Compositions comprising 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and hydrocarbons and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump systems wherein the composition comprises 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFC-1234yf) and at least one hydrocarbon. The compositions of the present invention are useful in processes for producing cooling or heat, as heat transfer fluids, foam blowing agents, and aerosol propellants.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition selected from the group consisting of compositions comprising:
 HFO-1234yf and cyclopropane;   HFO-1234yf and propylene;   HFO-1234yf, HFC-152a, and cyclopropane;   HFO-1234yf, HFC-152a, and propane; and   HFO-1234yf, HFC-134a, and cyclopropane.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  comprising a near-azeotropic composition comprising:
 about 1 weight percent to about 99 weight percent HFO-1234yf and about 99 weight percent to about 1 weight percent cyclopropane; 
 about 1 weight percent to about 86 weight percent HFO-1234yf, about 99 weight percent to about 14 weight percent propylene; 
 about 95 weight percent to about 99 weight percent HFO-1234yf, about 5 weight percent to about 1 weight percent propylene; 
 about 1 weight percent to about 98 weight percent HFO-1234yf, about 1 weight percent to about 98 weight percent HFC-152a, and about 1 weight percent to about 98 weight percent cyclopropane; 
 about 1 weight percent to about 98 weight percent HFO-1234yf, about 1 weight percent to about 98 weight percent HFC-152a, and about 20 weight percent to about 98 weight percent propane; and 
 about 1 weight percent to about 98 weight percent HFO-1234yf; about 1 weight percent to about 98 weight percent HFC-134a, and about 1 weight percent to about 98 weight percent cyclopropane. 
 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  comprising an azeotropic composition comprising:
 about 65.4 weight percent HFC-1234yf and about 34.6 weight percent cyclopropane at 25° C. and about 123.8 psia (kPa); 
 about 23.9 weight percent HFO-1234yf and about 76.1 weight percent propylene at 25° C. and about 167.7 psia (kPa); 
 about 52.6 weight percent HFO-1234yf, about 11.1 weight percent HFC-152a, and about 36.3 weight percent cyclopropane at 25° C. and about 124.4 psia (kPa); and 
 about 18.2 weight percent HFO-1234yf, about 27.5 weight percent HFC-152a, and about 54.3 weight percent propane at about zero ° C. and about 76.0 psia (kPa). 
 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising at least one lubricant selected from the group consisting of mineral oils, alkylbenzenes, polyalphaolefins, polyalkylene glycols, polyol esters, polyvinyl ethers, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The compositions of  claim 1  further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of acetates, borates, carbonates, bicarbonates, phosphates, nitrates, hydroxides, oxides, molybdates, bromides, bromates, chlorates, chlorides, or iodides, phosphate esters, organic phosphonates, and phosphonium salts, boric acid, organic boron compounds, brominated compounds, chlorinated paraffins, ammonium polyphosphates, melamines, mixtures of water with polyalkylene glycols or polyol esters, perfluorinated lubricants, fluoroketones, fluoroiodo compounds, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A process to produce cooling comprising condensing a composition of  claim 1  and thereafter evaporating said composition in the vicinity of a body to be cooled. 
     
     
         7 . A process to produce heat comprising condensing the composition of  claim 1  in the vicinity of a body to be heated and thereafter evaporating said composition. 
     
     
         8 . A method for replacing R134a, R22, R12, R404A, R410A, R407C, R413A, R417A, R422A, R422B, R422C and R422D, R423A, R424A, R426A, R428A, R430A, R434A, R437A, R438A, R507A, R502, and R437A in a system that uses, used or was designed to use R134a, R22, R12, R404A, R410A, R407C, R413A, R417A, R422A, R422B, R422C and R422D, R423A, R424A, R426A, R428A, R430A, R434A, R437A, R438A, R507A, R502, and R437A, wherein said method comprises providing the composition of  claim 1  to said system. 
     
     
         9 . A refrigeration, air-conditioning or heat pump apparatus containing the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A stationary air conditioning apparatus containing the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A stationary refrigeration system containing the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A foam blowing agent comprising the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A method of forming a foam comprising:
 (a) adding to a foamable composition the composition of  claim 1 ; and   (b) reacting the foamable composition under conditions effective to form a foam.   
     
     
         14 . A sprayable composition comprising the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A process for producing aerosol products comprising the step of adding the composition of  claim 1  to active ingredients in an aerosol container, wherein said composition functions as a propellant.