Specialist’s Manual
26
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Decommissioning
operation.
Isolate system electrically.
Before attempting the procedure, ensure that:
Become familiar with the equipment and its
–
Charging procedures
In addition to conventional charging procedures,
the following requirements shall be followed.
Ensure that contamination of different refriger-
a)
c)
d)
b)
e)
f)
g)
h)
ants does not occur when using charging equip-
ment Hoses or lines shall be as short as possible
to minimise the amount of refrigerant contained in
them.
– Cylinders shall be kept in an appropriate posi-
tion according to the instructions.
– Ensure that the refrigerating system is earthed
prior to charging the system with refrigerant.
– Label the system when charging is complete (if
not already).
– Extreme care shall be taken not to overfill the
refrigerating system.
Prior to recharging the system, it shall be pres-
sure-tested with the appropriate purging gas. The
system shall be leak-tested on completion of
charging but prior to comm
issioning. A follow up
leak test shall be carried out prior to leaving the
site.
mechanical handling equipment is available,
if required, for handling refrigerant cylinders;
all personal protective equipment is available
and being used correctly;
the recovery process is supervised at all
times by a competent person;
recovery equipment and cylinders conform to
the appropriate standards.
Before carrying out this procedure, it is essential
that the technician is completely familiar with the
equipment and all its detail. It is recommended
good practice that all refrigerants are recovered
safely. Prior to the task being carried out, an oil
and refrigeran
t sample shall be taken in case
analysis is required prior to re-use of recovered
refrigerant. It is essential that electrical power is
available before the task is commenced.
i)
j)
k)
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Labelling
●
Do not overfill cylinders. (No more than 80%
Pump down refrigerant system, if possible.
If a vacuum is not possible
, make a manifold so
that refrigerant can be removed from various
parts of the system.
Make sure that cylinder is situated on the
scales before recovery takes place.
Start the recovery machine and operate in
accordance with instructions.
Equipment shall be labelled stating that it has
been de-commissioned and emptied of refrigerant.
The label shall be dated and signed. For applianc-
es containing flammable refrigerants, ensure that
there
are labels on the equipment stating the
equipment contains flammable refrigerant.
volume liquid charge).
Do not exceed the maximum working pressure
of the cylinder, even temporarily.
When the cylinders have been filled correctly
and the process completed, make sure that the
cylinders and the equipment are removed from
site promptly and all isolation valves on the
equipment are closed off.
Recovered refrigerant shall not be charged into
another refrigerating system unless it has been
cleaned and checked.
Recovery
When removing refrigerant from a system, either
for servicing or decommissioning, it is recom-
mended good practice that all refrig
erants are
removed safely.
When transferring refrigerant into cylinders,
ensure that only appropriate refrigerant recovery
cylinders are employed. Ensure that the correct
number of cylinders for holding the total system
charge are available. All cylinders to be used are
designated for the recovered refrigerant and
labelled for that refrigerant (i.e. special cylinders
for the recovery of refrigerant). Cylinders shall be
complete with pressure-relief valve and associat-
ed shut-off valves in good working order. Empty
recovery cylinder
s are evacuated and, if possible,
cooled before recovery occurs.
The re
covery equipment shall be in good working
order with a set of instructions concerning the
equipment that is at hand and shall be suitable
for the recovery of the flammable refrigerant. If in
doubt, the manufacturer should be consulted. In
addition, a set of calibrated weighing scales shall
be available and in good working order. Hoses
shall be complete with leak-free disconnect cou-
plings and in good condition.
The recovered refrigerant shall be processed
according to local legislation in the correct recov-
ery cylinder, and the relevant waste transfer note
arranged. Do not mix refrigerants in recovery
units and especially not in cylinders.
If compressors or compressor oils are to be
removed, ensure that they have been evacuated
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