroolefin components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an integrated system and method for regenerating refrigerant materials containing impurities and contaminants (which make the refrigerant materials unsuitable for use and non-compliant with existing industrial and environmental standards) and producing industrially compliant refrigerants and refrigerant blends that are traceable and / or stabilized against oligomerization / polymerization. These impurities and contaminants make the refrigerant materials unsuitable for use and non-compliant with existing industrial and environmental standards. Background Art

[0002] Over the past decade, the refrigeration industry has replaced ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) with low-zero ozone-depleting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). More recently, fluoroolefins such as HFO-1234yf (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene), HFO-1234ze (1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, the Z-isomer, the E-isomer, or a blend of the E and Z isomers), HFO-1234yf, and HFO-Z / E-1234ze (alone or blended with HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons)), many of which are commercially available, such as Chemours Opteon TM Series refrigerants and Honeywell Series of refrigerants, including R-448A. However, the olefinic portion of the hydrofluoroolefin molecule can show reactivity to materials encountered during use. Typically, HFO reactivity is encountered during extreme use conditions (i.e., conditions outside the normal operating conditions of the refrigerant and / or refrigerant blend), misuse (such as blending with incompatible products or introducing counterfeit materials or unintentional contamination). Therefore, the resulting reactivity of the HFO portion of the refrigerant or refrigerant blend can lead to a reduction in the form of undesirable by-products. The resulting by-product formation introduces materials into the refrigerant composition, which can reduce the desired or expected performance of the refrigerant and any lubricant that may be present. One source of impurities can be the result of side reactions acting on one or more refrigerants in the system. Side reactions can be caused by various processes, including, for example, thermal degradation, polymerization, oxidation or hydration. Side reactions can occur between materials in the system, or as a result of external materials such as air or water entering the system. The resulting impurities can include, for example, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, oligomers or polymers obtained by the reaction of one or more refrigerants. Another source of impurities can be produced by side reactions acting on other materials present in the system such as lubricating oils. These can include, for example, polyol esters, polyvinyl ethers, polyalkylene glycols, mineral oils or alkylbenzene oils. In one embodiment, polyol ester lubricants can be hydrolyzed into corresponding acids. The resulting impurities can exist as solids, liquids or gases. In addition, materials such as thread lockers can also cause undesirable byproducts. Other sources of undesirable pollutants include plasticizers from hoses, washers and O-rings. Due to the unknown impurities in the refrigerants now, these impurities cannot be conveniently removed during the recovery or recycling process using regeneration technologies suitable for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), so these degraded HFO-containing refrigerants are discarded (destroyed), and fresh (that is, new or natural) refrigerants or refrigerant blends are refilled for the system. This can lead to unnecessary losses of high-value refrigerants or refrigerant blends.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for systems and methods for recycling and regenerating degraded fluoroolefin refrigerant compositions for further use in existing systems or for reuse in new systems. It is also desirable to improve degraded fluoroolefin refrigerants or refrigerant blends, remove contaminants, and re-blend pure or existing blends with other materials to form new blends or even blends with improved properties. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention solves the problems associated with the unique properties and byproduct contaminants not encountered with conventional regeneration of CFCs and HCFCs by providing systems and methods for recovering, testing, treating, controlling and reformulating refrigerant compositions for reuse / recycling of unregenerated fluoroolefin-containing refrigerant compositions, wherein the systems and methods are preferably integrated and include, but are not limited to, fluoroolefins including HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze, HFO-E-1225ye, HFO-1132a, HFO-Z / E-1132 and HFO-Z / E-1336mzz (alone or in combination with one or more additional components selected from HFC-152a, HFC-134a, HFC-134, HFC-32, HFC-125, HFC-143a, HFC-227ea, CO2 (R744), HFO-1123 (1,1,2-trifluoroethylene), HFO-1224yf, HFO-Z / E-1233zd, HFO-Z / E-1336mzz, HCO-1130(E), HFO-1132, HFO-1132a and CF3I).

[0005] The present invention also relates to an integrated system and method for processing unregenerated refrigerant compounds, components and blends which are analyzed, purified, conditioned and reconstituted or reformulated to have purity properties consisting of AHRI-700 Refrigerant Standards and then made traceable and / or stabilized against oligomerization or polymerization.

[0006] The present invention relates to a regeneration process for providing an HFC / HFO / HCFO refrigerant composition that not only meets the AHRI 700 (2019) standard and has the same stability as the original packaged HFC, HFO and HCFO (and mixtures containing HFC / HFO / HCFO), but is also stabilized to prevent oligomerization or polymerization of fluoroolefin components (such as HFO-1234yf) and is traceable to identify the source of the regenerated HFC, HFO and HCFO (and mixtures containing HFC / HFO / HCFO).

[0007] The present invention produces a traceable and regenerated refrigerant composition having improved tolerance to conventional and abnormal conditions, and also solves the potential problems associated with initiators (e.g., pollutants) that cause oligomerization or homopolymerization of fluoroolefins (e.g., tetrafluoropropylene) because at least one inhibitor has been added to the fluoroolefin-containing composition. Adding an oligomer inhibitor to the regenerated fluoroolefin-containing composition will increase its stability during use in packaging, storage, and in refrigeration or air-conditioning system applications. The stabilized composition can be used in cooling systems and is used as a substitute for existing refrigerants with higher global warming potential.

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein include, for example, a system for recovering used, waste (e.g., unregenerated) refrigerants from refrigerant equipment and storage reservoirs, the system including a test station to measure the physical and chemical properties of the refrigerant composition to be regenerated. The test station will inevitably include a used, waste (e.g., unregenerated) refrigerant receiving reservoir, which can be beneficial for measuring the physical and chemical properties of the refrigerant composition to be regenerated before purification, including but not limited to the weight of the refrigerant composition, NAG (non-absorbable gas) content, acidity, air, oil, particulate / solid, stabilizer, moisture, HFO, HFC, HCFO, other refrigerant content and purity for comparison with industrial standards. The receiving reservoir can be ASHRAE and AHRI compliant, thereby providing a tower top / vapor space for collecting steam and non-absorbable or non-condensable gases. A sensor or detector can be directly associated with the tower top / vapor space for measuring the air, oxygen or moisture content of the unregenerated refrigerant, or in-line measurement via a sampling valve.

[0009] When the chemical and / or physical properties of the unregenerated refrigerant are determined in the test station, the unregenerated refrigerant is transferred to a primary purification station or a first purification station, where the unregenerated refrigerant is treated in at least one of a distillation station, an adsorption station, a desorption station, and a cryogenic cooling station, and then analyzed again to determine the purity of the treated refrigerant and its purity and industrial compliance. If appropriate, the once treated refrigerant composition or blend is transferred to a second purification station for the target purification of at least one of the purifications, including but not limited to NAG (purge station), water (distillation / desiccant dryer), solids (filter), acidity (alkali bath), high boiling residue / chloride (distillation), and retested to verify purity and industrial compliance. Once regenerated, the regenerated refrigerant component or blend is transferred to or collected in an ASHRAE or AHRI compliant regenerated refrigerant collection container / reservoir, which can be part of a conditioning station to add additional refrigerant components to prepare a target refrigerant or refrigerant blend. The target compliant refrigerant or refrigerant blend is then stabilized and made traceable, and its purity is checked to ensure that the regenerated refrigerant meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard. As with the non-regenerated refrigerant receiving reservoir, the regenerated refrigerant collection vessel / reservoir provides an overhead / vapor space for collecting vapors and non-absorbable or non-condensable gases. Sensors or detectors can be directly associated with the overhead / vapor space for measuring air, oxygen or moisture content.

[0010] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to processing an unregenerated fluoroolefin-containing composition comprising HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze to produce a high purity and AHRI compliant HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze blend.

[0011] In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to processing an unregenerated refrigerant mixture comprising at least 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and at least one additional component comprising a C2 hydrofluorocarbon, including but not limited to:

[0012] HFC-32, HFC-125, HFC-134, HFC-134a, HFC-143a or HFC-152a, and optionally carbon dioxide; or

[0013] HFC-32 and HFC-125; or

[0014] HFC-32 and HFC-134a; or

[0015] HFC-32 and HFC-152a; or

[0016] R-448A, R449A, R-454A, R-454B, R454C, R-463A, R-513A,

[0017] R-516A or R-457A.

[0018] In another specific embodiment, the present invention is directed to processing unregenerated refrigerants and mixtures comprising 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze(E)) alone or containing at least one C2 or C3 hydrofluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of HFC-227ea, HFC-134a, HFC-134, HFO-1336mzz(E), HFO-1225ye(E), HCFO-1224yd(Z), HCFO-1224yd(E), HFO-1234ze(Z), HCFO-1233zd(E).

[0019] In another specific embodiment, the present invention is directed to processing unregenerated 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropylene (HFO-1234ze(E / Z)) refrigerant blends including but not limited to R471A, R476A, R482A, R515A and R-515B.

[0020] In another specific embodiment disclosed herein, unregenerated refrigerant and refrigerant blend components include, but are not limited to, HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze, HFO-Z / E-1336mzz, HFC-152a, HFC-134a, HFC-32, HFC-125, HFC-143a, HFC-227ea, HFO-1123, HFO-E-1225ye, HFO-1132a, or HFO-E / Z-1132, and are separated and purified into individual components suitable for re-blending.

