New Non Invasive Refrigerant Gas Leak Detection

FLIR Advanced Thermal Solutions (France) announces the FLIR GF304 - a new IR gas imaging camera capable of detecting refrigerant gas leaks without needing to shut down your refrigeration system.

Refrigerant gases are used worldwide in industrial refrigeration systems for production, storage and retailing of food. Refrigerant gas is also used in the chemical, pharmaceutical and automotive industries and in air conditioning systems. Keeping an industrial refrigeration system running is of great importance due to the value of the cooled goods. Furthermore, replacing or recharging gas can be a costly exercise. Although refrigerant gases are vital for many industries they can also be dangerous for the environment and may be governed by local regulations. That is why it is of the utmost importance to find leaks quickly and easy.

Using the FLIR GF304 optical gas imaging camera makes it possible to reduce revenue loss by pinpointing even small refrigerant gas leaks quickly and efficiently, and from a distance. The innovative new camera also reduces inspection time by being able to scan a broad area rapidly without the need to interrupt your refrigeration process.

The FLIR GF304 contains a cooled Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (QWIP) and a cold band pass filter that allows it to visualise (detect) refrigerant gases including R404A, R407C, R410A, R134A, R417A, R422A, R507A, R143A, R125 and R245fa in the 8.0-8.6 micrometer waveband. Using a proprietary High Sensitivity Mode (HSM) further enhances the sensitivity of the GF304 camera so that the smallest gas leaks can be detected. The HSM feature makes the inspection process easier, faster, and more accurate for utility engineers and camera operators.

In addition to finding gas leaks the FLIR GF304 can be used for undertaking maintenance inspections where a temperature reading is required. The FLIR GF304 visualises temperatures from -20°C to +500°C enabling inspection of high voltage, low voltage, mechanical and many other facilities found in refrigeration plant and equipment.

Ergonomically designed with a bright LCD and tiltable viewfinder it is easy to scan areas of interest with a GF304 gas imaging camera that are difficult to reach with conventional methods. A USB WiFi adapter enables wireless connection of the FLIR GF304 to smart phones or tablet PCs facilitating wireless transfer of images or remote control of the camera. The FLIR GF304 comes either with a fixed 14.5° lens or with a fixed 24° lens as standard.