Invention Reference Number
The use of class A3 and A2L refrigerants to replace conventional hydrofluorocarbons for their low global warming potential (GWP) presents risks due to leaks of flammable mixtures that could result in fire or explosion. This technology reduces explosion and fire risk by trapping the flammable gas molecules in a porous filter where they cannot be subject to flammability. A leak detection system is used to trigger the trap to force the fluid that contains flammable molecules inside it. The result is that the air emitted from the equipment is depleted of flammable gases, greatly minimizing risk of fire or explosion.
Description
This technology traps flammable molecules from A3 and A2L class refrigerants to minimize fire and explosion risk. These refrigerants are frequently used because of their low GWP values, to help limit global warming, but they are highly flammable. This technology uses a vacuum swing adsorption system loaded with selective active materials to trap the undesired refrigerant molecule in the engineered porous structure of the high surface area material, dispersed in the encasement walls in a modular honeycomb filter architecture. A leak detection event will trigger an air circulation fan to draw the fluid present inside the HVACR cabinet towards the walls and through the "active filter/trap". The combined gas mixture passes through the active material where the flammable gas molecules are trapped within the constraints of the porous body. This system also works with non-flammable refrigerants that have high GWP values (class A1), mitigating their release into the atmosphere.
Benefits
- Safe transition to high-risk, low and ultra-low GWP refrigerants
- Lower Flammable Limit reduces fire/explosion risk
- Retrofittable
- Suitable for both A1, A2, and A3 class refrigerants
- Flexible for wide range of HVACR equipment
Applications and Industries
- Commercial, residential, and industrial heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) industry
Contact
To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.
