Binary refrigerating fluid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current refrigerants, such as HFC-134a and R-404A, have high Global Warming Potential (GWP) and are not environmentally friendly, posing challenges for ozone depletion and greenhouse gas emissions, while alternatives like carbon dioxide face high pressure issues in existing equipment.

Innovation Solution

Binary compositions of 2,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and difluoromethane are used as heat transfer fluids in compression-type refrigeration systems, particularly in countercurrent or crossed-current modes, offering zero ODP and low GWP, with compositions ranging from 70 to 90 wt.% 2,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 10 to 30 wt.% difluoromethane, enabling efficient heat transfer in extreme conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If HFC-134a is used as refrigerant, then ozone depletion is reduced, but global warming potential increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveozone depletionVSAvoidglobal warming potential
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using a binary mixture of HFO-1234yf and HFC-32 with specific weight ratios (40-60% HFO-1234yf and 40-60% HFC-32), thereby achieving both low GWP and acceptable refrigeration performance, resolving the contradiction between reducing ozone depletion and minimizing global warming impact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite refrigerant system combining two different chemical compounds (HFO-1234yf and HFC-32) in specific proportions, creating a blended refrigerant that balances environmental protection (low GWP) with functional performance, thus resolving the contradiction between harmful factor reduction and performance maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If carbon dioxide is used as refrigerant, then global warming potential is reduced, but operating pressure increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidoperating pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of operating pressure by selecting a refrigerant mixture (HFO-1234yf and HFC-32) that operates at moderate pressure levels comparable to conventional refrigerants, thereby avoiding the excessively high pressures required by carbon dioxide systems while maintaining low GWP

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If R-404A is used as refrigerant, then refrigeration performance is maintained, but global warming potential increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigeration performanceVSAvoidglobal warming potential
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing the high-GWP components of R-404A with a binary mixture of HFO-1234yf and HFC-32 in specific ratios, thereby achieving both low GWP (below 150) and maintained refrigeration performance through optimized compositional parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite refrigerant formulation combining HFO-1234yf and HFC-32 in balanced proportions (40-60% each), creating a blended mixture that replicates the performance characteristics of R-404A while dramatically reducing global warming potential

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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) compared to existing refrigerants, are suitable for existing compressors, and can replace R-404A and R-407C, with the option to include stabilizers and lubricants for improved efficiency and reduced losses during compressor operation.

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.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

the two fluids are arranged in parallel but go in the opposite sense: countercurrent mode (methodical);

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCountercurrent heat transfer: Convection

Implementation Method 3

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.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS10858562B2Binary refrigerating fluid
Publication Date: 2020.12.08 ARKEMA FRANCE SA

AI summary

Binary compositions of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and difluoromethane, and especially to the uses thereof as a heat transfer fluid in compression systems with exchangers operating in counterflow mode or in split flow mode with counterflow tendency. Also, a method of heat transfer in which a binary composition of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and difluoromethane is used as refrigerant in compression systems with exchangers in countercurrent mode or in crossed-current mode with countercurrent tendency.