Blowing Agent Composition for Thermosetting Foams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blowing agents for thermosetting foams, such as HFC-134a and pentane isomers, have high global warming potential and are either toxic or energy-inefficient, necessitating the development of alternatives with low or zero ozone depletion potential and lower global warming potential.
Innovation Solution
A composition of hydrofluoroolefins, specifically HFO-1234yf, combined with hydrochlorofluoroolefins like HCFO-1223, HCFO-1233zd, and HCFO-1233xf, is used as a blowing agent, providing low ozone depletion and global warming potential, and exhibiting good solubility in polyol mixtures to produce high-quality foams with decreased density and improved thermal insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HFC-134a and HFC-245fa are used as blowing agents, then foam quality is improved, but global warming potential increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using hydrofluoroolefins with specific atmospheric degradation properties instead of conventional HFCs, thereby reducing global warming potential while maintaining foam quality through controlled chemical parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite blowing agent formulations combining hydrofluoroolefins with other compatible substances to achieve both low environmental impact and high foam quality, utilizing synergistic effects of multiple components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrocarbons such as pentane isomers are used as blowing agents, then global warming potential is reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates and toxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular structure and physical parameters of hydrofluoroolefins to achieve favorable energy efficiency and reduced toxicity while maintaining low global warming potential, striking a balance between multiple performance parameters
3Object-affected harmful factors
If halogenated hydroolefinic materials are used as blowing agents, then ozone depletion potential is reduced to zero, but chemical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the chemical instability of halogenated hydroolefinic materials into a beneficial feature by utilizing their rapid atmospheric degradation to achieve zero ozone depletion potential and low global warming potential, where what appears as a disadvantage (instability) becomes the mechanism for environmental safety
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 hydrofluoroolefin and hydrochlorofluoroolefin combination effectively reduces the global warming potential and ozone depletion of thermosetting foams, producing foams with superior quality, including lower density and improved thermal insulation, while being non-toxic and energy-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
The foaming agent dissolves in thermosetting polymers, and provides a degree of plasticization sufficient to produce acceptable foams
Implementation Method 2
The low global warming potential and a low ozone depletion value are a result of the atmospheric degradation of the hydrofluoroolefins
Implementation Method 3
The resulted products show superior quality including decreased density and improved k-factor
Data Source
AI summary
A blowing agent for thermosetting foams is disclosed. The blowing agent is a hydrofluoroolefin (HCFO), preferably HFCO-1234yf in combination with a hydrochlorofluoroolefin (HCFO) preferably one selected from HCFO-1233zd, HCFO-1223, HCFO-1233xf and mixtures thereof. The blowing agent is effective as a blowing agent in the manufacture of thermosetting foams.