JP-H05-117643; Inventors: Yoshida et al.; Published May 14, 1993
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`(54) [Title of the Invention] WORKING FLUID
`(57) [Abstract]
`[Object] The present invention provides a working fluid that
`hardly affects the stratospheric ozone layer and is an
`alternative to R22.
`[Configuration] A working fluid contains three types of
`chlorofluorocarbons of pentafluoroethane (C2HF5), propane
`(C3H8), and tetrafluoroethane (C2H2F4) in a composition range
`of the pentafluoroethane of approximately 55 to approximately
`85% by weight, the propane of 0 to approximately 10% by weight,
`and the tetrafluoroethane of approximately 15 to approximately
`45% by weight, and particularly desirably in a composition
`range of the pentafluoroethane of approximately 55 to
`approximately 80% by weight, the propane of 0 to approximately
`6% by weight, and the tetrafluoroethane of approximately 15
`to approximately 45% by weight.
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`(54) [Title of the Invention] WORKING FLUID
`(57) [Abstract]
`[Object] The present invention provides a working fluid that
`hardly affects the stratospheric ozone layer and is an
`alternative to R22.
`[Configuration] A working fluid contains three types of
`chlorofluorocarbons of pentafluoroethane (C2HF5), propane
`(C3H8), and tetrafluoroethane (C2H2F4) in a composition range
`of the pentafluoroethane of approximately 55 to approximately
`85% by weight, the propane of 0 to approximately 10% by weight,
`and the tetrafluoroethane of approximately 15 to approximately
`45% by weight, and particularly desirably in a composition
`range of the pentafluoroethane of approximately 55 to
`approximately 80% by weight, the propane of 0 to approximately
`6% by weight, and the tetrafluoroethane of approximately 15
`to approximately 45% by weight.
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`[Claims]
`[Claim 1] A working fluid, containing: at least three types
`of chlorofluorocarbons of 55 to 85% by weight of
`pentafluoroethane; 10% by weight or less of propane; and 15
`to 45% by weight of tetrafluoroethane.
`[Claim 2] A working fluid, containing: 55 to 80% by weight
`of pentafluoroethane; 6% by weight or less of propane; and 15
`to 45% by weight of tetrafluoroethane.
`[Detailed Description of the Invention]
`[0001]
`[Technical Field of Application] The present invention
`relates to a working fluid to be used in a heat pump device
`such as for an air conditioner and a refrigerator.
`[0002]
`[Related Art] In the related art, in a heat pump device such
`as for an air conditioner and a refrigerator, halogenated
`hydrocarbon referred to as chlorofluorocarbons (hereinafter,
`referred to as R or R) is known as a working fluid,
`and a condensation temperature and/or a vaporization
`temperature are generally used in a range of approximately 0
`to approximately 50°C, as a use temperature. Among them,
`chlorodifluoromethane (CHClF2, R22) is widely used as a working
`fluid for a domestic air conditioner, an air conditioner for
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`a building, and a large refrigerator.
`[0003]
`[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, recently,
`the destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer due to
`chlorofluorocarbon has become a global environmental problem,
`and for chlorofluorocarbons having large stratospheric ozone
`destruction ability (hereinafter, referred to as specific
`chlorofluorocarbon), the use amount and the production amount
`are already restricted by an international treaty, and in the
`future, the use and the production of the specific
`chlorofluorocarbon may be abolished. R22 has a small ozone
`destruction coefficient of 0.05 (stratospheric ozone
`destruction ability when the stratospheric ozone destruction
`ability of the trichlorofluoromethane (CCl3F) is set to 1,
`hereinafter, referred to as ODP), the use amount is expected
`to increase in the future even though it is not the specific
`chlorofluorocarbon, and an increase in the use amount and the
`production amount of R22 is expected to increase an influence
`on the human living environment in the current situation where
`refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment widely spread.
