Heat transfer methods, systems and compositions

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing refrigerant R-410A has a high Global Warming Potential (GWP) and is not miscible with polyol ester (POE) lubricants at low temperatures, posing environmental and operational challenges in heat transfer systems.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerant composition comprising 38% difluoromethane (HFC-32), 57-59% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), and 2-5% CO2, which is non-flammable and miscible with POE across a wide temperature range, offering improved heat transfer properties and compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If R-410A refrigerant is used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but Global Warming Potential increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidGlobal Warming Potential

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the refrigerant by replacing R-410A (50:50 blend of HFC-32 and HFC-125) with a new composition containing HFC-32, CF3I, and CO2 in specific ratios. This parameter change achieves comparable heat transfer efficiency while reducing GWP from 2088 to approximately 148, directly resolving the contradiction between efficiency and environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite refrigerant composition by combining three different substances (HFC-32, CF3I, and CO2) in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the system to achieve the desired thermodynamic performance similar to R-410A while incorporating CO2 which has zero ODP and significantly lower GWP, thus resolving the environmental harm contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If R-410A refrigerant is used, then cooling performance is improved, but compatibility with POE lubricants at low temperatures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidlubricant miscibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the refrigerant composition parameters by introducing CF3I and CO2 alongside HFC-32. This compositional parameter change fundamentally alters the refrigerant-lubricant interaction properties, enabling miscibility with POE lubricants across a wide temperature range including low temperatures, while maintaining excellent cooling performance comparable to R-410A.

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 refrigerant composition provides excellent heat transfer properties, chemical stability, low toxicity, and lubricant miscibility, reducing environmental impact and system inefficiencies while maintaining efficiency comparable to R-410A.

Implementation Method 1

The system operates by circulating the refrigerant composition through compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

excellent heat transfer properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10457844B2Heat transfer methods, systems and compositions

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 SOLSTICE ADVANCED MATERIALS US INC

AI summary

Disclosed are heat transfer compositions and methods and systems containing refrigerants consisting essentially of difluoromethane (HFC-32), and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), and heat transfer compositions and methods and systems containing refrigerants consisting essentially of difluoromethane (HFC-32), and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) and CO2.