KR20220010910A - Refrigerant composition and air conditioner using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerant composition and an air conditioner using the same. The refrigerant composition according to the present invention comprises a mixture containing difluoromethane (R32), carbon dioxide (CO_2), and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) in specific proportions, so that it has the advantage of being more eco-friendly and stable compared with existing refrigerants.

Description

Refrigerant composition and air conditioner using same

The present invention relates to a refrigerant composition and an air conditioner using the same.

Conventionally, chlorofluorocarbons (hereinafter referred to as CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (hereinafter referred to as HCFCs) derived from methane or ethane have been mainly used as refrigerants for refrigerators, air conditioners, heat pumps, etc.

However, recently, depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere by CFCs and HCFCs has emerged as an important global environmental problem, and the production and consumption of CFCs and HCFCs that deplete stratospheric ozone are regulated by the 1987 Montreal Protocol.

In addition, not only the ozone layer depletion problem, but also the global warming problem has started to rise rapidly, and the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 strongly recommends refraining from the use of refrigerants with high global warming potential (GWP). . Reflecting this trend, European and Japanese manufacturers of home air conditioners and heat pumps are trying to develop and use refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP).

In order for a material to be useful as an alternative refrigerant to the existing refrigerant, it must first have a coefficient of performance similar to that of the existing refrigerant (Coefficient of performance, hereinafter referred to as COP). Here, the coefficient of performance (COP) means the total refrigeration effect compared to the work applied to the compressor. The larger the COP, the better the energy efficiency of the refrigeration/air conditioner.

In addition, in order to use the compressor without significantly modifying it, the alternative refrigerant must have a vapor pressure similar to that of the existing refrigerant and ultimately provide a similar volumetric capacity (hereinafter referred to as VC). Here, the volumetric capacity (VC) refers to the refrigeration effect per unit volume, which is a factor indicating the size of the compressor and is usually proportional to the vapor pressure and the unit is kJ/m3. If the replacement refrigerant has a volume capacity similar to that of the existing refrigerant, it is very advantageous for the manufacturer to manufacture a refrigeration/air conditioner without changing the compressor or significantly modifying it. This is usually called a drop-in replacement.

However, as a result of research so far, it has been found that, in the case of replacing the existing refrigerant with a pure substance, the volume capacity of the replacement refrigerant is different, so it is inevitably required to change or greatly remodel the compressor, and it is difficult to obtain a coefficient of performance similar to that of the existing refrigerant.

One way to solve this problem is to use a mixed refrigerant composition.

That is, the characteristic of the mixed refrigerant composition is to make the coefficient of performance similar to that of the existing refrigerant by mixing the composition well, and at the same time to give a similar volumetric capacity (VC) to that of the existing refrigerant, thereby making it unnecessary to greatly modify the compressor.

Therefore, there is a need for a mixed refrigerant composition that can replace the existing refrigerants such as HFC-410A and HFC-32 while solving the above problems.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mixed refrigerant composition that minimizes changes in the existing system, is environmentally friendly, and exhibits similar or superior performance compared to the existing refrigerant.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mixed refrigerant composition capable of having improved performance while having a low global warming potential.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mixed refrigerant composition capable of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide generated compared to the existing refrigerant.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention not mentioned can be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the examples of the present invention. It will also be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the appended claims.

The refrigerant composition according to the present invention includes a mixture of fluorinated hydrocarbons, and the mixture contains difluoromethane (R32), carbon dioxide (CO2) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) in a specific content ratio. include

More specifically, in the refrigerant composition according to the present invention, the sum of the concentrations of difluoromethane (R32), carbon dioxide (CO2) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) is 100% by weight. In the three-component composition diagram,

point A (R32/CO2/R1234yf = 59/12/29 wt%),

point B (R32/CO2/R1234yf = 59/1/40 wt%),

Point C (R32/CO2/R1234yf = 52/1/47 wt%) and

Point D (R32/CO2/R1234yf = 38/5/57 wt%)

It includes a mixture having a composition ratio included in the range of a rectangle having 4 points as vertices.

In addition, the refrigerant composition according to the present invention may have a GWP of 400 or less.

In addition, the refrigerant composition according to the present invention has a volumetric capacity of 90% or more and a CO2 emission amount of 80% or more compared to the existing refrigerant (HFC-410A).

이하일 수 있다.In addition, the refrigerant composition according to the present invention has a temperature gradient difference of 7

may be below.

In addition, the air conditioner according to the present invention includes a heat exchanger, a compressor, an expander, and a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant moves, and the refrigerant composition according to the present invention is applied to the refrigerant.

The refrigerant composition according to the present invention may exhibit similar or superior performance compared to the existing refrigerant.

In addition, the refrigerant composition according to the present invention may have improved performance while having a low GWP (global warming potential).