`Accordingly, there is a strong demand for the early
`development of the working fluid as an alternative to R22 to
`be regarded to have slight destruction ability even though the
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`stratospheric ozone destruction ability is small.
`[0004] The present invention has been made in consideration
`of the problems described above, and an object thereof is to
`provide a working fluid that hardly affects the stratospheric
`ozone layer and is an alternative to R22.
`[0005]
`[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to attain the object
`described above, the present invention contains at least:
`three types of chlorofluorocarbons of pentafluoroethane
`(C2HF5), propane (C3H8), and tetrafluoroethane (C2H2F4), in a
`composition range of the pentafluoroethane of approximately
`55 to approximately 85% by weight, the propane of 0 to
`approximately 10% by weight, and the tetrafluoroethane of
`approximately 15 to approximately 45% by weight, and
`particularly desirably in a composition range of the
`pentafluoroethane of approximately 55 to approximately 80% by
`weight, the propane of 0 to 6% by weight, and the
`tetrafluoroethane of approximately 15 to approximately 45% by
`weight.
`[0006]
`[Action and Effect] Examples of a single refrigerant having
`approximately the same boiling point as R22 (a boiling point
`of -40.8°C) include propane (a boiling point of -42.1°C), and
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`it is known that propane is flammable, but can be substantially
`non-flammable by setting a composition range of a mixture to
`0 to approximately 10% by weight, and more desirably, can be
`almost non-flammable by setting the composition range to 0 to
`approximately 6% by weight.
`[0007] According to the present invention, the working fluid
`is a mixture containing pentafluoroethane (ODP = 0), propane
`(ODP = 0), and tetrafluoroethane (ODP = 0), which is
`chlorofluorocarbons having no chlorine in the molecular
`structure and almost no ozone destruction ability, by the
`combination described above, and thus, an influence on the
`stratospheric ozone layer can be reduced to be almost
`eliminated, compared to R22. In particular, propane is
`flammable, but pentafluoroethane and tetrafluoroethane are
`non-flammable, and pentafluoroethane and tetrafluoroethane
`are mixed to limit the composition range of propane, and thus,
`the flammability can be reduced, and it is the first time that
`the range of a composition as an alternative to R22 is
`specified, as with the present invention.
`[0008] Further, according to the present invention, it is
`possible to provide a working fluid having a vapor pressure
`equivalent to that of R22 at approximately 0 to approximately
`50°C which is a use temperature of a heat pump device such as
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`for an air conditioner and a refrigerator, and which can be
`used in a current apparatus as an alternative to R22. Thus,
`an ODP in the combination and composition ranges described
`above is also expected to be 0, resulting in a highly promising
`working fluid as an alternative to R22. Moreover, since such
`a mixture becomes a non-azeotropic mixture and has a
`temperature gradient in the condensation process and the
`evaporation process, it is possible to expect a higher
`coefficient of performance than R22 by constructing a Rolenz
`cycle in which a temperature difference with a heat source
`fluid is decreased.
`[0009] Also, in general, chlorofluorocarbons having
`stratospheric ozone destruction ability tend to have a large
`effect of global warming according to the magnitude of the ODP
`value thereof, but since the working fluid according to the
`present invention contains a mixture of three or more types
`of only chlorofluorocarbons with an ODP of 0, the effect of
`global warming is estimated to be similar to R22 or less than
`R22, which makes it possible to reduce the contribution to
`global warming that has recently become a global problem.
`[0010]
`[Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a working fluid
`according to the present invention will be described with
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`reference to the drawings.
