Use of a composition containing mixture of fluorinated hydrocarbons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerant compositions, such as R404A, have high global warming potential (GWP) and are flammable, while alternatives like R22 are being phased out due to environmental regulations, necessitating a refrigerant with equal refrigerating capacity, lower GWP, and non-flammability for use in refrigeration devices.
Innovation Solution
A mixture of fluorinated hydrocarbons comprising difluoromethane (R32), pentafluoroethane (R125), 2,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf), and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R134a) at specific concentrations, optimized to achieve a GWP of 1500 or less and ASHRAE non-flammability, with a compressor outlet pressure comparable to R22, ensuring safety and environmental sustainability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If R404A refrigerant is used, then refrigerating capacity is maintained, but global warming potential becomes too high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing R404A with a new mixture containing R125, R134a, and R143a in specific proportions. This composition change achieves GWP reduction from 3922 to 1500 or less while maintaining refrigerating capacity through optimized component ratios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite refrigerant mixture combining multiple fluorinated hydrocarbons (R125, R134a, R143a) in specific proportions. This composite approach allows balancing environmental performance (lower GWP) with functional performance (refrigerating capacity) that cannot be achieved by single components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If alternative refrigerants with lower GWP are developed, then environmental impact is reduced, but refrigerating capacity equal to R404A is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of each component (R125: 40-60 wt%, R134a: 20-40 wt%, R143a: 10-30 wt%) to simultaneously achieve GWP≤1500 and refrigerating capacity≥85% of R404A. The specific parameter ranges are determined through systematic experimentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent assigns different functional roles to each component in the mixture: R125 provides base refrigerating capacity, R134a adjusts pressure characteristics, and R143a enhances cooling efficiency. This local optimization of component functions achieves overall system performance matching R404A
3Reliability
If non-flammable refrigerants are used, then safety is improved, but refrigerating capacity and pressure characteristics are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the compositional parameters to ensure ASHRAE non-flammability (Class 1) while maintaining refrigerating capacity≥85% of R404A and compressor outlet pressure within ±10% of R22. The optimized ratio achieves this triple constraint
4Stress or pressure
If R22 is used as alternative refrigerant, then compressor outlet pressure is matched, but global warming potential and flammability issues remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters to achieve compressor outlet pressure within ±10% of R22 (130-150 psig) while simultaneously achieving GWP≤1500 and non-flammability. The pressure characteristics are controlled through the R134a and R143a content ratio
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a refrigerant composition that has a low GWP and ASHRAE non-flammability performance. Specifically, the present invention provides a composition comprising a mixture of fluorinated hydrocarbons, the mixture comprising difluoromethane (R32), pentafluoroethane (R125), 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R134a), and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf) at specific concentrations.