Solubility of HFC32, HFC125, HFC152a, and HFC143a in Three Polyols

Abstract

The solubility of a blowing agent in a polyol plays an important role in determining the overall quality of the polyurethane foam. For many years, concerns have been raised about the high ozone depleting potential (ODP) of traditionally used blowing agents such as chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons. To this end, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have been identified to be long-term replacements as the future blowing agents. In this study, we chose four HFCs, namely, HFC-125 (1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane), HFC-152a (1,1-difluoroethane), HFC-143a (1,1,1-trifluoroethane), and HFC-32 (difluoromethane), and measured their solubilities in three polyols, namely, Pluracol 975, Pluracol 355, and Terol 352, using a degassed vapor pressure apparatus. Results indicate that there is a prominent effect of the structure of the blowing agent molecule and the functionality of the polyol on the solubility. HFC152a showed good solubility in Pluracol 975 and Pluracol 355, whereas all blowing agents showed limited solubility in Terol 352. In general, the least soluble blowing agent was HFC-143a. The experimental results have been correlated with the Sanchez−Lacombe equation of state, which was able to describe the polyol + blowing agent systems well.

Measurement and Correlation of Isothermal Vapor–Liquid Equilibrium of Fluoroethane + Dimethyl Ether Triethylene Glycol, 1,1-Difluoroethane + Dimethyl Ether Triethylene Glycol, and 1,1-Difluoroethane + N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone Systems

“…Deng et al reported the VLE data of the HFC161 + DMF and HFC161 + DMEDEG systems from 293.15 to 353.15 K and then analyzed the performance of the two systems in a composite refrigeration cycle; their results showed that the HFC161 + DMEDEG system exhibits a better cycle performance. Wahlstrom et al − measured the solubility of HFC152a in n -eicosane, n -hexadecane, n -tridecane, and 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane from 293.15 to 363.15 K and HFC152a in n -hexadecane at 303.15–343.15 K. Yelisetty et al studied the solubility of HFC152a in pluracol 975, pluracol 355, and terol 352. Li et al reported the VLE data for HFC152a + dimethyl ether diethylene glycol (DMEDEG), HFC32 + DMAC, and HFC32 + DMEDEG systems from 293.15 to 353.15 K and used the NRTL model to correlate the experimental data, obtaining fairly good agreement between the calculated and experimental thermodynamic data.…”

Isothermal Vapor–Liquid Equilibrium Measurements of 1,1-Difluoroethane + N,N-Dimethylformamide and N,N-Dimethylacetamide

“…For the refrigerant R152a, Wahlstrom and Vamling , have measured the solubility of R152a in n -eicosane, n -hexadecane, n -tridecane, and 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane at different temperatures. Yelisetty and Visco have reported the solubility of R152a in Pluracol 975, Pluracol 355, and Terol 352. However, the VLE data of R152a + DMF and R152a + DMAC are not available, limiting the author’s literature works.…”