USRE40627EExpiredUtility

Nonflammable mixed refrigerants (MR) for use with very low temperature throttle-cycle refrigeration systems

65
Assignee: BROOKS AUTOMATION INCPriority: Jun 28, 2000Filed: Jan 7, 2005Granted: Jan 27, 2009
Est. expiryJun 28, 2020(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
C09K 2205/13F25B 9/006C09K 2205/128F28D 7/024F25D 31/002F25B 39/02C09K 2205/112F25B 2400/16F25B 2400/18C09K 5/045
65
PatentIndex Score
2
Cited by
74
References
178
Claims

Abstract

Refrigerants containing HCFC's are replaced with new blends by using R-236fa and R-125, or R-125 with R-245fa, or R-236ea, or R-134a with R-236fa in place of HCFC's. No hardware or oil composition changes are required to maintain temperatures, pressures and capacity substantially unchanged in a refrigeration system.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system, said refrigerant blends in mol percent comprising:
                                       Overall range         Component   (mole %)                   Argon    4-36         R-14   10-55         R-23   10-50         R-125    5-20         R-236fa    7-40                                      
 ! 
 
     
     
       2. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 1  and further comprising at least one additional component in each said blend, the components maintaining the same proportions relative to each other after addition of said additional component. 
     
     
       3. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 1 , wherein said refrigeration system is a compressor cycle in one of an autorefrigerating cascade having a liquid/vapor phase separator, throttle device refrigeration system, and a Klimenko type system. 
     
     
       4. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 1  wherein said refrigerating system alternatively permits flow of cold refrigerant or flow of hot refrigerant to an evaporator. 
     
     
       5. Refrigerant blends not containing HCF's  HCFC as in  claim 1 , said blends operating as a replacement in a refrigeration system to provide substantially the same thermodynamic performance in said system as provided by earlier blends of components, in said earlier blends HCF's  HCFC being greater than 0 mol percent. 
     
     
       6. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 1 , wherein said refrigeration system includes an object being cooled by the refrigerant, said object being at least one of
 (a) a metal element in a vacuum chamber freezing out and trapping undesired gasses such as water vapor,  
 (b) a heat exchanger removing heat from a secondary fluid stream including at least one of a liquid, gas, condensing gas, and condensing gas mixture,  
 (c) a metal element having internal refrigerant flow passages and cooling at least one of a silicon wafer, piece of glass, plastic piece and an aluminum disc with or without a magnetic coating on it, and  
 (d) a biological freezer to at least one of freeze and store biological tissues.  
 
     
     
       7. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 1 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of approximately 1% to 10% by weight, said oil being one of POE type and PAG type. 
     
     
       8. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC's , for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system where the evaporator temperature is as low as 105 K, said refrigerant blends comprising:
                                      Ingredient Name   Range (% by mol)                                   1   At least one of neon (Ne) or    0.0-10.0         helium (He)         2   At least one of argon (Ar) or   10.0-45.0         nitrogen (N2)         3   R-14 (CF4)   20.0-50.0     4   R-23 (CHF3)   10.0-30.0     5   R-125 (C2HF5)    8.0-15.0     6   R-134a   0.0-5.0     7   Other high boiling components:   0.0-3.0         at least one of R-236fa, E-347,         R-245fa, R-4112                                             
 ! 
 wherein the mol percents are the mol percents in circulation through the evaporator of the refrigeration system;  
   and wherein the refrigerant blends operate to avoid freezeout in operation of the refrigeration system.   
 
     
     
       9. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 8  and further comprising at least one additional component in each said blend, the components maintaining the same proportions relative to each other after addition of said additional component. 
     
     
       10. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 8 , wherein said refrigeration system is a compressor cycle in one of an autorefrigerating cascade having a liquid/vapor phase separator, throttle device refrigeration system, and a Klimenko type system. 
     
     
       11. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 8  wherein said refrigerating system alternatively permits flow of cold refrigerant or flow of hot refrigerant to an evaporator. 
     
     
       12. Refrigerant blends not containing HCF's  HCFC as in  claim 8 , said blends operating as a replacement in a refrigeration system to provide substantially the same thermodynamic performance in said system as provided by earlier blends of components, in said earlier blends HCF's  HCFC being greater than 0 mol percent. 
     