In addition, the refrigerant composition according to the present invention has a volume capacity of 90% or more compared to the existing refrigerant (HFC-410A), and the amount of carbon dioxide generated can be reduced.

이하여서 열전달 성능을 유지할 수 있다.In addition, the refrigerant composition according to the present invention exhibits a temperature change of 7 when the phase changes from liquid to gaseous under the same pressure.

Accordingly, heat transfer performance can be maintained.

In addition to the above-described effects, the specific effects of the present invention will be described together while describing specific details for carrying out the invention below.

1 shows a three-component composition diagram of a refrigerant composition according to the present invention.
2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The above-described objects, features and advantages will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

Although the first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components, and unless otherwise stated, it goes without saying that the first component may be the second component.

Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

As used herein, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, terms such as "consisting of" or "comprising" should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or various steps described in the specification, some of which components or some steps are It should be construed that it may not include, or may further include additional components or steps.

Hereinafter, a refrigerant composition according to some embodiments of the present invention and an air conditioner to which the same is applied will be described.

<Refrigerant composition>

The refrigerant composition according to the present invention may be formed of a composition including difluoromethane (R32), carbon dioxide (CO2) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf).

More specifically, referring to FIG. 1 , the mixed refrigerant composition according to the present invention has a concentration of difluoromethane (R32), carbon dioxide (CO2) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf). In the three-component composition diagram in which the total is 100% by weight,

point A (R32/CO2/R1234yf = 59/12/29 wt%),

point B (R32/CO2/R1234yf = 59/1/40 wt%),

Point C (R32/CO2/R1234yf = 52/1/47 wt%) and

Point D (R32/CO2/R1234yf = 38/5/57 wt%)

It has a composition ratio included in the range of a rectangle having 4 points as vertices.

The present applicant controls the composition ratio of difluoromethane (R32), carbon dioxide (CO2) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) to have a low GWP (Global Warming Potential), while existing refrigerants A mixed refrigerant composition having a stable and increased effect was prepared.

First, the refrigerant composition according to the present invention may have a GWP of 400 or less in a specific composition ratio. In addition, more preferably, the refrigerant composition according to the present invention may have a GWP of 300 or less.

Next, the refrigerant composition according to the present invention may have a volumetric capacity of 90% or more compared to the existing refrigerant (HFC-410A). In this case, the volume capacity of the existing refrigerant may be defined as the volume capacity when HFC-410A is used alone as a refrigerant.

In addition, the refrigerant composition according to the present invention can reduce the amount of CO2 generated by 80% or more compared to the existing refrigerant (HFC-410A).

In addition, the refrigerant composition according to the present invention may have a temperature gradient difference of 7 ℃ or less.

Furthermore, the refrigerant composition according to the present invention has no toxicity as the refrigerant flammability class satisfies A2L, the lower flammability limit (LFL) satisfies 10 to 14 vol%, the heat of combustion is 8600 to 10,000 kJ/kg, and the combustion rate is It can be within the range of 2-4 cm/s.

When the refrigerant composition according to the present invention is not included in the range of the rectangle having the four points as vertices, the GWP may exceed 400.

In addition, when the refrigerant composition according to the present invention is not included in the range of the rectangle having the four points as vertices, the volume capacity is reduced to less than 90% compared to the existing refrigerant, and thus the efficiency may be reduced.

In addition, when the refrigerant composition according to the present invention is not included in the range of the rectangle having the four points as vertices, the amount of CO2 generated may not be effectively reduced compared to the existing refrigerant.

In addition, when the refrigerant composition according to the present invention is not included in the range of the rectangle having the four points as vertices, the difference in the temperature gradient of the mixed refrigerant is increased, so that the heat transfer ability may be reduced.

<Air conditioner>

Next, an air conditioner according to the present invention will be described.

The air conditioner according to the present invention includes a heat exchanger, a compressor, an expander, and a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant moves, and the refrigerant composition according to the present invention is applied to the refrigerant.

Referring to FIG. 2 , an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 2 is merely a diagram of the most general embodiment, and the air conditioner according to the present invention is not limited to the air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , the air conditioner includes an outdoor unit 20 disposed outdoors to exchange heat with external air, an indoor unit 10 disposed indoors for air conditioning, and the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 10. It includes a refrigerant pipe 80 for connecting.

In more detail, the first heat exchanger 30 operates as an evaporator inside the indoor unit 10 , and the second heat exchanger 40 operates as a condenser inside the outdoor unit 20 . In the present invention, the heat exchanger may include both the first heat exchanger 30 and the second heat exchanger 40 .

The outdoor unit 20 exchanges heat with external air to convert the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant introduced from the indoor unit 10 into a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant, and a compressor 50 and an expander 60 may be further provided. have.

The compressor (50) can convert the low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger (30) provided inside the indoor unit (10) into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, and the second heat exchanger (40) may convert the high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant of room temperature and high pressure, and the expander 60 may convert the liquid refrigerant of room temperature and high pressure into a liquid refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure.

