HEAT TRANSFER COMPOSITIONS, METHODS AND SYSTEMS
The present invention relates to a refrigerant composition, including difluoromethane (HFC-32), pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I) for use in a heat exchange system, including air conditioning and refrigeration applications and in particular aspects to the use of such compositions as a replacement of the refrigerant R-410A for heating and cooling applications and to retrofitting heat exchange systems, including systems designed for use with R-410A.
1 . A refrigerant comprising at least about 97% by weight of a combination of the following three compounds, said combination consisting essentially of:
about 49% by weight difluoromethane (HFC-32),
about 11.5% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and
about 39.5% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I)
wherein the percentages are based on the total weight of said three compounds.
2 . The refrigerant of claim 1 wherein said refrigerant comprises at least about 98.5% by weight of said combination of three compounds.
3 . The refrigerant of claim 1 wherein said refrigerant comprises at least about 99.5% by weight of said combination of three compounds.
4 . The refrigerant of claim 3 wherein said refrigerant is non-flammable.
5 . A heat transfer composition comprising the refrigerant of claim 4 .
6 . A heat transfer composition comprising the refrigerant of claim 4 and POE lubricant.
7 . The refrigerant of claim 1 wherein said combination consists essentially of:
49%+/−0.3% by weight of difluoromethane (HFC-32),
11.5%+/−0.3% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and
39.5%+/−0.3% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I)
8 . The refrigerant of claim 7 wherein said refrigerant is non-flammable.
9 . A heat transfer composition comprising the refrigerant of claim 7 .
10 . A heat transfer composition comprising the refrigerant of claim 7 and POE lubricant. blend.
11 . A method of cooling in a heat transfer system comprising an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor, the process comprising:
i) condensing a refrigerant comprising:
at least about 97% by weight of a combination of the following three compounds, said combination consisting essentially of:
about 49% by weight difluoromethane (HFC-32), about 11.5% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and
about 39.5% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I), wherein the percentages are based on the total weight of said three compounds;
ii) evaporating said refrigerant in the vicinity of body or article to be cooled, wherein the evaporating temperature of said refrigerant is in the range of from about −40° C. to about −10° C.
12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the evaporating temperature of said refrigerant is in the range of from about −20° C. to about 3° C.
13 . The method of claim 11 wherein the evaporating temperature of said refrigerant is in the range of from about 0° C. to about 10° C.
14 . The method of claim 11 wherein the evaporating temperature of said refrigerant is in the range of from about −12° C. to about 0° C.
15 . The method of claim 11 wherein the evaporating temperature of said refrigerant is in the range of from about −40° C. to about −12° C.
16 . A heat transfer system comprising an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor and a refrigerant in the system, said refrigerant comprising:
at least about 97% by weight of a combination of the following three compounds, said combination consisting essentially of:
about 49% by weight difluoromethane (HFC-32), about 11.5% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and
about 39.5% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I), wherein the percentages are based on the total weight of said three compounds.
17 . The refrigerant of claim 16 wherein said refrigerant comprises at least about 98.5% by weight of said combination of three compounds.
18 . The refrigerant of claim 16 wherein said refrigerant comprises at least about 99.5% by weight of said combination of three compounds.
19 . The refrigerant of claim 16 wherein said refrigerant is non-flammable.
20 . A heat transfer composition comprising the refrigerant of claim 19 and POE lubricant.