     
       13. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 8 , wherein said refrigeration system includes an object being cooled by the refrigerant, said object being at least one of
 (a) a metal element in a vacuum chamber freezing out and trapping undesired gasses such as water vapor,  
 (b) a heat exchanger removing heat from a secondary fluid stream including at least one of a liquid, gas, condensing gas, and condensing gas mixture,  
 (c) a metal element having internal refrigerant flow passages and cooling at least one of a silicon wafer, piece of glass, plastic piece and an aluminum disc with or without a magnetic coating on it, and  
 (d) a biological freezer to at least one of freeze and store biological tissues.  
 
     
     
       14. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 8 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of approximately 1% to 10% by weight, said oil being one of POE type and PAG type. 
     
     
       15. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC's , for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system with low temperature (evaporator) as low as 118 K, said refrigerant blends comprising:
                                      Ingredient Name   Range (% by mole)                                   1   At least one of argon (Ar) or   10.0-40.0         nitrogen (N2)         2   R-14   20.0-50.0     3   R-23    0.0-35.0     4   R-125    0.0-10.0     5   R-134a   0.0-6.0     6   At least one of E-347, R-4112         R-236fa, or R-245fa.                                           
 ! 
 wherein the mol percents are the mol percents in circulation through the evaporator of the refrigeration system;  
 provided that at least one of E-347, R-4112, R-236fa, or R-245fa is present in the blend; 
 and wherein the refrigerant blends operate to avoid freezeout in operation of the refrigeration system.  
 
     
     
       16. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 15  and further comprising at least one additional component in each said blend, the components maintaining the same proportions relative to each other after addition of said additional component. 
     
     
       17. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 15 , wherein said refrigeration system is a compressor cycle in one of an autorefrigerating cascade having a liquid/vapor phase separator, throttle device refrigeration system, and a Klimenko type system. 
     
     
       18. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 15  wherein said refrigerating system alternatively permits flow of cold refrigerant or flow of hot refrigerant to an evaporator. 
     
     
       19. Refrigerant blends not containing HCF's  HCFC as in claim  3    15 , said blends operating as a replacement in a refrigeration system to provide substantially the same thermodynamic performance in said system as provided by earlier blends of components, in said earlier blends HCF's  HCFC being greater than 0 mol percent. 
     
     
       20. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 15 , wherein said refrigeration system includes an object being cooled by the refrigerant, said object being at least one of
 (a) a metal element in a vacuum chamber freezing out and trapping undesired gasses such as water vapor,  
 (b) a heat exchanger removing heat from a secondary fluid stream including at least one of a liquid, gas, condensing gas, and condensing gas mixture,  
 (c) a metal element having internal refrigerant flow passages and cooling at least one of a silicon wafer, piece of glass, plastic piece and an aluminum disc with or without a magnetic coating on it, and  
 (d) a biological freezer to at least one of freeze and store biological tissues.  
 
     
     
       21. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 15 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of approximately 1% to 10% by weight, said oil being one of POE type and PAG type. 
     
     
       22. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC's , for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system with low temperature (evaporator) as low as 130 K, said refrigerant blends comprising:
                                      Ingredient Name   Range (% by mole)                                   1   At least one of argon (Ar) or    2.0-40.0%         nitrogen (N2)         2   R-14   10.0-50.0%     3   R-23   10.0-40.0%     4   R-125    0.0-40.0%     5   R-134a    0.0-15.0%     6   At least one of R-245fa, R-       0.0-30.00%  10.0%         236fa, E-347, or R-4112.                                           
 ! 
 wherein the mol percents are the mol percents in circulation through the evaporator of the refrigeration system; 
 provided that at least one of R-245fa, R-236fa, E-347, or R-4112 is present in the blend;  
   and wherein the refrigerant blends operate to avoid freezeout in operation of the refrigeration system .  
 
     
     
       23. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 22  and further comprising at least one additional component in each said blend, the components maintaining the same proportions relative to each other after addition of said additional component. 
     
     
       24. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 22 , wherein said refrigeration system is a compressor cycle in one of an autorefrigerating cascade having a liquid/vapor phase separator, throttle device refrigeration system, and a Klimenko type system. 
     
     
       25. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 22  wherein said refrigerating system alternatively permits flow of cold refrigerant or flow of hot refrigerant to an evaporator. 
     
     
       26. Refrigerant blends not containing HCF's  HCFC as in  claim 22 , said blends operating as a replacement in a refrigeration system to provide substantially the same thermodynamic performance in said system as provided by earlier blends of components, in said earlier blends HCF's  HCFC being greater than 0 mol percent. 
     
