Refrigerant cycle apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of studies on which refrigerant with low Global Warming Potential (GWP) should be used for refrigerant cycle apparatuses for freezing or cold storage, despite growing concerns about global warming.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerant cycle apparatus for freezing or cold storage that includes a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, radiator, and heat absorber, using a refrigerant composition of at least trans-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132), trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123), and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (R1234yf), with specific mass ratios within defined ranges in a ternary composition diagram to optimize performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional refrigerants (R410A or R404A) are used in freezing or cold storage apparatuses, then reliable cooling performance is achieved, but high global warming potential (GWP) is caused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidcooling performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the refrigerant by using HFO-1132(E) instead of conventional HFC-based refrigerants. This parameter change achieves low GWP (less than 150) while maintaining reliable cooling performance through optimized composition ratios of HFO-1132(E), HFO-1123, and R1234yf

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite refrigerant mixture combining HFO-1132(E), HFO-1123, and R1234yf in specific proportions. This composite refrigerant achieves both low environmental impact (GWP < 150) and reliable cooling performance by leveraging the complementary properties of each component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If low-GWP refrigerant alternatives are adopted, then environmental impact is reduced, but performance optimization is insufficient due to lack of studies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidperformance optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically optimizes the composition parameters of low-GWP refrigerant by determining specific mass percentage ranges for HFO-1132(E), HFO-1123, and R1234yf. This parameter optimization achieves both low GWP and high cooling performance, addressing the performance deficiency of conventional low-GWP alternatives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses HFO-1132(E) as the primary refrigerant component with mass percentage of 5-50%, providing sufficient cooling performance through this single low-GWP substance while supplementing with HFO-1123 and R1234yf to fine-tune performance characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 proposed solution effectively addresses the need for low-GWP refrigerants by providing a refrigerant cycle apparatus that efficiently operates within specified temperature ranges, balancing performance and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

a heat absorber; The refrigerant contains at least trans-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132(E))

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a radiator; The refrigerant contains at least trans-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132(E))

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat release: Heat Sink

Implementation Method 3

a compressor; The refrigerant contains at least trans-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132(E))

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 4

a decompressing portion; The refrigerant contains at least trans-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132(E))

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecompression: Depressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP4230707A1Refrigerant cycle apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4230707A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4230707A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4230707A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A showcase includes a refrigerant circuit and a refrigerant enclosed in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor (121), a radiator (122), an expansion valve (123), and an evaporator (124). The refrigerant is a low-GWP refrigerant.