Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • C09K5/00—Heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants; Materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion
  • C09K5/02—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used
  • C09K5/04—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to vapour or vice versa
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J9/00—Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materials; After-treatment thereof
  • C08J9/04—Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materials; After-treatment thereof using blowing gases generated by a previously added blowing agent
  • C08J9/12—Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materials; After-treatment thereof using blowing gases generated by a previously added blowing agent by a physical blowing agent
  • C08J9/14—Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materials; After-treatment thereof using blowing gases generated by a previously added blowing agent by a physical blowing agent organic
  • C08J9/149—Mixtures of blowing agents covered by more than one of the groups C08J9/141 - C08J9/143
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • C09K3/00—Materials not provided for elsewhere
  • C09K3/30—Materials not provided for elsewhere for aerosols
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J2203/00—Foams characterized by the expanding agent
  • C08J2203/12—Organic compounds only containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms, e.g. ketone or alcohol
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J2203/00—Foams characterized by the expanding agent
  • C08J2203/14—Saturated hydrocarbons, e.g. butane; Unspecified hydrocarbons
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J2203/00—Foams characterized by the expanding agent
  • C08J2203/14—Saturated hydrocarbons, e.g. butane; Unspecified hydrocarbons
  • C08J2203/142—Halogenated saturated hydrocarbons, e.g. H3C-CF3
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J2203/00—Foams characterized by the expanding agent
  • C08J2203/16—Unsaturated hydrocarbons
  • C08J2203/162—Halogenated unsaturated hydrocarbons, e.g. H2C=CF2
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J2325/00—Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by an aromatic carbocyclic ring; Derivatives of such polymers
  • C08J2325/02—Homopolymers or copolymers of hydrocarbons
  • C08J2325/04—Homopolymers or copolymers of styrene
  • C08J2325/06—Polystyrene
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
  • C08J2375/00—Characterised by the use of polyureas or polyurethanes; Derivatives of such polymers
  • C08J2375/04—Polyurethanes

Definitions

• compositions, methods and systems having utility in numerous applications, including particularly heat transfer systems such as refrigeration systems and in blowing agents, foamable compositions, foams and articles made with or from foams.
• present invention is directed to such compositions which comprise at least one multi-fluorinated olefin and at least one fluorinated ether of the present invention.
• Fluorocarbon based fluids have found widespread use in many commercial and industrial applications, including as aerosol propellants and as blowing agents. Because of certain suspected environmental problems, including the relatively high global warming potentials, associated with the use of some of the compositions that have heretofore been used in these applications, it has become increasingly desirable to use fluids having low or even zero ozone depletion potential, such as hydrofluorocarbons ("HFCs"). Thus, the use of fluids that do not contain substantial amounts of chlorofluorocarbons (“CFCs”) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (“HCFCs”) is desirable.
• CFCs chlorofluorocarbons
• HCFCs hydrochlorofluorocarbons
• HFC fluids may have relatively high global warming potentials associated therewith, and it is desirable to use hydrofluorocarbon or other fluorinated fluids having as low global warming potentials as possible while maintaining the desired performance in use properties.
• hydrofluorocarbon or other fluorinated fluids having as low global warming potentials as possible while maintaining the desired performance in use properties.
• concern has been increasing in recent years about potential damage to the earth's atmosphere and climate, and certain chlorine-based compounds have been identified as particularly problematic in this regard.
• chlorine-containing compositions such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCF's) and the like
• CFCs chlorofluorocarbons
• HCF's hydrochlorofluorocarbons
• any potential substitute must also possess those properties present in many of the most widely used fluids, such as imparting excellent thermal insulating properties and other desirable foam characteristics when used as blowing agents, such as appropriate chemical stability, low- or no- toxicity, low or no-flammability, among others.
• CFC blowing agent substitutes to be effective without major engineering changes to conventional foam generating systems.
• blowing agents have included, for example, azo compounds, various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
• VOCs volatile organic compounds
• CFCs chlorofluorocarbons
• the chemical blowing agents typically undergo some form of chemical change, including chemical reaction with the material that forms the polymer matrix (usually at a predetermined temperature/pressure) that causes the release of a gas, such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or carbon monoxide.
• a gas such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or carbon monoxide.
• One of the most frequently used chemical blowing agents is water.
• the physical blowing agents typically are dissolved in the polymer or polymer precursor material and then expand volumetrically (again at a predetermined temperature/pressure) to contribute to the formation of the foamed structure.
• Physical blowing agents are frequently used in connection with thermoplastic foams, although chemical blowing agents can be used in place of or in addition to physical blowing agents in connection with thermoplastic foam.
• chemical blowing agents in connection with the formation of polyvinylchloride-based foams.
• CFCs were used as standard blowing agents in the preparation of isocyanate-based foams, such as rigid and flexible polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams.
• CCI 3 F CFC-11
• the use of this material has been banned by international treaty on the grounds that its release into the atmosphere damages the ozone layer in the stratosphere.
• neat CFC-11 is used as a standard blowing agent for forming thermosetting foams, such as isocyanate-based foams and phenolic foams.
• HCFCs hydrogen-containing chlorofluoroalkanes
• CHCI 2 CF 3 (HCFC-123), CH 2 CICHCIF (HCFC-141 b) have relatively short lifetimes in the atmosphere.
• HCFCs are considered to be environmentally friendly blowing agents relative to CFCs, such compounds still contain some chlorine, and therefore have an "Ozone Depletion Potential" (called 11 ODP"). Because of the non-zero ODP, HCFCs have been targeted for eventual removal from use.
• HFCs non-chlorinated, partially hydrogenated fluorocarbons
• HFC-245fa foams made with certain of the more modern HFC blowing agents, such as CF 3 CH 2 CF 2 H
• HFC-245fa offer improved thermal insulation, due in part to the low thermal conductivity of HFC-245fa vapor, and due in part to the fine cell structure HFC-245fa imparts to the foams.
