Thermal management fluid conversion composition

Abstract

In some embodiments, a thermal management fluid conversion composition includes an additive. The additive is selected to miscibilize a first lubricant for a high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant with a low GWP refrigerant. In some embodiments, a thermal management fluid conversion composition includes an additive and a first refrigerant. The thermal management fluid conversion composition is selected to miscibilize a second lubricant for a high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant with a low GWP refrigerant.

Description

TS0110-W001TITLE OF THE INVENTIONTHERMAL MANAGEMENT FLUID CONVERSION COMPOSITIONCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 691 ,568 filed September 6, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to compositions for converting a system including a high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant to include a low GWP refrigerant. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to compositions for replacing a high GWP refrigerant with a low GWP refrigerant, including an additive to miscibilize the lubricant with the low GWP refrigerant, in an automotive air-conditioning (A / C) system.BACKGROUND

[0002] Since the mid-1990s, automotive air-conditioning (A / C) systems have generally used the refrigerant 1 ,1 ,1 ,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) in the vapor compression cycle. Now, due to environmental and societal pressures, global automotive manufacturers are transitioning to the low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf), as the vehicle A / C refrigerant. However, there are several hundred million vehicles currently on the road that are using the older, high GWP refrigerant, HFC-134a. As the vehicle fleet ages, it will be necessary to recharge the vehicle A / C system. Vehicles greater than 10 years old may require A / C service. However, due to societal and global regulations, many countries are facing a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phasedown, where high GWP refrigerants are being phased out and will eventually become less available and more expensive.Therefore, there is a need to enable the existing HFC-134a vehicle fleet estimated at several hundred million a path to continued operation, thereby increasing the vehicle’s useful lifetime and meeting global sustainability goals. A vehicle that is ten to twentyTS0110-W001 years old may still be in good working condition but may need minor repairs or servicing to extend its lifetime. Vehicle A / C is a critical part of that sustainability requirement and will also need to be serviced or upgraded to be able to be serviced over the vehicle’s extended lifetime. Therefore, as HFCs become more difficult to find due to cost and availability issues, it will be imperative to use low GWP HFO type refrigerants in existing HFC containing A / C systems.

[0003] Although HFC refrigerants exhibit good performance in automotive A / C systems, they are being phased down due to their high GWP. The refrigerant in vehicles currently using HFC-134a may need to be replaced with a low GWP refrigerant. The currently preferred choice of low GWP refrigerant is HFO-1234yf.

[0004] A typical vehicle A / C system includes about 600 g of refrigerant and about 100 g of lubricant. When an automotive service technician removes HFC-134a from a vehicle A / C system during a conversion, a significant amount of lubricant is retained in the system. Although up to 99% of the refrigerant is removed during a typical conversion, about 75 to 80% of the system’s lubricant is retained in the compressor. Lubricants used for HFC-134a are different from lubricants for HFO-1234yf, and the lubricants for HFC-134a are not necessarily miscible with HFO-1234yf. Completely flushing the system is conventionally required to remove enough of the old lubricant during refrigerant replacement, leading to excessive amounts of service time, high servicing costs, and flush fluid waste generation.SUMMARY

[0005] A thermal management fluid conversion composition enhances the miscibility of a low GWP refrigerant with the lubricant when the vehicle is converted to include the low GWP refrigerant, since a significant portion of lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant remains in the system when the high GWP refrigerant is removed, such that a complete flush of the system is not required.

[0006] In some exemplary embodiments, a thermal management fluid conversion composition includes an additive. The additive is selected to miscibilize a first lubricant for a high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant with a low GWP refrigerant.TS0110-W001

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments, a thermal management fluid conversion composition includes an additive and a first refrigerant. The thermal management fluid conversion composition is selected to miscibilize a second lubricant for a high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant with a low GWP refrigerant.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Provided are thermal management fluid conversion compositions for converting an automotive air-conditioning (A / C) system from a high GWP refrigerant to a low GWP refrigerant, including an additive to miscibilize the remaining lubricant with the low GWP refrigerant.

[0009] As used herein, “high GWP refrigerant” refers to any refrigerant having a 100- year GWP of 150 or greater. GWP is an index for estimating relative global warming contribution due to atmospheric emission of a kilogram of a particular greenhouse gas compared to emission of a kilogram of carbon dioxide. GWP can be calculated for different time horizons showing the effect of atmospheric lifetime for a given gas. The GWP for the 100-year time horizon is commonly the value referenced. For mixtures, a weighted average can be calculated based on the individual GWPs for each component.

