Study on explosion characteristics and self-suppression mechanism of R404A refrigerant in closed container under oxygen-enriched condition

Abstract It is an urgent problem to explore the explosion characteristics and self-suppression mechanism of R404A refrigerant, because R404A refrigerant is widely used in daily life, the combustion and explosion mechanism of it is more complex and the related explosion accidents gradually appear. Based on theoretical analysis and experimental research methods, the explosion characteristics of R404A refrigerant with the main components of trifluoroethane (C2H3F3), tetrafluoroethane (C2H2F4), and pentafluoroethane (C2HF5) under an oxygen-enriched condition under normal temperature and atmospheric pressure were revealed. The flammability limit, critical oxygen content and explosion characteristic parameters of R404A refrigerant under different oxygen content were further revealed. The evolution law of explosion parameters of R404A refrigerant in an atmosphere with different oxygen and nitrogen ratios was obtained, and the self-suppression mechanism of R404A refrigerant was explored. The results can provide some guidance for the safe use of refrigerants and the establishment of relevant industry standards.