Patent Description:
A mixture of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) with no chlorine in their molecular structure, such as difluoromethane (HFC-<NUM>, boiling point: -<NUM>), pentafluoroethane (HFC-<NUM>, boiling point: -<NUM>), <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a, boiling point: - <NUM>), and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a, boiling point: -<NUM>), has been used as a refrigerant composition for use in equipment such as air conditioners, freezing machines, and refrigerators.

For example, the following refrigerant compositions composed only of three components, HFC-<NUM>, HFC-<NUM>, and HFC-134a, have been suggested: R407C (a refrigerant composition composed only of the following three components: <NUM> wt% of HFC-<NUM>, <NUM> wt% of HFC-<NUM>, and <NUM> wt% of HFC-134a); R407E (a refrigerant composition composed only of the following three components: <NUM> wt% of HFC-<NUM>, <NUM> wt% of HFC-<NUM>, and <NUM> wt% of HFC-134a); R407F (a refrigerant composition composed only of the following three components: <NUM> wt% of HFC-<NUM>, <NUM> wt% of HFC-<NUM>, and <NUM> wt% of HFC-134a); a refrigerant composition composed only of the following three components: <NUM> wt% of HFC-<NUM>, <NUM> wt% of HFC-<NUM>, and <NUM> wt% of HFC-134a (this refrigerant composition has already been applied for registration as R407H under ASHRAE34); and a refrigerant composition composed only of the following three components: <NUM> wt% of HFC-<NUM>, <NUM> wt% of HFC-<NUM>, and <NUM> wt% of HFC-134a (see PTL <NUM>; hereinafter, this composition may be referred to as "D407HT").

The refrigerant composition composed only of the three components HFC-<NUM>, HFC-<NUM>, and HFC-134a is zeotropic. When the refrigerant composition undergoes phase transition, such as evaporation or condensation, a component having a low boiling point is likely to evaporate, while a component having a high boiling point is likely to condense, thereby causing a compositional change. This trend is more noticeable in evaporation, or in a phase transition from liquid to gas, and also becomes more apparent as the gap of boiling points becomes wider between the components of the refrigerant composition. Thus, when a zeotropic refrigerant composition is moved (transferred) from an airtight container filled with the composition to another container or apparatus, the composition is typically extracted from the liquid phase so as not to cause a phase transition.

However, a wide gap of boiling points between the components of the refrigerant composition results in evaporation of a component with a low boiling point in the liquid phase, even when the composition is extracted from the liquid phase, due to a decrease in the pressure or an increase in the space of the gas phase caused by the extraction of the refrigerant composition, thus causing a compositional change of the liquid phase within the range of a few percentages by weight. This compositional change of the liquid phase within the range of a few percentages by weight would bring a substantial change in the performance of the refrigerant, and have a great impact on the safety of the refrigerant, such as flammability, while reducing the capability or efficiency.

Due to its zeotropic properties and large gap of boiling points between the components of the refrigerant composition composed only of three components HFC-<NUM>, HFC-<NUM>, and HFC-134a, the compositional change of the liquid phase that occurs in transferring the refrigerant composition from a supply source vessel (e.g., a tank, an ISO container, a tanker truck, or a storage tank) to a supply destination vessel or equipment (e.g., another tank or refrigeration and air conditioning equipment) cannot be ignored from the performance viewpoint. Additionally, not only from the performance viewpoint, but also from the perspective of quality assurance of the mixture refrigerant, tolerance as an allowable range of the proportions of the components of the refrigerant composition is established. It is extremely important that the compositional change of the liquid phase fall within the range of tolerance.

For a refrigerant composition (R407C), which is composed only of three components, HFC-<NUM>, HFC-<NUM>, and HFC-134a, and whose allowable range (tolerance) is <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for HFC-<NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for HFC-<NUM>, and <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for HFC-134a, the present inventors developed a technique to enable the compositional change of the liquid phase due to a phase transition caused by transfer to remain within the range of tolerance even when the refrigerant composition is transferred, by adjusting the proportion of each component, HFC-<NUM>, HFC-<NUM>, and HFC-134a, of the refrigerant composition contained in a supply source vessel so as to fall within a specific range (e.g., see PTL <NUM> and <NUM>).

