United States. Ashrae is offering a grant of about $95,000 to study the effects of methyl chloride on refrigeration system components to establish safe levels of contaminants.
The Ashrae research project proposal comes after a series of well-documented incidents, including explosions and fatalities, attributed to R134a systems contaminated with methyl chloride (R40).
One of the main objectives of the research will be to propose a test plan and a methodology to determine the effects of R40 on different materials with clean refrigerant and combinations of coolant and lubricant.
It was proposed that R40 contamination will be assessed at two concentrations in R134a, in both phases: vapor and liquid. In addition, methodologies will be developed to investigate all potential reaction products.
The research will also identify ways to manage, neutralize and eliminate contaminated systems. Learn more at www.ashrae.org/standards-research--technology/research