• HFC-245fa has been widely used in insulation applications, particularly refrigerator, freezer, refrigerator/freezer and spray foam applications.
• HFC fluids share the disadvantage of having relatively high global warming potentials, and it is desirable to use hydrofluorocarbon or other fluorinated fluids having as low global warming potentials as possible while maintaining the desired performance in use properties.
• HFCs as blowing agents in foam insulation, particularly rigid foam insulation, has resulted in HFCs being less desirable candidates for blowing agents in commercial foam insulation.
• Hydrocarbon blowing agents are also known.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,309 to Hutzen teaches the use of iso- and normal-pentane in various emulsion mixtures.
• Another example of hydrocarbon blowing agents is cyclopentane, as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,933- Volkert.
• many hydrocarbon blowing agents, such as cyclopentane, and isomers of pentane are zero ozone depleting agents and exhibit very low global warming potential, such material are less than fully desirable because foams produced from these blowing agents lack the same degree of thermal insulation efficiency as foams made with, for example, HFC- 245fa blowing agent.
• hydrocarbon blowing agents are extremely flammable, which is undesirable. Also, certain hydrocarbon blowing agents have inadequate miscibility in certain situations with material from which the foam is formed, such as many of the polyester polyols commonly used in polyisocyanurate modified polyurethane foam. The use of these alkanes frequently requires a chemical surfactant to obtain a suitable mixture.
• nonflammable refers to compounds or compositions which are determined to be nonflammable as determined in accordance with ASTM standard E-681 , dated 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. Unfortunately, many HFC's which might otherwise be desirable for used in foam blowing agent compositions are not nonflammable.
• fluoroalkane difluoroethane HFC-152a
• fluoroalkene 1 ,1 ,1-trifluorpropene HFO-1243zf
• Anther example of a relatively flammable material is the fluorinated ether 1 ,1 ,22-tetrafluoroethyl methyl ether (which is referred to as HFE- 254pc or also sometimes as HFE-254cb), which has been measured to have a flammability limit (vol%) of from about 5.4% to about 24.4%.
• Fluorinated ethers of this general type have been disclosed for use as blowing agents in U.S. Patent No. 5,137,932 - Beheme et al, which is incorporated herein by reference.
• blowing agent substitutes it is generally considered desirable for blowing agent substitutes to be effective without major engineering changes to conventional equipment and systems used in foam preparation and formation.
• compositions, and particularly blowing agents, foamable compositons, foamed articles and methods and systems for forming foam which provide beneficial properties and/or avoid one or more of the disadvantages noted above.
• Applicants have thus come to appreciate a need for compositions, and particularly blowing agents, that are potentially useful in numerous applications, while avoiding one or more of the disadvantages noted above.
• This invention relates to compositions, methods and systems having utility in numerous applications, including particularly in connection with compositions, methods, systems and agents relating to polymeric foams.
• blowing agent compositions comprising one or more C2 to C6 fluoroalkenes, more preferably one or more C3 to C5 fluoroalkenes, and even more preferably one or more compounds having Formula I as follows:
• XCF 2 R 3-2 (I) where X is a Ci, C 2 , C 3 , C 4 , or C 5 unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, radical, each R is independently Cl, F, Br, I or H, and z is 1 to 3, it generally being preferred that the fluoroalkene of the present invention has at least four (4) halogen substituents, at least three of which are F and even more preferably none of which are Br.
• the compound includes no hydrogen.
• the Br substituent is on an unsaturated carbon, and even more preferably the Br substituent is on a non-terminal unsaturated carbon.
• the compounds of Formula I are propenes, butenes, pentenes and hexenes having from 3 to 5 fluorine substituents, with other substituents being either present or not present.
• no R is Br
• the unsaturated radical contains no Br substituents.
• tetrafluoropropenes (HFO-1234) and fluorochloroporpenes (such as trifluoro.monochloropropenes (HFCO-1233)) are especially preferred in certain embodiments.
• fluorochlorobutenes are especially preferred in certain embodiments.
• HFO-1234 is used herein to refer to all tetrafluoropropenes. Among the tetrafluoropropenes are included 1 ,1 ,1 ,2- tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and both cis- and trans-1 , 1 , 1 , 3- tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze).
• HFO-1234ze is used herein generically to refer to 1 ,1 ,1 ,3-tetrafluoropropene, independent of whether it is the cis- or trans- form.
• cisHFO-1234ze and "transHFO- 1234ze” are used herein to describe the cis- and trans- forms of 1 ,1 ,1 ,3- tetrafluoropropene respectively.
• HFO-1234ze therefore includes within its scope cisHFO-1234ze, transHFO-1234ze, and all combinations and mixtures of these.
• HFO-1233 is used herein to refer to all trifluoro.monochloropropenes. Among the trifluoro,monochloropropenes are included 1 ,1 ,1 ,trifluoro-2,chloro-propene (HFCO-1233xf) and both cis- and trans-1 ,1 ,1-trifluo-3,chlororopropene (HFCO-1233zd).
• HFCO-1233xf 1 ,1 ,1 ,trifluoro-2,chloro-propene
• HFCO-1233zd both cis- and trans-1 ,1 ,1-trifluo-3,chlororopropene
• HFCO-1233zd is used herein generically to refer to 1 ,1 ,1-trifluo-3,chloro- propene, independent of whether it is the cis- or trans- form.
• cisHFCO-1233zd and “transHFCO-1233zd” are used herein to describe the cis- and trans- forms of 1 , 1 , 1-trifluo,3-chlororopropene, respectively.
• HFCO-1233zd therefore includes within its scope cisHFCO- 1233zd, transHFCO-1233zd, and all combinations and mixtures of these.
• HFO-1225 is used herein to refer to all pentafluoropropenes. Among such molecules are included 1 ,1 ,1 ,2,3 pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225yez), both cis- and trans- forms thereof.
• HFO-1225yez is thus used herein generically to refer to 1 ,1 ,1 ,2,3 pentafluoropropene, independent of whether it is the cis- or trans- form.
