Refrigerant Gas Sensor

R32 gas detector

Refrigerant gases is a necessity for controlling thermal comfort and functions in refrigerators and industrial chillers and many other applications, are not unfamiliar to more stringent regulations over the years. Since the Montreal protocol in 1987 (phasing out ozone-depleting substances), refrigerants like chlorofluorocarbons and halons were the first to be banned. Currently, the HVAC/R industry is undergoing its third paradigm shift in regulating refrigerants, this time to address the contribution to climate change and global warming.

While the earlier fluorocarbon transitions, from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and then to the fluorinated refrigerants without chlorine (HFCs), were quite straightforward drop-in replacements with environmental benefits. This third paradigm adds some drawbacks and concerns in the efforts to phase in refrigerants with low Global Warming Potential (GWP less than 150 times that of CO2).

The new refrigerants being advocated with low GWP however tend to fall within A2L classification, meaning that they are mildly flammable according to ISO 817:2014 Refrigerants - Designation and safety classification. Other low GWP refrigerants like CO2 (R744) and Ammonia (R717) have other challenges.

In air conditioning, Cubic, as the lead manufacture of gas sensors and solutions, developed R32 with NDIR technology. R32’s ozone depletion potential (ODP) is 0 and its Global Warming Potential (GWP) is also less than one third of the GWP of R22. R32 GWP only around 677. R32 is better efficiency and around 10% more capacity than R410A, depending on the application and system design. Its a pure hydrocarbon in the blend, we also developed A2L mistures like R454A and R454B, which slightly lower capacity than R410A but better efficiency and lower GWP.

Please feel free to contact us by info@gassensor.com.cn to discuss your specific needs and requirements about flammability risks of A2L refrigerants, low GWP and so on.