Processes for reclamation of mixed thermal management fluids
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/US2025/033875
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-05-20
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-29
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Figure US2025033875_29012026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
TITLESYSTEMS AND PROCESSES FOR RECLAMATION OF MIXED THERMAL MANAGEMENT FLUIDSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 661,386 filed June 18, 2024, U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 699,868 filed September 27, 2024, U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 779,901 filed March 28, 2025, and U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 808,813 filed May 20, 2025, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference it its entirety.FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to systems and processes of thermal management fluid reclamation. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and processes of thermal management fluid reclamation from mixed thermal management fluids.BACKGROUND
[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. Conventional reclamation requires sending the used refrigerants to a reclamation site for further processing, including purification, which may include drying, acids removal, and / or separation of various components by distillation. Historically, where separation has been used, refrigerant reclamation has been limited essentially to single-compound fluids. However, inpractice, during the reclamation process, the used refrigerants are often combined or mixed together in a tank at the reclamation site. Used refrigerants may also be combined onsite, for example during service calls where different refrigerants are placed into the same recovery container or cylinder, which is ultimately transported to a reclamation site.
[0005] Although consolidation of the used refrigerants simplifies the storage process, it brings challenges and complexity in separation, especially for closeboiling, azeotrope-like, and azeotropic components in the recovered mixture. For example, to obtain pure single-component fluids and / or pure close-boiling, azeotrope-like, and azeotropic components, a large separation column may be required, in addition to technical processes such as extraction distillation, all of which may be energy-intensive, labor-intensive, and time-consuming.
[0006] Just in the United States alone, from hundreds of thousands to close to 1 million pounds of mixed refrigerants potentially containing ozone depleting substances (“ODSs”) and / or hydrofluorocarbons (“HFCs”) in unknown quantities and compositions are received at reclaimers each year. Such mixed refrigerants present a significant challenge in reclamation since they cannot be processed by conventional purification methods to obtain a single refrigerant. Without proper purification, these mixed refrigerants must be treated as waste, which is incinerated, optionally with recovery of hydrogen fluoride (HF), hydrogen chloride (HCI) and / or carbon dioxide (CO2) capture.
[0007] Efficient and effective reclamation of mixed refrigerants would further benefit both the environment and the global economy.SUMMARY
[0008] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process of thermal management fluid reclamation comprising: (i) analyzing a mixed thermal management fluid comprising a first refrigerant compound and a second refrigerant compound to determine the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound and to determine an amount of the first refrigerant compound and an amount of the second refrigerant compound in the mixed thermal management fluid; (ii) treating the mixed thermal management fluid to form a reclaimed compositionhaving a purity of at least 98%. In one embodiment, the reclaimed composition may be used as-is, for example, as a reclaimed thermal management fluid or as a blending component to form a reclaimed or partially reclaimed thermal management fluid. In one embodiment, the process further comprises one or more of: (a) diluting the mixed thermal management fluid with virgin or reclaimed refrigerant which is the same as the first refrigerant compound, the second refrigerant compound or both, (b) distilling the mixed thermal management fluid to form at least a first distillate suitable for use as a reclaimed thermal management fluid and at least a second distillate having a non-ideal composition, and treating the second distillate to have a purity which meets AHRI 700.
[0009] In some embodiments, the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound are a pair selected from R-134a and R-1234yf; R-1234ze(E) and R-227ea; R-152a and R-134a; R-1234yf and R-152a; R-125 and R-143a; R-32 and R-1132(E); R-1234yf and R-1132(Z); R-1234ze(E) and R-1132(Z); R-152a and R-1234ze(E); R-125 and R-32; R-1234ze(E) and R-134; R-1234yf and R-1252zc; R- 1234ze(E) and R-1252zc; R-1234ze(E) and R-134a; R-1234ze(Z) and R- 1336mzz(E); R-1234ze(Z) and R-1233zd(E); R-245fa and R-1234ze(Z); R-245fa and R-1233zd(E); R-1336mzz(Z) and trans-dichloroethylene; R-152a and R-1252zc; R- 1132(Z) and R-152a; CO2and R-1132a; R-1233zd(E) and R-1336mzz(E); and R-32 and R-290.
[0010] The process of the present invention also includes utilization of refrigerant heel and refrigerant recovered heel, which benefits emission reduction and economics.
[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which illustrates, by way of example, the principles of this disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The FIG. schematically shows a system and method for reclaiming mixed thermal management fluid compositions according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0013] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The refrigerant reclamation systems and processes according to the present invention include tight-knit flow to capture the refrigerant value, reduce or minimize energy consumption, and / or reduce or minimize an environmental footprint.
[0015] 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 management fluid, such as, for example, in a heat transfer system. Examples of heat transfer systems include but are not limited to air conditioners, freezers, refrigerators, heat pumps, water chillers, flooded evaporator chillers, direct expansion chillers, walk-in coolers, high temperature heat pumps, mobile refrigerators, mobile air conditioning units, electric storage cooling systems, battery cooling, immersion cooling systems, data-center cooling systems, and combinations thereof.
[0016] As used herein, “thermal management fluid” refers to any single-component or multi-component fluid used for heat transfer in a closed-loop system.
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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.
[0020] As used herein, “non-ideal fraction” or “non-ideal composition” refers to an unusable or commercially unviable refrigerant single-component composition or mixture which does not meet any of the refrigerant classifications set forth in ASH RAE 34 and does not meet the purity standards of AHRI 700.
[0021] 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, non-absorbable gases (NAGs), particulates / solids, and the like.
[0022] As used herein, “mixed thermal management fluid” refers to any composition that is a mixture of at least two different thermal management fluids, at least one of which is a used thermal management fluid, a spent thermal management fluid, or a recovered thermal management fluid and not a virgin thermal management fluid.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] As used herein, “refrigerant heel” or “heel” refers to the residual that cannot be completely removed from a storage, transport or handling container after it is purportedly empty, often due to pressure or physical limitations. As used herein, “refrigerant recovered heel” or “heel-recovered refrigerant” refers to that refrigerant that has been extracted from the cylinder during the recovery process.
[0028] As generally used herein, “reclaimed thermal management fluid” refers to a thermal 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 fluid. In some embodiments, “reclaimed thermal management fluid”, as used herein, refers to a distillation product of a mixed 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.
[0029] As used herein, “partially reclaimed thermal management fluid” refers to a thermal management fluid which comprises, at least in part, a reclaimed thermal management fluid.
[0030] In some embodiments, “mixed thermal management fluid”, “virgin thermal management fluid”, “used thermal management fluid”, “spent thermal management fluid”, “partially reclaimed thermal management fluid” and / or “reclaimed thermal management fluid”, as used herein, refer to a thermal management fluid composition as each is defined above, and optionally further including at least one stabilizer, particularly when the thermal management fluid composition includes an HFOrefrigerant compound, such as HFO-1234yf. In some embodiments, the stabilizer includes 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 -CeH^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.
[0031] In another embodiment, the stabilizer includes 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 “mixed thermal management fluid”, “virgin thermal management fluid”, “used thermal management fluid”, “spent thermal management fluid”, “partially reclaimed thermal management fluid” and / or “reclaimed thermal management fluid”, each as defined above, includes at least one refrigerant compound, such as an HFO refrigerant compound, and at least one stabilizer including at least one acid scavenger, such as, but not limited to, hindered amines and epoxy compounds such as epoxy butene.
[0032] 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).
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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”.
[0035] 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”.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] In exemplary embodiments, an integrated business and engineering system and process effectively and efficiently recovers a mixture of thermal management fluids, analyzes and purifies the recovered fluids, and provides product streams of reclaimed pure single-component, azeotropic, azeotrope-like, and / or close-boiling thermal management fluids for use as a thermal management fluid and / or for the manufacture of new product streams, in a manner that reduces boththe need for manufacture of virgin thermal management fluids and the need for energy intensive destruction of out-of-specification (conventionally unreclaimable) mixed thermal management fluids.
[0039] In exemplary embodiments, a system and process of thermal management fluid reclamation includes collecting one or more recovered thermal management fluids, for example in a tank, and forming a mixture of thermal management fluids, hereinafter referred to as a “mixed thermal management fluid”. In some embodiments, at least one of the thermal management fluids comprises at least a first refrigerant compound and a second refrigerant compound, such that the mixed thermal management fluid includes at least the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound. In some embodiments, at least one of the thermal management fluids comprises at least a first refrigerant compound and at least another of the thermal management fluids comprises at least a second refrigerant compound, such that the mixed thermal management fluid includes at least the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound. In some embodiments, two or more thermal management fluids, some of which or each of which is comprised of a single refrigerant compound, are combined to form the mixed thermal management fluid, such that the mixed thermal management fluid includes a plurality of refrigerant compounds. In some embodiments, one thermal management fluid comprised of at least two refrigerant compounds is recovered to form the mixed thermal management fluid.
[0040] Thus, in some embodiments, the mixed thermal management fluid may be comprised of a mixture of at least one thermal management fluid having at least one refrigerant compound and at least one thermal management fluid having at least two refrigerant compounds; at least two thermal management fluids each of which has at least one refrigerant compound; at least two thermal management fluid each of which has at least two refrigerant compounds; one thermal management fluid having at least two refrigerant compounds; and the like.
[0041] In some embodiments, the system and process comprise analyzing the individual recovered thermal management fluids or the mixed thermal management fluid to determine the composition of the fluid or any other physical or chemical properties. For example, the individual recovered thermal management fluids or themixed thermal management fluid may be analyzed to determine an identity and amount of each refrigerant compound present, as well as other properties, including but not limited to, water content, non-absorbable or non-condensable gas (NAG) content, acidity content, nonvolatile residue (NVR) content, and / or organic purity.
[0042] In some embodiments, the individual recovered thermal management fluids or the mixed thermal management fluid is tested, validated and distilled as set forth in U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 541 ,498 filed September 29, 2023, U.S.Provisional Application No. 63 / 599,883 filed November 16, 2023, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 627,372 filed January 31 , 2024 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 564,043 filed March 12, 2024, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0043] In some embodiments, carbon dioxide (CO2) may optionally be separated and recovered from the mixed thermal management fluid, in order to reduce the amount of CO2 in the mixed thermal management fluid, prior to treatment (e.g., distilling) of the mixed thermal management fluid to produce one or more reclaimed thermal management fluids. For example, the CO2 content may be reduced to less than 0.1 vol% based on the total volume of the mixed thermal management fluid.