[0010] In some embodiments, the high GWP refrigerant includes a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC). In some embodiments, the HFC includes HFC-134a. HFC-134a has a GWP of 1530 according to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Control (IPCC), which provides vetted values for refrigerant GWPs in official assessment reports (ARs.) The fourth assessment report is denoted as AR4, the fifth assessment report is denoted as AR5, and the sixth assessment report is denoted as AR6. The GWP values reported for refrigerant blends of the present invention herein refer to the AR4 values, which regulating bodies are currently using for legislation. AR6 is the most recent published report. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the GWP values may refer to the AR4 or AR6 values.

[0011] As used herein, “low GWP refrigerant” refers to any refrigerant having a 100- year GWP of less than 150. An appropriate GWP for a low GWP refrigerant mayTS0110-W001 include, but is not limited to, less than 150, less than 100, less than 50, less than 10, less than 5, less than 1 , or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween.

[0012] In some embodiments, the low GWP refrigerant includes a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO). Appropriate low GWP refrigerants may include, but are not limited to, HFO- 1234yf, E-1 ,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234zeE), Z-1 ,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234zeZ), E-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFO-1233zdE), Z-1 -chloro-3,3,3- trifluoropropene (HFO-1233zdZ), Z-1 ,1 ,1 ,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (HFO-1336mzzZ), E-1 ,1 ,1 ,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (HFO-1336mzzE), hydrocarbons such as propane, or blends including any of these. In some embodiments, the HFO includes HFO-1234yf. HFO-1234yf has a GWP of 0.5 according to the United Nations IPCC AR6. Appropriate low GWP refrigerants may include, but are not limited to, the HFOs disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,426,657, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0013] In some embodiments, the low GWP refrigerant includes minor amounts of HFCs or other HFO compounds. For example, when the refrigerant includes HFO- 1234yf, the refrigerant may include up to 1 mol%, alternatively up to 0.5 mol%, alternatively up to 0.1 mol% of one or more of 1 ,1 ,1 ,2-tetrafluoro-2,3-dichloropropane (HCFC-234bb), 2-chloro-1 ,1 ,1 ,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb), 3-ch loro-1 , 1 ,1 , 2- tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244eb), 1 ,1 ,1 ,2-tetrafluoropropane (HFC-254eb), 1 ,1 ,1- trifluoropropane (HFC-263fb), 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233xf), 1 ,1 , 1 ,2, 2- pentafluoropropane (HFC-245cb), 3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFO-1243zf), methyl chloride (HCC-40), 1 ,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225ye), 1 ,1 ,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225zc), 1 -chloro-1 -fluoroethylene (HCFO-1131 a), E-1 -chloro-2 -fluoroethylene (HCFO-E-1131 ), Z-1 -chloro-2 -fluoroethylene (HCFO-Z-1131 ), 1 -chloro-1 , 1 - difluoroethane (HCFC-142b), 1 -chloro-1 , 2, 2, 2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124), 1 -chloro- 1 ,2-difluoroethylene (HCFO-1122a), 2-chloro-1 ,1 -difluoroethylene (HCFO-1122), E- 1 ,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-E-1234ze), Z-1 ,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-Z- 1234ze), and vinyl chloride (HFO-1140).

[0014] In some embodiments, the lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant includes a polyalkyl glycol (PAG).TS0110-W001

[0015] In exemplary embodiments, the additive ensures that the low GWP refrigerant is miscible with the lubricant composition resulting from addition of the thermal management fluid conversion composition to the remaining lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant under operating temperatures and pressures of the system.

[0016] In exemplary embodiments, the composition of the thermal management fluid conversion composition is selected such that the resulting lubricant composition has the following physical properties. The resulting lubricant composition is soluble in the low GWP refrigerant at temperatures between about 0 °C and about 100 °C, and more preferably in the range of about 0 °C and about 40 °C, and even more specifically between 5 °C and 40 °C.

[0017] In exemplary embodiments, the resulting lubricant composition has a kinematic viscosity (measured at 40 °C, according to ASTM D445) greater than about 5 cSt, preferably greater than about 10 cSt, and most preferably greater than 20 cSt. The lubricant may have a kinematic viscosity (measured at 40 °C, according to ASTM D445) of less than about 600 cSt, more preferably less than about 320 cSt, and most preferably, less than about 210 cSt. Ideally, the lubricant, when measured at 40 °C, according to ASTM D445, will have kinematic viscosity between 40-50 cSt.

