Blending Gases

[sdumper]

I hate starting these types of threads because it exposes my ignorance for all to see

I received some advice on blending r14 with Argon to achieve better temps.
The thing is r14 is very expensive so before I mix anything with r14 I want to understand how this will help.
So I started playing with a mix of Argon and Ethelyn (Note this cascade has 3 stages and the second HX is adjusted for -85c at the moment).

What im seeing is better temps with the Argon mixed in with a higher pressure to go along with it. The blend ratio is approx 15% Argon and the rest r1150.

Now argon should not be able to liquify at this temp and pressure so im assuming its just the added pressure which is helping my temps go lower. Can anyone help me understand whats happening? Because im at a loss

[Patrickclouds]

When you have liquid R404A or every other liquid refrigerant the oil dissolves into the liquid refrigerant.

The Argon should do the same in your liquid R1150 refrigerant. When you expand the mixture in your Evap the Argon should also evaporate and lower the temperature because of the lower boiling point.

[sdumper]

Thank you Patrick!!

I was at a complete loss as to what was going on.

[n00b 0f l337]

Dissolving salt in ice makes the ice colder.
Not exactly what's going on, but kinda what's going on.

You are attempting to imbide the liquid r1150 with the argon, and therefore lower the average boiling point of the solution. The r1150 will absorb argon based on it's temperature, so more subcooling the better here.
This is useful in systems when you achieve the load desired and have extra headroom to spend. As always, lower temps, less load. So you can spend the headroom in this manner. But it does mean you will gain quite a bit of pressure and heat on the compressor/condenser side.

[sdumper]

Dissolving salt in ice makes the ice colder.
Not exactly what's going on, but kinda what's going on.

You are attempting to imbide the liquid r1150 with the argon, and therefore lower the average boiling point of the solution. The r1150 will absorb argon based on it's temperature, so more subcooling the better here.
This is useful in systems when you achieve the load desired and have extra headroom to spend. As always, lower temps, less load. So you can spend the headroom in this manner. But it does mean you will gain quite a bit of pressure and heat on the compressor/condenser side.

Yep noticed that so im going to need to be very careful when blending with the r14.
Thanks Adam, Patrick and MyTek

[Xeon th MG Pony]

It all so modified the vapour pressure of the host refrigerent, much like the hydrogen in an amonia absoprtion system, the pressure is static yet it boiled off as if it wher ein a lower pressure.

[Gunslinger]

If anyone has any contact info with Scott other than PM here, please shoot him a message requesting that he come here to check his PM's. Thank you.

[josh1980]

Anyone remember the ideal gas law? PV=nRT. It's basic math to figure out what is going on.