     
       27. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 22 , wherein said refrigeration system includes an object being cooled by the refrigerant, said object being at least one of
 (a) a metal element in a vacuum chamber freezing out and trapping undesired gasses such as water vapor,  
 (b) a heat exchanger removing heat from a secondary fluid stream including at least one of a liquid, gas, condensing gas, and condensing gas mixture,  
 (c) a metal element having internal refrigerant flow passages and cooling at least one of a silicon wager, piece of glass, plastic piece and an aluminum disc with or without a magnetic coating on it, and  
 (d) a biological freezer to at least one of freeze and store biological tissues.  
 
     
     
       28. Refrigerant blends as in claim  4    22 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of approximately 1% to 10% by weight, said oil being one of POE type and PAG type. 
     
     
       29. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC's , for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system with low temperature (evaporator) as low as 140 K, said refrigerant blends comprising:
                                                   Ingredient Name   Range (% by mol)                                   1   At least one of argon (Ar) or    2.0-40.0%         nitrogen (N2)         2   R-14   10.0-50.0%     3   R-23   10.0-40.0%     4   R-125    0.0-30.0%     5   R-134a    0.0-15.0%     56   At least one of R-236fa, R-       0.0-10.0% 15.0%          245fa, E-347, or R-4112.                                           
 ! 
 wherein the mol percents are the mol percents in circulation through the evaporator of the refrigeration system; 
 provided that at least one of R-236fa, R-245fa, E-347, or R-4112 is present in the blend;  
   and wherein the refrigerant blends operate to avoid freezeout in operation of the refrigeration system .  
 
     
     
       30. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 29  and further comprising at least one additional component in each said blend, the components maintaining the same proportions relative to each other after addition of said additional component. 
     
     
       31. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 29 , wherein said refrigeration system is a compressor cycle in one of an autorefrigerating cascade having a liquid/vapor phase separator, throttle device refrigeration system, and a Klimenko type system. 
     
     
       32. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 29  wherein said refrigerating system alternatively permits flow of cold refrigerant or flow of hot refrigerant to an evaporator. 
     
     
       33. Refrigerant blends not containing HCF's  HCFC as in  claim 29 , said blends operating as a replacement in a refrigeration system to provide substantially the same thermodynamic performance in said system as provided by earlier blends of components, in said earlier blends HCF's  HCFC being greater than 0 mol percent. 
     
     
       34. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 29 , wherein said refrigeration system includes an object being cooled by the refrigerant, said object being at least one of
 (a) a metal element in a vacuum chamber freezing out and trapping undesired gasses such as water vapor,  
 (b) a heat exchanger removing heat from a secondary fluid stream including at least one of a liquid, gas, condensing gas, and condensing gas mixture,  
 (c) a metal element having internal refrigerant flow passages and cooling at least one of a silicon wafer, piece of glass, plastic piece and an aluminum disc with or without a magnetic coating on it, and  
 
       a biological freezer to at least one of freeze and store biological tissues. 
     
     
       35. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 29 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of approximately 1% to 10% by weight, said oil being one of POE type and PAG type. 
     
     
       36. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC's , for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system with low temperature (evaporator) as low as 155 K, said refrigerant blends comprising:
                                           Ingredient Name   Range (% by mole)                                   1   At least one of argon (Ar) or    0.0-40.0%         nitrogen (N2)     2   R-14   5.0-50.0%     3   R-23   5.0-40.0%     4   R-125   0.0-40.0%     5   R-134a   0.0-30.0%     6   At least one of R-236fa, or   0.0-30.0%         R-245fa     7   At least one of E-347 or R-4112   0.0-20.0%                                           
 ! 
 wherein the mol percents are the mol percents in circulation through the evaporator of the refrigeration system; 
 provided that at least one of R-236fa, R-245fa, E-347, or R-4112 is present in the blend;  
 and wherein the refrigerant blends operate to avoid freezeout in operation of the refrigeration system.  
 
     
     
       37. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 36  and further comprising at least one additional component in each said blend, the components maintaining the same proportions relative to each other after addition of said additional component. 
     
     
       38. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 36 , wherein said refrigeration system is a compressor cycle in one of an autorefrigerating cascade having a liquid/vapor phase separator, throttle device refrigeration system, and a Klimenko type system. 
     
     
       39. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 36  wherein said refrigerating system alternatively permits flow of cold refrigerant or flow of hot refrigerant to an evaporator. 
     
