Adsorbent-Based Refrigerant Leakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to efficiently detect refrigerant leakage in refrigerating systems within a short time frame, especially at extremely low concentrations, and are hindered by interference from other gas-emitting substances, posing risks to the apparatus during testing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of an adsorbent to selectively accumulate refrigerant gas, followed by desorption and analysis using a gas sensor like a mass spectrometer, allowing for reliable detection and quantification of refrigerant leakage without disrupting manufacturing cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If local checking of potential leak sites using a sniffer is performed, then leakage can be detected, but the operator's care and attention are extremely demanded and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic sampling and analysis without requiring operator intervention. The sampling device automatically draws air through the refrigerating system, and the gas analyzer automatically detects refrigerant concentrations, eliminating the need for operator skill and attention in manual sniffer operations
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical sniffer operation is replaced with an automated electronic gas analyzer system that uses optical or electrical detection methods to measure refrigerant concentrations, substituting human operator skill with automated instrumentation
2Measurement precision
If bubble test in immersion test is performed, then leakage can be detected, but irreversible damage to the apparatus may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful immersion test process is replaced by extracting only the air sample through the refrigerating system using a sampling device, without submerging or contacting the apparatus with liquid, thereby eliminating the risk of irreversible damage while still enabling leakage detection
Solution Approach 2:
A sampling device acts as an intermediary to draw air through the refrigerating system, separating the detection function from the apparatus itself. This intermediary approach allows gas sampling without direct contact between test media and the apparatus, preventing damage
3Productivity
If refrigerant leakage is detected at extremely low concentrations in the ppb range within a very short time span, then fast leak detection is achieved, but the measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into distinct functional modules: a sampling device for air intake, a gas analyzer for refrigerant detection, and a processing system for data evaluation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, achieving fast ppb-range detection without overwhelming overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The gas analyzer is designed to perform multiple functions: sampling air, analyzing refrigerant concentration at ppb levels, and providing leak rate calculation. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate complex systems into a single integrated device, reducing overall measurement complexity
4Measurement precision
If other gas-emitting hydrocarbons are present in the environment, then background interference occurs, but selective measurement of the refrigerant becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gas analyzer is equipped with selective detection capability that identifies refrigerants based on their specific physical or chemical properties (such as mass-to-charge ratio in mass spectrometry or specific absorption characteristics). This local quality approach allows the system to distinguish refrigerant molecules from other gas-emitting hydrocarbons in the complex environmental background
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter to be specific to refrigerants (such as molecular mass, infrared absorption frequency, or other refrigerant-specific characteristics) rather than using general gas detection. This parameter specialization enables selective measurement that ignores interfering hydrocarbons with different physical or chemical properties
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid and accurate detection of refrigerant leakage even at low concentrations, suppressing interference gases and preventing apparatus damage, thus facilitating efficient integration into manufacturing lines.
Implementation Method 1
the ambient gas is passed from the environment of the apparatus across or through an adsorbent that adsorbs the condensable gas
Implementation Method 2
the adsorbent is excited to desorb the adsorbed gas
Implementation Method 3
the excitation for the desorption of the adsorbed gas is performed, e.g. by heat radiation
Data Source
AI summary
In order to determine leakage on a device, which contains gas that can be condensed, an adsorbent is used through which ambient gas of the object is conducted. The adsorbed gas is desorbed by means of actuating an excitation device and fed to a gas sensor containing a mass spectrometer. In this way, minute amounts of leaking gas can be determined by means of accumulation. The method is in particular suited for use in the serial production of refrigeration machines.