Low- and medium-temperature refrigeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigeration and air conditioning systems face challenges due to the high Global Warming Potential (GWP) of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and the high pressure requirements of carbon dioxide, which are not environmentally friendly, and existing heat transfer fluids like R-404A have high GWPs, necessitating the need for more efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives.
Innovation Solution
The use of binary compositions of 2,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and difluoromethane as heat transfer fluids in compression systems, particularly in counter-current or cross-current modes, offering zero ODP and low GWP, which can replace R-404A and R-407C, with existing compressors suitable and stabilized with minimal stabilizers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are used as refrigerants, then ozone depletion is reduced, but global warming potential increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using binary compositions of HFO-1234yf and HFC-32 with specific weight ratios (10-90% HFO-1234yf and 90-10% HFC-32), achieving a balance between ozone protection and reduced GWP compared to conventional HFCs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite refrigerant formulations by combining two different compounds (HFO-1234yf and HFC-32) in specific proportions to achieve properties that neither component alone could provide, specifically low GWP while maintaining refrigeration effectiveness
2Object-generated harmful factors
If carbon dioxide is used as refrigerant, then global warming potential is reduced, but operating pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the refrigerant system by using HFO-1234yf/HFC-32 binary compositions that operate at moderate pressures, 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
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the refrigerant composition parameters by replacing R-404A (GWP 3900) with HFO-1234yf/HFC-32 binary compositions having GWP ≤ 150, while maintaining refrigeration performance through optimized weight ratios and heat exchanger design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the high-GWP components from conventional refrigerant blends, specifically removing the trifluoroethane and pentafluoroethane components that contribute to high GWP in R-404A, and replacing them with low-GWP HFO-1234yf
4Device complexity
If existing compressors are used with new refrigerants, then device complexity is reduced, but coefficient of performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the operating parameters of existing compressors by adjusting refrigerant charge amounts, expansion valve settings, and heat exchanger configurations to accommodate the specific thermodynamic properties of HFO-1234yf/HFC-32 binary compositions, thereby maintaining high COP without developing new compressors
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 coefficient of performance (COP) in low and medium temperature refrigeration, reducing the need for new compressor development and offering a more environmentally friendly solution with improved energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A heat exchanger is a device that transfers thermal energy from one fluid to another without mixing them. The heat flows through the exchange surface that separates the fluids.
Implementation Method 2
The two fluids are arranged parallel but flow in opposite directions: counter-current (counter-current) flow
Data Source
AI summary
The subject of the present invention is the use of the binary compositions of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and difluoromethane as a heat transfer fluid in compression refrigeration systems, low and medium temperature, with exchangers operating in counter-current or in cross-current mode with counter-current tendency. It also relates to a heat transfer process.