Hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant compositions soluble in lubricating oil
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsRajiv Ratna Singh, David Paul Wilson, Raymond Hilton Percival Thomas, Robert Gerard Richard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants are not soluble in hydrocarbon oil. Retrofitting refrigeration equipment with hydrofluorocarbons generally entails the use of expensive polyol ester (POE) lubricants. The invention provides hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant compositions that are soluble in hydrocarbon oil thus allowing for a simpler and less expensive retrofit option to the refrigerant user.
Claims17
A composition comprising from about 80 to about 99.9 weight percent of a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant and from about 20 to about 0.1 weight percent of a solubilizing agent selected from the group consisting of butane, isobutane, pentane, dimethyl ether and mixtures thereof.
A method of recharging a refrigeration system of the type containing a chlorine-containing refrigerant and a lubricating oil, comprising:
- (a) removing said chlorine-containing refrigerant from said refrigeration system while leaving substantially all of said lubricating oil in said system;
- and
- (b) introducing to said lubricating oil left in said system a composition comprising:
- (i) a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant;
- and
- (ii) a solubilizing agent selected from the group consisting of butane, isobutane, pentane, dimethyl ether and mixtures thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.