Epoxide and fluorinated epoxide stabilizers for fluoroolefins

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fluoroolefins used as refrigerants degrade due to instability at high temperatures and oxidation by air, limiting their practical application in cooling systems due to degradation mechanisms such as condensation reactions with moisture or oxygen, which affects their performance and longevity.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising fluoroolefins stabilized with epoxides, fluorinated epoxides, thiophosphates, butylated triphenylphosphorothionates, fullerenes, and other stabilizing compounds is introduced to prevent degradation, specifically by adding an effective amount of stabilizers like epoxides or fluorinated epoxides to the fluoroolefin compositions to mitigate oxidation and condensation reactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fluoroolefins are used as refrigerants, then low GWP and excellent refrigeration performance are achieved, but chemical stability and reliability deteriorate due to degradation at high temperatures and oxidation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoiddegradation from oxidation and condensation reactions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Stabilizers act as intermediary substances that protect fluoroolefins from harmful oxidation and condensation reactions. The stabilizers preferentially react with oxygen, moisture, and other degradative agents, forming a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between the fluoroolefin and harmful environmental factors, thereby maintaining chemical stability and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the refrigerant system by adding specific stabilizer compounds. This modifies the overall chemical environment to be more resistant to degradation, transforming the system from one prone to oxidation and condensation reactions to one with enhanced chemical stability under operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If fluoroolefins are exposed to high temperatures, then refrigeration performance is maintained, but degradation increases due to thermal instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating temperature rangeVSAvoidthermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Stabilizers are added in advance to the fluoroolefin composition before the system encounters high temperature conditions. These stabilizers pre-position themselves to intercept and neutralize potential degradative effects, preventing thermal decomposition before it can occur during normal refrigeration cycling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilizers provide a cushioning effect against thermal degradation by being the first substances to undergo any potential degradation reactions. This sacrificial protection absorbs the harmful effects of high temperature exposure, shielding the fluoroolefin from direct thermal damage and maintaining composition stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If fluoroolefins contact moisture or oxygen, then refrigeration function is performed, but condensation reactions and oxidation degrade the compound

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigeration functionVSAvoidresistance to oxidation and condensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Stabilizers serve as intermediary protective agents that stand between the fluoroolefin and environmental contaminants such as moisture and oxygen. These stabilizers have higher affinity for reacting with water and oxygen, effectively sequestering these contaminants and preventing them from initiating condensation and oxidation reactions with the fluoroolefin

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of moisture and oxygen contact into a beneficial protective mechanism. The stabilizers deliberately react with these contaminants, transforming what would be degradative interactions into a protective scavenging process that actually enhances the overall system reliability by removing harmful substances from the refrigerant circuit

Inventive Principle:

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

Data Source

PatentUS9777204B2Epoxide and fluorinated epoxide stabilizers for fluoroolefins

Publication Date: 2017.10.03 THE CHEMOURS CO FC LLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to compositions comprising at least one fluoroolefin and an effective amount of stabilizer that may be an epoxide, fluorinated epoxide or oxetane, or a mixture thereof with other stabilizers. The stabilized compositions may be useful in cooling apparatus, such as refrigeration, air-conditioning, chillers, and heat pumps, as well as in applications as foam blowing agents, solvents, aerosol propellants, fire extinguishants, and sterilants.