[0018] In exemplary embodiments, the resulting lubricant composition has a molecular weight (as measured by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) or Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOF-MS) between about 1000 and about 4000, more preferably between about 1500 and about 3500. Lubricants with molecular weights in these ranges provide performance results that are more favorable compared to lubricants with molecular weights outside of these ranges. Table 1 illustrates suitable characteristics of a resulting lubricant composition.TS0110-W001TABLE 1

[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the additive ensures that no additional A / C flush is needed during the conversion process. In some embodiments, the conversion process is a retrofit process.

[0020] In some embodiments, the additive includes a surfactant or surface active agent. In some embodiments, the surfactant is a dispersant. In some embodiments, the surfactant is a wetting agent. In some embodiments, the surfactant is biodegradable. In some embodiments, the surfactant is free of or substantially free of fluorination.

[0021] Appropriate surfactants may include, but are not limited to, polyether surfactants, such as, for example, primary alcohol ethoxylates, secondary alcohol ethoxylates, and block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO); polysiloxanes; and hydrocarbon surfactants.

[0022] Appropriate surfactants may also include, but are not limited to, commercially- available surfactants marketed under the trade name Carbowet (Evonik Industries AG, Essen, Germany), such as, for example, Carbowet™ GA-100 and Carbowet™ 109; commercially-available surfactants marketed under the trade name Cirrasol (Croda International PLC, Snaith, UK), such as, for example, Cirrasol™ G-1086 and Cirrasol™ G-1096; commercially-available surfactants marketed under the trade name Dapro (Elementis Specialties, Inc., East Windsor, NJ), such as, for example, Dapro® DF 451 ; commercially-available surfactants marketed under the trade name Dowanol (DowTS0110-W001Chemical Company, Midland, Ml), such as, for example, Dowanol™ DPM and Dowanol™ PM Glycol Ether; commercially-available surfactants marketed under the trade name Igepal (Rhodia Operations, La Defense, France), such as, for example, Igepal® CA-407, Igepal® CO-630, Igepal® CO-890, and Igepal® CTA-639W; commercially-available surfactants marketed under the trade name Tamol (Dow Chemical Company), such as, for example, Tamol® 731 A; commercially-available surfactants marketed under the trade name Tergitol (Dow Chemical Company), such as, for example, Tergitol™ 15-S-9, Tergitol™ 15-S-12, Tergitol™ 15-S-20, Tergitol™ L- 62, Tergitol™ L-64, Tergitol™ NP-10, Tergitol™ TMN-6, and Tergitol™ TMN-10; commercially-available surfactants marketed under the trade name Triton (Dow Chemical Company), such as, for example, Triton™ GR-7M and Triton™ X-100; polyoxyethylene Sorbitol / Sorbitan Fatty Acid Esters” family, which includes the following products Ethox TO-20, Cirrasol G-1096 and Cirrasol G-1086; and co-emulsifiers that create emulsions with lower levels of agitation (pair of surfactant of co-emulsifiers), such as TO-20 / Hexamethyldisiloxane, G-1096 / Ethal NP9, G-1086 / Ehtal NP9 and the like.

[0023] Appropriate amounts of the surfactant in the thermal management fluid conversion composition are such that upon addition of the thermal management fluid conversion composition to the remaining lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant, the resulting lubricant composition includes an amount of surfactant in the range of about 1 wt% to about 5 wt% surfactant, alternatively about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, alternatively about 3 wt%, alternatively about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%, alternatively about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%, alternatively about 3 wt% to about 4 wt%, or any value, range, or subrange therebetween.

[0024] In some embodiments, the thermal management fluid conversion composition includes a lubricant. Appropriate lubricants may include, but are not limited to, PAG, polyester oil (POE), polyvinyl ether (PVE), and combinations thereof.

[0025] Appropriate lubricants for the thermal management fluid conversion composition may include, but are not limited to, a PAG lubricant, such as, for example, the PAG marketed under the trade name FD46XG (Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), the PAGs marketed under the trade names ND-8 and ND-12 (Idemitsu KosanTS0110-W001Co., Ltd.), the PAG marketed under the trade name PS-D1 (ACDelco, Warren, Ml), the PAG marketed under the trade name RL-897 (Dow Chemical Company), and the PAGs marketed under the trade names SP-A2, SP-1O, and SP-15 (Sanden International, Inc., Wylie, TX); a POE lubricant, such as, for example, the POE marketed under the trade name ND-11 (ENEOS Corporation, Tokyo, Japan); a PVE lubricant; alkylated naphthalene; epoxylated naphthalene, and combinations thereof.

