Working Fluid Composition for Heat Cycle Systems to Reduce GWP

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current working fluids for heat cycle systems, such as R410A, have high global warming potential (GWP) and ozone layer depletion concerns, necessitating the development of alternatives with lower GWP and improved cycle performance.

Innovation Solution

A composition for a heat cycle system using a working fluid comprising HFO-1123, difluoromethane (HFC-32), and trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze(E)) is proposed, which maintains cycle performance while significantly reducing GWP and temperature glide.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If R410A (HFC-32 and HFC-125 mixture) is used as working fluid, then high refrigerating capacity and cycle performance are achieved, but global warming potential becomes excessively high (GWP=2088)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerating capacityVSAvoidglobal warming potential

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the working fluid by replacing HFC-125 with HFO-1234ze(E), thereby reducing GWP from 2088 to below 150 while maintaining refrigerating capacity through optimized mass ratios of HFC-32 (10-50 mass%) and HFO-1234ze(E) (50-90 mass%)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite working fluid mixture combining HFC-32 and HFO-1234ze(E) in specific proportions, achieving synergistic effects that provide both low GWP and high refrigerating capacity, overcoming the limitations of single-component or conventional mixed refrigerants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If HFO-1123 is used as working fluid, then global warming potential is reduced, but cycle performance and refrigerating capacity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidrefrigerating capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges HFO-1123 with other low-GWP components (HFC-32 and HFO-1234ze(E)) in specific ratios, combining the low GWP advantage of HFO-1123 with the high refrigerating capacity of HFC-32 and the performance enhancement of HFO-1234ze(E) to achieve both environmental and performance goals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If alternative working fluids with lower GWP are developed, then environmental sustainability is improved, but cycle performance and efficiency may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidcycle performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the mass ratio parameters of HFC-32 and HFO-1234ze(E) to achieve a balance between low GWP and high cycle performance, ensuring that the alternative refrigerant mixture maintains reliability and efficiency comparable to or exceeding conventional R410A

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3109291B1Composition for heat cycle system, and heat cycle system

Publication Date: 2023.01.11 AGC INC

Figure 1~2

AI summary

To provide a composition for a hat cycle system which comprises a working fluid containing HFO-1123 and having cycle performance sufficient as an alternative to R410A while the influence over global warming is suppressed, and a heat cycle system employing the composition. A composition for a heat cycle system, which comprises a working fluid for heat cycle containing trifluoroethylene and having a global warming potential (100 years) in Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Fourth assessment report, of less than 675, and a heat cycle system employing the composition for a heat cycle system.