Hydrofluoroethers as low temperature refrigerants
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorGregory J. Sherwood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for using certain hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) as low temperature heat transfer media in secondary loop refrigeration systems. These materials exhibit a low, somewhat linear Temperature Difference Factor over the temperature range of −15° C. to −65° C., making them ideal for use as low temperature heat transfer media. The HFEs of the present invention are nonflammable, nontoxic, environmentally benign, and have a high heat transfer capacity and low viscosity over the required operating temperatures. Furthermore, since these materials have high boiling points and low freezing points, they are not prone to phase changes over the required operating temperatures, and do not require pressurized systems.
Claims34
A method for transferring heat, comprising the steps of:
- providing a heat source;
- providing a heat sink;
- and
- transferring heat between the heat source and the heat sink through the use of a heat transfer medium comprising a fluorinated other;
- wherein the heat sink is cooled to a temperature of less than about −15° C.
A method for transferring heat between a heat source and a heat sink, comprising the steps of:
- transferring heat from the heat source to a fluorinated ether;
- and
- transferring heat from the fluorinated ether to the heat sink;
- wherein the heat sink is cooled to less than about −15° C., and wherein the fluorinated ether is a compound selected from the group consisting of C3F7OCH3, C4F9OCH3, and C4F9OC2H5.
A method for transferring heat, comprising the steps of:
- providing a heat source;
- providing a heat sink;
- and
- transferring heat between the heat source and the heat sink through the use of a heat transfer medium comprising a material having a Temperature Difference Factor of less than about 0.00375 (Kg2/7m2s1/3)/J at −25° C;
- wherein the heat sink is cooled to a temperature of less than about −15° C.
A heat transfer system, comprising:
- a heat source;
- a heat sink;
- and
- heat transfer means for transferring heat between said heat source and said heat sink;
- wherein said heat transfer means comprises a fluorinated ether, and wherein said heat sink is cooled to less than about −15° C.
A refrigeration system, comprising:
- a first second refrigeration loop for transferring heat from a heat source to a first second heat transfer medium;
- and
- a second first refrigeration loop for transferring heat from said first second heat transfer medium to a second first heat transfer medium;
- wherein said first second heat transfer medium comprises a fluorinated ether and is cooled to less than about −15° C. by said second first refrigeration loop.
A method for transferring heat from a heat source to a heat sink, comprising the steps of:
- providing a heat source, a first heat transfer medium, and a second heat transfer medium comprising a fluorinated ether which is cooled to less than about −15° C.;
- transferring heat from the heat source to the first second heat transfer medium;
- and
- transferring heat from the first second heat transfer medium to the second first heat transfer medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.