[0021] In other specific embodiments disclosed herein, the unregenerated refrigerants and refrigerant blends to be treated may include, but are not limited to:

[0022] R404A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of 44 wt % R125, 52 wt % R143a (1,1,1-trifluoroethane) and 4.0 wt % R134a); or

[0023] R407A, R407B, R407C, R407D and R407E (for different component concentrations

[0024] ASHRAE designation for a blend of R134a, R125 (pentafluoroethane) and R32 (difluoromethane); or

[0025] R408A (for 7 wt% R125, 46 wt% R143a and 47 wt%

[0026] ASHRAE designation for blends of R22); or

[0027] R410A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of 50 wt % R125 and 50 wt % R32); or

[0028] R413A (ASHRAE designation for a blend containing R218, R134a and isobutane); R417A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of 46.6 wt % R125, 50.0 wt % R134a and 3.4 wt % n-butane); or

[0029] R419A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R125, R134a and DME); or

[0030] R422A, R422B, R422C and R422D (ASHRAE designations for blends of R125, R134a, isobutane at different component concentrations); or

[0031] R423A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R134a and 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (R227ea)); R424A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R125, R134a, isobutane, n-butane and isopentane); R426A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R125, R134a, n-butane and isopentane); or

[0032] R427A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of 15 wt % R32, 25 wt % R125, 50 wt % R134a and 10 wt % R143a); or

[0033] R428A (ASHRAE designation for a blend containing R125, R143a, propane and isobutane); or

[0034] R430A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R152a and isobutane); or

[0035] R434A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R125, R134a, R143a and isobutane); or

[0036] R437A (ASHRAE designation for a blend containing R125, R134a, n-butane and n-pentane); or

[0037] R438A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R32, R125, R134a, n-butane and isopentane); or

[0038] R507A and R507B (ASHRAE designations for blends of R125 and R143a at different component concentrations); or

[0039] R508A and R508B (ASHRAE designations for blends of trifluoromethane (R23) and hexafluoroethane (R116) at different component concentrations); or

[0040] R471A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of R-1234ze(E), R-227ea and HFO-1336mzz(E) (78.7 wt% / 4.3 wt% / 17.0 wt%)); or

[0041] R473A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of R-1132a / R-23 / R-744 / R-125 (20.0 / 10.0 / 60.0 / 10.0)); or

[0042] R474A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of R-1132(E) and R-1234yf (23.0 wt. % / 77.0 wt. %)); or

[0043] R-514A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of R-1336mzz(Z) and R-1130(E) (74.7 wt % / 25.3 wt %); or

[0044] R-515A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of R-1234ze(E) and R-227ea (88.0 wt. % / 12.0 wt. %)); or

[0045] R-515B (ASHRAE designation for a blend of R-1234ze(E) and R-227ea (91.1 wt% / 8.9 wt%)); or

[0046] R-516A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of R-1234y, R-134a and R-152a (77.5 wt% / 8.5 wt% / 14.0 wt%)); or

[0047] R-457A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of R-32, R-1234yf and R-152a (18.0 wt% / 70.0 wt% / 12.0 wt%)); or

[0048] R-463A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of R-744 / 32 / 125 / 1234yf / 134a (6.0 / 36.0 / 30.0 / 14.0 / 14.0)).

[0049] In another embodiment, the system (preferably integrated) includes a blending station to reconstitute or reformulate blends to comply with AHRI-700 standards, including but not limited to:

[0050] (1) HFC-32, HFC-125, HFO-1234yf and HFC-R134a; or

[0051] (2) HFC-32 and HFO-1234yf;

[0052] (3) HFC-32, HFC-134a and HFC-152a; or

[0053] (3) HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, HFC-125, HFC-134a and HFO-Z / E-1234ze; or

[0054] (4) HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, HFC-125, HFC-134a, with up to about 10 wt. % trans-HFO-1234ze; or

[0055] (5) HFO-1234ze(E) and HFO-1336mzz(E).

[0056] In other embodiments, the system can be an integrated system for testing, regenerating and producing high purity refrigerant components, which include but are not limited to at least one of the following: HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze, HFO-E / Z-1336mzz, HFO-1225ye, HFO-1132a, HFC-1130(E), HFO-1123, E / Z-HFO-1132, HFC-134a, HFC-32, HFC-125; HFC-227ea; HFC-236fa or HFC-134.

[0057] In one embodiment of the present invention, unregenerated R-407C (which is a blend of HFC-32, HFC-125, HFC-134a) is tested, purified and separated into HFC-32, HFC-125 and HFC-134a components, and these components are re-blended and adjusted in composition to meet AHRI-700 standards for reuse, and are modified to include effective amounts of oligomer / polymer inhibitors and / or tracers.

[0058] The regenerated refrigerant composition disclosed herein may also contain an effective amount of an oligomer / polymer inhibitor, including but not limited to a hydrocarbon comprising at least one of the following: a cyclic monoterpene; a lipophilic organic compound comprising a tocopherol, such as α-tocopherol; a phenol, i.e., an aromatic organic compound having at least one chemical moiety C6H4(OH), including benzene-1,4-diol, in particular at least one component selected from the group consisting of the following: limonene, α-terpinene, α-tocopherol, butylated hydroxytoluene, 4-methoxyphenol, benzene-1,4-diol, which is used in an effective amount of up to 0.5% by weight of the HFO and HFC refrigerants. Examples of such inhibitors include at least one of limonene and α-terpinene. Limonene has the following structure:

[0059]

[0060] In one embodiment of the present invention, limonene or α-terpinene optionally has an antioxidant with a unique aroma even at several ppm levels. This pleasant smell can be used for refrigerant leak detection using a refrigerant and a hydrofluoroolefin-based blend (e.g., containing at least one of 1234yf, 1234ze, and combinations thereof). This is particularly beneficial for early refrigerant leak detection in home air conditioners or mobile air conditioners, as professional electronic leak detectors are often not available at either location.

[0061] The regenerated refrigerant compositions disclosed herein also include effective amounts of oligomer / polymer inhibitors, including but not limited to ethane, propane, propylene, butane, butylene, isobutylene and xylene, used alone or with limonene or terpinene, in effective amounts up to 0.5 wt % of the HFO and HFC refrigerants. Disclosed herein are regenerated fluoroolefin compositions comprising any of the foregoing inhibitors in an amount up to and including about 0.5 wt%, less than 0.5 wt%, but greater than 0 wt%, such as 0.001 wt%, 0.005 wt%, 0.01 wt%, 0.015 wt%, 0.02 wt%, 0.03 wt%, 0.04 wt%, 0.05 wt% (500 ppm), 0.06 wt%, 0.07 wt%, 0.08 wt%, 0.09 wt%, 0.1 wt% (1000 ppm), 0.2 wt%, 0.3 wt% (3000 ppm), 0.4 wt% and 0.5 wt% and all values ​​therebetween, but in an amount sufficient to maintain the formation of oligomeric, homopolymeric or other polymeric products (less than about 0.03 wt%), or to provide a composition free of oligomeric, homopolymeric or other polymeric products.

[0062] The regenerated refrigerant composition disclosed herein comprises at least one tracer component selected from the group consisting of HFO-E-1336mzz, HFO-1123, HCFO-1233zd, 1224yd, CFO-1112, HFO-1327, HFO-Z-1336mzz, HFO-1336yf, HFO-1336ze and HFC-263fb in an amount up to about 5000 ppm.

[0063] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to an integrated system wherein the unregenerated composition disclosed herein comprises one or more analyses and one or more processes including, but not limited to, recovery and transfer, contaminant detection, physical and chemical property determination, purity checks, distillation, adsorption, desorption, cooling, solid and liquid separation, filtration, drying, neutralization, blending, addition of stabilizers, tracers, compatibilizers, and packaging, recycling, and charging of refrigerant equipment with the regenerated composition disclosed herein.

[0064] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to an integrated system for processing unregenerated HFO-1234yf and HFO-1234yf blend compositions containing inhibitors and / or their oxidized derivatives, the integrated system involving one or more analyses and one or more treatments including, but not limited to, recovery and transfer, contaminant detection, physical and chemical property determination, purity checks, distillation, adsorption, desorption, cooling, solid and liquid separation, filtration, drying and neutralization.

[0065] In one processing embodiment, unregenerated liquid refrigerant is passed through an absorbent material, such as silica gel, or the refrigerant is passed through mineral oil, molecular sieves, carbon, activated carbon, alumina, or diatomaceous earth, all prior to distillation to provide a partially regenerated product free of inhibitors, which is then subjected to one or more distillations in at least one of the first purification treatment and / or the second purification treatment, or is passed as a vapor through mineral oil prior to distillation.

[0066] In another processing embodiment, the unregenerated liquid refrigerant is passed through one or more distillation columns and then through an absorbent material (such as silica gel), or the refrigerant is passed through mineral oil, molecular sieves, carbon, activated carbon, alumina or diatomaceous earth to provide an at least partially regenerated product that is free of inhibitors.

[0067] Another embodiment of the disclosed invention is directed to a system or method that includes multiple evaluations including a purity check relative to at least the current AHRI 700 standards.

[0068] Another embodiment of the disclosed invention involves multiple purifications including but not limited to distillation selected from one or more of adsorption, desorption, and cryogenic cooling; water removal selected from one of distillation, drying, and dehydration; and neutralization of acidic components.

[0069] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to any combination of the embodiments disclosed herein that produce a regenerated refrigerant having a purity greater than 99.5 weight percent or greater than 99.9 weight percent based on the total weight of the refrigerant composition. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a method and system for regenerating an unregenerated refrigerant according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] The present invention preferably relates to an integrated system and method for processing unregenerated refrigerant compounds, components and blends, which are analyzed, purified, conditioned and reconstituted to comply with AHRI700 refrigerant standards and then stabilized and / or made traceable.

[0072] refer to Figure 1, block diagram 100 shows a non-limiting example of a method and system for regenerating a refrigerant. Using system 110, for example, to collect unregenerated refrigerant from a refrigerant device or storage reservoir from a source reservoir (or device) and collect in a receiving reservoir, and transport the receiving reservoir to a recycling center. Partially weigh and analyze the refrigerant collected by the receiving reservoir from 110 (not shown) by including an oxygen / air sensor in the vapor space of the receiving reservoir of system 110 or contacting the vapor space of the unregenerated refrigerant associated with a receiving reservoir or a reservoir (not shown) containing unregenerated refrigerant in a weighing and testing station or system 120 to detect and measure impurities, including but not limited to NAG (non-absorbable gas), acid, solid, water and / or high boiling point residue content. Since system 100 is designed to remove solids using a filter, the filter should optionally be able to remove oligomeric byproducts, homopolymer byproducts and / or polymer byproducts from unregenerated fluoroolefin-containing refrigerants (such as HFO-1234yf). An oxygen sensor associated with the overhead / vapor space or unregenerated refrigerant of the receiving receptacle (not shown) measures the air or oxygen content of the unregenerated refrigerant and may signal the need for venting or treatment to remove / reduce the oxygen content. The unregenerated refrigerant is analyzed using analytical techniques such as GC-FID, GC-TCD, GC-MS, FTIR, Goetz Bub, Karl Fischer, Byk-Garner Color, and various other analytical methods. Typically, organic product analysis involves gas chromatography (GC-MS).

