Refrigeration Systems and Methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
The refrigeration industry faces challenges in replacing high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants with safe, efficient, and cost-effective alternatives that meet regulatory requirements, particularly in commercial refrigeration systems, where existing low GWP refrigerants often suffer from safety concerns, high operating costs, and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Development of refrigerant compositions comprising specific blends of HFO-1234ze(E), HFC-134a, and HFO-1224yd(Z) that offer a GWP below 150, non-flammability, and excellent heat transfer properties, while maintaining a capacity greater than 65% of R-134a, and are compatible with lubricants for use in medium and low temperature refrigeration systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If low GWP refrigerants such as carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon refrigerants are used, then the global warming potential is reduced, but system safety and reliability deteriorate due to high flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite refrigerant blends combining HFO-1234ze(E) as the base refrigerant with HFC-134 and R1244yd as additives. This composite approach achieves GWP below 150 while maintaining non-flammability (ASHRAE Class A1), resolving the contradiction between low environmental impact and system safety that plagues pure hydrocarbon and CO2 systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the compositional parameters of the refrigerant blend, specifically maintaining HFO-1234ze(E) at 63-85% by weight, HFC-134 at 10-35% by weight, and R1244yd at 1-10% by weight. This parameter optimization ensures the blend achieves both low GWP and non-flammable safety characteristics.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If existing low GWP refrigerant blends are used, then the environmental impact is reduced, but heat transfer performance and system efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the compositional parameters of the refrigerant blend, specifically maintaining HFO-1234ze(E) at 63-85% by weight, HFC-134 at 10-35% by weight, and R1244yd at 1-10% by weight. This parameter optimization ensures the blend achieves both low GWP and non-flammable safety characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enhances the heat transfer properties of the refrigerant blend by selecting specific components with complementary thermodynamic properties. HFO-1234ze(E) provides excellent heat transfer characteristics, while the additives HFC-134 and R1244yd fine-tune the phase change behavior and heat transfer efficiency, ensuring system performance matches or exceeds HFC-134a.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If refrigerant blends with GWP below 150 are developed, then environmental requirements are met, but non-flammability and heat transfer performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite refrigerant blends combining HFO-1234ze(E) as the base refrigerant with HFC-134 and R1244yd as additives. This composite approach achieves GWP below 150 while maintaining non-flammability (ASHRAE Class A1), resolving the contradiction between low environmental impact and system safety that plagues pure hydrocarbon and CO2 systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enhances the heat transfer properties of the refrigerant blend by selecting specific components with complementary thermodynamic properties. HFO-1234ze(E) provides excellent heat transfer characteristics, while the additives HFC-134 and R1244yd fine-tune the phase change behavior and heat transfer efficiency, ensuring system performance matches or exceeds HFC-134a.
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 refrigerant blends achieve a unique combination of low GWP, non-flammability, and high efficiency, reducing environmental impact and operational costs while ensuring safe and reliable performance in commercial refrigeration systems.
Implementation Method 1
evaporating the refrigerant in the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant in the low stage refrigeration circuit condenses in the inter-circuit heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
an inter-circuit heat exchanger in which the refrigerant in the low stage refrigeration circuit condenses in the inter-circuit heat exchanger by giving up heat to the refrigerant in the high stage refrigeration circuit
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are refrigerants and refrigeration systems, including cascade refrigeration sysemsar comprising: a plurality of refrigeration units, each refrigeration unit containing a first refrigeration circuit, each first refrigeration circuit comprising an evaporator and a heat exchanger; and a second refrigeration circuit; wherein each first circuit heat exchanger is arranged to transfer heat energy between its respective first refrigeration circuit and the second refrigeration circuit.