Unsaturated Fluorocarbon Blowing Agents for Low GWP Foams

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for blowing agents that provide low flammability, good thermal insulation, and high dimensional stability without contributing to ozone depletion or global warming, and with minimal photochemical reactivity to avoid smog formation.

Innovation Solution

The use of fluorocarbons or hydrofluorocarbons with specific unsaturated structures, such as E- or Z-R1CH=CHR2, where R1 and R2 are C1 to C6 perfluoroalkyl groups, as blowing agents in foam production, which react with polyisocyanates to form foams with reduced global warming potential and zero ozone depletion potential.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If HFCs are used as blowing agents, then ozone depletion is avoided, but global warming potential remains high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveozone depletionVSAvoidglobal warming potential

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the blowing agent by using unsaturated fluorocarbons with specific molecular structures (containing C=C double bonds and perfluoroalkyl groups) that inherently possess lower global warming potentials while maintaining zero ozone depletion potential, thus resolving the contradiction between avoiding ozone depletion and reducing global warming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional blowing agents are used, then foaming properties are maintained, but flammability increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoaming propertiesVSAvoidflammability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs unsaturated fluorocarbons that create an inherently non-flammable chemical environment during foam formation. The fluorocarbon molecules themselves are chemically inert regarding combustion, thus maintaining effective foaming properties while eliminating flammability hazards associated with conventional blowing agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Productivity

If hydrocarbon blowing agents are used, then foaming efficiency is improved, but photochemical reactivity increases leading to smog formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoaming efficiencyVSAvoidphotochemical reactivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the historical trend of increasing foaming efficiency into a beneficial outcome by using fluorocarbons that achieve superior foaming performance while inherently lacking the photochemical reactivity that causes smog. The fluorocarbon structure transforms the blowing agent function into an environmentally benign process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Temperature

If CFCs and HCFCs are used, then thermal insulation is improved, but ozone depletion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidozone depletion

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful chlorine atoms from the blowing agent molecular structure, retaining only the fluorocarbon and perfluoroalkyl components that provide thermal insulation benefits. This extraction of the harmful element (chlorine) while preserving the useful properties (thermal insulation) resolves the contradiction between insulation performance and ozone protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8633339B2Blowing agents for forming foam comprising unsaturated fluorocarbons

Publication Date: 2014.01.21 THE CHEMOURS CO FC LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are blowing agents comprising fluorocarbons and/or hydrofluorocarbons useful in foamable compositions. Also disclosed are methods for forming a foam comprising the aforementioned blowing agents.