• HFO-1225yez therefore includes within its scope cisHFO- 1225yez, transHFO-1225yez, and all combinations and mixtures of these.
• the present invention provides blowing agent compositions, foamable compositions, foams and/or foamed articles comprising one or more C2 to C6 fluorinated alkenes, and more preferably C3 to C4 fluorinated alkenes, including any one or more of the preferred groups and/or preferred individual fluorinated alkene compounds mentioned herein, and one or more fluorinated ethers, more preferably one or more hydro-fluorinated ethers, and even more preferably one or more C3 to C5 hydro-fluorinated ethers.
• the fluorinated ether(s) used in accordance with this aspect of the invention are in accordance with Formula (III) below:
• the present invention provides also methods and systems which utilize the compositions of the present invention, including methods and systems for foam blowing.
• the present compositions can generally be in the form of blowing agent compositions or foamable compositions.
• the present invention requires at least one fluoroalkene compound as described herein and optionally other ingredients, some of which are described in detail below.
• the preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to compositions comprising at least one fluoroalkene containing from 2 to 6, preferably 3 to 5 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 4 carbon atoms, and in certain embodiments most preferably three carbon atoms, and at least one carbon-carbon double bond.
• the fluoroalkene compounds of the present invention are sometimes referred to herein for the purpose of convenience as hydrofluoro-olefins or "HFOs" if they contain at least one hydrogen. Although it is contemplated that the HFOs of the present invention may contain two carbon - carbon double bonds, such compounds at the present time are not considered to be preferred.
• HFOs which also contain at least one chlorine atom, the designation HFCO is sometimes used herein
• compositions comprise one or more compounds in accordance with Formula I.
• compositions include one or more compounds of Formula Il below:
• R' is (CR 2 ) n Y
• Y is CRF 2 and n is 0, 1 , 2 or 3, preferably 0 or 1 , it being generally preferred however that either Br is not present in the compound or when Br is present in the compound there is no hydrogen in the compound.
• Y is CF 3
• n is 0 or 1 (most preferably 0) and at least one of the remaining Rs is F, and preferably no R is Br, or when Br is present there is no hydrogen in the compound. It is preferred in certain cases that no R in Formula Il is Br.
• the compound of the present invention comprises a C 3 or C 4 HFO or HFCO, preferably a C 3 HFO, and more preferably a compound in accordance with Formula I in which X is a halogen substituted C 3 alkylene and z is 3.
• the compound of the present invention comprises a C3 or C4 HFCO, preferably a C3 HFCO, and more preferably a compound in accordance with Formula Il in which Y is CF 3 , n is 0, at least one R on the unsaturated terminal carbon is H, and at least one of the remaining Rs is Cl.
• HFCO-1233 is an example of such a preferred compound.
• compositions of the present invention comprise one or more tetrafluoropropenes, including HFO- 1234yf, (cis)HFO-1234ze and (trans)HFO-1234ze, with HFO-1234ze being generally preferred and trans HFO-1234ze being highly preferred in certain embodiments.
• HFO-1234ze being generally preferred
• trans HFO-1234ze being highly preferred in certain embodiments.
• (trans)HFO-1234ze may be preferred for use in certain systems because of its relatively low boiling point (-19° C), while (cis)HFO-1234ze, with a boiling point of +9° C, may be preferred in other applications.
• cis- and trans- isomers will be acceptable and/or preferred in many embodiments.
• the terms "HFO-1234ze” and 1 ,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene refer to both stereo isomers, and the use of this term is intended to indicate that each of the cis-and trans- forms applies and/or is useful for the stated purpose unless otherwise indicated.
• HFO-1234 compounds are known materials and are listed in Chemical Abstracts databases.
• EP 974,571 discloses the preparation of 1 ,1 ,1 ,3-tetrafluoropropene by contacting 1 ,1 ,1 ,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa) in the vapor phase with a chromium-based catalyst at elevated temperature, or in the liquid phase with an alcoholic solution of KOH, NaOH, Ca(OH) 2 or Mg(OH) 2 .
• HFC-245fa 1 ,1 ,1 ,3,3-pentafluoropropane
• compositions may comprise combinations of any two or more compounds within the broad scope of the invention or within any preferred scope of the invention.
• the present compositions are believed to possess properties that are advantageous for a number of important reasons. For example, applicants believe, based at least in part on mathematical modeling, that the fluoroolefins of the present invention will not have a substantial negative affect on atmospheric chemistry, being negligible contributors to ozone depletion in comparison to some other halogenated species.
• the preferred compositions of the present invention thus have the advantage of not contributing substantially to ozone depletion.
• the preferred compositions also do not contribute substantially to global warming compared to many of the hydrofluoroalkanes presently in use.
• compositions of the present invention have a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of not greater than about 1000, more preferably not greater than about 500, and even more preferably not greater than about 150.
• GWP of the present compositions is not greater than about 100 and even more preferably not greater than about 75.
• GWP is measured relative to that of carbon dioxide and over a 100 year time horizon, as defined in "The Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion, 2002, a report of the World Meteorological Association's Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
• the present compositions also preferably have an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of not greater than 0.05, more preferably not greater than 0.02 and even more preferably about zero.
• ODP Ozone Depletion Potential
• “ODP” is as defined in "The Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion, 2002, A report of the World Meteorological Association's Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
• the amount of the Formula I compounds, particularly HFO-1234 and even more preferably HFO-1234ze, contained in the present compositions can vary widely, depending the particular application, and compositions containing more than trace amounts and less than 100% of the compound are within broad the scope of the present invention.
• compositions of the present invention can be azeotropic, azeotrope-like or non-azeotropic.
• the present compositions, particularly blowing agent compositions comprise Formula I and/or Formula Il compounds, preferably HFO-1234 and more preferably HFO-1234ze and/or HFO-1234yf, in amounts from about 1% by weight to about 99% by weight, more preferably from about 5% to about 95% by weight, and even more preferably from 40% to about 90% by weight.
