Heat Cycle Working Fluid Composition for Low-GWP Stable Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current working fluids for heat cycle systems, such as R410A, have high global warming potential and flammability, and existing alternatives like HFO-1123 can undergo self-decomposition under certain conditions, necessitating a safer, more environmentally friendly, and performance-effective solution.
Innovation Solution
A working fluid composition comprising trifluoroethylene and difluoromethane, combined with other compounds like 1,1-difluoroethane, fluoroethane, propane, propylene, carbon dioxide, 2,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and (E)-1,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, optimized to suppress self-decomposition and reduce global warming potential, while maintaining cycle performance comparable to R410A.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If HFO-1123 is used as a working fluid to reduce global warming potential and ozone layer effects, then environmental friendliness is improved, but self-decomposition reaction occurs under high temperature or high pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (water or alcohol) that acts as a stabilizer to prevent the self-decomposition of HFO-1123. The stabilizer concentration is controlled at 0.1-10% by mass to suppress decomposition reactions while maintaining the environmental benefits of HFO-1123. This intermediary substance absorbs or neutralizes the decomposition tendency without significantly affecting the refrigeration performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by adding small amounts of stabilizers (water or alcohol) to modify the chemical stability of the working fluid. By controlling the concentration of these stabilizers within specific ranges, the system achieves improved thermal stability and suppressed self-decomposition while maintaining the low GWP characteristics of HFO-1123.
2Productivity
If R410A is used to achieve high refrigeration capacity, then cooling performance is improved, but global warming potential increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the working fluid composition from conventional R410A (HFC-32/HFC-125 mixture) to a new formulation based on HFO-1123 with added stabilizers. This compositional parameter change reduces the GWP from 2088 to below 150 while maintaining refrigeration capacity through optimized component ratios and the inclusion of performance-enhancing additives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite working fluid system by combining HFO-1123 with stabilizers (water or alcohol) and potentially other compatible substances. This composite formulation achieves both environmental benefits (low GWP) and performance requirements (high refrigeration capacity) that neither component could achieve alone.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If HFO-1123 is used to reduce ozone layer effects, then environmental compatibility is improved, but flammability and safety concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces stabilizers (water or alcohol) as intermediary substances that suppress the flammability and self-decomposition of HFO-1123. These stabilizers act as safety agents that reduce the harmful flammability characteristics while preserving the environmental benefits of HFO-1123, achieving both safety and environmental compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide, as a working fluid to be used for a heat cycle system, a working fluid for heat cycle that has cycle performance replaceable with that of R410A, and at the same time, has a small burden on an apparatus, low flammability, suppressed self-decomposition, and less effect on global warming, and therefore, is usable stably even if leaked, a composition for heat cycle system containing the same, and a heat cycle system using the composition. The working fluid for heat cycle contains trifluoroethylene, difluoromethane, and at least one selected from 1,1-difluoroethane, fluoroethane, propane, propylene, carbon dioxide, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and (E)-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene at mass ratios satisfying predetermined expressions and at a ratio of the total content to be 90 to 100 mass % relative to the total amount of the working fluid and has a temperature glide of 10° C. or less.