Low-GWP Refrigerant Composition for R404A-Level Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current refrigerants like R404A and R134a have high global warming potential (GWP) and do not meet the requirements for a high coefficient of performance (COP) and refrigerating capacity, necessitating the development of alternative refrigerants with low GWP and equivalent or higher performance.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising 21.0-28.4 mass% trans-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132 (E)) and 79.0-71.6 mass% 2,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf), with ≤ 0.5 mass% of additional refrigerants, is proposed as a replacement for various existing refrigerants, offering a low GWP and enhanced COP and refrigerating capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional refrigerants (R404A, R134a) are used, then high COP and refrigerating capacity are achieved, but high global warming potential (GWP) occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidcoefficient of performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using HFO-1132(E) and HFO-1234yf as base refrigerants with specific concentration ratios (21.0-28.4 mass% and 79.0-71.6 mass% respectively), which fundamentally alters the GWP parameter while maintaining acceptable COP through optimized mixture composition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite refrigerant mixture combining HFO-1132(E) and HFO-1234yf in specific proportions, leveraging the complementary properties of each component to achieve low GWP while maintaining refrigerating capacity and COP equivalent to conventional refrigerants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If alternative refrigerants with low GWP are developed, then environmental friendliness is improved, but refrigerating capacity and COP may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidrefrigerating capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of HFO-1132(E) and HFO-1234yf within specific ranges (21.0-28.4 mass% and 79.0-71.6 mass%) to achieve the right balance between low GWP and high refrigerating capacity, ensuring the alternative refrigerant meets both environmental and performance requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If new refrigerant compositions are introduced, then environmental performance is improved, but device compatibility and design complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoiddesign changes required

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the refrigerant composition parameters to fall within specific ranges that maintain compatibility with existing refrigeration device designs, minimizing the need for substantial design changes while achieving low GWP targets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4053242B1Composition containing refrigerant, and refrigeration method using said composition, operating method for refrigeration device, and refrigeration device

Publication Date: 2024.01.24 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD

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.