• compositions comprising at least one fluoroalkene as described herein and at least one fluoro-ether, more preferably at least one hydro- fluoroether, containing from 2 to 8, preferably 2 to 7, and even more preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and in certain embodiments most preferably three carbon atoms.
• the hydro-fluoroether compounds of the present invention are sometimes referred to herein for the purpose of convenience as hydrofluoro-ethers or "HFEs" if they contain at least one hydrogen.
• the fluoroethers in accordance with the present disclosure and in particular in accordance with above identified Formula (III) are generally effective and exhibit utility in combination with the fluoroalkene compounds in accordance with the teachings contained herein.
• the fluroethers it is preferred to use in certain embodiments, especially embodiments relating to blowing agent compositions and foam and foaming methods, to utilize hydrofluorethers that are at least difluorinated, more preferbably at least trifluorinated, and even more preferably at least tetra-fluorinated.
• tetrafluorinated fluorethers having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 4 carbon atoms, and even more preferably 3 carbon atoms.
• the compound of the present invention comprises a 1 ,1 ,2,2-tetrafluoroethylmethylether (which is sometimes referred to herein as HFE-245pc or HFE-245cb2), including any and all isomeric forms thereof.
• HFE-245pc a 1 ,1 ,2,2-tetrafluoroethylmethylether
• the amount of the Formula III compounds, particularly 1 ,1 ,2,2- tetrafluoroethylmethylether contained in the present compositions can vary widely, depending the particular application, and compositions containing more than trace amounts and less than 100% of the compound are within broad the scope of the present invention.
• the present compositions particularly blowing agent compositions, comprise Formula III compounds, including preferred groups of compounds, in amounts from about 1 % by weight to about 99% by weight, more preferably from about 5% to about 95% by weight, and even more preferably from 40% to about 90% by weight.
• HFE-7100 a material sold under the trade name HFE-7100 by 3M, which is understood to be a mixture of from about 20% to about 80% of methyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether and from about 20% to about 80% methyl nonafluorobutyl ether, may be used to advantage in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• a material sold under the trade name HFE-7200 by 3M which is understood to be a mixture of from about 20% to about 80% of ethyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether and from about 20% to about 80% ethyl nonafluorobutyl ether, may be used to advantage in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• any one or more of the above-listed HFEs may be used in combination with other compounds as well, including other HFEs not specifically listed herein and/or other compounds with which the designated fluoroether is known to form an azeotrope.
• each of the following compounds is known to form an azeotrope with trans-dichloroethylene, and it is contemplated that for the purposes of the present invention the use of such azeotropes should be considered to be within the broad scope of the invention: CF 3 CFCF 3 CF 2 OCH 3
• blowing agent compositions consist of or consist essentially of one or more compounds in accordance with Formula I hereof.
• the present invention includes methods and systems which include using one or more of the compounds of the present invention as a blowing agent without the presence of any substantial amount of additional components.
• one or more compounds or components that are not within the scope of Formula I or Formula Il are optionally, but preferably, included in the blowing agent compositions of the present invention.
• Such optional additional compounds include, but are not limited to, other compounds which also act as blowing agents (hereinafter referred to for convenience but not by way of limitation as co-blowing agents), surfactants, polymer modifiers, toughening agents, colorants, dyes, solubility enhancers, rheology modifiers, plasticizing agents, flammability suppressants, antibacterial agents, viscosity reduction modifiers, fillers, vapor pressure modifiers, nucleating agents, catalysts and the like.
• dispersing agents, cell stabilizers, surfactants and other additives may also be incorporated into the blowing agent compositions of the present invention.
• Certain surfactants are optionally but preferably added to serve as cell stabilizers.
• DC-193, B-8404, and L-5340 are, generally, polysiloxane polyoxyalkylene block co-polymers such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,834,748, 2,917,480, and 2,846,458, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• blowing agent mixture may include flame retardants such as tri(2- chloroethyl)phosphate, tri(2-chloropropyl)phosphate, tri(2,3- dibromopropyl)-phosphate, tri(1 ,3-dichloropropyl) phosphate, diammonium phosphate, various halogenated aromatic compounds, antimony oxide, aluminum trihydrate, polyvinyl chloride, and the like.
• flame retardants such as tri(2- chloroethyl)phosphate, tri(2-chloropropyl)phosphate, tri(2,3- dibromopropyl)-phosphate, tri(1 ,3-dichloropropyl) phosphate, diammonium phosphate, various halogenated aromatic compounds, antimony oxide, aluminum trihydrate, polyvinyl chloride, and the like.
• nucleating agents all known compounds and materials having nucleating functionality are available for use in the present invention, including particularly talc.
• compositions that modulate a particular property of the compositions (such as cost for example) may also be included in the present compositions, and the presence of all such compounds and components is within the broad scope of the invention.
• the preferred embodiments of the present compositions include, in addition to the compounds of Formula I (including particularly HFO-1234ze and/or HFO-1234yf), one or more co-blowing agents.
• the co-blowing agent in accordance with the present invention can comprise a physical blowing agent, a chemical blowing agent (which preferably in certain embodiments comprises water) or a blowing agent having a combination of physical and chemical blowing agent properties.
• the blowing agents included in the present compositions, including the compounds of Formula I as well as the co- blowing agent may exhibit properties in addition to those required to be characterized as a blowing agent.
• blowing agent compositions of the present invention may include components, including the compounds or Formula I described above, which also impart some beneficial property to the blowing agent composition or to the foamable composition to which it is added.
• the compound of Formula I or for the co-blowing agent may also act as a polymer modifier or as a viscosity reduction modifier.
• blowing agent compositions of the present invention include one or more HFCs as co-blowing agents, more preferably one or more C1-C4 HFCs 1 and/or one or more hydrocarbons, more preferably C4 - C6 hydrocarbons.
