Working medium for heat cycle, composition for heat cycle system, and heat cycle system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current working fluids for heat cycles, such as R410A, have high global warming potential and self-decomposition issues, necessitating the development of a fluid with low global warming potential and improved durability.

Innovation Solution

A working fluid composition containing trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123) and trifluoroiodomethane, with a mass ratio of 60-80%, combined with other hydrofluorocarbons or hydrofluoroolefins, to enhance cycle performance and suppress self-decomposition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If HFO-1123 is used as a working fluid to reduce global warming potential, then environmental friendliness is improved, but self-decomposition occurs under high temperature or pressure conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal warming potentialVSAvoidself-decomposition property
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces CF3I (trifluoroiodomethane) as an intermediary substance that suppresses the self-decomposition of HFO-1123. The CF3I acts as a mediator in the chemical reactions, preventing the harmful decomposition of HFO-1123 under high temperature and pressure conditions while maintaining the low global warming potential of the working fluid mixture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite working fluid system by combining HFO-1123 with CF3I and other HFCs/HFOs. This composite mixture leverages the low GWP of HFO-1123 while using CF3I and complementary components to suppress self-decomposition and improve overall stability, achieving a balance between environmental performance and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If R410A is used as a working fluid, then cycle performance and refrigerating capacity are improved, but global warming potential increases significantly

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 R410A (HFC-32/HFC-125 mixture with GWP 2088) with a new mixture containing HFO-1123 (GWP 103) combined with CF3I and other low-GWP components. This parameter change in composition achieves comparable refrigerating capacity while dramatically reducing global warming potential.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If HFO-1123 is used to replace R410A, then environmental impact is reduced, but durability under high temperature conditions deteriorates due to self-decomposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffect on ozone layer and global warmingVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

CF3I serves as a protective intermediary that extends the durability of HFO-1123 by suppressing its self-decomposition under high temperature conditions. This intermediary substance allows HFO-1123 to maintain its environmental advantages while achieving the durability needed for practical long-term use in heat cycle systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-mixing CF3I with HFO-1123 before the heat cycle operation begins. This pre-combination creates a protective chemical environment that prevents self-decomposition from occurring in the first place under high temperature conditions, ensuring durability from the start of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 fluid achieves excellent cycle performance, low global warming potential, and improved durability, effectively replacing R410A while minimizing self-decomposition reactions.

Implementation Method 1

HFO-1123 is known to undergo what is called a self-decomposition reaction when there is an ignition source at higher temperature or under high pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-decomposition reaction: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

hydrofluoroolefin (HFO), that is, HFC having a carbon-carbon double bond, which is a working fluid having less effect on the ozone layer and less effect on global warming because the carbon-carbon double bond is likely to be decomposed by OH radicals in the air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadical decomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentEP3305869B1Working medium for heat cycle, composition for heat cycle system, and heat cycle system
Publication Date: 2022.09.14 AGC INC
  • EP3305869B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3305869B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3305869B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A working fluid for a heat cycle, contains: trifluoroethylene; and a first component consisting of at least one of substance selected from carbon dioxide, fluoromethane, trifluoroiodomethane, methane, ethane, propane, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, nitrogen and ammonia.