However, the compositional change of the liquid phase of a refrigerant composition due to a phase transition caused by transfer of the composition greatly varies between refrigerant compositions, depending on the proportion of each component, tolerance range, transfer rate, etc., even if the refrigerant compositions are formed of the same components. Thus, it is extremely difficult to predict the compositional change of the liquid phase of a refrigerant composition that differs from R407C in the proportions of components in view of the findings of PTL <NUM> or <NUM>.

PTL <NUM> (<CIT>) relates to a method for filling a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant comprising <NUM> to <NUM>% of difluoromethane, <NUM> to <NUM>% of pentafluoroethane and <NUM> to <NUM>% of <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane to be used as a working fluid for vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The primary object of this application is to provide a method for filling a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant of difluoromethane/pentafluoroethane/<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane, wherein the change in composition during transferring and filling the refrigerant from a feeding container to heating and cooling equipment, etc. is kept within the permissible range of refrigerant performance.

PTL <NUM> (<CIT>) relates to an apparatus for charging a three-component mixed refrigerant comprising a pipeline, a refrigerant charging port formed at the pipe line, and a container for a "high-boiling-point refrigerant" and a container for an "azeotrope-like mixed refrigerant" lower in boiling point than said high-boiling point refrigerant which are connected to the pipeline through metering devices, a given amount of the high-boiling point refrigerant and a given amount of the azeotrope-like mixed refrigerant being charged in a heat pump apparatus with being metered in this order. In one embodiment, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane (R134a) is used as the "high-boiling-point refrigerant", and as the lower-boiling-point "azeotrope-like mixed refrigerant" is used a difluoromethane (R32)/ pentafluoroethane (R125) mixed refrigerant.

An object of PTL <NUM> (<CIT>) is to provide a refrigerant composition that can replace R404A and which has a COP equal or superior to that of R404A and a lower GWP than that of R404A. In one embodiment, the refrigerant composition is a ternary mixture composed of <NUM>±<NUM> wt. -% R32, <NUM>±<NUM> wt. -% R125 and <NUM>±<NUM> wt.

PTL <NUM> (<CIT>) provides a mixed refrigerant having (<NUM>) a superior cooling COP compared to R410A, which is an existing alternative refrigerant to R22, and (<NUM>) an equal or superior refrigerating effect in comparison with R22. It describes as one embodiment a composition comprising difluoromethane (HFC32), pentafluoroethane (HFC125), and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane (HFC134a), the mass ratio of the three components being, in a ternary composition diagram having the three components as respective apexes, in the range of a triangle having the following three points as apexes:.

The present invention was made in view of the problem and current status in the art, and an object is to provide a method for transferring a refrigerant composition containing three components, difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane, such that the compositional change of the liquid phase due to the phase transition that occurs in the supply source in transferring the refrigerant composition falls within a tolerance range.

The present inventors conducted extensive research to solve the problem, and found that the compositional change of the liquid phase due to a phase transition that occurs in a supply source in transferring a refrigerant composition containing three components, difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane, from the supply source to a supply destination, surprisingly falls within a range of tolerance, when the proportion of each component in the liquid phase of the composition in the supply source before transferring the composition is adjusted so as to fall within a specific range that is within the range of tolerance. The inventors further found that the compositional change of the liquid phase due to a phase transition that occurs in the supply source in transferring the refrigerant composition, from a supply source to a supply destination, even at a high transfer rate, falls within a range of tolerance, when the proportion of each component in the liquid phase of the composition in the supply source before transfer is adjusted so as to fall within a specific range that is within the range of tolerance. The inventors conducted further research based on these findings and completed the present invention.

Specifically, the present invention relates to.

wherein the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source before the transfer contains <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of difluoromethane, <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of pentafluoroethane, and <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane.

The present invention enables the transfer of a refrigerant composition containing three components, difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane, from the liquid phase in a supply source to a supply destination such that the compositional change of the liquid phase due to a phase transition that occurs in the supply source in transferring the composition falls within a range of tolerance. This reduces or prevents a decrease in refrigerant performance or combustion risk of the refrigerant composition.

The following describes the present invention in detail.

The present invention relates to a method for transferring a refrigerant composition containing difluoromethane (HFC-<NUM> or R32), pentafluoroethane (HFC-<NUM> or R125), and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a or R134a). In this specification, the method may be referred to as "the method of the present invention.

