SuperTest Refrigerant Flammability Test

SuperTest looks at automotive refrigerant flammability

[michaelwalker]

Took a course at Carrier yesterday. While working with 454B, using power tools that don’t spark, having a leak detector on around you, and having a clear escape route are the precautions they recommend. A separate circuit board and sensor inside that cuts the AC/HP off if it senses a leak(also cuts your heat off if you have a gas furnace). Then it allows it to come back on after it dissipates. You now have to pressure test with nitrogen for an hour. Increased labor, higher costs, more things to fail and possible safety concerns… I’m sure everyone will be onboard with the change.

[averyalexander]

Even if R1234yf refrigerant leaking might be unlikely unlikely to "cause" a fire when exposed to a small spark, if there already is a fire, this refrigerant will significantly accelerate the fire and create extremely toxic gas as it burns.

[ramachandrannair]

Knowledgeable demonstration it help others to exchange the information while race the question by public.

[JamesPettinato]

What everyone is missing is the flamible refrigerants are mixed with flamible oil, you get a napalm bomb. Insurance companies are not going to insure technicians, supply houses and manufacturers. This will put an end to this insanity.

[danthemechman]

Who liable for the fire or explosion if it happens? Is the serviceman at risk of being sued?

[youarethecreator]

Right now they are changing the building codes for flammability because of A2L meaning, they weren't allowed because of flammability and potential for explosion.

[finalmatrix]

R1234YF is way to go. I see R1234YF is hard to sustain a flame on its own even being ignited with a fire source.
My concern with Hydro Carbon refrigerant flammability is not about losing life but about property damage. We can quickly get out of the car if there's a fire. However, fire can still life threathening in a bus where it's hard for all people to get out quickly. My concerin is that HC refrigerant such as Propane can ignite with a spark from static or battery post and damages the engine compartment! It's will be expensive and big hassle!

[rafalz]

In terms of safety it must be also considered what can be product of combustion. For R1234yz it is highly danger hydrogen fluoride. Car can be on fire from different reasons.

[williamtsol]

Maybe not flammable under ideal conditions, but what about when it's mixed with compressor oil under high pressure and hot ??
Who ever came up with this idea of using flammable chemicals under high pressure exposed to high voltages and hot oil, needs to have his head examined !
I'm sure the fire department thinks this is a brilliant idea ! 😂
👍

[therawofrain]

Nice demonstration, however I don't quite understand what all the fuss is about. Yes HC's are combustible however the charge amount used in most applications is quite low compared to the LPG tank that some cars are fitted with as a petrol substitute? What's the argument, if your system was to leak it could ignite? What's stopping your fuel from leaking and igniting either ? Silly argument in my opinion.

[springersm]

What happens if you introduce POE oil to the A2L and test for flammability?

[JoannaPirieHill]

Your test was not within the stoichiometric combustion range of the A2L Gas. This gas is combustable in concentrations of less than 13% at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressures. See the MSDS:
"Flammable gases, Category 1
Gases, which at 20°C (68°F) and a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa (14.7 psi):
(a) are ignitable when in a mixture of 13% or less by volume in air; or (b) have a flammable range with air of at least 12 percentage points regardless of the lower flammable limit.

[josephpuchel]

Hey I’m sure a slower flow of gas will probably ignite being faster flow knocks out a starting flame

[Honestandtruth]

So, ... Why not just use A2 refrigerant ❓❓❓

[N]

where is R-32 refrigerant flammability test ?

R-32 refrigerant gas is a mildly flammable (A2L) like R-1234yf refrigerant gas . R-32 it is a new refrigerant gas for home and commercial air conditioners . R-1234ys it is a new refrigerant gas for cars air condition . That is the only difference .

R-32 was designed and engineered by Daikin (Japan) . R-1234yf designed and engineered by Honeywell (US) .

[brucemills]

this was what I was looking for, a. practical demonstration of how hard 1234yf is to light . would like to see if it lights with a lighter and if it does, will it stay lit when lighter is removed?

[SteichenFamily]

Well since you didn't show the R134a test, we're all going to have to do it ourselves. Might be illegal in the USA too, but we don't care. 😁

[noonuu]

Please try and experiment on R-22 refrigerant, I like to know a flammability rate. Thank you

[blackout]

The batteries in my cordless drill are also flamable.

[heatingairservices]

That's great an A2L as an gas will not ignite off spark ...but herd its the Liquid That is the trouble ..wonder if that's trure or False Information