[0073] The concentration of non-condensable gases (NCGs) or non-absorbable gases (NAGs) may be varied or altered to obtain a concentration of less than 1.5% by volume at 25°C according to AHRI 700, preferably less than 0.9% by volume at 25°C according to AHRI 700. NAGs typically include air (which typically consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and about 1% argon) that accumulate in the gas phase of the refrigerant where they can be directly detected by sensors and where the solubility of air in the refrigerant liquid phase is extremely low. While it may be important to reduce the total amount of NAGs contained in the refrigerant, it is generally more desirable to reduce the oxygen-containing portion of the NAGs in preference to the nitrogen portion. In some cases, the oxygen-containing portion may increase the propensity of the refrigerant to decompose or form undesirable polymeric materials. NCG can be detected using one of an infrared sensor, a UV sensor, a NIR sensor, an ion mobility or plasma chromatograph, gas chromatography, refractometry, mass spectrometry, a high temperature thick film sensor, a thin film field effect sensor, a pellistor sensor, a Taguchi sensor, and a quartz microbalance sensor, as disclosed in U.S. Patent 2008 / 0069177, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0074] The unregenerated refrigerant component composition, even if provided by the customer, is analyzed as described above to estimate the physical and chemical properties of the unregenerated refrigerant composition and to perform a purity check to understand how it compares with the industry standard of AHRI-700. Based on the analysis (test) results from the weighing and testing station, i.e., system 120, a first purification or primary purification will be performed using a distillation tower (adsorption / desorption and cryogenic cooling and / or other separation technology) in system 130, and the refrigerant purified by the first stage will be reanalyzed and its purity will be rechecked. The first purification system or primary purification system 130 will optionally include one or more towers with absorbents / adsorbents to remove the oligomeric inhibitors in the unregenerated refrigerant composition disclosed herein. The tower (not shown) can be located upstream or downstream of the distillation component of system 130. When silica gel is used as a medium to remove the inhibitor, the unregenerated refrigerant can be passed through the silica gel bed as a liquid, and the "partial" regenerated product without the inhibitor is transferred to one of the multiple distillation towers to separate and isolate the various refrigerant components, as appropriate. Then, if the primary purification does not provide a treated product that complies with AHRI-700, the treated product is transferred from system 130 to system 140 for further processing, including targeted purification for NAG (purge station), water (distillation / desiccant dryer), solids (filter), acidity (alkali bath), high boiling point residues / chlorides (distillation), and the product is re-analyzed in a weighing and testing station and the purity is re-checked to verify purity and industrial compliance in system 140. A NAG reduction station (not shown) can contact the partially regenerated refrigerant composition with a reducing agent (such as a metal powder) that can react with oxygen or other oxidizable components of the unregenerated refrigerant composition. In one embodiment, the reducing agent can include iron powder. Processing at the NAG reduction station can result in a reduction in the concentration of one or more components of the partially regenerated refrigerant composition to less than one or more predetermined thresholds.

[0075] Then, in system 150, a regenerated refrigerant collection container / reservoir (not shown) that can comply with ASHRAE / AHRI receives the regenerated refrigerant component from 130 or 140 and mixes the regenerated refrigerant component with an additional fresh / natural / high purity refrigerant component to provide a reconstituted regenerated refrigerant composition that complies with the AHRI 700-19 standard in system 150. The regenerated collection reservoir can be provided with a detector in the head space / vapor to determine the air and / or oxygen content. Tracers, stabilizers, and conventional additives are added in system 160, and a final purity check is then performed in system 170 so that the regenerated and reconstituted refrigerant complies with the AHRI 700-19 standard. Each system 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, and 170 includes components for receiving and transferring refrigerant compositions between upstream and downstream systems, such as flow lines, valves, pumps, controllers, etc. (not shown).

[0076] In one embodiment, the concentration of non-condensable material may be varied to yield a concentration of less than 1.5% by volume according to AHRI 700 at 25°C, preferably less than 0.9% by volume according to AHRI 700 at 25°C.

[0077] In another embodiment, the condenser is used in conjunction with a cooling medium that is cold enough to condense part of the regenerated refrigerant and pass the NAG with minimal refrigerant loss. A compressor may be used in conjunction with the condenser to increase the pressure and make it easier to condense the refrigerant at a higher temperature.

[0078] In another embodiment, NAG is separated from the refrigerant using a membrane positioned so that NAG can pass through the membrane and is removed while the refrigerant does not pass through the membrane.

[0079] As used herein, a refrigerant is a compound or mixture of compounds used as a heat transfer fluid in a cycle wherein the fluid undergoes a phase change from liquid to gas and back to liquid.

[0080] As used herein, a refrigerant is a compound or mixture (blend) of compounds used as a heat transfer fluid in a cycle wherein the fluid undergoes a phase change from liquid to gas and back to liquid.

[0081] As used herein, many compounds, components or ingredients of the composition or tracers can exist in the form of isomers or stereoisomers of different configurations. The present invention is intended to include all single configuration isomers, single stereoisomers or any combination thereof. For example, 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropylene (HFC-1234ze) or HFO-1336mzz is intended to represent any combination or mixture of E-isomers, Z-isomers or two isomers in any ratio. Similarly, HFO-E / Z or HFO-Z / E can be used interchangeably to represent any combination or mixture of E-isomers, Z-isomers or two isomers in any ratio.

[0082] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "including," "having," or any other variation thereof, are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a composition, process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements need not be limited to only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such composition, process, method, article, or apparatus. In addition, unless expressly indicated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B satisfies one of the following conditions: A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist), A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists), and both A and B are true (or exist).

[0083] The transitional phrase "consisting of" excludes any unspecified elements, steps, or ingredients. If in a claim, protection is not included for materials other than those recited, except for impurities normally associated therewith. When the phrase "consisting of" appears in a clause in the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, it limits only the elements recited in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim as a whole.

[0084] The transitional phrase "consisting essentially of" is used to define a composition, method, or process that includes materials, steps, features, components, or elements in addition to those disclosed in the document, provided that these additionally included materials, steps, features, components, or elements do not significantly affect the basic and novel features of the claimed invention, especially the mode of action for achieving any desired result in the method of the invention. The term "consisting essentially of" occupies an intermediate position between "comprising" and "consisting of."

[0085] Where the applicant has defined an invention or a portion thereof using open-ended terms such as “comprising,” it should be readily understood that (unless otherwise indicated) the description should be interpreted as also including such inventions using the terms “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of.”

[0086] In addition, the use of "a" or "an" is used to describe elements and components described herein. This is for convenience only and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. The description should be understood to include one or at least one, and the singular also includes the plural, unless it is obvious that there is another meaning.

[0087] As used herein, in certain embodiments, the term "about" may be quantitative to mean ±1%, ±2%, ±3%, and up to and including ±10% of the specified value, and all integers and fractions therebetween.

[0088] The regenerated refrigerant composition disclosed herein may also contain an effective amount of an oligomer / polymer inhibitor as a stabilizer, including but not limited to a hydrocarbon comprising at least one of the following: a cyclic monoterpene; a lipophilic organic compound comprising tocopherol, such as α-tocopherol; a phenol, i.e., an aromatic organic compound having at least one chemical moiety C6H4(OH), including benzene-1,4-diol, in particular at least one component selected from the group comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: limonene, α-terpinene, α-tocopherol, butylated hydroxytoluene, 4-methoxyphenol, benzene-1,4-diol, which are used in an effective amount of up to 0.5% by weight of HFO and HFC refrigerants, as disclosed in each of U.S. Patent Publication Nos. US20210108119 and US202100430368, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Such inhibitors include at least one of d-limonene, l-limonene, β-pinene, α-pinene, α-terpinene, β-terpinene, γ-terpinene and δ-terpinene, and mixtures of two or more, C2-C5 hydrocarbons, xylene (o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene) and mixtures of two or more, as disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 63 / 321118 and 63 / 321120, filed on March 18, 2022, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0089] One embodiment disclosed herein provides a regeneration method comprising one or more of the following steps:

[0090] a) providing an unregenerated refrigerant composition, the unregenerated refrigerant composition comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of HFC-32, HFC-134, HFC-134a, HFC-125, HFC-143a, HFC-152a, HFC-227ea, HFO-1234yf, HFO-

[0091] Z / E-1234ze, HFO-E-1225ye, HFO-Z / E-1336mzz, HCO-1130(E),

[0092] HFO-1123 and HFO-E / Z-1132;

[0093] b) (1) weighing and testing the unregenerated refrigerant composition of step a), including at least one of refrigerant components, contaminants, non-condensable gases (NCGs), physical properties, and (2) checking and comparing the purity of the unregenerated refrigerant composition relative to the AHRI 700 standard;

[0094] c) selecting a physical treatment and / or a chemical treatment based on the data obtained from step b), and treating and purifying the unregenerated refrigerant composition of step b) and providing at least one first treated product;

[0095] d) checking the purity of at least one first processed product of step c) and determining whether the first processed product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard;

[0096] e) optionally, (1) if the first processed product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard, adding an additional refrigerant component to the first processed product to form a first target refrigerant or refrigerant blend, or (2) if the first processed product does not meet the AHRI 700 standard, adding an additional refrigerant component to the first processed product to form a first target refrigerant or refrigerant blend.

[0097] 700 standard, further purifying the first treated product to produce a second treated product and checking the purity of the second treated product to determine whether it meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard;

[0098] f) if the second processed product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard, optionally adding an additional refrigerant component to the second processed product to form a second target refrigerant or refrigerant blend;

[0099] g) optionally adding to the first target refrigerant and / or the second target refrigerant or the refrigerant blend of step e) and / or f) an effective amount of (1) at least one oligomer inhibitor pair selected from propane and limonene, propane and pinene, cyclopropane and limonene, cyclopropane and pinene, and xylene and one of limonene, pinene or terpinene, and optionally adding (2) at least one oligomer inhibitor selected from HFO-Z / E-1336mzz, HFO-1233zd, HFO-1224yd, HFO-1112,

[0100] Tracers for HFO-1327, HFO-1336yf, HFO-1336ze and HFC-263fb, provided that the refrigerant composition and the tracer are not identical.

[0101] In another embodiment, an inhibitor additive (alternatively, "inhibitor" or "additive") is added to a composition containing at least HFO-1234yf and comprises a pair of inhibitors one of which is limonene or pinene, wherein the inhibitor is present in an amount up to about 0.5 wt%, less than 0.5 wt%, but greater than 0 wt%, such as 0.001 wt%, 0.005 wt%, 0.01 wt%, 0.015 wt%, 0.02 wt%, 0.03 wt%, 0.04 wt%, 0.05 wt%, %, 0.06 wt %, 0.07 wt %, 0.08 wt %, 0.09 wt %, 0.1 wt % (1000 ppm), 0.2 wt %, 0.3 wt % (3000 ppm), 0.4 wt % and 0.5 wt % and all values ​​therebetween, but in an amount sufficient to maintain the formation of oligomeric, homomeric, or other polymeric products (less than about 0.03 wt %), or to provide a composition that does not contain oligomeric, homomeric, or other polymeric products.

[0102] In one embodiment of the present invention, limonene or α-terpinene, optionally with an antioxidant, carries a unique aroma even at several ppm levels. This pleasant smell can be used for refrigerant leak detection using a refrigerant and a hydrofluoroolefin-based blend (e.g., containing at least one of HFO-1234yf, HFO-1234ze, and combinations thereof). This is particularly beneficial for early refrigerant leak detection in home air conditioners or mobile air conditioners, as professional electronic leak detectors are often not available at either location.

[0103] In another embodiment disclosed herein, the oligomer inhibiting stabilizer includes at least two inhibitors, i.e., a pair of inhibitors, including one of limonene, pinene, terpinene and one of ethane, propane, cyclopropane, propylene, butane, butene, isobutane and isobutylene.

