Multi-Component Refrigerant Mixture for Low GWP and Non-Flammability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigeration systems using HFC-404A have high global warming potential and are flammable, posing environmental and safety concerns, necessitating the development of non-flammable, low or zero global warming potential alternatives with similar cooling efficiency and compatibility with existing vapor compression technology.
Innovation Solution
A multi-component mixture comprising HFC-32, HFC-125, HFO-1234yf, and HFO-1234ze, with specific weight ratios, is used to create a refrigerant composition that is non-flammable, has low global warming potential, and is compatible with existing systems, allowing for retrofitting without major engineering changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If HFC-404A is used as refrigerant, then cooling efficiency is maintained, but global warming potential increases and flammability risk arises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite refrigerant mixture comprising HFC-32, HFC-125, HFO-1234yf, and HFO-1234ze in specific weight ratios. This composite formulation achieves low GWP (less than 150) while maintaining cooling efficiency comparable to HFC-404A, resolving the contradiction between environmental safety and thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the weight ratios of individual refrigerant components within specific ranges: HFC-32 (5-20%), HFC-125 (70-85%), HFO-1234yf (5-20%), and HFO-1234ze (5-20%). By adjusting these parameters, the composition achieves both low GWP and high cooling efficiency, simultaneously addressing environmental concerns and performance requirements.
2Reliability
If HFC-404A is used as refrigerant, then cooling efficiency is maintained, but flammability risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates a composite refrigerant mixture where HFC-125 (70-85%) serves as the primary non-flammable base, supplemented by HFC-32, HFO-1234yf, and HFO-1234ze in controlled amounts. This composite structure achieves non-flammability (ASHRAE safety class A1) while maintaining cooling efficiency equivalent to HFC-404A.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If alternative refrigerants are introduced, then environmental safety improves, but compatibility with existing systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the composition parameters within specific weight ranges to ensure compatibility with existing vapor compression systems. The mixture includes HFC-125 (70-85%) which has excellent lubricant compatibility and system compatibility, while HFC-32 (5-20%), HFO-1234yf (5-20%), and HFO-1234ze (5-20%) are added in controlled amounts to achieve low GWP without compromising system compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a homogeneous refrigerant mixture where all components are fully miscible and work synergistically. The uniform composition ensures consistent thermodynamic properties and compatibility with existing system components including compressors, heat exchangers, and expansion devices, allowing drop-in replacement without major modifications.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If flammable HFCs are used to reduce GWP, then global warming potential decreases, but flammability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses HFC-125 (70-85%) as the primary non-flammable base component, which provides excellent safety characteristics. Small controlled amounts of HFC-32, HFO-1234yf, and HFO-1234ze are added to optimize thermodynamic performance while maintaining non-flammability. The composite structure ensures the overall mixture achieves ASHRAE safety class A1 (non-flammable) while achieving GWP less than 150.
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions, methods and systems which comprise or utilize a multi-component mixture comprising: (a) HFC-32; (b) HFC-125; (c) HFO-1234ze, HFO-1234yf and combinations of these; and (d) optionally HFC-134a.