Heat transfer fluid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current refrigerant and heat transfer fluids, such as HFC-134a, R-404A, and R-407C, have high global warming potential (GWP) and ozone depletion potential (ODP), posing environmental concerns, while alternatives like carbon dioxide face challenges due to high pressure requirements and operational disadvantages.

Innovation Solution

Compositions comprising 60% to 90% by weight of 2,3,3-tetrafluoropropene combined with 10% to 40% by weight of difluoroethane and difluoromethane, offering zero ODP and a lower GWP, suitable for use as heat transfer fluids, refrigerants, blowing agents, aerosols, and solvents, potentially replacing existing fluids like R-404A and R-407C in refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If HFC-134a is used as a refrigerant fluid to replace CFC-12, then ozone depletion potential is reduced, but global warming potential increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveozone depletion potentialVSAvoidglobal warming potential
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using hydrofluoropropenes (specifically 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) instead of conventional HFCs. This chemical parameter change results in a GWP of less than 150 while maintaining zero ODP, thereby resolving the contradiction between reducing ozone depletion and minimizing global warming potential

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite refrigerant compositions by combining hydrofluoropropenes with other fluorinated compounds in specific ratios. These composite formulations achieve optimal balance between environmental performance (low GWP and zero ODP) and thermodynamic properties required for effective refrigeration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant fluid to achieve low GWP, then global warming potential is reduced, but operating pressure increases very high

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of operating pressure by introducing hydrofluoropropene-based refrigerants that operate at moderate pressures. These compositions achieve GWP of less than 150 without requiring the extremely high operating pressures that characterize CO2 systems, thereby resolving the contradiction between low GWP and manageable pressure levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If existing refrigerant mixtures like R-404A or R-407C are used, then refrigeration and air conditioning performance is maintained, but global warming potential remains very high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigeration performanceVSAvoidglobal warming potential
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the compositional parameters by replacing conventional HFC components with hydrofluoropropenes. This substitution maintains the thermodynamic performance and refrigeration efficiency of existing systems while dramatically reducing GWP from values above 1500 to less than 150, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining productivity and reducing environmental harm

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11130893B2Heat transfer fluid
Publication Date: 2021.09.28 ARKEMA FRANCE SA

AI summary

Compositions which are based on tetrafluoropropene and more particularly relates to compositions including 60% to 90% by weight of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 10% to 40% by weight of at least one compound selected from difluoroethane and difluoromethane, which can be used as a heat transfer fluid. The compositions may include 60% to 79% by weight of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 21% to 40% by weight of a compound selected from difluoroethane and difluoromethane.