     
       40. Refrigerant blends not containing HCF's  HCFC as in  claim 36 , said blends operating as a replacement in a refrigeration system to provide substantially the same thermodynamic performance in said system as provided by earlier blends of components, in said earlier blends HCF's  HCFC being greater than 0 mol percent. 
     
     
       41. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 36 , wherein said refrigeration system includes an object being cooled by the refrigerant, said object being at least one of
 (d) a metal element in a vacuum chamber freezing out and trapping undesired gasses such as water vapor,  
 (e) a heat exchanger removing heat from a secondary fluid stream including at least one of a liquid, gas, condensing gas, and condensing gas mixture,  
 (f) a metal element having internal refrigerant flow passages and cooling at least one of a silicon wafer, piece of glass, plastic piece and an aluminum disc with or without a magnetic coating on it, and  
 
       a biological freezer to at least one of freeze and store biological tissues. 
     
     
       42. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 36 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of approximately 1% to 10% by weight, said oil being one of POE type and PAG type. 
     
     
       43. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system, said refrigerant blends selected from the group comprising Blend A, Blend B, Blend C, and Blend D where the components of each blend in mol percent are as follows:
                                       Molar Fraction (percent)             Component   Blend A   Blend B   Blend C   Blend D                                                   Argon   13   24   18    8         R-14   34   26   35   24         R-23   28   22   21   32         R-125   11   11   12   11         R-236fa   14   17   14    25.                                            
 ! 
 
     
     
       44. A refrigerant blend free of HCFC containing a mixed refrigerant comprising a fluorocarbon, at least one gas selected from the group consisting of Ar and N 2   , and at least one of R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, HFE, and R- 4112 , the at least one R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, HFE, and R- 4112  in a total amount not greater than  3 . 0  mol %; wherein the mol percents are the mol percents in circulation through the evaporator of the refrigeration system; and wherein the refrigerant blends operate to avoid freezeout in operation of the refrigeration system.   
     
     
       45. The refrigerant blend of  claim 44 , wherein the refrigerant blend is configured for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system. 
     
     
       46. The refrigerant blend of  claim 44 , wherein HFE comprises E- 347 . 
     
     
       47. The refrigerant blend of  claim 44 , wherein the fluorocarbon comprises R- 14 . 
     
     
       48. The refrigerant blend of  claim 44 , further comprising a lubricant oil. 
     
     
       49. The refrigerant blend of  claim 48 , comprising approximately  1  wt % to  10  wt % of the lubricant oil. 
     
     
       50. The refrigerant blend of  claim 48 , wherein the lubricant oil comprises POE-type lubricant oil. 
     
     
       51. The refrigerant blend of  claim 48 , wherein the lubricant oil comprises PAG-type lubricant oil. 
     
     
       52. A refrigerant blend free of HCFC containing a mixed refrigerant comprising:
   at least one of Ar or N   2 ;      R- 14 ;        R- 125 ;        R- 23 ; and        at least one of R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, E- 347 , or R- 4112 .     
     
     
       53. The refrigerant blend of  claim 52 , wherein the refrigerant blend is configured for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system. 
     
     
       54. The refrigerant blend of  claim 52 , wherein the mixed refrigerant comprises not greater than  55 . 0  mol % of the R- 14 . 
     
     
       55. The refrigerant blend of  claim 52 , wherein the mixed refrigerant comprises not greater than  40 . 0  mol % of the R- 23 . 
     
     
       56. The refrigerant blend of  claim 52 , wherein the mixed refrigerant comprises not greater than  40 . 0  mol % of the R- 125 . 
     
     
       57. The refrigerant blend of  claim 52 , wherein the mixed refrigerant comprises not greater than  40 . 0  mol % of the at least one of R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, E- 347 , or R- 4112 . 
     
     
       58. The refrigerant blend of  claim 52 , wherein the mixed refrigerant comprises not greater than  30 . 0  mol % of the at least one of R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, E- 347 , or R- 4112 . 
     
     
       59. The refrigerant blend of  claim 52 , wherein the mixed refrigerant comprises not greater than  10 . 0  mol %  of the at least one of R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, E- 347 , or R- 4112 .   
     
     
       60. The refrigerant blend of  claim 52 , wherein the mixed refrigerant comprises not greater than  6 . 0  mol % of the at least one of R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, E- 347 , or R- 4112 . 
     
     
       61. The refrigerant blend of  claim 52 , wherein the mixed refrigerant comprises not greater than  3 . 0  mol %  of the at least one of R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, E- 347 , or R- 4112 .   
     
