Source: http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/8709276.html
Timestamp: 2019-01-19 20:47:57
Document Index: 348130617

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 2009', 'Application No. 200780040919', 'Application No. 200780040919', 'Application No. 200780040919', 'Application No. 200780040919', 'Application No. 2009', 'Application No. 078140872']

Synthetic refrigeration oil composition for HFC applications - Patent # 8709276 - PatentGenius
8709276 Synthetic refrigeration oil composition for HFC applications
U.S. Class: 252/68; 426/611; 426/612; 554/211; 554/220; 554/30
Field Of Search: ;252/68; ;426/611; ;426/612; ;554/30; ;554/211; ;554/220
International Class: C09K 5/00; A23D 7/00; A23D 9/00; C09F 7/00; A61K 49/04
Foreign Patent Documents: ZL200780040919.1; 53143609; 63-205394; 10001689; 2007262208
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Office Action dated Dec. 7, 2011 for corresponding U.S. Appl. No. 13/267,536 (9 pgs.). cited by applicant.
Japanese Office Action dated Nov. 13, 2012 for corresponding Japanese Application No. 2009-528507 (3 pgs.). cited by applicant.
Chinese Office Action dated Mar. 18, 2010 for corresponding Chinese Application No. 200780040919.1 (26 pgs.). cited by applicant.
Chinese Office Action dated Oct. 25, 2010 for corresponding Chinese Application No. 200780040919.1 (7 pgs.). cited by applicant.
Chinese Office Action dated Jun. 15, 2011 for corresponding Chinese Application No. 200780040919.1 (6 pgs.). cited by applicant.
Chinese Office Action dated Jan. 18, 2012 for corresponding Chinese Application No. 200780040919.1 (7 pgs.). cited by applicant.
International Search Report dated Jan. 24, 2004 for corresponding International Application No. PCT/US2007/078542 (2 pgs.). cited by applicant.
"Polyhydroxyalkanoates", Wikipedia, Jun. 7, 2011, pp. 1-5. cited by applicant.
European Search Report dated Dec. 15, 2010, International Application No. EP 07814872 (3 pgs.). cited by applicant.
Office Action dated Dec. 15, 2008, U.S. Appl. No. 11/855,007. cited by applicant.
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European Office Action dated Jan. 18, 2013 for corresponding European Application No. 078140872.3 (4 pgs.). cited by applicant.
Abstract: A refrigeration composition containing at least one ester formed by esterification of a hydroxycarboxylic acid component and an alcohol component, the hydroxycarboxylic acid component chosen from hydroxycarboxylic acids comprising more than one carboxylic acid group, hydroxystearic acid, hydroxylauric acid, hydroxydecanoic acid, hydroxyarachidic acid, hydroxypalmitic acid, hydroxylinoleic acid, hydroxyerucic acid, hydroxyarachidonic acid, ricinoleic acid, and combinations thereof, and the alcohol component containing at least one alcohol; and a base oil lubricant chosen from alkylbenzenes, alkylated naphthenics, polyalkylene glycols, polyvinylethers, polyalphaolefins, mineral oils, polyol esters, and combinations thereof.
1. A refrigeration composition comprising: at least one ester, each of the at least one esters formed by esterification of only two components: a hydroxycarboxylic acidcomponent and an alcohol component, the hydroxycarboxylic acid component selected from the group consisting of hydroxycarboxylic acids comprising more than one carboxylic acid group, hydroxystearic acid, hydroxylauric acid, hydroxydecanoic acid,hydroxyarachidic acid, hydroxypalmitic acid, hydroxylinoleic acid, hydroxyerucic acid, hydroxyarachidonic acid, ricinoleic acid, and combinations thereof, and the alcohol component comprising a polyalkylene glycol; and a base oil lubricant selected fromthe group consisting of alkylbenzenes, alkylated naphthenics, polyalkylene glycols, polyvinylethers, polyalphaolefins, mineral oils, polyol esters, and combinations thereof.
2. The refrigeration composition of claim 1 comprising at least two esters formed by esterification of only two components.
