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Safety concept for hydrocarbon refrigerants in split air conditioner.

Concepto de seguridad para los refrigerantes hidrocarburos en los aires acondicionados tipo split.

Author(s) : COLBOURNE D., HÜHREN R., VONSILD A.

Type of article: Article, Review

Summary

Safety standards are often cited as the major barrier to using hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants in medium to large capacity split-type air conditioning systems. Whilst the otherwise technical aspects associated with the application of HCs, particularly R290 and R1270, are attractive – such as high potential efficiency, good material compatibility, compact systems, etc – their use is often hindered due to a particular formula included within certain safety standards that limits refrigerant charge size for a given room area. The primary basis of the formula is that a release of refrigerant (from the inside unit) shall not result in a flammable concentration at floor level under a set of the worse possible conditions that could lead to the highest concentration. However, these current requirements within the European standards IEC 60335-2-40 and EN 378, neglect to consider that other measures could be applied to the design and operation of the system that could also prevent flammable concentrations occurring, even with the charge size exceeding the limits imposed by the formula. Such an approach can be applicable; by combining good design and risk assessment in order to achieve an equal or better level of safety. This article discusses options for certain safety concepts for medium capacity refrigerating systems, such as those for split-type air conditioning systems using R290 or R1270, whereby the range of systems sizes may be extended without diminishing the level of safety. These safety concepts combine release mitigation options (such as pump-down cycles, ventilation, etc) to ensure leaked refrigerant could not exceed the flammable limits, coupled with a sensing method (such as gas detection, system operating parameters, etc.) to enable the leak to be identified.

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Format PDF

Pages: 40-46

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Details

  • Original title: Concepto de seguridad para los refrigerantes hidrocarburos en los aires acondicionados tipo split.
  • Record ID : 30008606
  • Languages: Spanish
  • Source: Frío Calor Aire acondicionado - vol. 41 - n. 460
  • Publication date: 2013/07

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