Refrigerant Blend Composition for Low-GWP Heat Cycles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerants for heat cycles have high global warming potential (GWP) and large temperature glide, posing environmental concerns and efficiency issues.

Innovation Solution

A working medium composed of (E)-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, (Z)-1-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, with specific mass content ratios, is used to reduce GWP and temperature glide.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If R-134a is used as a working medium, then it is non-flammable and has low boiling point, but it has high global warming potential

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidflammability safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing R-134a with a mixture of HFO-1234ze(E) and HFC-134a in specific ratios (60-90 mass% HFO-1234ze(E) and 10-40 mass% HFC-134a). This parameter change reduces GWP while maintaining acceptable flammability characteristics through the synergistic effect of the mixture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite working medium by combining HFO-1234ze(E) and HFC-134a in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the mixture to achieve low GWP from HFO-1234ze(E) while HFC-134a contributes to stability and acceptable safety characteristics, resolving the contradiction between environmental performance and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If a refrigerant includes a plurality of components largely different in boiling point, then it can provide diverse thermal properties, but it results in large temperature glide

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal property rangeVSAvoidtemperature glide
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully selects components with boiling points within a narrow range (HFO-1234ze(E): -32°C, HFC-134a: -26°C) and controls their proportions. This parameter optimization allows the mixture to provide adequate thermal properties for various applications while maintaining temperature glide of 5°C or less, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and temperature glide

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a working medium with low GWP and small temperature glide, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

a compressor that compresses vapor of the working medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a condenser that cools and liquefies vapor of the working medium discharged from the compressor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

a decompressor that depressurizes the working medium discharged from the condenser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDepressurisation: Depressurisation

Implementation Method 4

an evaporator that heats the working medium discharged from the decompressor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4660277A1Working medium, heat cycle system composition, heat cycle device, and heat cycle method
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 AGC INC
  • EP4660277A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4660277A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4660277A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A working medium including (E)-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, (Z)-1-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, in which a content of the 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane is 8.9% by mass or less with respect to a total content of the (E)-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, the (Z)-1-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and the 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, and a content of the (Z)-1-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene is 24.5% by mass or less with respect to the total content, as well as any application of the working medium.