3. The refrigeration composition of claim 1 further comprising an ester of a fatty acid.
4. The refrigeration composition of claim 3, wherein the ester of a fatty acid comprises a 2-ethylhexanoic acid ester.
5. The refrigeration composition of claim 1 comprising from about 1% by weight to about 60% by weight of the at least one ester.
6. The refrigeration composition of claim 1, wherein the base oil lubricant is miscible with a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant.
7. The refrigeration composition of claim 1, wherein the base oil lubricant is immiscible with a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant.
8. The refrigeration composition of claim 1, wherein the base oil lubricant comprises a combination of a compound that is miscible with hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant and a compound that is immiscible with a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant.
9. The refrigeration composition of claim 1 further comprising a refrigerant selected from the group consisting of R134a, R125, R32, R23, R143a, R116, R152a, and combinations thereof.
10. The refrigeration composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one ester is a monoester.
11. The refrigeration composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one ester has a kinematic viscosity at 40.degree. C. that is in the range of from about 24 to about 27 centistokes.
12. A refrigeration composition comprising: an ester formed by esterification of only two components: a hydroxycarboxylic acid component selected from the group consisting of hydroxycarboxylic acids comprising more than one carboxylic acidgroup, hydroxystearic acid, hydroxylauric acid, hydroxydecanoic acid, hydroxyarachidic acid, hydroxypalmitic acid, hydroxylinoleic acid, hydroxyerucic acid, hydroxyarachidonic acid, ricinoleic acid, and combinations thereof, and an alcohol componentcomprising a polyalkylene glycol, wherein the ester has an alkoxylate portion which comprises one or more oxide monomers higher than ethylene oxide; and a base oil lubricant selected from the group consisting of alkylbenzenes, alkylated naphthenics,polyalkylene glycols, polyvinylethers, polyalphaolefins, mineral oils, polyol esters, and combinations thereof.
13. The refrigeration composition of claim 12, wherein the hydroxycarboxylic acid component comprises from 8 to 22 carbons.
14. The refrigeration composition of claim 12, wherein the hydroxycarboxylic acid component comprises more than one carboxylic acid group.
15. The refrigeration composition of claim 14, wherein the hydroxycarboxylic acid component is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and combinations thereof.
16. The refrigeration composition of claim 12, wherein the ester has a kinematic viscosity at 40.degree. C. that is in the range of from about 24 to about 27 centistokes.
17. The refrigeration composition of claim 12, wherein the ester is a monoester formed by esterification of a 1:1 molar ratio of the hydroxycarboxylic acid component to the alcohol component.
This invention relates generally to the field of refrigeration lubrication. More specifically, the invention relates to synthetic refrigeration oil compositions for use with primarily hydrofluorocarbons and other refrigerants as describedherein.
Current refrigerant lubricants for hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) systems can be divided into two categories: 1) lubricants that are soluble with HFC refrigerants over a wide range of temperatures including polyol esters (POE), polyvinyl ethers (PVE)and polyalkylene glycols (PAG); and 2) lubricants that are partially or completely immiscible with HFC refrigerants such as those of hydrocarbon based oils, e.g., mineral oils (MO), alkybenzene (AB), and polyalpha olefins (PAO). It is commonlyrecognized that miscible oils provide good oil return for better cooling efficiency. POE is the most widely used miscible refrigeration lubricant. However, miscible oils such as POE have polar functional groups that are hygroscopic, which isundesirable for system and compressor components. POE chemical structure is also non-responsive to commonly used and accepted lubricity enhancement additives. POE also does not promote foaming in the presence of HFC refrigerant, which results in anundesirable increase in compressor noise level. On the other hand, immiscible oils provide better compressor durability and respond favorably to further lubricity enhancing additives. In addition, immiscible oils are also highly desirable for use inHFC systems because of their lower cost. However, the immiscibility of the HFC refrigerants and hydrocarbon oils causes the build up of an oil layer in the system, resulting in less efficient heat transfer and reduced system efficiency. In extremecases, immiscibility can cause excessive amounts of oil to migrate into the system and not return to the compressor, resulting in oil starvation and ultimately catastrophic failure at the compressor. It is therefore essential to ensure adequate oilreturn to the refrigeration compressor to avoid loss of efficiency and/or compressor failure. POE is known by those skilled in the art to have significant lubrication deficiencies, no foam promotion characteristics, and high hygroscopicity, but is stillwidely used due to the overriding need to ensure adequate oil return.
