Low-temperature and average-temperature refrigeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigeration and air-conditioning systems face challenges with substances having high ozone depletion potential (ODP) and high Global Warming Potential (GWP), such as HFC-134a, and existing alternatives like carbon dioxide require high pressures, while mixtures like R-404A have high GWPs, necessitating the need for more efficient and environmentally friendly heat transfer fluids.
Innovation Solution
Binary compositions of 2,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and difluoromethane are used as heat transfer fluids in compression systems for low-temperature and medium-temperature refrigeration, operating in countercurrent or crossed-current modes, offering zero ODP and low GWP, with a higher coefficient of performance (COP) and compatibility with existing compressors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If HFC-134a is used as refrigerant, then ozone depletion is reduced, but global warming potential increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using binary mixtures of HFO-1234yf and HFC-32 with specific weight ratios (20-80% HFO-1234yf and 20-80% HFC-32), achieving both low GWP and acceptable refrigeration performance, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing ozone depletion and minimizing global warming impact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite refrigerant formulations by combining HFO-1234yf and HFC-32 in binary compositions, where the synergistic effect of the two components achieves low environmental impact while maintaining adequate thermodynamic properties for refrigeration cycles
2Object-generated harmful factors
If carbon dioxide is used as refrigerant, then global warming potential is reduced, but operating pressure increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the pressure parameter by using HFO-1234yf/HFC-32 binary mixtures that operate at moderate pressures comparable to conventional refrigerants, avoiding the extremely high pressures required by CO2 systems while maintaining low GWP
3Productivity
If R-404A is used as refrigerant, then refrigeration performance is maintained, but global warming potential increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by replacing the ternary R-404A mixture with binary HFO-1234yf/HFC-32 compositions, achieving similar refrigeration performance through optimized weight ratios while reducing GWP from 3900 to below 150
4Object-generated harmful factors
If new refrigerant compositions are developed, then environmental performance is improved, but device compatibility and development cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by formulating HFO-1234yf/HFC-32 binary compositions that are compatible with existing compression systems and equipment, allowing the same refrigerant to replace multiple conventional refrigerants (R-404A, R-407C, HFC-134a) across different applications without requiring new compressor development
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These binary compositions provide a higher COP and eliminate the need for new compressor development, replacing existing refrigerants like R-404A and R-407C, while being stable and suitable for various applications including refrigerated vehicles and food storage, with minimal requirement for stabilizers.
Implementation Method 1
A heat exchanger is a device for transferring thermal energy from one fluid to another, without mixing them. The thermal flux passes through the exchange surface that separates the fluids.
Implementation Method 2
In compression systems, heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat sources takes place via heat-transfer fluids. These heat-transfer fluids are in the gaseous state (the air in air conditioning and direct-expansion refrigeration), liquid (water in domestic heat pumps, glycol solution) or two-phase.
Data Source
AI summary
Binary compositions of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and difluoromethane, as a heat transfer fluid in compression, low-temperature and average temperature refrigeration systems, with exchangers operating in counterflow mode or in split flow mode with counterflow tendency. Also, to a heat transfer method. The binary compositions can replace R-404A and R-407C (ternary mixture containing 52 wt. % of HFC-134a, 25 wt. % of pentafluoroethane and 23 wt. % of difluoromethane) in compression-type heat-transfer systems with exchangers operating in countercurrent mode or in crossed-current mode with countercurrent tendency.