• the present blowing agent compositions may include one or more of difluoromethane (HFC-32), fluoroethane (HFC-161 ), difluoroethane (HFC-152), trifluoroethane (HFC-143), tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134), pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), pentafluoropropane (HFC-245), hexafluoropropane (HFC-236), heptafluoropropane (HFC-227ea), pentafluorobutane (HFC-365), hexafluorobutane (HFC-356) and all isomers of all such HFC's.
• HFC-32 difluoromethane
• HFC-161 fluoroethane
• HFC-152 difluoroethane
• HFC-143 trifluoroethane
• HFC-134 tetrafluoroethane
• the present blowing agent compositions may include in certain preferred embodiments, for example, iso, normal and/or cyclopentane for thermoset foams and butane or isobutane for thermoplastic foams.
• CFCs such as trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11 ) and dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12)
• HCCs hydrochlorocarbons
• Cl - C5 alcohols such as, for example, ethanol and/or propanol and/or butanol
• Cl - C4 aldehydes such as, for example, ethanol and/or propanol and/or butanol
• Cl - C4 aldehydes such as, for example, ethanol and/or propanol and/or butanol
• Cl - C4 aldehydes such as, for example, ethanol and/or propanol and/or butanol
• Cl - C4 ketones Cl - C4 ethers (including
• HFC isomers are preferred for use as co-blowing agents in the compositions of the present invention:
• HFC-125 1 ,1 ,1 ,2,2-pentafluoroethane (HFC-125) 1 ,1 ,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134)
• HFC-236fa 1 ,1 ,1 ,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane 1 ,1 ,1 ,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa) and
• the relative amount of any of the above noted additional co-blowing agents, as well as any additional components which may be included in present compositions can vary widely within the general broad scope of the present invention according to the particular application for the composition, and all such relative amounts are considered to be within the scope hereof.
• one particular advantage of at least certain of the compounds of Formula I in accordance with the present invention for example HFO-1234ze, is the relatively low flammability of such compounds.
• the blowing agent composition of the present invention comprise at least one co-blowing agent and an amount of compound(s) in accordance with Formula I sufficient to produce a blowing agent composition which is overall nonflammable.
• the relative amounts of the co-blowing agent in comparison to the compound of Formula I will depend, at least in part, upon the flammability of the co-blowing agent.
• the blowing agent compositions of the present invention may include the compounds of the present invention in widely ranging amounts. It is generally preferred, however, that for preferred compositions for use as blowing agents in accordance with the present invention, compound(s) in accordance with Formula I, and even more preferably Formula II, are present in an amount that is at least about 1 % by weight, more preferably at least about 5 % by weight, and even more preferably at least about 15 % by weight, of the composition.
• the blowing agent comprises at least about 50% by weight of the present blowing agent compound(s), and in certain embodiments the blowing agent consists essentially of compounds in accordance with the present invention.
• co-blowing agents are consistent with the novel and basic features of the present invention.
• water will be used as either a co-blowing or in combination with other co-blowing agents (such as, for example, pentane, particularly cyclopentane) in a large number of embodiments.
• the blowing agent compositions of the present invention may comprise, preferably in amounts of at least about 15% by weight of the composition, HFO-1234yf, cisHFO-1234ze, transHFOI 234ze or combinations of two or more of these.
• a co-blowing agent comprising water is included in the compositions, most preferably in compositions directed to the use of thermosetting foams.
• the blowing agent compositions of the present invention comprise a combination of cisHFO- 1234ze and transHFOI 234ze in a cis:trans weight ratio of from about 1 :99 to about 50:50, more preferably from about 10:90 to about 30:70.
• cisHFO- 1234ze and transHFOI 234ze in a cis:trans weight ratio of from about 1 :99 to about 10:90, and preferably from about 1 :99 to about 5:95.
• the blowing agent composition comprises from about 30% to about 95 % by weight, more preferably from about 30% to about 96%, more preferably from about 30% to about 97%, and even more preferably from about 30% to about 98% by weight, and even more preferably from about 30% to about 99% by weight of a compound of Formula I, more preferably a compound of Formula II, and even more preferably one or more HFO-1234 compounds, and from about 5% to about 90% by weight, more preferably from about 5% to about 65% by weight of co-blowing agent, including one or more fluoroethers.
• the co-blowing agent comprises, and preferably consists essentially of a compound selected from the group consisting of , H 2 O, HFCs, HFEs 1 hydrocarbons, alcohols (preferably C2, C3 and/or C4 alcohols), CO 2 , and combinations of any two or more of these.
• Table A identifies some combinations of HFOs in general, and HFO-1234 (and even more particularly HFO-1234ze) and HFE in accordance with certain preferred embodiments (with all percentages being in percent by weight :
• the composition comprises H 2 O in an amount of from about 5% by weight to about 50% by weight of the total blowing agent composition, more preferably from about 10% by weight to about 40% by weight, and even more preferably of from about 10% to about 20% by weight of the total blowing agent.
• the composition comprises CO 2 in an amount of from about 5% by weight to about 60% by weight of the total blowing agent composition, more preferably from about 20% by weight to about 50% by weight, and even more preferably of from about 40% to about 50% by weight of the total blowing agent.
• the co-blowing agent comprises alcohols, (preferably C2, C3 and/or C4 alcohols)
• the composition comprises alcohol in an amount of from about 5% by weight to about 40% by weight of the total blowing agent composition, more preferably from about 10% by weight to about 40% by weight, and even more preferably of from about 15% to about 25% by weight of the total blowing agent.
• the HFC co-blowing agent preferably C2, C3, C4 and/or C5 HFC
• HFC-152a difluoromethane
• HFC- 245 pentafluoropropane
• the HFC co-blowing agent is preferably present in the composition in amounts of from of from about 5% by weight to about 80% by weight of the total blowing agent composition, more preferably from about 10% by weight to about 75% by weight, and even more preferably of from about 25% to about 75% by weight of the total blowing agent.
• the HFC is preferably C2 - C4 HFC, and even more preferably C3 HFC, with penta-fluorinated C3 HFC, such as HFC-245fa, being highly preferred in certain embodiments.