     
       62. The refrigerant blend of  claim 52 , wherein the mixed refrigerant further comprises R- 134 a. 
     
     
       63. The refrigerant blend of  claim 62 , wherein the mixed refrigerant comprises not greater than  15 . 0  mol %  of the R- 134 a.   
     
     
       64. The refrigerant blend free of HCFC containing a mixed refrigerant comprising a fluorocarbon, E- 347 , and at least one gas selected from the group consisting of Ar or N 2 . 
     
     
       65. The refrigerant blend of  claim 64 , wherein the refrigerant blend is configured for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system. 
     
     
       66. A method of refrigerating, the method comprising:
   using an HCFC-free refrigerant blend in a refrigeration system, the HCFC-free refrigerant blend containing a mixed refrigerant comprising:      at least one of Ar or N   2 ;      R- 14 ;        R- 125 ;        R- 23 ; and        at least one of R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, E- 347 , or R- 4112 ; and          cooling an evaporator of the refrigeration system.     
     
     
       67. The method of  claim 66 , wherein the refrigeration system is designed for use of HCFC-containing refrigerant blends, wherein the HCFC-free refrigerant blend is a replacement refrigerant. 
     
     
       68. The method of  claim 66 , wherein cooling comprises cooling the evaporator to a temperature as low as  155 K. 
     
     
       69. The method of  claim 66 , wherein cooling comprises cooling the evaporator to a temperature as low as  140 K. 
     
     
       70. The method of  claim 66 , wherein cooling comprises cooling the evaporator to a temperature as low as  130 K. 
     
     
       71. The method of  claim 66 , wherein cooling comprises cooling the evaporator to a temperature as low as  118 K. 
     
     
       72. The method of  claim 66 , wherein the HCFC-free refrigerant blend further comprises lubricant oil. 
     
     
       73. The method of  claim 72 , wherein the HCFC-free refrigerant blend comprises approximately  1  wt %  to  10  wt  %  of the lubricant oil.   
     
     
       74. The method of  claim 72 , wherein the lubricant oil comprises POE-type lubricant oil. 
     
     
       75. The method of  claim 72 , wherein the lubricant oil comprises PAG-type lubricant oil. 
     
     
       76. A refrigerant blend free of HCFC comprising ( i )  a mixed refrigerant comprising at least one of R- 236 fa and R- 245 fa, and  ( ii )  lubricant oil, wherein the refrigerant blend has a freezing temperature not greater than  150 . 0 K.   
     
     
       77. The refrigerant blend of  claim 76 , wherein the lubricant oil comprises POE-type lubricant oil. 
     
     
       78. The refrigerant blend of  claim 76 , wherein the refrigerant blend comprises approximately  1  wt %  to  10  wt  %  of the lubricant oil.   
     
     
       79. The refrigerant blend of  claim 76 , wherein the freezing temperature is not greater than  140 K. 
     
     
       80. The refrigerant blend of  claim 76 , further comprising at least one gas selected from Ar and N 2 . 
     
     
       81. The refrigerant blend of  claim 76 , further comprising R- 14 . 
     
     
       82. The refrigerant blend of  claim 76 , further comprising R- 23 . 
     
     
       83. The refrigerant blend of  claim 76 , further comprising R- 125 . 
     
     
       84. The refrigerant blend of  claim 76 , further comprising R- 218 . 
     
     
       85. A refrigerant blend free of HCFC containing a mixed refrigerant comprising:
   at least one of Ar or N   2 ;      R- 14 ;        R- 23 ; and        R- 125 .     
     
     
       86. The refrigerant blend of  claim 85 , wherein the refrigerant blend is configured for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system. 
     
     
       87. The refrigerant blend of  claim 85 , further comprising R- 134 a. 
     
     
       88. A refrigerant blend free of HCFC containing a mixed refrigerant comprising:
   R- 14 ;        R- 125 ;        R- 23 ; and        at least one of R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, E- 347 , or R- 4112 .     
     
     
       89. The refrigerant blend of  claim 88 , wherein the refrigerant blend is configured for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system. 
     
     
       90. The refrigerant blend of  claim 88 , further comprising R- 134 a. 
     
     
       91. The refrigerant blend of  claim 44 , wherein the mixed refrigerant further comprises at least one of Ne or He. 
     
     
       92. The refrigerant blend of  claim 52 , wherein the mixed refrigerant further comprises at least one of Ne or He. 
     
     
       93. The refrigerant blend of  claim 64 , wherein the mixed refrigerant further comprises at least one of Ne or He. 
     
     
       94. The refrigerant blend of  claim 66 , wherein the mixed refrigerant further comprises at least one of Ne or He. 
     
     
       95. The refrigerant blend of  claim 80 , further comprising at least one gas selected from the group consisting of Ne and He. 
     
