Composition for heat cycle systems, and heat cycle system

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current working fluids for heat cycle systems, such as HFCs, have high global warming potential and are prone to self-decomposition reactions, which can lead to reduced durability and performance, especially when used in heat cycle systems like refrigeration and air-conditioning apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

A composition for a heat cycle system comprising trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123) is developed, which includes a radical scavenger that generates halogen atoms or perfluoroalkyl radicals to suppress self-decomposition reactions, thereby maintaining low global warming potential and enhancing cycle performance and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If HFO-1123 is used as a working fluid to achieve low global warming potential and excellent cycle performance, then global warming impact is reduced and cycle performance is improved, but self-decomposition reaction occurs leading to reduced durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A radical scavenger is introduced as an intermediary substance to intercept and neutralize free radicals generated during HFO-1123 decomposition. The radical scavenger acts as a mediator between the working fluid and decomposition products, preventing the chain reaction that leads to self-decomposition and improving system durability while maintaining the low GWP benefits of HFO-1123.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful self-decomposition reaction into a beneficial process by controlling it through radical scavenging. The controlled decomposition allows the system to benefit from HFO-1123's excellent thermodynamic properties while the radical scavenger captures the harmful free radicals, transforming what would be a destructive process into a manageable one that enhances overall system reliability.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If HFO-1123 is used to achieve low global warming potential, then environmental impact is reduced, but self-decomposition reaction occurs causing heat generation and performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal warming impactVSAvoidheat generation from decomposition
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The radical scavenger serves as an intermediary that intercepts free radicals before they can propagate exothermic decomposition reactions. By capturing these radicals early in the decomposition process, the scavenger prevents the chain reaction that would otherwise generate excessive heat and degrade system performance, while allowing HFO-1123 to maintain its low global warming potential.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional stabilizers are used in the composition, then basic stability is provided, but they are insufficient to suppress self-decomposition reaction of HFO-1123

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposition stabilityVSAvoidsuppression of self-decomposition
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameter of the stabilizer by selecting compounds with specific radical-scavenging capabilities. Instead of using conventional stabilizers with generic stabilizing properties, the patent employs substances specifically chosen for their ability to capture free radicals through their molecular structure and reactivity characteristics, thereby achieving effective suppression of HFO-1123 self-decomposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composition creates a composite system combining HFO-1123 with specifically selected radical scavengers. This composite approach integrates the low-GWP working fluid with functional additives that provide targeted protection against decomposition, achieving a synergistic effect where the combination provides superior stability and reliability compared to the working fluid alone.

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

The composition effectively suppresses self-decomposition reactions, ensuring high durability and performance of the heat cycle system while reducing global warming impact by using a radical scavenger that traps active species generated during the decomposition process, thus preventing heat generation and maintaining efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

a radical scavenger that generates halogen atoms or perfluoroalkyl radicals to suppress self-decomposition reactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadical generation:

Implementation Method 2

a radical scavenger that traps active species generated during the decomposition process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadical scavenging:

Implementation Method 3

the carbon-carbon double bond is likely to be decomposed by OH radicals in the air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP3112438B1Composition for heat cycle systems, and heat cycle system
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 AGC INC
  • EP3112438B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3112438B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3112438B1 patent drawing

AI summary

To provide a composition for a heat cycle system comprising trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123), which has a low global warming potential and excellent cycle performance of HFO-1123 and which has high durability, and a heat cycle system employing the composition, which has less influence over global warming and has both high cycle performance and durability. A composition for a heat cycle system, which comprises a working fluid for heat cycle containing trifluoroethylene, and a radical scavenger, and a heat cycle system employing the composition for a heat cycle system.