[0104] In another embodiment disclosed herein, an oligomer inhibitor pair wherein one component is selected from at least one of the C2-C5 hydrocarbons and the other component is selected from d-limonene, l-limonene, β-pinene, α-pinene, α-terpinene, β-terpinene, γ-terpinene and δ-terpinene and mixtures of two or more thereof, including but not limited to up to 0.1 wt. % of the following: d-limonene / propane, l-limonene / propane, β-pinene / propane, α-pinene / propane, α-terpinene / propane, β-terpinene / propane, γ-terpinene / propane and δ-terpinene / propane, d-limonene / cyclopropane, l-limonene / cyclopropane, β-pinene / cyclopropane, α-pinene / cyclopropane, α-terpinene / cyclopropane, β-terpinene / cyclopropane , γ-terpinene / cyclopropane and δ-terpinene / cyclopropane, d-limonene / butane, l-limonene / butane, β-pinene / butane, α-pinene / propane, α-terpinene / butane, β-terpinene / butane, γ-terpinene / butane and δ-terpinene / butane, d-limonene / isobutane, l-limonene / isobutane, β-pinene / isobutane, α-pinene / isobutane, α-terpinene / isobutane, β-terpinene / isobutane, γ-terpinene / isobutane and δ-terpinene / / isobutane, d-limonene / butene, l-limonene / butene, β-pinene / butene, α-pinene / butene, α-terpinene / butene, β-terpinene / butene, γ-terpinene / butene or δ-terpinene / butene, wherein isobutane may be replaced by isobutene or r d-limonene / xylene; or l-limonene / xylene; or β-pinene / xylene; or α-pinene / xylene; or α-terpinene / xylene; or β-terpinene / xylene; or γ-terpinene / xylene; and / or δ-terpinene / xylene, with the proviso that the xylene may be at least one of o-xylene, m-xylene or p-xylene.

[0105] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to any of the foregoing inhibitors, wherein the inhibitor is added to the regenerated condensing agent composition in an amount up to about 0.5 wt%, less than 0.5 wt% but greater than 0 wt%, such as 0.001 wt%, 0.005 wt%, 0.01 wt%, 0.015 wt%, 0.02 wt%, 0.03 wt%, 0.04 wt%, 0.05 wt% (500 ppm), 0.06 wt%, 0.07 wt%, 0.08 wt%, 0.09 wt%, 0.1 wt% (1000 ppm), 0.2 wt%, 0.3 wt% (3000 ppm), 0.4 wt% and up to 0.5 wt% and all values ​​therebetween, but in an amount sufficient to maintain the formation of oligomeric, homomeric, or other polymeric products (less than about 0.03 wt%), or to provide a composition free of oligomeric, homomeric, or other polymeric products.

[0106] The present invention employs at least one of the aforementioned oligomerization / homopolymerization inhibitors in an effective amount as described herein. Although any suitable effective amount may be employed, effective amounts include from about 0.001 wt % to about 0.5 wt % (5000 ppm), from about 0.01 wt % to about 0.5 wt %, from 0.01 wt % to about 0.4 wt %, from 0.01 wt % to about 0.3 wt %, from about 0.01 wt % to about 0.2 wt %, from 0.01 wt % to about 0.1 wt % (1000 ppm), and all ranges and values ​​therebetween, based on the total weight of the refrigerant composition. In one embodiment, the effective amount comprises from about 10 ppm to about 2,000 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 1,000 ppm, and in some cases from about 10 ppm to about 500 ppm, or about 400 ppm, or about 300 ppm, or about 200 ppm, from about 100 ppm to 500 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 2000 ppm, or about 1000 ppm by weight and all ranges therebetween of at least one oligomerization / homopolymerization inhibitor comprising at least one of limonene, pinene, terpinene, and mixtures thereof.

[0107] In another embodiment, the inhibitor additive (alternatively, "inhibitor" or "additive") for HFO-1234yf comprises a pair of inhibitors, one of which is selected from C2-C5 hydrocarbons and the other of which is selected from limonene or pinene, and the inhibitors are present in an amount of up to about 0.5 wt%, less than 0.5 wt%, but greater than 0 wt%, such as 0.001 wt%, 0.005 wt%, 0.01 wt%, 0.015 wt%, 0.02 wt%, 0.03 wt%, 0.04 wt%, 0.05 wt%, % (500 ppm), 0.06 wt %, 0.07 wt %, 0.08 wt %, 0.09 wt %, 0.1 wt % (1000 ppm), 0.2 wt %, 0.3 wt % (3000 ppm), 0.4 wt % and up to 0.5 wt % and all values ​​therebetween, but in an amount sufficient to maintain the formation of oligomeric, homopolymer or other polymeric products (less than about 0.03 wt %), or to provide a composition that is free of oligomeric, homopolymeric or other polymeric products.

[0108] The tracer can be a single compound or two or more tracer compounds added to the regenerated composition. The tracer comprises at least one of HFO-E-1336mzz, HCFO-1233zd, 1224yd, CFO-1112, HFO-1123, HFO-1327, HFO-Z-1336mzz and HFC-263fb. In some embodiments, the tracer is present in the composition at a total concentration of about 1 part per million parts by weight (ppm) to about 5000ppm based on the weight of the overall composition. In other embodiments, the tracer is present at a total concentration of about 10ppm to about 1000ppm. In other embodiments, the tracer is present at a total concentration of about 20ppm to about 500ppm. In other embodiments, the tracer is present at a total concentration of about 25ppm to about 500ppm. In other embodiments, the tracer is present at a total concentration of about 50ppm to about 500ppm. Alternatively, the tracer is present in a total concentration of about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm.

[0109] In some embodiments of the disclosed invention, system 110 collects used or unregenerated HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze, HFO-E / Z-1336mzz, or HFO-1234yf and HFO-Z / E-1234ze refrigerants or refrigerant blends and transfers them to system 120 for weighing, testing, and initial purity checks. The system 110 then transfers the weighed and tested used or unregenerated HFO-1234yf, or HFO-Z / E-1234ze, or HFO-1234yf and HFO-Z / E-1234ze refrigerant or refrigerant blend to the primary purification system 130 to obtain separate HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze components using distillation and / or adsorption-desorption separation and / or cryogenic cooling, and to check the purity of the HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze components. The separated and purified HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze components are then transferred to system 140 or system 150 for further purification in system 140 or for adjusting the HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze content in system 150 to a target HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze composition that complies with AHRI, and then the target compliant HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze composition is transferred to system 160, which adds up to 0.1 wt%, or up to 0.2 wt%, or up to 0.3 wt% of an inhibitor selected from limonene, pinene, terpinene, d-limonene / propane; or l -limonene / propane; or β-pinene / propane; or α-pinene / propane; or α-terpinene / propane; or β-terpinene / propane; or γ-terpinene / propane; or δ-terpinene / propane; or d-limonene / cyclopropane; or l-limonene / cyclopropane; or β-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-terpinene / cyclopropane; or β-terpinene / cyclopropane; or γ-terpinene / cyclopropane; or δ-terpinene / propane; or d-limonene / cyclopropane; or l-limonene / cyclopropane; or β-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-terpinene / cyclopropane; or β-terpinene / cyclopropane; or γ-terpinene / cyclopropane -terpinene / cyclopropane; or delta-terpinene / / cyclopropane or d-limonene / xylene; or l-limonene / xylene; or beta-pinene / xylene; or alpha-pinene / xylene; or alpha-terpinene / xylene; or beta-terpinene / xylene; or gamma-terpinene / xylene; and / or delta-terpinene / xylene, with the proviso that the xylenes may be o-xylene, m-xylene or p-xylene.

[0110] In other embodiments of the disclosed invention, system 100 collects used or unregenerated HFO-1234yf, or HFO-Z / E-1234ze, or a blend of HFO-1234yf and HFO-Z / E-1234ze at station 110, transfers the used or unregenerated HFO-1234yf, or HFO-Z / E-1234ze, or a blend of HFO-1234yf and HFO-Z / E-1234ze to system 120 for weighing, testing, and initial purity inspection. The weighed and tested used or unregenerated HFO-1234yf, or HFO-Z / E-1234ze, or HFO-1234yf and HFO-Z / E-1234ze blended refrigerant is then transferred to the primary purification system 130 to obtain separate HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze components using distillation and / or adsorption-desorption separation and / or cryogenic cooling, and the purity of the HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze components is checked. System 130 then transfers the separated HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze to system 140 or system 150 for further purification in system 140 or adjusting the HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze content in system 150 to a target HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze refrigerant compliant with AHRI, and then transfers the target compliant HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze to system 160, which adds a total concentration of about 1 part per million parts by weight (ppm) to about 5000 ppm based on the weight of the overall composition. or adding HFO-E-1336mzz; or HCFO-1233zd; or HFO-1224yd; or CFO-1112; or HFO-1123; or HFO-1327; or HFO-Z-1336mzz; or HFO-1336yf; or HFO-1336ze; or HFC-263fb in a total concentration of about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm; or adding HFO-1336yf; or HFO-1336ze; or HFC-263fb in a total concentration of about 20 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 25 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 50 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm.

[0111] In other embodiments of the disclosed invention, the system 100 collects spent or unregenerated HFO-1234yf, or HFO-Z / E-1234ze, or HFO-1234yf and HFO-Z / E-1234ze blended refrigerant at station 110; transfers the spent or unregenerated HFO-1234yf, or HFO-Z / E-1234ze, or HFO-1234yf and HFO-Z / E-1234ze blended refrigerant to system 120 for weighing, testing, and initial purity check; transfers the weighed and tested spent or unregenerated HFO-1234yf, or HFO-Z / E-1234ze, or HFO-1234yf and HFO-Z / E-1234ze blended refrigerant to primary purification system 130 for separation and purification using distillation and / or adsorption-desorption separation and The method comprises the steps of: obtaining separate HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze components by low temperature cooling and checking the purity of the HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze components; transferring the separated HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze to system 140 or system 150 for further purification in system 140 or adjusting the HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze content in system 150 to meet the target HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze condensing agent of AHRI, and then transferring the target compliant HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze to system 160, which adds up to 0.1 wt%, or up to 0.2 wt%, or up to 0.3 wt. % limonene / propane; or l-limonene / propane; or β-pinene / propane; or α-pinene / propane; or α-terpinene / propane; or β-terpinene / propane; or γ-terpinene / propane; or δ-terpinene / propane; or d-limonene / cyclopropane; or l-limonene / cyclopropane; or β-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-terpinene / cyclopropane; or β-terpinene / cyclopropane; or γ-terpinene / cyclopropane; or δ-terpinene / / cyclopropane, and the tracer content is about 1 part per million weight based on the total weight of HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze or about 10 ppm to about 1000 ppm; or about 20 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 25 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 50 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm of HFO-E-1336mzz; or HCFO-1233zd; or HFO-1224yd; or CFO-1112; or HFO-1123; or HFO-1327; or HFO-Z-1336mzz; or HFO-1336yf; or HFO-1336ze; or HFC-263fb.

