This invention relates to compositions comprising 2-bromo-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropane having utility as foam blowing agents, refrigerants and cleaning agents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fluorocarbon based fluids have found widespread use in many commercial and industrial applications. For example, fluorocarbon based fluids are frequently used as a working fluid in systems such as air conditioning, heat pump and refrigeration applications.
Certain fluorocarbons have been a preferred component in many heat exchange fluids, such as refrigerants, for many years in many applications. For, example, fluoroalkanes, such as chlorofluoromethane and chlorofluoroethane derivatives, have gained widespread use as refrigerants in applications including air conditioning and heat pump applications owing to their unique combination of chemical and physical properties. Many of the refrigerants commonly utilized in vapor compression systems are either single components fluids or azeotropic mixtures.
Flammability is another important property for many applications. That is, it is considered either important or essential in many applications, including particularly in heat transfer applications, to use compositions, which are non-flammable. Thus, it is frequently beneficial to use such compositions compounds, which are nonflammable. As used herein, the term "nonflammable" refers to compounds or compositions, which are determined to be nonflammable as determined in accordance with ASTM standard E-681, dated 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. Unfortunately, many hydrofluorocarbons(FIFCs), which might otherwise be desirable for used in refrigerant compositions are not nonflammable.
Bromofluoromethane and bromochlorofluoromethane derivatives,
particularly bromotrifluorom ethane (Hal on 1301) and

bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211) have gained widespread use as fire extinguishing agents in enclosed areas such as airplane cabins and computer rooms. However, the use of various halons is being phased out due to their high ozone depletion. Moreover, as halons are frequently used in areas where humans are present, suitable replacements must also be safe to humans at concentrations necessary to suppress or extinguish fire.
Applicants have thus come to appreciate a need for compositions, and particularly heat transfer compositions, fire extinguishing/suppression compositions, blowing agents, solvent compositions, and compatabilizing agents, that are potentially useful in numerous applications, including vapor compression heating and cooling systems and methods, while avoiding one or more of the disadvantages noted above.
OBJECT OF INVENTION
The present invention provides a composition consisting of about 1 to about 60 wt. % 2-bromo-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane and about 40 to about 99 wt. % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first aspect of the present invention provides a composition consisting of about 1 to about 60 wt. % 2-bromo-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane and about 40 to about 99 wt. % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The term "about" as used herein indicates 10% deviation in both sides from the specified parameter.
A first aspect of the present invention provides a composition consisting of about 1 to about 60 wt. % 2-bromo-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane and about 40 to about 99 wt. % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

In one embodiment of this aspect, the present invention provides a refrigerant composition comprising about 1 to about 60 wt. % 2-bromo-l,l,l,2-tetrafluoropropane and about 40 to about 99 wt. % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
In another embodiment of this aspect, the present invention provides a method of recharging a refrigeration system that contains a refrigerant to be replaced and a lubricant comprising the steps of: (a) removing the refrigerant to be replaced from the refrigeration system while retaining a substantial portion of the lubricant in said system; and (b) introducing into the refrigeration system a refrigerant of a composition consisting of about 1 to about 60 wt. % 2-bromo-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane and about 40 to about 99 wt. % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
In another embodiment of this aspect, the present invention provides a blowing agent composition comprising about 1 to about 60 wt. % 2-bromo-l,l,l,2-tetrafluoropropane and about 40 to about 99 wt. % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
In another embodiment of this aspect, the blowing agent is mixed with polyol.
In another embodiment of this aspect, the present invention provides a closed cell foam prepared by using a blowing agent composition comprising about 1 to about 60 wt. % 2-bromo-l,l,l,2-tetrafluoropropane and about 40 to about 99 wt. % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
In another embodiment of this aspect, the closed cell foam comprises polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, polystyrene, polyethylene, and mixtures thereof.
It is convenient in many applications to provide the components for polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams in pre-blended formulations. Most typically, the foam formulation is pre-blended into two components. The isocyanate and optionally certain surfactants and blowing agents comprise the first component, commonly referred to as the "A" component. The polyol or polyol mixture, surfactant, catalysts, blowing agents, flame retardant, and other isocyanate reactive components comprise the second component, commonly referred to as the "B" component. Accordingly, polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams are readily prepared by bringing together the A and B side components either by hand mix for

