Azeotrope-like compositions of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane

Abstract

Provided are azeotrope-like compositions consisting essentially of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and uses thereof, including use in refrigerant compositions, refrigeration systems, blowing agent compositions, and aerosol propellants.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An azeotrope-like composition consisting essentially of effective amounts of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane to form an azeotrope-like composition. 
     
     
         2 . The azeotrope-like composition of  claim 1  which consists essentially of from greater than zero to about 60 weight percent 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from about 40 to less than 100 weight percent of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene. 
     
     
         3 . The azeotrope-like composition of  claim 1  which consists essentially of from about 10 to about 50 weight percent 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from about 50 to less than 90 weight percent of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene. 
     
     
         4 . The azeotrope-like composition of  claim 1  which consists essentially of from about 20 to about 45 weight percent 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and from about 55 to about 80 weight percent of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene. 
     
     
         5 . The azeotrope-like composition of  claim 1  having a boiling point of from about −30.0° C. to about −29.0° C. at a pressure of about 14.3 psia. 
     
     
         6 . A sprayable composition comprising a material to be sprayed and a propellant comprising an azeotrope-like composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . A sprayable composition according to  claim 6  wherein the material to be sprayed comprises a drug, a biologically active material, a deodorant, a perfume, a hair spray, a cleanser, a wax, a defluxing agent, a polishing agent, a room freshener, an insecticide, a cooking oil, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A refrigerant composition comprising the azeotrope-like composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A method for cooling an article which comprises condensing a refrigerant composition of  claim 8  and thereafter evaporating said refrigerant composition in the vicinity of the article to be cooled. 
     
     
         10 . A method for heating an article which comprises condensing a refrigerant composition of  claim 8  in the vicinity of the article to be heated and thereafter evaporating said refrigerant composition. 
     
     
         11 . A blowing agent comprising an azeotrope-like composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A foam premix composition comprising a polyol and blowing agent of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         13 . A foam comprising a plurality of polymeric cells and a composition contained in at least one of said cells, said composition comprising a blowing agent of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         14 . A foamable composition comprising the azeotrope-like composition of  claim 1  and at least one thermoset foam component. 
     
     
         15 . The foamable composition of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one thermoset component comprises a composition capable of forming a polyurethane foam, a phenolic foam, or a polyisocyanurate foam. 
     
     
         16 . A foamable composition comprising the azeotrope-like composition of  claim 1  and at least one thermoplastic foam component. 
     
     
         17 . The foamable composition of  claim 16  wherein said thermoplastic foam component comprises a polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethyleneterephthalate, and combinations of these. 
     
     
         18 . A method of recharging a refrigerant system that contains a refrigerant to be replaced and a lubricant comprising the steps of: (a) removing the refrigerant to be replaced from the refrigeration system while retaining a substantial portion of the lubricant in said system; and (b) introducing to the system a refrigerant composition of  claim 8 . 
     
     
         19 . A method for modifying a refrigeration apparatus which refrigeration apparatus comprises a refrigerant and a lubricant, which refrigerant comprises a chlorofluorocarbon, a hydrofluorocarbon, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, a chlorofluorcarbon, or combinations thereof, and the lubricant comprises a mineral oil, alkybenezene, polyalphaolefin, polyol ester, polyakylene glycol, polyvinyl ether, synthetic naphthalene, fluorolubricant or combinations thereof, the method comprising removing or leaking at least a portion of the refrigerant from the refrigeration apparatus and leaving a residue comprising the lubricant, and adding to said residue the azeotrope-like composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A solvent comprising the azeotrope-like composition of  claim 1 .