Mixed refrigeration lubricant systems such as AB/POE have been proposed. Such a combination system of the miscible and immiscible lubricants directionally improves the oil return characteristics of the immiscible oils and reduces thehygroscopicity of the miscible lubricants and overall cost of the lubricant in the system. However, combining miscible and immiscible oils does not generally improve the overall compressor performance or system efficiency sufficiently to warrant changefrom a pure miscible lubricant system.
Compatibilizers have also been proposed as an alternative mechanism to improve the mutual solubility between the miscible and immiscible oils and thereby enable improved oil migration characteristics commensurate with oil migrationcharacteristics of a pure miscible lubricant system. Additionally, enhanced pool boiling has been reported to result in higher heat transfer coefficients between refrigerant and refrigeration oils and thereby increase heat transfer efficiency. However,neither of these proposed solutions has been demonstrated to provide an adequate alternative to fully miscible systems. Accordingly, oil return to the refrigeration compressor remains a critical factor in such studies whether candidates are based onmiscible POE, PVE or PAG chemistries or whether candidates are based on alternative lubricant system chemistries. To date, no lubricant system based on non-miscible lubricant chemistry has achieved the necessary balance of adequate oil migration/oilreturn to provide system efficiency and life, superior lubrication characteristics and cost effectiveness required to make such a system a viable alternative to currently accepted fully miscible systems.
The foregoing demonstrates the industry's need for a lubricant formulation that can be used with HFCs across the entire application range, without the respective deficiencies of the miscible or immiscible systems; that is a formulation thatoffers enhanced heat transfer and oil migration, enhanced lubrication properties, and, results in a more efficient and cost effective refrigeration system than those employing either miscible lubricants such as POE or immiscible formulations.
These and other needs in the art are addressed in an embodiment described herein for a refrigeration composition comprising a mixture of an ester of a hydroxycarboxylic acid. The hydroxycarboxylic acid has a chain length ranging from 8 to 22carbon atoms. The composition also comprises a carrier fluid, also referred to herein as a base oil, selected from the group consisting of an alkylbenzene, an alkylated naphthenic, a polyalkylene glycol, a polyvinylether, a polyalphaolefin, mineral oil,a polyol ester, and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, a refrigeration composition comprises a mixture of an ester of a hydroxycarboxylic acid. The hydroxycarboxylic acid has at least two carboxylic acid groups. The composition additionally comprises a carrier fluid or base oilselected from the group consisting of comprising an alkylbenzene, an alkylated naphthenic, a polyalkylene glycol, a polyvinylether, a polyalphaolefin, mineral oil, a polyol ester, and combinations thereof.
In another embodiment, a refrigeration composition comprises a mixture of an ester of a hydroxycarboxylic acid. The hydroxycarboxylic acid contains a ring system. The composition further comprises carrier fluid selected from the groupconsisting of an alkylbenzene, an alkylated naphthenic, a polyalkylene glycol, a polyvinylether, a polyalphaolefin, mineral oil, a polyol ester, and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, a method of making a refrigeration composition comprises providing an ester of a hydroxycarboxylic acid. The hydroxycarboxylic acid has a chain length from 8 to 22 carbons. The method also comprises adding the ester to acarrier fluid selected from the group consisting of an alkylbenzene, an alkylated naphthenic, a polyalkylene glycol, a polyvinylether, a polyalphaolefin, mineral oil, a polyol ester, and combinations thereof.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the testing apparatus used in the OMS testing described herein with respect to Examples 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, wherein the reference numerals 1, 3, 13, 20 represent sight glasses respectively; 2, a compressor; 4, 7,9, 14, 17, 19, temperature thermocouples respectively; 5 and 18, pressure gauges respectively; 6, a condenser; 8 and 15, fan and motor assemblies respectively; 10, an expansion valve; 11, a bypass circuit valve; 12, a capillary tube; 16, an evaporator.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims that refer to particular system components. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function.
