Heat Cycle Fluid Composition for Low-GWP Compressor Lubricity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat cycle systems using hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) face challenges with global warming potential and stability under compression and heating, leading to inferior lubricity and cycle performance compared to saturated hydrofluorocarbons.
Innovation Solution
A composition for a heat cycle system incorporating an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound with a refrigerant oil, specifically designed to enhance lubricity and maintain low global warming potential, comprising a working fluid with a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond and a refrigerant oil with specific properties to improve stability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound (HFO) is used as a working fluid, then global warming potential is reduced and cycle performance is improved, but stability under compression and heating deteriorates and lubricity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific refrigerant oil as an intermediary substance that mediates between the unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound and the heat cycle system components. This refrigerant oil protects the compressor and maintains lubricity while allowing the HFO to perform its heat transfer function, thus resolving the contradiction between using HFO for low GWP and maintaining system reliability through proper lubrication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the refrigerant oil by specifying particular properties (breakdown voltage of at least 25 kV, hydroxy value of at most 0.1 mgKOH/g, and specific phase separation temperature range). These parameter changes ensure the refrigerant oil is compatible with unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbons while maintaining stability and lubricity under compression and heating conditions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound (HFO) is used as a working fluid, then global warming potential is reduced and cycle performance is improved, but lubricity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant oil serves as a mediator that provides the necessary lubricating film between moving parts in the compressor, compensating for the insufficient lubricity of unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbons. This allows the system to benefit from the low GWP of HFO while maintaining adequate lubrication through the oil
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite working fluid system combining unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound and refrigerant oil in specific proportions. This composite approach leverages the low GWP and excellent cycle performance of HFO while the refrigerant oil component provides the necessary lubricity, thus resolving the contradiction between environmental performance and lubrication
Data Source
AI summary
A composition for a heat cycle system having favorable lubricating properties is provided. A heat cycle system employing the composition is also provided. The composition contains a working fluid for heat cycle, which has a low global warming potential and can replace R410A. The working fluid contains an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound having a specific structure and a refrigerant oil having a breakdown voltage of at least 25 kV, a hydroxy value of at most 0.1 mgKOH/g, and a minimum temperature on the high temperature side of the phase separation temperature from the working fluid of at least 35° C. and a maximum temperature on the low temperature side of at most −60° C.