small preparations and, preferably, machine mix techniques to form blocks, slabs, laminates, pour-in-place panels and other items, spray applied foams, froths, and the like. Optionally, other ingredients such as fire retardants, colorants, auxiliary blowing agents, and even other polyols can be added as a third stream to the mix head or reaction site. Most preferably, however, they are all incorporated into one B-component as described above.
It is also possible to produce thermoplastic foams using the compositions of the invention. For example, conventional polystyrene and polyethylene formulations may be combined with the compositions in a conventional manner to produce rigid foams.
In another embodiment of this aspect, the present invention provides cleaning composition comprising about 1 to about 60 wt. % 2-bromo-l, 1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane and about 40 to about 99 wt. % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
In another embodiment of this aspect, the present invention provides a flame suppressant composition comprising about 1 to about 60 wt. % 2-bromo-l, 1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane and about 40 to about 99 wt. % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
The present invention further provides methods of suppressing a flame, said methods comprising contacting a flame with a fluid comprising a compound or composition of the present invention. Any suitable methods for contacting the flame with the present composition may be used. For example, a composition of the present invention may be sprayed, poured, and the like onto the flame, or at least a portion of the flame may be immersed in the composition. In light of the teachings herein, those of skill in the art will be readily able to adapt a variety of conventional apparatus and methods of flame suppression for use in the present invention.
In another embodiment of this aspect, the present invention provides an aerosol composition comprising a composition consisting of about 1 to about 60 wt. % 2-bromo-l, 1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane and about 40 to about 99 wt. % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
The aerosol composition contains medicament or cosmetic component to be delivered.

Other uses of the present compositions include use as solvents, cleaning agents, and the like. Those of skill in the art will be readily able to adapt the present compositions for use in such applications without undue experimentation.
Other uses of the present azeotrope-like compositions include use as solvents, cleaning agents, and the like. Those of skill in the art will be readily able to adapt the present compositions for use in such applications without undue experimentation.
The invention is illustrated by, but not limited to, the following examples that are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting in any manner.
EXAMPLE 1
An ASTM-E681 apparatus was used to measure the flammability of the mixtures of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 2-bromo-l,l,l,2-tetrafluoropropane. The procedure described in the ASHRAE-34 was used to judge the flammability of the mixtures at 60° C. and at 100° C. Accordingly it was found that at 60° C, the critical flammability ratio (CFR) of the mixture was 10 mol % 2-bromo-l,l,l,2-tetrafluoropropane and 90 mol % 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. Similarly it was also found that at 100° C, the critical flammability ratio (CFR) of the mixture was 12 mol % 2-bromo-l,l,l,2-tetrafluoropropane and 88 mol % 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
Having described the invention in detail by reference to the preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure and claims.

WE CLAIM:

1.A composition consisting of 1 to 60 wt. % 2-bromo-l, 1,1,2-
tetrafluoropropane and 40 to 99 wt. % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
2. A method of recharging a refrigeration system that contains a refrigerant
to be replaced and a lubricant comprising the steps of:
(a) removing the refrigerant to be replaced from the refrigeration system while retaining a substantial portion of the lubricant in said system; and
(b) introducing into the refrigeration system a refrigerant of a composition consisting of about 1 to about 60 wt. % 2-bromo-l, 1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane and about 40 to about 99 wt. % of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

3. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition is used in blowing agents, closed cell foams, thermoplastic foams, cleaning compositions, flame suppressant compositions or aerosol compositions.
4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein at 60°C, the critical flammability ratio (CFR) of the composition is 10 mol % 2-bromo-l, 1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane and 90 mol % 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
5. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein at 100° C, the critical flammability ratio (CFR) of the composition is 12 mol % 2-bromo-l, 1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane and 88 mol % 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.