HVAC-R Flushing Solvent Composition for Low-Toxicity Degreasing

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Solution Overview

Problem

HVAC-R system flushing solvents face challenges with high toxicity, volatile organic compound emissions, high global warming potential, and inadequate varnish cutting and water absorption capabilities, which hinder effective removal of contaminants and refrigerant changes.

Innovation Solution

A formulated HVAC-R flushing solvent comprising hydrofluoroether, acetone, and trans 1,2 dichloroethylene, with specific ratios for improved degreasing and varnish penetration, packaged in a kit with accessories for ease of use, offering low toxicity, low VOC emissions, and reduced global warming potential.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional flushing solvents are used, then refrigerant and contaminants can be removed, but toxicity and VOC emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetoxicityVSAvoidcontaminant removal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the flushing solvent by using hydrofluoroether instead of traditional high-VOC solvents. This parameter change maintains contaminant removal effectiveness while significantly reducing toxicity and VOC emissions, directly resolving the technical contradiction between harmful factors and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite flushing solvent formulation combining hydrofluoroether with specific additives including surfactants and corrosion inhibitors. This composite material approach achieves both low toxicity/VOC emissions and high contaminant removal effectiveness by synergistically combining multiple functional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional flushing solvents are used, then refrigerant removal is achieved, but global warming potential increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidflushing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition from traditional HFC-based solvents to hydrofluoroether, which has lower global warming potential. This parameter change maintains adequate flushing performance while reducing environmental impact, resolving the contradiction between GWP and flushing performance.

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 solvent effectively removes contaminants and varnish residues with enhanced water absorption and oil miscibility, reducing solvent volatility and toxicity, while minimizing environmental impact through lower global warming potential and ozone depletion.

Implementation Method 1

The relative amounts accomplish degreasing and varnish penetration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

improved water absorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8557759B2HVAC-R flushing solvent

Publication Date: 2013.10.15 DIVERSITECH

AI summary

A flushing solvent for flushing an HVAC-R system is a mixture of hydrofluoroether, acetone, t-Butyl acetate, and trans 1,2 Dichloroethylene.