Tag blowing agents

Abstract

Refrigerators use blowing agents to create foam insulation that keeps the cold air inside. Traditionally, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were used as blowing agents, but they were banned due to their harmful effects on the ozone layer. Nowadays, hydrocarbons such as cyclopentane and cyclo/iso-pentane are widely used as alternatives. However, these two blowing agents have different physical and chemical properties that affect their performance and environmental impact. This article compares the advantages and disadvantages of cyclopentane and cyclo/iso-pentane as blowing agents for refrigerators, and provides some suggestions for choosing the best option.

Keywords

blowing agents, refrigerators, cyclopentane, cyclo/iso-pentane, foam insulation, energy efficiency, environmental impact

Introduction

Refrigerators are essential appliances that help us preserve food and beverages at low temperatures. To achieve this, refrigerators need to have a good insulation system that prevents heat transfer from the outside to the inside. One of the most common insulation materials used in refrigerators is polyurethane foam, which is formed by a chemical reaction between polyether polyol and isocyanate. The reaction releases heat, which is used to vaporize a blowing agent that expands the foam and creates air pockets. The air pockets act as thermal barriers that reduce heat conduction and convection.

However, not all blowing agents are equally effective and eco-friendly. Some of them, such as CFCs, have high ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP), meaning that they can damage the ozone layer and contribute to climate change. Therefore, CFCs were phased out by the Montreal Protocol in 1987, and replaced by other substances that have lower ODP and GWP. Among these alternatives, hydrocarbons such as cyclopentane and cyclo/iso-pentane have gained popularity due to their low cost, availability, and flammability.

Cyclopentane and cyclo/iso-pentane are both five-carbon ring compounds, but they have different molecular structures. Cyclopentane has a regular pentagon shape, while cyclo/iso-pentane has a branch attached to one of the carbon atoms. This difference leads to different physical and chemical properties, such as boiling point, vapor pressure, vapor thermal conductivity, and solubility. These properties affect the foam formation, insulation performance, energy efficiency, and environmental impact of the blowing agents. Therefore, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of cyclopentane and cyclo/iso-pentane as blowing agents for refrigerators, and to choose the best option according to the specific needs and conditions.

Comparison of Cyclopentane and Cyclo/Iso-Pentane

Boiling Point

The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes from liquid to gas. The boiling point of cyclopentane is 49°C, while the boiling point of cyclo/iso-pentane is 28°C. This means that cyclo/iso-pentane vaporizes more easily than cyclopentane, and therefore requires less heat to create foam. This can be an advantage for cyclo/iso-pentane, as it can reduce the energy consumption and the reaction time of the foam formation process. However, it can also be a disadvantage, as it can cause more blowing agent to escape from the foam, reducing the insulation quality and increasing the environmental impact.

Vapor Pressure

The vapor pressure of a substance is the pressure exerted by its vapor when it is in equilibrium with its liquid phase. The vapor pressure of cyclo/iso-pentane is higher than that of cyclopentane, especially at low temperatures. This means that cyclo/iso-pentane can maintain a gaseous state inside the foam even at low temperatures, and therefore provide some support to the foam structure. This can improve the dimensional stability of the foam, and prevent shrinkage and deformation. However, it can also increase the risk of leakage and flammability of the blowing agent, as well as the heat transfer through the foam.

Vapor Thermal Conductivity

The vapor thermal conductivity of a substance is the measure of its ability to transfer heat by molecular motion. The vapor thermal conductivity of cyclo/iso-pentane is higher than that of cyclopentane, especially at high temperatures. This means that cyclo/iso-pentane can conduct more heat through the foam than cyclopentane, and therefore reduce the insulation performance and the energy efficiency of the refrigerator. However, this effect can be mitigated by using a lower density of foam, as well as by adding other additives or fillers to the foam.

Solubility

The solubility of a substance is the measure of its ability to dissolve in another substance. The solubility of cyclo/iso-pentane in polyether polyol is lower than that of cyclopentane, especially at high temperatures. This means that cyclo/iso-pentane can separate from the polyol more easily than cyclopentane, and therefore create a more uniform distribution of blowing agent in the foam. This can enhance the foam quality and the insulation performance, as well as reduce the amount of blowing agent needed. However, this can also increase the difficulty of controlling the foam formation process, as well as the risk of flammability and environmental impact of the blowing agent.

Conclusion

Cyclopentane and cyclo/iso-pentane are both hydrocarbon blowing agents that can be used to create foam insulation for refrigerators. However, they have different physical and chemical properties that affect their performance and environmental impact. Cyclopentane has a higher boiling point, lower vapor pressure, lower vapor thermal conductivity, and higher solubility than cyclo/iso-pentane. These properties make cyclopentane more suitable for applications that require high insulation performance, low energy consumption, and low environmental impact. Cyclo/iso-pentane has a lower boiling point, higher vapor pressure, higher vapor thermal conductivity, and lower solubility than cyclopentane. These properties make cyclo/iso-pentane more suitable for applications that require low foam density, high dimensional stability, and fast foam formation. Therefore, the choice of blowing agent depends on the specific needs and conditions of the refrigerator manufacturer and the consumer. A possible compromise is to use a mixture of cyclopentane and cyclo/iso-pentane, which can combine the advantages of both blowing agents and balance their disadvantages.

