Processes for producing reclaimed thermal management fluid compositions

Abstract

A process of thermal management fluid reclamation includes collecting at least one recovered thermal management fluid to form a collected thermal management fluid, the collected thermal management fluid comprising CO2; analyzing the collected thermal management fluid to determine a composition fluid and measure impurities; and processing the collected thermal management fluid based on the results of the analysis. The analysis includes determining a content of non-condensable gases and a CO2 content of the fluid.

Description

TITLEPROCESSES FOR PRODUCING RECLAIMED THERMAL MANAGEMENT FLUID COMPOSITIONSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 661,353 filed June 18, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference it its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to systems and processes for reclaiming thermal management fluids, such as refrigerant materials, containing impurities and contaminants which render them unsuitable for and non-compliant with existing industry and environmental standards and producing industry compliant refrigerants and refrigerant blends.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Thermal management fluid or refrigerant reclamation has long attracted significant attention due to regulatory requirements and increasing emphasis on circularity, emissions reduction, and resource efficiency. An efficient and effective reclamation process benefits both the environment and the global economy. Indeed, in the absence of such a reclamation process, the thermal management fluids would have to be destroyed or otherwise disposed of, such as by thermal oxidation, which is very energy intensive and results in a loss of product to the circular economy.

[0004] Historically, most reclamation processes have simply been achieved by removing contaminants from the thermal management fluids and rebalancing the purified blends by addition of components. Historically, where separation has been used, refrigerant reclamation has been limited essentially to single-compound fluids.

[0005] Conventional reclamation requires sending the used or spent refrigerants to a reclamation site for further processing, including purification, which may include, for example, drying, acids removal, and / or separation of various components by distillation. During the conventional reclamation process, the used or spentrefrigerants are often combined in a mixed tank at the reclamation site. Alternatively, the used or spent refrigerants may have been combined in a recovery container or cylinder at the site of use. Although this simplifies the storage process, it brings challenges to and increases the complexity of the reclamation process and ensuring product quality. For example, in situations where a thermal management fluid containing carbon dioxide (CO2) is mixed with a non-CC>2-containing thermal management fluid, this may lead to contamination of the non-CC>2-containing thermal management fluid. For example, mixing a CC>2-containing blend with a non-CO2- containing blend may result in CO2 contamination of the non-CC>2-containing blend. This, in turn, may result in the reclaimed thermal management fluids having an undesirably high content of non-condensable gases (NCGs). This may also result in the reclaimed thermal management fluids falsely exhibiting a high acidity content, since CO2 reacts with the base when measuring refrigerant acidity.

[0006] Therefore, it would be desirable to reduce the CO2 content of the recovered thermal management fluids prior to or after purification. More particularly, it would be desirable to reduce the CO2 content of the recovered thermal management fluids in a manner that minimizes or eliminates undesirable release or emissions of CO2 and / or other refrigerant components of the fluids to the environment, and brings the concentration of NCGs to less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700, which, in turn, avoids false high acidity measurements.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides systems and methods for recovering, testing, treating, controlling and reformulating refrigerant compositions which have been contaminated by CO2.

[0008] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process of thermal management fluid reclamation comprising: collecting at least one recovered thermal management fluid to form a collected thermal management fluid, the collected thermal management fluid comprising CO2; analyzing the collected thermal management fluid to determine a composition fluid and measure impurities, the analysis including determining a content of non-condensable gases (NCG) and a CO2 content of the fluid; and processing the collected thermal management fluid based on the results of the analysis by:(i) if the NCG content is greater than a first predetermined threshold and the CO2 contribution to the NCG content is equal or below a second predetermined threshold, reducing the NCG content in a primary purification to be less than 1 .5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700;(ii) if the NCG content is greater than the first predetermined threshold and the CO2 contribution to the NCG content is higher than the second predetermined threshold but less than or equal to the first predetermined threshold, reducing the NCG content in a primary purification and optionally removing and optionally recovering CO2 in a second purification, resulting in a NCG content of less than 1 .5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700;(iii) if the NCG content is greater than the first predetermined threshold and the CO2 contribution to the NCG content is also greater than the first predetermined threshold, optionally reducing the NCG content in a primary purification, and removing and optionally recovering CO2 in a second purification, resulting in a NCG content of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700; or(iv) if the NCG content is less than the first predetermined threshold, optionally subjecting the fluid to at least one of the primary and second purifications to achieve a NCG content of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of this disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The FIG. schematically shows a system and method for reclaiming thermal management fluid compositions according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0011] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In exemplary embodiments, the present invention is directed to an integrated process to recover used thermal management fluid blends effectively and efficiently and to provide product streams of reclaimed thermal management fluids. The reclaimed thermal management fluids may be used, for example, for the manufacture of new product streams, and thus the inventive process reduces both manufacture of virgin thermal management fluids and the need for energy intensive destruction of out-of-specification (conventionally unreclaimable) spent thermal management fluids.

[0013] As used herein, “refrigerant compound” refers to any fluorocarbon (FC), hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), hydrochloroolefin (HCO), hydrofluoroolefin (HFO), chlorofluoroolefin (CFO), hydrochlorofluoroolefin (HCFO), hydrocarbon (HC), or carbon dioxide (R-744) that may be used alone or in a blend with other refrigerant compounds as a thermal fluid.

[0014] As used herein, “thermal management fluid” refers to any single-component or multi-component fluid used for heat transfer in a closed-loop system.

[0015] As used herein, "azeotrope-like” refers to a composition of two or more refrigerant compounds that behaves like an azeotropic composition (i.e. , has constant boiling characteristics or a tendency not to fractionate upon boiling or evaporation). Hence, during boiling or evaporation, the vapor and liquid compositions, if they change at all, change only to a minimal or negligible extent. In contrast, the vapor and liquid compositions of non-azeotrope-like compositions change to a substantial degree during boiling or evaporation.

[0016] As used herein, "azeotrope-like behavior" refers to a behavior exhibiting dew point pressure and bubble point pressure with virtually no pressure differential. In some embodiments, the difference in the dew point pressure and bubble point pressure at a given temperature is 10% or less, alternatively 9% or less, alternatively 8% or less, alternatively 7% or less, alternatively 6% or less, alternatively 5% or less,alternatively 4% or less, alternatively 3% or less, alternatively 2% or less, alternatively 1% or less, or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween.

