Compositions

Abstract

A composition comprises (i) from about 2 to about 50% by weight 1,1-difluoroethene (vinylidene fluoride, R-1132a), (ii) from about 2 to about 95% by weight difluoromethane (R-32), and (iii) 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R-1234yf).

1 . A composition comprising:
 (i) from about 2 to about 50% by weight 1,1-difluoroethene (vinylidene fluoride, R-1132a);   (ii) from about 2 to about 95% by weight difluoromethane (R-32); and   (iii) 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R-1234yf).   
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the content of R-1132a is from about 2 to about 40% by weight. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the content of R-1132a is from about 3 or about 5 to about 20% by weight. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the content of R-32 is from about 5 to about 90% by weight R-32. 
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the content of R-32 is from about 10 to about 80% by weight. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the content of R-1234yf is from about 1 to about 96% by weight. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the content of R-1234yf is from about 10 to about 65% by weight. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 1 , consisting essentially of from about 2 to about 40% by weight R-1132a, from about 4 to about 94% by weight R-32, and from about 4 to about 94% by weight R-1234yf. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 1 , consisting essentially of from about 3 to about 30% by weight R-1132a, from about 10 to about 91% by weight R-32 and from about 6 to about 87% by weight R-1234yf. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 1 , consisting essentially of from about 4 to about 25% by weight R-1132a, from about 15 to about 88% by weight R-32 and from about 8 to about 81% by weight R-1234yf. 
     
     
         11 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition has:
 a. a higher flammable limit as measured in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 34;   b. a higher ignition energy as determined in a 500 ml glass flask by the method of ASTM E659-78; and/or   c. a lower flame velocity as measured in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 34 compared to R-1132a alone.   
     
     
         12 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a volumetric refrigeration capacity that is at least 90% of that of R-410A, and/or wherein the composition has a coefficient of performance (COP) that is equivalent or higher to that of R-410A; and/or wherein the composition has an operating pressure in a condenser equal to or lower than that of R-32, and/or wherein the composition has a compressor discharge temperature that is lower than that of R-32; and/or wherein the composition has a temperature glide in an evaporator or condenser of less than about 10K, preferably less than about 5K; and/or wherein the composition has a burning velocity of less than about 10 cm/s as measured by ASHRAE Standard 34. 
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lubricant. 
     
     
         14 . The composition according to  claim 13 , wherein the lubricant is selected from mineral oil, silicone oil, polyalkyl benzenes (PABs), polyol esters (POEs), polyalkylene glycols (PAGs), polyalkylene glycol esters (PAG esters), polyvinyl ethers (PVEs), poly (alpha-olefins) and combinations thereof, preferably wherein the lubricant is selected from PAGs or POEs. 
     
     
         15 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising a stabiliser. 
     
     
         16 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the stabiliser is selected from diene-based compounds, phosphates, phenol compounds and epoxides, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flame retardant. 
     
     
         18 . The composition according to  claim 17 , wherein the flame retardant is selected from the group consisting of tri-(2-chloroethyl)-phosphate, (chloropropyl) phosphate, ti-(2,3-dibromopropyl)-phosphate, tri-(1,3-dichloropropyl)-phosphate, diammonium phosphate, various halogenated aromatic compounds, antimony oxide, aluminium trihydrate, polyvinyl chloride, a fluorinated iodocarbon, a fluorinated bromocarbon, trifluoro iodomethane, perfluoroalkyl amines, bromo-fluoroalkyl amines and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A heat transfer device containing a composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . The heat transfer device of  claim 19 , wherein the heat transfer device is a refrigeration device, and/or wherein the heat transfer device comprises a residential or commercial air conditioning system, a heat pump or a commercial or industrial refrigeration system. 
     
     
         21 . A method for cooling an article, comprising:
 condensing a composition of  claim 1 , and   thereafter evaporating the composition in the vicinity of the article to be cooled.   
     
     
         22 . A method for heating an article, comprising:
 condensing a composition of  claim 1  in the vicinity of the article to be heated, and   thereafter evaporating the composition.   
     
     
         23 . A mechanical power generation device containing a composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         24 . The mechanical power generation device of  claim 23 , wherein the mechanical power generation device is adapted to use a Rankine Cycle or modification thereof to generate work from heat. 
     
     
         25 . A method of retrofitting a heat transfer device, comprising:
 removing an existing heat transfer composition, and   introducing a composition of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         26 . The method of retrofitting a heat transfer device of  claim 25 , wherein the heat transfer device is a commercial or industrial refrigeration device, a heat pump, or a residential or commercial air conditioning system, optionally wherein the heat transfer composition is a refrigerant selected from R-410A, R-454B, R-452B and R-32. 
     
     
         27 . A method for reducing the environmental impact arising from the operation of a product comprising an existing compound or composition, the method comprising:
 replacing at least partially the existing compound or composition with a composition of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         28 . The method for reducing the environmental impact of  claim 27 , wherein the use of the composition of  claim 1  results in a lower Total Equivalent Warming Impact, and/or a lower Life-Cycle Carbon Production than is attained by use of the existing compound or composition.