HFO-1234yf Refrigerant Blends for Low-Temperature Heating
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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 residential and commercial structures, due to the limitations of current refrigerants like HFO-1234yf in meeting heating requirements at low temperatures and the lack of suitable alternatives with low GWP.
Innovation Solution
The development of refrigerant blends comprising HFO-1234yf, HFC-152a, and at least one hydrocarbon (such as propane, propylene, cyclopropane, n-butane, or isobutane) that offer improved heating capacity, similar or higher Coefficient of Performance (COP), and low temperature glide, making them suitable for thermal management in various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If HFO-1234yf is used as a refrigerant, then low GWP is achieved, but heating capacity at low temperatures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines HFO-1234yf with HFC-152a and hydrocarbons (propane, propylene, cyclopropane, n-butane, or isobutane) to create a refrigerant blend that merges the low GWP特性 of HFO-1234yf with the superior low-temperature heating capacity of HFC-152a and hydrocarbons, achieving both low environmental impact and adequate heating performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite refrigerant formulations with specific weight percent ranges: HFO-1234yf (67-91%), HFC-152a (2-20%), and hydrocarbons (1-4%), creating a composite material that leverages the complementary strengths of each component to achieve both low GWP and enhanced heating capacity at low temperatures
2Power
If refrigerant blends are used to improve heating capacity, then heating performance is enhanced, but temperature glide increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully adjusts the composition parameters of the refrigerant blend, specifically controlling the weight percentages of each component (HFO-1234yf: 67-91%, HFC-152a: 2-20%, hydrocarbons: 1-4%) to optimize the balance between heating capacity and temperature glide, ensuring the blend maintains acceptable temperature glide characteristics while achieving enhanced heating performance
3Productivity
If hydrocarbons are added to improve heating capacity, then volumetric capacity increases, but flammability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing small, controlled amounts of flammable hydrocarbons (1-4% by weight) into the predominantly non-flammable HFO-1234yf base (67-91%), thereby achieving the desired volumetric capacity enhancement while limiting the overall flammability risk through the dilution effect of the non-flammable majority component
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses HFC-152a as an intermediary substance that bridges between the non-flammable HFO-1234yf and the highly flammable hydrocarbons, providing a composition that achieves improved volumetric capacity and heating performance while the HFC-152a helps moderate the overall flammability characteristics of the blend
Data Source
AI summary
Environmentally friendly refrigerant blends utilizing refrigerants including 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf), difluoromethane (HFC-32), 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a), and at least one hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane, cyclopropane, propylene, isobutane, and n-butane. 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.