NEW REFRIGERANT LEAK DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR VRF SYSTEMS

A new refrigerant detection and management system works with VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) air conditioning systems. In the unlikely event of a refrigerant leak, it shuts down the specific section of pipework involved, while enabling the rest of the system to continue operating as normal.

The refrigerant detection and management system received the 2018 Ancillary Product award at the UK National ACR & Heat Pump Awards. The conventional approach to leak management is to shut down the entire system in the event of a leak, impacting occupants throughout a building until the source can be identified and repaired. This new system approach gives an alarm in the event of a leak (in accordance with Refrigeration Standard EN378, where the refrigerant concentration level exceeds 0.44kg/m3), and automatically initiates mechanical isolation of the pipework containing the leak with individually controllable valves in the circuit, and pumping back refrigerant from the indoor side to the outdoor unit(s). The system can incorporate both external and internal sensors to monitor and determine the level of refrigerant in the enclosed atmosphere and flowing within the refrigerant piping system.

The refrigerant detection system meets mandatory legal requirements relating to the F-Gas Regulation 517/2014 and refrigerant leak protection. It builds on the success of the company’s previous system.
Source: Cooling Post