[0112] In still other embodiments of the disclosed invention, system 110 collects spent or unregenerated HFC-32, HFC-125, and HFO-1234yf blends; or HFC-32 and HFO-1234yf blends; or HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, and HFC-125 blends; HFC-134a and HFO-Z / E-1234ze blends; or HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, H FC-125 and HFC-134a are blended and the collected spent or unregenerated blend is transferred to system 120 for weighing, testing and initial purity check, and then the weighed and tested spent or unregenerated blend is transferred to primary purification system 130 to obtain the individual refrigerant components, HFO-1234yf and / or HFC-32 and / or HFC-134a and / or HFC-125 and / or HFO-Z / E-1234 using the following methods: ze: distillation and / or adsorption-desorption separation; and / or cryogenic cooling and checking the purity of each component, and then transferring each component to system 140 or system 150 for further purification in system 140 or adjusting the HFO-1234yf and / or HFC-32 and / or HFC-134a and / or HFC-125 and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze content to a target component or blend that meets the AHRI, including adding Add natural HFO-1234yf and / or HFC-32 and / or HFC-134a and / or HFC-125 and / or HFO-Z / E-1234ze, and then transfer the target compliant HFO-1234yf and / or HFC-32 and / or HFC-134a and / or HFO-Z / E-125 refrigerant or refrigerant blend to system 160, which adds up to 0.1 weight percent, or up to 0.2 weight percent, or up to 0.3 wt% ethane; or propane; or propylene; or butane; or butene; or isobutylene; or limonene / propane; or l-limonene / propane; or β-pinene / propane; or α-pinene / propane; or α-terpinene / propane; or β-terpinene / propane; or γ-terpinene / propane; or δ-terpinene / propane; or d-limonene / cyclopropane; or l-limonene / cyclopropane; or β-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-terpinene / cyclopropane; or β-terpinene / cyclopropane; or γ-terpinene / cyclopropane; or δ-terpinene / cyclopropane, and / or about 1 part per million (ppm) by weight of ) to about 5000 ppm, or about 10 ppm to about 1000 ppm; or about 20 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 25 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 50 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm of HFO-E-1336mzz; or HCFO-1233zd; or HFO-1224yd; or CFO-1112; or HFO-1123; or HFO-1327; or HFO-Z-1336mzz; or HFO-1336yf; or HFO-1336ze; or HFC-263fb. .

[0113] In other embodiments, system 110 collects used or unregenerated R404A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of 44 wt % R125, 52 wt % R143a (1,1,1-trifluoroethane), and 4.0 wt % R134a); or unregenerated R407A, R407B, R407C, R407D, and R407E (ASHRAE designation for blends of R134a, R125 (pentafluoroethane), and R32 (difluoromethane) at varying component concentrations); or unregenerated R408A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of 7 wt % R125, 46 wt % R143a, and 47 wt % R22). ); or unregenerated R410A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of 50 wt. % R125 and 50 wt. % R32); or unregenerated R413A (ASHRAE designation for a blend containing R218, R134a, and isobutane); R417A (ASHRAE designation for a blend of 46.6 wt. % R125, 50.0 wt. % R134a, and 3.4 wt. % n-butane); or unregenerated R419A (ASHRAE designation for a blend containing R125, R134a, and DME); or R422A, R422B, R422C, and R422D (ASHRAE designation for blends of different component concentrations of R125 or unregenerated R423A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R134a and 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (R227ea)); or unregenerated R424A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R125, R134a, isobutane, n-butane, and isopentane); or unregenerated R426A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R125, R134a, n-butane, and isopentane); or unregenerated R427A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing 15 wt. % R32, 25 wt. % R125, 50 wt. % R134a, and 10 wt. % R227ea); or unregenerated R428A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R125, R143a, propane and isobutane); or unregenerated R430A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R152a and isobutane); or unregenerated R434A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R125, R134a, R143a and isobutane); or unregenerated R-463A (ASHRAE designation for blends of R-744 / 32 / 125 / 1234yf / 134a (6.0 / 36.0 / 30.0 / 14.0 / 14.0)).or unregenerated R437A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R125, R134a, n-butane and n-pentane); or unregenerated R438A (ASHRAE designation for blends containing R32, R125, R134a, n-butane and isopentane); or unregenerated R507A and R507B (ASHRAE designation for blends of R125 and R143a at different component concentrations); or unregenerated R508A and R508B (ASHRAE designation for blends of trifluoromethane (R23) and hexafluoroethane ( R116) and any used unregenerated blend is processed in systems 120-140 to form a regenerated refrigerant component that is reconstituted in system 150 where fresh or natural refrigerant is added and becomes stable and traceable in system 160 where up to 0.1 wt%, or up to 0.2 wt%, or up to 0.3 wt% of ethane; or propane; or propylene; or butane; or butylene; or isobutylene; or limonene / propane; or l-limonene / propane; or β-pinene / propane; or α-pinene / propane; or α-terpinene / propane; or β-terpinene / propane; or γ-terpinene / propane; or δ-terpinene / propane; or d-limonene / cyclopropane; or l-limonene / cyclopropane; or β-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-terpinene / cyclopropane; or β-terpinene / cyclopropane; or γ-terpinene / cyclopropane; or δ-terpinene / / cyclopropane, and / or added at a total concentration of about 1 part per million by weight (ppm) to about 5000 ppm based on the weight of the overall composition; about 10 ppm to about 1000 ppm; or about 20 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 25 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 50 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm of HFO-E-1336mzz; or HCFO-1233zd; or HFO-1224yd; or CFO-1112; or HFO-1123; or HFO-1327; or HFO-Z-1336mzz; or HFO-1336yf; or HFO-1336ze; or HFC-263fb.

[0114] Other Implementations

[0115] Method embodiment 1 comprises one or more of steps a) to g); or all of steps a) to g); or at least step a) and step b), wherein steps a) to g) comprise:

[0116] a) providing a used or unregenerated fluoroolefin refrigerant composition comprising a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant component: HFC-32; HFC-134a; HFC-125; HFC-143a; HFC-152a; or HFC-227ea; and a fluoroolefin component HFO-1234yf; HFO-Z / E-1234ze;

[0117] HFO-E / Z-1336mzz, HFO-E / Z-1225ye; Z / E-HFO-1132, HFO-1123; or a blend of HFO-1234yf and HFO-Z / E-1234ze; or HFO-1234y and Z / E-1225ye; or a blend of HFO-1234yf and HFO-Z / E-1132E; or a blend of HFO-Z / E-1336mzz and HFO-Z / E-1234ze;

[0118] b) weighing and testing the unregenerated refrigerant or blend of step a) and identifying at least one of refrigerant components, contaminants, non-condensable gases (NCGs), testing physical properties, and checking and comparing the purity of the unregenerated refrigerant or blend relative to the AHRI 700 standard, and checking whether the unregenerated refrigerant or blend of step a) does not meet the AHRI 700 standard;

[0119] c) selecting at least one or all of the physical treatment and / or chemical treatment according to step b), and treating and purifying the unregenerated refrigerant or blend of step b), and providing at least one first refrigerant product;

[0120] d) checking the purity of the at least one first processed refrigerant product of step c) and determining whether the first processed refrigerant product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard;

[0121] e) (1) if the first treated refrigerant product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard, adding an additional refrigerant component to the first treated refrigerant product to form a first target refrigerant or refrigerant blend, or (2) further purifying the first treated product that does not meet the AHRI 700 standard to produce a second treated product and examining the purity of the second treated product to determine whether it meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard;

[0122] f) if the second processed product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard, adding an additional refrigerant component to the second processed product to form a second target refrigerant or refrigerant blend;

[0123] g) adding to the first target refrigerant and / or the second target refrigerant or the refrigerant blend of step e) and / or f) an effective amount of (1) at least one oligomer inhibitor selected from ethane and / or propane and / or cyclopropane and / or limonene or pinene and / or propane and limonene, propane and pinene, cyclopropane and limonene, and cyclopropane and / or pinene and / or at least one oligomer inhibitor selected from

[0124] HFO-Z / E-1336mzz and / or HFO-1233zd and / or HFO-1224yd and / or HFO-1112 and / or HFO-1327 and / or HFO-1336yf and / or HFO-1336ze and / or

[0125] A tracer of HFC-263fb, provided that the refrigerant / component / compound and the tracer are not the same. Method Embodiment 2 comprises:

[0126] a) providing a used or unregenerated fluoroolefin refrigerant composition comprising a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant: HFC-32; HFC-134a; HFC-125; HFC-143a; HFC-152a; or HFC-227ea; and a fluoroolefin HCO-1132; HFO-1234yf; HFO-Z / E-1234ze; HFO-E / Z-1336mzz; HFO-Z / E-1225ye; or Z / E-HFO-1132; or a blend of HFO-1234yf and HFO-Z / E-1234ze; or HFO-1234y and Z / E-1225ye; or a blend of HFO-1234yf and Z / E-HFO-1132; or a blend of Z / E-HFO-1234ze;

[0127] b) weighing and testing the unregenerated refrigerant or blend of step a), including at least one of refrigerant components, contaminants and non-condensable gases (NCGs), physical properties, and checking and comparing the purity of the unregenerated refrigerant or blend relative to the AHRI 700 standard; and testing whether the unregenerated refrigerant or blend of step a) does not meet the AHRI 700 standard;

[0128] c) optionally selecting a physical treatment and / or a chemical treatment according to step b), and treating and purifying the unregenerated refrigerant or blend of step b), and providing at least one first refrigerant product;

[0129] d) checking the purity of the at least one first processed refrigerant product of step c) and determining whether the first processed refrigerant product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard;

[0130] e) If necessary, (1) if the first processed refrigerant product meets or exceeds the AHRI

[0131] 700 standard, then add an additional refrigerant component to the first processed refrigerant product to form a first target refrigerant or refrigerant blend, or (2) further purify the first processed product that does not meet the AHRI 700 standard to produce a second processed product and check the purity of the second processed product to determine whether it meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard.

[0132] 700 standard;

[0133] f) if the second processed product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard, optionally adding an additional refrigerant component to the second processed product to form a second target refrigerant or refrigerant blend;

[0134] g) optionally adding to the first target refrigerant and / or the second target refrigerant or the refrigerant blend of step e) and / or f) an effective amount of (1) at least one oligomer inhibitor selected from ethane and / or propane and / or cyclopropane and / or limonene or pinene and / or propane and limonene, propane and pinene, cyclopropane and limonene and cyclopropane and / or pinene and / or at least one selected from HFO-Z / E-1336mzz and / or HFO-1233zd and / or HFO-1224yd and / or HFO-1112 and / or HFO-1327 and / or HFO-1336yf and / or HFO-1336ze and / or

[0135] or a tracer of HFC-263fb, provided that the refrigerant and the tracer are not the same.

[0136] Process Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein an oligomer inhibitor or an effective amount of an oligomer inhibitor is added to maintain the formation of oligomeric products, homopolymers or other polymeric products at a level of less than about 0.03 wt%.