The second heat exchanger 40 is a member in which heat exchange with the outside occurs directly, and a separate outdoor fan 22 may be further provided to introduce external air.

Meanwhile, in the indoor unit 10 , the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant introduced from the outdoor unit 20 is converted into a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, which uses evaporation to lower the indoor temperature. The indoor unit 10 may include a first heat exchanger 30 that converts a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant into a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, and an indoor fan 12 .

The refrigerant pipe 80 is a member that connects the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 10 to allow the refrigerant to flow, and may be appropriately disposed according to the distance between the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 10 .

Of course, in the air conditioner according to the present invention, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit may be integrally formed. In addition, it goes without saying that in the air conditioner according to the present invention, the heat exchanger, the compressor, the expander, and the refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant moves may be deformed into a desired shape as needed.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail through mixed refrigerants according to Examples and Comparative Examples. These embodiments are merely presented as examples in order to explain the present invention in more detail. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

< Example >

1. Example 1

A mixed refrigerant was prepared by mixing difluoromethane (R32), carbon dioxide (CO2), and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf).

At this time, the difluoromethane (HFC32) was included by 59% by weight with respect to the total of the mixed refrigerant, the carbon dioxide (CO2) was included by 4% by weight with respect to the total of the mixed refrigerant, the 2,3,3, 3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) was included in an amount of 37% by weight based on the total amount of the mixed refrigerant.

Then, the GWP (global warming potential) of the mixed refrigerant according to the example, the amount of carbon dioxide generated, and the volume capacity and the temperature gradient difference when HFC-410A was used as a single refrigerant were measured.

2. Example 2

A mixed refrigerant was prepared by mixing difluoromethane (R32), carbon dioxide (CO2), and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf).

At this time, the difluoromethane (HFC32) was included as much as 44 wt% with respect to the total of the mixed refrigerant, the carbon dioxide (CO2) was included by 5 wt% with respect to the total of the mixed refrigerant, the 2,3,3, 3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) was included in an amount of 51 wt% based on the total amount of the mixed refrigerant.

Then, the GWP (global warming potential) of the mixed refrigerant according to the example, the amount of carbon dioxide generated, and the volume capacity and the temperature gradient difference when HFC-410A was used as a single refrigerant were measured.

3. Example 3

A mixed refrigerant was prepared by mixing difluoromethane (R32), carbon dioxide (CO2), and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf).

At this time, the difluoromethane (HFC32) was contained by 59% by weight with respect to the total of the mixed refrigerant, the carbon dioxide (CO2) was contained by 1% by weight with respect to the total of the mixed refrigerant, the 2,3,3, 3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) was included in an amount of 40% by weight based on the total amount of the mixed refrigerant.

Then, the GWP (global warming potential) of the mixed refrigerant according to the example, the amount of carbon dioxide generated, and the volume capacity and the temperature gradient difference when HFC-410A was used as a single refrigerant were measured.

4. Example 4

A mixed refrigerant was prepared by mixing difluoromethane (R32), carbon dioxide (CO2), and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf).

At this time, the difluoromethane (HFC32) was included by 59% by weight with respect to the total of the mixed refrigerant, the carbon dioxide (CO2) was included by 12% by weight with respect to the total of the mixed refrigerant, the 2,3,3, 3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) was included in an amount of 29% by weight based on the total amount of the mixed refrigerant.

Then, the GWP (global warming potential) of the mixed refrigerant according to the example, the amount of carbon dioxide generated, and the volume capacity and the temperature gradient difference when HFC-410A was used as a single refrigerant were measured.

5. Example 5

A mixed refrigerant was prepared by mixing difluoromethane (R32), carbon dioxide (CO2), and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf).

At this time, the difluoromethane (HFC32) was included by 52% by weight with respect to the total of the mixed refrigerant, the carbon dioxide (CO2) was included by 1% by weight with respect to the total of the mixed refrigerant, the 2,3,3, 3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) was included as much as 47% by weight based on the total amount of the mixed refrigerant.

Then, the GWP (global warming potential) of the mixed refrigerant according to the example, the amount of carbon dioxide generated, and the volume capacity and the temperature gradient difference were measured when HFC-410A was used as a single refrigerant.

6. Example 6

A mixed refrigerant was prepared by mixing difluoromethane (R32), carbon dioxide (CO2), and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf).

At this time, the difluoromethane (HFC32) was included as much as 38% by weight with respect to the total of the mixed refrigerant, the carbon dioxide (CO2) was included by 5% by weight with respect to the total of the mixed refrigerant, the 2,3,3, 3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) was included as much as 57 wt% based on the total amount of the mixed refrigerant.

