Research on Leakage Safety of Split-Type Air Conditioners Using R290 Based on Product Development

R290 is an environmentally friendly refrigerant. However, it is flammable, making its wide application difficult. In terms of product development, to address the safety problem of refrigerant leakage in split-type air conditioners using R290, the distribution law of refrigerant leakage was explored by building an experimental platform for detecting the concentration distribution of the refrigerant after leakage, and a refrigerant leakage response system was developed to determine the optimal detection location of the sensor. The experimental results show that when the refrigerant leaks rapidly, it forms explosive clouds above the air conditioner. These explosive clouds can be effectively eliminated by starting the fan and controlling the air outlet angle. However, when the air volumetric flow rate is less than 55% of the standard minimum air volumetric flow rate, the leaked refrigerant cannot be evenly diffused. The selection conditions for the optimal detection position were determined experimentally, and effective explosion-proof measures were formulated that can achieve a rapid response within 17 s, with no explosion risk area. This study provides guidance for the application of R290 and the development of related products.