Dramatic price increases along with a heightened concern for the environment, has motivated a significant change in operations strategy. Today, the goal of a refrigerant leak detection program is to find small leaks before they become big and costly problems.  

Where do leaks typically occur? 

The first question is where do leaks typically occur in a commercial refrigeration system? Leaks often occur in mechanisms where there are changes in temperature, pressure, and vibration. Valves, pipe joints, and compressors are often the location where leaks can occur. Leaks can also be caused by poor installation or maintenance procedures that are aggravated by these changes. Any device that is poorly restrained or supported within the system can also cause leakage. In some instances, leaks can also be caused by unintentional damage by a third party, such as cleaning machines, trucks, or forklifts.  

It is important to note that the majority of refrigerant loss is due to a number of small leaks that often exist for a very long time, making them more difficult to detect. In a study of several million leak events, it was discovered that leakage from mechanical joints tends to be progressive, starting small and working their way up to full-blown events. Leakage of refrigerant is often caused by a breakdown or failure of the equipment due to aging resulting in failure of mechanical joints and seals. Aggravated by changes in temperature, pressure, and vibration, some leaks come and go, making them very difficult and time-consuming to find.  

Implementing a comprehensive leak detection program 

With revised EPA Section 608 rules now in effect, it is also more important than ever to use a permanent leak detection system that ensures compliance with the latest regulations or risk fines for failure to comply.  

Refrigerant leaks are not only costly, they can also be hazardous under certain conditions. ASHRAE Section 8.11.2.1 deals with safety of personnel who may be inadvertently exposed to harmful gases from a refrigerant leak. These developments have brought a new focus on a comprehensive refrigerant management strategy incorporating low-level leak detection to the top of the agenda. 

While most applications have some form of leak detection, the question now is whether the system is adequate. A proactive leak management program should include the correct type of leak detection technology coupled with a comprehensive remote monitoring and refrigerant tracking system in order to detect and notify you of leaks as early as possible. Each event is also weighted by its status: ‘Alert,’ ‘Alarm,’ or ‘Critical.’ 

State-of-the-art systems include continuous monitoring with multiparty alerts that can be accessed from any location. The latest refrigerant management software can track events to determine patterns of which asset is typically the cause of the leak. The availability of this data can have a strong impact on the overall energy efficiency and effectiveness of the refrigeration system. The leak index acts as an early warning for a pending increased usage of refrigerant, while the leak rate defines the long-term performance of the system. The goal is to get and keep a low leak rate and to respond to leak events detected by the monitor quickly and effectively.  

With today’s high cost of refrigerant, a proactive leak detection program has a significant impact on the bottom line. The average refrigerant leak rate for a grocery store is estimated to be about 25% per year. A best practices implementation can reduce that rate to 7% per year. That means the return on investment (ROI) can now be realized in a matter of months rather than years. 

Selecting the right monitoring system 

With various types of monitors on the market today, selecting the right monitor for the installation is a critical first step. These include infrared, semiconductor, electrochemical, and catalytic bead options. The most sensitive and reliable type of monitor is infrared that can detect refrigerant gas leaks at 1 ppm. They can also be recalibrated to detect new gases as old ones are phased out and new refrigerants are introduced in the market.  

For permanent monitoring, aspirated multipoint leak detection systems can continuously monitor up to 16 different locations across the refrigeration system, and for larger installations, monitors can be networked together. Also available are smaller monitors for less complex installations 

As refrigerant prices continue to spiral upward and new environmental and safety regulations are introduced, the long-term success of the enterprise will no doubt call for a proactive refrigerant management program that can lower costs, reduce utility consumption, and help protect the environment.