The literature review and findings of the Tau Tona accident report (Department of
Minerals and Energy 1999), identified a single possible scenario whereby a HFC134a/lubricant/air mixture may become explosive. The mechanism involved the
escape of HFC134a/lubricant past the over heated bearing surfaces of a failing compressor. Experimentation that realistically replicated the likely scenario was used to explore this possibility.
Reference:
Kramers, AP, et al. 2002. Investigation into the conditions under which HFC134a may become flammable. Safety in Mines Research Advisory Committee, GAP 806, January, 2002, pp 1-33
Kramers, A., Butterworth, M., Biffi, M., Van Zyl, F., Meyer, J., Denys, N., & Ramsden, R. (2002). Investigation into the conditions under which HFC134a may become flammable. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/1856
Kramers, AP, M Butterworth, M Biffi, FJ Van Zyl, J Meyer, N Denys, and R Ramsden. "Investigation into the conditions under which HFC134a may become flammable." (2002): http://hdl.handle.net/10204/1856
Kramers A, Butterworth M, Biffi M, Van Zyl F, Meyer J, Denys N, et al, Investigation into the conditions under which HFC134a may become flammable; 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/1856 .
