Refrigerant Leak Detectors
Refrigerant leak detectors can detect only chlorinated refrigerants. These leak detectors are used to find, detect, and repair leaks of HCFCs, HFCs, Freon, and ammonia, all of which can be extremely hazardous to the environment. Refrigerant leak detectors contain a halide torch that uses a flame to detect refrigerants. If halogenated refrigerant vapors are present, the flame changes from blue to a blue-green color.
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What Are Refrigerants
Refrigerants are liquid to gas substances that remove the heat from specific areas, making that area cool instead of hot. Regardless of if the chemical substance being leaked is old or new, scientists have yet to find one that doesn’t do some harm, so knowing about and stopping the leak is always vital. Even though refrigeration manufacturers stopped using Freon in the seventies, there are still enough old systems around that Freon leak detectors are still available.
Uses of Refrigerant Leak Detectors
A refrigerant leak is very difficult to detect. It could be a pinprick amongst five hundred feet of tubing, in an operating or safety control box, or in an inaccessible area. The proper test equipment and the leak detection method are very important factors when attempting to find a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant leak detectors can be used to monitor joints, valves, pipes and other parts used in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems in commercial, industrial and domestic buildings. These detectors can be stand-alone or alternately integrated into other sensor networks or leak detection systems. Often when they are stand alone detectors, they are manufactured small enough to fit in hand. This makes the gas leak search much more manageable. Identifying and addressing a refrigerant leak immediately is important because it does so much damage to the health of individuals in the area as well as equipment and the environment.
Methods of Refrigerant Leak Detection
Many methods are used in refrigerant leak detection, including bubble test, water immersion test, dye interception method, halide torch, electronic leak detectors, isolation of the sealed system, and ultrasonic leak detection. The bubble test, which is one method employed by a leak tester, is used when the approximate area of the leak's location is known. On the other hand, during the water immersion test, the system is submerged into a tank of water. In the dye interception method, a dye is inserted into the system. Usually, the quickest way to find a leak is by using the electronic leak detector method. However, the best method of refrigerant leak detection depends primarily on the application.