Compressor Refrigerant Flow Control for HFO Reaction Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerants have high global warming potential (GWP) and are prone to disproportionation reactions under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, which can propagate and cause instability in refrigeration systems.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system using a composition of ethylene-based fluoroolefins, such as 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze), with a refrigerant flow rate of at least 1 m/s in the discharge pipe under high-pressure conditions to suppress the propagation of disproportionation reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional HFC refrigerants are used, then refrigeration performance is maintained, but global warming potential is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the refrigerant by using HFO-based refrigerants with specific GWP values (≤150, preferably ≤100) instead of conventional HFC refrigerants. This parameter change reduces global warming impact while the patent addresses reliability concerns by controlling flow rate parameters to prevent disproportionation reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent takes preliminary action by establishing minimum flow rate conditions (≥1 m/s in discharge pipes) before disproportionation reactions can occur. By pre-setting these flow rate thresholds, the system prevents the chemical decomposition of HFO refrigerants under high-pressure conditions, thereby maintaining system stability while using environmentally friendly refrigerants
2Reliability
If refrigerant flow rate is increased to suppress disproportionation reactions, then system stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the flow rate parameter within a specific range (≥1 m/s but not excessively high) to achieve the minimum necessary condition for preventing disproportionation reactions. This controlled parameter adjustment maintains system stability while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption from excessively high flow rates
Data Source
AI summary
The propagation of a disproportionation reaction of a refrigerant is suppressed. Disclosed is a method that uses a composition as a refrigerant in a compressor, in which the composition includes one or more compounds selected from the group of ethylene-based fluoroolefins, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through a discharge pipe of the compressor under a predetermined high-pressure condition is greater than or equal to 1 m/s.