     
       96. The refrigerant blend of  claim 85 , wherein the mixed refrigerant further comprises at least one of Ne or He. 
     
     
       97. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC as in  claim 1 , said blends operating as a replacement in a refrigeration system to provide substantially the same thermodynamic performance in said system as provided by earlier blends of components, said earlier blends comprising at least one flammable component. 
     
     
       98. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 97 , wherein said earlier blends comprised a hydrocarbon. 
     
     
       99. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC as in  claim 8 , said blends operating as a replacement in a refrigeration system to provide substantially the same thermodynamic performance in said system as provided by earlier blends of components, said earlier blends comprising at least one flammable component. 
     
     
       100. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 99 , wherein said earlier blends comprised a hydrocarbon. 
     
     
       101. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC as in  claim 15 , said blends operating as a replacement in a refrigeration system to provide substantially the same thermodynamic performance in said system as provided by earlier blends of components, said earlier blends comprising at least one flammable component. 
     
     
       102. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 101 , wherein said earlier blends comprised a hydrocarbon. 
     
     
       103. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC as in  claim 22 , said blends operating as a replacement in a refrigeration system to provide substantially the same thermodynamic performance in said system as provided by earlier blends of components, said earlier blends comprising at least one flammable component. 
     
     
       104. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 103 , wherein said earlier blends comprised a hydrocarbon. 
     
     
       105. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC as in  claim 29 , said blends operating as a replacement in a refrigeration system to provide substantially the same thermodynamic performance in said system as provided by earlier blends of components, said earlier blends comprising at least one flammable component. 
     
     
       106. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 105 , wherein said earlier blends comprised a hydrocarbon. 
     
     
       107. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC as in  claim 36 , said blends operating as a replacement in a refrigeration system to provide substantially the same thermodynamic performance in said system as provided by earlier blends of components, said earlier blends comprising at least one flammable component. 
     
     
       108. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 107 , wherein said earlier blends comprised a hydrocarbon. 
     
     
       109. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 1 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of less than approximately  1 %  by weight.   
     
     
       110. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 109 , wherein said oil comprises a POE type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       111. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 109 , wherein said oil comprises a PAG type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       112. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 8 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of less than approximately  1 %  by weight.   
     
     
       113. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 112 , wherein said oil comprises a POE type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       114. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 112 , wherein said oil comprises a PAG type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       115. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 15 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of less than approximately  1 %  by weight.   
     
     
       116. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 115 , wherein said oil comprises a POE type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       117. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 115 , wherein said oil comprises a PAG type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       118. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 22 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of less than approximately  1 %  by weight.   
     
     
       119. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 118 , wherein said oil comprises a POE type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       120. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 118 , wherein said oil comprises a PAG type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       121. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 29 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of less than approximately  1 %  by weight.   
     
     
       122. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 121 , wherein said oil comprises a POE type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       123. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 121 , wherein said oil comprises a PAG type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       124. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 36 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of less than approximately  1 %  by weight.   
     
     
       125. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 124 , wherein said oil comprises a POE type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       126. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 124 , wherein said oil comprises a PAG type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       127. The refrigerant blend of  claim 48 , comprising less than approximately  1  wt %  of the lubricant oil.   
     
     
       128. The refrigerant blend of  claim 127 , wherein said oil comprises a POE type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       129. The refrigerant blend of  claim 127 , wherein said oil comprises a PAG type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       130. The method of  claim 72 , wherein the HCFC-free refrigerant blend comprises less than approximately  1  wt %  of the lubricant oil.   
     
     
       131. The method of  claim 130 , wherein said oil comprises a POE type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       132. The method of  claim 130 , wherein said oil comprises a PAG type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       133. The refrigerant blend of  claim 76 , wherein the refrigerant blend comprises less than approximately  1  wt %  of the lubricant oil.   
     
     
       134. The refrigerant blend of  claim 76 , wherein the lubricant oil comprises PAG-type lubricant oil. 
     
     
       135. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 1 , wherein the mol percents are the mol percents in circulation through the compressor of the refrigeration system. 
     
     
       136. The refrigerant blend of  claim 52 , wherein the mixed refrigerant comprises not greater than  50 . 0  mol %  of the R- 23 .   
     