[0017] As used herein, “close-boiling composition” refers to compositions including at least two refrigerant compounds having a boiling point difference within about 20°C, or within about 18°C, or within about 15°C, or within about 12°C, or within about 10°C. In some embodiments, the boiling point difference is less than about 9°C, alternatively less than about 8°C, alternatively less than about 7°C, alternatively less than about 6°C, alternatively less than about 5°C, alternatively less than about 4°C, alternatively less than about 3°C, alternatively less than about 2°C, or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween.

[0018] As used herein, “virgin thermal management fluid” refers to a thermal management fluid composition having at least about 95 wt% organic purity, preferably at least about 99 wt% organic purity, most preferably at least about 99.5 wt% organic purity, and that has not yet been used in a thermal management fluid application.

[0019] As used herein, “used thermal management fluid” refers to a thermal management fluid composition having at least about 95 wt% organic purity, preferably at least about 99 wt% organic purity, most preferably at least about 99.5 wt% organic purity, and that has been used as a thermal management fluid.

[0020] As used herein, “spent thermal management fluid” refers to a thermal management fluid composition having less than about 95 wt% organic purity, preferably less than about 99 wt% organic purity, most preferably less than about 99.5 wt% organic purity, and that has been used as a thermal management fluid.

[0021] As used herein, “recovered thermal management fluid” refers to a spent thermal management fluid or a used thermal management fluid composition drained or otherwise removed from a thermal management device, such as, for example, a refrigeration, an air-conditioning system or a heat pump.

[0022] As used herein, “consolidated thermal management fluid composition refers to a blend formed by combining two or more different recovered thermal management fluid types.

[0023] As used herein, “reclaimed thermal management fluid” refers to a distillation product of a consolidated thermal management fluid having at least about 95 wt% organic purity, preferably at least about 99 wt% organic purity, most preferably at least about 99.5 wt% organic purity and meeting conventional specifications for commercial use or sale as a thermal management fluid or a building block of a thermal management fluid.

[0024] As used herein, “organic purity” refers to the degree to which a fluid or fluid composition is free of contaminants such as oil and inorganic materials, such as water, acid, NCGs, particulates / solids, and the like.

[0025] As used herein, “non-condensable gases” or “NCGs” refers to gases which do not condense at normal operating temperatures and pressures in centrifugal water-chiller condensers. NCGs include all components in air, and exclude HFC-23 and FO-1132a.

[0026] In some embodiments, “virgin thermal management fluid”, “used thermal management fluid”, “spent thermal management fluid”, “recovered thermal management fluid” “consolidated thermal management fluid composition” and / or “reclaimed thermal management fluid”, as used herein, refer to a thermal management fluid composition as each is defined above, and optionally further comprising at least one stabilizer, particularly when the thermal management fluid composition includes an HFO refrigerant compound, such as 2, 3,3,3- tetrafluoropropene (R-1234yf). In some embodiments, the stabilizer comprises at least one inhibitor compound that inhibits, if not eliminates, a fluoroethylene from interacting with another compound and forming dimers, oligomers, homopolymers, or polymeric products. In some embodiments, the at least one inhibitor is selected from hydrocarbons such as cyclic monoterpenes (e.g., limonene, pinene, a-pinene, p- pinene, and terpinene); lipophilic organic compounds such as tocopherols (e.g., a- tocopherol) or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT); phenols or aromatic organic compounds having at least one chemical moiety -C6H4(OH) (e.g., benzene-1,4-diol, 4-methoxyphenol); and mixtures thereof. Specific examples of inhibitor compounds may include at least one member selected from limonene (particularly D-limonene), a-terpinene, pinene, a-pinene, p-pinene, a-tocopherol, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), 4-methoxyphenol, benzene-1 ,4-diol, and mixtures thereof.

[0027] In one embodiment, the thermal management fluid composition of any of a “virgin thermal management fluid”, “used thermal management fluid”, “spent thermal management fluid”, “recovered thermal management fluid” “consolidated thermal management fluid composition” and / or “reclaimed thermal management fluid”, each as defined above, comprises R-1234yf and at least one stabilizer comprising at least one inhibitor selected from hydrocarbons including at least cyclic monoterpene; lipophilic organic compounds; or phenols, aromatic organic compounds having at least one chemical moiety -CeH^OH), and more particularly selected from limonene (particularly D-limonene), a-terpinene, pinene, a-pinene, p-pinene, a-tocopherol, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), 4-methoxyphenol, benzene-1 ,4-diol, and mixtures thereof.

[0028] In another embodiment, the stabilizer comprises an acid scavenger, such as, but not limited to, hindered amines and epoxy compounds such as epoxy butene. In one embodiment, the thermal management fluid composition of any of a “virgin thermal management fluid”, “used thermal management fluid”, “spent thermal management fluid”, “recovered thermal management fluid” “consolidated thermal management fluid composition” and / or “reclaimed thermal management fluid”, each as defined above, comprises at least one refrigerant compound, such as an HFO refrigerant compound, and at least one stabilizer comprising at least one acid scavenger, such as, but not limited to, hindered amines and epoxy compounds such as epoxy butene.

[0029] As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a composition, process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such composition, process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0030] The transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified. If in the claim such would close the claim to the inclusion of materials other than those recited except for impurities ordinarily associated therewith. When the phrase “consists of’ appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element set forth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim as a whole.

[0031] The transitional phrase “consisting essentially of’ is used to define a composition, method that includes materials, steps, features, components, or elements, in addition to those literally disclosed provided that these additional included materials, steps, features, components, or elements do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention, especially the mode of action to achieve the desired result of any of the processes of the present invention. The term ‘consisting essentially of occupies a middle ground between “comprising” and ‘consisting of.’

[0032] Where applicants have defined an invention or a portion thereof with an open-ended term such as “comprising,” it should be readily understood that (unless otherwise stated) the description should be interpreted to also include such an invention using the terms “consisting essentially of’ or “consisting of.”

[0033] Also, use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[0034] As used herein the term “about” in certain embodiments can be quantified to mean ± 1%, ± 2%, ± 3% and up to and including ±10% of the stated value, and all whole numbers and fractions therebetween.

