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Flammable Refrigerant Safety

Published

Author(s)

Gregory Linteris, Peter Sunderland

Abstract

Most refrigerants currently in use have relatively high Global Warming Potential (GWP). For example, the GWPs of R-134a and R-410a are 1300 and 2088. Leaks to the atmosphere are common – typically about 10% of the total charge annually. This has motivated the adoption of low-GWP refrigerants, typically A2L halogens and A3 hydrocarbons. The primary impediment to their adoption is that they are flammable and, for halogenated compounds, their combustion products are highly toxic. This Topical Section of Science and Technology for the Built Environment consists of four manuscripts that address important aspects of refrigerant flammability.
Citation
Science and Technology for the Built Environment
Volume
26
Issue
5

Keywords

Flammable refrigerants, burning velocity, odorants, refrigerant field joints

Citation

Linteris, G. and Sunderland, P. (2020), Flammable Refrigerant Safety, Science and Technology for the Built Environment, [online], https://doi.org/10.1080/23744731.2020.1746486, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=930177 (Accessed October 14, 2025)

Issues

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Created April 22, 2020, Updated September 29, 2025
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