Refrigerant leak detection
A refrigerant detection assembly for detecting moderate-to-low GWP value refrigerants, an air conditioning system for incorporating the same, and a method of detecting refrigerant leaks using the refrigerant detection assembly are provided. The refrigerant detection assembly may be disposed proximate to an indoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant detection assembly includes a nondispersive infrared (NDIR) sensor, a fan disposed adjacent to the nondispersive infrared sensor, the fan configured to direct a sample to the nondispersive infrared sensor, and a controller operatively connected to the nondispersive infrared sensor and the fan. The controller is configured to operate the fan in constant operation and trigger a response when the refrigerant detection assembly detects at least 25% lower flammability limit (LWL) in the sample.
1. An air conditioning system, comprising:
an indoor heat exchanger;
a refrigerant detection assembly located proximate to the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant detection assembly comprising:
a nondispersive infrared sensor for sensing a flammable refrigerant;
a fan disposed adjacent to the nondispersive infrared sensor, the fan configured to continuously direct a sample to the nondispersive infrared sensor; and
a controller operatively connected to the nondispersive infrared sensor and the fan, the controller configured to:
operate the fan in constant operation; and
trigger a response when the refrigerant detection assembly detects a concentration of at least 25% of the lower flammability limit in the sample.
2. The air conditioning system of claim 1 , wherein the nondispersive infrared sensor is configured to detect at least one A2L refrigerant.
3. The air conditioning system of claim 1 , wherein the response is triggered within ten seconds of the sample reaching 100% of the lower flammability limit.
4. The air conditioning system of claim 1 , wherein the response comprises at least one of: an alarm signal, stopping operation of the system, opening a zoning damper, and operating an indoor fan.
5. The air conditioning system of claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant detection assembly is attached to the indoor heat exchanger.
6. A refrigerant detection assembly, comprising:
a nondispersive infrared sensor for sensing a flammable refrigerant;
a fan configured to continuously direct a sample to the nondispersive infrared sensor; and
a controller operatively connected to the nondispersive infrared sensor and the fan, the controller configured to:
operate the fan in constant operation, and
trigger a response when the sensor detects a concentration of at least 25% of the lower flammability limit in the sample.
7. The refrigerant detection assembly of claim 6 , wherein the at least 25% of the lower flammability limit in the sample is reached by a leak of at least one A2L refrigerant.
8. The refrigerant detection assembly of claim 6 , wherein the response is triggered within ten seconds of the sample reaching 100% of the lower flammability limit.
9. The refrigerant detection assembly of claim 6 , wherein the response comprises at least one of: an alarm signal, stopping operation of the system, opening a zoning damper, and operating an indoor fan of an air conditioning system.
10. A method for detecting a refrigerant leak, the method comprising:
operating a refrigerant detection assembly, the refrigerant detection assembly including a nondispersive infrared sensor for sensing a flammable refrigerant, a fan disposed adjacent to the nondispersive infrared sensor, and a controller operatively connected to the nondispersive infrared sensor and the fan;
directing a sample to the nondispersive infrared sensor continuously with the fan; and
triggering a response with the controller when the sensor detects a concentration of at least 25% of the lower flammability in the sample.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the controller is operatively connected to the fan to operate the fan continuously.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least 25% of the lower flammability limit in the sample is reached by a leak of at least one A2L refrigerant.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the response is triggered within ten seconds of the sample reaching 100% of the lower flammability limit.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the response comprises at least one of: an alarm signal, stopping operation of the system, opening a zoning damper, and operating an indoor fan of an air conditioning system.