[0044] In one embodiment, the recovered thermal management fluids and / or the mixed thermal management fluid is / are validated or treated, such as by purifying as needed to achieve a water content, NAG content, and acidity content which meets AHRI 700 standards, and / or removing one or more impurities to achieve an organic purity of at least about 95 wt%, or about 96 wt%, or about 97 wt%, or about 98 wt%, or about 99 wt%, or about 99.5 wt%.
[0045] The tested and validated mixed thermal management fluid (also referred to herein as treated thermal management fluid) may then be suitable for use as-is as a reclaimed thermal management fluid or as a blending component for formation of a reclaimed or partially reclaimed thermal management fluid (also sometimes referred to herein as a reclaimed thermal management fluid building block), or if needed may be further treated (e.g., distilled) to form a reclaimed thermal management fluid or as a blending component for formation of a reclaimed or partially reclaimed thermal management fluid.
[0046] More particularly, in one embodiment, the tested and validated (also referred to herein as treated) mixed thermal management fluid is fed as needed to at least one distillation column or other appropriate distillation system, from which one or more distillate fractions are collected and stored in respective reclaimed storage tanks until needed for a further application.
[0047] More particularly, in some embodiments, the system and process of the present invention include distilling at least a portion of the mixed thermal management fluid to form at least one distillate. Each distillate is comprised of a single or a plurality of fractions. Each fraction is comprised of the same refrigerant compound or compounds which make up the respective distillate. Thus, in some embodiments, where the distillate comprises two or more refrigerant compounds, each fraction is comprised of the two or more refrigerant compounds. The proportions of the compounds may be the same or may be different among the various distillate fractions.
[0048] Each distillate may comprise, for example, the first refrigerant compound, the second refrigerant compound, or an azeotropic, azeotrope-like, or close-boiling composition including the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound, as a reclaimed thermal management fluid, as well as a non-ideal fraction comprising the first and / or second refrigerant compound which may be further processed as described in greater detail herein.
[0049] In another embodiment, the tested and validated mixed thermal fluid is not subjected to distillation or other processing, and instead may be stored, used or supplied as-is as a reclaimed thermal management fluid or as a blending component for formation of a reclaimed or partially reclaimed thermal management fluid.
[0050] The discussion of the reclaimed thermal management fluid provided herein refers to the various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the reclaimed thermal management fluid may have been formed without distillation or may have been formed by distillation.
[0051] Each reclaimed thermal management fluid has a reclaimed composition which is different from a composition of the mixed thermal management fluid. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while the description herein primarily refers to the mixed thermal management fluid comprising two refrigerantcompounds, the invention applies to any number of recovered thermal management fluids and any number of refrigerant compounds and is not limited to two recovered thermal management fluids or two refrigerant compounds.
[0052] The process further includes supplying each reclaimed thermal management fluid for use as a thermal management fluid product or for formation of a thermal management fluid product (i.e. , as a reclaimed thermal management fluid building block).
[0053] The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the Fig. The Fig. shows a system and process 10 for reclaiming one or more thermal management fluids from a mixture of thermal management fluids. The Fig. depicts an exemplary embodiment in which distillation is performed to form the reclaimed thermal management fluids. However, in view of the above discussion, it will be understood by those skilled in the art the same system and process may be utilized without distillation.
[0054] The system and process 10 include one or more thermal management fluids collected in a receiving vessel 12, where the mixed thermal management fluid includes at least a first refrigerant compound and a second refrigerant compound. In some embodiments, each thermal management fluid comprises two or more refrigerant compounds. In some embodiments, the receiving vessel 12 is a cylinder or Iso tank. The receiving vessel 12 can be American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASH RAE)- and Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)-compliant, thereby providing an overhead / vapor space for the collection of vapor and non-absorbable or noncondensable gases.
[0055] The system and process 10 also include a testing station or step 14. The testing station / step 14 may comprise analysis of either the individual recovered thermal management fluids before collection into receiving vessel 12, or analysis of the mixed thermal management fluid stored in the receiving vessel 12, to determine the composition thereof, including the identity and amount of the first refrigerant compound and the identity and amount of the second refrigerant compound. The testing station / step 14 may include any appropriate analytic technology and / or technique, including, but not limited to, gas chromatography (GC), such as, forexample, GC flame ionization detection (GC-FID),GC thermal conductivity detection (GC-TCD), or GC mass spectrometry (GC-MS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, such as, for example, Fourier transform IR (FTIR) spectroscopy, Goetz Bub, Karl Fischer titration, or Byk-Gardner colorimetry, for determination of the composition or any other appropriate properties including, but not limited to, water content, NAGs content, acidity content, NVR content, and / or organic purity. The testing station / step 14 can be at one or more locations, including, but not limited to, a distributor site, a recovery site, or a reclaim site.
[0056] Depending on the results from the analysis conducted at the testing station / step 14, the mixed thermal management fluid may be processed or treated 13 for removal of impurities such as oil, moisture, acids, NAGs such as air or CO2, NVRs and the like, to achieve an organic purity of at least about 95 wt%, or about 96 wt%, or about 97 wt%, or about 98 wt%, or about 99 wt%, or about 99.5 wt% before entering distillation.
[0057] In some embodiments, processing or treatment 13 of the mixed thermal management fluid prior to distillation includes optional purification or separation 16 to remove CO2 from the fluid, preferably to a level of about less than 1.5 vol% as neat NAG contribution, most preferably closest to that of CO2 concentration in air.
[0058] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that removal of CO2 at this stage of the system / process is optional. CO2 recovery and / or removal may be carried out by any technique known in the art, for example, at least one or more of distillation, freeze distillation, membrane separation, extractive distillation and scrubbing. During CO2 removal 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, or caustic removal. Alternatively, CO2 recovery and / or removal may be carried out during distillation as described herein.
[0059] Alternatively, a CO2-containing mixed thermal management fluid may be sent to a distillation system 24 as-is, and the CO2 fraction(s) may then be scrubbed by a caustic (i.e. , no recovery) or collected to be used as a neat refrigerant or blending component.
[0060] Referring to the FIG., after testing 14 and / or optional purification 16, the mixed thermal management fluid may either (i) be processed as waste with optional recovery of hydrogen fluoride (HF) and / or hydrogen chloride (HCI) and / or capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) prior to or during destruction, (ii) be stored as-is as a reclaimed thermal management fluid in one or more reclaimed storage tanks until needed for an application, such as a final reclaimed thermal management fluid or as a blending component for formation of a reclaimed or partially reclaimed thermal management fluid, (iii) sent to a processor 15 for dilution to become a useful single component or useful blend as a final reclaimed thermal management fluid or for dilution to become a useful blending component reclaimed thermal management fluid, using virgin thermal management fluid or reclaimed thermal management fluid for the dilution, or (iv) may be fed to at least one distillation column or other appropriate distillation system 24.
[0061] The distillation system 24 produces one or more distillates, which may include, but are not limited to, single components 28, distillates comprising closeboiling, azeotrope-like, and azeotropic components 30, and / or non-ideal fractions 32.
[0062] In some embodiments, one or more distillate streams 28 from the distillation system 24 may be a single component reclaimed thermal management fluid (i.e. , a fluid comprising a single refrigerant compound) for use as-is or as a blending component.
[0063] In some embodiments, one or more other distillate streams 30 from the distillation system 24 may be a close-boiling, azeotrope-like, and azeotropic reclaimed thermal management fluid for use as-is, for use as a blending component to form a different thermal management fluid, or for blending with additional quantities of the refrigerant compounds contained in the reclaimed thermal management fluid for component ratio adjustment to form a usable reclaimed thermal management fluid. The additional quantities of refrigerant compounds may be virgin thermal management fluids, reclaimed thermal management fluids, or a combination thereof.
[0064] In some embodiments, one or more other streams 32 from the distillation system 24 may be a non-ideal fraction in terms of purity, also referred to herein as a non-ideal composition. The non-ideal composition 32 may be sent to a processor 36for dilution to become a useful single component or blending component as a final reclaimed thermal management fluid, or for dilution to become a useful blending component reclaimed thermal management fluid, or instead may be redistilled to produce a useful single component or blending component reclaimed thermal management fluid. For dilution of the non-ideal composition 32, virgin thermal management fluid or reclaimed thermal management fluid may be used.
[0065] For example, in some embodiments, the non-ideal composition 32 is a single component composition having greater than 95%, preferably greater than 99.5%, organic purity, but less than 99.5% purity as required by AHRI standard 700, and thus may not be considered by some in the industry as a commercially viable or usable composition. In some embodiments, the one or more additional components comprised in the composition 32 may be or may not be potential blending components combinable with the single compound to form a refrigerant blend set forth in the refrigerant classifications of ASH RAE 34. Such a single-component non- ideal composition 32 may be processed by dilution. More particularly, if the additional compound(s) present in minor amounts in the non-ideal composition 32 is not a blending component for the primary refrigerant component (i.e. , the single component present in major amounts) contained in the composition or if the target composition to be obtained is the primary refrigerant as a single-component composition, then the non-ideal composition 32 may be diluted with additional amounts of the primary refrigerant component (virgin or reclaimed) to form a useful single component composition having a purity of at least 98%, more preferably a purity which meets AHRI 700 (e.g., 99.5% or greater). If the additional compound(s) present in minor amounts in the non-ideal composition 32 is a blending component for the primary refrigerant component contained in the composition, then the non- ideal composition 32 may be diluted with additional amounts of the additional compound (virgin or reclaimed) to form a useful blend having a purity of at least 98%, more preferably a purity which meets AHRI 700 (e.g., 99.5% or greater).
