Rapid Evaluation for Stability of Refrigerants Including 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropylene by Using Closed Circulation System

Act of exchange from conventional refrigerant like 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane to moderate molecular showing low global warming potential (GWP) is going on. Substituted refrigerants with low GWP are designed to readily decompose in atmosphere. It is, therefore, feared that the life shortening of the refrigerant is accelerated in the presence of mechanical parts of vehicle air conditioner including metal(s). In order to evaluate the stability in the short term, refrigerants including 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropylene with low GWP was contacted many times with highly dispersed metal on carrier in the closed circulating system. Finally, the evaluation of relative stability of refrigerants was successfully achieved within ca. 1.5 hours. Thus the evaluation term was able to shorten dramatically compared to the conventional method.