AHRTI will look at flammable refrigerant leaks and ignition testing for propane in follow-up to research in A2Ls. The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, Arington, Va., has announced that it will begin testing in the first quarter of 2018 on “whole-room-scale flammable refrigerant leaks and ignition testing” for propane in commercial and residential air conditioning and refrigeration applications. AHRI’s research arm, the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology Institute (AHRTI), will conduct this Phase II study at Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Phase I of the study – focused on A2L leaks and ignition testing – was completed earlier this year; the report is available here.
The objective of the new project is to conduct refrigerant leak and ignition testing under whole-room conditions “to understand the risk associated with the use of A3 refrigerants,” according to AHRI. This project is financially supported by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and is a part of the flammable refrigerant research program supported by AHRI, ASHRAE, CARB and the U.S. Department of Energy. “The program aims to establish a robust fact base about the properties and the use of flammable refrigerants,” said AHRI.
Source: hydrocarbons21.com