[0026] Appropriate amounts of the lubricant in the thermal management fluid conversion composition are selected such that upon addition of the thermal management fluid conversion composition to the remaining lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant, the resulting lubricant composition includes an amount of the lubricant that approximately replaces the amount of lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant that was removed during removal of the high GWP refrigerant.

[0027] In some embodiments, the thermal management fluid conversion composition includes a stabilizer for the low GWP refrigerant. In some embodiments, the stabilizer includes at least one inhibitor compound that inhibits, if not eliminates, an HFO from interacting with another compound and forming dimers, oligomers, homopolymers, or polymeric products.

[0028] Appropriate inhibitors may include, but are not limited to, hydrocarbons such as cyclic monoterpenes (e.g., limonene, pinene, a-pinene, [3-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 thatinhibits, if not eliminates, a fluoroethylene from interacting with another compound and forming dimers, oligomers, homopolymers, or polymeric products.

[0029] In some embodiments, the stabilizer includes at least one acid scavenger. The stabilizer may be present at about 0.0001 % to about 1 %, by weight, in the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

[0030] Appropriate acid scavengers may include, but are not limited to, a siloxane, an activated aromatic compound, or a combination of both. The siloxane may be any molecule having a siloxy functionality. The siloxane may include an alkyl siloxane, an aryl siloxane, or a siloxane containing mixtures of aryl and alkyl substituents. For example, the siloxane may be an alkyl siloxane, including a dialkylsiloxane or a polydialkylsiloxane. Preferred siloxanes include an oxygen atom bonded to two silicon atoms. For example, the siloxane may be a siloxane of the following Formula: Ri[Si(R2R3)4O]nSi(R2R3)R4, where n is 1 or more. Siloxanes of this Formula may have n that is preferably 2 or more, more preferably 3 or more, (e.g., about 4 or more). Siloxanes of this Formula have n that is preferably about 30 or less, more preferably about 12 or less, and most preferably about 7 or less. Preferably the R4 group is an aryl group or an alkyl group. Preferably the R2groups are aryl groups or alkyl groups or mixtures thereof. Preferably the R3 groups are aryl groups or alkyl groups or mixtures thereof. Preferably the R4 group is an aryl group or an alkyl group. Preferably R1, R2, R3, R4, or any combination thereof are not hydrogen. The R2groups in a molecule may be the same or different. Preferably the R2groups in a molecule are the same. The R2groups in a molecule may be the same or different from the R3 groups. Preferably, the R2groups and R3 groups in a molecule are the same. Preferred siloxanes include siloxanes of this Formula, where R1, R2, R3, R4, Rs, or any combination thereof is a methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl group, or any combination thereof. Exemplary siloxanes that may be used include hexamethyldisiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, polymethylphenylsiloxane, dodecamethylpentasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, decamethyltetrasiloxane, octamethyltrisiloxane, or any combination thereof.TS0110-W001

[0031] In some embodiments, the thermal management fluid conversion composition includes an ultraviolet dye. In some embodiments, the ultraviolet dye fluoresces when exposed to ultraviolet light to enable detection of the location of a refrigerant leak. In some embodiments, the dye is solubilized in the lubricant and then blended with the refrigerant.

[0032] In some embodiments, the dye is an ultraviolet dye that absorbs light in the ultraviolet or near ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Any compatible dye can be included in the inventive compositions. Appropriate of compatible dyes may include, but are not limited to, at least one compound containing a fluorescein species selected from the derivatives of 6-hydroxy-3H-xanthen-3-one and having an absorbance peak from about 425 to about 433 nm, another absorbance peak from about 292 to about 295 nm, and, in some cases, a third absorbance peak from about 243 to about 250 nm. Absorbance peaks may be measured using UV-Vis. Compatible dyes may also be characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as having peaks between about 700 to about 800 cm-1, about 1000 to about 1100 cm-1, about 1200 to about 1300 cm'1, and / or about 1400 to about 1600 cm'1. The amount of dye can range from about 30 to about 0.001 wt%, alternatively about 20 to about 0.001 wt%, alternatively about 5 to about 0.001 wt%, or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween, based on the total weight of the composition. The dye, lubricant, HFO, and inhibitor, among other components of the stabilizer, can be combined in any suitable sequence. In some embodiments, dye is solubilized in lubricant, followed by addition of HFO containing an inhibitor. In some embodiments, dye is solubilized in lubricant containing inhibitor, followed by addition of HFO.