`[0011] Fig. 1 illustrates an equilibrium state of a working
`fluid
`containing
`a
`mixture
`of
`three
`types
`of
`chlorofluorocarbons of pentafluoroethane (R125), propane
`(R290), and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R134a) at a constant
`temperature and a constant pressure using a triangular
`coordinate. In this triangular coordinate, a single substance
`is arranged in the descending order of a boiling point in a
`counterclockwise direction with the upper vertex in each
`vertex of a triangle as a base point, and the composition
`ratio (weight ratio) of each component at a certain point on
`the coordinate plane is represented by a ratio of a distance
`between the point and each side of the triangle. Further, at
`this time, the distance between the point and the side of the
`triangle corresponds to the composition ratio of the substance
`marked at the vertex of the triangular coordinate on a side
`opposite to the side of the triangle. In Fig. 1, a reference
`numeral 1 indicates a gas-liquid equilibrium line of the
`mixture at a temperature of 0°C and a pressure of 4.044 kg/cm2G,
`and the temperature and the pressure correspond to a saturated
`state of R22. The upper line of the gas-liquid equilibrium
`line (corresponding to R22 0°C) 1 represents a saturated gas
`phase line, the lower line of the gas-liquid equilibrium line
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`(corresponding to R22 0°C) 1 represents a saturated liquid
`phase line, and a gas-liquid equilibrium state is formed in a
`range interposed between the two lines. In addition, a
`reference numeral 2 indicates a gas-liquid equilibrium line
`of the mixture at a temperature of 50°C and a pressure of
`18.782 kg/cm2G, and the temperature and the pressure also
`correspond to the saturated state of R22. If only R23 is used
`at 50°C, the temperature is over a critical temperature, but
`by making this mixture, a saturated state is present, and thus
`the mixture can be used in a heat pump device such as for an
`air conditioner and a refrigerator at a use temperature of
`approximately 0 to approximately 50°C. As can be seen from
`the drawings, when the composition range of R290 is limited
`to 0 to approximately 10% by weight, the composition ranges
`of R125, R290, and R134a that are approximately 55 to
`approximately 75% by weight, 0 to approximately 10% by weight,
`and approximately 25 to approximately 45% by weight,
`respectively, are desirable, because it has a vapor pressure
`substantially equal to that of R22 at a use temperature of
`approximately 0 to approximately 50°C, and is almost non-
`flammable. Further, when the composition range of R290 is
`limited to 0 to approximately 6% by weight, the composition
`ranges of R125, R290, and R134a that are each approximately
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`55 to approximately 65% by weight, 0 to approximately 6% by
`weight, and approximately 30 to approximately 45% by weight,
`respectively, are particularly desirable, because it has a
`vapor pressure substantially equal to that of R22 at all use
`temperatures between 0°C and 50°C, and is almost non-flammable.
`[0012] The composition of the working fluid at a point A1 to
`a point F1 in Fig. 1 is shown in (Table 1).
`[0013]
`[Table 1]
`F1
`E1
`D1
`C1
`B1
`A1
`
`R125
`56.8
`56.6
`56.4
`64.6
`65.3
`65.6
`(% by weight)
`R290
`2.2
`3.5
`4.6
`6.0
`3.2
`2.1
`(% by weight)
`R134a
`41.0
`39.9
`39.0
`29.4
`31.5
`32.4
`(% by weight)
`[0014] The point A1 to the point C1 are on a saturated gas
`phase line of the gas-liquid equilibrium line (corresponding
`to R22 50°C) 2, the point D1 to the point F1 are on a saturated
`liquid phase line of the gas-liquid equilibrium line
`(corresponding to R22 50°C) 2, and the points are in a range
`interposed between both lines of the saturated gas phase line
`of the gas-liquid equilibrium line (corresponding to R22 0°C)
`1 and the saturated liquid phase line of the gas-liquid
`equilibrium line (corresponding to R22 0°C) 1, and thus, a
`gas-liquid equilibrium state is formed at a temperature of 0°C
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`JP-H05-117643; Inventors: Yoshida et al.; Published May 14, 1993
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`and a pressure of 4.044 kg/cm2G (corresponding to the saturated
`state of R22). Thus, a working fluid having the composition
`shown in Table 1 can obtain a condensation temperature and a
`vaporization temperature substantially equal to R22 by
`realizing a saturated state or a gas-liquid equilibrium state
`under the condition of saturated vapor pressure of R22 at 0°C
`and 50°C, and operating at the saturated vapor pressure of R22
`at the same temperature at a use temperature of approximately
`0 to approximately 50°C.