The method of the present invention comprises transferring a refrigerant composition from the liquid phase in a supply source to a supply destination. In this specification, this step may be referred to as "transfer step.

The supply source is not limited, as long as the supply source can store a refrigerant composition, and is hermetically sealed. Examples include airtight containers, such as cans, <NUM>- to <NUM>-L tanks, ISO containers, tanker trucks, and fixed storage tanks.

The supply destination is not limited, as long as the supply destination can store the refrigerant composition supplied from the supply source, and is hermetically sealed. Examples include airtight containers, such as cans, <NUM>- to <NUM>-L tanks, ISO containers, and fixed storage tanks, and equipment, such as cooling and heating equipment, freezers, refrigerators, and hot-water supply equipment.

In the transfer step, the refrigerant composition in the supply source is transferred to charge the supply destination with the composition. When the refrigerant composition for use in the present invention undergoes phase transition such as evaporation or condensation, its component with a low boiling point is likely to evaporate, while its component with a high boiling point is likely to condense, causing a compositional change in the refrigerant composition. This trend is more noticeable in evaporation. Thus, the transfer step has a feature in that when a refrigerant composition is transferred from a supply source to a supply destination, the refrigerant composition is extracted from the liquid phase in the supply source to charge the supply destination with the composition. Transferring the composition from the liquid phase in the supply source to the supply destination enables the compositional change in the liquid phase due to the phase transition that occurs in transferring the refrigerant composition to fall within a range of tolerance. The transfer is preferably performed in such an environment that the outside air temperature is <NUM> or below.

The refrigerant composition for use in the method of the present invention contains the following three components: difluoromethane (HFC-<NUM>), pentafluoroethane (HFC-<NUM>), and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a). The refrigerant composition may contain hydrocarbons or halogenated carbons other than difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane. In order to not impair the effect of the present invention, difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane in the refrigerant composition are present in a total amount of preferably <NUM> wt% or more, more preferably <NUM> wt% or more, still more preferably <NUM> wt% or more, and particularly preferably <NUM> wt% or more, of the entire refrigerant composition (<NUM> wt%). Examples of hydrocarbons other than difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane include propane, butane, and pentane (including isomers thereof), and examples of halogenated carbons other than difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane include R23, R22, R41, R143, R152, HFO-<NUM>, HFO-<NUM>, and HCFO-<NUM> (including isomers thereof).

The refrigerant composition for use in the method of the present invention preferably consists essentially of difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane. In this specification, the phrase "consists essentially of difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane" includes embodiments in which the refrigerant composition also contains a hydrocarbon and/or halogenated carbon other than difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane; and the refrigerant composition contains the hydrocarbon and/or halogenated carbon in such an amount that the hydrocarbon and/or halogenated carbon does not affect the refrigerant properties of the refrigerant composition containing difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane.

The refrigerant composition for use in the method of the present invention particularly preferably consists only of three components, difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane. In other words, the refrigerant composition for use in the method of the present invention particularly preferably contains difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane in a total amount of <NUM> wt% of the entire refrigerant composition (<NUM> wt%).

The proportions of the components of the refrigerant composition for use in the method according to the present invention fall within tolerance C to D. The percenrage of the following ranges of tolerance C is based on the total amount of difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane (<NUM> wt%).

In this specification, "tolerance" refers to an acceptable range determined based on the midrange of the proportions of the components of a refrigerant by an applicant who applies for approval of the refrigerant with ASHRAE, taking into consideration the quality, performance, and flammability of the refrigerant.

A feature of the method according to the present invention is that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source before transfer fall within a specific range. Specifically, a feature of the method is to use a refrigerant composition adjusted such that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source before transferring the refrigerant composition to the supply destination fall within a specific range.

To transfer a refrigerant composition that falls within the range of tolerance C, one of the following refrigerant compositions C2 and C3 is used whose liquid phase is composed as described below (the three compositions are hereinafter referred to as "refrigerant composition C1," "refrigerant composition C2," and "refrigerant composition C3" in this specification). The numerical ranges of refrigerant compositions C1 to C3 are all based on the total amount of difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane taken as <NUM> wt%.

