Heat transfer compositions, methods, and systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerant composition, including difluoromethane (HFC-32), pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I) for use in a heat exchange system, including air conditioning and refrigeration applications and in particular aspects to the use of such compositions as a replacement of the refrigerant R-410A for heating and cooling applications and to retrofitting heat exchange systems, including systems designed for use with R-410A.

1 . A refrigerant comprising at least about 97% by weight of the following three compounds, with each compound being present in the following relative percentages:
 39 to 45% by weight difluoromethane (HFC-32),   1 to 4% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and   51 to 57% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I).   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerant of  claim 1  comprising at least about 99.5% by weight of the following three compounds, with each compound being present in the following relative percentages:
 39 to 45% by weight difluoromethane (HFC-32), 
 1 to 4% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and 
 51 to 57% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I). 
 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerant of  claim 1  consisting of the following three compounds, with each compound being present in the following relative percentages:
 39 to 45% by weight difluoromethane (HFC-32), 
 1 to 4% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and 
 51 to 57% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I). 
 
     
     
         4 . A refrigerant comprising at least about 97% by weight of the following three compounds, with each compound being present in the following relative percentages:
 about 41 to about 43% by weight difluoromethane (HFC-32),   1 to 4% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and   about 53 to about 56% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I).   
     
     
         5 . The refrigerant of  claim 4  comprising at least about 99.5% by weight of the following three compounds, with each compound being present in the following relative percentages:
 about 41 to about 43% by weight difluoromethane (HFC-32), 
 1 to 4% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and 
 about 53 to about 56% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I). 
 
     
     
         6 . A refrigerant consisting essentially of the following three compounds, with each compound being present in the following relative percentages:
 41%±1% by weight difluoromethane (HFC-32),   3.5%±0.5% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and   55.5%±0.5% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I).   
     
     
         7 . The refrigerant of  claim 6  consisting of the following three compounds, with each compound being present in the following relative percentages:
 41%±1% by weight difluoromethane (HFC-32), 
 3.5%±0.5% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and 
 55.5%±0.5% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I). 
 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerant of  claim 6  consisting essentially of the following three compounds, with each compound being present in the following relative percentages:
 41% by weight difluoromethane (HFC-32), 
 3.5% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and 
 55.5% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I). 
 
     
     
         9 . A heat transfer composition comprising a refrigerant as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . The heat transfer composition of  claim 9  further comprising an alkylated naphthalene. 
     
     
         11 . The heat transfer composition of  claim 10  further comprising BHT in an amount of from about 0.0001% by weight to about 5% by weight of the heat transfer composition. 
     
     
         12 . The heat transfer composition of  claim 11  further comprising a lubricant elected from polyol esters (POEs), poly vinyl ethers (PVEs), mineral oil, and alkylbenzenes (ABs). 
     
     
         13 . The heat transfer composition of  claim 12  wherein the lubricant is a polyol ester (POE). 
     
     
         14 . The heat transfer composition of  claim 12  wherein the lubricant is a PVE. 
     
     
         15 . A method of cooling in a heat transfer system comprising an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor, the process comprising the steps of i) condensing a refrigerant of  claim 1  and ii) evaporating the refrigerant in the vicinity of body or article to be cooled; wherein the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator is in the range of from about −40° C. to about 10° C. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator is in the range of from about −30° C. to about 5° C. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator is in the range of from about −40° C. to about −10° C. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the system is a residential air conditioning system and wherein the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator is in the range of from about 0° C. to about 10° C. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the system is a chiller system and wherein the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator is in the range of from about 0° C. to about 10° C. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the system is a low temperature refrigeration system and wherein the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator is in the range of from about −40° C. to about −12° C.