R-1233 Refrigerants for Negative-Pressure Liquid Chillers
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a growing need for environmentally sustainable refrigerants with lower ozone depleting and global warming potentials to replace chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in liquid chiller systems, particularly in negative-pressure systems, as current alternatives like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) still possess high global warming potentials.
Innovation Solution
The use of chloro-trifluoropropenes, specifically 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, as refrigerants in liquid chiller systems, which are compatible with current chiller lubricants and maintain operating conditions comparable to existing refrigerants, allowing for their use in new or retrofitted systems without the need for additional surfactants or solubilizing agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are used as refrigerants to replace CFCs and HCFCs, then ozone depletion is reduced, but global warming potential remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the refrigerant by using chloro-trifluoropropenes (HCFOs) with specific molecular structures that have both zero ozone depletion potential and low global warming potential, fundamentally altering the refrigerant's environmental profile
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite refrigerant formulations containing mixtures of chloro-trifluoropropenes with other compatible refrigerants or lubricants to achieve both environmental sustainability and optimal system performance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If new refrigerants are introduced to replace existing ones, then environmental sustainability is improved, but system compatibility and operating conditions may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The chloro-trifluoropropene refrigerants are specifically selected and formulated to match the thermodynamic and physical parameters of existing refrigerants like R-11 and R-123, ensuring compatible operating pressures, temperatures, and system performance without requiring hardware modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses compatible lubricants as intermediaries to facilitate the transition to new refrigerants, ensuring proper refrigerant-lubricant miscibility and system compatibility while maintaining environmental benefits
3Object-generated harmful factors
If refrigerant leak rates are reduced to improve environmental performance, then global warming impact is reduced, but system efficiency may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The chloro-trifluoropropene refrigerants are formulated with optimized molecular weights and thermodynamic properties that maintain high system efficiency and cooling capacity while their chemical stability reduces leak rates and extends service life
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
Chloro-trifluoropropenes provide high efficiency and capacity, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative with lower global warming potential, matching the performance of current refrigerants while reducing leak rates and maintaining compressor performance in negative-pressure systems.
Implementation Method 1
Chillers are refrigeration machines that cool water, other heat transfer fluids, or process fluids by a vapor-compression (modified reverse-Rankine), absorption, or other thermodynamic cycle
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant vaporizes and is drawn into the compressor, which increases the pressure and temperature of the gas
Implementation Method 3
The condenser cooling medium is warmed in the process. The condensed liquid refrigerant then flows back to the evaporator
Implementation Method 4
Chillers are refrigeration machines that cool water, other heat transfer fluids, or process fluids
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to the use of chloro-trifluoropropenes as refrigerants in negative-pressure liquid chillers and methods of replacing an existing refrigerant in a chiller with chloro-trifluoropropenes. The chloro-trifluoropropenes, particularly 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, have high efficiency and unexpectedly high capacity in liquid chiller applications and are useful as more environmentally sustainable refrigerants for such applications, including the replacement of R-123 and R-11.