Low-GWP Refrigerant Composition With Reduced Flammability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerants like R410A have high global warming potential (GWP) and flammability, necessitating the development of low-GWP alternatives with equivalent refrigerating capacity and improved safety.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant composition comprising CO2, trans-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132(E)), and difluoromethane (R32), with specific mass ratios within defined ranges in a ternary composition diagram, offering a refrigerating capacity equivalent to or higher than R410A, low GWP, and reduced flammability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If R410A is used as refrigerant, then refrigerating capacity is maintained, but global warming potential increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the refrigerant by using a four-component mixture (CO2, R32, HFO-1132(E), and R1234yf) with specifically controlled mass percentages. This parameter change achieves both low GWP (≤350) and adequate refrigerating capacity (≥80% of R410A), resolving the contradiction between maintaining performance and reducing environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite refrigerant system by combining four different substances (CO2, R32, HFO-1132(E), and R1234yf) in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the refrigerant to achieve properties that none of the individual components could provide alone, specifically balancing low GWP with sufficient refrigerating capacity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If R32 is used to reduce GWP, then global warming potential decreases, but flammability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces CO2 and HFO-1132(E) as intermediary substances that moderate the flammability of R32. CO2 acts as a flame suppressant while HFO-1132(E) provides refrigerating capacity. This intermediary approach allows the system to use R32 for low GWP while the other components suppress flammability, achieving Class 2L safety classification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful flammability of R32 into a beneficial safety classification by carefully controlling the composition ratios. By limiting R32 to specific mass percentages (15-40% depending on CO2 content) and combining it with flame-suppressing CO2 and HFO-1132(E), the system transforms what would be a dangerous flammable mixture into a safe Class 2L refrigerant.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If CO2 content is increased to reduce flammability, then safety improves, but refrigerating capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional roles to different components based on their optimal concentration ranges. CO2 is localized in the 5-40% range to provide flame suppression, while HFO-1132(E) is localized at 5-30% to provide refrigerating capacity, and R32 is localized at 15-40% to provide low GWP. This localized optimization of each component's contribution resolves the contradiction between safety and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by defining specific mass percentage ranges for each component that shift based on CO2 content. When CO2 is at 5%, R32 ranges from 15-40% and HFO-1132(E) ranges from 5-30%; when CO2 is at 40%, R32 ranges from 30-50% and HFO-1132(E) ranges from 5-20%. These dynamic parameter adjustments maintain refrigerating capacity while ensuring safety across different operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention relates to a refrigerant composition that has three types of performance, i.e., a refrigerating capacity that is equivalent to or higher than that of R410A, a sufficiently low GWP, and a lower flammability (Class 2L) according to the ASHRAE standard. As a means for achieving the object, a composition comprising a refrigerant, the refrigerant comprising CO2, trans-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132(E)), difluoromethane (R32), and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-l-propene (R1234yf), is provided.