[0035] The present invention preferably relates to integrated systems and processes for treating unreclaimed refrigerant compounds, components and blends which are analyzed, purified, adjusted and reconstituted to comply with AHRI 700 refrigerant standards, while minimizing undesirable environmental releases of components such as CO2. AHRI-700 refers to the Standard for Specifications for Refrigerants, Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), (AHRI 700),which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. AHRI 700 specifies acceptable levels of contaminants (purity requirements) for fluorocarbon, hydrocarbon, and carbon dioxide refrigerants regardless of source and lists acceptable test methods. These refrigerants are as referenced in the ANSI / American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 34 with Addenda, which is also incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The compositions of certain blends can be found in “Factsheet 1: Update on New Refrigerants Designations and Safety Classifications”, ASHRAE, April 2023; or at https: / / www.ashrae.org / technical-resources / standards-and-guidelines / ashrae- refrigerant-designations; or in ISO 817 (International Organization for Standardization), each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

[0036] In exemplary embodiments, as shown in the FIG., systems and processes of the present invention comprise collecting at least one recovered thermal management fluid. For example, each recovered thermal management fluid may be collected from a source vessel or equipment (not shown) and collected in a respective recovery vessel or tank (not shown), and each recovery tank is transported to or located at a recycling or reclamation center. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while the description herein primarily refers to one or two recovered thermal management fluids, the invention applies to any number of recovered thermal management fluids and is not limited to one or two recovered thermal management fluids.

[0037] In some embodiments, at least one of the recovered thermal management fluids contains an undesirably high amount of CO2. Such CO2 contamination may originate from various sources. For example, in some embodiments, system components (e.g., recovery hose, recovering piping, recovery cylinder, recovery tank, and the like) which have been previously used in association with CO2 or CO2- containing blends may not have been properly decontaminated, thereby leading to CO2 contamination of a recovered thermal management fluid which is later processed by the same system components.

[0038] In some embodiments, the inventive systems and processes comprise collection of at least two recovered thermal management fluids, wherein at least one of the recovered thermal management fluids includes CO2 as a refrigerantcompound, while at least one other of the recovered thermal management fluids does not include CO2 as a refrigerant compound.

[0039] In some embodiments, the inventive systems and processes comprise collection of at least two recovered thermal management fluids, wherein the recovered thermal management fluids comprise different CC>2-containing blends. For example, at least one of the recovered thermal management fluids includes a first amount of CO2 as a refrigerant compound, while at least one other of the recovered thermal management fluids includes a second amount of CO2 as a refrigerant compound, the first and second amounts being different from each other.

[0040] Examples of refrigerant compounds which may be utilized in systems and processes of the present invention include, but are not limited to, R-11; R-12; R-13; R-22; R-23; R-32; R-50; R-113; R-114; R-115; R-116; R-123; R-124; R-125; R-134a; R-141b; R-142b; R-143a; R-152a; R-170; R-218; R-227ea; R-236fa; R-245fa; R-290; R-600; R-600a; R-601 ; R-601a; R-610; R-744; R-1130(E); R-1132a; R-1132(E); R- 1132a; R-1150; R-1233zd(E); R-1233zd(Z); R-1234yf; R-1234ze(Z); R-1234ze(E); R-1224yf(E); R-1224yd(Z); R-1252zc; R-153-10mczz; R-43-10mee; R-1270;R-1336mzz(E), R-1336mzz(Z) and the like.

[0041] Each CC>2-containing fluid may comprise CO2 as a single refrigerant compound, or alternatively may be a blend of CO2 and one or more other refrigerant compounds. Examples of CC>2-containing blend thermal management fluids which may be utilized in systems and processes of the present invention include, but are not limited to, R-445A, R-455A, R-455B, R-455C, R-463A, R-469A, R-470A, R-470B, R-472A, R-472B, R-473A, R-478A, R-480A, R-485A (69% CO2 / 10% R-1132a / 21 % R-32), and the like. In one embodiment, the CC>2-containing fluid is R-455A.

[0042] Each non-CC>2-containing fluid may be a single refrigerant compound or a blend of two or more refrigerant compounds, excluding CO2. Examples of non-CC>2- containing blend thermal management fluids which may be utilized in systems and processes of the present invention include, but are not limited to, R-401A; R-401 B; R-402A; R-402B; R-403A; R-403B; R-404A; R-405A; R-406A; R-407A; R-407B; R- 407C; R-407D; R-407E; R-407F; R-407G; R407H; R407I; R-408A; R-409A; R-409B; R-410A; R-410B; R-411A; R-411 B; R-412A; R-413A; R-414A; R-414B; R-415A; R-415B; R-416A; R-417A; R-417B; R-417C; R-418A; R-419A; R-419B; R-420A;R-421A; R-421B; R-422A; R-422B; R-422C; R-422D; R-422E; R-423A; R-424A; R-425A; R-426A; R-427A; R-428A; R-429A; R-430A; R-431A; R-432A; R-433A; R-433B; R-433C; R-434A; R-435A; R-436A; R-436B; R-437A; R-438A; R-439A; R-440A; R-441A; R-442A; R-443A; R-444A; R-444B; R-446A; R-447A; R-447B; R- 448A; R-449A; R-449B; R-449C; R-450A; R-451A; R-451B; R-452A; R-452B; R-452C; R-453A; R-454A; R-454B; R-454C; R-456A; R-457A; R-457B; R-457C; R-458A; R-459A; R-459B; R-460A; R-460B; R-461A; R-462A; R-464A; R-465A; R-466A; R-467A; R-468A; R-468B; R-468A; R-471B; R-471A; R-474A; R-475A; R-476A; R-479A; R-482A; R-495A; R-500; R-502; R-503; R-507A; R-508A; R-508B; R- 509A; R-510A; R-511A; R-512A; R-513A; R-513B; R-514A; R-515A; 515B; 516A; R- 516B and the like.

[0043] In embodiments where a recovered thermal management fluid (e.g., the CC>2-containing fluids and / or non-CC>2-containing fluids) is a blend of two or more refrigerant compounds, one or more of the recovered fluids may be zeotropic, azeotropic, azeotrope-like, or a close-boiling composition. In some embodiments, two, three, or all of the recovered thermal management fluids may be zeotropic, azeotropic, azeotrope-like, or close-boiling compositions. The system and process may operate on a continuous, batch, or semi-batch basis.