`[0015] Here, only the points on the gas-liquid equilibrium
`line (corresponding to R22 50°C) 2 will be described, but the
`same applies to a working fluid having points inside the point
`A1 to the point F1, that is, a composition in which a gas-
`liquid equilibrium state is formed at a temperature of 0°C and
`a pressure of 4.044 kg/cm2G and a temperature of 50°C and a
`pressure of 18.782 kg/cm2G (both corresponding to the saturated
`state of R22), and thus, a condensation temperature and a
`vaporization temperature substantially equal to R22 can be
`obtained at a use temperature of approximately 0 to
`approximately 50°C.
`[0016] Fig. 2 illustrates an equilibrium state of a working
`fluid
`containing
`a
`mixture
`of
`three
`types
`of
`chlorofluorocarbons
`of
`R125,
`R290,
`and
`1,1,2,2-
`
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`tetrafluoroethane (R134) at a constant temperature and a
`constant pressure using a triangular coordinate. In Fig. 2,
`a reference numeral 3 indicates a gas-liquid equilibrium line
`of the mixture at a temperature of 0°C and a pressure of 4.044
`kg/cm2G, and a reference numeral 4 indicates a gas-liquid
`equilibrium line of the mixture at a temperature of 50°C and
`a pressure of 18.782 kg/cm2G. In this case, when the
`composition range of R290 is limited to 0 to approximately 10%
`by weight, the composition ranges of R125, R290, and R134 that
`are approximately 60 to approximately 85% by weight, 0 to
`approximately 10% by weight, and approximately 15 to
`approximately 35% by weight, respectively, are desirable,
`because it has a vapor pressure substantially equal to that
`of R22, and is almost non-flammable, and when the composition
`range of R290 is limited to 0 to approximately 6% by weight,
`the composition ranges of R125, R290, and R134 that are
`approximately 70 to approximately 80% by weight, 0 to
`approximately 6% by weight, and approximately 15 to
`approximately 30% by weight, respectively, are particularly
`desirable.
`[0017] The composition of the working fluid at a point A2 to
`a point F2 in Fig. 2 is shown in (Table 2).
`[0018]
`
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`[Table 2]
`F2
`E2
`D2
`C2
`B2
`A2
`
`R125
`69.2
`68.6
`68.0
`78.0
`78.5
`79.3
`(% by weight)
`R290
`2.6
`4.1
`5.3
`4.8
`3.8
`2.4
`(% by weight)
`R134
`28.2
`27.3
`26.7
`17.2
`17.7
`18.3
`(% by weight)
`[0019] The point A2 to the point C2 are on a saturated gas
`phase line of the gas-liquid equilibrium line (corresponding
`to R22 50°C) 4, the point D2 to the point F2 are on a saturated
`liquid phase line of the gas-liquid equilibrium line
`(corresponding to R22 50°C) 4, and the points are in a range
`interposed between both lines of the saturated gas phase line
`of the gas-liquid equilibrium line (corresponding to R22 0°C)
`3 and the saturated liquid phase line of the gas-liquid
`equilibrium line (corresponding to R22 0°C) 3, and thus, a
`gas-liquid equilibrium state is formed at a temperature of 0°C
`and a pressure of 4.044 kg/cm2G (corresponding to the saturated
`state of R22). Thus, a working fluid having the composition
`shown in Table 2 can obtain a condensation temperature and a
`vaporization temperature substantially equal to R22 by
`realizing the saturated state or the gas-liquid equilibrium
`state under the condition of saturated vapor pressure of R22
`at 0°C and 50°C, and operating at the saturated vapor pressure
`of R22 at the same temperature at a use temperature of
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`approximately 0 to approximately 50°C.
