Composition for heat cycle system, and heat cycle system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current heat cycle systems using trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123) face instability and self-decomposition under high temperature and pressure conditions, leading to reduced durability and potential lubricating oil deterioration, while existing alternatives like HFCs and HCFCs have ozone layer impact and high global warming potential.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising trifluoroethylene and difluoromethane (HFC-32) with a specific lubricating oil, where the interaction distance between trifluoroethylene and the lubricating oil is shorter than between difluoromethane and the lubricating oil, enhancing stability and durability, and potentially incorporating additional hydrofluoroolefins like 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene to maintain cycle performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123) is used as a working fluid, then ozone layer protection and low global warming potential are achieved, but stability and durability deteriorate due to decomposition under heat cycle conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveozone layer influenceVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite working fluid system comprising trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123) combined with specific lubricating oils and additives. This composite approach allows the system to maintain the environmental benefits of HFO-1123 while the lubricating oil and additives provide stability, prevent decomposition, and protect against acid generation, thereby resolving the contradiction between environmental performance and operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123) is used as a working fluid, then low global warming potential is achieved, but durability worsens due to self-decomposition under high temperature and pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The lubricating oil acts as an intermediary substance between the trifluoroethylene working fluid and the system components. It absorbs decomposition products, prevents direct contact between acidic byproducts and metal surfaces, and provides a protective barrier that extends the durability of the system while allowing HFO-1123 to maintain its low GWP properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs lubricating oil and additives that can be easily replaced or regenerated. These components are designed to absorb the degradation effects over time, allowing the core HFO-1123 working fluid to remain effective while the lubricating system components are periodically maintained, thus extending overall system durability through manageable replacement cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If trifluoroethylene is used to achieve excellent cycle performance, then efficiency is improved, but lubricating oil deterioration occurs due to acid generation from decomposition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycle performanceVSAvoidlubricating oil stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful decomposition products (acids) into manageable byproducts by using lubricating oil with specific chemical properties. The lubricating oil is selected to neutralize or sequester acidic decomposition products, transforming what would be harmful contaminants into stable compounds that do not deteriorate the lubricating oil, thereby maintaining both cycle performance and lubrication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 composition achieves reduced ozone layer impact, low global warming potential, and improved durability by suppressing self-decomposition of HFO-1123, ensuring efficient operation and longevity of the heat cycle system.

Implementation Method 1

the interaction distance (Ra 1123) between trifluoroethylene and the lubricating oil as determined from the Hansen solubility parameters is shorter than the interaction distance (Ra 32) between difluoromethane and the lubricating oil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3109303B1Composition for heat cycle system, and heat cycle system

Publication Date: 2019.11.06 AGC INC

Figure 1~2

AI summary

To provide a composition for a heat cycle system having less influence over the ozone layer, having a low global warming potential and having excellent durability, and a heat cycle system. A composition for a heat cycle system comprising a working fluid containing trifluoroethylene and difluoromethane, and a lubricating oil, wherein the interaction distance (Ra1123) between trifluoroethylene and the lubricating oil as determined from the Hansen solubility parameters is shorter than the interaction distance (Ra32) between difluoromethane and the lubricating oil.