[0044] Referring to the FIG., the systems and processes of the present invention further comprise collecting at least one recovered thermal management fluid in a collection vessel or tank 10, e.g., either onsite or at the recycling or reclamation center, to form a collected thermal management fluid (hereinafter referred to as a “collected fluid”). In some embodiments, the collected fluid comprises, consists of or consists essentially of one recovered thermal management fluid. In some embodiments, the collected fluid comprises, consists of or consists essentially of two or more recovered thermal management fluids which are or have been combined and mixed together to form a consolidated thermal management fluid (hereinafter referred to as a “consolidated fluid”). Thus, as used herein, collected fluid refers to a single recovered thermal management fluid or a consolidated fluid of two or more recovered thermal management fluids.

[0045] In some embodiments, where the collected fluid comprises a single recovered thermal management fluid or a consolidated fluid, the collected fluid has aC02 content which results in a NCG content above a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, CO2 contamination of the collected fluid may originate from insufficient decontamination of system components which have been previously used for transport or process of CO2 or CC>2-containing blends.

[0046] In some embodiments, where the collected fluid comprises a consolidated fluid, the consolidated fluid is a blend of the various refrigerant compounds contained in the recovered thermal management fluids and has a consolidated composition which is different from the composition of each of the recovered thermal management fluids. In some embodiments, at least one of the recovered thermal management fluids contains CO2, and thus the collected fluid will contain CO2. Alternatively, at least one of the recovered thermal management fluid may have been contaminated by system components (e.g., recovery hose, recovering piping, recovery cylinder, recovery tank, and the like) which have been previously used in association with CO2 or CO2-containing blends and were not properly decontaminated. In some embodiments, the consolidated fluid contains at least two recovered thermal management fluids which are different CO2-containing blends, and thus the collected fluid will contain CO2.

[0047] In some embodiments, the system may comprise a plurality of collection tanks 10. In some embodiments, what refrigerant compounds are in each recovered thermal management fluid is known or determined prior to adding the recovered thermal management fluids to the collection tank 10.

[0048] Referring to the FIG., the systems and processes of the present invention further comprise testing or analyzing 20, at least in part, each of the recovered thermal management fluids and / or the collected fluid. In some embodiments, the physical and chemical properties, such as the weight of the refrigerant compositions, NCG content, acidity, air, oil, particulates / solids, stabilizer, moisture, HFO, HFC, HCFO, other refrigerant content, and purity of each of the recovered thermal management fluids and / or the collected fluid to be reclaimed are determined for comparison to industry standards. For example, in some embodiments, each of the recovered thermal management fluids and / or the collected fluid is analyzed at a first testing station 20 to determine its composition (i.e. , the refrigerant compounds contained in the composition and amounts thereof). In one embodiment, each of therecovered thermal management fluids and / or the collected fluid is also analyzed at the first testing station 20 to measure impurities, such as but not limited to water content, NCGs content, acids content, solids content and / or non-volatile residue (NVR) content, and / or to measure the organic purity. In one embodiment, each of the recovered thermal management fluids and / or the collected fluid is analyzed 20 to determine the composition and measure impurities.

[0049] The recovered thermal management fluids may be individually tested and analyzed for composition, impurities and / or purity (e.g., prior to being mixed together), but preferably the collected fluid is tested and analyzed for these properties.

[0050] In some embodiments, chemical and physical properties, such as but not limited to NCG content, of each recovered thermal management fluid and / or the collected fluid may be measured or determined, for example at the first testing station 20, using analytical techniques such as GC-FID, GC-TCD, GC-MS, FTIR, Goetz Bub, Karl Fischer, Byk-Garner Color and various other analytical methods.

[0051] In some embodiments, CO2 of each recovered thermal management fluid and / or the collected fluid may be measured or determined, for example at the first testing station 20, according to ASTM D4984-20 (Standard Test Method for Carbon Dioxide in Natural Gas Using Length-of-Stain Detector Tubes), ASTM D 513-16 (Standard Test Methods for Total and Dissolved Carbon Dioxide in Water), ASTM D6866 and D7459 (Standards for Stack Gas CO2 Testing), and EPA Method 3A (procedure for measuring oxygen and carbon dioxide in stationary sources).

[0052] Preferably, in one embodiment, each of the recovered thermal management fluids and / or the collected fluid is initially tested, for example at the first testing station 20, to determine at least the CO2 content. In some embodiments, the CO2 content is measured or determined using analytical techniques such as GC-FID, GC-TCD, GC-MS, FTIR, and various other analytical methods, preferably GC-TCD. In another embodiment, the CO2 content is measured or determined by introducing a scrubbing gas into a diluted calcium hydroxide solution (i.e. , lime water) and testing turbidity or cloudiness, as the reaction of CO2 with the calcium hydroxide forms CaCOs precipitate. This type of detection and measurement may be conducted before or after any treatment for removal of acids, such as removal of HF and HCIusing activated alumina, but preferably is conducted after removal of acids which may interfere with the measurements.

[0053] In some embodiments, the NCG content of each of the recovered thermal management fluids and / or the collected fluid is measured or determined, for example at the first testing station 20, using analytical techniques such as GC-FID, GC-TCD, GC-MS, FTIR, and various other analytical methods. In some embodiments, the CO2 content is predicted or estimated based on the NCG content measurement.

[0054] In some embodiments, according to the present invention, an oxygen sensor may be associated with the overhead / vapor space of the receiving vessel (not shown) for each recovered thermal management fluid or the collected fluid tank 10 to detect and measure the air or oxygen content of the recovered thermal management fluid(s). In some embodiments, the CO2 content is predicted or estimated based on the oxygen content measurement.

[0055] In one embodiment, the collected fluid 10 is preferably initially tested at step / station 20 to determine at least the NCG content or the CO2 content, such as by any of the methods described above. In another embodiment, as shown in the FIG., the initial testing 20 of the collected fluid 10 comprises measurement and detection of the composition, the impurities (i.e. , water content, NCG or CO2 content, acidity content, NVR content), and / or the organic purity.

[0056] Preferably, in one embodiment, the collected fluid 10 is initially analyzed at step 20, as described above, to assess the physical and chemical properties of the fluid and perform a purity check, such as for comparison to the industry standard of AHRI-700.

[0057] Based on the results of the analysis 20, the collected fluid may be processed in a first stream 12 as a high-CO2 composition having a NCG content which is above a first predetermined threshold, or in a second stream 14 as a low- CO2 composition having a NCG content which is at or below the first predetermined threshold.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first predetermined threshold of the NCG content is about 1 .5 vol%.

