TY - GEN
T1 - Experimental evaluation of flame-free refrigerant fittings according test criteria specific to R744
AU - Elbel, Stefan
AU - Lawrence, Neal
AU - Raj, Sharat
AU - LaGrotta, Tony
AU - Duggan, Michael
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 International Institute of Refrigeration. All rights reserved.
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - The successful use of CO2 as a refrigerant on a large scale and its introduction to new applications requires the development of system components, including reliable, low-cost refrigeration fittings. Press fittings are an attractive option, because this connection type does not require an open flame, is easy to establish, and is suitable for field maintenance. However, the use of R744 exposes this fitting type to challenges that are characteristic to CO2 only. This paper reports the research conducted to explore the suitability of this new fitting type for use with CO2, including new test methods to study explosive decompression characteristics of its O-ring materials and the ability of the fittings' stainless steel body to withstand exposure to carbonic and activated acids. The results show that the sealing ability of the tested fittings is not compromised by explosive decompression or exposure to carbonic and activated acids.
AB - The successful use of CO2 as a refrigerant on a large scale and its introduction to new applications requires the development of system components, including reliable, low-cost refrigeration fittings. Press fittings are an attractive option, because this connection type does not require an open flame, is easy to establish, and is suitable for field maintenance. However, the use of R744 exposes this fitting type to challenges that are characteristic to CO2 only. This paper reports the research conducted to explore the suitability of this new fitting type for use with CO2, including new test methods to study explosive decompression characteristics of its O-ring materials and the ability of the fittings' stainless steel body to withstand exposure to carbonic and activated acids. The results show that the sealing ability of the tested fittings is not compromised by explosive decompression or exposure to carbonic and activated acids.
KW - Carbon dioxide
KW - Carbonic acid
KW - Durability test
KW - Explosive decompression
KW - Refrigeration fitting
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85049847785&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85049847785&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.18462/iir.gl.2018.1142
DO - 10.18462/iir.gl.2018.1142
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85049847785
T3 - Refrigeration Science and Technology
SP - 255
EP - 262
BT - 13th IIR Gustav Lorentzen Conference on Natural Refrigerants
PB - International Institute of Refrigeration
T2 - 13th IIR Gustav Lorentzen Conference on Natural Refrigerants: Natural Refrigerant Solutions for Warm Climate Countries
Y2 - 18 June 2018 through 20 June 2018
ER -