[0137] Process embodiment 1 or 2, wherein an effective amount of an oligomer inhibitor is added to keep the first target refrigerant and / or the second target refrigerant or refrigerant blend of steps e) and / or f) free of oligomerization products, homopolymers or other polymerization products.

[0138] Method embodiment 1 or 2, wherein an oligomer inhibitor is added and comprises at least one of ethane, propane, cyclopropane, and limonene or pinene, and / or a tracer is added.

[0139] Method embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the added oligomer inhibitor comprises: up to about 0.5 wt%; or less than 0.5 wt% but greater than 0 wt%; or 0.001 wt% to 0.005 wt%; or 0.01 wt% up to one of 0.015 wt%, 0.02 wt%, 0.03 wt%, 0.04 wt%, 0.05 wt%, 0.06 wt%, 0.07 wt%, 0.08 wt%, 0.09 wt% and 0.1 wt%; or one of 0.2 wt% to 0.3 wt% (3000 ppm), 0.4 wt% and up to 0.5 wt%.

[0140] Method embodiments 1 or 2, wherein at least one tracer is added and comprises: about 10 ppm to about 1000 ppm; or about 20 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 25 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 50 ppm to about 500 ppm; or about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm, wherein "about" is ±1%, ±2%, ±3% and up to and including ±10% of the ppm amount.

[0141] Process Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the used or unregenerated fluoroolefin refrigerant composition comprises HFO-1234yf or HFO-Z / E-1234ze or 1 wt % to 99 wt % HFO-1234yf and 99 wt % to about 1 wt % HFO-Z / E-1234ze.

[0142] Process Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the used or unregenerated HFO-1234yf or HFO-Z / E-1234ze fluoroolefin refrigerant composition further comprises HFC-32 and / or HFC-134 and / or HFC-134a and / or HFC-32 and HFC-134a and / or HFC-125.

[0143] Process Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the used and unregenerated refrigerant or refrigerant blend comprises HFC-32; or HFC-32 and HFC-125; or HFC-134, HFC-125 and HFC-32; or HFC-134a and HFC-125; or HFO-1234yf; or HFO-Z / E-1234ze; or HFO-1234yf and HFO1234ze; or HFO-1234yf f and at least one of HFC-32, HFC-134a, HFC-125, HFC-152a and CO2 (R744); or HFO-Z / E-1234ze and at least one of HFC-32, HFC-134a and HFC-125; or HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze and at least one of HFC-32, HFC-134a and HFC-125.

[0144] Process Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the oligomer inhibitor is added and comprises a pair of inhibitors comprising propane and limonene or pinene or xylene and limonene or pinene.

[0145] Method embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the test of step b) comprises GC-FID and / or GC-TCD and / or GC-MS and / or FTIR and / or Goetz Bub and / or Karl Fischer and / or Byk-Garner Color and / or acidity test and / or moisture and / or NAG.

[0146] Method embodiment 1, wherein the testing of step b) comprises GC-MS, FTIR, acidity, moisture and NAG testing.

[0147] Method embodiment 1 or 2, wherein system 120 includes NAG testing performed by using an infrared sensor, or a UV sensor, or a NIR sensor, or an ion mobility or plasma chromatograph, or a high temperature thick film sensor, or a thin film field effect sensor, or a pellistor sensor, or a Taguchi sensor, or a quartz microbalance sensor.

[0148] Process embodiment 1 or 2 comprises distillation and / or adsorption and / or desorption and / or cryogenic cooling and step e) or f) comprises NAG purge and / or water removal by distillation and / or drying with a desiccant and / or solids filter and / or acidity neutralization and / or high boiling residue / chloride distillation.

[0149] Method implementation scheme 1 step f) includes separating and purifying HFO-1234yf and HFO-Z / E-1234ze; or HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze and HFO-Z / E-1225ye; or HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze, HFO-Z / E-1225ye and Z / E-HFO-1132, or HFO1234ze(E) and HFO-1336mzz(E).

[0150] Process Implementation 1 Step f) includes separating and purifying HFO-1234yf; or HFO-Z / E-1234ze; or E-1225ye; or Z / E-HFO-1132; or HFO-1132a or HFO-1336mzz(E); or HFO-1336mzz(Z); HFC-152a; or HFC-134a; or HFC-32; or HFC-125; or HFC-143a; or HFC-227ea; or CH3I; or HFC-32 and HFC-134a; or HFC-32, HFC-134a and HFC-125; or HFO-1234yf and Z / E-HFO-1234ze; or HFO-1234yf, HFO-1336mzz(E) and HFO-1234ze(E).

[0151] The disclosed composition embodiment 1 of the present invention is a regenerated-reconstructed, stabilized and traceable refrigerant composition comprising regenerated-reconstructed, stabilized and traceable HFC-32; or regenerated-reconstructed, stabilized and traceable HFC-32 and HFC-125; or regenerated-reconstructed, stabilized and traceable HFC-134 and HFC-125; or regenerated-reconstructed, stabilized and traceable HFC-32, or HFC-134a and HFC-125; or HFO1234yf; or Z / E-HFO-1234ze; or HFO-1234yf and Z / E-HFO-1234ze with propane; or cyclopropane; or propylene; or butane; or butane; or isobutylene, or a xylene selected from m-xylene, or o-xylene, or p-xylene; or d-limonene; or l-limonene; or β-pinene; or α-pinene; or α-terpinene; or β-terpinene; or γ-terpinene; and / or δ-terpinene; or d-limonene / propane; or l-limonene / propane; or β-pinene / propane; or α-pinene / propane; or α-terpinene / propane; or β-terpinene / propane; or γ-terpinene / propane; and / or δ-terpinene / propane; or d-limonene / cyclopropane; or l-limonene / cyclopropane; or β-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-terpinene / cyclopropane; or β-terpinene / cyclopropane; or γ-terpinene / cyclopropane; or δ-terpinene / / cyclopropane; or d-limonene / butane; or l-limonene / butane; or β-pinene / butane; or α-pinene / propane; or α-terpinene / butane; or β-terpinene / butane; or γ-terpinene / butane; or δ-terpinene / butane; or d-limonene / isobutane; or l-limonene / isobutane; or β-pinene / isobutane; or α-pinene / isobutane; or α-terpinene / isobutane; or β-terpinene / isobutane; or γ-terpinene / isobutane; or δ-terpinene / / isobutane; or d-limonene / butene; or l-limonene / butene; or β-pinene / butene; or α-pinene / butene; or α-terpinene / butene; or β-terpinene / butene; or γ-terpinene / butene; or δ-terpinene / butene with HFO-Z / E-1336mzz; or HFO-1233zd; or HFO-1224yd; or HFO-1112; or HFO-1327; or HFO-1336yf; or HFO-1336ze; or HFC-263fb.

[0152] The disclosed composition embodiment 1 of the present invention is a regenerated-reconstituted, stabilized and traceable refrigerant composition, based on the total weight of the regenerated-reconstituted refrigerant or refrigerant blend, the refrigerant composition comprising up to about 0.5 wt %; or less than 0.5 wt % but greater than 0 wt %; or 0.001 wt % to 0.005 wt %; or 0.01 wt % up to one of 0.015 wt %, 0.02 wt %, 0.03 wt %, 0.04 wt %, 0.05 wt %, 0.06 wt %, 0.07 wt %, 0.08 wt %, 0.09 wt % and 0.1 wt %; or 0.2 wt % to 0.3 wt % (3000 ppm), 0.4 wt % and 0.5 wt. % of one of propane or cyclopropane; or propylene; or butane; or butane; or isobutylene, a xylene selected from m-xylene, or o-xylene, or p-xylene; or d-limonene; or l-limonene; or β-pinene; or α-pinene; or α-terpinene; or β-terpinene; or γ-terpinene; and / or δ-terpinene; or d-limonene / propane; or l-limonene / propane; or β-pinene / propane; or α-pinene / propane; or α-terpinene / propane; or β-terpinene / propane; or γ-terpinene / propane; and / or δ-terpinene / propane; or d-limonene / cyclopropane; or l-limonene / cyclopropane; or β-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-terpinene / cyclopropane ; or β-terpinene / cyclopropane; or γ-terpinene / cyclopropane; and / or δ-terpinene / / cyclopropane; or d-limonene / butane; or l-limonene / butane; or β-pinene / butane; or α-pinene / propane; or α-terpinene / butane; or β-terpinene / butane; or γ-terpinene / butane; or δ-terpinene / butane; or d-limonene / iso butane; or l-limonene / isobutane; or β-pinene / isobutane; or α-pinene / isobutane; or α-terpinene / isobutane; or β-terpinene / isobutane; or γ-terpinene / isobutane; or δ-terpinene / isobutane; or d-limonene / butene; or l-limonene / butene; or β-pinene / butene; or α-pinene / butene; or α-terpinene or HFO-1327; or HFO-1336yf; or HFO-1336ze; or HFC-263fb, wherein optionally “about” is ±1%, ±2%, ±3% and up to and including ±10% of the ppm value.

[0153] The disclosed system embodiment 1 of the present invention includes an unregenerated refrigerant recovery station; a weighing and testing station, the weighing and testing station including an analytical system to determine the physical and chemical properties of the unregenerated refrigerant including refrigerant components, contaminants and non-condensable gases (NCG); a first purification system and a first transfer line for receiving and processing the unregenerated refrigerant from the weighing and testing station; optionally, a second purification system and a second transfer line for receiving and processing the refrigerant from the first purification system; a target refrigerant system, the target refrigerant system being fluidly connected to the first transfer line and the second transfer line to receive the processed refrigerant from the first purification system and the second purification system, for adjusting the content of the regenerated refrigerant component to the target refrigerant content of the AHRI700 standard after purification at the first purification system and the second purification station, the target refrigerant system including a blending station to provide a refrigerant that complies with the AHRI 700 standard regenerated refrigerant blend components; oligomer and tracer tank systems, the oligomer and tracer tank systems each containing a supply of: (1) propane; or cyclopropane; or propylene; or butane; or butane; or isobutylene; or d-limonene; or l-limonene; or β-pinene; or α-pinene; or α-terpinene; or β-terpinene; or γ-terpinene; and / or δ-terpinene; or d-limonene / propane; or l-limonene / propane; or β-pinene / propane; or α-pinene / propane; or α-terpinene / propane; or β-terpinene / propane; or γ-terpinene / propane; and / or δ-terpinene / propane; or d-limonene / cyclopropane; or l-limonene / cyclopropane; or β-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-pinene / cyclopropane; or α-terpinene / cyclopropane; or β-terpinene / cyclopropane; or γ-terpinene / cyclopropane; and / or δ-terpinene / / cyclopropane; or d-limonene / butane; or l-limonene / butane alkane; or β-pinene / butane; or α-pinene / propane; or α-terpinene / butane; or β-terpinene / butane; or γ-terpinene / butane; or δ-terpinene / butane; or d-limonene / isobutane; or l-limonene / isobutane; or β-pinene / isobutane; or α-pinene / isobutane; or α-terpinene / isobutane; or β-terpinene / isobutane; or γ-terpinene / isobutane; or δ-terpinene / isobutane; or d-limonene / butene; or l-limonene / isobutane limonene / butene; or β-pinene / butene; or α-pinene / butene; or α-terpinene / butene; or β-terpinene / butene; or γ-terpinene / butene; or δ-terpinene / butene and (2) HFO-Z / E-1336mzz; or HFO-1233zd; or HFO-1224yd; or HFO-1112; or HFO-1327; or HFO-1336yf; or HFO-1336ze; or HFC-263fb;and a purity check station for checking the purity of the unregenerated refrigerant before purification, after the first purification treatment and / or the second purification treatment, and the purity of at least one first processed product of step c), and determining whether the first processed product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard. ;

[0154] System embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a weighing and testing station comprising a scale and a GC-FID; or GC-TCD; or GC-MS; or FTIR; or Goetz Bub, or Karl Fischer, or Byk-Garner Color or NCG detector.

