초록 ▼

Provided are methods of introducing environmentally desirable refrigerants into refrigeration systems. The present methods involve recharging a refrigerant system that contains a chlorine-containing refrigerant and a lubricant comprising the steps of (a) removing the chlorine-containing refrigerant

Provided are methods of introducing environmentally desirable refrigerants into refrigeration systems. The present methods involve recharging a refrigerant system that contains a chlorine-containing refrigerant and a lubricant comprising the steps of (a) removing the chlorine-containing refrigerant from the refrigeration system while retaining a substantial portion of the lubricant in said system; and (b) introducing to said system a composition comprising: (i) a refrigerant; (ii) a surfactant; and (iii) a solubilizing agent.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of recharging a refrigeration system of the type containing a chlorine-containing refrigerant and a lubricant, comprising the steps of: (a) removing said chlorine-containing refrigerant from said refrigeration system while leaving a substantial portion of said lubricant in said system

1. A method of recharging a refrigeration system of the type containing a chlorine-containing refrigerant and a lubricant, comprising the steps of: (a) removing said chlorine-containing refrigerant from said refrigeration system while leaving a substantial portion of said lubricant in said system; and (b) introducing to said lubricant left in said system a composition comprising: (i) a non-chlorine-containing refrigerant; (ii) a surfactant; and (iii) a solubilizing agent. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said non-chlorine-containing refrigerant comprises an HFC. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said non-chlorine-containing refrigerant is a mixture of two or more HFC compounds. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said non-chlorine-containing refrigerant is R-407C. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein said surfactant comprises a polyoxyethylene-type nonionic surfactant. 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said surfactant is a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether. 7. The method of claim 4 wherein said solubilizing agent is an ester or polyvinyl ether. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant enhances the solubility of said non-chlorine-containing refrigerant in said hydrocarbon-based lubricant by at least about 2 weight %. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant enhances the solubility of said non-chlorine-containing refrigerant in said hydrocarbon-based lubricant by at least about 5 weight %. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant enhances the solubility of said hydrocarbon-based lubricant in said non-chlorine-containing refrigerant by at least about 2 weight %. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant comprises a polyoxyethylene-type nonionic surfactant. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is soluble in said solubilizing agent. 13. The method of claim 1 wherein said solubilizing agent comprises a polyalkylene glycol. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said polyalkylene glycol comprises a polybutylene glycol compound. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein said polybutylene glycol compound has a viscosity of between about 1 and 20 centistokes at 100° C. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said polybutylene glycol compound has a viscosity of between about 1 and 10 centistokes at 100° C. 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said polybutylene glycol compound has a viscosity of between about 1 and 5 centistokes at 100° C.