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If a leak is suspected, all naked flames shall be removed/ extinguished.
If a leakage of refrigerant is found which requires brazing, all of the refrigerant shall be recovered from the
system, or isolated (by means of shut off valves) in a part of the system remote from the leak. Oxygen
free nitrogen (OFN) shall then be purged through the system both before and during the brazing process.
Removal and evacuation
When breaking into the refrigerant circuit to make repairs-or for any other purpose-conventional proce-
dures shall be used. However, it is important that best practice is followed since flammability is a consid-
eration. The following procedure shall be adhered to:
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remove refrigerant ;
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purge the circuit with inert gas;
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evacuate;
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purge again with inert gas;
•
open the circuit by cutting or brazing.
The refrigerant charge shall be recovered into the correct recovery cylinders. The system shall be
"flushed"with octafluoronaphthalene (OFN) to render the unit safe. This process may need to be repeated
several times. Compressed air or oxygen shall not be used for this task.
Flushing shall be achieved by breaking the vacuum in the system with OFN and continuing to fill until the
working pressure is achieved, then venting to atmosphere, and finally pulling down to a vacuum.
This process shall be repeated until no refrigerant is within the system. When the final OFN charge is
used, the system shall be vented down to atmospheric pressure to enable work to take place. This oper-
ation is absolutely vital if brazing operations on the pipe-work are to take place.
Ensure that the outlet for the vacuum pump is not close to any ignition sources and there is ventilation
available.
Charging procedures
In addition to conventional charging procedures, the following requirements shall be followed.
- Ensure that contamination of different refrigerants 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).
- Extreme care shall be taken not to overfill the refrigeration system.
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