[0066] In some embodiments, the non-ideal composition 32 is a multi-component composition having greater than 95%, preferably greater than 99.5%, organic purity, but having a purity less than 98%, more preferably less than 99.5% purity as required by AHRI standard 700, due to the presence of one or more additional compounds in an amount greater than 0.5 wt.%, and thus may not be considered bysome in the industry as a commercially viable or usable composition. In some embodiments, the one or more additional compounds may be or may not be potential blending components combinable with the refrigerant compounds of the composition 32 to form a refrigerant blend set forth in the refrigerant classifications of ASHRAE 34. Such a non-ideal composition 32 may be processed by dilution or redistillation. More particularly, if the additional compound(s) present in minor amounts in the non-ideal composition 32 is not a blending component for the primary refrigerant components contained in the composition or if the target composition to be obtained is a blend of only the primary components, then the non-ideal composition 32 may be diluted with additional amounts of the primary refrigerant components (virgin or reclaimed) or may be re-distilled to remove the additional compound and form a useful refrigerant blend having a purity of at least 98%, preferably a purity which meets AHRI 700 (e.g., 99.5% or greater). If the additional compound(s) present in minor amounts in the non-ideal composition 32 isa blending component for the primary refrigerant components contained in the composition, then the non-ideal composition 32 may be diluted with additional amounts of the additional compound (virgin or reclaimed) to form a useful blend having a purity of at least 98%, preferably a purity which meets AHRI 700 (e.g., 99.5% or greater).
[0067] In some embodiments, even if the additional compound(s) contained in the multi-component non-ideal composition 32 is a possible blending component (i.e. , could form a refrigerant blend listed in ASHRAE 34), the composition 32 need not be diluted or adjusted to form a blend of all components, for example if there is no commercial demand for the blend. Instead, it can be processed to form a useful blend of only the primary components, such as by dilution or re-distillation as disclosed above.
[0068] The non-ideal fraction stream 32, after, e.g., dilution or redistillation, may be a waste stream 38 to be processed for destruction with optional F value recovery. Alternatively, all or a portion of the non-ideal fraction stream 32 may be sent directly for destruction with optional F value recovery (see stream 33 in the FIG.).
[0069] For example, the system / process of the present invention may comprise a computer-based refrigerant financial or exchange system that can reliably and accurately store the amount of refrigerant exchanged through multiple recycling,reclamation, and disposal transactions, for example as described in International Application No. PCT / US2024 / 020853, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, if the recovered thermal management fluid is determined to be pure (> 98%), the pure gas can be credited to an account corresponding to an amount based on a weight of the pure gas to be used by a customer at a later time and optionally at a different facility, and the system stores the aggregate amount of refrigerant associated with a particular customer account when tanks or refrigerant are returned. For example, a customer can return the used thermal management fluid containing a pure refrigerant for credit applied to the customer’s “virtual bank” for the returned gas. The customer “virtual bank” is an account managed by the financial server that maintains a total of the refrigerant owed by a given customer that has been returned for storage and later use or resale. The system maintains a total in a virtual bank by crediting a customer’s virtual bank account based the weight of each type of pure gas returned, and debiting the appropriate virtual bank account with the weight of each type of pure gas (or reclaimed gas) withdrawn or repurchased at the same facility or at a different facility.
[0070] One or more other streams from the distillation system 24 may be a distillation heel stream 34. The distillation heel stream 34 may be a waste stream 26 to be processed for destruction.
[0071] Processing of the waste stream 26, 38 may optionally include recovery of hydrogen fluoride (HF) and / or hydrogen chloride (HCI) and / or capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) prior to or during destruction.
[0072] In some embodiments, to capture the F value, CaCh may be used to precipitate CaF2 from the waste stream 26, 38. After proper drying, the CaF2 may be used as the feedstock for HF alone or mixed with other natural fluorspar. The F value may also be captured after processing of the waste stream 26, 38 for destruction.
[0073] In some embodiments, the process and system 10 further include a packaging system (not shown) to package the reclaimed thermal management fluid 28, 30 as a thermal management fluid product or as part of a thermal management fluid product for commercial sale.
[0074] 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.
[0075] In exemplary embodiments, when the reclaimed thermal management fluid includes at least one HFO refrigerant compound, the reclamation process includes adding a stabilizer package to the reclaimed thermal management fluid.
[0076] In some embodiments, the stabilizer package further includes 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.
[0077] In some embodiments, the acid scavenger includes one or more epoxides, one or more amines and / or one or more hindered amines, such as, for example, but not limited to, epoxybutane.
[0078] In exemplary embodiments, the stabilizer package includes an effective amount of at least one inhibitor such that the thermal management fluid remains substantially free of oligomeric, homopolymeric, or other polymeric products derived from the thermal management 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 -CeH^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, 3-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, afluoroethylene or fluoropropene (e.g., HFO-1234yf) from interacting with another compound and forming dimers, oligomers, homopolymers, or polymeric products.
[0079] In some embodiments, when oligomeric, homopolymeric, or other polymeric products derived from the thermal management fluid, such as HFO- 1234yf, are found in a system or certain components of a system, such as, for example, compressors, and / or equipment, such as, for example, cylinders, the system components and / or equipment may be cleaned using the same refrigerant(s) previously utilized in the system / equipment or using HFO-1234yf, and / or one or more other solvents, such as, for example, acetone, R-134a, R-125 and the like, or combinations thereof. The present invention thus relates, in some aspects, to methods of treating or cleaning such system components and / or equipment.
[0080] The equipment or tools involved in or utilized in the process of treating or cleaning system components or equipment containing oligomeric, homopolymeric, or other polymeric products derived from a thermal management fluid comprising, for example, HFO-1234yf, include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: the equipment containing HFO-1234yf polymer, including but not limited to, one or more cylinders containing HFO-1234yf polymer; the system and associated components containing HFO-1234yf polymer, such as, but not limited to, an HVAC system and associated components, a refrigeration system and associated components, and the like; one or more ISO tanks; one or more recovery units (e.g., a conventional recovery unit is suitable); one or more empty recovery cylinders; one or more hoses; respective connections (auto Hi / Low); clean, virgin or reclaimed (original refrigerant) HFO-1234yf for flushing; one or more other solvents, such as, for example, acetone, R-134a, R-125 and the like, or combinations thereof; filling station;scales; and pressure gauges.
[0081] In one embodiment, if polymeric material is discovered in equipment such as but not limited to compressors, containers, piping, cylinders, filling stations, and the like, the process comprises flushing or washing the system, system components and / or equipment with clean virgin or reclaimed refrigerant, such as the same refrigerant or refrigerants previously utilized in the system / equipment or HFO-1234yf, and / or with one or more solvents, such as, for example, acetone, R-134a, R-125 and the like, or combinations thereof, until little or no polymeric residue is observable in a discharged sample.
[0082] For example, if yf-derived polymeric material is discovered in any system utilizing HFO-1234yf, the preferred cleaning material comprises HFO-1234yf ( virgin, reclaimed, a mixture of virgin and reclaimed, heel recovered, or a combination thereof); if yf-derived polymeric material is discovered in a chiller or refrigeration system utilizing R-513A, the preferred cleaning material comprises HFO-1234yf (virgin, reclaimed, a mixture of virgin and reclaimed, heel recovered, or a combination thereof) and / or HFC-134a (virgin, reclaimed, a mixture of virgin and reclaimed, heel recovered, or a combination thereof); if yf-derived polymeric material is discovered in a refrigeration system utilizing R-448A, the preferred cleaning material comprises HFC-32, HFC-125, HFC-134a, HFO-1234yf and / or HFO-E- 1234ze (virgin, reclaimed, a mixture of virgin and reclaimed, heel recovered, or a combination thereof); if yf-derived polymeric material is discovered in a refrigeration system utilizing R-449A, the preferred cleaning material comprises HFC-32, HFC- 125, HFC-134a and / or HFO-1234yf (virgin, reclaimed, a mixture of virgin and reclaimed, heel recovered, or a combination thereof); if yf-derived polymeric material is discovered in an AC system utilizing R-454B, the preferred cleaning material comprises HFO-1234yf (virgin, reclaimed, a mixture of virgin and reclaimed, heel recovered, or a combination thereof) and / or HFC-32 (virgin, reclaimed, a mixture of virgin and reclaimed, heel recovered, or a combination thereof).
[0083] Other refrigerants such as HFC-134a, HFC-125, HFC-43-10mee (known commercially as Vertrel®XF), HFC-123, HFO-Z-1336mzz, may also be used forcleaning or flushing out system equipment or components found to contain the polymeric material.
[0084] In some embodiments, the reclamation process comprises purification or treatment of the recovered or mixed thermal management fluid to remove 1234yf- derived polymeric material and obtain a thermal management fluid product which is free of (meaning from 0 to less than 100 ppm of polymeric material) or substantially free of (meaning greater than 0 but less than 0.1 wt%, or less than 0.3 wt%, or less than 0.5 wt%, or less than 1 wt% of polymeric material) 1234yf-derived polymeric material. Further, the refrigerant materials utilized for cleaning / flushing out the system / equipment may be subjected to such treatment to remove 1234yf-derived polymer. For example, the collected thermal management fluid or the collected cleaning refrigerant may be subjected to single-stage distillation to obtain to a reclaimed thermal management fluid product which is free of or substantially free of 1234yf-derived polymeric material, as defined herein.
[0085] In some embodiments, the process comprises recovery, recycling and reuse of fluids in the equipment found to contain 1234yf-derived polymeric material. For example, the thermal management fluid or the refrigerant materials utilized for cleaning / flushing out a system / equipment which contained 1234yf-derived polymeric material is / are recovered from the system / equipment; recycled (i.e. , treated) to obtain a fluid which is free of (meaning from 0 to less than 100 ppm of polymeric material) or substantially free of (meaning greater than 0 but less than 0.1 wt%, or less than 0.3 wt%, or less than 0.5 wt%, or less than 1 wt% of polymeric material) 1234yf-derived polymeric material; and then recharged to the same system / equipment for reuse therein. For example, the recovered refrigerant(s) and cleaning solution containing 1234yf-derived polymer can be recycled utilizing polymer separation techniques which are free of distillation, such as but not limited to filtration with a corresponding filter selected from, for example, centrifugal, impingement or coalescing filters.
[0086] In some embodiments, the stabilizer package is added to the mixed thermal management fluid, such as at a recovery site or a reclamation site, prior to or after analyzing the mixed thermal management fluid, when the mixed thermal management fluid includes an HFO refrigerant compound such as R-1234yf.
[0087] 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.
[0088] 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.
[0089] In one embodiment, the tested mixed thermal management fluid is validated or treated prior to or after distillation, such as by purifying as needed to achieved desired levels of water content, NAG content, acidity content, and / or to remove one or more impurities to achieve an organic purity of at least about 95 wt.%, or about 96 wt.%, or about 97 wt.%, or about 98 wt.%, or about 99 wt.%, or about 99.5 wt.%.
