New method for detecting gas leaks in refrigeration systems.

Gas leakage in a refrigeration unit can have a significant impact on a food business in terms of costs, food safety and sustainability.

Loss of gas will mean that the gas needs to be replaced, which is an extra expense to a business, it may also reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of the refrigeration. This could mean that food safety may be at risk and the gas being lost goes into the environment and reduction of system life which are significant sustainability problems.

Until now the only ways of truly identifying a gas leak and it’s actual site are visually or using gas sniffers after the system has been degassed. The coldrooms and freezers will need to be shutdown during that time. This is a major inconvenience.

Even then, it is almost impossible to identify all the leakage sites.

A new method is now available – thermal imaging cameras.

The cameras can easily identify a leak of any size, whilst the equipment is still operating. This removes the necessity for degassing and shutdown.

The method can identify the leaks as well as any places where insulation is not as good as it should be. It can also be used on pumps, motors and all refrigeration equipment.

The other major advantage of the thermal camera method is that it may not only be used for identifying problems but for ongoing preventative maintenance as well.

Written by Rachelle Williams, The Green Food Safety Coach.