Binary Refrigerant Mixture with Nanoparticles for Low-Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
1,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene-based refrigerant fluids experience frequent shutdowns and energy inefficiencies, particularly at low temperatures, due to low evaporation pressure, leading to disruptions and premature wear in refrigeration installations, while also being difficult to improve or replace effectively.
Innovation Solution
A binary mixture of 1,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene and CO2 with metal nanoparticles is used as a refrigerant fluid, optimizing energy efficiency and extending the operating range to include temperatures below 0°C, reducing shutdowns, and enhancing heat exchange performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene is used as a refrigerant fluid, then low toxicity and good heat exchange capacity are achieved, but evaporation pressure becomes very low at temperatures around 0°C and below, causing frequent safety shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the refrigerant composition by adding CO2 and metallic nanoparticles to 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene, changing the physical and thermodynamic parameters of the refrigerant mixture to achieve higher evaporation pressure while maintaining low temperature operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite refrigerant system combining 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene with CO2 and metallic nanoparticles, where each component contributes specific properties: the base refrigerant provides low toxicity and good heat exchange, CO2 boosts pressure, and nanoparticles enhance thermal conductivity
2Loss of energy
If 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene is used as a refrigerant fluid, then good heat exchange performance is obtained, but energy consumption increases due to frequent shutdowns and restarts
Solution Approach 1:
By adjusting the refrigerant composition parameters (adding CO2 and nanoparticles), the system maintains stable operation at low temperatures, eliminating the need for frequent shutdowns and reducing energy waste from restart cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The modified refrigerant mixture enables continuous operation of the refrigeration system at target temperatures around 0°C and below, preventing the intermittent shutdowns that characterize systems using pure 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene
3Object-affected harmful factors
If 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene is used as a refrigerant fluid, then low Global Warming Potential is achieved, but cooling efficiency is limited at target temperatures around 0°C and below
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines environmentally friendly 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene (low GWP) with CO2 and metallic nanoparticles to create a composite refrigerant that maintains low environmental impact while significantly improving cooling efficiency at sub-zero temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The addition of metallic nanoparticles specifically enhances heat exchange properties in the refrigerant mixture, providing localized improvement in thermal conductivity and cooling efficiency without compromising the overall low environmental impact of the base refrigerant
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
The binary mixture with metal nanoparticles improves refrigeration capacity and energy performance, reducing shutdowns and energy consumption, while maintaining low environmental impact and safety, effectively cooling over a wider temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
metallic nanoparticles dispersed within said binary mixture
Implementation Method 2
to transfer thermal energy, by change of liquid/gas state of said refrigerant fluid, from an element to be cooled
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
- Refrigerant, use of such a fluid, refrigeration system and associated refrigeration process. - The invention relates to a refrigerant of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene and CO2 forming a binary mixture, and on the other hand, copper oxide nanoparticles dispersed within said binary mixture. - The invention is particularly suited to the cooling of a refrigerated enclosure or of a fluid to be cooled.