     
       137. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system, said refrigerant blends in mol percent comprising:                                                   Overall range             Component       (mole %)                       Argon       4-36             R-14       10-55             Total of R-170 and any R-23 in blend       10-50             R-125       5-20             R-236fa       7-40                                           !   
       provided that at least some R- 170  is present in the blend. 
     
     
       138. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 137 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of approximately  1 %  to  10   %  by weight, said oil being one of POE type and PAG type.   
     
     
       139. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 137 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of less than approximately  1 %  by weight.   
     
     
       140. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 139 , wherein said oil comprises a POE type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       141. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 139 , wherein said oil comprises a PAG type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       142. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC, for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system where the evaporator temperature is as low as  105  K, said refrigerant blends comprising:                                                   Range (%             Ingredient Name       by mol)                                       1       At least one of neon (Ne) or        0.00-10.0             helium (He)             2       At least one of argon (Ar) or       10.0-45.0             nitrogen             3       R-14 (CF4)       20.0-50.0         4       Total of R-170 (Ethane) and any R-23 (CHF3) in blend       10.0-30.0         5       R-125 (C2HF5)       8.0-15.0         6       R-134a       0.0-5.0         7       Other high boiling components:       0.0-3.0             at least one of R-236fa,             E-347, R-245fa, R-4112                                                   !   
       provided that at least some R- 170  is present in the blend. 
     
     
       143. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 142 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of approximately  1 %  to  10   %  by weight, said oil being one of POE type and PAG type.   
     
     
       144. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 142 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of less than approximately  1 %  by weight.   
     
     
       145. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 144 , wherein said oil comprises a POE type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       146. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 144 , wherein said oil comprises a PAG type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       147. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC, for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system with low temperature ( evaporator )  as low as  118  K, said refrigerant blends comprising:                                                 Ingredient Name       Range (% by mole)                                       1       At least one of argon (Ar) or       10.0-40.0             nitrogen (N2)         2       R-14       20.0-50.0         3       Total of R-170 and any R-23 in blend       10.0-40.0         4       R-125       0.0-35.0         5       R-134a        0.0-10.0         6       At least one of E-347, R-4112,       0.0-6.0             R-236fa or R-245fa                                               !   wherein the mol percents are the mol percents in circulation through the evaporator of the refrigeration system;      provided that at least some R- 170  is present in the blend;        provided that at least one of E- 347 , R- 4112 , R- 236 fa or R- 245 fa is present in the blend;        and wherein the refrigerant blends operate to avoid freezeout in operation of the refrigeration system.     
     
     
       148. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 147 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of approximately  1 %  to  10   %  by weight, said oil being one of POE type and PAG type.   
     
     
       149. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 147 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of less than approximately  1 %  by weight.   
     
     
       150. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 149 , wherein said oil comprises a POE type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       151. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 149 , wherein said oil comprises a PAG type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       152. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC, for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system with low temperature ( evaporator )  as low as  130  K, said refrigerant blends comprising:                                                 Ingredient Name       Range (% by mole)                                       1       At least one of argon (Ar) or       2.0-40.0%             nitrogen (N2)         2       R-14       10.0-50.0%         3       Total of R-170 and any R-23 in blend       10.0-40.0%         4       R-125       0.0-40.0%         5       R-134a       0.0-15.0%         6       At least one of R-245fa, R-       0.0-10.0%             236fa, E-347, or R-4112                                               !   wherein the mol percents are the mol percents in circulation through the evaporator of the refrigeration system;      provided that at least some R- 170  is present in the blend;        provided that at least one of R- 245 fa, R- 236 fa, E- 347 , or R- 4112  is present in the blend;        and wherein the refrigerant blends operate to avoid freezeout in operation of the refrigeration system.     
     
     
       153. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 152 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of approximately  1 %  to  10   %  by weight, said oil being one of POE type and PAG type.   
     
     
       154. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 152 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of less than approximately  1 %  by weight.   
     
     
       155. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 154 , wherein said oil comprises a POE type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       156. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 154 , wherein said oil comprises a PAG type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       157. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC, for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system with low temperature ( evaporator )  as low as  140  K, said refrigerant blends comprising:                                                 Ingredient Name       Range (% by mole)                                       1       At least one of argon (Ar) or       2.0-40.0%             nitrogen (N2)         2       R-14       10.0-50.0%         3       Total of R-170 and any R-23 in blend       10.0-40.0%         4       R-125       0.0-30.0%         5       R-134a       0.0-15.0%         6       At least one of R-236fa, R-       0.0-10.0%             245fa, E-347, or R-4112                                               !   wherein the mol percents are the mol percents in circulation through the evaporator of the refrigeration system;      provided that at least some R- 170  is present in the blend;        provided that at least one of R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, E- 347 , or R- 4112  is present in the blend;        and wherein the refrigerant blends operate to avoid freezeout in operation of the refrigeration system.     
     
