R-1234ze(E) Refrigerant Blend for Low GWP and Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for alternative refrigerants that have reduced global warming potential (GWP), improved energy efficiency, and acceptable flammability, while being compatible with existing refrigeration systems with minimal modifications, to replace refrigerants like R-134a, R-22, R-410A, and R-407 series, which have high GWP and flammability concerns.
Innovation Solution
A heat transfer composition comprising trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R-1234ze(E)) combined with difluoromethane (R-32), pentafluoroethane (R-125), and optionally fluoroethane (R-161) or 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a), which reduces flammability and GWP, maintaining energy efficiency and refrigeration capacity comparable to existing refrigerants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If R-134a is used as a replacement refrigerant for R-12, then ozone depletion potential is eliminated, but global warming potential increases significantly (GWP of 1300)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R-1234ze(E)) as the primary component instead of R-134a. This parameter change achieves both zero ozone depletion potential and significantly reduced global warming potential (GWP less than 150), resolving the contradiction between eliminating ozone depletion and reducing global warming impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite refrigerant compositions by mixing R-1234ze(E) with other fluorocarbon compounds (R-32, R-125, R-134a, R-161, or R-152a) in specific ratios. This composite approach allows optimization of both environmental properties (low GWP, zero ODP) and thermodynamic performance, achieving a balance that single-component refrigerants cannot provide.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If R-152a is used as an alternative to R-134a, then energy efficiency improves and GWP reduces to 120, but flammability becomes too high for safe use in mobile air conditioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by using R-1234ze(E) as the main component (5-60% by weight) combined with other fluorocarbons in specific proportions. This parameter optimization achieves acceptable flammability characteristics for mobile air conditioning while maintaining low GWP and improving energy efficiency compared to R-134a.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite refrigerant mixtures where R-1234ze(E) is combined with R-32, R-125, R-134a, R-161, or R-152a in controlled ratios. This composite formulation balances flammability safety with energy efficiency and environmental performance, achieving a safe operating range for mobile air conditioning systems while maintaining low GWP.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If existing refrigeration systems are modified to accommodate new refrigerant compositions, then environmental performance improves, but device complexity and modification costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the refrigerant composition to be universally compatible with existing refrigeration and air conditioning systems. The composition can replace multiple existing refrigerants (R-12, R-22, R-134a, R-410A, R-407 series) in various applications including mobile air conditioning, stationary systems, and heat pumps, minimizing the need for system-specific modifications while achieving environmental goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the compositional parameters of the refrigerant mixture to match the thermodynamic and operational characteristics of existing systems. By carefully selecting the ratios of R-1234ze(E) and companion gases, the composition maintains compatible operating pressures, temperatures, and flow characteristics, allowing direct replacement in existing equipment with minimal modifications.
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
The composition achieves a GWP lower than existing refrigerants, with reduced flammability hazards, maintaining energy efficiency and refrigeration capacity within 10% of existing systems, and is compatible with existing equipment, reducing environmental impact and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant evaporates at low pressure taking heat from the surrounding zone
Implementation Method 2
The resulting vapour is then compressed and passed to a condenser where it condenses and gives off heat to a second zone
Data Source
AI summary
A heat transfer composition includes:(i) trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R-1234ze(E));(ii) a second component selected from difluoromethane (R-32), propene (R-1270), propane (R290) and mixtures thereof;(iii) a third component selected from pentafluoroethane (R-125), 1,1,1,2-tetraflueroethane (R-34a), and mixtures thereof; and optionally(iv) a fourth component selected from fluoroethane (R-161), 1,1-difluoroethane (R-152a) and mixtures thereof.