Method of Increasing Efficiency of a Refrigeration System

Abstract

Operation of a refrigeration system can be improved by adding a novel refrigerant composition comprising a mixture of activated long chain fatty acids with a polar heat transfer fluid. Activation is preferably accomplished by blending a mixture of the oils and the heat transfer fluid in a vessel containing a catalyst. Contemplated improvements can include, among other things, a reduction in power consumption, a reduction in evaporator coil condensation, or a reduction in leakage of operating fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of improving operation of a refrigeration system, comprising:
 obtaining a refrigerant composition, wherein the refrigerant composition comprises a mixture of an oil blend and a polar heat transfer fluid, and wherein at least some of the mixture is blended in a vessel comprising a catalyst; and   adding the refrigerant composition to a refrigeration unit.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oil blend comprises at least one of a canola oil, walnut oil, sunflower oil, and almond oil. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oil blend comprises at least a first oil and a second oil, and wherein the first oil comprises an oleic acid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oil blend comprises an oleic acid to linoleic acid ratio of between 70:30 and 50:50. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oil blend comprises at least 30% of an oleic acid, and at least 20% of a linoleic acid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oil blend comprises at least 2% of a linolenic acid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oil blend comprises at least 2% of a palmic acid. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polar heat transfer fluid comprises R-134a, chemically known as 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst comprises a copper catalyst. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst comprises a Polyamide catalyst. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst comprises a stainless steel catalyst. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the improvement comprises adding a sufficient amount of the refrigerant composition to the refrigeration unit such that power consumption relative to a given load on a month over month basis is reduced by at least 25%. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the improvement comprises adding a sufficient amount of the refrigerant composition to the refrigeration unit such that power consumption relative to a given load on a month over month basis is reduced by at least 50%. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the improvement comprises adding a sufficient amount of the refrigerant composition to the refrigeration unit such that an evaporator coil condensation rate relative to a given load on a month over month basis is reduced by at least 25%. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the improvement comprises adding a sufficient amount of the refrigerant composition to the refrigeration unit such that an evaporator coil condensation rate relative to a given load on a month over month basis is reduced by at least 50%. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the improvement comprises adding a sufficient amount of the refrigerant composition to the refrigeration unit such that leakage of operating fluid on a month over month basis is reduced by at least 25%. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the improvement comprises adding a sufficient amount of the refrigerant composition to the refrigeration unit such that leakage of operating fluid on a month over month basis is reduced by at least 50%. 
     
     
         18 . A method of improving operation of a refrigeration system, comprising:
 at least partially removing a commercial refrigerant from a refrigeration unit;   obtaining a refrigerant composition, wherein the refrigerant composition comprises a mixture of an oil blend and a polar heat transfer fluid, and wherein at least some of the mixture is blended in a vessel comprising a catalyst; and   adding the refrigerant composition to the refrigeration unit.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of at least partially removing the commercial refrigerant from the refrigeration unit comprises a vapor recovery. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of at least partially removing the commercial refrigerant from the refrigeration unit comprises removing at least 75% of the commercial refrigerant.