Compressor Oil Additives for Stable HFO Refrigeration Cycles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refrigerants mainly composed of hydrofluoroolefin with double bonds are prone to decomposition and polymerization when used in refrigeration cycle devices, leading to potential compressor failure and reduced refrigerating ability due to metal components acting as catalysts and accelerating the degradation of refrigeration oil and refrigerant.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating hydrofluoroolefin with double bonds or a mixture of hydrofluorocarbon having no double bonds, along with additives like benzotriazole, dialkyl dithiophosphoric acid zinc, dialkyl selenium, metal phenate, or organic nitrogen compounds in the refrigeration oil, to form an adsorption film on metal surfaces, preventing direct contact and catalyst activity, thereby reducing degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If hydrofluoroolefin refrigerant with double bond is used, then global warming potential is reduced, but decomposition and polymerization occur due to metal catalyst activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidcompressor reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an organic nitrogen compound as an intermediary substance that adsorbs onto metal surfaces. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact between the HFO refrigerant and metal catalysts, thereby suppressing decomposition and polymerization reactions while allowing the system to use environmentally friendly HFO refrigerant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a protective film on metal surfaces that replicates the function of preventing catalyst activity. This film acts as a substitute barrier, copying the protective effect needed to prevent refrigerant degradation without requiring fundamental changes to the metal components themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Strength

If metal members are used in refrigeration cycle device, then structural strength is provided, but catalyst function accelerates deterioration of refrigeration oil and refrigerant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidrefrigeration oil stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The organic nitrogen compound serves as a mediator that selectively adsorbs onto metal surfaces, creating a protective interface. This intermediary layer maintains the structural integrity of metal components while preventing their catalyst function from degrading the refrigeration oil and refrigerant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the protective organic nitrogen compound specifically at the metal surfaces where catalyst activity occurs, rather than changing the entire system. This local application maintains metal strength while针对性地 preventing catalyst-mediated degradation at the critical interface between metal and refrigerant/oil.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach significantly slows down the deterioration of refrigeration oil and refrigerant, enhancing the long-term reliability of compressors and refrigeration cycle devices by suppressing catalyst functions and oxidation reactions.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of benzotriazole, dialkyl dithiophosphoric acid zinc, dialkyl selenium, metal phenate, and organic nitrogen compound is included in the refrigeration oil. An adsorption film is formed on a surface of a metal member constituting the refrigeration cycle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

the members themselves function as catalysts, and there is fear that a refrigerant having refrigeration oil or double bond of carbon is decomposed and polymerized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS9005469B2Compressor and refrigeration cycle device using same

Publication Date: 2015.04.14 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

According to a compressor and a refrigeration cycle device using same of the present invention, a refrigerant and refrigeration oil 103 are sealed in an container 101, the refrigerant is a hydrofluoroolefin having double bond of carbon in its composition or a mixture of hydrofluoroolefin as a base component and hydrofluorocarbon having no double bond, and at least one of benzotriazole, dialkyl dithiophosphoric acid zinc, dialkyl selenium, metal phenate, and organic nitrogen compound is included in the refrigeration oil 103, and it is an object to suppress the decomposition and polymerization of refrigeration oil and a refrigerant, and to secure reliability of the compressor and the refrigeration cycle device.