As a leading chemical company, at Junyuan Petroleum Group we are committed to providing high-quality and innovative products to our customers around the world. However, delivering chemical samples to different countries and regions is not a simple task. It requires careful planning and execution, as well as compliance with various laws and regulations. To ensure the safety and legality of our sample shipments, we follow these steps: – We identify the type and hazard level of our chemical samples, and whether they need any special permits or certificates. – We choose the appropriate shipping service and mode of transportation, such as air, land or sea, that meet the international or domestic transport rules. – We use proper packaging materials and labels, to prevent leakage, damage or mishandling of our samples. – We fill out complete and accurate shipping documents, including the information of the recipient and the sender, as well as the name, quantity, hazard level and other relevant information of our samples. – We hand over the shipping documents and samples to the shipping service provider, pay the corresponding fees, and track the shipping status. By following these steps, we can ensure that our samples reach our customers in a timely and efficient manner, and that we maintain our reputation as a reliable and trustworthy partner. We are always ready to serve our customers with our best products and services. Some of our most popular products are n-Pentane, Isopentane, Cyclopentane, Blowing Agents, n-Hexane, Isohexane, n-Heptane, n-Butane and Isobutane. These products are widely used in the production of insulation materials, such as Polyurethane (PU) and Polystyrene (PS) foams. They have different properties and advantages, depending on the application and the desired insulation performance¹². For example, Cyclopentane offers an extremely high and lasting insulating effect, as it remains partially in the cells of PU and PIR foams after foaming¹. N-Pentane and Iso-Pentane have a lower insulating effect than Cyclopentane, but they are more stable and the individual cells are firmer and finer². Blowing Agents are mixtures of different Pentanes, which can optimize the costs and foam properties¹. We test these products in our state-of-the-art laboratories, to ensure their quality and safety. We also customize the products according to the specific needs and preferences of our customers. For example, we can adjust the purity, viscosity, boiling point, and flash point of the products, to suit different applications and climates. The typical amount of samples that our customers request is around 250 milliliters, but this may vary depending on the product and the customer’s requirements. We always try to accommodate the requests of our customers, as long as they are reasonable and legal. We also provide technical support and guidance, to help our customers use our products effectively and efficiently.

Source:
(1) Which Pentanes are suitable for the production of insulating materials?
(2) Which Pentane Blowing Agent is Best for Your Application?
(3) Cyclopentane, as a blowing agent in Polyurethane (PU) foams, is the …. https://junyuanpetroleumgroup.com/chemical-manufacturer-supplier-distributor/cyclopentane-as-a-blowing-agent-in-polyurethane-pu-foams-is-the-most-important-raw-material-for-high-performance-insulation-in-refrigerators/.
(4) N-Heptane Vs N-Pentane

Pentanes as blowing agents in insulating foams, which are largely responsible for the excellent performance of the insulating materials. All three isomers of Pentane are used: n-Pentanes, Isopentanes and Cyclopentanes. It is particularly important for manufacturers of insulating materials to have high quality, individual blend compositions and tailor-made formulations. Insulating materials for refrigerators or the construction industry depend on Pentanes as an important blowing agent for insulating foams. This makes it all the more important to have high-quality n-Pentanes, Isopentanes and Cyclopentanes from a reliable supplier:

Blowing Agent Manufacturer

Junyuan Petroleum Group is an ISO Certified company. Junyuan Petroleum Group is engaged in manufacturing and exporting specialty solvents. Our solvents caters to a large variety of EPS products manufacturers. We established ourselves as one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of Industrial chemicals and its derivatives in China. On strength of our competent, energetic, experienced, skilled and dedicate R&D team, we have evolved and provided several pentanes and their blends. We cater to the industries engaged in EPS product manufacturing. We cater to a variety of industrial chemical to reputed companies world wide. As we are industrial chemical manufacturer in China with the confidence put in our capabilities & services, we intend to grow as an honest & preferred co-partner to customers having requirements of regular and new molecules which require sophisticated plastic and construction chemistry.
Junyuan Petroleum Group has made its name as most trusted blowing agent manufacturer in Dongying, China. Blowing agents of all types are produced and supplied by Junyuan Petroleum Group all across China. As the best industrial chemical manufacturer in China, Junyuan Petroleum Group has always given importance to its client satisfaction. Timely delivery of our blowing agents are guaranteed by our company.We are dealing in n-Pentane, Isopentane, Cyclopentane, Pentane Blends, Blowing Agents, Pentane 80/20, Pentane 60/40, Pentane 75/25, Pentane 50/50, Pentane 70/30, Pentane 85/15 and Pentane 90/10 etc.