When a refrigerant composition is transferred from a supply source to a supply destination, adjusting the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source before transfer such that the proportions of the components fall within the range of refrigerant composition C1, C2, or C3 enables the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source after transfer to fall within the range of tolerance C.

The method according to the present invention enables the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source after the transfer to fall within the range of tolerance C by adjusting the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source before the transfer such that the proportions of the components fall within the range of any of refrigerant compositions C2 or C3, even if the composition is transferred until the transfer rate calculated with the following equation is achieved. In other words, adjusting the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source such that the proportions of the components fall within the range of any of refrigerant compositions C2 or C3enables the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source after the transfer to fall within the range of tolerance C, while enabling the transfer of the composition to the point at which the transfer rate calculated with the following equation is achieved.

Even if the transfer is performed until the transfer rate reaches a maximum of <NUM>%, adjusting the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source before the transfer so as to fall within the range of refrigerant composition C1 (comparative - not according to the invention) enables the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source after the transfer to fall within the range of tolerance C. Even if the transfer is performed until the transfer rate reaches a maximum of <NUM>%, adjusting the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source before the transfer so as to fall within the range of refrigerant composition C2 enables the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source after the transfer to fall within the range of tolerance C. Even if the transfer is performed until the transfer rate reaches a maximum of <NUM>%, adjusting the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source before the transfer so as to fall within the range of refrigerant composition C3 enables the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source after the transfer to fall within the range of tolerance C.

A preferable transfer rate varies, depending on the capacity and shape of the supply source, the way the supply source is used, etc. For example, when the supply source is a small airtight container, such as a can, an NRC container, or a rotary container (<NUM> to <NUM>), full use of the refrigerant composition in the airtight container is typically assumed; thus, when the composition is transferred until the transfer rate reaches about <NUM>%, the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source are preferably adjusted such that the proportions of the components of the refrigerant composition in the supply source after the transfer fall within the range of tolerance C.

For example, when the supply source is a large airtight container, such as an ISO container or a storage tank, a transfer operation is typically performed through pump circulation, and the supply source is replenished with additional refrigerant composition, with the liquid phase remaining in the supply source, in order to protect the equipment (pump). When a large amount of the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition remains, the compositional change of the liquid phase can be decreased; however, the step of replenishing the supply source with the refrigerant composition is performed in increased frequency, and this is not economical. Thus, even if the transfer from a supply source that is a large airtight container is performed until the transfer rate reaches about <NUM> to <NUM>%, it is preferable to adjust the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source such that the proportions of the components of the refrigerant composition in the supply source after the transfer fall within the ranges of tolerance C.

When the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition are adjusted such that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source after the transfer fall within the ranges of tolerance C for the case in which the composition C2 is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%, the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source after the transfer fall within the ranges of tolerance C, even when the composition is transferred until the transfer rate reaches less than <NUM>% (i.e.<NUM>%). However, this narrows the range of choice for the proportions of the components of the refrigerant composition in the supply source and requires tighter quality control; it is thus preferable to suitably determine the transfer rate, depending on the form of the supply source.

The following describes the present invention in more detail with reference to Examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the Examples.

<NUM>-L airtight containers (supply source) were charged with <NUM> of a refrigerant composition (R407C) containing the following three components: <NUM> wt% of difluoromethane, <NUM> wt% of pentafluoroethane, and <NUM> wt% of <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane. Subsequently, the liquid temperature of each supply source was adjusted to <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, and the refrigerant composition was transferred to respective airtight containers (supply destination) with a pump at a rate of <NUM> per minute until the transfer rate reached <NUM>%. A portion of the transferred gas was taken from the sampling valve attached in the middle of the lead-out pipe in the liquid phase side at a point at which the transfer rate reached <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% and <NUM>%, and the proportions of the components in the liquid phase were analyzed by gas chromatography. <FIG> illustrates changes in the proportion of difluoromethane in the liquid phase. <FIG> illustrates changes in the proportion of pentafluoroethane in the liquid phase. <FIG> illustrates changes in the proportion of <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane in the liquid phase.

