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A3 Refrigerant R290 Leak and Ignition Testing for a Packaged Terminal Air-conditioner (PTAC).

Number: No 055

Author(s) : WANG H., HUNTER G.

Summary

R290 (propane) is a flammable refrigerant having an A3 classification according to the ASHRAE Standard 34. Because of its extremely low Global Warming Potential (GWP), several regions around the world use or consider using it for air-conditioning and refrigeration applications. On the other hand, the R290 application is currently limited to small charged self-contained air-conditioning and refrigeration products in most of the world due to its high flammability and safety implications. The possibility of increasing R290 charge limits set by relevant safety standards (IEC/UL-60335-2-40 and IEC/UL-60335-2-89) is being evaluated in the working groups of these standards.
To properly address A3 refrigerants in safety standards, the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology Institute (AHRTI) undertook a research project to investigate R290, specifically to carry-out leak and ignition testing under whole room scale conditions.
This paper summarizes the results of A3 refrigerant R290 leak and ignition tests for a packaged terminal airconditioner (PTAC). A mock-up full scale motel room was built with a wall mounted PTAC installed. The testing simulated refrigerant leaks from the evaporator with ignition sources present. Two different R290 charge levels (114g and 217g) were tested. The tests also included using the PTAC circulation fan to disperse leaked refrigerant in the test room as a mitigation method. The tests demonstrated that the ignition severity
depended on the charge level and the fan operating state. In all ignition events observed, the highest temperatures were recorded close to floor level indicating flames were low in height. The results were also compared to existing test results of A2L refrigerants R32 and R452B under the same test setup.

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Details

  • Original title: A3 Refrigerant R290 Leak and Ignition Testing for a Packaged Terminal Air-conditioner (PTAC).
  • Record ID : 30029955
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: 13th IEA Heat Pump Conference 2021: Heat Pumps – Mission for the Green World. Conference proceedings [full papers]
  • Publication date: 2021/08/31

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