Refrigerant Composition with HFC-32 and HFO Blends for Low-GWP Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerants like R404A and R410A have high global warming potential (GWP) and there is a need for alternatives with equivalent or improved coefficient of performance (COP) and refrigerating capacity while reducing GWP.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant composition comprising HFC-32, HFO-1234yf, and HFO-1132a, with specific mass percentage ratios within defined ranges in a ternary composition diagram, offering a low GWP and performance comparable to or exceeding R404A and R410A.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional refrigerants like R404A and R410A are used, then cooling performance and refrigerating capacity are maintained, but global warming potential (GWP) is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the refrigerant mixture. Specifically, it uses HFC-32 (difluoromethane) with a GWP of 67 instead of high-GWP components like R125 (GWP 143) or R143a (GWP 143), while adjusting the compositional ratios to maintain cooling performance. The defined composition ranges (HFC-32: 40-70 mass%, HFO-1234yf: 10-30 mass%, HFO-1132a: 5-20 mass%) optimize the balance between low GWP and refrigerating capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by creating a multi-component refrigerant mixture combining HFC-32, HFO-1234yf, and HFO-1132a. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of each component: HFC-32 provides base cooling performance with low GWP, HFO-1234yf enhances refrigerating capacity and reduces GWP further, and HFO-1132a fine-tunes the thermodynamic properties. The synergistic combination achieves both low GWP (≤400) and high refrigerating capacity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If alternative refrigerants with reduced GWP are developed, then environmental impact is reduced, but coefficient of performance (COP) and refrigerating capacity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes energy efficiency by carefully adjusting the compositional parameters within specific ranges. The HFO-1234yf content (10-30 mass%) is optimized to enhance heat transfer properties and reduce compression work, while HFO-1132a (5-20 mass%) adjusts the saturation pressure and temperature characteristics. This parameter optimization ensures COP equivalent to or higher than R410A while maintaining GWP ≤400
Solution Approach 2:
The composite refrigerant mixture improves energy efficiency through synergistic interactions between components. HFO-1234yf's high latent heat of vaporization enhances cooling efficiency, while HFO-1132a's molecular structure optimizes heat transfer coefficients. The combination creates a refrigerant with superior thermodynamic properties that improve COP without sacrificing the low-GWP benefit
3Productivity
If new refrigerant compositions are created to meet performance targets, then COP and refrigerating capacity are improved, but compressor outlet pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls compressor outlet pressure by optimizing the saturation pressure parameters through compositional adjustments. The HFC-32 base (40-70 mass%) provides moderate saturation pressure, while HFO-1234yf and HFO-1132a in specific ratios adjust the pressure-temperature characteristics to keep outlet pressure ≤1.25 times R410A. This parameter optimization allows high refrigerating capacity without excessive pressure increases
Data Source
Figure 2
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a composition comprising a refrigerant (mixed refrigerant), the composition having three types of performance; i.e., a coefficient of performance (COP) and a refrigerating capacity (Cap) that are equivalent to or higher than those of R404A and/or R410A, and a sufficiently low GWP. The present disclosure specifically provides a composition comprising a refrigerant, the refrigerant comprising difluoromethane (HFC-32), 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf), and at least one of 1,1-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132a) and tetrafluoroethylene (FO-1114).