PRACTICAL TESTS WITH R290 USED IN REEFER CONTAINER REFRIGERATION LEAKAGE TESTING

摘要

The option of using flammable refrigerants in the reefer container has already been studied and reported byrnKönig (2013, 2014) in various publications.rnIn the present paper, the results of experiments are presented, related to the investigation of the potential firernand explosions risks by R290 leaks in refrigerated containers. A safety concept for reefer containersrnoperating with R290 as refrigerant has been tested and validated. In addition, there were extensive leakagernsimulations, the results have been evaluated for the comparison with the practical tests.rnBoth experiments and the simulations were done at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testingrn(BAM). Further tests are carried out by the manufacturer with the support of the firefighting service and thernDanish institute of Fire and Security Technology (DBI).rnThe results from practical tests and the leakage simulations allow for first generalization and more precisernstudies with respect to potential risks of refrigerant leaks. Potentially explosive atmospheres situations can bernevaluated much easier and appropriate measures can be derived.rnIt turns out that dangerous situations for small, medium and rupture of pipe leaks are manageable.rnThe results of the practical testing of leaking R290 inside and outside of a reefer container showed that thernrisk is being commonly overestimated.