[0090] In some embodiments, an analyzer determines the composition and organic purity of one or more of the recovered thermal management fluids of the system and process. In some embodiments, an analyzer determines the type of recovered thermal management fluid and organic purity as it is being recovered from a heat transfer system. Alternatively, or in addition, the analyzer 14 may determine the type and organic purity of the mixed thermal management fluid and / or the reclaimed thermal management 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 thermalmanagement fluid may be transferred to an appropriate recovery tank. If, however, there are impurities such as, oil, water, dirt, and / or acid (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%), found in the analyzed thermal management fluid by the analyzer, the analyzed thermal management fluid may be sent to a regenerator for reprocessing.
[0091] In some embodiments, a regenerator purifies the mixed thermal management fluid and / or the reclaimed thermal management fluid to a state that meets the standards of, 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 American National Standards Institute (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.
[0092] The regenerator can include at least a compressor, a separator, and 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 management 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 management 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.
[0093] In some embodiments, the system of the present invention may be located at a site separate and distinct from the site of a blending facility or a refrigerant manufacturing facility which produces virgin material, or may be co-located with a blending facility or refrigerant manufacturing facility.
[0094] Appropriate refrigerant compounds for systems and methods of the present disclosure may include, but are not limited to, CO2; 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-1132a; R-1132(E); R-1132(Z); R-1132a; R- 1150; R-1233zd(E); R1233zd(Z); R-1234yf; R-1234ze(Z); R-1234ze(E); R-1224yf(E); R-1224yd(Z); R-1243yc; R-1252zc; R-153-10mczz; R-43-10mee; R-1270; R- 1336mzz(E); and R-1336mzz(Z).
[0095] Appropriate zeotropic blend thermal management fluids for systems and methods of the present disclosure may 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-421 B; 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-445A; R-446A; R-447A; R-447B; R-448A; R-449A; R-449B; R-449C; R-450A; R-451A; R-451 B; R-452A; R-452B; R-452C; R-453A; R-454A; R-454B; R-454C; R-454D; R-455A; R-455B; R-455C; R-456A; R-457A; R-457B; R-457C; R-457D; 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-469A; R-470A; R-471 B; R-471A; R-472A; R-472B; R- 473A; R-474A; R-475A; R-476A; R-479A; R-482; R-491; and R-495A.
[0096] Appropriate azeotropic blend thermal management fluids for systems and methods of the present disclosure may include, but are not limited to, 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; and R-516B.
[0097] In one embodiment, appropriate thermal management fluids for systems and methods of the present disclosure may include, but are not limited to, compositions comprising HFO-1234ze(E), HFC-32, and HFC-152a, and optionally also HFC-134, more particularly comprising:- 69.0% to 87.5% of HFO-1234ze(E), 0.5% to 19.0% of HFC-152a, and 12.0% to 30.5% of HFC-32;- 69.0% to 83.0% of HFO-1234ze(E), 5.0% to 19.0% of HFC-152a, and 12.0% to 15.0% of HFC-32;- 69.0% to 77.5% of HFO-1234ze(E), 10.5% to 19.0% of HFC-152a, and 12.0% to 14.0% of HFC-32- 69.0% to 77.0% of HFO-1234ze(E), 11.0% to 19.0% of HFC-152a, and 12.0% to 13.5% of HFC-32;- 69.0% to 71.5% of HFO-1234ze(E), 16.5% to 19.0% of HFC-152a, and 12.0% to 12.5% of HFC-32; about 69.0 wt-% HFO-1234ze(E), about 18.0 wt-% HFC-152a, and about 13.0 wt-% HFC-32; about 69.0 wt-% HFO-1234ze(E), about 17.5 wt-% HFC-152a and about13.5 wt-% HFC-32; about 69.0 wt-% HFO-1234ze(E), about 17.0 wt-% HFC-152a, and about 14.0 wt-% HFC-32; about 69.0 wt-% HFO-1234ze(E), about 18.5 wt-% HFC-152a and about12.5 wt-% HFC-32; about 69.0 wt-% HFO-1234ze(E), about 19.0 wt-% HFC-152a and about 12.0 wt-% HFC-32;- 0.2% to 98.5% of HFO-1234ze(E), 0.2% to 25.9% of HFC-134, 0.2% to 98.5% of HFC-152a, and 0.2% to 42.8% of HFC-32;- 0.2% to 98.5% of HFO-1234ze(E), 0.2% to 12.9% of HFC-134, 0.2% to 98.5% of HFC-152a, and 0.2% to 15.9% of HFC-32;- 44.8% to 98.5% of HFO-1234ze(E), 0.2% to 12.9% of HFC-134, 0.2% to 43.0% of HFC-152a, and 0.2% to 15.9% of HFC-32;- 65.0% to 72.0% of HFO-1234ze(E), 1.0% to 4.0% of HFC-134, 12.0% to19.0% of HFC-152a, and 11.0% to 14.0% of HFC-32; about 66.0 wt-% HFO-1234ze(E), about 1.0 wt-% HFC-134, about 19.0 wt-% HFC-152a and about 14.0 wt-% HFC-32; or about 66.0 wt-% HFO-1234ze(E), about 4.0 wt-% HFC-134, about 19.0 wt-% HFC-152a, and about 11.0 wt-% HFC-32.
[0098] 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.
[0099] In some embodiments, the collected (used or spent) thermal management fluid may be tested for nonvolatile residue (NVR), for example, per AHRI standard 700, prior to purification, and then treated, either in the absence of distillation or substantially in the absence of distillation, to reduce the NVR content to a predetermined level.EXAMPLES
[0100] 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
[0101] A single component non-ideal composition comprises HFO-1234yf and 1 wt.% HFO-1243zf, which is not a blend component for HFO-1234yf. The non-ideal composition is diluted with additional amounts of virgin and / or reclaimed HFO- 1234yf, which as defined herein may include virgin, reclaimed, heels, recovered heels or combinations thereof, to achieve an HFO-1234yf composition having a purity of at least 98%, preferably a purity which meets AHRI 700 (e.g., a HFO-1234yf purity of 99.5% or greater).Example 2
[0102] A single component non-ideal composition comprises HFO-1234ze and 1 wt.% HFC-227ea. The ratio of the components is adjusted by adding additional amounts of virgin and / or reclaimed HFC-227ea, which as defined herein may include virgin, reclaimed, heels, recovered heels or combinations thereof, to the composition to make R-515B, which is a blend of 91.1 wt.% HFO-1234ze and 8.9 wt.% HFC- 227ea per ASH RAE 34.Example 3
[0103] A multi-component non-ideal composition comprises HFO-1234ze, HFC- 227ea and 2 wt.% HFC-134a. ASHRAE 34 does not set forth any useful blend of these three components. The non-ideal composition is diluted with additional amounts of virgin and / or reclaimed HFO-1234ze and / or HFC-227ea, which as defined herein may include virgin, reclaimed, heels, recovered heels or combinations thereof, to make R-515B, which is a blend of 91.1 wt.% HFO-1234ze and 8.9 wt.% HFC-227ea per ASHRAE 34, or is redistilled to remove the HFC-134a and make R-515BExample 4
[0104] A multi-component non-ideal composition comprises HFC-125, HFC-32 and 0.6 wt.% H FC-22. The non-ideal composition is diluted with additional amounts of virgin and / or reclaimed HFC-125 and HFC-32, which as defined herein may include virgin, reclaimed, heels, recovered heels or combinations thereof, to make R- 410A which is a blend of 50 wt.% HFC-125 and 50 wt.% HFC-32 per ASHRAE 34, or is re-distilled to remove the HFC-22 and make R-410A.Example 5
[0105] A multi-component non-ideal composition comprises HFO-1234yf, HFC- 134a and 1 wt.% HFC-134. The non-ideal composition is diluted with additional amounts of virgin and / or reclaimed HFO-1234yf and HFC-134a, which as defined herein may include virgin, reclaimed, heels, recovered heels or combinations thereof, to make R-513A, which is a blend of 56 wt.% HFO-1234yf and 44 wt.% HFC-134a per ASHRAE 34.Example 6
[0106] A multi-component non-ideal composition comprises HFO-1234yf, HFC- 134a and 1 wt.% HFC-134. The non-ideal composition is diluted with virgin and / or reclaimed HFO-1234ze(E), HFC-32 and HFC-125, which as defined herein may include virgin, reclaimed, heels, recovered heels or combinations thereof, to make R- 448A, which is a blend of 26 wt.% HFC-32, 26 wt.% HFC-125, 21 wt.% HFC-134a, 20 wt.% HFO-1234yf and 7 wt.% HFO-1234ze(E) per ASHRAE 34, or with virgin and / or reclaimed HFC-32, and HFC-125, which as defined herein may include virgin, reclaimed, heels, recovered heels or combinations thereof, to make R-449A which is a blend of 24.3 wt.% HFC-32, 24.7 wt.% HFC-125, 25.7 wt.% HFC-134a and 25.3 wt.% HFO-1234yf per ASH RAE 34.Example 7
[0107] A multi-component non-ideal composition comprises HFC-125, HFC-32 and 1 wt.% H FC- 134a, but there is no commercial demand for any blend of these three components (e.g., R-407A, R-407B, R-407C, R-407D, R-407E, R-407F, R- 407G, R-407H and R-407I). Accordingly, the composition is diluted with additional amounts of virgin and / or reclaimed HFC-125 and HFC-32, which as defined herein may include virgin, reclaimed, heels, recovered heels or combinations thereof, to make R-410A, which is a blend of 50 wt.% HFC-32 and 50 wt.% HFC-125, or is redistilled to remove the H FC-134a and make R-410A.Example 8
[0108] A single component composition comprises HFC-32, 0.2 wt% HCFC-22 and 0.4 wt% HC-1270, which are not blending components for HFC-32. The non- ideal composition is diluted, according to either step 15 or step 36 of the present invention, with additional amounts of virgin and / or reclaimed HFC-32, which as defined herein may include virgin, reclaimed, heels, recovered heels or combinations thereof, to achieve an HFC-32 composition having a purity of at least 98%, preferably a purity which meets AHRI 700 (e.g., a HFC-32 purity of 99.5% or greater).Example 9
[0109] A single component ideal composition comprises HFC-32 in an amount greater than 98%, preferably greater than 99.5% such that the purity meets AHRI 700 (e.g., a HFC-32 purity of 99.5% or greater). No dilution or distillation / redistillation is required, and the composition may be used as-is as either a single component composition or a blending component for a reclaimed thermal management fluid.Example 10
[0110] A multi-component ideal composition comprises HFC-32, HFC-125 at 1:1 ratio and greater than 98%, preferably greater than 99.5% purity which meets AHRI 700 specifications. Thus, the composition can be used reclaimed R-410A.Example 11
[0111] A multi-component ideal composition comprises HFC-32, HFC-125 at 9:1 ratio and greater than 98%, preferably greater than 99.5% purity which meets AHRI 700 specifications. Thus, the composition can be used as a reclaimed blending component to make R-410A or other 32 / 125 containing blends by adding virgin and / or reclaimed component(s), which as defined herein may include virgin, reclaimed, heels, recovered heels or combinations thereof.Example 12
[0112] HVAC equipment having one or more system components, such as a compressor, containing oligomeric, homopolymeric, or other polymeric products derived from a thermal management fluid comprising HFO-1234yf is cleaned using HFO-1234yf. The equipment to be involved or utilized includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:HVAC system and associated components containing HFO-1234yf polymer; one or more recovery units (e.g., a conventional recovery unit is suitable); one or more empty recovery cylinders; one or more hoses; respective connections (auto Hi / Low); clean, virgin or reclaimed (original refrigerant) HFO-1234yf for flushing;scales; and pressure gauges.
