Refrigerant Composition Balancing Low GWP and Cooling Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air conditioning and heat pump systems face challenges in achieving energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, particularly in high ambient temperature environments, due to the limitations of existing refrigerants with high global warming potential and flammability.
Innovation Solution
The use of a composition comprising difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, and 2,3,3-tetrafluoropropene as a working fluid, which provides a balance of low global warming potential, non-flammability, and high energy efficiency, enabling effective heating and cooling in high temperature applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional refrigerants with high global warming potential are used, then cooling and heating capacities are maintained, but environmental sustainability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by formulating a refrigerant composition comprising multiple components (difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) in specific weight percentages. This composite refrigerant mixture achieves low global warming potential (less than 1000) while maintaining adequate cooling and heating capacities, thereby resolving the contradiction between environmental sustainability and productivity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If flammable refrigerants are used to improve energy efficiency, then heating performance is enhanced, but safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inert atmosphere principle by selecting refrigerant components that are non-flammable or have reduced flammability. The composition includes difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, which collectively provide inherent safety while maintaining energy efficiency in heating applications, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and safety.
3Productivity
If existing refrigerants are used in high ambient temperature environments, then cooling capacity is maintained, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the weight percentages of each refrigerant component in the composition. By adjusting the proportions of difluoromethane (1-29%), pentafluoroethane (1-19%), 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (9-42%), and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (34-68%), the refrigerant mixture achieves improved energy efficiency while maintaining adequate cooling capacity in high ambient temperature environments, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy efficiency.
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 composition enhances energy efficiency and reduces environmental impact by offering a refrigerant with a global warming potential less than 1000, non-flammability, and improved cooling and heating capacities, comparable to traditional refrigerants like R-22, while meeting safety and efficiency standards.
Implementation Method 1
evaporating a composition comprising difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, tetrafluoroethane and tetrafluoropropene in the vicinity of a body to be cooled
Implementation Method 2
condensing said composition... extracting heat from a working fluid, in a working fluid cooler (which may be a condenser), thereby producing a cooled working fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a composition comprising (a) from 1 to 29 weight percent difluoromethane; (b) from 1 to 19 weight percent pentafluoroethane; (c) from 9 to 42 weight percent 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, or a mixture thereof; and (d) from 34 to 68 weight percent 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, E-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene or mixture thereof; wherein when the composition contains 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, the composition also contains at least some 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane; wherein the ratio of component (a) to component (b) is at most 1.5:1; and wherein the ratio of component (c) to component (d) is at least 0.04:1. The compositions are useful in methods for producing cooling and heating, methods for producing air conditioning, methods for replacing HCFC-22, R-410A, R-407C, HFC-134a, CFC-12, HCFC-22 and HCFC-124 and in heat transfer systems including heat pumps and air conditioners.