Mixed Refrigerant Composition for Low-GWP R404A Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alternative refrigerants for R404A fail to balance low global warming potential (GWP), stability, minimized temperature glide, refrigerating capacity, compressor outlet pressure, and coefficient of performance (COP) effectively, making them inadequate substitutes.
Innovation Solution
A mixed refrigerant composition of R32, R1123, and R1234yf in specific mass ratios, as defined by points A, B, and C in a ternary composition diagram, which achieves a GWP ≤ 175, refrigerating capacity ≥ 97.5% relative to R404A, and compressor outlet pressure ≤ 105% relative to R404A, while minimizing temperature glide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If alternative refrigerants with low GWP are used, then environmental impact is reduced, but refrigerating capacity and performance become insufficient compared to R404A
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite refrigerant formulation by combining three different refrigerant components (R32, R1123, and R1234yf) in specific proportions within a defined compositional region. This composite approach allows the mixture to achieve low GWP (≤175) while maintaining refrigerating capacity ≥97.5% relative to R404A, resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and refrigeration performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter optimization by precisely controlling the compositional ratios of R32, R1123, and R1234yf within specific ranges defined by the compositional region. By adjusting these compositional parameters, the refrigerant mixture achieves the optimal balance of low GWP and high refrigerating capacity, demonstrating parameter changes as a key inventive principle.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If alternative refrigerant compositions are used, then GWP is reduced, but compressor outlet pressure and energy efficiency become unbalanced
Solution Approach 1:
The composite refrigerant mixture of R32, R1123, and R1234yf in specific proportions optimizes the balance between compressor outlet pressure and COP. The synergistic interaction among the three components ensures that energy efficiency requirements are met while maintaining low GWP, resolving the contradiction between environmental impact and energy performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes energy efficiency by precisely controlling the compositional parameters of the refrigerant mixture. The specific compositional ratios within the defined region adjust the thermodynamic properties to achieve balanced compressor outlet pressure and COP values, demonstrating parameter optimization to resolve the energy efficiency contradiction.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If alternative refrigerants are used, then environmental friendliness is improved, but temperature glide increases affecting system stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent minimizes temperature glide by carefully selecting the three-component refrigerant mixture and optimizing their proportions within the defined compositional region. The composite formulation ensures that temperature glide is minimized while maintaining low GWP, resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and compositional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls temperature glide by optimizing the compositional parameters of the refrigerant mixture. The specific ratios of R32, R1123, and R1234yf within the defined region adjust the temperature glide characteristics to minimal levels while maintaining low GWP, demonstrating parameter optimization to resolve the stability contradiction.
Data Source
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AI summary
An object is to provide a refrigerant composition that is comprehensively excellent in various properties usually required of refrigerants, i.e., (1) low GWP, stability, and minimized temperature glide, as well as in essential properties required of alternative refrigerants for R404A, i.e., (2) refrigerating capacity, compressor outlet pressure, and COP that are substantially equivalent to those of R404A. In order to achieve this object, a composition containing a refrigerant is provided wherein the refrigerant contains difluoromethane (R32), trifluoroethylene (R1123), and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) at a mass ratio that falls within the region surrounded by lines a, c and d, which connect the following three points in a ternary composition diagram of Fig. 1 whose vertices represent the three components: point A (R32/R1123/R1234yf=25.6/13.4/61.0 mass%); point B (R32/R1123/R1234yf=25.6/3.4/71.0 mass%); and point C (R32/R1123/R1234yf=3.9/36.5/59.6 mass%).