Simulation of a Leakage Process of Refrigerant Mixtures

혼합냉매의 누출과정에 관한 시뮬레이션

Nonflammable mixtures of flammable and nonflammable refrigerants are possible as substitute refrigerants for use in domestic heat pumps and refrigerators. Refrigerant leakage from such a system is of paramount concern since it is possible that the resulting mixture composition remaining in system will reside in the flammable range. This paper presents a simulation of a leakage process of refrigerant mixtures. Idealized cases of isothermal leakage process are considered in this study representing a slow leak. Simulation is performed for selected composition of binary and ternary refrigerant mixture; R-32/134a and R-32/125/134a. Mixture compositions with respect to percentage leak of original charge are presented. In isothermal leakage process, both vapor and liquid compositions of more volatile refrigerant decrease during vapor and liquid leak, but the total composition of this component decreases during vapor leak and increases during liquid leak. Vapor and liquid compositions are determined depending on the vapor-liquid equilibrium relation of the refrigerant mixture. The refrigerant mixture left in the system can go to a nonflammable direction relying on which component in the mixture is flammable.