[0033] Appropriate ultraviolet dyes may include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in International Application Publication No. WO 2023 / 141098, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0034] In some embodiments, the thermal management fluid conversion composition further includes the low GWP refrigerant.

[0035] In some embodiments, the thermal management fluid conversion composition includes the lubricant and the additive and is added to the A / C system separately fromTS0110-W001 the low GWP refrigerant during a conversion process. In such embodiments, the thermal management fluid conversion composition includes the additive and a lubricant that combine with the lubricant remaining in the A / C system after removal of the high GWP refrigerant. In such embodiments, the relative amounts of additive and lubricant may be selected based on the amount of lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant that was removed during removal of the high GWP refrigerant in order to provide a lubricant composition having a similar weight to the original weight of the lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant and a concentration of the surfactant within a predetermined range.

[0036] For example, in the case of about 75 wt% of the lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant remaining in the A / C system, the thermal management fluid conversion composition may contain about 4% to about 20%, by weight, surfactant and about 80% to about 96%, by weight, lubricant. In the case of about 80 wt% of the lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant, the thermal management fluid conversion composition may contain about 5% to about 25%, by weight, surfactant and about 75% to about 95%, by weight, lubricant.

[0037] In some embodiments, the thermal management fluid conversion composition includes the lubricant, the additive, and the lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant remaining in the A / C system. In the case of about 75 wt% of the lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant remaining in the A / C system, the thermal management fluid conversion composition may contain about 1 % to about 5%, by weight, surfactant, about 20% to about 24%, by weight, lubricant, and about 75%, by weight, of the lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant. In the case of about 80 wt% of the lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant, the thermal management fluid conversion composition may contain about 1 % to about 5%, by weight, surfactant, about 15% to about 19%, by weight, lubricant, and about 80%, by weight, of the lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant. The resulting lubricant composition is miscible with the low GWP refrigerant.

[0038] In some embodiments, the thermal management fluid conversion composition includes the additive, the lubricant, and the low GWP refrigerant. In such embodiments, the relative amounts of additive, lubricant, and low GWP refrigerant may be selected based on the relative original amounts of lubricant and high GWP refrigerant and theTS0110-W001 amount of lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant that was removed during removal of the high GWP refrigerant in order to provide a similar amount of added low GWP refrigerant as removed high GWP refrigerant and to provide a lubricant composition having a similar weight to the original weight of the lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant and a concentration of the surfactant within a predetermined range.

[0039] For example, in the case of a weight ratio of original lubricant to high GWP refrigerant of about 1 :6 and about 75 wt% of the lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant remaining in the A / C system, the thermal management fluid conversion composition may contain about 0.16% to about 0.80%, by weight, surfactant, about 3.20% to about 3.84%, by weight, lubricant, and about 96%, by weight, of the low GWP refrigerant. In the case of about 80 wt% of the lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant, the thermal management fluid conversion composition may contain about 0.16% to about 0.81 %, by weight, surfactant, about 2.42% to about 3.06%, by weight, lubricant, and about 96.77%, by weight, of the low GWP refrigerant.

[0040] In some embodiments, the thermal management fluid conversion composition only includes a portion of the total amount of low GWP refrigerant to be added to the A / C system. In such embodiments, the amount of the low GWP refrigerant is selected to aid in injection of the remainder of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

[0041] In some such embodiments, the thermal management fluid conversion composition includes the low GWP refrigerant in an amount, by weight of, about 20% to about 50%, alternatively about 30% to about 45%, alternatively about 35% to about 40%, or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween. The thermal management fluid conversion composition includes the combined total of lubricant and additive in an amount, by weight of, about 50% to about 80%, alternatively about 55% to about 70%, alternatively about 60% to about 65%, or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween, with the additive being present in an amount to provide, by weight, of about 1 % to about 5% additive in the combined lubricant after injection into the A / C system. When the amount of remaining lubricant ranges from 75 to 80%, the amount of additive in the thermal management fluid conversion composition, by weight, is about 2% to aboutTS0110-W00120%, alternatively about 2.2% to about 17.5%, alternatively about 2.4% to about 16.25%, alternatively about 4% to about 16%, alternatively about 4.4% to about 14%, alternatively about 4.8% to about 13%, or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween. When the amount of remaining lubricant ranges from 75 to 80%, the amount of the lubricant in the thermal management fluid conversion composition, by weight, is about 37.5% to about 76.8%, alternatively about 41.25% to about 67.2%, alternatively about 45% to about 62.4%, or any value, range, or sub-range therebetween.EXAMPLESEXAMPLE 1Miscibility Tables

[0042] In the below Tables, M implies miscibility of the lubricant or lubricant / additive package with HFO-1234yf, and N implies non-miscible and 3 implies three phases.

