Compositions comprising z-1,2-difluoroethylene and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump systems wherein the composition comprises Z-1,2-difluoroethylene (Z-HFO-1132a). The compositions of the present invention are useful in processes for producing cooling or heat, as heat transfer fluids, foam blowing agents, aerosol propellants, and power cycle working fluids.

1 . A composition comprising Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, Z-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, E-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, 3,3,3-trifluoropropene, difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, fluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, propane, n-butane, isobutane, propylene, cyclopropane, n-pentane, isopentane, dimethylether, trifluoroiodomethane, and CF 3 SCF 3 . 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  comprising an azeotropic or azeotrope-like combination of:
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and Z-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and E-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and 1,1,1-trifluoropropene; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and 1,1-difluoroethane; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and fluoroethane; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and propane; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and n-butane; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and isobutane; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and dimethylether; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and CF 3 I; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and CF 3 SCF 3 : 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane; 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane; or 
 Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and cyclopropane. 
 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2  comprising:
 about 1 weight percent to about 69 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 99 weight percent to about 31 weight percent 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; 
 about 1 weight percent to about 99 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 99 weight percent to about 1 weight percent Z-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene; 
 about 1 weight percent to about 99 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 99 weight percent to about 1 weight percent E-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene; 
 about 1 weight percent to about 99 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 99 weight percent to about 1 weight percent 1,1,1-trifluoropropene; 
 about 1 weight percent to about 99 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 99 weight percent to about 1 weight percent 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane; 
 about 1 weight percent to about 99 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 99 weight percent to about 1 weight percent 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane; 
 about 1 weight percent to about 99 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 99 weight percent to about 1 weight percent 1,1-difluoroethane; 
 about 1 weight percent to about 99 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 99 weight percent to about 1 weight percent fluoroethane; 
 about 13 weight percent to about 74 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 87 weight percent to about 26 weight percent 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane; 
 about 1 weight percent to about 70 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 99 weight percent to about 30 weight percent propane; 
 about 1 weight percent to about 99 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 99 weight percent to about 1 weight percent cyclopropane; 
 about 1 weight percent to about 99 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 99 weight percent to about 1 weight percent dimethylether; 
 about 1 weight percent to about 99 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 99 weight percent to about 1 weight percent trifluoroiodomethane; or 
 about 16 weight percent to about 65 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 84 weight percent to about 35 weight percent CF 3 SCF 3 . 
 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 2  comprising:
 about 27.8 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 9.5 weight percent 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene that forms an azeotrope at about 0° C. and about 51.0 psia (352 kPa); 
 about 43.7 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 56.3 weight percent Z-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene that forms an azeotrope at about 0° C. and about 40.1 psia (276 kPa); 
 about 77.0 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 23.0 weight percent E-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene that forms an azeotrope at about 0° C. and about 35.0 psia (241 kPa); 
 about 47.5 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 52.5 weight percent 1,1,1-trifluoropropene that forms an azeotrope at about 0° C. and about 39.2 psia (270 kPa); 
 about 41.3 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 58.7 weight percent 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane that forms an azeotrope at about 0° C. and about 44.3 psia (305 kPa); 
 about 7.0 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 93.0 weight percent propane that forms an azeotrope at about 0° C. and about 68.8 psia (474 kPa); 
 about 77.8 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 22.2 weight percent isobutane that forms an azeotrope at about 0° C. and about 37.8 psia (261 kPa); 
 about 31.3 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 68.7 weight percent CF 3 I that forms an azeotrope at about 0° C. and about 43.5 psia (300 kPa); 
 or 
 about 36.6 weight percent Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and about 63.4 weight percent CF 3 SCF 3  that forms an azeotrope at about 0° C. and about 48.6 psia (335 kPa). 
 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising at least one lubricant suitable for use in a heat transfer system. 
     
     
         6 . The compositions of  claim 1  further comprising at least one flammability reducing additive. 
     
     
         7 . The compositions of  claim 1  further comprising at least one stabilizer. 
     
     
         8 . A method for replacing a refrigerant selected from the group consisting of R134a, R22, R12, R404A, R410A, R407C, R413A, R417A, R422A, R422B, R422C, R422D, R423A, R424A, R426A, R428A, R430A, R434A, R437A, R438A, R507A, and R502, in a system that uses, used, or was designed to use said refrigerant, comprising adding to said system a composition comprising Z-1,2-difluoroethylene and optionally, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, Z-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, E-1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, E-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 3,3,3-trifluoropropene, difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane, fluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, propane, n-butane, isobutane, propylene, cyclopropane, n-pentane, isopentane, dimethylether, trifluoroiodomethane, and CF 3 SCF 3 . 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the system uses, used, or was designed to use R134a. 
     
     
         10 . A refrigerant composition comprising the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A method of refrigeration, air-conditioning or heating comprising the steps of evaporating and condensing a composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition functions as a refrigerant. 
     
     
         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. 
     
     
         16 . A process for recovering heat comprising evaporating a liquid phase working fluid comprising a composition of  claim 1  in a heat exchanger in contact with a system that produces heat thus producing a vapor phase working fluid and passing said vapor phase working fluid to an expander wherein mechanical energy is produced. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 16  further comprising condensing said vapor phase working fluid thus forming a liquid phase working fluid. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17  further comprising recycling said liquid phase working fluid to be evaporated again. 
     
     
         19 . A refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pump or power cycle system apparatus containing the composition of  claim 1 .