INSTRUMENTATION & LEAK DETECTION
Identifying the cause Continually using an air conditioning system, even after a leak has developed, can put excessive pressure on the compressor and other components. The compressor can ultimately break and cost significantly more to replace than the cost of identifying the leak earlier on and repairing it.
Probably one of the most common leak causes is corrosion. It is a factor that has plagued the HVAC industry for many years due to the exposure to fluorides and chloride in water supplies and cleaning chemicals. Another common cause is poorly connected control valves or connectors that have not been cleaned properly before joining. Similarly, poorly soldered fittings can easily lead to a refrigerant gas leak. It is also worth noting that mechanical damage can be a cause. The refrigerant lines in your system move the gas between the evaporator and condenser. As you may expect, refrigerant lines passing through the exterior of the unit are particularly susceptible to damage, resulting in a leak.
Turning to technology
There are a few simple things to look out for if you suspect a leak and you do not have detection technology in place. If the unit is not working properly, check for the pungent smell of the gas. Keep in mind that the leak may not be in the same room as the main unit, so the entire system must be checked. In addition, all pipes should be examined for stains. You can also listen for a ‘humming’ sound coming from the thermostat pipe are other basic checks that can be done. Unfortunately, these checks are time consuming and fraught with human error. The person responsible may not check all the pipes, or they may have impaired hearing or sense of smell, resulting in the leak not getting detected. Ultimately, nothing can replace the accuracy
and efficiency of using detection systems to identify a gas leak. These technologies have the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption, prevent breaches in regulatory compliance, and more importantly, mitigate the risk to personnel. Self-contained single fixed gas sensors, which are particularly suited to target R32 gases associated with HVAC units, are quickly becoming commonplace. In fact, some leading detection systems on the market have a proven return-on-investment of just two years, and that is without taking into consideration the cost of repairs to an existing faulty system. As well as leak detectors, sophisticated refrigerant sensor
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equipment is available with signalling alarms, LED lights that indicate the presence and status of each sensor, as well as audio/visual alarms to alert staff.
As gas detection systems help ensure that leaks are quickly identified and repaired at the first opportunity, it minimises the risk to the health and safety of personnel. In addition, it complies with the requirements of the F-Gas Regulations, supports the DSEAR legislation, and can save businesses money.
Looking at regulation
The development of gas detection systems has largely been driven by changing regulations on the use of gases and HVAC systems, as well as by HVAC and refrigeration manufacturers committing to developing environmentally compliant products without compromising on performance. In early 2020 the European Commission brought in fluorinated gas (F-gas) regulations as part of a policy to combat climate change with the aim of phasing down the CO2
equivalent
emissions from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 79% (relative to 2015) by 2030. As the UK has now left the EU, the UK government has specified that businesses will have to apply for a new GB HFC quota while they follow the same CO2
phase down as was specified by the
European Commission. These regulations place a greater focus on carrying out regular gas leak checks on systems. Operators of stationary equipment, heat pumps and air conditioners that
contain F-gases in quantities of five tonnes CO2 equivalent or more, must ensure that equipment is routinely monitored.
For apparatus without gas leak detectors
installed, the period between mandatory gas leak checks is obviously shorter.
Safety and efficiency Despite coming a long way since the early days of volatile, toxic and dangerous coolant gases such as ammonia and methyl chloride, there are still risks present to individuals and the environment. When modern day coolants are managed in a controlled environment they can provide effective climate control, and when coupled with the right safety and monitoring equipment they can operate at their most efficient level. As businesses become more accountable to
the general health and safety of their personnel, the value of employing innovative monitoring and detection solutions becomes obvious – even though risks remain, they can be managed quickly, efficiently and safely.
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www.stonegate-instruments.co.uk
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