- Author
-
Grosshandler, W. L.
|
Donnelly, M. K.
|
Womeldorf, C. A.
- Title
- Lean Flammability Limit as a Fundamental Refrigerant Property. Final Technical Report. Phase 3. February 1997-February 1998.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Sponsor
- Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Inst., Arlington, VA
Department of Energy, Washington, DC
- Report
-
NISTIR 6229; DOE/CE/23810-98; Final Technical Report; Phase 3,
September 1998; August 1998,
116 p.
- Distribution
- 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
- Contract
- DOE-GRANT-DE-FG02-91CE23810
- 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.