In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to . . . ".
In an embodiment, a novel refrigeration oil composition comprises a mixture of an ester of a hydroxycarboxylic acid; and a base oil lubricant selected from the group consisting of an alkylbenzene, an alkylated naphthenic, a polyalkylene glycol,a polyvinylether, a polyalphaolefin, mineral oil, a polyol ester, and combinations thereof. Generally, the hydroxycarboxylic acid ester is a product of the esterification of a hydroxycarboxylic acid with an alcohol. As defined herein, ahydroxycarboxylic acid is a carboxylic acid containing at least one --COOH group and at least one isolated --OH group. Typically, the ester of the hydroxycarboxylic acid contains no more than one ester group. According to a preferred embodiment, thehydroxycarboxylic acid has a linear chain length ranging from 8 to 22 carbon atoms.
In at least one embodiment, the hydroxycarboxylic acid is a monohydroxy fatty acid. Examples of hydroxycarboxylic acids that may be esterified, including without limitation, ricinoleic acid (RA), hydroxystearic acid, hydroxylauric acid,hydroxydecanoic acid, hydroxyarachidic acid, hydroxypalmitic acid, hydroxyerucic acid, hydroxylinoleic acid, hydroxyarachidonic acid and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the hydroxycarboxylic acid comprises more than one isolated hydroxylgroup. In one embodiment, the hydroxycarboxylic acid comprises more than one carboxylic acid group such as a hydroxy dicarboxylic acid. Examples of hydroxy polycarboxylic acids include without limitation, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, andcombinations thereof. In yet another embodiment, the hydroxycarboxylic acid contains a ring structure which may be aromatic, homocyclic, hetercyclic, etc. Examples of such hydroxy acids include without limitation, salicylic acid, dihydroxybenzoic acid,and combinations thereof. In further embodiments, the hydroxycarboxylic acid contains halogen groups, additional alkyl substituents, amine groups, and the like.
In some embodiments, the composition comprises one or more additional esters. For example, the composition may comprise an ester of a hydroxycarboxylic acid and an ester of a fatty acid. Any fatty acid may be used including, withoutlimitation, pentanoic acid, hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, undecanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, tridecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, pentadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, heptadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid,nonadecanoic acid, icosanoic acid, oleic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, and combinations thereof. In addition, the ester may have an alkoxylate portion which comprises one or more oxide monomers higher than ethylene oxide. In other embodiments, thecomposition may preferably comprise more than one ester of a hydroxycarboxylic acid. In other words, each ester may be produced from a different hydroxycarboxylic acid. For exemplary purposes only, in such an embodiment the composition may contain aricinoleic acid ester and a hydroxystearic acid ester.
According to at least one embodiment, the corresponding alcohols with which the hydroxycarboxylic acid is esterified are linear or long chain alcohols, i.e., monohydric alcohols. Examples of suitable alcohols include without limitation,methanol, ethanol, caproic alcohol, caprylic alcohol, 2-ethylhexyl alcohol, capric alcohol, lauryl alcohol, isotridecyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, palmitoleyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, elaidyl alcohol,petroselinyl alcohol, linolyl alcohol, linolenyl alcohol, elaeostearyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, gadoleyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, erucyl alcohol, brassidyl alcohol, and combinations thereof. Alternatively, polyalkylene glycols may be reacted withthe hydroxycarboxylic acid, wherein a polyalkylene glycol may be defined as comprising any of the polymer initiator/terminating functionalities commonly recognized by those familiar with the art of alkoxylation, and containing a polymer chain consistingof a measurable proportion of at least two oxide monomer types, or containing a polymer chain consisting of a single monomer type higher than ethylene oxide (propylene oxide, butylene oxide and such like). Examples therefore include, without limitation,all polyalkylene glycols not consisting of ethylene oxide in their entirety, which have at least one hydroxyl functionality and therefore may be esterified, including di-hydroxy and poly-hydroxy functionalized polyalkylene glycols.