7. Comparative Example 1

HFC-410A was prepared by mixing difluoromethane (HFC-32) and pentafluoroethane (HFC-125) in an amount of 50% by weight, respectively.

Then, the GWP (global warming potential) of the mixed refrigerant according to the example, the amount of carbon dioxide generated, and the volume capacity and the temperature gradient difference were measured when HFC-410A was used as a single refrigerant.

< Experimental example >

1. Measurement of physical properties of examples

The physical properties of Examples 1 to 6 described above were measured and summarized in Table 1 below.

Base Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Furtherance
(HFC32/CO2/
HFO-1234yf) HFC410A 59/4/37 44/5/51 59/1/40 59/12/29 52/1/47 38/5/57 GWP 2088 326 299 400 400 353 259 Safety Classification A1 A2L A2L A2L A2L A2L A2L volumetric capacity [kJ/m ³ ] 6781.9 6743 6329 6330 7864 6079 6076 100% 99% 93% 93% 116% 90% 90% temperature gradient difference
(Evap) [℃] 0.11 3.70 5.94 2.34 6.77 3.04 6.89 Refrigerant charge capacity
[kg/m ³ ] 1393.9 1295.9 1312.9 1289.5 1304.0 1295.8 1319.4 100% 93% 94% 93% 94% 93% 95% CO2 generation 100% 15% 13% 18% 18% 16% 12%

1) Global Warming Potential (GWP)

As described in Table 1, it can be seen that the examples according to the present invention have a global warming potential of 400 or less, and in particular, Examples 2 and 6 have a global warming potential of 300 or less.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the refrigerant composition according to the present invention satisfies the EU F-gas regulation, which aims to achieve an average global warming potential of 400 by 2030.

2) Refrigerant flammability rating

As described in Table 1, it can be seen that the refrigerant flammability rating (Safety Classification) of the refrigerant composition of the present invention satisfies A2L.

3) volumetric capacity

Volumetric capacity (VC) refers to the refrigeration effect per unit volume, which is a factor indicating the size of the compressor and is usually proportional to the vapor pressure. Referring to Table 1, it can be seen that the volume capacity of the refrigerant composition according to an embodiment of the present invention corresponds to 90% or more compared to HFC-410A, thereby having stable ability and efficiency.

4) temperature gradient

이하이므로, 효율 상승이 가능한 것을 알 수 있다.A slight temperature gradient can increase the efficiency through the Lorenz cycle, but as the temperature gradient increases, the heat transfer coefficient decreases and it may be difficult to control. However, as shown in Table 1 above, the refrigerant composition of the present invention has a temperature gradient difference of 7.0

Since it is below, it turns out that an efficiency increase is possible.

5) Refrigerant charge capacity

As shown in Table 1, it can be confirmed that the refrigerant composition of the present invention has a refrigerant charging capacity of 90% or more compared to HFC-401A.

6) CO2 emission

As shown in Table 1, it can be seen that the refrigerant composition of the present invention reduces the amount of CO2 generated by 80% or more compared to HFC-410A.

As such, the refrigerant composition according to the present invention does not change the existing system, and has environmentally friendly and stable performance compared to the existing refrigerant.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated drawings, but the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and various methods can be obtained by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention. It is obvious that variations can be made. In addition, although the effects according to the configuration of the present invention have not been explicitly described and described while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects predictable by the configuration should also be recognized.

10: indoor unit
12: indoor fan
20: outdoor unit
22: outdoor fan
30: first heat exchanger
40: second heat exchanger
60: inflator
80: refrigerant pipe

Claims (6)

A refrigerant composition comprising a mixture of fluorinated hydrocarbons,
the mixture comprises difluoromethane (R32), carbon dioxide (CO2) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf);
In the three-component composition diagram in which the sum of the concentrations of difluoromethane (R32), carbon dioxide (CO2) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) is 100% by weight,
point A (R32/CO2/R1234yf = 59/12/29 wt%),
point B (R32/CO2/R1234yf = 59/1/40 wt%),
Point C (R32/CO2/R1234yf = 52/1/47 wt%) and
Point D (R32/CO2/R1234yf = 38/5/57 wt%)
A refrigerant composition, which is a mixture having a composition ratio included in the range of a rectangle having 4 points as vertices.
The method of claim 1,
The refrigerant composition is
GWP of 400 or less;
refrigerant composition.
The method of claim 1,
The refrigerant composition is
90% or more of volumetric capacity compared to HFC-410A
refrigerant composition.
The method of claim 1,
The refrigerant composition is
Compared to HFC-410A, CO2 emission is reduced by more than 80%
refrigerant composition.
The method of claim 1,
The refrigerant composition is
When the temperature gradient difference is not more than 7 ℃
refrigerant composition.
In the air conditioner comprising a heat exchanger, a compressor, an expander, and a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant moves,
The refrigerant is applied with the refrigerant composition according to claim 1
air conditioner.

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