• the HFE co-blowing agent preferably C2, C3, C4 and/or C5 HFE
• HFE-254 is preferably present in the composition in amounts of from of from about 5% by weight to about 80% by weight of the total blowing agent composition, more preferably from about 10% by weight to about 75% by weight, and even more preferably of from about 25% to about 75% by weight of the total blowing agent.
• the HFE is preferably C2 - C4 HFE, and even more preferably a C3 HFC, with tetra-fluorinated C3 HFE being highly preferred in certain embodiments.
• the HC co- blowing agent preferably C3, C4 and/or C5 HC
• the HC co- blowing agent is preferably present in the composition in amounts of from of from about 5% by weight to about 80% by weight of the total blowing agent composition, and even more preferably from about 20% by weight to about 60% by weight of the total blowing agent.
• foamable compositions generally include one or more components capable of forming foam.
• foam foaming agent is used to refer to a component, or a combination on components, which are capable of forming a foam structure, preferably a generally cellular foam structure.
• the foamable compositions of the present invention include such component(s) and a blowing agent compound, preferably a compound of Formula I, in accordance with the present invention.
• the one or more components capable of forming foam comprise a thermosetting composition capable of forming foam and/or foamable compositions.
• thermosetting compositions include polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foam compositions, and also phenolic foam compositions. This reaction and foaming process may be enhanced through the use of various additives such as catalysts and surfactant materials that serve to control and adjust cell size and to stabilize the foam structure during formation. Furthermore, is contemplated that any one or more of the additional components described above with respect to the blowing agent compositions of the present invention could be incorporated into the foamable composition of the present invention.
• one or more of the present compositions are included as or part of a blowing agent in a foamable composition, or as a part of a two or more part foamable composition, which preferably includes one or more of the components capable of reacting and/or foaming under the proper conditions to form a foam or cellular structure.
• the one or more components capable of foaming comprise thermoplastic materials, particularly thermoplastic polymers and/or resins.
• thermoplastic foam components include polyolefins, such as for example monovinyl aromatic compounds of the formula Ar-CHCH2 wherein Ar is an aromatic hydrocarbon radical of the benzene series such as polystyrene (PS).
• suitable polyolefin resins in accordance with the invention include the various ethylene resins including the ethylene homopolymers such as polyethylene and ethylene copolymers, polypropylene (PP) and polyethyleneterepthalate (PET).
• the thermoplastic foamable composition is an extrudable composition.
• the methods of the present invention generally require incorporating a blowing agent in accordance with the present invention into a foamable or foam forming composition and then foaming the composition, preferably by a step or series of steps which include causing volumetric expansion of the blowing agent in accordance with the present invention.
• the presently used systems and devices for incorporation of blowing agent and for foaming are readily adaptable for use in accordance with the present invention.
• one advantage of the present invention is the provision of an improved blowing agent which is generally compatible with existing foaming methods and systems.
• the present invention comprises methods and systems for foaming all types of foams, including thermosetting foams, thermoplastic foams and formed-in- place foams.
• one aspect of the present invention is the use of the present blowing agents in connection conventional foaming equipment, such as polyurethane foaming equipment, at conventional processing conditions.
• the present methods therefore include masterbatch type operations, blending type operations, third stream blowing agent addition, and blowing agent addition at the foam head.
• the preferred methods generally comprise introducing a blowing agent in accordance with the present invention into a thermoplastic material, preferably thermoplastic polymer such as polyolefin, and then subjecting the thermoplastic material to conditions effective to cause foaming.
• a blowing agent in accordance with the present invention into a thermoplastic material, preferably thermoplastic polymer such as polyolefin
• the step of introducing the blowing agent into the thermoplastic material may comprise introducing the blowing agent into a screw extruder containing the thermoplastic
• the step of causing foaming may comprise lowering the pressure on the thermoplastic material and thereby causing expansion of the blowing agent and contributing to the foaming of the material.
• blowing agent of the present invention does not generally affect the operability of the present invention.
• the various components of the blowing agent, and even the components of the foamable composition be not be mixed in advance of introduction to the extrusion equipment, or even that the components are not added to the same location in the extrusion equipment.
• the blowing agent can be introduced either directly or as part of a premix, which is then further added to other parts of the foamable composition.
• one or more components of the blowing agent at first location in the extruder, which is upstream of the place of addition of one or more other components of the blowing agent, with the expectation that the components will come together in the extruder and/or operate more effectively in this manner.
• two or more components of the blowing agent are combined in advance and introduced together into the foamable composition, either directly or as part of premix which is then further added to other parts of the foamable composition.
• One embodiment of the present invention relates to methods of forming foams, and preferably polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams.
• the methods generally comprise providing a blowing agent composition of the present inventions, adding (directly or indirectly) the blowing agent composition to a foamable composition, and reacting the foamable composition under the conditions effective to form a foam or cellular structure, as is well known in the art. Any of the methods well known in the art, such as those described in "Polyurethanes Chemistry and Technology," Volumes I and II, Saunders and Frisch, 1962, John Wiley and Sons, New York, NY, which is incorporated herein by reference, may be used or adapted for use in accordance with the foam embodiments of the present invention.
• such preferred methods comprise preparing polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams by combining an isocyanate, a polyol or mixture of polyols, a blowing agent or mixture of blowing agents comprising one or more of the present compositions, and other materials such as catalysts, surfactants, and optionally, flame retardants, colorants, or other additives. It is convenient in many applications to provide the components for polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams in pre-blended formulations. Most typically, the foam formulation is pre-blended into two components. The isocyanate and optionally certain surfactants and blowing agents comprise the first component, commonly referred to as the "A" component.
• polyol or polyol mixture, surfactant, catalysts, blowing agents, flame retardant, and other isocyanate reactive components comprise the second component, commonly referred to as the "B" component.
