HFO Refrigerant Blend Balancing Cooling Capacity and Low GWP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerants, such as R404A and R134a, face challenges in achieving a balance between high coefficient of performance (COP) and refrigerating capacity while maintaining a low global warming potential (GWP), necessitating the development of alternative refrigerant compositions that can replace them effectively.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising trans-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) is proposed, with specific mass ratios, to serve as a refrigerant that operates within a refrigeration cycle with evaporation temperatures ranging from -75 to 15°C, offering a COP and refrigerating capacity equivalent to or higher than existing refrigerants while maintaining a low GWP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional refrigerants (R404A, R134a) are used to achieve high COP and refrigerating capacity, then refrigeration performance is improved, but global warming potential increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using HFO-1132(E) and HFO-1234yf with specific mass ratios (35-65% and 65-35% respectively), which fundamentally alters the refrigerant's environmental properties while maintaining operational performance. This parameter change transitions from high-GWP conventional refrigerants to low-GWP HFO-based refrigerant mixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite refrigerant system by combining HFO-1132(E) and HFO-1234yf in specific proportions. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of both HFO components to achieve both low GWP and high refrigeration capacity, resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If alternative refrigerant compositions are developed to reduce GWP, then environmental compatibility is improved, but refrigeration capacity and COP may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the mass ratio parameters of HFO-1132(E) and HFO-1234yf to specific ranges (35-65% and 65-35%) to balance environmental benefits with refrigeration performance. By precisely controlling these composition parameters, the refrigerant achieves both low GWP and high refrigeration capacity, preventing performance deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent assigns different functional roles to each HFO component based on their local properties: HFO-1132(E) contributes to refrigeration capacity while HFO-1234yf contributes to low GWP and complementary performance characteristics. This local quality differentiation within the composite refrigerant optimizes overall system performance.
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 HFO-1132/HFO-1234yf composition demonstrates a COP and refrigerating capacity comparable to or exceeding those of R404A and R134a, with a GWP of 100 or less, making it an environmentally friendly alternative for refrigeration systems without the need for significant design changes to existing apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant is for use in operating a refrigeration cycle in which the evaporation temperature is -75 to -5°C
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant is for use in operating a refrigeration cycle
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a composition comprising a refrigerant characterized by having a coefficient of performance (COP) and a refrigerating capacity equivalent to or higher than those of R404A, and having a sufficiently low GWP. Specifically, the present disclosure provides a composition comprising a refrigerant, the refrigerant comprising trans-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132 (E)) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf), wherein HFO-1132 (E) is present in an amount of 35.0 to 65.0 mass%, and HFO-1234yf is present in an amount of 65.0 to 35.0 mass%, based on the total mass of HFO-1132 (E) and HFO-1234yf, and wherein the refrigerant is for use in operating a refrigeration cycle in which the evaporation temperature is -75 to -5°C.