Contaminated Refrigerant and Refrigerant Identifier
What is contaminated refrigerant? Two or many type of refrigerants mixed in the cylinder or Refrigeration and air-conditioning system knowingly or unknowingly Contaminated refrigerant is different from refrigerant blends. Contaminated refrigerant is sub-standard blends, which has negative effects to the system. Refrigerant blends are mixtures of refrigerants that have been formulated to provide a match to certain properties of the refrigerants originally used. These blends have been researched and developed by the manufacturers.
Effect of contaminated Refrigerant to the R & AC System Damage R & AC system; Reduce cooling capacity and consume more electrical energy and reduce efficiency system; Explosion may occur.
Case of counterfeit refrigerant Known composition of counterfeit R134a refrigerant: 60 % R22 monochlorodifluoromethane (+ R30, R142b traces) 40 % R40 methyl chloride Seen containers: Standard refrigerant bottles 13.6 kg (counterfeit on the right) ATTENTION: Don t expose to sunshine! May evolve high vapor pressure!
First Reefer Cases in Vietnam Chapter 12 Two different reefers in Asia Catastrophic explosions Suspicions as to the cause
Case in North America Chapter 12 Terminal engineer reported gas combusting in contact with air Concluded it must be an alkyl metal halide Finally managed to get a sample to a laboratory
Case in South America Chapter 12 Catastrophic explosion during maintenance Similar damage to those in Asia Sludge No sign of aluminum components White powder, alumina smoke residue
Fake refrigerants
Reasons for why R40 mixtures are in market? Price of HFCs has recently increased by 50%, meaning more reasons to fake HFC refrigerants Potential excess HCFCs in the market
Refrigerant Analysis Chapter 12 Pressure/Temperature Relationship Infrared Specific Identifier Infrared Component Analyzer Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer
Infrared Specific Identifier R12, R134a, R22, HC
Infrared Component Identifier Chapter 12
Principle of Operation Chapter 12 Non Dispersive Infra Red Single detector with multi channel filter wheel Includes 90-240 VAC power supply Low pressure vapor refrigerant sample or high pressure liquid sample using the supplied flash chamber. Accuracy: Better than +/- 2% Displays refrigerant components and their corresponding percentages.
Operation - Cautions and warnings NEVER obstruct the air intake, sample exhaust or cease vent ports of the instrument during use. X
Operation - Cautions and warnings Always verify that the refrigerant to be tested does not contain or will not emit heavy loads of oil or liquid. VAPOR SAMPLES ONLY! Introducing liquid refrigerant will CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE to the identifier Refrigerant (Liquid) OIL
Operation - Cautions and warnings DO NOT utilize any other hose other than those supplied with the instrument. The use of other hose types will introduce errors into the refrigerant analysis. Incorrect Result
Guide to Service Technician: Do not use contaminated refrigerant and ask the supplier to change that. Inform the appropriate authority from where you purchased the contaminated refrigerant. Contact National Ozone Unit for further guidelines.