[0043] Data shows that this miscibility challenge cannot be overcome by simple blending of lubricants used with HFC-134a and lubricants used with HFO-1234yf.

[0044] The following data shows miscibility for HFC-134a and HFO-1234yf with 80 wt% SP-10 and 20 wt % SP-A2. SP-10 is a specified lubricant for HFO-2134yf while SP-A2 is a specified lubricant for HFC-134a.TS0110-W001Table 2(Temperature °C)Table 3: Miscibility range of HFC-134a with Sanden SP-A2 lubricant(Temperature °C)TS0110-W001Table 4: Miscibility range of HFO-1234yf with Sanden SP-A2 lubricant (Temperature °C)

[0045] As can be seen, HFO-1234yf lacks miscibility with Sanden SP-A2. Therefore, additives were added at 0.1 wt% to the lubricant to increase the miscibility. Data shows that there was miscibility improvement with Dowanol PM Glycol Ether at 25°C and 90 wt% HFO-1234yf.Table 5 (Temperature °C)

[0046] Adding 0.1 wt% Dowanol PM glycol ether increases the miscibility of HFO- 1234yf with SP-A2 a lubricant used for HFC-134a.TS0110-W001OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0047] Embodiment 1 : a thermal management fluid conversion composition comprising an additive, wherein the additive and an amount of the additive are selected to miscibilize a first lubricant for a high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant with a low GWP refrigerant.

[0048] Embodiment 2: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 1 , wherein the high GWP refrigerant comprises a hydrofluorocarbon.

[0049] Embodiment 3: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the first lubricant comprises a first polyalkyl glycol.

[0050] Embodiment 4: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the low GWP refrigerant comprises a hydrofluoroolefin.

[0051] Embodiment 5 the thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the additive comprises a surfactant.

[0052] Embodiment 6: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 5, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of a primary alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, a secondary alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide surfactant; hexamethyldisiloxane, a polysiloxane, a hydrocarbon surfactant, and combinations thereof.

[0053] Embodiment 7: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 5, wherein the surfactant comprises a dispersant.

[0054] Embodiment 8: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 5, wherein the surfactant comprises a wetting agent.

[0055] Embodiment 9: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of embodiments 1 to 8 further comprising a second lubricant.

[0056] Embodiment 10: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 9, wherein the second lubricant is selected from the group consisting of a second polyalkyl glycol, a polyester oil, a polyvinyl ether, and combinations thereof.TS0110-W001

[0057] Embodiment 11 : the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 9 or 10, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 4% to about 25%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

[0058] Embodiment 12: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 9 or 10 further comprising the first lubricant.

[0059] Embodiment 13: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 12, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 1 % to about 5%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

[0060] Embodiment 14: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 9 or 10 further comprising the low GWP refrigerant.

[0061] Embodiment 15: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 14, wherein the low GWP refrigerant is present in an amount of about 20% to about 50%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

[0062] Embodiment 16: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 14 or 15, wherein the second lubricant is present in an amount of about 37.5% to about 76.8%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

[0063] Embodiment 17: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of embodiments 14 to 16, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 2% to about 20%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

[0064] Embodiment 18: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of embodiments 14 to 17 further comprising a stabilizer for the low GWP refrigerant.

[0065] Embodiment 19: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 18, wherein the stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of an inhibitor, an acid scavenger, and combinations thereof.

[0066] Embodiment 20: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of embodiments 14 to 19 further comprising an ultraviolet (UV) dye.TS0110-W001

[0067] Embodiment 21 : a thermal management fluid conversion composition comprising an additive and a first refrigerant, wherein the thermal management fluid conversion composition is selected to miscibilize a second lubricant for a high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant with a low GWP refrigerant.

[0068] Embodiment 22: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 21 , wherein the additive comprises a surfactant.

[0069] Embodiment 23: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of embodiment 22, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of a primary alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, a secondary alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide surfactant; hexamethyldisiloxane, a polysiloxane, a hydrocarbon surfactant, and combinations thereof.

[0070] Embodiment 24: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of embodiments 21 to 23, wherein the second lubricant is selected from the group consisting of a second polyalkyl glycol, a polyester oil, a polyvinyl ether, and combinations thereof.

