On-Site Refrigerant Conversion to Lower-GWP Blends Without Shipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerant recovery methods often require shipping used refrigerants to central processing sites for destruction or reuse, which is inefficient and does not effectively address the need for reducing global warming potential (GWP).
Innovation Solution
On-site conversion of original refrigerants into new refrigerants with lower GWP by adding or removing refrigerant components within the refrigerant fluid circuit, allowing for in-situ reclamation and repurposing, such as converting R134a to R513A by adding R1234yf, to create a drop-in replacement with reduced GWP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refrigerant is recovered and shipped to central processing sites for destruction or reuse, then refrigerant can be processed, but shipping costs and time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized refrigerant processing system into distributed on-site processing units. Each facility has its own conversion equipment that can process refrigerant locally, eliminating the need to ship refrigerant to central processing sites. This segmentation of the processing function to multiple distributed locations resolves the contradiction by enabling local processing (improving reliability) while eliminating shipping time (reducing time loss).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary conversion of refrigerant at the source before it would need to be transported. By converting high-GWP refrigerant to low-GWP refrigerant on-site using conversion equipment, the system prepares the refrigerant for reuse immediately at the facility where it is needed, rather than shipping it away for processing and then bringing it back. This preliminary action eliminates the shipping cycle entirely.
2Reliability
If refrigerant is shipped to processing sites, then refrigerant can be reused, but shipping and handling costs are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigerant management system into distributed on-site processing capabilities rather than centralized remote processing. Each facility equips its own refrigerant conversion system, eliminating the need for transportation infrastructure and associated costs. This localizes the reuse function while eliminating the energy loss from shipping and handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables facilities to service their own refrigerant needs through on-site conversion equipment. Instead of relying on external processing centers that require shipping arrangements, each facility becomes self-sufficient by converting its own high-GWP refrigerant to low-GWP refrigerant on-premises. This self-service approach eliminates shipping and handling costs while maintaining reliable refrigerant reuse.
3Adaptability or versatility
If original refrigerant is used, then system compatibility is maintained, but global warming potential is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the refrigerant through controlled conversion processes. By adding specific components to high-GWP refrigerant or removing certain components, the system transforms the refrigerant's GWP parameter while adjusting other parameters to maintain compatibility with existing system components. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by achieving low GWP while preserving system adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite refrigerant blends by combining high-GWP and low-GWP refrigerant components in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the resulting refrigerant mixture to maintain the desirable system compatibility properties of the original high-GWP refrigerant while incorporating low-GWP components that reduce the overall global warming potential. The composite material strategy resolves the contradiction between compatibility and environmental performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient on-site reduction of refrigerant GWP, avoids costly shipping and handling, and facilitates compliance with low-GWP regulations by creating a reusable refrigerant blend with significantly lower environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
one or more refrigerant components are added to the original refrigerant to arrive at the converted refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Methods, systems and apparatuses are described that are directed to on-site recovery and/or repurposing of refrigerant, where an original refrigerant is converted into a refrigerant different from the original refrigerant. The refrigerant different from the original refrigerant can have relatively lower global warming potential (GWP) than the original refrigerant. The recovery and/or repurposing can be implemented for example in a refrigeration circuit, such as for example in general cooling and/or heating applications, which may be embodied in a heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and/or unit, in a transport refrigeration system and/or unit, as well as in commercial, residential and/or industrial cooling and/or heating applications.