Non-azeotropic refrigerant compositions comprising difluoromethane or 1,1,1,-trifluorethane

Abstract

The present invention provides refrigerant blends which are replacements for chlorodifluoromethane(HCFC-22). The present blends have refrigeration characteristics which are similar to HCFC-22. The blends comprise from about 10 to about 90 weight percent of a first component selected from the group consisting of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, difluoromethane, propane, and mixtures thereof; from about 1 to about 50 weight percent of a second component selected from the group consisting of hydrofluorocarbon having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, fluorocarbon having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, inorganic compound, and mixtures thereof having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure in the range from about −90 degrees C. to less than −50 degrees C.; and from about 1 to about 50 weight percent of a third component which is hydrofluorocarbon having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, other than 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure in the range from about −50 degrees C. to about −10 degrees C. The refrigerant compositions have a vapor pressure substantially equal to the vapor pressure of HCFC-22.

What is claimed is  
     
         1 . Refrigerant compositions comprising from about 10 to about 90 weight percent of a first component selected from the group consisting of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, difluoromethane, propane, and mixtures thereof; from about 1 to about 50 weight percent of a second component selected from the group consisting of hydrofluorocarbon having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, fluorocarbon having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, inorganic compound, and mixtures thereof having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure in the range from about −90 degrees C. to less than −50 degrees C.; and from about 1 to about 50 weight percent of a third component which is hydrofluorocarbon having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, other than 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure in the range from about −50 degrees C. to about −10 degrees C. wherein said refrigerant compositions have a vapor pressure substantially equal to the vapor pressure of chlorodifluoromethane.  
     
     
         2 . The refrigerant compositions of  claim 1  wherein said first, second, and third components and their weight percents are selected so that the resulting refrigerant compositions are nonflammable.  
     
     
         3 . The refrigerant compositions of  claim 1  comprising from about 20 to about 80 weight percent said first component, from about 2 to about 40 weight percent said second component, and from about 2 to about 40 weight percent said third component.  
     
     
         4 . The refrigerant compositions of  claim 1  wherein said first component is 1,1,1-trifluoroethane.  
     
     
         5 . The refrigerant compositions of  claim 4  wherein said second component is selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethane, hexafluoroethane, carbon dioxide, and sulfur hexafluoride.  
     
     
         6 . The refrigerant compositions of  claim 4  wherein said third component is selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane, and 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane.  
     
     
         7 . The refrigerant compositions of  claim 1  wherein said first component is difluoromethane.  
     
     
         8 . The refrigerant compositions of  claim 7  wherein said second component is selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethane, hexafluoroethane, carbon dioxide, and sulfur hexafluoride.  
     
     
         9 . The refrigerant compositions of  claim 7  wherein said third component is selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane, and 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane.  
     
     
         10 . The refrigerant compositions of  claim 1  wherein said first component is difluoromethane, said second component is trifluoromethane, and said third component is 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.  
     
     
         11 . The refrigerant compositions of  claim 1  wherein said first component is propane.  
     
     
         12 . The refrigerant compositions of  claim 11  wherein said second component is selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethane, hexafluoroethane, carbon dioxide, and sulfur hexafluoride.  
     
     
         13 . The refrigerant compositions of  claim 11  wherein said third component is selected from the group consisting of pentafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane, and 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane.  
     
     
         14 . A method for producing refrigeration which comprises condensing said refrigerant compositions of  claim 1  and thereafter evaporating said refrigerant compositions in the vicinity of the body to be cooled.  
     
     
         15 . A method for producing refrigeration which comprises condensing said refrigerant compositions of  claim 4  and thereafter evaporating said refrigerant compositions in the vicinity of the body to be cooled.  
     
     
         16 . A method for producing refrigeration which comprises condensing said refrigerant compositions of  claim 7  and thereafter evaporating said refrigerant compositions in the vicinity of the body to be cooled.  
     
     
         17 . A method for producing refrigeration which comprises condensing said refrigerant compositions of  claim 11  and thereafter evaporating said refrigerant compositions in the vicinity of the body to be cooled.  
     
     
         18 . A method for producing heating which comprises condensing said refrigerant compositions of  claim 1  in the vicinity of the body to be heated and thereafter evaporating said refrigerant compositions.  
     
     
         19 . A method for producing heating which comprises condensing said refrigerant compositions of  claim 4  in the vicinity of the body to be heated and thereafter evaporating said refrigerant compositions.  
     
     
         20 . A method for producing heating which comprises condensing said refrigerant compositions of  claim 7  in the vicinity of the body to be heated and thereafter evaporating said refrigerant compositions.