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Installation
Charging procedures
-
does not occur when using charging equipment.
Hoses or lines shall be as short as possible to
minimise the amount of refrigerant contained in
them.
- Cylinders shall be kept upright.
- Ensure that the refrigeration system is earthed prior
to charging the system with refrigerant.
- Label the system when charging is complete (if not
already).
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refrigeration system.
- Prior to recharging the system, it shall be pressure-
tested with the appropriate purging gas. The system
shall be leak-tested on completion of charging but
prior to commissioning. A follow up leak test shall be
carried out prior to leaving the site.
Decommissioning
- Before carrying out this procedure, it is essential
that the technician is completely familiar with the
equipment and all its detail.
- Prior to the task being carried out, an oil and
refrigerant sample shall be taken in case analysis is
required prior to re-use of reclaimed refrigerant.
- Electrical power must be available before the task is
commenced.
- Become familiar with the equipment and its
operation.
- Isolate system electrically.
- Before attempting the procedure, ensure that:
(1) mechanical handling equipment is available, if
required, for handling refrigerant cylinders;
(2) all personal protective equipment is available and
being used correctly;
(3) the recovery process is supervised at all times by a
competent person;
(4) recovery equipment and cylinders conform to the
appropriate standards.
- 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 manufacturer’s instructions.
-
liquid charge).
- Do not exceed the maximum working pressure of
the cylinder, even temporarily.
-
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
- Recovered refrigerant shall not be charged into
another refrigeration system unless it has been
cleaned and checked.
Labelling
- Equipment shall be labelled stating that it has been
de-commissioned and emptied of refrigerant. The
label shall be dated and signed.
- Ensure that there are labels on the equipment
refrigerant.
Recovery
- 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
order. Empty recovery cylinders are evacuated and,
if possible, cooled before recovery occurs.
- The recovery 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 all appropriate refrigerants.
- A set of calibrated weighing scales shall be available
and in good working order. Hoses shall be complete
with leak-free disconnect couplings and in good
condition. Before using the recovery machine,
check that it is in satisfactory working order, has
been properly maintained and that any associated
electrical components are sealed to prevent ignition
in the event of a refrigerant release.
- The recovered refrigerant shall be returned to the
refrigerant supplier in the correct recovery 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 to
refrigerant does not remain within the lubricant.
- The evacuation process shall be carried out prior to
returning the compressor to the suppliers.
- Only electric heating to the compressor body shall
be employed to accelerate this process.
- When oil is drained from a system, it shall be carried
out safely.
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