Research on Leakage and Fire Accidents of the Heating and Refrigerating Systems Charging with the Flammable Working Fluids

Working fluids have been considered as the vital factor in the aspects of environmental protection and energy conservation for all the heating and refrigerating systems. The mainly on using hydrochlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbon working fluids as well as their substitutes in the transitional period are not environmentally friendly, which possess the ozone depletion potential and larger global warming potential. Mounting evidences have been indicated that most of the considerable candidates of the next generation working fluids have the disadvantage of flammability. It is increasingly important to research the combustion and leakage characteristics of the flammable working fluids. This paper contributes to analyze their flammable properties and typical leakage and fire accidents concerning the heating and refrigerating systems world widely. Some technical reasons have been concluded and available strategies have been proposed. And also it focuses the leakage characteristics of the equipment from the view of their whole life periods, beginning manufactured then transported, stored, used, repaired and scrapped. The possibilities of ignition sources for different segments have also been discussed. In addition, the prevention measures have been suggested on the associated consideration of both the hominine and technological factors.