• B component the second component
• polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams are readily prepared by bringing together the A and B side components either by hand mix for small preparations and, preferably, machine mix techniques to form blocks, slabs, laminates, pour-in-place panels and other items, spray applied foams, froths, and the like.
• other ingredients such as fire retardants, colorants, auxiliary blowing agents, and even other polyols can be added as one or more additional streams to the mix head or reaction site. Most preferably, however, they are all incorporated into one B-component as described above.
• the present methods and systems also include forming a one component foam, preferably polyurethane foam, containing a blowing agent in accordance with the present invention.
• a portion of the the blowing agent is contained in the foam forming agent, preferably by being dissolved in a foam forming agent which is liquid at the pressure within the container, a second portion of the blowing agent is present as a separate gas phase.
• the contained/dissolved blowing agent performs, in large part, to cause the expansion of the foam, and the separate gas phase operates to impart propulsive force to the foam forming agent.
• Such one component systems are typically and preferably packaged in a container, such as an aerosol type can, and the blowing agent of the present invention thus preferably provides for expansion of the foam and/or the energy to transport the foam/foamable material from the package, and preferably both.
• such systems and methods comprise charging the package with a fully formulated system (preferably isocyanate/polyol system) and incorporating a gaseous blowing agent in accordance with the present invention into the package, preferably an aerosol type can.
• the invention also relates to all foams, (incuding but not limited to closed cell foam, open cell foam, rigid foam, flexible foam, integeral skin and the like) prepared from a polymer foam formulation containing a blowing agent comprising the compositions of the invention.
• foams and particularly thermoset foams such as polyurethane foams, in accordance with the present invention is the ability to achieve, preferably in connection with thermoset foam embodiments, exceptional thermal performance, such as can be measured by the K-factor or lambda, particularly and preferably under low temperature conditions.
• thermoset foams of the present invention may be used in a wide variety of applications, in certain preferred embodiments the present invention comprises appliance foams in accordance with the present invention, including refrigerator foams, freezer foams, refrigerator/freezer foams, panel foams, and other cold or cryogenic manufacturing applications.
• the foams in accordance with the present invention provide one or more exceptional features, characteristics and/or properties, including: thermal insulation efficiency (particularly for thermoset foams), dimensional stability, compressive strength, aging of thermal insulation properties, all in addition to the low ozone depletion potential and low global warming potential associated with many of the preferred blowing agents of the present invention.
• the present invention provides thermoset foam, including such foam formed into foam articles, which exhibit improved thermal conductivity relative to foams made using the same blowing agent (or a commonly used blowing agent HFC-245fa) in the same amount but without the compound of Formula I in accordance with the present invention.
• the thermoset foams, and preferably polyurethane foams, of the present invention exhibit a K-factor (BTU in / hr ft 2 0 F) at 40 0 F of not greater than about 0.14, more preferably not greater than 0.135, and even more preferably not greater than 0.13. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, it is preferred that the thermoset foams, and preferably the polyurethane foams of the present invention exhibit a K-factor (BTU in / hr ft 2 0 F) at 75 0 F of not greater than about 0.16, more preferably not greater than 0.15, and even more preferably not greater than 0.145.
• the present foams exhibit improved mechanical properties relative to foams produced with blowing agents outside the scope of the present invention.
• certain preferred embodiments of the present invention provide foams and foam articles having a compressive strength which is superior to, and preferably at least about 10 relative percent, and even more preferably at least about 15 relative percent greater than a foam produced under substantially identical conditions by utilizing a blowing agent consisting of cyclopentane.
• the foams produced in accordance with the present invention have compressive strengths that are on a commercial basis comparable to the compressive strength produced by making a foam under substantially the same conditions except wherein the blowing agent consists of HFC-245fa.
• the foams of the present invention exhibit a compressive strength of at least about 12.5% yield (in the parallel and perpendicular directions), and even more preferably at least about 13% yield in each of said directions.
• This example illustrates the use of blowing agent in accordance with two preferred embodiments of the present invention, namely the use of HFO-1234ze and HFO-1234yf, and the production of polystyrene foam.
• a testing apparatus and protocol has been established as an aid to determining whether a specific blowing agent and polymer are capable of producing a foam and the quality of the foam.
• Ground polymer (Dow Polystyrene 685D) and blowing agent consisting essentially of HFO- 1234ze are combined in a vessel.
• a sketch of the vessel is illustrated below.
• the vessel volume is 200 cm 3 and it is made from two pipe flanges and a section of 2-inch diameter schedule 40 stainless steel pipe 4 inches long.
• the vessel is placed in an oven, with temperature set at from about 190 0 F to about 285 0 F, preferably for polystyrene at 265 0 F, and remains there until temperature equilibrium is reached.
• the pressure in the vessel is then released, quickly producing a foamed polymer.
• the blowing agent plasticizes the polymer as it dissolves into it.
• the resulting density of the two foams thus produced using this method are given in Table 1 as the density of the foams produced using trans- HFO-1234ze and HFO-1234yf.
• the data show that foam polystyrene is obtainable in accordance with the present invention. In this regard it is noted that the bulk density of polystyrene is 1050 kg/m 3 or 65.625 Ib/ft 3 at about room temperature.
• This example demonstrates the performance of HFO- 1234ze alone as a blowing agent for polystyrene foam formed in a twin screw type extruder.
• the apparatus employed in this example is a Leistritz twin screw extruder having the following characteristics:
• the extruder is divided into 10 sections, each representing a LD of 4:1.
• the polystyrene resin was introduced into the first section, the blowing agent was introduced into the sixth section, with the extrudate exiting the tenth section.
• the extruder operated primarily as a melt /mixing extruder.
• a subsequent cooling extruder is connected in tandem, for which the design characteristics were:
• Polystyrene resin namely Nova Chemical - general extrusion grade polystyrene, identified as Nova 1600, is feed to the extruder under the conditions indicated above.
• the resin has a recommended melt temperature of 375 0 F - 525 0 F.
• the pressure of the extruder at the die is about 1320 pounds per square inch (psi), and the temperature at the die is about 115 0 C.
