Open AccessInvestigation into the fractionation of refrigerant blends. Quarterly technical report, October 1--December 31, 1994
Author(s) -
F.R. Biancardi
Publication year - 1995
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/71330
Subject(s) - refrigerant , flammable liquid , fractionation , process engineering , gas compressor , lubricant , component (thermodynamics) , environmental science , leakage (economics) , asphalt , heat exchanger , miscibility , computer science , petroleum engineering , waste management , materials science , engineering , mechanical engineering , thermodynamics , chemistry , chromatography , composite material , physics , polymer , macroeconomics , economics
While the use of refrigerant blends both from analytical predictions and system test results appear to offer certain performance, capacity, design and operational advantages, there are significant possible service and operational issues that are raised by the use of blends. Many of these issues occur due to the fractionation of the blends. Fractionation can result in increased safety hazards if during leakage the more volatile components are flammable, and must be considered in the design of the heat exchanger, expansion valves and other system components. Fractionation can occur during charging of the system or during leakage in selected two-phase components, as well as due to the different miscibility of the blend component refrigerants and the selected compressor lubricant. The objective of this ARTI-sponsored program is to conduct analytical and laboratory tests aimed at understanding these issues, developing approaches or techniques to predict these effects and/or overcome these potential problems, and conveying to the industry safe and reliable approaches