[0113] The following steps are carried out for cleaning the HVAC system containing oligomeric, homopolymeric, or other polymeric products derived from HFO-1234yf:(1) Determine the full charge and recover refrigerant into a separate recovery cylinder. The intent is to keep liquid in the circuit. This is best achieved by recovering the refrigerant to the saturation pressure for ambient conditions. Lower pressure will potentially allow the polymer to come out of solution and harden, creating blockages.(2) At approximately half the charge size, when recovered or pressures indicate there is no liquid left in the system, quickly add clean virgin or reclaimed HFO- 1234yf to the system. This may require use of a heating cylinder (e.g., hot water, strip heater at 40C). Let the system equilibrate for a predetermined duration (e.g., one hour) and repeat. If the system is operational, it may be practical to run the system for a short time (e.g., at least 10 minutes), at this stage, to aid in the HFO-1234yf refrigerant being carried throughout the system.(3) When the second recovery / recharge procedure is completed, pull the system into full vacuum and recharge.(4) Examine the residue from the discharged sample to ensure it is free of oligomeric, homopolymeric, or other polymeric products (e.g., no white residue observed).(5) If oligomeric, homopolymeric, or other polymeric products are observed, complete one or more additional flushing cycles, if needed, until the examined residue from the discharged sample is free of or substantially free of oligomeric, homopolymeric, or other polymeric products.OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0114] Embodiment 1 . A process of thermal management fluid reclamation comprising:(i) analyzing a mixed thermal management fluid comprising a first refrigerant compound and a second refrigerant compound to determine the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound and to determine an amount of the first refrigerant compound and an amount of the second refrigerant compound in the mixed thermal management fluid;(ii) treating the mixed thermal management fluid to form a reclaimed composition having a purity of at least 98% by one or more of:(a) diluting the mixed thermal management fluid with virgin or reclaimed refrigerant which is the same as the first refrigerant compound, the second refrigerant compound or both,(b) distilling the mixed thermal management fluid to form at least a first distillate suitable for use as a reclaimed thermal management fluid and at least a second distillate having a non-ideal composition and treating the second distillate to have a purity which meets AHRI 700.
[0115] Embodiment 2. The process of Embodiment 1 , wherein the at least first distillate is a single component composition or an azeotropic, azeotrope- 1 ike, or closeboiling composition comprising the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound.
[0116] Embodiment 3. The process of any of Embodiments 1 or 2, wherein a composition of the reclaimed thermal management fluid is different from a composition of the mixed thermal management fluid.
[0117] Embodiment 4. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein if the second distillate is a single component composition comprising a primary refrigerant compound and having less than 98% purity, the treating comprises dilution with additional amounts of the primary refrigerant compound until the composition has a purity of at least 98%.
[0118] Embodiment 5. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein if the second distillate is a single component composition comprising a primary refrigerantcompound and one or more additional compounds, and having less than 98% purity, the treating comprises dilution with additional amounts of at least one of the additional compounds until the composition has a purity of at least 98%.
[0119] Embodiment 6. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein if the second distillate is a multi-component composition comprising at least two primary refrigerant compounds and having less than 98% purity, the treating comprises either (i) dilution with additional amounts of at least one of the primary refrigerant compounds until the composition has a purity of at least 98, or (ii) redistillation of the composition.
[0120] Embodiment 7. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein if the second distillate is a multi-component composition comprising at least two primary refrigerant compounds and one or more additional compounds, and having less than 98% purity, the treating comprises dilution with additional amounts of at least one of the additional compounds until the composition has a purity of at least 98%.
[0121] Embodiment s. The process of any of Embodiments 4 to 7, wherein the dilution is performed with virgin or reclaimed materials.
[0122] Embodiment 9. The process of Embodiment 1 , wherein the mixed thermal management fluid is a mixture of at least two different thermal management fluids.
[0123] Embodiment 10. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the analyzing further comprises analyzing the mixed thermal management fluid to determine an amount of carbon dioxide present in the mixed thermal management fluid.
[0124] Embodiment 11. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 10, the process further comprising treating the mixed thermal management fluid for removal of impurities.
[0125] Embodiment 12. The process of Embodiment 11 , wherein the impurities are selected from oils, moisture, acids, NAG, NVR and combinations thereof.
[0126] Embodiment 13. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the supplying comprises packaging the reclaimed thermal management fluid for commercial sale.
[0127] Embodiment 14. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound are a pair selected from the group consisting of R-134a and R-1234yf; R-1234ze(E) and R-227ea; R- 152a and R-134a; R-1234yf and R-152a; R-125 and R-143a; R-32 and R-1132(E); R-1234yf and R-1132(Z); R-1234ze(E) and R-1132(Z); R-152a and R-1234ze(E); R- 125 and R-32; R-1234ze(E) and R-134; R-1234yf and R-1252zc; R-1234ze(E) and R-1252zc; R-1234ze(E) and R-134a; R-1234ze(Z) and R-1336mzz(E); R-1234ze(Z) and R-1233zd(E); R-245fa and R-1234ze(Z); R-245fa and R-1233zd(E); R- 1336mzz(Z) and trans-dichloroethylene; R-152a and R-1252zc; R-1132(Z) and R- 152a; CO2and R-1132a; R-1233zd(E) and R-1336mzz(E); and R-32 and R-290.
[0128] Embodiment 15. The process of Embodiment 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-134a as the first refrigerant compound, R- 1234yf as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1225ye, HFO- 1243zf, E-HFO-1234ze, HFC-236ea, HCFC-244bb, HFC-245fa, HFC-245eb, HFC- 245cb, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne, HFC-152a, FO-1114, CFO-1123, HCFO-1 131a, trans- HCFO-1131 , HCO- 1140, HCFO-1214ya, HFO-1216, HCFO-1224yd, HFO-1252 isomers, HFC-143a, HCFC-225, HFC-254eb, HFC-263fb, HFC- 236fa, HCFC-142b, HCFC-244cc, HCFO-1223, HFO-1132a and HCC-40; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-143a, HFO-1225zc, HFC- 245cb, HFC-134, HFC-152a, HFO-1225ye, HFC-161 , E-HFO-1234ze, HCFC-22, HFO-1243zf, CHFC-124, HCC-40, CHFO-1122, HCFC-31 , CFC-114, CFC-114a, and HCO-1140.
[0129] Embodiment 16. The process of Embodiment 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-1234ze(E) as the first refrigerant compound, R-227ea as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1234yf, HFC- 245cb, HFO-1225yf(E), HFO-1225yf(Z), HFO-1225zc, HFC-236fa, HFC-152a, HFC- 143a, HFC-125, HFC-134a, HFO-1234zc, HFO-1233xf, HFO-1233zd, CFC-114, HCFC-124, 2223, HFO-1234ze(Z), HFC-245fa, HFC-227ea, HFO-1243zf, HFC- 263fb and HFC-134; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-23, FC-1216, HFC-143a, HFC-134a, HCFC-22, HCFC-124, FC- 218, HFC-236fa, and HFO-1225zc.
[0130] Embodiment 17. The process of Embodiment 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-152a as the first refrigerant compound, R- 134a as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-161, HCC-40, isobutane, HCO-1140, HCC-160 and CFC-1 14a; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-143a, HFO-1225zc, HFC- 245cb, HFC-134, HFC-152a, HFO-1225ye, HFC-161 , E-HFO-1234ze, HCFC-22, HFO-1243zf, CHFC-124, HCC-40, CHFO-1122, HCFC-31 , CFC-114, CFC-114a, and HCO-1140.
[0131] Embodiment 18. The process of Embodiment 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-1234yf as the first refrigerant compound, R- 152a as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1225ye, HFO- 1243zf, E-HFO-1234ze, HFC-236ea, HCFC-244bb, HFC-245fa, HFC-245eb, HFC- 245cb, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne, HFC-152a, FO-1114, CFO-1123, HCFO-1 131a, trans- HCFO-1131 , HCO- 1140, HCFO-1214ya, HFO-1216, HCFO-1224yd, HFO-1252 isomers, HFC-143a, HCFC-225, HFC-254eb, HFC-263fb, HFC- 236fa, HCFC-142b, HCFC-244cc, HCFO-1223, HFO-1132a and HCC-40; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-161 , HCC-40, isobutane, HCO-1140, HCC-160, and CFC-114a.
[0132] Embodiment 19. The process of Embodiment 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-125 as the first refrigerant compound, R- 143a as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-23, HFC-32, HFC- 143a, HFC-134a, CFC-115, CFCO-1113 and HCC-40; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of CFC-115, HFC-134a, HFC-152a, HCFC-22, CFC-12, HCFC-124, CFC-114a, and HCFC-133a.
