Safety precautions
– Evacuate;
– 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 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 operation 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.
13.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.
Prior to recharging the system it shall be pressure tested with OFN.
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.
14.Decommissioning
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 refrigerant sample shall be taken in
case analysis is required prior to re-use of reclaimed refrigerant. It is essential
that electrical power is available before the task is commenced.
a) Become familiar with the equipment and its operation.
b) Isolate system electrically.
CAUTION
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