Heat transfer compositions
According to the present invention, there is provided a composition comprising 1,1-difluoroethylene (R-1132a), difluoromethane (R-32), 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R-1234yf) and carbo dioxide (CO 2 , R-744). The invention also provides a composition R-1132a, R-32, R-1234yf and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: pentafluoroethane (R-125), 1,1-difluoroethane (R-152a), 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a), trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R-1234ze(E)) and 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (R-227ea); optionally, the composition comprises at least one further compound selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethylene (R-1123), propane (R-290), propylene (R-1270), isobutane (R-600a) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 , R-744). The present invention also provides a composition comprising R-1132a, R-32 and R-1234yf.
1. A composition comprising:
(a) from about 2 to about 15 weight % of 1,1-difluoroethene (R-1132a);
(b) from about 20 to about 60 weight % of difluoromethane (R-32);
(c) from about 25 to about 70 weight % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R-1234yf); and
(d) from about 2 to about 12 weight % of carbon dioxide (CO 2 , R-744);
based on the total weight of the composition.
2. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises:
(a) from about 4 to about 10 weight % of R-1132a;
(b) from about 30 to about 48 weight % of R-32;
(c) from about 34 to about 64 weight % of R-1234yf; and
(d) from about 2 to about 8 weight % of CO 2 ;
based on the total weight of the composition.
3. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises from about 5 to about 10 weight % of R-1132a based on the total weight of the composition.
4. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises from about 5 to about 8 weight % of R-1132a based on the total weight of the composition.
5. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises from about 32 to about 44 weight % of R-32 based on the total weight of the composition.
6. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises from about 36 to about 40 weight % of R-32 based on the total weight of the composition.
7. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises from about 34 to about 60 weight % of R-1234yf based on the total weight of the composition.
8. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises from about 43 to about 54 weight % of R-1234yf based on the total weight of the composition.
9. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises from about 2 to about 7 weight % of CO 2 based on the total weight of the composition.
10. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises from about 3 to about 6 weight % of CO 2 based on the total weight of the composition.
11. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises:
about 6 weight % R-1132a, about 40 weight % R-32, about 51 weight % R-1234yf and about 3 weight % CO 2 ;
about 7 weight % R-1132a, about 36 weight % R-32, about 54 weight % R-1234yf and about 3 weight % CO 2 ;
about 9 weight % R-1132a, about 44 weight % R-32, about 43 weight % R-1234yf and about 4 weight % CO 2 ; or
about 7 weight % R-1132a, about 30 weight % R-32, about 60 weight % R-1234yf and about 3 weight % CO 2 ;
based on the total weight of the composition.
12. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the manufacturing tolerances are +1/−0.5 weight % CO 2 ; +0.5/−1 weight % R-1132a; ±1 weight % R-32; and ±2 weight % R-1234yf.
13. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the Worst-Case Formulation for Flammability (WCFF) of the composition in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 34 Appendix B has a molar volume concentration of R-1132a which is less than about 35% v/v or less than about 30% v/v based on the total volume of the composition.
14. A composition according to claim 1 consisting essentially of the stated components.
15. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition is less flammable than R-1132a alone, wherein the composition has:
a. a higher flammable limit
b. a higher ignition energy; and/or
c. a lower flame velocity
compared to R-1132a alone.
16. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the composition is non-flammable, wherein the composition is non-flammable from at ambient temperature, up to wherein the composition is non-flammable at 60° C.
17. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition has a temperature glide in an evaporator or condenser of less than about 15K, less than about 10K, or less than about 6K.
18. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the composition has a volumetric refrigeration capacity which is within about 15% of that of R-410A, or within about 10% of R-410A.
19. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the operating condenser pressure in a condenser containing the composition is within about 10% of that of the condenser containing R-410A, or within about 5%.
20. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the operating condenser pressure in a condenser containing the composition is lower than that of the condenser containing R-410A.
21. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than about 300, or less than about 280.
22. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the composition has a burning velocity of less than about 10 cm/s as measured by ASHRAE Standard 34.
23. A composition comprising a lubricant and a composition according to claim 1 , optionally wherein the lubricant is selected from mineral oil, silicone oil, polyalkyl benzenes (PABs), polyol esters (POEs), polyalkylene glycols (PAGs), polyalkylene glycol esters (PAG esters), polyvinyl ethers (PVEs), poly alpha-olefins and combinations thereof, or wherein the lubricant is selected from PAGs or POEs.
24. A composition comprising a stabiliser and a composition according to claim 1 , optionally wherein the stabiliser is selected from diene-based compounds, phosphates, phenol compounds and epoxides, and mixtures thereof.
25. A composition comprising a flame retardant and a composition according to claim 1 , optionally wherein the flame retardant is selected from the group consisting of tri-(2-chloroethyl)-phosphate, (chloropropyl) phosphate, tri-(2,3-dibromopropyl)-phosphate, tri-(1,3-dichloropropyl)-phosphate, diammonium phosphate, various halogenated aromatic compounds, antimony oxide, aluminium trihydrate, polyvinyl chloride, a fluorinated iodocarbon, a fluorinated bromocarbon, trifluoro iodomethane, perfluoroalkyl amines, bromo-fluoroalkyl amines and mixtures thereof.
26. A heat transfer device containing a composition as defined in claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer device comprises a refrigeration device, a residential or commercial air conditioning system, a heat pump or a commercial or industrial refrigeration system.
27. A sprayable composition comprising material to be sprayed and a propellant comprising a composition as defined in claim 1 .