`[0020] Here, only the points on the gas-liquid equilibrium
`line (corresponding to R22 50°C) 4 will be described, but the
`same applies to a working fluid having points inside the point
`A2 to the point F2, that is, a composition in which a gas-
`liquid equilibrium state is formed at a temperature of 0°C and
`a pressure of 4.044 kg/cm2G and a temperature of 50°C and a
`pressure of 18.782 kg/cm2G (both corresponding to the saturated
`state of R22), and thus, a condensation temperature and a
`vaporization temperature substantially equal to R22 can be
`obtained at a use temperature of approximately 0 to
`approximately 50°C.
`[0021] In the embodiment described above, the working fluid
`contains the mixture of three types of chlorofluorocarbons,
`the working fluid is also capable of containing a mixture of
`four or more types of chlorofluorocarbons including a
`structural isomer, and in such a case, the composition range
`of the pentafluoroethane of approximately 55 to approximately
`85% by weight, the propane of 0 to approximately 10% by weight,
`and the tetrafluoroethane of approximately 15 to approximately
`45% by weight is desirable, because it has a vapor pressure
`substantially equal to R22 at a use temperature of
`approximately 0 to approximately 50°C, and is almost non-
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`flammable. Further, the composition range of the
`pentafluoroethane of approximately 55 to approximately 80% by
`weight, the propane of 0 to approximately 6% by weight, and
`the tetrafluoroethane of approximately 15 to approximately 45%
`by weight is particularly desirable, because it has a vapor
`pressure substantially equal to that of R22 at all use
`temperatures between 0°C and 50°C, and is almost non-flammable.
`In particular, an ODP in the combination and the composition
`ranges described above is also expected to be 0, resulting in
`a highly promising working fluid as an alternative to R22. In
`addition, since such a mixture becomes a non-azeotropic
`mixture and has a temperature gradient in the condensation
`process and the evaporation process, it is possible to expect
`a higher coefficient of performance than R22 by constructing
`a Rolenz cycle in which a temperature difference with a heat
`source fluid is decreased.
`[0022]
`[Effects of the Invention] As is apparent from the description,
`the present invention is in that a working fluid is a mixture
`comprising 3 or more kinds of fluorocarbons, that is, 2 kinds
`of fluorocarbons containing no chlorine in the molecular
`structure and one kind of fluorocarbon having both chlorine
`and hydrogen in the molecular structure and having extremely
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`small ozone destruction ability, and the composition range is
`specified, which has effects as follows:
`(1) It is possible to enlarge the range of selection of the
`working fluid, which is much smaller and almost free from the
`influence on the stratospheric ozone layer than R22.
`and
`(2)
`Since
`a
`non-flammable
`pentafluoroethane
`tetrafluoroethane are selected as the chlorofluorocarbons
`having almost no ozone destruction ability, it is possible to
`reduce the combustibility of propane selected as the
`chlorofluorocarbon having almost no ozone destruction ability.
`(3) It has a vapor pressure of the same degree as R22 at the
`use temperature of the device and can be used in a current
`device as an alternative to R22.
`(4) Using the nature of the temperature gradient of the non-
`azeotropic mixture, a higher coefficient of performance than
`R22 can be expected.
`[Brief Description of Drawings]
`[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a triangular coordinate diagram
`illustrating an equilibrium state of a working fluid
`containing a mixture of three types of chlorofluorocarbons at
`a constant temperature and a constant pressure.
`[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a triangular coordinate diagram
`illustrating an equilibrium state of a working fluid
`
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`containing a mixture of three types of chlorofluorocarbons at
`a constant temperature and a constant pressure.
`[Reference Numerals]
`1
`Gas-liquid equilibrium line (corresponding to R22 0°C)
`2
`Gas-liquid equilibrium line (corresponding to R22 50°C)
`3
`Gas-liquid equilibrium line (corresponding to R22 0°C)
`4
`Gas-liquid equilibrium line (corresponding to R22 50°C)
`
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`
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