     
       158. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 157 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of approximately  1 %  to  10   %  by weight, said oil being one of POE type and PAG type.   
     
     
       159. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 157 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of less than approximately  1 %  by weight.   
     
     
       160. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 159 , wherein said oil comprises a POE type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       161. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 159 , wherein said oil comprises a PAG type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       162. Refrigerant blends not containing HCFC, for use in a very low temperature refrigeration system with low temperature ( evaporator )  as low as  155  K, said refrigerant blends comprising:                                                 Ingredient Name       Range (% by mole)                                       1       At least one of argon (Ar) or       0.0-40.0%             nitrogen (N2)         2       R-14       5.0-50.0%         3       Total of R-170 and any R-23 in blend       5.0-40.0%         4       R-125       0.0-40.0%         5       R-134a       0.0-30.0%         6       At least one of R-236fa, or       0.0-30.0%             R-245fa         7       At least one of E-347 or R-4112       0.0-20.0%                                                !   wherein the mol percents are the mol percents in circulation through the evaporator of the refrigeration system;      provided that at least some R- 170  is present in the blend;        provided that at least one of R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, E- 347 , or R- 4112  is present in the blend;        and wherein the refrigerant blends operate to avoid freezeout in operation of the refrigeration system.     
     
     
       163. Refrigerant blends as in  claim 162 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of approximately  1 %  to  10   %  by weight, said oil being one of POE type and PAG type.   
     
     
       164. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 162 , and further comprising lubricating oil in a range of less than approximately  1 %  by weight.   
     
     
       165. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 164 , wherein said oil comprises a POE type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       166. Refrigerant blends according to  claim 164 , wherein said oil comprises a PAG type lubricating oil. 
     
     
       167. A refrigerant blend free of HCFC containing a mixed refrigerant comprising:
   at least one of Ar or N   2 ;      R- 14 ;        R- 125 ;        R- 170 ; and        at least one of R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, E- 347 , or R- 4112 .     
     
     
       168. The refrigerant blend of  claim 167 , wherein the mixed refrigerant comprises not greater than  40 . 0  mol %  of a total of R- 170  and any R- 23  present in the blend.   
     
     
       169. The refrigerant blend of  claim 167 , wherein the mixed refrigerant comprises not greater than  50 . 0  mol %  of a total of R- 170  and any R- 23  present in the blend.   
     
     
       170. A method of refrigerating, the method comprising:
   using an HCFC-free refrigerant blend in a refrigeration system, the HCFC-free refrigeration blend containing a mixed refrigerant comprising:      at least one of Ar or N   2 ;      R- 14 ;        R- 125 ;        R- 170 ; and        at least one of R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, E- 347 , or R- 4112 ; and          cooling an evaporator of the refrigeration system.     
     
     
       171. The method of  claim 170 , wherein the HCFC-free refrigerant blend further comprises lubricant oil. 
     
     
       172. The method of  claim 171 , wherein the HCFC-free refrigerant blend comprises approximately  1  wt %  to  10  wt  %  of the lubricant oil.   
     
     
       173. The method of  claim 171 , wherein the lubricant oil comprises POE-type lubricant oil. 
     
     
       174. The method of  claim 171 , wherein the lubricant oil comprises PAG-type lubricant oil. 
     
     
       175. A refrigerant blend free of HCFC comprising ( i )  a mixed refrigerant comprising R- 170  and at least one of R- 236 fa and R- 245 fa, and  ( ii )  lubricant oil, wherein the refrigerant blend has a freezing temperature not greater than  150 . 0 K.   
     
     
       176. A refrigerant blend according to  claim 175 , further comprising R- 23 . 
     
     
       177. A refrigerant blend free of HCFC containing a mixed refrigerant comprising:
   at least one of Ar or N   2 ;      R- 14 ;        R- 170 ; and        R- 125 .     
     
     
       178. A refrigerant blend free of HCFC containing a mixed refrigerant comprising:
   R- 14 ;        R- 125 ;        R- 170 ; and        at least one of R- 236 fa, R- 245 fa, E- 347 , or R- 4112 .

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