Refrigerant Blend Transfer Filling With Phase-Shift Composition Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in maintaining the compositional integrity of refrigerant compositions containing difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and 1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane during transfer, as the phase transition leads to significant compositional changes due to varying boiling points, affecting performance and safety, and existing methods struggle to predict and control these changes effectively.

Innovation Solution

Adjusting the proportions of difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and 1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane in the refrigerant composition within specific ranges before transfer ensures that the compositional change during phase transition remains within tolerance limits, even at high transfer rates, by using specific ratios such as 40.2 to 41.0 wt% difluoromethane, 29.5 to 31.0 wt% pentafluoroethane, and 28.0 to 30.3 wt% 1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the refrigerant composition is extracted from the liquid phase during transfer, then the phase transition is avoided, but the compositional change of the liquid phase still occurs due to pressure decrease and gas phase expansion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompositional stabilityVSAvoidperformance reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the initial composition ratios of HFC-32, HFC-125, and HFC-134a within specific ranges (HFC-32: 38-42 wt%, HFC-125: 27-33 wt%, HFC-134a: 19-25 wt%) to compensate for the compositional changes that occur during liquid phase extraction. This pre-adjustment of parameters ensures that the composition remains within acceptable tolerance ranges even after transfer-induced phase transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and adjusting the composition ratios before transfer based on the expected phase transition behavior. The initial composition is deliberately set within specific ranges to anticipate and counteract the compositional changes that will occur during transfer, ensuring the final composition meets performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the refrigerant composition undergoes phase transition during transfer, then the transfer process is simplified, but significant compositional changes occur affecting performance and safety

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer efficiencyVSAvoidcompositional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by defining specific composition ranges for HFC-32 (38-42 wt%), HFC-125 (27-33 wt%), and HFC-134a (19-25 wt%) that account for the expected compositional drift during phase transition. These parameter adjustments allow the system to tolerate phase transition while maintaining compositional stability within acceptable limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of phase transition-induced compositional change into a beneficial outcome by deliberately designing the initial composition within specific ranges. The phase transition, which would normally cause unacceptable compositional drift, is instead used as a controlled process that delivers the final composition within acceptable tolerance ranges when starting from the predetermined initial ratios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the gap of boiling points between components is wide, then the refrigerant composition provides better thermodynamic performance, but compositional change becomes more apparent during phase transition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermodynamic efficiencyVSAvoidcompositional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the initial composition ratios of components with different boiling points (HFC-32: -52°C, HFC-125: -48°C, HFC-134a: -27°C) within specific ranges. This compensation strategy accounts for the differential evaporation and condensation rates of components with wide boiling point gaps, maintaining compositional stability while preserving thermodynamic efficiency.

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

This approach ensures that the refrigerant composition maintains performance and safety by keeping the compositional change within acceptable limits, preventing decreases in refrigerant efficiency and combustion risks during transfer.

Implementation Method 1

When the refrigerant composition undergoes phase transition, such as evaporation or condensation, a component having a low boiling point is likely to evaporate, while a component having a high boiling point is likely to condense

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

a component having a low boiling point is likely to evaporate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a component having a high boiling point is likely to condense

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP3985080B1Method for transfer-filling refrigerant composition
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3985080B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3985080B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a method for transferring a refrigerant composition containing three components (difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) such that the compositional change of the liquid phase due to the phase transition that occurs in the supply source when transferring the refrigerant composition falls within a tolerance range. The method for transferring a refrigerant composition containing difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane includes transferring a refrigerant composition from a liquid phase in a supply source to a supply destination, wherein the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source before the transfer contains (i) 32.9 to 33.5 wt% difluoromethane, 14.4 to 16.0 wt% pentafluoroethane, and 50.5 to 52.7 wt% 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, (ii) 29.9 to 31.0 wt% difluoromethane, 29.9 to 31.0 wt% pentafluoroethane, and 38.0 to 40.2 wt% 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, or (iii) 40.2 to 41.0 wt% difluoromethane, 29.5 to 31.0 wt% pentafluoroethane, and 28.0 to 30.3 wt% 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.