From <FIG>, the range of variation of the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of R407C was confirmed to increase as the transfer rate increased. The range of variation of the proportions of the components in the liquid phase was also confirmed to increase as the liquid temperature increased. Note that it is extremely difficult to predict, from the results of R407C used in Reference Example <NUM>, the range of variation of the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of a refrigerant composition whose components are different in their proportions from the components of the composition used in Reference Example <NUM>, even if both refrigerant compositions are formed of the same components, because these two compositions differ, for example, in the compositional ratio, the range of tolerance, and the transfer rate.

<NUM>-L airtight containers (containers as a supply source) were charged with <NUM> of a refrigerant composition (R407H) containing the following three components: <NUM> wt% of difluoromethane, <NUM> wt% of pentafluoroethane, and <NUM> wt% of <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane. The range of tolerance of the refrigerant composition used in Reference Example <NUM> was as follows: <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for difluoromethane, <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for pentafluoroethane, and <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane (the range of tolerance A).

Subsequently, the liquid temperature of each container was adjusted to <NUM>, and the refrigerant compositions were transferred to respective containers (supply destination) with a pump at a rate of <NUM> per minute until the transfer rate reached <NUM>%. A portion of the transferred gas was taken from the sampling valve attached in the middle of the lead-out pipe in the liquid phase side at a point at which the transfer rate reached <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% and <NUM>%, and the proportions of the components in the liquid phase were analyzed by gas chromatography.

Although handling a container at <NUM> or more is banned under the High Pressure Gas Safety Act in Japan, there is no such a standard outside Japan. Thus, the test was performed at a liquid temperature of <NUM> because the temperature at about <NUM> would be the severest condition for a transfer working environment.

Table <NUM> illustrates the results. The underlined values in Table <NUM> fall outside the range of tolerance A.

Table <NUM> indicates regarding the refrigerant composition (R407H) used in Reference Example <NUM> that the proportions of the components of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance A even when the composition was transferred until the transfer rate reached <NUM>%. However, when the composition was transferred until the transfer rate reached <NUM>%, the proportion of difluoromethane in the liquid phase fell outside the range of tolerance A. When the composition was transferred until the transfer rate reached <NUM>%, the proportion of difluoromethane in the liquid phase and the proportion of <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane in the liquid phase both fell outside the range of tolerance A.

An analysis was performed based on the results of Reference Example <NUM> to find the proportions of the components of R407H (refrigerant composition A1) whose components of the liquid phase in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance A (difluoromethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), even when R407H is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%.

Specifically, an analysis was performed in the same manner as in Reference Example <NUM> to find the lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of the components with a low boiling point (difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane) before the transfer. The lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of such components satisfy the following: the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance A, even when R407H is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%. Table <NUM> and Table <NUM> illustrate the results (Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the lower limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point, Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the upper limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point).

Tables <NUM> and <NUM> indicate that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance A under the conditions of a transfer rate at up to <NUM>%, when the proportions of the components are as follows: difluoromethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (refrigerant composition A1).

An analysis was performed based on the results of Reference Example <NUM> to find the proportions of the components of R407H (refrigerant composition A2) whose components of the liquid phase in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance A (difluoromethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), even when R407H is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%.

Specifically, an analysis was performed in the same manner as in Reference Example <NUM> to find the lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of the components with a low boiling point (difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane) before the transfer. The lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of such components satisfy the following: the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance A, even when the refrigerant composition is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%. Table <NUM> and Table <NUM> illustrate the results (Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the lower limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point, Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the upper limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point).

Tables <NUM> and <NUM> indicate that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance A under the conditions of a transfer rate at up to <NUM>%, when the proportions of the components are as follows: difluoromethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (refrigerant composition A2).

An analysis was performed based on the results of Reference Example <NUM> to find the proportions of the components of R407H (refrigerant composition A3) whose components of the liquid phase in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance A (difluoromethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), even when R407H is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%.

Specifically, an analysis was performed in the same manner as in Reference Example <NUM> to find the lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of the components with a low boiling point (difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane) before the transfer. The lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of such components satisfy the following: the proportions of the components of the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance A, even when the refrigerant composition is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%. Table <NUM> and Table <NUM> illustrate the results (Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the lower limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point, Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the upper limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point).

Tables <NUM> and <NUM> indicate that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance A under the conditions of a transfer rate at up to <NUM>%, when the proportions of the components are as follows: difluoromethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (refrigerant composition A3).

