Low-GWP Refrigerant Composition With R410A-Level COP

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerants like R410A have high global warming potential (GWP) and lack alternatives with equivalent coefficient of performance (COP) and refrigerating capacity.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising 0.1-10 mass% CO2 (R744) and 90-99.9 mass% of compounds such as trans-1,2-difluoroethylene, cis-1,2-difluoroethylene, fluoroethylene, or 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne, which serve as a refrigerant with lower GWP and COP equivalent to R410A, used in refrigeration apparatuses and heat cycle systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If R410A is used as a refrigerant, then the coefficient of performance (COP) and refrigerating capacity are maintained at high levels, but the global warming potential (GWP) becomes excessively high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidcoefficient of performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the refrigerant by using HFO-1234ze (E) with specific physical properties (boiling point of -35°C, molecular weight of 114) to achieve both low GWP and high COP. This parameter optimization allows the refrigerant to maintain efficient heat transfer properties while reducing environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite refrigerant system by combining HFO-1234ze (E) with specific amounts of other refrigerants (R32: 5-30 mass%, R125: 40-60 mass%, R134a: 5-30 mass%) to achieve a balanced performance profile that simultaneously delivers low GWP and high COP, resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If alternative refrigerants with low GWP are developed, then environmental friendliness is improved, but the refrigerating capacity and COP become insufficient compared to R410A

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidrefrigerating capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight and boiling point parameters of the base refrigerant HFO-1234ze (E) to match the thermodynamic properties of R410A, enabling the alternative refrigerant to achieve comparable refrigerating capacity while maintaining low GWP characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent formulates a composite refrigerant mixture where HFO-1234ze (E) serves as the base (30-65 mass%) and is combined with complementary refrigerants (R32, R125, R134a) in specific proportions to achieve the desired refrigerating capacity equivalent to R410A while maintaining environmentally friendly properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If new refrigerant compositions are created to replace R410A, then environmental performance is improved, but the system complexity and development requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidsystem development requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the refrigerant formulation into a clear base component (HFO-1234ze (E)) and additive components (R32, R125, R134a) with defined concentration ranges, making the complex refrigerant mixture systematic and easier to manufacture and regulate compared to unstructured alternatives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes specific parameter ranges (mass percentages of each component, operating temperature ranges) that simplify the development and standardization process, reducing the complexity of system adaptation while achieving the goal of low GWP replacement for R410A.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3786251B1Composition containing coolant, heat transfer medium and heat cycle system
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3786251B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a composition comprising a refrigerant characterized by having a GWP lower than that of R410A and a COP equivalent to that of R410A. Specifically, the present disclosure provides a composition comprising a refrigerant, the refrigerant comprising CO2 (R744) and at least one compound A selected from the group consisting of trans-1,2-difluoroethylene [(E)-HFO-1132], cis-1,2-difluoroethylene [(Z)-HFO-1132], fluoroethylene (HFO-1141), and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne (TFP).