Heat transfer methods, systems and compositions

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerant composition, including difluoromethane (HFC-32), pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and trifluoroiodomethane (CF 3 I) for use in a heat exchange system, including air conditioning and refrigeration applications and in particular aspects to the use of such compositions as a replacement of the refrigerant R-410A for heating and cooling applications and to retrofitting heat exchange systems, including systems designed for use with R-410A.

1 . A heat transfer composition comprising a refrigerant consisting of:
 from 48% by weight to 51% by weight difluoromethane (HFC-32),   11.5%+/−1% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and   from 36.5% by weight to 40.5% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), wherein said refrigerant is non-flammable when tested in accordance with ASTM E681-2009 as required in ASHRAE Standard 34-2013 and described in Appendix B1 to ASHRAE Standard 34-2013.   
     
     
         2 . The heat transfer composition of  claim 1  wherein said CF3I is present in said refrigerant in an amount of about 38.5% by weight. 
     
     
         3 . The heat transfer composition of  claim 2  wherein said HFC-125 is present in said refrigerant in an amount of 11.5%+/−0.5% by weight. 
     
     
         4 . The heat transfer composition of  claim 1  wherein said HFC-32 is present in said refrigerant in an amount of about 50% by weight. 
     
     
         5 . The heat transfer composition of  claim 2  wherein said HFC-32 is present in said refrigerant in an amount of about 50% by weight. 
     
     
         6 . The heat transfer composition of  claim 3  wherein said HFC-32 is present in said refrigerant in an amount of about 50% by weight. 
     
     
         7 . The heat transfer composition of  claim 1  further comprising a polyol ester (POE) lubricant. 
     
     
         8 . A method of cooling air in a heat transfer system of the type having an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor and heat transfer composition in the system, the method comprising:
 (i) condensing the refrigerant, wherein said refrigerant consists of:
 from 48% by weight to 51% by weight difluoromethane (HFC-32), 
 11.5% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and 
 from about 36.5% by weight to about 40.5% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), and wherein said refrigerant is non-flammable when tested in accordance with ASTM E681-2009 as required in ASHRAE Standard 34-2013 and described in Appendix B1 to ASHRAE Standard 34-2013; and 
   ii) evaporating the composition in the vicinity of body or article to be cooled, wherein the evaporating comprises evaporating the refrigerant at a temperature of from about −40° C. to about −10° C.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said CF3I is present in said refrigerant in an amount of about 38.5% by weight. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said HFC-125 is present in said refrigerant in an amount of 11.5%+/−0.5% by weight. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said HFC-32 is present in said refrigerant in an amount of about 50% by weight. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said HFC-32 is present in said refrigerant in an amount of about 50% by weight. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said HFC-32 is present in said refrigerant in an amount of about 50% by weight. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said heat transfer composition further comprises a polyol ester (POE) lubricant. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said system is a stationary air conditioning system or a chiller system. 
     
     
         16 . A method of heating air in a heat transfer system of the type having an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor and heat transfer composition in the system, the method comprising:
 (i) condensing the refrigerant, wherein said refrigerant consists of:   from 48% by weight to 51% by weight difluoromethane (HFC-32),   about 11.5% by weight pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and   from about 36.5% by weight to about 40.5% by weight trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), and wherein said refrigerant is non-flammable when tested in accordance with ASTM E681-2009 as required in ASHRAE Standard 34-2013 and described in Appendix B1 to ASHRAE Standard 34-2013; and   ii) evaporating the composition in the vicinity of body or article to be cooled, wherein the evaporating comprises evaporating the refrigerant at a temperature of from about −20° C. to about 3° C.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said heat transfer composition further comprises a polyol ester (POE) lubricant. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said HFC-125 is present in said refrigerant in an amount of 11.5%+/−0.5% by weight. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said HFC-32 is present in said refrigerant in an amount of about 50% by weight. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said HFC-32 is present in said refrigerant in an amount of about 50% by weight.