A test was performed in the same manner as in Reference Example <NUM>, except that <NUM>-L airtight containers (containers as a supply source) were charged with <NUM> of a refrigerant composition (R407F) containing the following three components: <NUM> wt% of difluoromethane, <NUM> wt% of pentafluoroethane, and <NUM> wt% of <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane. The range of tolerance for the refrigerant composition applied in Reference Example <NUM> is as follows: <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for difluoromethane, <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for pentafluoroethane, and <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane (range of tolerance B). Table <NUM> illustrates the results. The underlined value in Table <NUM> falls outside the range of tolerance B.

Table <NUM> indicates that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition (R407F) used in Reference Example <NUM> in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance B, under the conditions of a transfer rate at up to <NUM>%. However, when R407F was transferred until the transfer rate reached <NUM>%, the proportion of <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane fell outside the range of tolerance B.

An analysis was performed based on the results of Reference Example <NUM> to find the proportions of the components of R407F (refrigerant composition B1) whose components of the liquid phase in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance B (difluoromethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), even when R407F is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%.

Specifically, an analysis was performed in the same manner as in Reference Example <NUM> to find the lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of the components with a low boiling point (difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane) before transfer. The lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of such components satisfy the following: the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance B, even when R407F is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%. Table <NUM> and Table <NUM> illustrate the results (Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the lower limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point, Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the upper limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point).

Tables <NUM> and <NUM> indicate that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance B, under the conditions of a transfer rate at up to <NUM>%, when the proportions of the components are as follows: difluoromethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (refrigerant composition B1).

An analysis was performed based on the results of Reference Example <NUM> to find the proportions of the components of R407F (refrigerant composition B2) whose proportions of the components of the liquid phase in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance B (difluoromethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), even when R407F is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%.

Specifically, an analysis was performed in the same manner as in Reference Example <NUM> to find the lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of the components with a low boiling point (difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane) before the transfer. The lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of such components satisfy the following: the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance B, even when R407F is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%. Table <NUM> and Table <NUM> illustrate the results (Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the lower limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point, Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the upper limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point).

Tables <NUM> and <NUM> indicate that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance B, under the conditions of a transfer rate at up to <NUM>%, when the proportions of the components are as follows: difluoromethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (refrigerant composition B2).

Tables <NUM> and <NUM> indicate that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance B, under the conditions of a transfer rate at up to <NUM>%, when the proportions of the components are as follows: difluoromethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (refrigerant composition B3).

A test was performed in the same manner as in Reference Example <NUM>, except that <NUM>-L airtight containers (containers as a supply source) were charged with <NUM> of a refrigerant composition (D407HT) containing the following three components: <NUM> wt% of difluoromethane, <NUM> wt% of pentafluoroethane, and <NUM> wt% of <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane. The range of tolerance for the refrigerant composition applied in Reference Example <NUM> is as follows: <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for difluoromethane, <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for pentafluoroethane, and <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane (range of tolerance C). Table <NUM> illustrates the results. The underlined values in Table <NUM> fall outside the range of tolerance C.

Table <NUM> indicates regarding the refrigerant composition (D407HT) used in Reference Example <NUM> that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance C, when the composition was transferred until the transfer rate reached <NUM>%. However, when the composition was transferred until the transfer rate reached <NUM>%, the proportion of difluoromethane in the liquid phase fell outside the range of tolerance C. When the composition was transferred until the transfer rate reached <NUM>%, the proportion of difluoromethane in the liquid phase and the proportion of <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane in the liquid phase both fell outside the range of tolerance C.

An analysis was performed based on the results of Reference Example <NUM> to find the proportions of the components of D407HT (refrigerant composition C1) whose components of the liquid phase in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance C (difluoromethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), even when D407HT is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%.

Specifically, an analysis was performed in the same manner as in Reference Example <NUM> to find the lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of the components with a low boiling point (difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane) before the transfer. The lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of such components satisfy the following: the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance C, even when D407HT is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%. Table <NUM> and Table <NUM> illustrate the results (Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the lower limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point, Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the upper limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point).

Tables <NUM> and <NUM> indicate that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance C, under the conditions of a transfer rate at up to <NUM>%, when the proportions of the components are as follows: difluoromethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (refrigerant composition C1).

