Important: To prevent freezing of any moisture that might be in the system, do not go
below 5 mmHg. See System evacuation for more details.
3. With the system evacuated, charge the system with dry nitrogen to 100 psig (690 kPa).
4. Mix together soap and water. This solution forms bubbles when leaking vapor passes
through it.
5. Use the soap solution to test around each unit fitting joint and weld seams carefully and
thoroughly.
6. To enhance the test, use an ultrasonic leak detector. These devices are reliable at finding
leaks in low pressure testing where soap bubble testing may not provide results.
7. When all leaks have been identified, vent the nitrogen vapor, make the necessary repairs to
the chiller, and repeat the gas pressure hold test until a satisfactory hold test is achieved.
Conducting the optional trace gas leak test
1. To monitor the system pressure over time, install a high-quality, high-resolution analog
pressure gauge on one of the shells. Use a pressure gauge that has a resolution of 2 psi (13.8
kPa) increments with a dial face at 3 in. (76 mm) in diameter or greater.
2. Before proceeding, make sure that the unit is at the initial evacuation level of 5 mmHg.
Important: To prevent freezing of any moisture that might be in the system, do not go
below 5 mmHg. See System evacuation for more details.
3. With the system evacuated, charge with a vapor only for a 10% trace gas (R-134a or R-1234ze)
into the chiller until the system pressure reaches 10 psig (69 kPa).
- When using a refrigerant-based trace gas, you must always charge with vapor only to
reach the initial 10 psig (69 kPa) pressure.
- The use of trace gas must adhere to local policies in regard to venting or recovery of the
gas. This is dependent on the gas that is selected.
-
Important: Use a suitable gas detection device that can detect the trace gas that is
selected.
- Set the gas detection limit for 10% R-134a or R-1234ze based trace gas to 0.078 oz/year
R-143a or R-1234ze.
4. Add dry nitrogen into the chiller until the pressure reaches 100 psig (69 kPa).
5. To make sure that the concentration of trace gas has reached all parts of the system,
complete the following steps:
a. Slightly open the condenser service at the liquid drain connection into the evaporator
service valve.
b. Test for the presence of the trace gas with a leak detector.
c. Continue to vent in this manner until the trace gas is detected and close the service valve.
6. Before beginning the trace gas testing, ensure that any vented gas has been adequately
vented from the chiller area so that there are no false positive indications. It might be
necessary to reset the test probe in an outside space.
7. Test around each joint and factory weld carefully and thoroughly.
8. To check for tube or tube joint leaks, complete the following steps:
a. Isolate and drain the evaporator waterboxes.
b. Purge the waterboxes and tubes with dry nitrogen through the vents or drains until the
detector does not indicate any evidence of refrigerant.
c. Close the vents and drains. Wait an hour.
d. Open a drain and insert the leak detector.
YVAM with OptiView Control Center144
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