Carbon dioxide refrigerant monitoring Many factors promote the use of CO2 as a refrigerant. The challenges related to process design, high operating pressures and safety issues can be overcome with modern technology.Carbon dioxide CO2 (R744) is a non-flammable, natural, low cost refrigerant with negligible direct global-warming impact and ozone-depletion potential compared to traditional hydrofluorocarbons (HFC). CO2 refrigerant has become more widely used in many applications, for example, in food and industrial processingcold storagesfood retail and transfer sports facilities, such as ice rinkscar and residential air conditioningTo ensure safety of people in CO2 refrigerated facilities, CO2 levels must be monitored in places where potential refrigerant leaks can occur. Detecting CO2 CO2 is a non-toxic and non-flammable gas. However, CO2 does not support life and exposure to elevated concentrations of CO2 can induce a risk to life. The effects of various concentrations of CO2 on human health are summarized in the table below.Concentration effect350-450ppmTypical atmosphere600-800 ppmAcceptable indoor air quality5000 ppmAverage exposure limit over 8 hours3 – 8%Increased respiration and headacheabove 10%Nausea, vomiting, unconsciousnessabove 20%Rapid unconsciousness, death Unlike ammonia, it is impossible to detect leakage of the colorless and odorless CO2 from the refrigeration system without proper sensors. To ensure the safety of personnel in a CO2 refrigerated facility, CO2 transmitters should be installed in every human occupied space and as close to potential leakage points as possible. The number of transmitters should be based on risk assessment. Ventilation and air flow should be considered when planning transmitter installations. Carbon dioxide is twice as heavy as air and sinks and pools low to the ground, displacing oxygen in the air. Therefore, appropriate installation locations for the transmitters are at floor level. The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probes GMP251 and GMP252 are intelligent, stand-alone probes, especially designed for harsh and humid environments. The operating temperature range of the probes is specified as -40 ... +60 °C. The GMP251 has a measurement range of 0 ... 20 %CO2 while the GMP252 is intended for ppm ranges and has a measurement range of 0 ... 10 000 ppmCO2 . The probes are easy to mount outside the refrigerated rooms. The Vaisala CARBOCAP® sensors are accurate and durable. They have excellent long-term stability which will reduce maintenance costs over the years. The Vaisala sensors enable reliable carbon dioxide detection for the wellbeing of people working in CO2 refrigerated spaces or people enjoying an exciting ice hockey game in a CO2 refrigerated ice stadium. Carbon dioxide refrigerant monitoring related products CO₂ Probe GMP252 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probe GMP252 is an intelligent, stand-alone, ppm-level probe. It's intended for measuring CO2 in agriculture, refrigeration, greenhouses, demanding HVAC applications, and for plant growth chamber manufacturers. Read more Indigo200 Series Transmitters for Vaisala smart probes Vaisala Indigo200 series transmitters are host devices for displaying measurement values from Vaisala's Smart Humidity, Temperature, Dew Point, Moisture in Oil, CO 2 and H 2 O 2 Probes. Read more Indigo500 Series Transmitters The Vaisala Indigo500 series transmitters are host devices for Vaisala Indigo-compatible, stand-alone smart probes. The Indigo500 series include multi-functional Indigo520 transmitter and Indigo510 transmitter with basic features. Read more Related articles Blog Carbon dioxide monitoring – the essential secret ingredient in the food chain Let’s take a look at some of the places along the food chain where CO2 is monitored and see how keeping a close watch on it helps to ensure safety, sustainability – and delicious food and drinks. Learn more Blog Accurate CO2 measurements in the food and beverage industry Whatever the end product, process, or need, the goals are similar in almost all applications: a CO2 measurement that accurately reflects the environment and meets the application requirements. Learn more Customer case Vaisala probes facilitate rollout of environmentally friendly refrigeration Supermarkets all over Australia and New Zealand are benefiting from advanced carbon dioxide monitors as new natural refrigeration systems are installed in the fight against climate change. Woolworths, and its cold chain partner Emerson, therefore needed an accurate, reliable CO2 monitor that could fulfill this vital role as the Group expands the use of natural refrigerants in its stores. Learn more Customer case A fruitful partnership with Cool Dynamics Refrigeration (Qld), Australia Cool Dynamics Qld has been delivering commercial and industrial refrigeration solutions to the fruit and vegetable supply industry across Australia’s eastern seaboard for more than two decades. Director Bruce Townsend tells us why Vaisala’s measurement sensors are his number-one choice for maintaining optimal conditions in the controlled storage atmospheres that his customers rely on. Read more
Carbon dioxide refrigerant monitoring related products CO₂ Probe GMP252 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probe GMP252 is an intelligent, stand-alone, ppm-level probe. It's intended for measuring CO2 in agriculture, refrigeration, greenhouses, demanding HVAC applications, and for plant growth chamber manufacturers. Read more Indigo200 Series Transmitters for Vaisala smart probes Vaisala Indigo200 series transmitters are host devices for displaying measurement values from Vaisala's Smart Humidity, Temperature, Dew Point, Moisture in Oil, CO 2 and H 2 O 2 Probes. Read more Indigo500 Series Transmitters The Vaisala Indigo500 series transmitters are host devices for Vaisala Indigo-compatible, stand-alone smart probes. The Indigo500 series include multi-functional Indigo520 transmitter and Indigo510 transmitter with basic features. Read more
CO₂ Probe GMP252 The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Probe GMP252 is an intelligent, stand-alone, ppm-level probe. It's intended for measuring CO2 in agriculture, refrigeration, greenhouses, demanding HVAC applications, and for plant growth chamber manufacturers. Read more
Indigo200 Series Transmitters for Vaisala smart probes Vaisala Indigo200 series transmitters are host devices for displaying measurement values from Vaisala's Smart Humidity, Temperature, Dew Point, Moisture in Oil, CO 2 and H 2 O 2 Probes. Read more
Indigo500 Series Transmitters The Vaisala Indigo500 series transmitters are host devices for Vaisala Indigo-compatible, stand-alone smart probes. The Indigo500 series include multi-functional Indigo520 transmitter and Indigo510 transmitter with basic features. Read more
