The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) on June 13 released the first research report for its ongoing testing of flammable refrigerants, of which many have been identified as possible replacements to high global warming potential (GWP) hydrofluorocarbons. The report presents the findings of refrigerant leak and ignition testing under real-world conditions to learn about risks associated with refrigerants with the ASHRAE classification A2L. These refrigerants are mildly-flammable, but have a low GWP. Room-scale tests were performed for scenarios including a packaged terminal air conditioner in a motel room, a rooftop unit in a commercial kitchen, a walk-in cooler, a reach-in refrigerator in a convenience store, a split HVAC unit in a utility closet with servicing error, and a split HVAC unit with hermetic electrical pass-through terminal failure. The research was conducted by AHRI’s research arm as part of a $5.2 million joint commitment by ASHRAE, AHRI, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the California Air Resources Board.

(Source: The HVAC&R Industry, June 15, 2017)