[0071] Embodiment 25: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of embodiments 21 to 24, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 4% to about 25%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

[0072] Embodiment 26: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of embodiments 21 to 25, wherein the low GWP refrigerant comprises 2, 3,3,3- tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf).

[0073] Embodiment 27: the thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of embodiments 21 to 26, wherein the high GWP refrigerant comprises 1 ,1 ,1 ,2- tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a).

[0074] Embodiment 28: A method for retrofitting a mobile air conditioning system from a high GWP refrigerant to a low GWP refrigerant, the method comprising: providing a container comprising a thermal management fluid conversion composition, the thermal management fluid conversion composition comprising anTS0110-W001 additive selected to miscibilize a first lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant with the low GWP refrigerant; withdrawing the high GWP refrigerant from the mobile air conditioning system through a charge-discharge port, wherein an amount of the first lubricant remains in the mobile air conditioning system; and charging the mobile air conditioning system with the low GWP refrigerant and the additive.

[0075] Embodiment 29: The method of Embodiment 28, wherein the low GWP refrigerant is contained in the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

[0076] Embodiment 30: The method of Embodiment 28 or Embodiment 29, wherein the high GWP refrigerant comprises a hydrofluorocarbon.

[0077] Embodiment 31 : The method of any of Embodiments 28 to 30, wherein the first lubricant comprises a first polyalkyl glycol.

[0078] Embodiment 32: The method of any of Embodiments 28 to 31 , wherein the low GWP refrigerant comprises a hydrofluoroolefin.

[0079] Embodiment 33: The method of any of Embodiments 28 to 32, wherein the additive comprises a surfactant.

[0080] Embodiment 34: The method of Embodiment 33, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of a primary alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, a secondary alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide surfactant; hexamethyldisiloxane, a polysiloxane, a hydrocarbon surfactant, and combinations thereof.

[0081] Embodiment 35: The method of Embodiment 33, wherein the surfactant comprises a dispersant.

[0082] Embodiment 36: The method of Embodiment 33, wherein the surfactant comprises a wetting agent.TS0110-W001

[0083] Embodiment 37: The method of any of Embodiments 28 to 36, wherein the thermal management fluid conversion composition further comprises a second lubricant.

[0084] Embodiment 38: The method of Embodiment 37, wherein the second lubricant is selected from the group consisting of a second polyalkyl glycol, a polyester oil, a polyvinyl ether, and combinations thereof.

[0085] Embodiment 39: The method of Embodiment 37 or 38, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 4% to about 25%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

[0086] Embodiment 40: The method of any of Embodiments 37 to 39, wherein the thermal management fluid conversion composition further comprises the first lubricant.

[0087] Embodiment 41 : The method of Embodiment 40, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 1 % to about 5%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

[0088] Embodiment 42: The method of any of Embodiments 37 to 41 , the thermal management fluid conversion composition further comprising the low GWP refrigerant.

[0089] Embodiment 43: The method of Embodiment 42, wherein the low GWP refrigerant is present in an amount of about 20% to about 50%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

[0090] Embodiment 44: The method of Embodiment 42 or 43, wherein the second lubricant is present in an amount of about 37.5% to about 76.8%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

[0091] Embodiment 45: The method of any of Embodiments 42 to 44, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 2% to about 20%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

[0092] Embodiment 46: The method of any of Embodiments 42 to 45, the thermal management fluid conversion composition further comprising a stabilizer for the low GWP refrigerant.TS0110-W001

[0093] Embodiment 47: The method of Embodiment 46, wherein the stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of an inhibitor, an acid scavenger, and combinations thereof.

[0094] Embodiment 48: The method of any of Embodiments 42 to 47, the thermal management fluid conversion composition further comprising an ultraviolet (UV) dye.

[0095] 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).

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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’.TS0110-W001

[0098] 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’.

[0099] 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.

[0100] Although certain aspects, embodiments, and principals have been described above, it is understood that this description is made only way of example and not as limitation of the scope of the invention or appended claims.

Claims

TS0110-W001CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . A thermal management fluid conversion composition comprising an additive, wherein the additive and an amount of the additive are selected to miscibilize a first lubricant for a high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant with a low GWP refrigerant.

2. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 1 , wherein the high GWP refrigerant comprises a hydrofluorocarbon.

3. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first lubricant comprises a first polyalkyl glycol.

4. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the low GWP refrigerant comprises a hydrofluoroolefin.

5. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the additive comprises a surfactant.

6. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 5, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of a primary alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, a secondary alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide surfactant; hexamethyldisiloxane, a polysiloxane, a hydrocarbon surfactant, and combinations thereof.

7. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 5, wherein the surfactant comprises a dispersant.

8. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 5, wherein the surfactant comprises a wetting agent.

9. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of claims 1 to 8 further comprising a second lubricant.

10. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 9, wherein the second lubricant is selected from the group consisting of a second polyalkyl glycol, a polyester oil, a polyvinyl ether, and combinations thereof.TS0110-W00111 . The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 9 or 10, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 4% to about 25%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

12. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 9 or 10 further comprising the first lubricant.

13. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 12, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 1 % to about 5%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

14. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 9 or 10 further comprising the low GWP refrigerant.

15. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 14, wherein the low GWP refrigerant is present in an amount of about 20% to about 50%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

16. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 14 or 15, wherein the second lubricant is present in an amount of about 37.5% to about 76.8%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

17. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 2% to about 20%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

18. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of claims 14 to 17 further comprising a stabilizer for the low GWP refrigerant.

19. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 18, wherein the stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of an inhibitor, an acid scavenger, and combinations thereof.

20. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of claims 14 to 19 further comprising an ultraviolet (UV) dye.TS0110-W00121 . A thermal management fluid conversion composition comprising an additive and a first refrigerant, wherein the thermal management fluid conversion composition is selected to miscibilize a second lubricant for a high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant with a low GWP refrigerant.

22. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 21 , wherein the additive comprises a surfactant.

23. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of claim 22, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of a primary alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, a secondary alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide surfactant; hexamethyldisiloxane, a polysiloxane, a hydrocarbon surfactant, and combinations thereof.

24. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the second lubricant is selected from the group consisting of a second polyalkyl glycol, a polyester oil, a polyvinyl ether, and combinations thereof.

25. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of claims 21 to 24, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 4% to about 25%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

26. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of claims 21 to 25, wherein the low GWP refrigerant comprises 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO- 1234yf).

27. The thermal management fluid conversion composition of any of claims 21 to 26, wherein the high GWP refrigerant comprises 1 ,1 ,1 ,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC- 134a).

28. A method for retrofitting a mobile air conditioning system from a high GWP refrigerant to a low GWP refrigerant, the method comprising: providing a container comprising a thermal management fluid conversion composition, the thermal management fluid conversion composition comprisingTS0110-W001 an additive selected to miscibilize a first lubricant for the high GWP refrigerant with the low GWP refrigerant; withdrawing the high GWP refrigerant from the mobile air conditioning system through a charge-discharge port, wherein an amount of the first lubricant remains in the mobile air conditioning system; and charging the mobile air conditioning system with the low GWP refrigerant and the additive.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the low GWP refrigerant is contained in the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

30. The method of claim 28 or claim 29, wherein the high GWP refrigerant comprises a hydrofluorocarbon.31 . The method of any of claims 28 to 30, wherein the first lubricant comprises a first polyalkyl glycol.

32. The method of any of claims 28 to 31 , wherein the low GWP refrigerant comprises a hydrofluoroolefin.

33. The method of any of claims 28 to 32, wherein the additive comprises a surfactant.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of a primary alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, a secondary alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide surfactant; hexamethyldisiloxane, a polysiloxane, a hydrocarbon surfactant, and combinations thereof.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the surfactant comprises a dispersant.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the surfactant comprises a wetting agent.

37. The method of any of claims 28 to 36, wherein the thermal management fluid conversion composition further comprises a second lubricant.TS0110-W00138. The method of claim 37, wherein the second lubricant is selected from the group consisting of a second polyalkyl glycol, a polyester oil, a polyvinyl ether, and combinations thereof.

39. The method of claim 37 or 38, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 4% to about 25%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

40. The method of any of claims 37 to 39, wherein the thermal management fluid conversion composition further comprises the first lubricant.41 . The method of claim 40, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 1 % to about 5%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

42. The method of any of claims 37 to 41 , the thermal management fluid conversion composition further comprising the low GWP refrigerant.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the low GWP refrigerant is present in an amount of about 20% to about 50%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

44. The method of claim 42 or 43, wherein the second lubricant is present in an amount of about 37.5% to about 76.8%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

45. The method of any of claims 42 to 44, wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 2% to about 20%, by weight of the thermal management fluid conversion composition.

46. The method of any of claims 42 to 45, the thermal management fluid conversion composition further comprising a stabilizer for the low GWP refrigerant.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of an inhibitor, an acid scavenger, and combinations thereof.

48. The method of any of claims 42 to 47, the thermal management fluid conversion composition further comprising an ultraviolet (UV) dye.