Effect of Leakage on Refrigerant Distribution in Air Conditioned Room Using Propane as Working Fluid
Rizki Muliawan(a*), Ari Darmawan Pasek (b), Arda Rahardja Lukitobudi (c),Tandi Sutandi (d)
a,c,d) Politeknik Negeri Bandung, Jl. Gegerkalong Hilir, Ciwaruga, Kec. Parongpong, Kabupaten Bandung Barat, Jawa Barat 40559, Indonesia
*rizki.muliawan[at]polban.ac.id
b) Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jalan Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
Abstract
Propane R-290 as hydrocarbon refrigerant has more benefits from the aspect of thermophisical properties, but the only weakness from this refrigerant is flammable. The distribution prediction of R-290 leakage to an air-conditioned room was simulated using Numerical Simulation of CFD ANSYS FLUENT V.13. The distribution of R-290 with a leakage rate of 0,001kg/s and an airflow of 0,1m/s will run out after 600s, with 0,002kg/s will run out after 300s and with 0,005kg/s and 0,5m/s will run out after 120s. The mass flow rate can influence the refrigerant distribution of leakage effect flowrate. Air flow can increase the dispersion of refrigerant gas and decrease the level of refrigerant amount at any certain point in the room after the refrigerant charge was run out. This momentum effect was due to the impact of supply air initial velocity. The buoyancy effect was due to R-290 density is greater than the air makes the refrigerant flows downward, accumulated and stagnant. Make sure that the contactor relays and other electrical tools have the position of: x=0 m ≤ x ≤ 1 m on y= 0 m ≤ x ≤ 2.6 m and then y= 1 m, x= 0 m ≤ x ≤ 4 m.
Keywords: Refrigerant Distribution, Flammable, CFD Numerical Simulation, Leakage, Hydrocarbon
Topic: Mechanical Engineering