HFC-143 Refrigerant Composition for Low-GWP Stable Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerant compositions do not effectively utilize 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HFC-143) and lack stable, low-global warming potential alternatives to conventional HFC refrigerants like HFC134a, R-410A, R-407C, or R-404A.
Innovation Solution
A novel refrigerant composition comprising 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HFC-143) with up to 10% 1-chloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC-133) and 1-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC-133b), and up to 1% of additional compounds like 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (HFC-1123), achieving a total composition of ≥99.5% HFC-143 and HCFC-133a, suitable for azeotropic distillation and use as a heat transfer medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional HFC refrigerants like HFC134a, R-410A, R-407C, or R-404A are used, then refrigerant performance is maintained, but global warming potential is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using HFC-143 as the base refrigerant and controlling the content of specific compounds (HCFC-133, HCFC-133b, HCFO-1131, and additional compounds) within defined ranges. This parameter change achieves low global warming potential while maintaining refrigerant performance through optimized compositional parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite refrigerant mixture by combining HFC-143 with specific compounds (HCFC-133, HCFC-133b, HCFO-1131, and additional compounds from the selected list) in controlled proportions. This composite approach maintains refrigerant performance while reducing environmental harm through the synergistic effect of multiple components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If HFC-143 is used as a refrigerant, then low global warming potential is achieved, but separation difficulty increases due to similar boiling points with other fluorine-containing compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses separation difficulty by precisely controlling the compositional parameters of the refrigerant mixture. By defining specific content ranges for compounds with similar boiling points, the patent enables effective separation through azeotropic distillation while maintaining the low global warming potential benefits of HFC-143.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses azeotropic distillation as an intermediary separation method to isolate HFC-143 from other fluorine-containing compounds. This intermediary technique leverages the formation of azeotropic mixtures to achieve separation based on boiling point similarities, making the separation process more manageable despite the close boiling points of the components.
3Productivity
If the refrigerant composition is highly purified to ≥99.5% HFC-143 and HCFC-133a, then separation efficiency improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent balances separation efficiency with manufacturing feasibility by establishing specific compositional parameters and content ranges for the refrigerant components. These parameter definitions enable high purity (≥99.5%) while providing practical guidance for manufacturing control, avoiding excessively tight tolerances that would be difficult to achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves high separation efficiency by concentrating on the removal of specific problematic compounds rather than attempting to remove all impurities equally. By focusing on the main interfering substances and setting appropriate removal thresholds, the patent achieves ≥99.5% purity with reasonable manufacturing precision requirements.
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 composition provides a stable, low-global warming potential refrigerant with improved separation capabilities and can be used as a drop-in alternative to conventional HFC refrigerants, maintaining refrigerating machine performance with minimal equipment adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
achieving a total composition of ≥99.5% HFC-143 and HCFC-133a, suitable for azeotropic distillation
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A novel composition comprising HFC-143 is provided. This invention relates to a composition comprising a refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant comprises 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HFC-143), and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 1-chloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC-133), 1-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC-133b), and 1-chloro-2-fluoroethylene (HCFO-1131).