As the use of CO2 gas increases in popularity as a natural refrigerant due to its low
environmental impact and increasing HFC (Hydrofluorocarbon) regulations, Bacharach, a leading
manufacturer of refrigerant and gas leak detection, from monitoring instruments and data solutions, to
combustion and emissions analyzers, is offering an effective CO2 leak detection monitor for industrial and retail refrigeration applications. This instrument is selective, taking into consideration both response times and operating temperatures in these applications.
“Not all CO2 monitors are suitable for leak detection in refrigeration applications. The sensors
used need to respond quickly to a rise in CO2 Levels. Since CO2 has a high operating pressure,
gases can quickly escape into the refrigerated space at very high rates. Instrumentation
designed to monitor for gradual changes in atmospheric CO2 may not alert personnel in a timely
manner, creating a potentially dangerous condition, that quickly poses a threat to personnel,”
said Mr. Tom Burniston, Product Manager of Fixed Instruments. “CO2 leaking on the shop floor
is less a safety issue, but, when it comes to machinery rooms, cold rooms or other enclosed
areas, there is a definite safety issue,” he said.
For example, if you have a walk-in cold room or freezer with a room volume of 1000 ft3 /28.3m3,
depending on the leak rate and air exchange rate within 5 minutes that space can surpass the
Occupation Exposure Limit (OEL) recommendation of 5,000 ppm, a level to which workers
should not be exposed, or it can surpass the ILDH (Immediate Danger to Life or Health) level of
40,000ppm and would be immediately hazardous to personnel in the space.
Bacharach’s instrument is also appropriately specified for use in the operating temperatures
required within refrigeration applications. The Bacharach sensor is rated for use at temperatures
as low as -40°C / -40°F. Sensors that are not designed to perform in this environment may be
inoperable or provide inaccurate CO2 readings. Bacharach refrigerant leak detection
instruments are specifically designed for the application to effectively support the user
requirements for which they were intended.