[0133] Embodiment 20. The process of Embodiment 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-32 as the first refrigerant compound, R- 1132(E) as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-143a, HFC-41, HFC-134a, HCFC-22, CFC-12 and HCC-40; and one or more additional compoundsselected from the group consisting of HFC-32, HFC-125, HCFO-E-1122a, HCFO-Z- 1122a, HFO-1123, HFO-1141 , HCFC-133, HCFC-133b, HCFC-123, HFC-152, HFC- 143, HFC-41, HCFC-22, ethylene, HCFC-142a, HFO-1132a, HCFO-1 131a, HCFO- E-1131, HCFO-Z-1131 , HCFO-1122, acetylene, and HCO-1140.
[0134] Embodiment 21. The process of Embodiment 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-1234ze(E) as the first refrigerant compound, R-152a as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1234yf, HFC- 245cb, HFO-1225yf(E), HFO-1225yf(Z), HFO-1225zc, HFC-236fa, HFC-152a, HFC- 143a, HFC-125, HFC-134a, HFO-1234zc, HFO-1233xf, HFO-1233zd, CFC-114, HCFC-124, 2223, HFO-1234ze(Z), HFC-245fa, HFC-227ea, HFO-1243zf, HFC- 263fb and HFC-134; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-161, HCC-40, isobutane, HCO-1140, HCC-160 and CFC-114a.
[0135] Embodiment 22. The process of Embodiment 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-125 as the first refrigerant compound, R-32 as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-23, HFC-32, HFC-143a, HFC-134a, CFC-115, CFCO-1113 and HCC-40; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-143a, HFC-41 , HFC-134a, HCFC-22, CFC-12 and HCC-40.
[0136] Embodiment 23. The process of Embodiment 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-1234ze(E) as the first refrigerant compound, R-134 as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1234yf, HFC- 245cb, HFO-1225yf(E), HFO-1225yf(Z), HFO-1225zc, HFC-236fa, HFC-152a, HFC- 143a, HFC-125, HFC-134a, HFO-1234zc, HFO-1233xf, HFO-1233zd, CFC-114, HCFC-124, 2223, HFO-1234ze(Z), HFC-245fa, HFC-227ea, HFO-1243zf, HFC- 263fb and HFC-134; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-134a, HCFC-124, HCFC-124a, HCFO-1122, HFC-143a, HCFC- 31, HFC-32, HFC-125, CFC-114, CFC-114a, FCO-1114, HFC-152a, FCO-1318my, HFC-245cb, FC-C318 and HC-161.
[0137] Embodiment 24. The process of Embodiment 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-1234yf as the first refrigerant compound, R- 1252zc as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1225ye, HFO- 1243zf, E-HFO-1234ze, HFC-236ea, HCFC-244bb, HFC-245fa, HFC-245eb, HFC- 245cb, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne, HFC-152a, FO-1114, CFO-1123, HCFO-1 131a, trans- HCFO-1131 , HCO- 1140, HCFO-1214ya, HFO-1216, HCFO-1224yd, HFO-1252 isomers, HFC-143a, HCFC-225, HFC-254eb, HFC-263fb, HFC- 236fa, HCFC-142b, HCFC-244cc, HCFO-1223, HFO-1132a and HCC-40; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of methane, ethylene, dichloromethane (HCC-30), fluoroethane (HFC-1141), propane (HC-290), propylene (HC-1270), 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf), allene, 3-fluoro-1 -propene (HFO-1261), 1 ,1 ,1 -trifluoropropane (HFC-263b), 3-fluoro-1 -propene (HFO-1261), 2- butene, 2-butene, cyclobutene, 2-methyl-1 -propene, 1,1 -difluoropropane (HFC- 272fb), 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233xf), 3-chloropropene (HCO- 1260zf), C3H4FCI (HCFO-1251) and HFO-1243zf.
[0138] Embodiment 25. The process of Embodiment 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-1234ze(E) as the first refrigerant compound, R-1252zc as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1234yf, HFC- 245cb, HFO-1225yf(E), HFO-1225yf(Z), HFO-1225zc, HFC-236fa, HFC-152a, HFC- 143a, HFC-125, HFC-134a, HFO-1234zc, HFO-1233xf, HFO-1233zd, CFC-114, HCFC-124, 2223, HFO-1234ze(Z), HFC-245fa, HFC-227ea, HFO-1243zf, HFC- 263fb and HFC-134; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of methane, ethylene, dichloromethane (HCC-30), fluoroethane (HFC- 1141), propane (HC-290), propylene (HC-1270), 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1 234yf), allene, 3-fluoro-1 -propene (HFO-1261), 1 ,1,1 -trifluoropropane (HFC-263b), 3- fluoro-1 -propene (HFO-1261), 2-butene, 2-butene, cyclobutene, 2-methyl-1 -propene, 1 , 1 -difluoropropane (HFC-272fb), 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1 233xf), 3-chloropropene (HCO-1260zf), C3H4FCI (HCFO-1251) and HFO-1243zf.
[0139] Embodiment 26. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 25, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid further comprises a third refrigerant compound.
[0140] Embodiment 27. The process of Embodiment 26, wherein the first refrigerant compound, the second refrigerant compound, and the third refrigerant compound are R-1234yf, R-152a, and R-134a.
[0141] Embodiment 28. The process of Embodiment 27, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1225ye, HFO-1243zf, E-HFO-1234ze, HFC-236ea, HCFC-244bb, HFC-245fa, HFC-245eb, HFC-245cb, 3,3,3- trifluoropropyne, HFC-152a, FO-1114, CFO-1123, HCFO-1131a, trans-HCFO-1131 , HCO- 1140, HCFO-1214ya, HFO-1216, HCFO-1224yd, HFO-1252 isomers, HFC- 143a, HCFC-225, HFC-254eb, HFC-263fb, HFC- 236fa, HCFC-142b, HCFC-244cc, HCFO-1223, HFO-1132a and HCC-40; one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-161, HCC-40, isobutane, HCO-1140, HCC-160 and CFC-114a; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-143a, HFO-1225zc, HFC-245cb, HFC-134, HFC-152a, HFO- 1225ye, HFC-161 , E-HFO-1234ze, HCFC-22, HFO-1243zf, CHFC-124, HCC-40, CHFO-1122, HCFC-31 , CFC-114, CFC-114a and HCO-1140.
[0142] Embodiment 29. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 28, wherein the supplying comprises adjusting a ratio of the first refrigerant compound to the second refrigerant compound in the composition of the reclaimed thermal management fluid by adding an additional amount of at least one of the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound to the reclaimed thermal management fluid to form the thermal management fluid product.
[0143] Embodiment 30. The process of Embodiment 29, wherein the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound are a pair selected from the group consisting of R-134a and R-1234yf; R-1234ze(E) and R-227ea; R-152a and R-134a; R-1234yf and R-152a; R-125 and R-143a; R-32 and R-1132(E); R- 1234yf and R-1132(Z); R-1234ze(E) and R-1132(Z); R-152a and R-1234ze(E); R- 125 and R-32; and R-1234ze(E) and R-134a.
[0144] Embodiment 31. The process of any of Embodiments 29 or 30, wherein the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound are R-125 and R-32 and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-410A and R-410B.
[0145] Embodiment 32. The process of any of Embodiments 29 or 30, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-134a, the second refrigerant compound is R-1234yf, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-513A and R-513B.
[0146] Embodiment 33. The process of any of Embodiments 29 or 30, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-1234ze, the second refrigerant compound is R- 227ea, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-515A and R-515B.
[0147] Embodiment 34. The process of any of Embodiments 29 or 30, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-152a, the second refrigerant compound is R-134a, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-512A and R-516A.
[0148] Embodiment 35. The process of any of Embodiments 29 or 30, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-125, the second refrigerant compound is R-143a, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R- 404A, R-462A, and R-507A.
[0149] Embodiment 36. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 35, wherein the supplying comprises blending the reclaimed thermal management fluid with at least one blending thermal management fluid comprising a third refrigerant compound to form the thermal management fluid product.
[0150] Embodiment 37. The process of Embodiment 36, wherein the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound are selected from R- 134a and R-1234yf; R-1234ze(E) and R-227ea; R-152a and R-134a; R-1234yf and R-152a; R-125 and R-143a; R-32 and R-1132(E); R-1234yf and R-1132(Z); R- 1234ze(E) and R-1132(Z); R-152a and R-1234ze(E); R-125 and R-32; and R- 1234ze(E) and R-134a.
[0151] Embodiment 38. The process of any of Embodiments 36 or 37, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-134a, the second refrigerant compound is R-227ea, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-448A, R-448B, R-449A, R-449B, R-449C, R-475A, and R-516A.
[0152] Embodiment 39. The process of any of Embodiments 36 or 37, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-1234ze, the second refrigerant compound is R- 227ea, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-464A, R-470A, R-470B, and R-471A.
[0153] Embodiment 40. The process of any of Embodiments 36 or 37, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-1234yf, the second refrigerant compound is R-152a, and the third refrigerant compound is R-32, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-457A, R-457B, and R-457C.
[0154] Embodiment 41. The process of any of Embodiments 36 or 37, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-125, the second refrigerant compound is R-32, the third refrigerant compound is R-134a, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-407A, R-407B, R-407C, R-407D, R-407E, R- 407F, R-407G, R-407H, and R-407I.
[0155] Embodiment 42. The process of any of Embodiments 36 or 37, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-1234ze(E), the second refrigerant compound is R- 152a, the third refrigerant compound is R-32, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-444A, R-444B and R-478A, and is preferably R-444A.
[0156] Embodiment 43. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 42, further comprising purifying the mixed thermal management fluid, the purifying comprising removing one or more impurities from the mixed thermal management fluid such that the mixed thermal management fluid has greater than about 95 wt%, preferably greater than about 99 wt%, most preferably greater than about 99.5 wt% organic purity.
[0157] Embodiment 44. The process of Embodiment 43, wherein the one or more impurities comprises an oil.
[0158] Embodiment 45. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 44, further comprising adding a stabilizer package to the mixed thermal management fluid and / or to the reclaimed thermal management fluid.
[0159] Embodiment 46. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 45, wherein the reclaimed thermal management fluid is azeotropic.