In another embodiment, the alcohol may be a polyol such as a diol or triol. Alternatively, the alcohols may be branched, aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic in structure.
In an embodiment, a composition comprises from about 1% to about 60% by weight of the hydroxycarboxylic acid ester, preferably from about 5% to about 40%, more preferably from about 10% to about 20%. The composition preferably contains asufficient amount of an ester of a hydroxycarboxylic acid to result in measurable system efficiency improvements measured by the increased level of oil back to the compressors.
According to some preferred embodiments, the carrier fluid/base oil may preferably comprise miscible oils such as polyol esters, polyvinylethers or polyalkylene glycols, immiscible oils such as alkylbenzene, polyalphaolefins, alkylatednaphthenics and mineral oils, and combinations thereof.
In a particular embodiment, miscible and immiscible lubricants may preferably be combined in a ratio ranging from 1% by weight miscible oil(s) to 99% by weight miscible oil(s). One of the advantages of the compositions of the embodimentsdescribed herein is their ability to be used in conjunction with lubricants or carrier fluids that are either miscible or immiscible with refrigerants primarily comprised of HFC. By way of illustration and not limitation, examples of such refrigerantsfor use with the compositions described herein include R134a, R125, R32, R23, R143a, R116, R152a and combinations thereof, and minority refrigerant components such as isobutene, CO.sub.2, and HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbons), and combinations thereof.
It is important to maintain HFC fluidity across a broad range of temperatures so as not to form segregated oil layers in the refrigeration system. Segregation may result in oil deposits that can cause capillary plugging and clogs in the system. Thus, the compositions of the embodiments described are capable of maintaining HFC fluidity across a broad spectrum of temperatures ranging from about -100.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C., preferably from about -70.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C., more preferably from about -40.degree. C. to about 20.degree. C. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that unlike the traditional paradigm for refrigerant miscibility where the oils and the refrigerants form a homogeneous phase, thecompositions of the embodiments described herein promote fluidity over the test temperature ranges through their ability to disperse the oil and the refrigerant and avoid segregated fluid layers.
In a further embodiment, the refrigeration composition comprises at least one additive component. The additive component(s) may be any commonly used refrigeration system additives known in the art to enhance lubricity and/or system stability. Examples include anti wear agents, extreme pressure lubricants, corrosion and oxidation inhibitors, metal surface deactivators, free radical scavengers, foaming and antifoam control agents, leak detectants, and the like. Typically, these additives arepresent only in small amounts relative to the overall lubricant composition. However, the additives may be present at any suitable concentration. In an embodiment, the additive components are used at concentrations of from less than about 0.1% byweight to as much as about 3% by weight of each additive.
These additives may be selected on the basis of the individual system requirements. In an embodiment, lubrication enhancing additives may be included in the compositions described herein. Examples of such additives include the families ofphosphites and phosphates well characterized for their lubrication enhancing benefits, and including alkyl or aryl esters of phosphoric acid and thiophosphate. These include members of the triaryl phosphate family of extreme pressure) EP lubricityadditives, and tricresyl phosphates and related compounds. Additionally, the metal dialkyl dithiophosphates and other members of this family of chemicals may be used in compositions of the present invention. Other antiwear additives include lubricityesters, such as tall oil fatty esters. In other embodiments, stabilizers such as antioxidants, free radical scavengers, and water scavengers may be added to the composition. Compounds in this category can include, but are not limited to, butylatedhydroxy toluene (BHT) and epoxides.
The addition of an additive allows the user to tailor the resulting composition to provide further lubricant properties. As such, the disclosed compositions are capable of delivering the optimal lubricant requirements for a wide range of HFCrequirements. Further, combinations of these additives may be employed as appropriate, as is known in the art.
