ACR Journal

CMYK / .ai CMYK / .ai CMYK / .ai acrjournal.uk 25 LEAK DETECTION damage to the environment. A simple leak detection system can save over half of the potentially lost refrigerant from a system. With some refrigerant costs starting to rise again this year and many systems holding thousands of pounds in value of refrigerant, it is easy to see why an early warning leak detection system is such a good idea. It is essential to ensure the right leak detection equipment is selected. The leak detection system needs to withstand heavy usage and keep up to date with changes in refrigerant technologies. Leak detection systems may seem like an unwanted expense initially, especially when budgets are tight. However, any refrigerant leaks detected and resolved sooner rather than later will have financial benefits that should more than oset the initial equipment outlay. It is also important to consider that when any refrigerant prices rise, the cost of resolving any leaks will increase too. The impact of refrigerant leaks are: • The environmental impact • The cost of replacing lost refrigerant • Safety compliance • The cost of product or service loss • Increased energy consumption One of the most significant F-Gas objectives was to reduce F-Gas usage and prevent leaks. This continues to be an essential part of the process, and there are some excellent tools available to help identify leaks before they become a costly problem. What are the key factors for responsible refrigeration and easing quota pressure? • Using low GWP refrigerants • Quota free refrigerants • Using products from a renewable source where possible • System cleaning and maintenance • Good system lubrication • Leak detection equipment and procedures for checks in place Low-level refrigerant leak detection Finding leaks, especially low-level leaks that can accumulate over time, can often be di…cult as they can be hard to locate. Several factors can influence this, such as airflow, refrigerant density, equipment location, the type and nature of refrigerant equipment. Airflow and refrigerant density Low-level refrigerant leaks often go undetected over time and are only identified when the refrigeration equipment fails through a loss in refrigerant charge. If the low-level refrigerant leak were situated in a sealed area such as a walk-in freezer or cold store, the refrigerant would build up over time and cause an alarm notification. Similarly, a higher-level leak that is diluted in large volumes of air or is acted on by airflow will often go undetected at low levels. Minimum Detectable Level In general, an aspirated infrared fixed leak detection system is most eective for detecting low levels of refrigerant leaks. Aspirated systems provide monitoring with the lowest comparable Minimum Detectable Level (MDL) and provide the highest accuracy down to 1 ppm. An aspirated system is cost-eective for monitoring larger areas, as the system draws samples from dierent locations around the site to a single gas detection unit. What’s more, aspirated systems can be connected to the automated alarm and notification systems so even low- level leaks can be addressed quickly and eectively. Solutions available Many dierent factors in our industry will help influence the success of the UK 2050 net zero targets. It is important that every one of those factors, which includes leak detection, is considered when installing and maintaining a system. As an industry, we must do all we can to play our part in finding ways to meet this target and continue to meet the F-Gas phase down steps. Selecting the best solution for your business or application may seem daunting. Still, the expert team at Climalife in the UK, working in partnership with Bacharach, can advise you on leak detection solutions by providing tailored guidance on the location of equipment, type and number of sensors to use. This will start you on the journey to achieving environmental excellence and saving money by stopping refrigerant leakage and maintaining optimum energy e…ciency. How many kg of refrigerant is 500 tCO2e ? Refrigerant GWP kg = 500 tCO 2 e Refrigerant GWP kg = 500 tCO 2 e R-134a 1430 350 R-448A 1387 360 R-404A 3922 127 R-449A 1397 358 R-407A 2107 237 R-450A 605 827 R-407C 1774 282 R-452A 2140 234