[0059] In some embodiments, processing of the high-CC>2 composition in the first stream 12 comprises reducing the CO2 content of the collected fluid of the first stream 12 by a primary purification 30 and optionally a second purification 40, to form a treated composition having an NCG concentration of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700, and an acidity of less than about 1 ppm by weight as HCI per AHRI 700. However, the specific treatment selected will depend on the overall NCG concentration as well as the contribution of CO2 to NCG levels.

[0060] More particularly, in some embodiments, e.g., condition (i), where the NCG content is greater than the first predetermined threshold (e.g., 1.5 vol%) but the CO2 contribution to the high NCG level is relatively low, and more particularly equal to or below a second predetermined threshold (e.g., in the range of CO2 concentration in air), in the primary purification 30, the concentration of NCGs may be altered, and more particularly reduced, resulting in a concentration of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700, by typical practices for NCG reduction, known in the industry as deNAG, optionally with capture of the refrigerant, and subsequently the treated stream 12 is re-analyzed at an optional second testing station / step 50 for composition.

[0061] In some embodiments, e.g., condition (ii), where the NCG content is greater than the first predetermined threshold (e.g., 1.5 vol%) and the CO2 contribution to the NCG level is higher than condition (i) (i.e. , higher than the second predetermined threshold) but less than or equal to the first predetermined threshold (e.g., 1.5 vol%), the concentration of NCGs may be altered, and more particularly reduced, by the primary purification 30 by typical practices for NCG reduction, known in the industry as deNAG, and optionally second purification 40 for removal and recovery of CO2 as described herein, resulting in a concentration of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700.

[0062] In some embodiments, e.g., condition (iii), the NCG content is greater than the predetermined threshold (e.g., 1.5 vol%) and the CO2 concentration is also greater than the first predetermined threshold (e.g., 1.5 vol%), processing of the high-CO2 composition in the first stream 12 comprises optionally subjecting the composition to the primary purification 30 for NCG reduction (e.g., deNAG) andsubjecting the composition the second purification 40 for removal and optional recovery of CO2 as described herein, or subjecting the composition to the second purification 40 for removal and optional recovery of CO2 as described herein, resulting in a concentration of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700, as shown in the FIG.

[0063] In some embodiments, during CO2 separation by distillation, if a fraction composition comprising CO2 and at least one of the components HFO-1132a or HFC-23 is encountered, further separation techniques could be applied, for example, separating CO2 from the mixture as solids by freeze distillation, membrane separation, extractive distillation, caustic removal and the like.

[0064] In addition to techniques and equipment for NCG reduction / removal, the primary purification 30 may also be carried out by any known separation technique or technology for removal of other impurities, such as moisture and acids. For example, the primary purification 30 may comprise using a water distillation or desiccant dryer unit, a solids filter unit, an acidity neutralizer, a high distillation residue column, adsorption / desorption beds, scrubbing solutions, cryogenic cooling, contact with molecular sieves, membrane separation, activated alumina and / or other separations techniques, for removal of certain impurities, such as high boiling contaminants, moisture and acids.

[0065] The second purification 40 may be carried out by any known suitable separation technique or technology for CO2 removal. For example, the secondary CO2 reduction purification 40 for removal of residual CO2 may be carried out using adsorption / desorption beds, scrubbing solutions cryogenic cooling, contact with molecular sieves, membrane separation, drying, acids removal, filtration, high boiler removal and / or any known separations techniques. In one embodiment, acids may also be removed with the CO2.

[0066] In one embodiment, CO2 is separated from the stream 12 (e.g., condition (ii) or (iii)) using a membrane which is configured such that the CO2 refrigerant compound can pass through the membrane and is removed and captured, while the other refrigerant compounds do not pass through the membrane. In one embodiment, CO2 is separated from the collected fluid using a distillation column. CO2 has a boiling point of -78°C, so the separation can be done by simple distillationtechniques known in the art. For example, CO2 can be collected in a trap via a compressor.

[0067] The collected or recovered CO2 can be used as reclaimed CO2, for example as a single refrigerant composition or as a blending component for a CO2- containing blend. Alternatively, the collected or recovered CO2 can be scrubbed by alkaline or alkaline earth metal hydroxide or oxide (solid or aqueous scrubber solution) to become a carbonate or bicarbonate for disposal as waste, or may be disposed of by injection at high ground depths.

[0068] Preferably, the secondary CO2 reduction purification 40 comprises using an absorbent bed and / or a scrubbing solution, alone or in combination. In one embodiment, CO2, and more particularly residual CO2, is removed from the composition of the first stream 12 by contacting the fluid with an absorbent.Absorbents such as alkaline metal oxides, alkaline earth metal oxides, alkaline metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, or combinations thereof, can be used to remove or scrub the residual CO2 from the fluid. The absorbent may be in a pure form (i.e. , unsupported) or may be impregnated or otherwise positioned on a support. The support may be, for example, carbon, alumina or activated alumina.

[0069] In one embodiment, the CO2 is removed from the composition of the first stream 12 by scrubbing with an alkaline solution and / or an organic amine solution. Examples of the alkaline solution include, but are not limited to, an alkaline metal hydroxide solution or an alkaline earth metal hydroxide solution.

[0070] Preferably, the further processing at step 40 to remove and recover CO2 results in the composition having an NCG concentration of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700, and an acidity of less than about 1 ppm by weight as HCI.

[0071] If, on the other hand, after the initial analysis 20 of the collected fluid, the NCG content of the collected fluid is determined to be at or below the predetermined threshold (e.g., 1.5 vol%), then the composition of the second low NCG stream 14 may be processed the same as or differently from the first stream 12. The CO2 may comprise up to 100% of the NCG content. In some embodiments, the collected fluid of the low NCG stream 14 may optionally be subjected to the primary purification 30, with or without deNAG, or alternatively may optionally proceed directly from the initialanalysis 20 to the secondary purification 40, to achieve a composition having an NCG concentration of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700, and an acidity of less than about 1 ppm by weight as HCI .