[0160] Embodiment 47. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 46, wherein the at least one distillate comprises a first distillate as a first reclaimed thermal management fluid and a second distillate as a second reclaimed thermal management fluid, wherein a composition of each of the first reclaimed thermal management fluid and the second reclaimed thermal management fluid is selected from the group consisting of the first refrigerant compound, the second refrigerant compound, azeotropic compositions of the first and second refrigerant compounds, azeotrope-like compositions of the first and second refrigerant compounds, and close-boiling compositions of the first and second refrigerant compounds.
[0161] Embodiment 48. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 47, wherein the recovered thermal management fluid(s), the mixed thermal management fluid and / or the reclaimed thermal management fluid comprises at least one acid scavenger and / or at least one inhibitor selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons including at least cyclic monoterpene; lipophilic organic compounds; and phenols, aromatic organic compounds having at least one chemical moiety -CeH^OH), preferably at least one member selected from the group consisting of D-limonene, pinene, a-pinene, p-pinene, a-terpinene, a-tocopherol, butylated hydroxytoluene, 4- methoxyphenol, benzene-1 ,4-diol, and mixtures thereof.
[0162] Embodiment 49. The process of any of Embodiments 1 to 48, the process further comprising combining the recovered thermal management fluid(s), the mixed thermal management fluid and / or the reclaimed thermal management fluid with virgin thermal management fluid and / or reclaimed thermal management fluid, wherein the virgin thermal management fluid and / or the reclaimed thermal management fluid include heels and / or heel-recovered refrigerants.
[0163] Embodiment 50. A reclaimed thermal management fluid formed by the process of any of Embodiments 1-49.
[0164] Embodiment 51: A process of treating or cleaning a system, a system component and / or equipment contaminated with oligomeric, homopolymeric, or other polymeric products derived from a thermal management fluid comprising HFO- 1234yf, the process comprising flushing or washing the system, system component and / or equipment with (i) virgin or reclaimed HFO-1234yf and / or (ii) one or more solvents, until little or no polymeric residue is observable in a discharged sample.
[0165] While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.
[0166] Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.
[0167] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0168] While the disclosure has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
Claims
CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . A process of thermal management fluid reclamation comprising:(i) analyzing a mixed thermal management fluid comprising a first refrigerant compound and a second refrigerant compound to determine the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound and to determine an amount of the first refrigerant compound and an amount of the second refrigerant compound in the mixed thermal management fluid; and(ii) treating the mixed thermal management fluid to form a reclaimed composition having a purity of at least 98% by one or more of:(a) diluting the mixed thermal management fluid with virgin or reclaimed refrigerant which is the same as the first refrigerant compound, the second refrigerant compound or both, and / or(b) distilling the mixed thermal management fluid to form at least a first distillate suitable for use as a reclaimed thermal management fluid and at least a second distillate having a non-ideal composition, and treating the second distillate to have a purity which meets AHRI 700.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the at least first distillate is a single component composition, or wherein the at least first distillate is an azeotropic, azeotropelike, or close-boiling composition comprising the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound.
3. The process of any of claims 1 or 2, wherein a composition of the reclaimed thermal management fluid is different from a composition of the mixed thermal management fluid.
4. The process of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein if the second distillate is a single component composition comprising a primary refrigerant compound and having less than 98% purity, the treating comprises dilution with additional amounts of the primary refrigerant compound until the composition has a purity of at least 98%.
5. The process of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein if the second distillate is a single component composition comprising a primary refrigerant compound and one or more additional compounds, and having less than 98% purity, the treating comprises dilution with additional amounts of at least one of the additional compounds until the composition has a purity of at least 98%.
6. The process of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein if the second distillate is a multicomponent composition comprising at least two primary refrigerant compounds and having less than 98% purity, the treating comprises either (i) dilution with additional amounts of at least one of the primary refrigerant compounds until the composition has a purity of at least 98, or (ii) redistillation of the composition.
7. The process of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein if the second distillate is a multicomponent composition comprising at least two primary refrigerant compounds and one or more additional compounds, and having less than 98% purity, the treating comprises dilution with additional amounts of at least one of the additional compounds until the composition has a purity of at least 98%.
8. The process of any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the dilution is performed with virgin or reclaimed materials.
9. The process of claim 1, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid is a mixture of at least two different thermal management fluids.
10. The process of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the analyzing further comprises analyzing the mixed thermal management fluid to determine an amount of carbon dioxide present in the mixed thermal management fluid.
11. The process of any of claims 1 to 10, the process further comprising treating the mixed thermal management fluid for removal of impurities.
12. The process of claim 11 , wherein the impurities are selected from the group consisting of oils, moisture, acids, NAG, NVR and combinations thereof.
13. The process of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the supplying comprises packaging the reclaimed thermal management fluid for commercial sale.
14. The process of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound are a pair selected from the group consisting of R-134a and R-1234yf; R-1234ze(E) and R-227ea; R-152a and R- 134a; R-1234yf and R-152a; R-125 and R-143a; R-32 and R-1132(E); R-1234yf and R-1132(Z); R-1234ze(E) and R-1132(Z); R-152a and R-1234ze(E); R-125 and R-32; R-1234ze(E) and R-134; R-1234yf and R-1252zc; R-1234ze(E) and R-1252zc; R-1234ze(E) and R-134a; R-1234ze(Z) and R-1336mzz(E); R- 1234ze(Z) and R-1233zd(E); R-245fa and R-1234ze(Z); R-245fa and R- 1233zd(E); R-1336mzz(Z) and trans-dichloroethylene; R-152a and R-1252zc; R-1132(Z) and R-152a; CO2and R-1132a; R-1233zd(E) and R-1336mzz(E); and R-32 and R-290.
15. The process of claim 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-134a as the first refrigerant compound, R-1234yf as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1225ye, HFO-1243zf, E-HFO-1234ze, HFC-236ea, HCFC-244bb, HFC-245fa, HFC-245eb, HFC- 245cb, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne, HFC-152a, FO-1114, CFO-1123, HCFO-1 131a, trans-HCFO-1131 , HCO- 1140, HCFO-1214ya, HFO-1216, HCFO-1224yd, HFO-1252 isomers, HFC-143a, HCFC-225, HFC-254eb, HFC-263fb, HFC- 236fa, HCFC-142b, HCFC-244cc, HCFO-1223, HFO-1132a and HCC-40; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of H FC- 1433, HFO-1225zc, HFC-245cb, HFC-134, HFC-152a, HFO-1225ye, HFC-161 , E-HFO-1234ze, HCFC-22, HFO-1243zf, CHFC-124, HCC-40, CHFO-1122, HCFC-31, CFC-114, CFC-114a, and HCO-1140.
16. The process of claim 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-1234ze(E) as the first refrigerant compound, R-227ea as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1234yf, HFC-245cb, HFO-1225yf(E), HFO-1225yf(Z), HFO-1225zc, HFC-236fa, HFC-152a, HFC- 143a, HFC-125, HFC-134a, HFO-1234zc, HFO-1233xf, HFO-1233zd, CFC- 114, HCFC-124, 2223, HFO-1234ze(Z), HFC-245fa, HFC-227ea, HFO-1243zf, HFC-263fb and HFC-134; and one or more additional compounds selectedfrom the group consisting of HFC-23, FC-1216, HFC-143a, HFC-134a, HCFC- 22, HCFC-124, FC-218, HFC-236fa, and HFO-1225zc.
17. The process of claim 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-152a as the first refrigerant compound, R-134a as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-161 , HCC-40, isobutane, HCO-1140, HCC-160 and CFC-1 14a; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-143a, HFO-1225zc, HFC-245cb, HFC-134, HFC-152a, HFO-1225ye, HFC-161 , E-HFO-1234ze, HCFC-22, HFO-1243zf, CHFC-124, HCC-40, CHFO-1122, HCFC-31 , CFC-114, CFC-114a, and HCO-1140.
18. The process of claim 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-1234yf as the first refrigerant compound, R-152a as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1225ye, HFO-1243zf, E-HFO-1234ze, HFC-236ea, HCFC-244bb, HFC-245fa, HFC-245eb, HFC- 245cb, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne, HFC-152a, FO-1114, CFO-1123, HCFO-1 131a, trans-HCFO-1131 , HCO- 1140, HCFO-1214ya, HFO-1216, HCFO-1224yd, HFO-1252 isomers, HFC-143a, HCFC-225, HFC-254eb, HFC-263fb, HFC- 236fa, HCFC-142b, HCFC-244cc, HCFO-1223, HFO-1132a and HCC-40; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC- 161 , HCC-40, isobutane, HCO-1140, HCC-160, and CFC-114a.
19. The process of claim 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-125 as the first refrigerant compound, R-143a as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-23, HFC-32, HFC-143a, HFC-134a, CFC-115, CFCO-1113 and HCC-40; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of CFC-115, HFC-134a, HFC- 152a, HCFC-22, CFC-12, HCFC-124, CFC-114a, and HCFC-133a.
20. The process of claim 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-32 as the first refrigerant compound, R-1132(E) as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additionalcompounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-143a, HFC-41, HFC- 134a, HCFC-22, CFC-12 and HCC-40; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-32, HFC-125, HCFO-E-1122a, HCFO-Z-1122a, HFO-1123, HFO-1141 , HCFC-133, HCFC-133b, HCFC-123, HFC-152, HFC-143, HFC-41 , HCFC-22, ethylene, HCFC-142a, HFO-1132a, HCFO-1 131a, HCFO-E-1131, HCFO-Z-1131 , HCFO-1122, acetylene, and HCO-1140.
21. The process of claim 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-1234ze(E) as the first refrigerant compound, R-152a as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1234yf, HFC-245cb, HFO-1225yf(E), HFO-1225yf(Z), HFO-1225zc, HFC-236fa, HFC-152a, HFC- 143a, HFC-125, HFC-134a, HFO-1234zc, HFO-1233xf, HFO-1233zd, CFC- 114, HCFC-124, 2223, HFO-1234ze(Z), HFC-245fa, HFC-227ea, HFO-1243zf, HFC-263fb and HFC-134; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-161 , HCC-40, isobutane, HCO-1140, HCC- 160 and CFC-114a.
22. The process of claim 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-125 as the first refrigerant compound, R-32 as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-23, HFC-32, HFC-143a, HFC-134a, CFC-115, CFCO-1113 and HCC-40; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-143a, HFC-41, HFC- 134a, HCFC-22, CFC-12 and HCC-40.
