Azeotrope-like compositions of tetrafluoropropene and hydrofluorocarbons
View Patent ↗Provided are azeotrope-like compositions comprising tetrafluoropropene and hydrofluorocarbons and uses thereof, including use in refrigerant compositions, refrigeration systems, blowing agent compositions, and aerosol propellants.
1. An azeotrope-like composition consisting essentially of (a) trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (trans HFO-1234ze) and (b) 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (“HFC-134a”), said HFC-134a being present in the azeotrope-like composition in a range of from about 25 wt % to less than 100 wt %, wherein said composition range includes a minimum boiling azeotrope having a liquid composition component concentration equal to the vapor composition component concentration, whereby at a pressure of about 14.4 psia said azeotrope-like composition has a boiling point of −25° C.+/−3° C.
2. A heat transfer composition comprising the azeotrope-like composition of claim 1 .
3. The heat transfer composition of claim 2 wherein said azeotrope-like composition has a boiling point of from about −26° C. to about −23° C. at a pressure of about 14.4 psia.
4. A heat transfer system comprising the heat transfer composition of claim 3 .
5. An air conditioning system comprising the heat transfer composition of claim 3 .
6. A refrigeration system originally designed for use with HFC-134a and comprising the heat transfer composition of claim 2 .
7. The heat transfer composition of claim 2 wherein said heat transfer composition is non-flammable.
8. The heat transfer composition of claim 7 further comprising a lubricant.
9. The heat transfer system of claim 4 wherein said heat transfer system is selected from the group consisting of an automotive air conditioning system, a heat pump system, and a stationary air conditioning system.
10. The heat transfer system of claim 4 comprising a chiller.
11. The heat transfer system of claim 4 wherein said chiller comprises a centrifugal compressor.
12. The heat transfer system of claim 4 comprising a commercial refrigeration system.
13. The heat transfer composition of claim 2 having a global warming potential (“GWP”) less than about 1000.
14. The heat transfer composition of claim 2 having a GWP less than about 500.
15. The refrigeration system of claim 6 wherein said heat transfer composition has a GWP less than about 1000.
16. The refrigeration system of claim 6 wherein said heat transfer composition has a GWP less than about 500.
17. The heat transfer system of claim 11 wherein said heat transfer composition has a GWP less than about 1000.
18. The heat transfer system of claim 12 wherein said heat transfer composition has a GWP less than about 500.