Skip to main content
Log in

Comparison of dilution effects of R134a and nitrogen on flammable hydrofluorocarbons

  • Published:
Journal of Thermal Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An experimental apparatus has been built to measure the flammability limits of combustible gases based on Chinese national standard GB/T 12474-90. The flammability limits of four binary mixtures of R161/R134a, R152a/R134a, R161/N2 and R152a/N2 were measured with this apparatus at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. The fuel inertization points (FIP) of these mixtures can be found from the envelopes. Comparisons were made with the literature data; good agreement for most measurements was obtained. R134a was found to have a better dilution effect than nitrogen in reducing the flammability of hydrofluorocarbons.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Coward H. F., and Jones G. W., “Limits of flammability of gases and vapors,” US Bureau of Mines, Bulletin No. 503, 1952.

  2. DIN 51649, Teil 1, “Bestimmung der Explosionsgrenzen von Gases und Gasgemischen in Luft,” Deutsches Institut für Normung, Berlin, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  3. ASHRAE Standard 34, “Number designation and safety classification of refrigerants,” American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, Georgia, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  4. ASTM E681, “Standard test method or concentration limits of flammability of chemicals,” American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  5. prEN1839, “Determination of explosion limits of gases vapours and their mixtures,” European Standard, 1995.

  6. Takahashi A., Urano Y., Tokuhashi K., Nagai H., Kaise M., and Kondo S., “Fusing ignition of various metal wires for explosion limits measurement of methane/air mixture”, Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, vol. 11, 1998, pp. 353–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Takahashi A., Urano Y., Tokuhashi K., and Kondo S., “Effect of vessel size and shape on experimental flammability limits of gases,” Journal of Hazardous Materials, vol. 105, 2003, pp. 27–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Zabetakis M. G., “Flammability characteristics of combustible gases and vapors,” US Bureau of Mines, Bulletin 627, 1965.

  9. NFPA, “Guide to fire hazard properties of flammability liquids, gases, and volatile solids,” Quincy, MA, 325M: National Fire Protection Association, 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Kondo S., Takizawa K., Takahashi A., and Tokuhashi K., “Extended Le Chatelier’s formula and nitrogen dilution effect on the flammability limits,” Fire Safety Journal, vol. 41, 2006, pp. 406–417.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Kondo S., Takizawa K., Takahashi A., and Tokuhashi K., “Extended Le Chatelier’s formula for carbon dioxide dilution effect on flammability limits,” Journal of Hazardous Materials, vol. 138, 2006, pp. 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Yang Z., Liu B., and Zhao H. B., “Experimental study of the inert effect of R134a and R227ea on explosion limits of the flammable refrigerants,” Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, vol. 28, 2004, pp. 557–563.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Kondo S., Takizawa K., Takahashi A., Tokuhashi K., and Sekiya A., “Flammability limits of five selected compounds each mixed with HFC-125,” Fire safety Journal, vol. 44, 2009, pp.192–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Xuan Y. M., and Chen G. M., “Experimental study on HFC-161 mixture as an alternative refrigerant to R502,” International Journal of Refrigeration, vol. 28, 2005, pp. 436–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Wu J. F., Gong M. Q., and Zhang Y., “A mixed refrigerant, whose preparation and application,” Chinese Patent: 200810094555.1, 2008.

  16. Chinese National Standard, “Method of test for explosion limits of combustible gases in air,” GB/T 12474-90, 1991.

  17. Dietlen S., Hieronymus H., Plewinsky B., Schroder V., and Steen H., “Explosion behavior of the “non-flammable” CFC substitute 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R134a),” Chemical Engineering and Processing, vol. 34, 1995, pp. 141–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Richard R. G., and Shankland I. R., “Flammability of alternative refrigerants,” ASHRAE Journal, vol. 34, 1992, pp. 20–25.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Li, Z., Gong, M., Wu, J. et al. Comparison of dilution effects of R134a and nitrogen on flammable hydrofluorocarbons. J. Therm. Sci. 18, 377–381 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-009-0377-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-009-0377-x

Keywords

Navigation