23. The process of claim 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-1234ze(E) as the first refrigerant compound, R-134 as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1234yf, HFC-245cb, HFO-1225yf(E), HFO-1225yf(Z), HFO-1225zc, HFC-236fa, HFC-152a, HFC- 143a, HFC-125, HFC-134a, HFO-1234zc, HFO-1233xf, HFO-1233zd, CFC- 114, HCFC-124, 2223, HFO-1234ze(Z), HFC-245fa, HFC-227ea, HFO-1243zf, HFC-263fb and HFC-134; and one or more additional compounds selectedfrom the group consisting of HFC-134a, HCFC-124, HCFC-124a, HCFO-1122, HFC-143a, HCFC-31 , HFC-32, HFC-125, CFC-114, CFC-114a, FCO-1114, HFC-152a, FCO-1318my, HFC-245cb, FC-C318 and HC-161.
24. The process of claim 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-1234yf as the first refrigerant compound, R-1252zc as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1225ye, HFO-1243zf, E-HFO-1234ze, HFC-236ea, HCFC-244bb, HFC-245fa, HFC-245eb, HFC- 245cb, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne, HFC-152a, CFO-1114, CFO-1123, HCFO-1131a, trans-HCFO-1131 , HCO-1140, HCFO-1214ya, HFO-1216, HCFO-1224yd, HFO-1252 isomers, HFC-143a, HCFC-225, HFC-254eb, HFC-263fb, HFC- 236fa, HCFC-142b, HCFC-244cc, HCFO-1223, HFO-1132a and HCC-40; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of methane, ethylene, dichloromethane (HCC-30), fluoroethane (HFC-1141), propane (HC-290), propylene (HC-1270), 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO- 1234yf), allene, 3-fluoro-1 -propene (HFO-1261), 1 ,1 ,1 -trifluoropropane (HFC- 263b), 3-fluoro-1-propene (HFO-1261), 2-butene, 2-butene, cyclobutene, 2- methyl-1-propene, 1 ,1 -difluoropropane (HFC-272fb), 2-chloro-3,3,3- trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233xf), 3-chloropropene (HCO-1260zf), C3H4FCI (HCFO-1251) and HFO-1243zf.
25. The process of claim 14, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid comprises R-1234ze(E) as the first refrigerant compound, R-1252zc as the second refrigerant compound, and further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1234yf, HFC-245cb, HFO-1225yf(E), HFO-1225yf(Z), HFO-1225zc, HFC-236fa, HFC-152a, HFC- 143a, HFC-125, HFC-134a, HFO-1234zc, HFO-1233xf, HFO-1233zd, CFC- 114, HCFC-124, 2223, HFO-1234ze(Z), HFC-245fa, HFC-227ea, HFO-1243zf, HFC-263fb and HFC-134; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of methane, ethylene, dichloromethane (HCC-30), fluoroethane (HFC-1141), propane (HC-290), propylene (HC-1270), 2,3,3,3- tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1 234yf), allene, 3-fluoro-1-propene (HFO-1261), 1 ,1 ,1 -trifluoropropane (HFC-263b), 3-fluoro-1 -propene (HFO-1261), 2-butene, 2-butene, cyclobutene, 2-methyl-1 -propene, 1 , 1 -difluoropropane (HFC-272fb),2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1 233xf), 3-chloropropene (HCO- 1260zf), C3H4FCI (HCFO-1251) and HFO-1243zf.
26. The process of any of claims 1 to 25, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid further comprises a third refrigerant compound.
27. The process of claim 26, wherein the first refrigerant compound, the second refrigerant compound, and the third refrigerant compound are R-1234yf, R- 152a, and R-134a.
28. The process of claim 27, wherein the mixed thermal management fluid further comprises one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFO-1225ye, HFO-1243zf, E-HFO-1234ze, HFC-236ea, HCFC- 244bb, HFC-245fa, HFC-245eb, HFC-245cb, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne, HFC-152a, FO-1114, CFO-1123, HCFO-1131a, trans-HCFO-1131 , HCO- 1140, HCFO- 1214ya, HFO-1216, HCFO-1224yd, HFO-1252 isomers, HFC-143a, HCFC-225, HFC-254eb, HFC-263fb, HFC- 236fa, HCFC-142b, HCFC-244cc, HCFO-1223, HFO-1132a and HCC-40; one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-161 , HCC-40, isobutane, HCO-1140, HCC-160 and CFC-114a; and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-143a, HFO-1225zc, HFC-245cb, HFC-134, HFC-152a, HFO- 1225ye, HFC-161 , E-HFO-1234ze, HCFC-22, HFO-1243zf, CHFC-124, HCC- 40, CHFO-1122, HCFC-31 , CFC-114, CFC-114a and HCO-1140.
29. The process of any of claims 1 to 28, wherein the supplying comprises adjusting a ratio of the first refrigerant compound to the second refrigerant compound in the composition of the reclaimed thermal management fluid by adding an additional amount of at least one of the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound to the reclaimed thermal management fluid to form the thermal management fluid product.
30. The process of claim 29, wherein the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound are a pair selected from the group consisting of R-134a and R-1234yf; R-1234ze(E) and R-227ea; R-152a and R-134a; R-1234yf and R-152a; R-125 and R-143a; R-32 and R-1132(E); R-1234yf and R-1132(Z); R- 1234ze(E) and R-1132(Z); R-152a and R-1234ze(E); R-125 and R-32; and R- 1234ze(E) and R-134a.
31. The process of any of claims 29 or 30, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-125 and the second refrigerant compound is R-32, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-410A and R-410B.
32. The process of any of claims 29 or 30, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-134a, the second refrigerant compound is R-1234yf, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-513A and R-513B.
33. The process of any of claims 29 or 30, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-1234ze, the second refrigerant compound is R-227ea, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-515A and R-515B.
34. The process of any of claims 29 or 30, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-152a, the second refrigerant compound is R-134a, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-512A and R-516A.
35. The process of any of claims 29 or 30, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-125, the second refrigerant compound is R-143a, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-404A, R- 462A, and R-507A.
36. The process of any of claims 1 to 35, wherein the supplying comprises blending the reclaimed thermal management fluid with at least one blending thermal management fluid comprising a third refrigerant compound to form the thermal management fluid product.
37. The process of claim 36, wherein the first refrigerant compound and the second refrigerant compound are selected from the group consisting of R-134a and R- 1234yf; R-1234ze(E) and R-227ea; R-152a and R-134a; R-1234yf and R-152a; R-125 and R-143a; R-32 and R-1132(E); R-1234yf and R-1132(Z); R- 1234ze(E) and R-1132(Z); R-152a and R-1234ze(E); R-125 and R-32; and R- 1234ze(E) and R-134a.
38. The process of any of claims 36 or 37, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-134a, the second refrigerant compound is R-227ea, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-448A, R- 448B, R-449A, R-449B, R-449C, R-475A, and R-516A.
39. The process of any of claims 36 or 37, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-1234ze, the second refrigerant compound is R-227ea, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-464A, R- 470A, R-470B, and R-471A.
40. The process of any of claims 36 or 37, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-1234yf, the second refrigerant compound is R-152a, and the third refrigerant compound is R-32, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-457A, R-457B, and R-457C.
41. The process of any of claims 36 or 37, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-125, the second refrigerant compound is R-32, the third refrigerant compound is R-134a, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-407A, R-407B, R-407C, R-407D, R-407E, R- 407F, R-407G, R-407H, and R-407I.
42. The process of any of claims 36 or 37, wherein the first refrigerant compound is R-1234ze(E), the second refrigerant compound is R-152a, the third refrigerant compound is R-32, and the thermal management fluid product is selected from the group consisting of R-444A, R-444B and R-478A, and is preferably R-444A.
43. The process of any of claims 1 to 42, further comprising purifying the mixed thermal management fluid, the purifying comprising removing one or more impurities from the mixed thermal management fluid such that the mixed thermal management fluid has greater than about 95 wt%, preferably greater than about 99 wt%, most preferably greater than about 99.5 wt% organic purity.
44. The process of claim 43, wherein the one or more impurities comprises an oil.
45. The process of any of claims 1 to 44, further comprising adding a stabilizer package to the mixed thermal management fluid and / or to the reclaimed thermal management fluid.
46. The process of any of claims 1 to 45, wherein the reclaimed thermal management fluid is azeotropic.
47. The process of any of claims 1 to 46, wherein the at least one distillate comprises a first distillate as a first reclaimed thermal management fluid and a second distillate as a second reclaimed thermal management fluid, wherein a composition of each of the first reclaimed thermal management fluid and the second reclaimed thermal management fluid is selected from the group consisting of the first refrigerant compound, the second refrigerant compound, azeotropic compositions of the first and second refrigerant compounds, azeotrope-like compositions of the first and second refrigerant compounds, and close-boiling compositions of the first and second refrigerant compounds.
48. The process of any of claims 1 to 47, wherein the recovered thermal management fluid(s), the mixed thermal management fluid and / or the reclaimed thermal management fluid comprises at least one acid scavenger and / or at least one inhibitor selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons including at least cyclic monoterpene; lipophilic organic compounds; and phenols, aromatic organic compounds having at least one chemical moiety -CeH^OH), preferably at least one member selected from the group consisting of D- limonene, pinene, a-pinene, p-pinene, a-terpinene, a-tocopherol, butylated hydroxytoluene, 4-methoxyphenol, benzene-1 ,4-diol, and mixtures thereof.
49. The process of any of claims 1 to 48, the process further comprising combining the recovered thermal management fluid(s), the mixed thermal management fluid and / or the reclaimed thermal management fluid with virgin thermal management fluid and / or reclaimed thermal management fluid, wherein the virgin thermal management fluid and / or the reclaimed thermal management fluid include heels and / or heel-recovered refrigerants.
50. A reclaimed thermal management fluid formed by the process of any of claims 1-49.
1. A process of treating or cleaning a system, a system component and / or equipment containing oligomeric, homopolymeric, or other polymeric products derived from a thermal management fluid comprising HFO-1234yf, the process comprising flushing or washing the system, system component and / or equipment with (i) virgin or reclaimed HFO-1234yf and / or (ii) one or more solvents, until little or no polymeric residue is observable in a discharged sample.
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