Filling method using mixed refrigerant including trans-1, 3, 3, 3-tetrafluoropropene
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to maintain the composition of a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture comprising HFC-32 and HFO-1234ze(E) within an acceptable range during transfer, as significant composition changes can occur due to differences in boiling points, leading to performance degradation and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
The method involves adjusting the initial composition of HFC-32 in the refrigerant mixture before transfer to ensure it falls within a specific range, thereby minimizing composition changes during transfer. This is achieved by calculating the target upper and lower limit compositions using specific equations, which take into account the initial filling amount and the boiling points of the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture of HFC-32 and HFO-1234ze(E) is transferred from liquid phase, then transfer efficiency is improved, but composition changes occur due to evaporation of low-boiling-point components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-adjusting the initial composition of HFC-32 in the liquid phase before transfer begins. The initial composition is set to a specific range (higher than the target composition) so that as evaporation occurs during transfer, the composition naturally decreases to reach the target range, thereby compensating for the compositional drift caused by non-azeotropic behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the initial concentration of HFC-32 based on transfer conditions such as transfer amount, temperature, and pressure. By changing the initial composition parameter according to these conditions, the final composition after transfer can be controlled to fall within the desired tolerance range, thus resolving the contradiction between transfer efficiency and composition stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the initial composition of HFC-32 is adjusted to compensate for evaporation, then composition stability is improved, but calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simplified calculation formulas that provide adequate precision for practical applications without requiring complex computational models. These simplified equations allow for quick determination of initial composition ranges based on basic parameters like transfer amount and temperature, avoiding the need for sophisticated simulation software or iterative calculations, thus reducing calculation complexity while maintaining sufficient composition control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If HFO-1234ze(E) is used as a refrigerant alternative, then environmental friendliness is improved, but vapor pressure is insufficient leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a refrigerant mixture that combines HFO-1234ze(E) with HFC-32. This composite refrigerant blend leverages the low GWP and low toxicity of HFO-1234ze(E) while incorporating HFC-32 to provide the necessary vapor pressure and refrigerating capacity. The synergistic combination allows the refrigerant mixture to meet both environmental requirements and performance specifications, resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and refrigerant performance.
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 effectively maintains the refrigerant composition within the desired tolerance, ensuring consistent performance and safety by minimizing composition changes during the transfer process.
Implementation Method 1
This is because low-boiling-point components are more likely to be evaporated, and high-boiling-point components are more likely to be condensed. This tendency is prominent in the case of evaporation, i.e., a phase change from liquid to vapor
Implementation Method 2
non-azeotropic mixtures and therefore undergo composition changes during phase changes, such as evaporation and condensation
Implementation Method 3
non-azeotropic mixtures and therefore undergo composition changes during phase changes, such as evaporation and condensation
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for filling a refrigerant mixture. This method enables composition changes of a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture comprising HFO-1234ze(E) and HFC-32 during the transfer to fall within an acceptable range of refrigerant performance. The method for filling a refrigerant mixture comprising HFC-32 and HFO-1234ze(E), the HFC-32 being present in a liquid phase of the refrigerant mixture in an amount of 10 to 90 wt% based on 100 wt% of the total of the HFC-32 and HFO-1234ze(E), comprises, in transferring the refrigerant mixture in a liquid state to a target container or equipment from a feeding container, adjusting the proportion (initial composition) of the HFC-32 in the liquid phase of the refrigerant mixture in the feeding container immediately before the transfer to x + y1 (minimum value) to x% (target upper-limit composition), so that the proportion of the HFC-32 in the liquid phase of the refrigerant mixture in the feeding container falls within a range from the target upper-limit composition (x) of the HFC-32 to the target upper-limit composition (x) - 4.0 wt% (target lower-limit composition) during initiation and completion of the transfer.