Gas Sensing Solutions (GSS), a leader in CO2 sensor technology, has announced that it is targeting the growing market of CO2 refrigeration systems with its award-winning CO2 sensors.
A century ago, CO2 was commonly used as a refrigerant, but had practically disappeared by the 1950s with the use of other gases such as HVFC, CFC and HFC.1 The air conditioning and refrigeration industry has now been urged to move to more “natural” refrigerants like CO2, with the onset of huge price increases for traditional HFCs.2
The reduction of harmful greenhouse gases is also a key consideration, as these traditional gases contribute up to four thousand times more than CO2 to global warming.3
Dr David Moodie, Technical Manager at GSS, said, “CO2-based water chillers, chest freezers, beverage coolers and heat pumps are increasingly being developed and commercialised, making this a very exciting new market for us as providers of innovative CO2 sensors.4 For example, CO2-based refrigeration systems are in use in a large number of Swedish supermarkets, with other countries following this trend towards a highly green refrigeration solution.”5
It is important to have CO2 sensors in this application to monitor for potential CO2 leaks. CO2 exists in the atmosphere, and background (normal) outdoor air levels are around 250-350 ppm.6 CO2 is harmless to humans, except when concentrations are four to five times greater than normal. For example, at 2000-5000 ppm, health problems such as headaches, loss of attention and slight nausea may be experienced.7 As CO2 gas is odourless and colourless, leaks could easily go unnoticed. A speedy warning of increased CO2 levels is therefore vital in ensuring people’s safety in CO2 refrigeration applications.
GSS has a range of standard CO2 sensors for refrigeration applications. The ExplorIR®-W is a particularly robust design, built with mid-infrared LED technology at its core. It’s this solid-state technology that enables the earliest warning of any possible CO2 leaks. This also provides the required long lifetime and high precision needed in leak detection applications.
Available with an extended temperature range, the ExplorIR®-W can operate right down to -25º C as required in many supermarket freezers. It is available in measurement ranges of 0-5%, 0-20% and 0-100% CO2 concentrations according to the specific application. The sensor can be adapted for special requirements, or developed into a custom CO2 sensor solution for leak detection applications.
GSS technology
CO2 sensors work by measuring how much light is absorbed by CO2 molecules in the 4.2 and 4.4 microns range as it passes through the sample gases, which is called Non-Dispersive Infra Red (NDIR) absorption. The amount of absorption indicates how much CO2 is present. GSS developed proprietary LEDs that are specifically tuned to emit at these wavelengths. The LEDs use very little power and turn on almost instantly, enabling sensor readings to be made in less than a second. As a result, GSS has pioneered the development of CO2 sensors that can be powered by batteries for long periods of up to ten years. Competitor sensors use IR sources that require significantly more power per measurement and also take much longer to reach a stable condition for a measurement, resulting in the need for mains power. Examples of the wide range of applications for GSS CO2 sensors can be found on the company’s website www.gassensing.co.uk
Gas Sensing Solutions (GSS) www.gassensing.co.uk
GSS is a world leader in CO2 sensor design, manufacture and customisation. Its disruptive solid-state technology uses proprietary, mid-range, infrared LED sensors to enable best-in-class records for fastest response times, lowest power consumption and longest product lifetime. Based in Scotland, this technology pioneer has been exporting its state-of-the-art sensors worldwide for over ten years, and has in-house bespoke development capabilities to support its international customer base. Tel: +44 1236 781900 [email protected]
