Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPMGas sensor-based analysis system for determining the purity of refrigerants
Since January 1, 2017, new air-conditioning systems for passenger cars may only be filled with refrigerants with a low global warming potential (below 150) in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2011, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234yf) has been used as the main replacement refrigerant. The project aims at the development of a sensor system for refrigerant detection, focusing on the development of a photoacoustic sensor element that can reliably distinguish between the two refrigerants R1234yf and R134a. The mobile analysis system shall be used flexibly for different types of automobiles and is to be tested in selected application scenarios, e.g. in air conditioning service and in automobile production.
Project finance
The project »CONTECT-R« is being funded by the Federal Ministery of Education and Research (BMBF) within the initiative »KMU innovativ«.
Project partners
- UST Umweltsensortechnik GmbH, Geschwenda
- Simek GmbH, Ilmenau
- Institute of Air Handling and Refrigeration gGmbH, Dresden
