Compositions comprising tetrafluoropropene and methods of use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition comprising HFO-1234yf, or trans-HFO-1234ze, or a mixture thereof; HFC-32; and HFC-152a, HFO-1243zf, or a mixture thereof, wherein said composition is selected from the group consisting of: (I) a first composition, wherein said HFO-1234yf or trans-HFO-1234ze or a mixture thereof is at least 56 weight percent of said first composition; (II) a second composition, wherein said HFC-32 is at most 29 weight percent of said second composition; (III) a third composition, wherein said HFC-152a is at least 56 weight percent said third composition; (IV) a fourth composition, wherein said HFC-32 is at least 56 weight percent of said fourth composition; (V) a fifth composition comprising trans-HFO-1234ze, HFC-32, and HFC-152a, HFO-1243zf, or a mixture thereof; and (VI) a sixth composition, wherein said HFO-1243zf or mixture thereof with HFC-152a is at most 20 weight percent of said sixth composition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A composition comprising trans-HFO-1234ze, HFC-32 and HFC-152a. 
     
     
         37 . The composition according to  claim 36  wherein the amount of trans-HFO-1234ze is from about 75 to about 85 weight percent, the amount of HFC-32 is about 10 weight percent, and the amount of HFO-152a is from about 5 to about 15 weight percent. 
     
     
         38 . The composition according to  claim 36  wherein the amount of trans-HFO-1234ze is from 37 to about 53 weight percent, the amount of HFC-32 is about 42.5 weight percent, and the amount of HFO-152a is from about 5 to about 20 weight percent. 
     
     
         39 . The composition according to  claim 36 , wherein the weight ratio of said trans-HFO-1234ze to said HFC-152a is in the range of from about 0.3:1 to about 17:1. 
     
     
         40 . The composition according to  claim 36 , further comprising at least one lubricant selected from the group consisting of mineral oils, alkylbenzenes, synthetic paraffins, synthetic naphthenes, poly alpha olefins, polyalkylene glycols, dibasic acid esters, polyesters, neopentyl esters, polyvinyl ethers, silicones, silicate esters, fluorinated compounds and phosphate esters. 
     
     
         41 . The composition according to  claim 36 , further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of lubricants, dyes, solubilizing agents, compatibilizers, stabilizers, tracers, perfluoropolyethers, anti-wear agents, extreme pressure agents, corrosion and oxidation inhibitors, metal surface energy reducers, metal surface deactivators, free radical scavengers, foam control agents, viscosity index improvers, pour point depressants, detergents and viscosity adjusters. 
     
     
         42 . A process to produce cooling comprising condensing the composition according to  claim 36  and thereafter evaporating said composition in the vicinity of a body to be cooled. 
     
     
         43 . A process to produce heat comprising condensing the composition according to  claim 36  in the vicinity of a body to be heated and thereafter evaporating said composition. 
     
     
         44 . A method for lowering the GWP of a refrigeration system designed to use R-134A as a refrigerant comprising replacing the existing R-134A with the composition according to  claim 37 . 
     
     
         45 . A method for lowering the GWP of a refrigeration system designed to use R-404A as a refrigerant comprising replacing the existing R-404A with the composition according to  claim 38 . 
     
     
         46 . A refrigeration, air-conditioning or heat pump apparatus containing the composition according to  claim 36 . 
     
     
         47 . A stationary air conditioning apparatus containing the composition according to  claim 36 . 
     
     
         48 . A stationary refrigeration system containing the composition according to  claim 36 . 
     
     
         49 . A process for recovering heat which comprises:
 (a) passing a working fluid comprising a composition according to  claim 36  through a first heat exchanger in communication with a process which produces heat;   (b) removing said working fluid from said first heat exchanger;   (c) passing said working fluid to a device that produces mechanical energy; and,   (d) passing said working fluid to a second heat exchanger.   
     
     
         50 . An automotive air conditioner or heat pump containing the composition according to  claim 36 .