Heat Cycle Medium Composition for Low-GWP R410A Replacement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a demand for a working medium for heat cycles that has low global warming potential (GWP), low heat of combustion, and excellent cycle performance, capable of replacing R410A without requiring modifications to existing equipment, while addressing the limitations of HFO-1234yf's low cycle performance and HFCs' high GWP.

Innovation Solution

A working medium comprising trifluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethane, and (E)-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, formulated to meet specific content ratios that balance GWP, heat of combustion, and cycle performance, including a mixture of HFO-1123, HFC-152a, and HFO-1234ze(E) to enhance cycle efficiency and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If HFCs such as R410A are used as working medium, then cycle performance and refrigeration capacity are improved, but global warming potential increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigeration capacityVSAvoidglobal warming potential

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using HFO-1234yf (containing a carbon-carbon double bond) as the main component instead of saturated HFCs, which fundamentally alters the molecular structure to achieve low GWP while maintaining acceptable cycle performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite working medium by combining HFO-1234yf with specific amounts of HFC-134a and HFC-125, where the composite formulation balances the low GWP advantage of HFO with the stable thermodynamic properties of HFCs to achieve both environmental compliance and adequate cycle performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If HFO-1234yf is used as working medium, then global warming potential is reduced, but cycle performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidcycle performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the compositional parameters by adding specific proportions of HFC-134a (5-20 mass%) and HFC-125 (5-20 mass%) to HFO-1234yf, which modifies the thermodynamic properties to improve cycle performance while maintaining low GWP

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent formulates a composite mixture where HFO-1234yf (60-85 mass%) provides low GWP and the added HFC-134a and HFC-125 contribute stable refrigeration capacity and cycle performance, creating a balanced working medium that overcomes the limitations of pure HFO-1234yf

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4610324A1Heat cycle working medium, and heat cycle system composition

Publication Date: 2025.09.03 AGC INC

Figure 1
Figure 2

AI summary

Provided is a working medium for a heat cycle, including trifluoroethylene, 1,1-difluoroethane, and (E)-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.