Blowing agent choice per application

In contrast to HCFC141b, where one blowing agent was chosen for all rigid foam applications, different blowing agent choices will be available after the HCFC phase out. Pentane is generally preferred when the foam consumption is high (e.g. in board or panel lamination). In the following figure, the blowing agent choice in industrialised countries is schematically given.
The three corners of the triangle represent a situation where a market segment has been entirely converted to pentane, HFC or to a fully water blown solution. Positions within the triangle indicate the relative amount of producers within a segment, that have chosen any of the three blowing agent options.

The physical properties of blowing agents are given in the table.

It is interesting to note the differences between the three pentane isomers. There are significant differences in boiling point, gas thermal conductivity and polyol solubility, which leads to very different foam properties and processing characteristics. Cyclo/iso pentane mixtures tend to produce the lowest thermal conductivity foams and are preferred in applications such as refrigerators. Cyclopentane is, in certain cases, preferred when local storage regulations are less stringent than for other pentanes.

What is Polyurethane Foam?

The great advantages of polyurethane foams are their ability to respond to specific requirements for each application (e.g. density, elasticity and durability) and at prices which make the end products well in reach of the average household. It is estimated that 90% of upholstered furniture has a polyurethane foam filling.

The gas phase thermal conductivity of pentane blowing agents

The gas phase thermal conductivity of Cyclopentanes is the lowest among alkane blowing agents. It has relatively high solubility in polyether polyols and is the largest amount of alkane blowing agent. Polyurethane rigid foam Cyclopentane foaming system was industrialized in 1993, mainly used as refrigerator insulation materials. According to Bayer company of Germany, more than 3 million refrigerators have been produced in Europe with its Cyclopentane foaming formula in 1994. Because the boiling point of Cyclopentane is higher than room temperature, part of the cycloalkane gas in the foamed cell condenses and plasticizes the polyurethane matrix. Therefore, in order to achieve the minimum compressive strength required for the stability of foam, the density of foam is higher than that of CFC 11. The foaming foam is more than 10% (the foam density of the refrigerator insulation layer should be more than 38 kg/mJ). Its thermal conductivity is also high.

Comparison of n-pentane, isopentane and cyclopentane foaming systems

n-Pentane and Isopentane are rich in natural resources, and their prices are lower than Cyclopentane. Due to their higher gas-phase thermal conductivity and low solubility in polyether, n-Pentane and Isopentane are rarely used alone in the refrigerator industry. n-/Isopentane mixture is mainly used as blowing agent for rigid polyurethane foam for construction. Since 1994, the company has adopted Isopentane (75/25) foaming system to reduce the minimum stable density of foam to 32, but the thermal conductivity has increased by about 10%. However, due to the uniform density distribution of Pentane blowing foam, the adiabatic energy consumption is only 2% to 5% higher than that of CFC-11 system. The n-/Isopentane (75/25) foaming system developed by Junyuan Petroleum Group also obtained similar results. The stable density of the refrigerator body is about 34, while the thermal conductivity of the foam at 10 ℃ is 2lmw/ (MK), only lmw/ (MK) higher than that of the cyclopentane foam.

Junyuan Petroleum Group is a leading manufacturer of basic and intermediate chemicals for solvents ,foam blowing agent and refrigerant.
Foaming agents, also known as blowing agents, can reduce the surface tension of the liquid and produce a large amount of uniform and stable foam by mixing with pressurized air. Ingredients of a foaming agent include surfactants, foam stabilizers, and so on.

Among the many foam blowing agent manufacturers in the world, Junyuan Petroleum Group has stood out in the global blowing agent market competition after 15 years of development and stands at the top of the world in the production field of blowing agent. Junyuan Petroleum Group is a blowing agent manufacturer with the most advanced technology in the world. With the continuous expansion of the application scope of blowing agent, the market demand for foaming agent has also expanded accordingly. Junyuan petroleum group seizes the development opportunity and adopts the world’s most advanced foaming agent production technology to produce diversified products: Blowing agent, n-Pentane/Isopentane foam Blowing agent, Cyclopentane/Isopentane foam blowing agent and other different types of pentane foaming agents. Junyuan Petroleum Group has a complete range of pentane foaming agent products to provide customers with a variety of choices. With a production team of more than 500 employees, it produces pentane foam blowing agent 24 hours a day, realizing the “Four Modernizations” of large-scale, bulk, professional and standardized production.
As a Foam blowing agent manufacturer, Junyuan Petroleum Group has not only realized professional production, but also equipped with a professional logistics team. In order to realize zero fault transportation of Junyuan pentane foaming agent, Junyuan Petroleum Group has established Junyuan logistics company. Since its establishment 15 years ago, Junyuan Petroleum Group has always adhered to the principle of safety and efficiency, zero fault transportation for 15 consecutive years, and customer satisfaction has reached 100%.
100% Customer Satisfaction
After Sales Service Department is one of the divisions which belongs to Junyuan Petroleum Group. ASSD for Blowing Agent established since the beginning of Junyuan Petroleum Group. since 2006 and it has been included as a separate department in 2009. Many things must be done well in order to reach the highest levels of customer satisfaction. To this end, Junyuan Petroleum Group provides outstanding customer service, expert technical support, industry leading turnaround times, and the agility to respond to our customer’s changing needs in Blowing Agent.