[0072] After the first purification 30, the composition of the purified streams 12, 14 may optionally be analyzed, for example at a second testing step or station 50, to assess the physical and chemical properties of the compositions (e.g., determine the composition and to measure impurities and / or the organic purity). Depending on the results of the optional second analysis 50, and more particularly the detected NCG content and acidity, the composition may be recirculated to the primary and / or secondary purification systems 30, 40, or may process to final purification 60. In some embodiments, the second purification 40 for removal of CO2 may be carried out while the composition is being analyzed, for example, at the second testing step or station 50, to assess the physical and chemical properties thereof. Preferably, in some embodiments, the second purification 40 to remove CO2 is carried out while the composition is being analyzed for acidity according to AHRI 700 standard, to minimize the risk of CO2 reacting with the base used when measuring refrigerant acidity and ensure accurate measurement of the refrigerant acidity.

[0073] In other embodiments, further processing is not needed, for example where the testing 50 establishes that the composition has an NCG concentration of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700, and an acidity of less than about 1 ppm by weight as HCI. In such cases, the composition may proceed directly to final purification 60 provide a treated product that is AHRI-700 compliant and is a useful single component or blending component reclaimed thermal management fluid. For example, the final purification 60 may comprise one or more of distillation, dilution, reformulation, water distillation or desiccant dryer unit, solids filter unit, acidity neutralizer, high distillation residue column and the like.

[0074] In some embodiments, during final purification 60, the streams 12, 14 may be fed to one or more distillation columns or other appropriate distillation system to separate and isolate individual refrigerant components or refrigerant blends, if desired. Subsequently, the individual refrigerant components or refrigerant blendsmay optionally be analyzed to assess their physical and chemical properties and determine purity, and at least one of the individual refrigerant components or refrigerant blends is subjected to final purification 60 to form at least one reclaimed thermal management fluid.

[0075] For any of the embodiments described herein, the reclaimed thermal management fluids may each individually be subjected to a further purification and analysis to confirm their composition and that they are commercial grade. The further purification and analysis may include analyzing and purifying as needed for water content, NCG content, acidity content of other impurities, and / or organic purity.

[0076] The systems and processes thus distill the collected thermal management fluid to form at least one reclaimed thermal management fluid. The systems and processes further include analyzing and purifying the reclaimed thermal management fluid. The reclaimed thermal management fluid has a composition that is different from the composition of the collected thermal management fluid. Preferably, the reclaimed thermal management fluids are individually analyzed to verify purity and industry compliance with AHRI-700.

[0077] In some embodiments, all or a portion of each reclaimed thermal management fluid is stored in a respective container / vessel (not shown), preferably that is ASHRAE / AHRI compliant.

[0078] In some embodiments, all or a portion of each reclaimed thermal management fluid may be mixed with a virgin, a used, or other reclaimed thermal management fluid(s) sharing the same refrigerant compounds, as needed, to adjust the composition ratios and provide a reconstituted reclaimed refrigerant composition compliant with AHRI 700 standards.

[0079] In some embodiments, all or a portion of each reclaimed thermal management fluid may be mixed with a virgin, a used, or other reclaimed thermal management fluid(s) having at least one additional refrigerant compound, as needed, to adjust the composition ratios and provide a reconstituted reclaimed refrigerant composition compliant with AHRI 700 standards.

[0080] In some embodiments, all or a portion of each reclaimed thermal management fluid may be packaged or sold as a blending building block, such as for forming commercial thermal fluid blends.

[0081] Tracers, inhibitors, stabilizers and conventional additives may be added at any point during the reclamation system and process to ensure that the reclaimed refrigerant is compliant with AHRI 700 standards.

[0082] In exemplary embodiments, when the reclaimed thermal fluid includes at least one HFO refrigerant compound, the reclamation process includes adding a stabilizer package to the thermal fluid. In exemplary embodiments, the stabilizer package includes an effective amount of at least one inhibitor such that the thermal fluid remains substantially free of oligomeric, homopolymeric, or other polymeric products derived from the thermal fluid. In some embodiments, at least one inhibitor is selected from hydrocarbons such as cyclic monoterpenes (e.g., limonene, pinene, a-pinene, p-pinene, and terpinene); lipophilic organic compounds such as tocopherols (e.g., a-tocopherol) or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT); phenols or aromatic organic compounds having at least one chemical moiety -C6H4(OH) (e.g., benzene-1,4-diol, 4-methoxyphenol); and mixtures thereof. Specific examples of inhibitor compounds may include at least one member selected from limonene (particularly D-limonene), a-terpinene, pinene, a-pinene, p-pinene, a-tocopherol, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), 4-methoxyphenol, benzene-1 ,4-diol, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the inhibitor composition includes a liquid at a temperature from about -80°C to about 180°C, about -70°C to about 170°C, and in some cases about -60°C to about 160°C. By “stabilized” it is meant to refer to a composition including an effective amount of at least one inhibitor compound that inhibits, if not eliminates, a fluoroethylene from interacting with another compound and forming dimers, oligomers, homopolymers, or polymeric products.

[0083] In some embodiments, the stabilizer package further comprises at least one acid scavenger. Examples of the acid scavengers that may be included in the present compositions include, but are not limited to, the stabilizers and / or the epoxide component of the stabilizers disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,535,555 and the acid scavengers disclosed in International Application Publication No.WO 2020 / 222864, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0084] In some embodiments, the acid scavenger may comprise one or more epoxides, one or more amines and / or one or more hindered amines, such as, for example but not limited to, epoxybutane.

[0085] In some embodiments, the tracer may be a single compound or two or more tracer compounds which is / are added to the reclaimed compositions. The tracer may comprise, for example, 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 compositions at a total concentration of about 1 part per million by weight (ppm) to about 5000 ppm, based on the weight of the total composition. In other embodiments, the tracer is present at a total concentration of about 10 ppm to about 1000 ppm. In other embodiments, the tracer is present at a total concentration of about 20 ppm to about 500 ppm. In other embodiments, the tracer is present at a total concentration of about 25 ppm to about 500 ppm. In other embodiments, the tracer is present at a total concentration of about 50 ppm to about 500 ppm. Alternatively, the tracer is present at a total concentration of about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm.

[0086] As used herein many of the compounds, components or members of the compositions or tracers may exist as different configurational isomers or stereoisomers. The present invention is intended to include all single configurational isomers, single stereoisomers or any combination thereof.