• a blowing agent consisting essentially of transHFO-1234ze is added to the extruder at the location indicated above, with about 0.5% by weight of talc being included, on the basis of the total blowing agent, as a nucleating agent.
• Foam is produced using the blowing agent at concentrations of 10% by weight, 12% by weight, and 14% by weight, in accordance with the present invention.
• the density of the foam produced is in the range of about 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter to 0.07 grams per cubic centimeter, with a cell size of about 49 to about 68 microns.
• the foams, of approximately 30 millimeters diameter are visually of very good quality, very fine cell size, with no visible or apparent blow holes or voids.
• Example 1 B This procedure of Example 1 B is repeated except that the foaming agent comprises about 50% by weight transHFO-1234ze and 50% by weight of HFC-245fa and nucleating agent in the concentration indicated in Example 1 B.
• Foamed polystyrene is prepared at blowing agent concentrations of approximately 10% and 12%.
• the density of the foam produced is about 0.09 grams per cubic centimeter, with a cell size of about 200 microns.
• the foams, of approximately 30 millimeters diameter, are visually of very good quality, fine cell structure, with no visible or apparent voids.
• Example 1 B This procedure of Example 1 B is repeated except that the foaming agent comprises about 80% by weight HFO-1234ze and 20% by weight of HFC-245fa and nucleating agent in the concentration indicated in Example 1 B.
• Foamed polystyrene is prepared at blowing agent concentrations of approximately 10% and 12%.
• the density of the foam produced is about 0.08 grams per cubic centimeter, with a cell size of about 120 microns.
• the foams, of approximately 30 millimeters diameter, are visually of very good quality, fine cell structure, with no visible or apparent voids.
• Example 1 B This procedure of Example 1 B is repeated except that the foaming agent comprises about 80% by weight HFO-124ze and 20% by weight of HFC-245fa and nucleating agent in the concentration indicated in Example 1 B.
• Foamed polystyrene is prepared at blowing agent concentrations of approximately 10% and 12%.
• the foams' density was in the range of 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter, and .
• the foams, of approximately 30 millimeters diameter, are visually of very good quality, fine cell structure, with no visible or apparent voids.
• Example 1 E This procedure of Example 1 E is repeated except that the nucleating agent is omitted.
• the foams' density was in the range of 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter, and the cell size diameter is about 400. .
• the foams, of approximately 30 millimeters diameter, are visually of very good quality, fine cell structure, with no visible or apparent voids.
• This example demonstrates the performance of HFO-1234ze, and isomers thereof, used in combination with hydrocarbon co-blowing agents, and in particular the utility of compositions comprising HFO-1234ze and cyclopentane co-blowing agents in compressive strength performance of polyurethane foams.
• a commercially available, refrigeration appliance-type polyurethane foam formulation (foam forming agent) is provided.
• the polyol blend consisted of commercial polyol(s), catalyst(s), and surfactant(s). This formulation is adapted for use in connection with a gaseous blowing agent. Standard commercial polyurethane processing equipment is used for the foam forming process.
• a gaseous blowing agent combination was formed comprising HFO-1234ze (including isomers thereof) in a concentration of approximately 60 mole percent, and cyclopentane in a concentration of approximately 40 mole percent of the total blowing agent.
• HFO-1234ze including isomers thereof
• cyclopentane in a concentration of approximately 40 mole percent of the total blowing agent.
• This example illustrates the physical property performance of combinations of HFO- 1234ze (including isomers thereof) in combination with cyclopentane co- blowing agent.
• Table 2 reports the compressive strength of similar machine-made polyurethane foams using a blowing agent of the present invention in comparison to foams made using a blowing agent consisting of HFC-245fa and a blowing agent consisting of cyclopentane.
• a polyurethane foam is prepared and is adapted for use as a commercial "appliance type" polyurethane formulation.
• the same foam formulation described in Example 2 is used in connection with the same standard commercial polyurethane processing equipment is used in the foam forming process.
• Several systems are prepared, with each system using identical components, systems, and equipment, with the exception of the blowing agent.
• HFC-134a, HFC-245fa, and cyclopentane are each also tested as the blowing agent.
• the blowing agent is added in substantially the same molar concentration into the polyol blend.
• the polyol blend consists of commercial polyol(s), catalyst(s), and surfactant(s).
• the foams are prepared in accordance with standard commercial manufacturing operations, for example a commercial operation for making foam for refrigeration applications.
• the prepared foams were evaluated for k-factor, and this information is reported below in Table 3.
• foams were prepared with HFC-134a, for which commercial data can be referenced.
• the k- factor data for these foams are shown in Table 3.
• HFO-1234ze This example demonstrates the k-factor performance of HFO- 1234ze, and isomers thereof, when HFO-1234ze blowing agent is substituted into the polyurethane formulation.
• HFO-1234ze was substituted in an equal molar concentration to that of the benchmark foams.
• Table 3 data illustrates that HFO-1234ze foams k-factors are considerably better than HFC-134a or cyclopentane foams.
• blowing agents comprising HFO-1234ze (including isomers thereof) in combination with various HFC co-blowing agents used in connection with the preparation of polyurethane foams.
• a blowing agent is prepared comprising HFO-1234ze (including isomers thereof) in a concentration of approximately 80 weight percent of the total blowing agent, and HFC-245fa in a concentration of approximately 20 weight percent of the total blowing agent.
• HFC-134a and cyclopentane were each also tested as the blowing agent.
• blowing agent was added in substantially the same molar concentration into the polyol blend. Foams are then formed using this blowing agent and the k-factors of the foam are measured. Table 4 below illustrates the k-factor performance of combinations of HFO-1234ze (including isomers thereof) when used in combination with HFC co- blowing agents.
• Example 5 A further experiment was performed using the same polyol formulation and isocyanate as in Example 5.
• the foam is prepared by hand mix,
• K-factors are found to be as indicated in Table 6 below.

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