An analysis was performed based on the results of Reference Example <NUM> to find the proportions of the components of D407HT (refrigerant composition C2) whose components of the liquid phase in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance C (difluoromethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt), even when D407HT is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%.

Specifically, an analysis was performed in the same manner as in Reference Example <NUM> to find the lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of the components with a low boiling point (difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane) before transfer. The lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of such components satisfy the following: the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance C, even when D407HT is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%. Table <NUM> and Table <NUM> illustrate the results (Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the lower limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point, Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the upper limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point).

Tables <NUM> and <NUM> indicate that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance C, under the conditions of a transfer rate at up to <NUM>%, when the proportions of the components are as follows: difluoromethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (refrigerant composition C2).

An analysis was performed based on the results of Reference Example <NUM> to find the proportions of the components of D407HT (refrigerant composition C3) whose components of the liquid phase in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance C (difluoromethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), even when D407HT is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%.

Tables <NUM> and <NUM> indicate that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance C, under the conditions of a transfer rate at up to <NUM>%, when the proportions of the components are as follows: difluoromethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (refrigerant composition C3).

A test was performed in the same manner as in Reference Example <NUM>, except that <NUM>-L airtight containers (containers as a supply source) were charged with <NUM> of a refrigerant composition (R407E) containing the following three components: <NUM> wt% of difluoromethane, <NUM> wt% of pentafluoroethane, and <NUM> wt% of <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane. The range of tolerance of the refrigerant composition applied in Reference Example <NUM> is as follows: <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for difluoromethane, <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for pentafluoroethane, and <NUM> to <NUM> wt% for <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane (the range of tolerance D). Table <NUM> illustrates the results. The underlined value in Table <NUM> falls outside the range of tolerance D.

Table <NUM> indicates regarding the refrigerant composition (R407E) used in Reference Example <NUM> that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance D, under the conditions of a transfer rate at up to <NUM>%. However, when the composition was transferred until the transfer rate reached <NUM>%, the proportion of <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane in the liquid phase fell outside the range of tolerance D.

An analysis was performed based on the results of Reference Example <NUM> to find the proportions of the components of R407E (refrigerant composition D1) whose components of the liquid phase in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance D (difluoromethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), even when R407E is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%.

Specifically, an analysis was performed in the same manner as in Reference Example <NUM> to find the lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of the components with a low boiling point (difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane) before the transfer. The lower limit and the upper limit of the proportions of such components satisfy the following: the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance D, even when R407E is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%. Table <NUM> and Table <NUM> illustrate the results (Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the lower limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point, Table <NUM>: the results of analysis of the upper limit of the proportions of components with a low boiling point).

Tables <NUM> and <NUM> indicate that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance D, under the conditions of a transfer rate at up to <NUM>%, when the proportions of the components are as follows: difluoromethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (refrigerant composition D1).

An analysis was performed based on the results of Reference Example <NUM> to find the proportions of the components of R407E (refrigerant composition D2) whose components of the liquid phase in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance D (difluoromethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), even when R407E is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%.

Tables <NUM> and <NUM> indicate that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance D, under the conditions of a transfer rate at up to <NUM>%, when the proportions of the components are as follows: difluoromethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (refrigerant composition D2).

An analysis was performed based on the results of Reference Example <NUM> to find the proportions of the components of R407E (refrigerant composition D3) whose components of the liquid phase in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance D (difluoromethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane: <NUM> to <NUM> wt%), even when R407E is transferred until the transfer rate reaches <NUM>%.

Tables <NUM> and <NUM> indicate that the proportions of the components in the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source fall within the range of tolerance D, under the conditions of a transfer rate at up to <NUM>%, when the proportions of the components are as follows: difluoromethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, pentafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (refrigerant composition D3).

Table <NUM> below illustrates the results of Examples <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>.

Claim 1:
A method for transferring a refrigerant composition containing difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane, comprising transferring a refrigerant composition from a liquid phase in a supply source to a supply destination,
wherein the liquid phase of the refrigerant composition in the supply source before the transfer contains <NUM> to <NUM> wt% difluoromethane, <NUM> to <NUM> wt% pentafluoroethane, and <NUM> to <NUM> wt% <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrafluoroethane.