A Microgravity Flame Speed Study on Refrigerant Mixtures of 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) and Difluoromethane (R32)

Published

September 25, 2023

Author(s)

Raik Hesse, Roman Glaznev, Christian Schwenzer, Valeri I. Babushok, Gregory T. Linteris, Heinz Pitsch, Joachim Beeckmann

Abstract

Today's hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants are designed to have a low global warming potential (GWP), resulting in fast atmospheric decomposition and increased reactivity. This causes them to be mildly flammable. The laminar flame speed SL,u ranks refrigerants by their hazardous fire potential. Slowly propagating refrigerants are less hazardous. However, their combustion becomes affected by gravity and radiation, raising concerns regarding the robustness and accuracy of flame speed measurements. In the present study, we conducted experiments to obtain SL,u of two representative refrigerants, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (CH2= CFCF3, R1234yf), difluoromethane (CH2F2, R32), and corresponding blends in a drop tower facility providing microgravity conditions to suppress buoyancy. The study reveals that SL,u of R1234yf was underestimated by previous experiments.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of the European Combustion Meeting 2023

Conference Dates

March 24, 2023

Conference Location

Rouen, FR

Conference Title

European Combustion Meeting 2023

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

refrigerant flammability, R-32, R-1234yf, laminar flame speed, burning velocity, premixed flame.

Citation

Hesse, R. , Glaznev, R. , Schwenzer, C. , Babushok, V. , Linteris, G. , Pitsch, H. and Beeckmann, J. (2023), A Microgravity Flame Speed Study on Refrigerant Mixtures of 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) and Difluoromethane (R32), Proceedings of the European Combustion Meeting 2023, Rouen, FR, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=936616 (Accessed October 12, 2024)