A Risk Assessment Model for Hydrocarbon Refrigerants

摘要

This paper presents a quantitative risk assessment model and the associated methodology to evaluate the potential for ignition when flammable refrigerants are employed. In particular, it examines the effects that design, installation of equipment and external conditions have on the probability of such an event. In the model, several factors were assessed to evaluate their influence on the ignition risk, which include: typical ignition sources, leakage from refrigerant systems, component failures, storage and servicing. Further, efficacy of risk-reducing measures, such as refrigerant mass, room size, installation height, and ventilation rates was also examined. The results obtained from the model are considered with respect to the information available on known incidents involving flammable refrigerants.