28. A method for cooling an article which comprises condensing a composition defined in claim 1 and thereafter evaporating the composition in the vicinity of the article to be cooled.
29. A method for heating an article which comprises condensing a composition as defined in claim 1 in the vicinity of the article to be heated and thereafter evaporating the composition.
30. A method for extracting a substance from biomass comprising contacting biomass with a solvent comprising a composition as defined in claim 1 and separating the substance from the solvent.
31. A method of cleaning an article comprising contacting the article with a solvent comprising a composition as defined in claim 1 .
32. A method of extracting a material from an aqueous solution or from a particulate solid matrix comprising contacting the aqueous solution or the particulate solid matrix with a solvent comprising a composition as defined in claim 1 and separating the material from the solvent.
33. A mechanical power generation device containing a composition as defined in claim 1 , optionally wherein the mechanical power generating is adapted to use a Rankine Cycle or modification thereof to generate work from heat.
34. A method of retrofitting a heat transfer device comprising the step of removing an existing heat transfer composition, and introducing a composition as defined in claim 1 , optionally wherein the heat transfer device is a commercial or industrial refrigeration device, a heat pump, or a residential or commercial air conditioning system.
35. A method for reducing the environmental impact arising from the operation of a product comprising an existing compound or composition, the method comprising replacing at least partially the existing compound or composition with a composition as defined in claim 1 , optionally wherein the use of the composition of the invention results in a lower Total Equivalent Warming Impact, and/or a lower Life-Cycle Carbon Production than is attained by use of the existing compound or composition, wherein the method is carried out on a product from the fields of air-conditioning, refrigeration, heat transfer, aerosols or sprayable propellants, gaseous dielectrics, flame suppression, solvents, cleaners, topical anaesthetics, and expansion applications, wherein the product is selected from a heat transfer device, a sprayable composition, a solvent or a mechanical power generation device, or wherein the product is a heat transfer device comprising a residential or commercial air conditioning system, a heat pump or a commercial or industrial refrigeration system.
36. A method according to claim 34 wherein the existing compound or composition is a heat transfer composition, optionally wherein the heat transfer composition is a refrigerant selected from R-410A, R-454B, R-452B and R-32.
37. A composition comprising:
(a) from about 6 to about 18 weight % of 1,1-difluoroethene (R-1132a);
(b) from about 20 to about 65 weight % of difluoromethane (R-32); and
(c) from about 15 to about 60 weight % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R-1234A based on the total weight of the composition; and
(d) carbon dioxide (CO 2 , R-744).
38. A composition according to claim 37 comprising from about 6 to about 15 weight % of R-1132a based on the total weight of the composition.
39. A composition according to claim 37 comprising from about 7 to about 10 weight % of R-1132a based on the total weight of the composition.
40. A composition according to claim 37 , wherein the composition comprises from about 6 to about 7 weight % R-1132a.
41. A composition according to claim 37 comprising from about 25 to about 65 weight % of R-32 based on the total weight of the composition.
42. A composition according to claim 37 comprising from about 40 to about 60 weight % of R-32 based on the total weight of the composition.
43. A composition according to claim 37 comprising from about 20 to about 60 weight % of R-1234yf based on the total weight of the composition.
44. A composition according to claim 37 comprising from about 30 to about 55 weight % of R-1234yf based on the total weight of the composition.
45. A composition according to claim 37 , wherein the composition has a volumetric cooling capacity that is within about 15% of that of R-410A, or within about 10% of that of R-410A.
46. A composition according to claim 37 , wherein the composition has a temperature glide in an evaporator or condenser of less than about 10K, less than about 7K, or less than about 5K.
47. A composition according to claim 37 , wherein the operating condenser pressure in a condenser containing the composition is within about 10% of that of the condenser containing R-410A, or within about 5%.
48. A composition according to claim 37 , wherein the operating condenser pressure in a condenser containing the composition is lower than of that of the condenser containing R-410A.
49. A composition according to claim 37 , wherein the composition has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than about 300, or less than about 280.
50. A composition according to claim 37 , wherein the Worst-Case Formulation for Flammability (WCFF) of the composition in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 34 Appendix B has a molar volume concentration of R-1132a which is less than about 35% v/v or less than about 30% v/v based on the total volume of the composition.
51. A composition according to claim 37 , wherein the composition has a compressor discharge temperature which is within about 10K of that of R-410A, or within about 5K of that of R-410A.
52. A composition according to claim 37 wherein the manufacturing tolerances of the composition are +0.5/−1 weight % R-1132a; ±1 weight % R-32; and ±1.5 weight % R-1234yf.
53. A method of retrofitting a heat transfer device comprising the step of removing an existing heat transfer composition, and introducing a composition comprising a POE lubricant and a composition according to claim 47 as a replacement for the existing heat transfer composition in a commercial air conditioning system.
54. A method of retrofitting a heat transfer device comprising the step of removing an existing heat transfer composition, and introducing a composition comprising a POE lubricant and a composition according to claim 37 as a replacement for the existing heat transfer composition in a commercial refrigeration system.
55. The method according to claim 53 wherein the existing heat transfer composition is R-410A.
56. A vessel comprising a composition according to claim 37 in an amount of up to about 90% v/v based on the total volume of the vessel, wherein the vessel has a temperature of about −40° C. and wherein the composition comprises R-1132a in a molar volume concentration of less than about 35% v/v, or less than about 30% v/v, based on the total volume of the composition, optionally wherein the vessel is a cylinder.