[0087] In some embodiments, an analyzer determines the composition and organic purity of one or more of the thermal management fluids of the system and process. In some embodiments, the analyzer determines the type of recovered thermal management fluid and organic purity as it is being recovered from a thermal management device. The analyzer may alternatively determine the type and organic purity of the collected thermal management fluid and / or the partially purified collected thermal management fluid and / or the reclaimed management thermal fluid. If the analyzed thermal management fluid is determined to be organically pure (> 95 wt%, or > 96 wt%, or > 97 wt%, or > 98 wt%, or > 99 wt%, or > 99.5 wt%) and of a single type by the analyzer, the thermal management fluid may be transferred to anappropriate recovery tank. If, however, there are impurities (or the organic purity is less than 95 wt%, or 96 wt%, or 97 wt%, or 98 wt%, or 99 wt%, or 99.5 wt%), such as, oil, water, dirt, and / or acid, found in the analyzed thermal management fluid by the analyzer, the analyzed thermal management fluid may be sent to a regenerator for reprocessing.

[0088] In some embodiments, a regenerator purifies the recovered thermal management fluid, the collected thermal management fluid and / or the reclaimed thermal management fluid to a state that meets AHRI Standard 700 purity specifications. The regenerator can include at least a compressor, a separator, a filter dryer, and may further include a distiller, a diluter, or a reformulator. In some embodiments, the compressor is driven to circulate the thermal fluid in a refrigerant circuit such that a voltage is applied to reduce or remove oil, such as the refrigerating machine oil, in the thermal fluid. In some embodiments, the separator is a type of oil separator. In some embodiments, the filter dryer reduces or removes water and acid included in the thermal management fluid. The regenerator can also determine information on the appropriateness of the oil, water, and acid included in the thermal management fluid after the regeneration processing and compile the thermal management fluid composition, the weight, and the like.

[0089] In one embodiment, the concentration of non-condensable materials may be altered, resulting in a concentration of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700.EXAMPLES

[0090] The invention will be described in greater detail by way of specific examples. The following examples are offered for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the invention in any manner. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize a variety of non-critical parameters which can be changed or modified to yield essentially the same results.Example 1

[0091] A recovered R-410A refrigerant is tested and found to contain 1.2 vol%NCG (83% CO2). After removal of high boiling contaminants, moisture and acids bymolecular sieves and activated alumina, CO2 is removed via an absorbent bed containing Ca(OH)2. Alternatively, without using activated alumina, acids and CO2 can be removed together via an absorbent bed containing Ca(OH)2. The final reclaimed R-410A refrigerant is subjected to acidity testing according to AHRI 700 standard, and the acidity is found to be < 1 ppm.Example 2

[0092] A recovered R-410A refrigerant is tested and found to contain 1.2 vol% NCG (83% CO2). After removal of high boiling contaminants, moisture and acids are removed by molecular sieves and activated alumina, and CO2 is removed via distillation or absorbent bed containing Ca(OH)2. The final reclaimed R-410A refrigerant is subjected to acidity testing according to AHRI 700 standard, and the acidity is found to be < 1 ppm.Example 3

[0093] A recovered R-410A refrigerant is tested and found to contain 1.2 vol% NAG (83% CO2). After removal of high boiling contaminants, moisture and acids are removed by molecular sieves and activated alumina. No CO2 removal is conducted since the NCG content meets the specifications of the AHRI 700 standard. A small absorbent bed containing Ca(OH)2 is used to remove CO2 during the acidity testing to prevent CO2 skewing the result. The acidity is found to be < 1 ppm.Comparative Example 1

[0094] A recovered R-410A refrigerant is tested and found to contain 1.2 vol% NAG (83% CO2). After removal of high boiling contaminants, moisture and acids to meet NVR and moisture specifications according to AHRI 700 standard, the reclaimed R-410A refrigerant is subjected to acidity testing, which shows 6.1 ppm acid as HCI, due to the presence of CO2.OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0095] Embodiment 1. A process of thermal management fluid reclamation comprising: collecting at least one recovered thermal management fluid to form a collected thermal management fluid, the collected thermal management fluidcomprising CO2; analyzing the collected thermal management fluid to determine a composition fluid and measure impurities, the analysis including determining a content of non-condensable gases (NCG) and a CO2 content of the fluid; and processing the collected thermal management fluid based on the results of the analysis by:(i) if the NCG content is greater than a first predetermined threshold and the CO2 contribution to the NCG content is equal or below a second predetermined threshold, reducing the NCG content in a primary purification to be less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700;(ii) if the NCG content is greater than the first predetermined threshold and the CO2 contribution to the NCG content is higher than the second predetermined threshold but less than or equal to the first predetermined threshold, reducing the NCG content in a primary purification and optionally removing and optionally recovering CO2 in a second purification, resulting in a NCG content of less than 1 .5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700;(iii) if the NCG content is greater than the first predetermined threshold and the CO2 contribution to the NCG content is also greater than the first predetermined threshold, optionally reducing the NCG content in a primary purification, and removing and optionally recovering CO2 in a second purification, resulting in a NCG content of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700; or(iv) if the NCG content is less than the first predetermined threshold, optionally subjecting the fluid to at least one of the primary and second purifications to achieve a NCG content of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700.

[0096] Embodiment 2. The process of Embodiment 1 , wherein the first predetermined threshold is a NCG content of about 1.5 vol.% at 25°C.

[0097] Embodiment 3. The process of any of Embodiments 1-2, wherein the second predetermined threshold is a CO2 content in the range of CO2 concentration in air.

[0098] Embodiment 4. The process of any of Embodiments 1-3, wherein the primary purification comprises at least one of water distillation unit, desiccant dryer unit, solids filter unit, acidity neutralizer, high distillation residue column, adsorption / desorption bed, scrubbing solution, cryogenic cooling, contact with molecular sieves, membrane separation, activated alumina, deNAGing, moisture removal, oil removal, high boiler removal, acids removal, and combinations thereof, for removal of impurities.

[0099] Embodiment 5. The process of Embodiment 4, wherein the impurities are at least one of high boiling contaminants, moisture and acids.

[0100] Embodiment 6. The process of any of Embodiments 1-5, wherein the second purification comprises removal and optional recovery of CO2 by at least one of adsorption / desorption bed, scrubbing solution, cryogenic cooling, contact with molecular sieves, membrane separation, moisture removal, oil removal, high boiler removal, acids removal, and combinations thereof.

[0101] Embodiment 7. The process of any of Embodiments 1-6, further comprising supplying the at least one reclaimed thermal management fluid for use as is or as a blending component for formation of a thermal management fluid product.