Preparation and Evaluation of Esters
Ricinoleic Acid Ester of Isotridecanol
A ricinoleic acid (RA) ester was prepared by the esterification of ricinoleic acid with isotridecanol in the presence of titanium catalyst at 200.degree. C. for 12 hours. Once the theoretical water was collected from the esterification, theproduct was neutralized and dried. The product was then filtered to remove the solid catalyst. The resulting ester had a viscosity at 40.degree. C. of 24 centistokes (cSt) with a total acid number (TAN) of 0.31 mgKOH/g. Other esters ofhydroxycarboxylic acids were synthesized and similarly tested as described below with reference to further Examples.
A benchtop foaming test was conducted at 20.degree. C. with a 10% treat level of the above-described ester added to a base oil of ISO 68 POE with a refrigerant with a flow rate ranging from 20 cc/min to 200 cc/min. All tests were conducted inISO 68 POE, which by itself does not foam in use with HFC refrigerants at either high or low flow rates. Results are shown in Table 1.
Ricinoleic Acid Ester of Butanol
In this example an ester was prepared by the esterification of ricinoleic acid and butanol, according to the procedure described above with respect to Example 1.
A benchtop foaming test was conducted as described above, with the results shown in Table 1.
To test HFC fluidity, a refrigeration composition consisting of a 90:10 mixture of the HFC (134a) refrigerant: oil was sealed and immersed for 30 minutes in a low temperature bath at -40.degree. C. after which the fluidity of theoil-in-refrigerant was assessed. A pass was recorded if the refrigerant/oil mixture exhibited full fluidity at -40.degree. C. Results are shown in Table 1.
Example 3-3c
Ricinoleic Acid Ester of Butanol-Initiated Polyalkylene Glycol
In this example the ester was prepared by the esterification of ricinoleic acid with a butanol initiated polyalkylene glycol of 270 g/mol molecular weight, containing 50/50 wt/wt EO/PO (random) in the polymer chain, and having a single terminalhydroxyl functionality, according to the procedure described above with respect to Example 1.
An HFC fluidity test was conducted as described above, with the results shown in Table 1.
Oil migration study (OMS) testing was done in the mini-split A/C system, previously described, equipped with a 20 feet return line, 24,000 btu/hr rotary compressor at compressor speeds between 2500 and 7000 rpm, with inverter, where sightglasses were installed in the compressor sump to measure the oil level right after the capillary tube to detect plugging, if any, at 10.degree. C. and -40.degree. C. mid-point evaporator temperature. HFC refrigerants used were R410a (high temperatureapplications) and R404a (low-temperature applications), and the total oil charge was 500 mL. The sight glass mounted on the compressor sump was calibrated by adding a known amount of oil. The corresponding oil return level was then recorded todetermine whether enhanced oil return was observed when levels were compared to baseline oil return achieved when a miscible lubricant (POE) was used. Results are provided below in Table 1.
Ricinoleic Acid Ester of Polyethylene Glycol
In this example the mono-ester was prepared by the esterification of ricinoleic acid with polyethylene glycol (200 g/mol molecular weight), in a 1:1 molar ratio, according to the procedure described above with respect to Example 1.
Example 5-5a (Comparative)
Ricinoleic Acid Di-Ester of Polyethylene Glycol
In this example the di-ester was prepared by the esterification of ricinoleic acid with polyethylene glycol (200 g/mol molecular weight), in a 2:1 molar ratio respectively, prepared as described above with respect to Example 1.
Benchtop foaming, HFC Fluidity and OMS tests were performed as described above, with the results show below in Table 1.
Example 6-6a
Ricinoleic Acid Ester of Isopropanol
In this example the ester comprised the ricinoleic acid ester of iso-propanol, prepared as described above with respect to Example 1.
Benchtop foaming, HFC Fluidity, and OMS tests were performed as described above, with the results show below in Table 1.
ISO 68 POE
In this example, benchtop foaming and OMS tests were performed on ISO 68 POE, with the results provided below in Table 1.
ISO 32 AB
In this example, benchtop foaming, HFC Fluidity and OMS tests were performed on ISO 32 AB, with the results provided below in Table 1.
