HFO-1234yf Refrigerant Blend for EV Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant blends that can effectively provide both cooling and heating in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles, as well as in mass transit and residential/commercial structures, while maintaining low toxicity and flammability and minimizing temperature glide for efficient thermal management.
Innovation Solution
The development of refrigerant blends comprising HFO-1234yf, HFC-152a, and HFO-1132E, which offer improved refrigeration capacity, efficiency, and environmental sustainability by achieving low GWP, low toxicity, and low flammability, along with reduced temperature glide, making them suitable for various thermal management applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If R-134a is used for air conditioning, then cooling performance is achieved, but global warming potential is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing R-134a with a blend of HFO-1234yf, HFO-1132E, and HFC-152a. This composition change reduces GWP from 143 (R-134a) to below 100 (blend), while maintaining cooling performance through synergistic effects of the blend components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite refrigerant blend combining three different substances (HFO-1234yf, HFO-1132E, and HFC-152a) in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the system to achieve both low GWP and reliable cooling performance that cannot be obtained with single-component refrigerants alone.
2Weight of moving object
If ICE size is reduced or eliminated to decrease vehicle weight, then electric drive cycle increases, but heating capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a heat pump system that provides both cooling and heating functions using a single device. The heat pump can operate in reverse cycle mode to provide cabin heating when the ICE is reduced or eliminated, making the thermal management system universal for both cooling and heating needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical heating system (which relied on ICE waste heat) with an electrical heat pump system. This substitution allows heating to be achieved through electrical power-driven refrigeration cycle reversal, independent of ICE presence.
3Productivity
If refrigerant blends are used to improve thermal management, then cooling and heating efficiency increases, but temperature glide increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the composition parameters of the refrigerant blend to achieve a balance between thermal efficiency and temperature glide. By adjusting the ratios of HFO-1234yf, HFO-1132E, and HFC-152a, the system achieves improved volumetric capacity and COP while limiting temperature glide to acceptable levels for automotive applications.
Data Source
AI summary
Environmentally friendly refrigerant blends utilizing refrigerants including 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf), E-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132E), and 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a). The blends have low GWP, low toxicity, and low flammability with low temperature glide for use in a hybrid, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full electric vehicles for thermal management (transferring heat from one part of the vehicle to the other) of the passenger compartment providing air conditioning (A/C) or heating to the passenger cabin.