Refrigerant Blend Composition for Low-GWP Heat Cycles
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
Engineering 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
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
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
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
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
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
Implementation Method 2
a condenser that cools and liquefies vapor of the working medium discharged from the compressor
Implementation Method 3
a decompressor that depressurizes the working medium discharged from the condenser
Implementation Method 4
an evaporator that heats the working medium discharged from the decompressor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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.