REFRIGERANT LEAKAGE DETECTION METHOD AND REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerant leakage detection method which can be implemented at low cost and can be introduced to an operating refrigeration cycle with little labor.SOLUTION: In a refrigeration cycle having a compressor 17, a condenser 18, an expansion valve 15, and an evaporator 14, the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage is determined based on a room temperature C0 in a cooling apparatus 9 cooled by the evaporation of refrigerant in the evaporator 14, a degree of overheat SH of the refrigerant in the exit of the evaporator 14, and a valve opening degree OP of the expansion valve 15. If the presence of refrigerant leakage is detected based on the room temperature C0, the degree of overheat SH, and the valve opening degree OP, the need for installing a sensor exclusive for refrigerant leakage detection is eliminated and the cost can be reduced correspondingly. Further, the need for installation work of the sensor is eliminated, so that implementation to the existing refrigeration equipment can be performed with little labor.