[0102] Embodiment 8. The process of any of Embodiments 1-7, wherein the second purification comprises contacting the fluid with an absorbent and / or contacting the fluid with a scrubbing solution.

[0103] Embodiment 9. The process of Embodiment 8, wherein the absorbent is selected from the group consisting of alkaline metal oxides, alkaline earth metal oxides, alkaline metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, and combinations thereof.

[0104] Embodiment 10. The process of Embodiment 8, wherein the scrubbing solution is selected from the group consisting of an alkaline solution (such as an alkaline metal hydroxide solution or an alkaline earth metal hydroxide solution) and an organic amine solution.

[0105] Embodiment 11. The process according to any of Embodiments 8 to 10, wherein the second purification is carried out while analyzing acidity of the collected thermal management fluid.

[0106] Embodiment 12. The process according to any of Embodiments 1 to 11, the process comprising collecting and combining at least two recovered thermal management fluids to form the collected thermal management fluid, at least one of the recovered thermal management fluids comprising CO2 as a refrigerant compound.

[0107] Embodiment 13. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 12, further comprising recovering at least one spent thermal management fluid as the at least one recovered thermal management fluid.

[0108] Embodiment 14. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the reclaimed thermal management fluid is selected from the group consisting of R- 445A, R-455A, R-455B, R-455C, R-463A, R-469A, R-470A, R-470B, R-472A, R- 472B, R-473A, R-478A, R-480A and R-485A (69% CO2 / 10% R-1132a / 21% R-32).

[0109] Embodiment 15. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 14, wherein at least one of the recovered thermal management fluids is selected from the group consisting of R-445A, R-455A, R-455B, R-455C, R-463A, R-469A, R-470A, R-470B, R-472A, R-472B, R-473A, R-478A, R-480A and R-485A (69% CO2 / 10% R- 1132a / 21% R-32).

[0110] Embodiment 16. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 15, further comprising adding a stabilizer package to the collected thermal management fluid or the reclaimed thermal management fluid.

[0111] Although certain aspects, embodiments and principals have been described above, it is understood that this description is made only way of example and not as limitation of the scope of the invention or appended claims. The foregoing various aspects, embodiments and principals can be used alone and in combinations with each other.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A process of thermal management fluid reclamation comprising: collecting at least one recovered thermal management fluid to form a collected thermal management fluid, the collected thermal management fluid comprising CO2; analyzing the collected thermal management fluid to determine a composition fluid and measure impurities, the analysis including determining a content of non-condensable gases (NCG) and a CO2 content of the fluid; and processing the collected thermal management fluid based on the results of the analysis by:(i) if the NCG content is greater than a first predetermined threshold and the CO2 contribution to the NCG content is equal or below a second predetermined threshold, reducing the NCG content in a primary purification to be less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700;(ii) if the NCG content is greater than the first predetermined threshold and the CO2 contribution to the NCG content is higher than the second predetermined threshold but less than or equal to the first predetermined threshold, reducing the NCG content in a primary purification and optionally removing and optionally recovering CO2 in a second purification, resulting in a NCG content of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700;(iii) if the NCG content is greater than the first predetermined threshold and the CO2 contribution to the NCG content is also greater than the first predetermined threshold, optionally reducing the NCG content in a primary purification, and removing and optionally recovering CO2 in a second purification, resulting in a NCG content of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700; or(iv) if the NCG content is less than the first predetermined threshold, optionally subjecting the fluid to at least one of the primary and second purifications to achieve a NCG content of less than 1.5 volume percent at 25°C, per AHRI 700, preferably below 0.9 volume percent at 25°C per AHRI 700.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined threshold is a NCG content of about 1.5 vol.% at 25°C.

3. The process of any of claims 1-2, wherein the second predetermined threshold is a CO2 content in the range of CO2 concentration in air.

4. The process of any of claims 1-3, wherein the primary purification comprises at least one of water distillation unit, desiccant dryer unit, solids filter unit, acidity neutralizer, high distillation residue column, adsorption / desorption bed, scrubbing solution, cryogenic cooling, contact with molecular sieves, membrane separation, activated alumina, deNAGing, moisture removal, oil removal, high boiler removal, acids removal, and combinations thereof, for removal of impurities.

5. The process of claim 4, wherein the impurities are at least one of high boiling contaminants, moisture and acids.

6. The process of any of claims 1-5, wherein the second purification comprises removal and optional recovery of CO2 by at least one of adsorption / desorption bed, scrubbing solution, cryogenic cooling, contact with molecular sieves, membrane separation, moisture removal, oil removal, high boiler removal, acids removal, and combinations thereof.

7. The process of any of claims 1-6, further comprising supplying the at least one reclaimed thermal management fluid for use as is or as a blending component for formation of a thermal management fluid product.

8. The process of any of claims 1-7, wherein the second purification comprises contacting the fluid with an absorbent and / or contacting the fluid with a scrubbing solution.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein the absorbent is selected from the group consisting of alkaline metal oxides, alkaline earth metal oxides, alkaline metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, and combinations thereof.

10. The process of claim 8, wherein the scrubbing solution is selected from the group consisting of an alkaline solution (such as an alkaline metal hydroxide solution or an alkaline earth metal hydroxide solution) and an organic amine solution.

11. The process according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the second purification is carried out while analyzing acidity of the collected thermal management fluid.

12. The process according to any of claims 1 to 11 , the process comprising collecting and combining at least two recovered thermal management fluids to form the collected thermal management fluid, at least one of the recovered thermal management fluids comprising CO2 as a refrigerant compound.

13. The process of any of claims 1 to 12, further comprising recovering at least one spent thermal management fluid as the at least one recovered thermal management fluid.

14. The process of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the reclaimed thermal management fluid is selected from the group consisting of R-445A, R-455A, R- 455B, R-455C, R-463A, R-469A, R-470A, R-470B, R-472A, R-472B, R-473A, R-478A, R-480A and R-485A (69% CO2 / 10% R-1132a / 21% R-32).

15. The process of any of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least one of the recovered thermal management fluids is selected from the group consisting of R-445A, R- 455A, R-455B, R-455C, R-463A, R-469A, R-470A, R-470B, R-472A, R-472B, R-473A, R-478A, R-480A and R-485A (69% CO2 / 10% R-1132a / 21% R-32).

16. The process of any of claims 1 to 15, further comprising adding a stabilizer package to the collected thermal management fluid or the reclaimed thermal management fluid.

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