Produkt-Neuheit

Refrigerants are used in many applications requiring temperature control, cooling or freezing. These span residential and commercial HVAC systems, heat pumps and refrigeration systems, industrial and transportation refrigeration, air conditioning in vehicles and planes through to cooling systems for data centers, industrial processes and medical applications.

Refrigerants, if allowed to escape can have significant environmental effects; contributing to global warming through trapping heat in the atmosphere, ozone depletion and smog.

A refrigerant’s effect on global warming is measured in terms of its relative global warming potential (GWP) compared to carbon dioxide (CO₂). The higher the GWP value, the more harmful the substance is to the climate. Some refrigerants have GWPs as high as 750 so their release into the atmosphere will have a significant impact on the climate.

Ozone depletion by CFC and HCFCs increases exposure to harmful UV radiation which can have a damaging effect on our health and ecosystems as will the effects of smog.

With global refrigerant consumption estimated at 1.97 million metric tons in 2023 and projected to rise to 2.29 million tons by 2029, environmental concerns are becoming increasingly critical. As a result, there is a worldwide push to phase down high-GWP refrigerants and transition to more sustainable alternatives to mitigate their impact on climate change.


F-gases Regulation (EU) 2024/573

In the EU, a refrigerant regulation (known as the F-Gas Regulation) governs the handling of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) and defines the goal of reducing emissions of these climate-damaging gases to zero. Regulation (EU) 2024/573 replaced Regulation (EU) No. 517/2014 on March 11, 2024 and will continue and update the previous regulations.

As a result, the use of fluorinated refrigerants in air conditioning systems, industrial cooling systems and heat pumps will become even more difficult or even prohibited in the future. Manufacturers of these devices will have to look to refrigerant alternatives with the lowest possible GWP value, such as R32, R290 (propane) or R744 (CO2). As a fluorocarbon, R32 has been in use for some time, constituting 50% of the commonly used refrigerant mixture R410A which is still widely used in heat pumps. Added to its favourable lower GWP, 675 compared with over 2000 for R410A, R32 also has a higher system efficiency, meaning less energy is required to achieve the same cooling. This leads to lower power consumption, reduced emissions, and lower operating costs.

From 2025, only refrigerants with a GWP value of up to 750 can be used in refrigeration and heating systems; R32 is a future-proof and more climate-friendly alternative refrigerant for air conditioning and cooling systems

When it comes to heat pump systems propane, R290 which has a GWP of just 3 is frequently used over R32




Requirement for R290 and R32 leak detection

It is equally as important with the lower GWP refrigerants to implement good management practices to prevent leaks and ensure the safe disposal of refrigerants.

To address these issues, organisations like the IEC have established guidelines and standards—including IEC 60335-2-40 and EN378—to promote the safe use of environmentally friendly refrigerants in heat pump systems. These standards cover safety requirements, refrigerant charge limits, and environmental considerations.

Compliance with these regulations is crucial for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of heat pumps that use R-290 (propane) and R-32, both of which have lower environmental impact but require careful handling due to flammability risks.

To monitor systems using R290 and R32 as refrigerants for possible leakage, Figaro Engineering offers sensor modules that are easy to integrate and allow appropriate safety measures to be taken.


The refrigerant gas sensor modules FCM26xx

The FCM2610 and FCM2630 sensor modules from Figaro Engineering Inc. have been specially developed for the detection and monitoring of refrigerant gases in air conditioning systems and heat pumps. They play an important role in protecting the environment and the safety of heat pump and HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) systems.

The FCM2610 module is factory calibrated for R-290 refrigerant and the FCM2630 module for R32 refrigerant. Both modules incorporate the gas sensors with built-in filters to reduce the influence of alcohol and other interference gases, dual sensors to provide long life and an integrated temperature compensation circuit to minimise the influence of ambient temperature fluctuations on the alarm value.

These compact 'embedded type' modules enable simple integration into existing or new reliable gas leakage detection systems.

The modules are provided with UART and I2C digital communication interfaces and offer an open collector output for monitoring, alarm and malfunction signals and meet the requirements of the IEC60335-2-40, UL60335-2-40, EN378, JRA4068 standards and are RoHS-compliant.

A connector on the module facilitates easy replacement of the sensor modules and enables regular, trouble-free maintenance.

The modules are characterised by high sensitivity and improved selectivity, which makes the detection of refrigerant leaks more reliable.

The TGS 2610 and TGS 2630 mos sensors provide a long service life with low operating costs, making them a cost-effective solution for monitoring refrigerant leaks.


The popular CGM6812 pre-calibrated combustible gas module

The CGM6812 combustible gas sensor module uses the TGS6812 catalytic sensor which responds to propane, hydrogen, methane and LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas) The module provides an analog output voltage proportional to the gas concentration, and offers exceptional durability and stability.

This module is suitable for gas leak detection in stationary heat pumps using propane as a refrigerant gas

https://www.figaro.co.jp/en/product/feature/fcm2630.html
https://www.figaro.co.jp/en/product/feature/fcm-series.html


FIGARO Engineering Inc.
1-11-46 Senbahigashi, Mino, Osaka 562-0035, JAPAN
Phone: +81-72-728-2560
E-Mail: figaro@figaro.co.jp

Zweigbüro Europe
Hellersbergstr. 10a
D-41460 Neuss
GERMANY
E-Mail: werner.niehaus@figaro-engineering.jp
Phone: +49 171 5538816UK
E-mail: imogen.swanton@figaro-engineering.jp
Phone: +44 7483411193