Research on the flammability hazards of an air conditioner using refrigerant R-290

Zhang, Wang; Yang, Zhao; Li, Jin; Ren, Changxing; Dong, Lu; Wang, Jie; Zhang, Xin; Wu, Wei

doi:10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2013.03.015

Cited by 44 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Zhang et al. 9 , 10 carried out extensive experimental studies to examine the flammability hazards of using HC-290 in room air conditioners. They concluded that the flammable concentrations of leaked HC-290 are only located close to the IDU.…”

Section: Studies On Refrigerant Leakage From Room Air Conditionersmentioning

confidence: 99%

CFD simulation of HC-290 leakage from a split type room air conditioner

Prakash

Gautham

Lal

et al. 2021

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E:

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HC-290 is one of the alternatives to HCFC22 in room air-conditioners. With the phase-down schedules in Kigali Amendment, it is imperative to use HC-290. However, there are concerns about its flammability in the event of a leak from the AC indoor unit (IDU). IEC 60335-2-40 has been revised to extend the capacity ranges for A2L refrigerants and is being further revised with a focus on A2 and A3 refrigerants. In real-life situations, furniture and occupants are present inside the room and these may positively or negatively influence the dispersion of any leaked HC-290. CFD simulation of dispersion of leaked HC-290 has been carried out for a variety of scenarios. The variables include leakage rates, IDU installation heights, IDU blower ON or OFF and types of furniture. Furniture, in general, appears to promote mixing, thereby reducing HC-290 stratification. The maximum concentration occurs on the side where the leak is directed by the momentum of the jet from IDU. There is no significant effect on the concentration distribution by the type and size of furniture with legs, although solid furniture has some marginal effect due to reduction of room free volume. The average concentration of HC-290 in the room is slightly more when the solid furniture like cupboards are placed some distance away from the IDU. The highest concentration at 30 cm above floor level, is 44% of LFL when the blower is ON, while it is 62% when the blower is OFF.

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Section: Studies On Refrigerant Leakage From Room Air Conditionersmentioning

confidence: 99%

CFD simulation of HC-290 leakage from a split type room air conditioner

Prakash

Gautham

Lal

et al. 2021

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E:

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show abstract

“…It has been widely reported that the ACL formula in IEC 60335-2-40 is restrictive when applying it to common room air conditioning and air-to-air heat pump systems (e.g., Corberan et. al, 2008;Li, 2014;Vonsild, 2012;Zhang et. al., 2013).…”

Section: Limits For Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps/ "Comfort" Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

General framework for revising class A3 refrigerant charge limits – a discussion

Colbourne¹,

Suen

et al. 2020

International Journal of Refrigeration

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“…Zhang et al carried out broad experimental and numerical studies on the flammability hazards of a hydrocarbon refrigerant R290 used in air conditioners. 44 Authors reported that, the sources of ignition present in the immediate locality of the indoor unit have the possibility to ignite a leak of refrigerant and also when the leak mass flow rate was extremely high. However, the study proposed a number of recommendations which helps to reduce such risks which are given as: (i) ensure that the indoor unit is mounted away from potential sources of ignition.…”

Section: Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies Of Flammable Refrimentioning

confidence: 99%

Theoretical energy performance assessment and environmental impact of various new ozone-friendly refrigerants used in residential air conditioners

Shaik

Babu

2020

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E:

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This study focuses on energy performance investigation and environmental impact analysis of various new ecofriendly refrigerant blends as alternatives to high global warming potential refrigerant R22 theoretically. In this study, 23 refrigerants were considered at various composition. The present work considered the practical vapour compression refrigeration cycle for the performance assessment of various R22 alternatives. Essential studies such as toxicity, flammability, and total equivalent warming index of various novel refrigerants were also conducted in this study. Results obtained from practical vapour compression refrigeration cycle revealed that the energy efficiency ratio of refrigerants such as R1270 (2.860) and RB03 (R290/R152a of 60/40 in mass %) (2.854) was closer to the energy efficiency ratio of R22 (2.940). Volumetric refrigeration capacity (VRC) of R1270 (3293 kJ/m3) was similar to that of R22 (3297 kJ/m3) whereas VRC of RB03 (2908 kJ/m3) was almost similar to that of R407C (2925 kJ/m3) which was an alternative to R22. Compressor discharge temperature of RB03 was 15.78 ℃ lower when compared to R22. Flammability study revealed that all the new refrigerant blends (RB01 to RB04) were classified into weakly flammable (A2) and flammable (A3) category refrigerants whereas toxicity study revealed that all the investigated refrigerants were classified into non-toxic group (A). Refrigerant blend RB03 was less flammable compared to R1270. Total equivalent warming index analysis revealed that the environmental impact of R422A was 27.88% higher than R22 whereas RB03 has 4.97% lower environmental impact compared to R22. Overall, performance of refrigerant blend RB03 was better compared to 23 investigated refrigerants and it was very nearer to the performance of R22 and hence, it could be considered as an ecofriendly alternative to replace high global warming potential refrigerant R22 used in air conditioners.

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Research on the flammability hazards of an air conditioner using refrigerant R-290

Cited by 44 publications

References 5 publications

CFD simulation of HC-290 leakage from a split type room air conditioner

CFD simulation of HC-290 leakage from a split type room air conditioner

General framework for revising class A3 refrigerant charge limits – a discussion

Theoretical energy performance assessment and environmental impact of various new ozone-friendly refrigerants used in residential air conditioners

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