ISO 32 Mineral Oil
In this example, HFC fluidity and OMS tests were performed on ISO 32 Mineral Oil, with the results provided below in Table 1.
The application of the hydroxycarboxylic ester composition of Example 3 gave an enhanced oil return in comparison to neat miscible oil systems such as POE, in OMS testing, as indicated by comparison of the results for Examples 3a and 7. Similarly, the application of the hydroxycarboxylic ester composition of Example 6 gave an enhanced oil return in comparison to the neat miscible POE system, in OMS testing, as indicated by comparison of the results for Examples 6a and 7. For both theseexamples, a minimum 5-10% increase in oil level as compared to the baseline POE system was readily apparent through the sightglass mounted above the compressor oil sump; in some individual experimental instances increases in oil level of up to a maximumof 70% was observed. Most significantly, the same level of enhancement was also observed with the immiscible oils such as AB, as indicated by comparing the results of Examples 3b and 8. Such an enhancement demonstrates a more efficient return ofrefrigeration oil back to the compressor for both miscible and immiscible oil systems. This unexpected and surprising result is believed to be without precedent. This level of enhancement of oil return is of great value in improving the compressor andsystem performance.
In the benchtop foaming testing, the hydroxycarboxylic esters Examples 3 and 6 were also observed to promote the foaming of miscible refrigerant oils in the presence of HFC refrigerant flow; as indicated by comparison of Examples 3, 3a and 6with Example 7, and to promote the foaming of immiscible refrigerant oils in the presence of HFC refrigerant flow, as indicated by comparison of Examples 3b, 3c and 6 with Example 8. This may be interpreted as a sign of the interaction between therefrigerant and the composition, which ultimately results in improved heat transfer efficiency (and, theoretically, enhanced pool boiling). The improved foaming characteristics are also expected to result in lower compressor noise levels when comparedto non-foaming lubricants.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Example Results Foaming in Kinematic Foaming in HFC 134a. HFC HFC 410a OMS HFC 404a OMS Viscosity HFC 134a w/ w/ POE (ISO fluidity 410a Capillary 404a Capillary at 40.degree. C. AB (ISO 32) 68) tube OMS plugging OMSplugging Ex. Component (cSt) (in.) (in.) test* Test** (-40.degree. C.)* Test** (-40.degree. C.)* 1 RA ester of 24.0 -- 1.5 (10% -- isotridecanol component "1", 90% POE) 2 RA ester of 20.3 -- 0.5 (10% P butanol component "2", 90% POE) 3 RA ester of26.6 -- 2.5 (10% P butanol initiated component"3", EO/PO random 90% POE) PAG 3a 15% ester "3" in 55.1 N/A 5.0 P X, Y P 85% ISO 68 POE 3b 15% ester "3" in 27.2 5.5 N/A X, Y P 85% ISO 32 AB 3c 5% ester "3" in 26.4 6.0 N/A P X P 95% ISO 32 AB 4 RAmono-ester 42.0 -- 4.0 (10% F of PEG component "4", 90% POE) 5 RA di-ester of 123.0 6.0 (10% 3.0 (10% F PEG component "5", component "5", 90% AB) 90% POE) 5a 15% ester "5" in -- -- -- -- F 85% ISO 68 POE 6 RA ester of iso- 125 6.5 (10% 3.5 (10% Fpropanol component "6", component "6", 90% AB) 90% POE) 6a 15% ester "6" in -- -- -- -- X, Y P 85% ISO 68 POE 7 ISO 68 POE 68.0 N/A Nil P X P X P 8 ISO 32 AB 27.0 1.0 N/A P X M X M 9 ISO 32 MO 32.0 N/A N/A F X M *Key: P--Pass F--Fail M--Lower FluidityObserved **Key: X--Test Performed Y--Enhanced Oil Return Observed
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of the invention. The embodiments described herein areexemplary only, and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations and modifications of the invention disclosed herein are possible and are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description setout above, but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.
The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, to the extent that they provide exemplary, procedural, or other details supplementary to those setforth herein. The discussion of a reference in this disclosure is not an admission that it is prior art to the present invention, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application.
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