[0155] System embodiment 1 includes a first purification system and an optional second purification system, either or both of which include one or more distillation towers; or one or more adsorption / desorption columns; one or more cryogenic coolers; or at least one distillation tower and at least one adsorption / desorption tower and at least one cryogenic cooler; and an NCG purge unit; or a water distillation or desiccant dryer unit; or a solid filtration unit; or an acidity neutralizer; or a high distillation residue tower.

[0156] Although certain aspects, embodiments and principles have been described above, it should be understood that this description is exemplary only and not limiting of the present invention or the appended claims. The aforementioned various aspects, embodiments and principles can be used alone or in combination with each other.

Claims

1. A method comprising the following steps: a) providing an unregenerated refrigerant composition comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of HFC-32, HFC-134, HFC-134a, HFC-125, HFC-143a, HFC-152a, HFC-227ea, HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze, E-1225ye, HFO-Z / E-1132 and HFO-E / Z-1336mzz and a mixture of two or more thereof; b) (1) weighing and testing the unregenerated refrigerant composition of step a) to determine at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of refrigerant components, contaminants, non-condensable gases (NCGs), and physical properties, and (2) checking and comparing the purity of the unregenerated refrigerant composition relative to the AHRI 700 standard, and if the unregenerated refrigerant composition of step a) does not meet the AHRI 700 standard, selecting a physical treatment and / or chemical treatment based on the data obtained from step b) (1) and treating and purifying step b) the unregenerated refrigerant composition of (1) and providing at least one first processed product; c) checking the purity of the at least one first processed product of step b) and determining whether the at least one first processed product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard; d) optionally, (1) if the at least one first processed product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard, adding at least one additional refrigerant component to the at least one first processed product to form a first target refrigerant or refrigerant blend, or (2) if the at least one first processed product does not meet the AHRI 700 standard, further purifying the at least one first processed product to produce a second processed product, and inspecting the purity of the second processed product to determine whether it meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard; e) if the second processed product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard, optionally adding at least one additional refrigerant component to the second processed product to form a second target refrigerant or refrigerant blend; as well as f) optionally adding to the first target refrigerant and / or the second target refrigerant or refrigerant blend of step d) and / or e) an effective amount of (1) at least one oligomer inhibitor selected from the group consisting of ethane, propane, cyclopropane, limonene, pinene, both propane and limonene, both propane and pinene, both cyclopropane and limonene, and both cyclopropane and pinene, and / or (2) at least one tracer selected from the group consisting of HFO-Z / E-1336mzz, HFO-1233zd, HFO-1224yd, HFO-1112, HFO-1327, HFO-1336yf, HFO-1336ze and HFC-263fb, with the proviso that the at least one component and the at least one tracer are not the same.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein an oligomer inhibitor is added.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising adding an effective amount of the oligomer inhibitor to maintain the formation of oligomeric products, homopolymers or other polymeric products at a level of less than about 0.03 wt. %.

4. The method according to claim 2, comprising adding an effective amount of the oligomer inhibitor to keep the first target refrigerant and / or the second target refrigerant or the refrigerant blend of step d) and / or e) free of oligomerization products, homopolymers or other polymerization products. 5 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the oligomer inhibitor comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of ethane, propane, cyclopropane, limonene, and pinene.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein a tracer is added.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the oligomer inhibitor comprises: Up to about 0.5% by weight; or Less than 0.5% by weight but greater than 0% by weight; or 0.001 wt % to 0.005 wt %; or 0.01 wt % up to one of 0.015 wt %, 0.02 wt %, 0.03 wt %, 0.04 wt %, 0.05 wt %, 0.06 wt %, 0.07 wt %, 0.08 wt %, 0.09 wt % and 0.1 wt %; or One of 0.2 wt% to 0.3 wt% (3000 ppm), 0.4 wt% and 0.5 wt%.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein adding at least one tracer and based on the total weight of the first target refrigerant and / or the second target refrigerant or the refrigerant blend comprises: From about 10 ppm to about 1000 ppm; or From about 20 ppm to about 500 ppm; or From about 25 ppm to about 500 ppm; or from about 50 ppm to about 500 ppm; or About 100 ppm to about 300 ppm.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the unregenerated fluoroolefin refrigerant composition comprises HFO-1234yf, 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the unregenerated fluoroolefin refrigerant composition comprises HFO-Z / E-1234ze.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the unregenerated fluoroolefin refrigerant composition comprises from about 1 wt% to about 99 wt% HFO-1234yf and from about 99 wt% to about 1 wt% HFO-Z / E-1234ze.

12. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the unregenerated fluoroolefin refrigerant composition comprises HFC-32.

13. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the unregenerated fluoroolefin refrigerant composition comprises HFC-134 and / or HFC-134a.

14. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the unregenerated fluoroolefin refrigerant composition comprises HFC-32 and HFC-134a.

15. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the unregenerated fluoroolefin refrigerant composition comprises HFC-125.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1, 7 and 8, wherein the unregenerated refrigerant composition comprises: HFC-32; or HFC-32 and HFC-125; or HFC-134 and HFC-125, HFC-32; or HFC-134a and HFC-125; or HFO1234yf; or HFO-Z / E-1234ze; or HFO-1234yf and HFO1234ze; or HFO-1234yf and at least one of HFC-32, HFC-134a, HFC-125, HFC-152a and CO2; or HFO-Z / E-1234ze and at least one of HFC-32, HFC-134a and HFC-125; or HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze, and at least one of HFC-32, HFC-134a, and HFC-125.

17. The method of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein an oligomer inhibitor is added and comprises a pair of inhibitors.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the oligomer inhibitor pair comprises propane and one of limonene and pinene.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the test of step b) comprises at least one of GC-FID, GC-TCD, GC-MS, FTIR, Goetz Bub, Karl Fischer, Byk-Garner Color, acidity test, humidity test, and NAG test.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the test of step b) comprises GC-MS, FTIR, acidity test, humidity test and NAG test.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the NAG test involves using one of an infrared sensor, a UV sensor, a NIR sensor, an ion mobility or plasma chromatograph, a gas chromatography, a refractometry, a mass spectrometry, a high temperature thick film sensor, a thin film field effect sensor, a pellistor sensor, a Taguchi sensor, and a quartz microbalance sensor.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein step b) comprises at least one of distillation, adsorption, desorption and cryogenic cooling, and step f) comprises NAG purging, water removal by distillation and / or drying with a desiccant, solids filtration, acidity neutralization and / or high boiling residue / chloride distillation.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the one or more treatments of step b) further comprise, unlike step c), at least one NAG purge, water removal by distillation and / or drying with a desiccant, solids filtration, acidity neutralization, and high boiling residue / chloride distillation.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein step f) comprises separating and purifying: HFO-1234yf and HFO-Z / E-1234ze; or HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze, HFO-Z / E-1225ye; or HFO-Z / E-1132.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein step f) comprises separating and purifying: HFO-1234yf; or HFO-Z / E-1234ze; or E-1225ye; or HFO-Z / E-1132.

26. The method of claim 16, wherein step f) comprises separating and purifying: HFC-152a; or HFC-134a; or HFC-32; or HFC-125; or HFC-143a; or HFC-227ea; or CH3I.

27. The method according to 16, wherein step f) comprises separating and purifying: HFC-32 and HFC-134a; or HFC-32, HFC-134a and HFC-125.

28. The method of claim 16, wherein step f) comprises separating and purifying: HFO-1234yf and HFO-Z / E-1234ze; or HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze, HFO-Z / E-1225ye; or HFO Z / E-1132.

29. The method of claim 16, wherein step f) comprises separating and purifying: HFO-1234yf; or HFO-Z / E-1234ze; or E-1225ye; or HFO-E / Z-1336mzz; or HFO-Z / E-1132.

30. The method of claim 16, wherein step f) comprises separating and purifying: HFC-152a; or HFC-134a; or HFC-32; or HFC-125; or HFC-143a; or HFC-227ea; or CH3I. 31 . A regenerated refrigerant composition, comprising the first target refrigerant or the second target refrigerant according to any one of claims 1 and 7 to 18.

32. A regenerated refrigerant composition, comprising: a. at least one regenerated refrigerant, the at least one regenerated refrigerant selected from the group consisting of: HFC-32; HFC-227ea; or HFC-32 and HFC-125, or HFC-134 and HFC-125, or HFC-134a and HFC-125; or HFO1234yf; or HFO-Z / E-1234ze; or HFO-E / Z-1336mzz; or HFO-1234yf and HFO1234ze; HFO1234ze and HFO-E / Z-1336mzz; or HFO-1234yf; or at least one of HFC-32, HFC-134a and HFC-125; or HFO-Z / E-1234ze and at least one of HFC-32, HFC-134a and HFC-125; or HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze, and at least one of HFC-32, HFC-134a, and HFC-125; b. at least one oligomer inhibitor selected from the group consisting of d-limonene, l-limonene, β-pinene, α-pinene, α-terpinene, β-terpinene, γ-terpinene and δ-terpinene, d-limonene / propane, l-limonene / propane, β-pinene / propane, α-pinene / propane, α-terpinene / propane, β-terpinene / propane, γ-terpinene / propane and δ-terpinene / propane, d-limonene / cyclopropane, l-limonene / cyclopropane, β-pinene / cyclopropane, α-pinene / cyclopropane, α-terpinene / cyclopropane, β-terpinene / cyclopropane, γ-terpinene / cyclopropane and δ-terpinene / / Cyclopropane, d-limonene / butane, l-limonene / butane, β-pinene / butane, α-pinene / propane, α-terpinene / butane, β-terpinene / butane, γ-terpinene / butane and δ-terpinene / butane, d-limonene / isobutane, l-limonene / isobutane, β-pinene / isobutane, α-pinene / isobutane, α-terpinene / isobutane, β-terpinene / isobutane, γ-terpinene / isobutane and δ-terpinene / / Isobutane, d-limonene / butene, l-limonene / butene, β-pinene / butene, α-pinene / butene, α-terpinene / butene, β-terpinene / butene, γ-terpinene / butene and δ-terpinene / butene; and c. at least one tracer selected from the group consisting of: HFO-Z / E-1336mzz, HFO-1233zd, HFO-1224yd, HFO-1112, HFO-1327, HFO-1336yf, HFO-1336ze and HFC-263fb, provided that the at least one regenerated refrigerant and the at least one tracer are not the same.

