Refrigerant Composition Combustion Inhibition via Halogenated Alkenes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flammable refrigerants used in air conditioners pose combustion risks, requiring restrictive measures to inhibit combustion, which can be cumbersome and limit refrigerant filling amounts in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
A fluid composition combining specific alkanes, halogenated alkanes, and alkenes, where the combustion inhibiting effect is achieved by selecting components that reduce the burning velocity, allowing for a refrigerant composition with suppressed flammability, thereby simplifying safety measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If flammable refrigerants (alkanes, halogenated alkanes, alkenes, halogenated alkenes) are used to achieve low environmental impact, then ozone layer protection and global warming reduction are improved, but combustion risk increases requiring restrictive measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple refrigerant components (alkanes, halogenated alkanes, alkenes, and halogenated alkenes) in specific proportions to create a composite refrigerant composition. This composite approach allows the system to maintain the environmental benefits of hydrocarbon-based refrigerants while suppressing combustion through the synergistic interaction of components, particularly using halogenated alkenes to inhibit the flammability of lighter hydrocarbon components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the refrigerant by specifying precise ranges for each component (e.g., alkane: 1-50 mass%, halogenated alkane: 10-80 mass%, alkene: 1-50 mass%, halogenated alkene: 1-50 mass%). By adjusting these compositional parameters, the refrigerant maintains environmental compatibility while achieving combustion inhibition through optimized molecular composition and intermolecular interactions.
2Reliability
If restrictive measures (gas leak sensors, ventilators, spark prevention) are implemented to inhibit combustion, then combustion safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful flammability of hydrocarbon refrigerants into a benefit by using halogenated alkene components that actively inhibit combustion. The halogenated alkenes serve as combustion inhibitors within the refrigerant mixture itself, transforming the safety hazard into an inherent safety feature of the refrigerant composition, thereby eliminating the need for additional safety devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The halogenated alkene components act as intermediary substances within the refrigerant mixture that mediate between the flammable hydrocarbon components and the combustion process. These intermediaries suppress the combustion reaction through chemical inhibition mechanisms, providing passive safety without requiring external monitoring or control systems.
3Reliability
If refrigerant filling amount is limited to reduce combustion risk, then combustion safety is improved, but cooling performance and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters of the refrigerant to include combustion-inhibiting halogenated alkene components, which allows the system to increase refrigerant filling amounts without proportionally increasing combustion risk. The modified composition enables higher charge amounts while maintaining safety, thereby restoring cooling performance that would otherwise be limited by safety constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a fluid composition and a refrigerant composition having flammability suppressed; and an air conditioner in which restrictions in order to inhibit combustion of the refrigerant composition are reduced and it is thereby possible to omit or simplify measures for inhibiting combustion of the refrigerant composition. The fluid composition is either a composition (I) comprising at least one component (A) selected from the group consisting of alkanes, halogenated alkanes and alkenes and at least one component (B) selected from halogenated alkenes, or a composition (II) (excluding the composition (I)) comprising two or more ingredients (B) selected from halogenated alkenes. The fluid composition has a combustion inhibiting effect as defined by −100×{(measured maximum burning velocity)−(estimated maximum burning velocity)}/(estimated maximum burning velocity), of at least 10%.