Nonflammable refrigerants having low gwp, and systems for and methods of providing refrigeration

Abstract

The present invention provides a refrigerant composition comprising: (a) from about 65% by weight to about 90% by weight of HFO-1234ze (E); (b) from about 10% by weight to about 35% by weight of HFO-1336mzz (E); and optionally (c) from about 0% to about 4.4% by weight of HFC-227ea for use in a variety of refrigeration applications, including air conditioning and/or refrigeration and particularly cooling products such as fruits, vegetables and beverages without exposing those articles to temperatures below the freezing point of water.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat transfer system comprising:
 (a) an evaporator; and   (b) and a refrigerant in the evaporator, said refrigerant comprising:   (i) from about 65% by weight to about 90% by weight of HFO-1234ze (E); and   (ii) from about 10% by weight to about 35% by weight of HFO-1336mzz (E).   
     
     
         2 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1  wherein said refrigerant consists essentially of said HFO-1234ze (E) and said HFO-1336mzz (E). 
     
     
         3 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1  wherein said refrigerant consists of said HFO-1234ze (E) and said HFO-1336mzz (E). 
     
     
         4 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1  wherein said refrigerant consists of from about 65% to about 78% by weight of HFO-1234ze (E) and from about 22% to about 35% by weight of said HFO-1336mzz (E). 
     
     
         5 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1  wherein said refrigerant further comprises from greater than 0 to about 4.4% by weight of HFC-227ea. 
     
     
         6 . The heat transfer system of  claim 5  wherein said refrigerant consists essentially of said HFO-1234ze (E), said HFO-1336mzz (E) and said HFC-227ea. 
     
     
         7 . The heat transfer system of  claim 1  wherein said refrigerant consists of from about 74.6 to about 78.6% by weight of HFO-1234ze (E), from about 17% to about 21% by weight of said HFO-1336mzz (E) and about 4.4% by weight of HFC-227ea. 
     
     
         8 . A refrigerant comprising:
 (a) from about 74.6 to about 78.6% by weight of HFO-1234ze (E); and   (b) from about 17% to about 21% by weight of said HFO-1336mzz (E).   
     
     
         9 . The refrigerant of  claim 8  consisting essentially of: (a) about 78.6% by weight of HFO-1234ze (E); (b) about 17% by weight of HFO-1336mzz (E); and (c) about 4.4% by weight of HFC-227ea. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerant of  claim 8  consisting essentially of: (a) about 76.6% by weight of HFO-1234ze (E); (b) about 19% by weight of HFO-1336mzz (E); and (c) about 4.4% by weight of HFC-227ea. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerant of  claim 8  consisting essentially of: (a) about 74.6% by weight of HFO-1234ze (E); (b) about 21% by weight of HFO-1336mzz (E); and (c) about 4.4% by weight of HFC-227ea. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerant of  claim 9  consisting of HFO-1234ze (E); HFO-1336mzz (E) and HFC-227ea. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigerant of  claim 10  consisting of HFO-1234ze (E); HFO-1336mzz (E) and HFC-227ea. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerant of  claim 11  consisting of HFO-1234ze (E); HFO-1336mzz (E) and HFC-227ea. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerant of  claim 8  consisting essentially of: (a) 78.6% +0.5%/−2.0% by weight of HFO-1234ze (E); (b) 17% +2.0%/−0.5% by weight of HFO-1336mzz (E); and (c) about 4.4% +2.0%/−0.5% by weight of HFC-227ea. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigerant of  claim 8  consisting essentially of: (a) 76.6% +0.5%/−2.0% by weight of HFO-1234ze (E); (b) 19% +2.0%/−0.5% by weight of HFO-1336mzz (E); and (c) about 4.4% +2.0%/−0.5% by weight of HFC-227ea. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerant of  claim 8  consisting essentially of: (a) 74.6% +0.5%/−2.0% by weight of HFO-1234ze (E); (b) 21% +2.0%/−0.5% by weight of HFO-1336mzz (E); and (c) about 4.4% +2.0%/−0.5% by weight of HFC-227ea. 
     
     
         18 . A heat transfer system comprising a refrigerant according to  claim 12 . 
     
     
         19 . The heat transfer system of  claim 18  comprising a chiller system. 
     
     
         20 . The heat transfer system of  claim 18  comprising a medium temperature refrigeration system.