33. The regenerated refrigerant composition of claim 32, wherein the oligomer inhibitor comprises, based on the total weight of the refrigerant component: Up to about 0.5% by weight; or Less than 0.5% by weight but greater than 0% by weight; or 0.001 wt % to 0.005 wt %; or 0.01 wt % up to one of 0.015 wt %, 0.02 wt %, 0.03 wt %, 0.04 wt %, 0.05 wt %, 0.06 wt %, 0.07 wt %, 0.08 wt %, 0.09 wt % and 0.1 wt %; or One of 0.2 wt% to 0.3 wt% (3000 ppm), 0.4 wt% and 0.5 wt%.

34. The regenerated refrigerant composition according to one of claims 32 or 33, wherein the at least one tracer comprises, based on the total weight of the refrigerant component: From about 10 ppm to about 1000 ppm; or From about 20 ppm to about 500 ppm; or From about 25 ppm to about 500 ppm; or from about 50 ppm to about 500 ppm; or About 100 ppm to about 300 ppm.

35. A system, comprising: a. a non-regenerated refrigerant recovery station, wherein the non-regenerated refrigerant recovery station is configured to receive non-regenerated refrigerant; b. a weighing and testing station comprising at least one analytical system configured to determine physical and chemical properties of the non-regenerated refrigerant, the physical and chemical properties comprising at least one property selected from the group consisting of refrigerant composition, presence and / or content of contaminants, and presence and / or content of non-condensable gases (NCGs); c. a first purification system for receiving and processing the unregenerated refrigerant from the weighing and testing station; d. the first delivery pipeline; e. a second purification system for receiving and processing the refrigerant from the first purification system via the first transfer line; f. The second delivery pipeline; g. a target refrigerant system in fluid communication with the first and second delivery lines and configured to receive processed refrigerant from the first and second purification systems for adjusting the content of a regenerated refrigerant component to a target refrigerant content of the AHRI 700 standard after purification at the first and second purification stations, the target refrigerant system comprising a blending station configured to provide a regenerated refrigerant blend component that complies with the AHRI 700 standard; h. an oligomer inhibitor tank system and a tracer tank system, each containing a supply of (1) at least one oligomer inhibitor, and (2) at least one tracer selected from the group consisting of HFO-Z / E-1336mzz, HFO-1233zd, HFO-1224yd, HFO-1112, HFO-1327, HFO-1336yf, HFO-1336ze, and HFC-263fb, the oligomer inhibitor tank system and the tracer tank system being configured to add an effective amount of the at least one oligomer inhibitor and / or the at least one tracer to a target regenerated refrigerant and a regenerated refrigerant blend; and i. A purity check station configured to check the purity of the unregenerated refrigerant before purification and / or after the first purification process and / or the second purification process, and determine whether the first processed product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the weighing and testing station comprises a scale or at least one of a GC-FID, GC-TCD, GC-MS, FTIR, Goetz Bub, KarlFischer, and Byk-Garner Color detector.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein the weighing and testing station comprises one of an infrared sensor, a UV sensor, a NIR sensor, an ion mobility or plasma chromatograph, a gas chromatography, a refractometry, a mass spectrometry, a high temperature thick film sensor, a thin film field effect sensor, a pellistor sensor, a Taguchi sensor, and a quartz microbalance sensor.

38. The system of claim 35, wherein the weighing and testing station comprises a scale, a GC-MS, and a Taguchi sensor.

39. The system of claim 35, wherein at least one of the first purification system and the second purification system comprises one of a distillation column, an adsorption / desorption column, and a cryogenic cooler.

40. The system of claim 35, wherein at least one of the first purification system and the second purification system comprises one of an NCG purge unit, a water distillation or desiccant dryer unit, a solid filtration unit, an acidity neutralizer, and a high distillation residue column.

41. A method comprising: Feeding a non-regenerated refrigerant composition into the system according to claim 35, the non-regenerated refrigerant composition comprising at least one of HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze, HFO-E-1225ye, HFO-Z / E-1336mzz and HFO-Z / E-1132, optionally comprising at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of HFC-152a, HFC-134a, HFC-32, HFC-125, HFC-143a, HFC-227ea and CH3I; and recovering a stabilized and traceable regenerated refrigerant composition.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the unregenerated refrigerant composition comprises: HFC-32; or HFC-32 and HFC-125; or HFC-134 and HFC-125, HFC-32; or HFC-134a and HFC-125; or HFO1234yf; or HFO-Z / E-1234ze; or HFO-E / Z-1336mzz; or HFO-1234yf and HFO1234ze; or HFO-1234ze and HFO-E / Z-1336mzz; or HFO-1234yf and at least one of HFC-32, HFC-134a, HFC-125, HFC-152a and CO2 (R744); or HFO-Z / E-1234ze and at least one of HFC-32, HFC-134a, HFC-125 and HFC-227ea; or HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze, and at least one of HFC-32, HFC-134a, or HFC-125.

43. The method of claim 35 or claim 36, wherein the weighing and testing station is configured to detect the acidity, air, oil, particulates / solids, stabilizer and moisture content of the non-regenerated refrigerant composition.

44. The method of any one of claims 35 or 42, wherein the inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of propane, cyclopropane, propylene, butane, butane, isobutylene and mixtures of two or more thereof, d-limonene, l-limonene, β-pinene, α-pinene, α-terpinene, β-terpinene, γ-terpinene and δ-terpinene, d-limonene / propane, l-limonene / propane, β-pinene / propane, α-pinene / propane, α-terpinene / propane, β-terpinene / propane, γ-terpinene / propane and δ-terpinene / propane, d-limonene / cyclopropane, l-limonene / cyclopropane, β-pinene / cyclopropane, α-pinene / cyclopropane, α-terpinene / cyclopropane, β-terpinene / cyclopropane, γ-terpinene / propane and δ-terpinene / propane. Cyclopropane, gamma-terpinene / cyclopropane and delta-terpinene / / cyclopropane, d-limonene / butane, l-limonene / butane, beta-pinene / butane, alpha-pinene / propane, alpha-terpinene / butane, beta-terpinene / butane, gamma-terpinene / butane and delta-terpinene / butane, d-limonene / isobutane, l-limonene / isobutane, beta-pinene / isobutane alkanes, α-pinene / isobutane, α-terpinene / isobutane, β-terpinene / isobutane, γ-terpinene / isobutane and δ-terpinene / isobutane, d-limonene / butene, l-limonene / butene, β-pinene / butene, α-terpinene / butene, β-terpinene / butene, γ-terpinene / butene and δ-terpinene / butene.

45. A method comprising: a) providing an unregenerated refrigerant composition comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of HFC-32, HFC-134, HFC-134a, HFC-125, HFC-143a, HFC-152a, HFC-227ea, HFO-1234yf, HFO-Z / E-1234ze, HFO-E-1225ye, HFO-E / Z-1336mzz and HFO-Z / E-1132; b) (1) weighing and testing the unregenerated refrigerant composition of step a) to determine at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of: refrigerant composition, presence and / or content of contaminants, presence and / or content of non-condensable gases (NCGs), and physical properties, and (2) checking and comparing the purity of the unregenerated refrigerant composition relative to the AHRI 700 standard; c) if the unregenerated refrigerant composition of step a) does not meet the AHRI 700 standard, selecting a physical treatment and / or a chemical treatment according to step b)(1), and treating and purifying the unregenerated refrigerant composition of step b)(1) and providing a first treated product; d) checking the purity of the first processed product of step c) and determining whether the first processed product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard; e) optionally, (1) if the first processed product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard, adding at least one additional refrigerant component to the first processed product to form a first target refrigerant or refrigerant blend, or (2) if the first processed product does not meet the AHRI 700 standard, further purifying the first processed product to produce a second processed product and inspecting the purity of the second processed product to determine whether it meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard; f) if the second processed product meets or exceeds the AHRI 700 standard, optionally adding at least one additional refrigerant component to the second processed product to form a second target refrigerant or refrigerant blend; g) optionally adding an effective amount of at least one oligomer inhibitor selected from the group consisting of ethane, propane, cyclopropane, limonene or pinene, propane and limonene, propane and pinene, cyclopropane and limonene, and cyclopropane and pinene; and / or h) optionally adding at least one tracer selected from the group consisting of HFO-Z / E-1336mzz, HFO-1233zd, HFO-1224yd, HFO-1112, HFO-1327, HFO-1336yf, HFO-1336ze and HFC-263fb to said first target refrigerant and / or second target refrigerant or refrigerant blend of step e) and / or f), with the proviso that said at least one tracer is different from said at least one component.

46. ​​The method of claim 1 or claim 45, wherein the unregenerated refrigerant is HFO-1234yf or a HFO-1234yf blend, and the treatment of step c) comprises passing the liquid unregenerated HFO-1234yf or HFO-1234yf blend through an absorbent material to reduce or remove an oligomerization inhibitor, and then subjecting the inhibitor-reduced refrigerant or inhibitor-free refrigerant to distillation.

47. The system of claim 35, wherein the purification system includes an absorbent bed to reduce or remove oligomerization inhibitors from the unregenerated refrigerant, and the system is configured to transfer the inhibitor-reduced or inhibitor-free refrigerant from the absorbent bed to and through one or more distillation columns.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the air / oxygen content of at least one of the non-regenerated refrigerant and the regenerated refrigerant is detected.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein at least one of the unregenerated refrigerant and the regenerated refrigerant is located in a weighable container including an air / oxygen detector.

50. The system of claim 35, further comprising at least one of a non-regenerated refrigerant receiving reservoir or a regenerated refrigerant container having an air / oxygen detector.

51. The process of claim 46, wherein the unregenerated, partially regenerated or fully regenerated refrigerant is filtered to remove solids, optionally including fluoroolefin derived by-products, prior to any distillation.

52. The method of claim 47 further comprising a filter for the non-regenerated, partially regenerated or fully regenerated refrigerant to remove solids before or after any distillation, optionally the solids filter comprises a filter for fluoroolefin derived by-products.

53. The system of claim 35, wherein the system is integrated.

54. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the unregenerated fluoroolefin refrigerant composition comprises HFO-1336mzz(Z), HFO-1336mzz(E), or a mixture of HFO-1336mzz(Z) and HFO-1336mzz(E).

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