HCFO-1224yd Working Medium Composition for Low-GWP Heat Cycle Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current working mediums for heat cycles, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), pose risks to the ozone layer and contribute to global warming, while alternatives like hydrochlorofluoroolefins (HCFOs) have insufficient cycle performance and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A working medium comprising 1-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HCFO-1224yd) with a high halogen proportion, easily decomposed by OH radicals, combined with hydrocarbons and hydrofluoroolefins, which suppress combustibility and have reduced ozone layer impact and global warming potential, enhancing cycle performance and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If HFCs (e.g., HFC-134a) are used as working medium, then ozone layer protection is improved, but global warming potential increases and combustibility is suppressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveozone layer protectionVSAvoidglobal warming potential
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing HCFO-1224yd with specific molecular structure (one chlorine atom, four fluorine atoms, and a carbon-carbon double bond) to achieve both low ozone depletion potential and low global warming potential while maintaining non-flammability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite working medium by blending HCFO-1224yd with HFO-1234yf and HFC-134a in specific proportions (HCFO-1224yd: 5-50 mass%, HFO-1234yf: 10-70 mass%, HFC-134a: 10-80 mass%) to optimize both environmental performance and cycle characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If HCFO-1233zd(E) is used as working medium, then combustibility is suppressed and ozone layer protection is improved, but cycle performance becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustibility suppressionVSAvoidcycle performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular structure parameter by selecting HCFO-1224yd with a carbon-carbon double bond and specific halogen arrangement, which provides better thermodynamic properties and cycle performance compared to HCFO-1233zd(E) while maintaining safety and environmental benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops a composite refrigerant composition combining HCFO-1224yd with HFO-1234yf and HFC-134a to achieve synergistic effects that improve cycle performance (refrigerating capacity and coefficient of performance) beyond what single components can provide

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-generated harmful factors

If carbon dioxide is used as coolant, then global warming potential is reduced, but equipment pressure becomes extremely high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidequipment pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the working medium parameters by using HCFO-1224yd-based composite refrigerant that operates at moderate pressures similar to conventional HFC-134a systems, avoiding the extremely high pressure requirements of carbon dioxide systems while achieving low global warming potential

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-generated harmful factors

If HFC-152a is used as coolant, then global warming potential is reduced, but combustibility and safety become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition by incorporating HCFO-1224yd with high halogen content (one chlorine and four fluorine atoms) and carbon-carbon double bond structure, which fundamentally alters the combustibility parameter to achieve non-flammability while maintaining low global warming potential

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 proposed medium provides excellent heat cycle performance, efficiency, and capacity, reducing power consumption and enabling system downsizing, while ensuring safety and minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

it comprises HCFO-1224yd having a carbon-carbon double bond which is easily decomposed by OH radicals in the air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecomposition by OH radicals: Photo-oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP3239268B1Working medium and heat-cycle system
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 AGC INC
  • EP3239268B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3239268B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3239268B1 patent drawing

AI summary

To provide a working medium for heat cycle, of which combustibility is suppressed, which has less influence over the ozone layer, which has less influence over global warming and which provides a heat cycle system excellent in the cycle performance (efficiency and capacity), and a heat cycle system, of which the safety is secured, and which is excellent in the cycle performance (efficiency and capacity). A working medium for heat cycle comprising 1-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and a polyol ester oil is employed for a heat cycle system (such as a Rankine cycle system, a heat pump cycle system, a refrigerating cycle system 10 or a heat transport system).