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V 09/22
• the recovery process is supervised at all times by a competent person;
• Recovery equipment and cylinders comply with appropriate standards.
D. If possible, drain the refrigerant system.
E. If vacuum is not possible, make a manifold so that the refrigerant can be removed from the various parts of the system.
F. Make sure the cylinder is placed on the scale before recovery takes place.
G. Start the recovery machine and operate according to the manufacturer's instructions
H. Do not overfill the cylinders. (Not more than 80% by volume of liquid charge).
I. Do not exceed, even temporarily, the maximum working pressure of the cylinder.
J. When the cylinders have been filled correctly and the process is complete, ensure that the cylinders and equipment are
promptly removed from the site and that all isolation valves on the equipment are closed.
K. Recovered refrigerant should not be charged to another refrigeration system unless it has been cleaned and checked.
l) Labeling
The equipment must be labeled indicating that it has been shut down and drained of refrigerant. The label must be dated
and signed. For appliances containing flammable refrigerants, make sure there are labels on the appliance indicating that
the appliance contains flammable refrigerant.
Recovery
When removing refrigerant from a system, whether for maintenance or decommissioning,
It is recommended that all refrigerants be removed safely.
When transferring refrigerant to cylinders, ensure that only appropriate refrigerant recovery cylinders are used. Make sure
the correct number of cylinders are available to maintain full system charge. All cylinders to be used are designated for
the recovered refrigerant and labeled for that refrigerant (i.e. special cylinders for recovering refrigerant). The cylinders
must be complete with pressure relief valve and relative shut-off valves in good working order. Empty recovery cylinders
are evacuated and, if possible, cooled before recovery takes place.
If compressors or compressor oils need to be removed, make sure they have been evacuated to an acceptable level to
ensure that flammable refrigerant does not remain within the lubricant. The evacuation process must be carried out before
returning the compressor to suppliers. To speed up this process, only electrical heating of the compressor body must be
used. When oil is drained from a system, it must be done safely
Work procedure
The work must be carried out according to a controlled procedure in order to minimize the risk of the presence of flammable
gas or vapor during the execution of the work.
2. General work area
All maintenance personnel and others working in the local area should be educated on the nature of the work being
performed. Work in confined spaces must be avoided. The area around the work area must be sectioned. Ensure that
conditions within the area have been secured by the control of flammable material.
3. No ignition sources
No person carrying out work in relation to a refrigeration system involving exposure to piping must use sources of ignition
in a way that creates the risk of fire or explosion. All possible sources of ignition, including cigarette smoke, must be kept
sufficiently far from the place of installation, repair, removal and disposal, during which the refrigerant may possibly be
released into the surrounding space. Before starting work, the area around the equipment must be checked to ensure that
there is no risk of flammability or ignition hazards. "No smoking" signs must be displayed.
Removal and evacuation
When breaking into the refrigerant circuit to make repairs or for any other purpose, conventional procedures must be used.
However, for flammable refrigerants it is important to follow the best procedures as there is a risk of flammability.
The following procedure must be followed:
• remove the refrigerant;
• purge the circuit with inert gas; evacuate;
• purge again with inert gas;
• open the circuit by cutting or brazing.
The refrigerant charge must be recovered in the correct recovery cylinders.
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