Azeotropic compositions of hfo-1234yf and hydrocarbons

Abstract

Refrigerant compositions including 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and at least one of ethane (R-170) or propane (R-290) which exhibit near-azeotropic or azeotrope-like behavior. The refrigerant compositions exhibit a low global warming potential (GWP) and are non-ozone depleting. The refrigerant compositions are useful as a heating or cooling fluids in a variety of heating or cooling systems including heat pumps and other heating and cooling loops, in, for example, the automotive industry.

1 . A refrigerant composition comprising:
 a. a refrigerant consisting of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and one of ethane (R-170) in an amount of up to 36.5 weight percent or propane (R-290) in an amount of up to 15 weight percent,   b. an optional stabilizer component, and   c. an optional lubricating component,   wherein the composition is near-azeotropic over a temperature range between −30° C. to 40° C.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  containing a stabilizer component which comprises one of d-limonene, alpha-pinene and beta-pinene. 
     
     
         3 . The composition any of  claim 1  or  2  containing a lubricant component which is soluble in the range of about −30° C. and about 40° C. and comprises one or more polyol ester lubricants (POEs). 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein propane (R-290) is present, based on the total refrigerant composition, in an amount selected from one of between 1 weight percent up to 15 weight percent, between 1 to 10 weight percent, or from 1 to 5 weight percent based. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant composition has a heat capacity between 2% and 22% greater than a heat capacity of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) alone. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant composition has a GWP less than 10 and an ODP of 0. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant composition has a temperature glide of less than 0.35 Kelvin (K) at temperature of −30° C. up to 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein ethane (R-170) is present, based on the total amount of the composition, in an amount selected from one of up to 10 weight percent, between 1 to 7 weight percent, up to 5 weight percent, or up to 1 weight percent. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the heat capacity of the refrigerant composition is selected from one of: between 5% and 70% greater than the heat capacity of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) alone; or between 5% and 54% greater than the heat capacity of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) alone. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , comprising a GWP selected from one of less than or less than 5. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant composition has a temperature glide of less than 3 Kelvin (K) at temperature of −30° C. up to 10° C. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a heat capacity of the refrigerant composition to a heat capacity of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) is between 1.05 and 1.50 at the same temperature and pressure. 
     
     
         13 . A refrigerant composition comprising:
 a. a refrigerant component consisting of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and propane (R-290), and   b. at least one terpene in an amount between greater than 0.1 to 1 weight percent to stabilize the HFO-1234yf, wherein the propane (R-290) is present in an amount between 0.1 to 15 weight percent, based on the total refrigerant composition.   
     
     
         14 . A refrigerant composition comprising:
 a. a refrigerant component consisting of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf), propane (R-290); and   b. a stabilizer component selected from one of d-limonene, alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, wherein the propane (R-290) is present in an amount between 0.1 to 22 weight percent, based on the total refrigerant composition, and the refrigerant composition has an ANSI/ASHRAE standard 34 class 2L flammability rating.   
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and propane (R-290) refrigerant composition has a heat capacity between 2% and 22% greater than the heat capacity of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) alone. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the refrigerant composition has a GWP of less than 10 and an ODP of 0. 
     
     
         17 . A system comprising one of heating system, cooling system, reversible cooling system, reversible heating system or a heat pump system each with a circulating loop operably connected to and fluidly communicating with, in a serial arrangement:
 a. a condenser;   b. an evaporator;   c. a compressor, and   d. a refrigerant consisting of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and one of ethane (R-170) in an amount of up to 36.5 weight percent or propane (R-290) in an amount of up to 15 weight percent within said loop.   
     
     
         18 . The heating or cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a 4-way valve. 
     
     
         19 . The heating or cooling system of  claim 18 , wherein the system is selected from one of (1) an air conditioner for an automotive system; (2) an air conditioner for a stationary cooling system, (3) a heat pump for an automotive system, or (4) a heat pump for a stationary heating or cooling system. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising circulating the refrigerant composition of  claim 1  in one of (1) a heat pump system, (2) a reversible cooling loop system, (3) an independent heating system or (4) an independent cooling system. 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising circulating the refrigerant composition of  claim 1  in one of hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), mild hybrids electric vehicles (MHEV), plug-in hybrids electric vehicles (PHEV), or electric vehicle (EV) heat pump systems. 
     
     
         22 . A method comprising circulating the refrigerant composition of  claim 3  in an HEV, MHEV, PHEV, or EV heat pump system in combination with a vehicle electrical system. 
     
     
         23 . A method of charging a refrigerant composition of  claim 3  to an automotive system comprising, providing the composition of  claim 1  to an automotive heating or cooling system. 
     
     
         24 . A method for servicing an existing refrigerant composition at on-site automotive recovery, recycle, recharge equipment comprising providing the composition of  claim 3  to the equipment.