Lean Flammability Limit as a Fundamental Refrigerant Property. Final Technical Report. Phase 3. February 1997-February 1998.
Lean Flammability Limit as a Fundamental Refrigerant
Property. Final Technical Report. Phase 3. February
1997-February 1998.
(8244 K)
Grosshandler, W. L.; Donnelly, M. K.; Womeldorf, C. A.
NISTIR 6229; DOE/CE/23810-98; Final Technical Report;
116 p. September 1998.
Sponsor:
Department of Energy, Washington, DC
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161.
Telephone:
1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000;
Fax: 703-605-6900.
Website: http://www.ntis.gov
Order number: PB98-177926
Keywords:
flammability; refrigerants; hydrofluorocarbons; test
methods
Abstract:
Alternative refrigerants are being developed by industry
to prevent the further destruction of stratospheric
ozone by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which had been the
working fluids of choice for many air-conditioning and
refrigeration machines. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are
one class of compounds that are being pursued as
replacements because their ozone depletion potential is
zero. In general, the exchange of fluorine atoms on an
HFC molecule with hydrogen atoms decreases its
atmospheric lifetime, and it may also increase the
efficiency of the working fluid. Both of these effects
are highly desirable from environmental considerations
since they act to mitigate global warming. This work
reviews the past work done on premixed, counter-flowing
flames, describes the current counter-flow burner
facility and operating procedures, presents the
experimental results with the analysis that yields the
above flammability limits, and recommends further
activities that could lead to a science-based
methodology for assessing the risk of fire from
refrigeration machine working fluids.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899