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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 refriger-
ants are recovered safely.
▪ Prior to the task being carried out, an oil and re-
frigerant sample shall be taken in case analysis is
required prior to re-use of reclaimed refrigerant. It
is essential that electrical power is available be-
fore the task is commenced.
a) Become familiar with the equipment and its
operation.
b) Isolate system electrically.
c) Before attempting the procedure ensure that :
– 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.
d) Pump down refrigerant system, if possible.
e) If a vacuum is not possible, make a manifold so
that refrigerant can be removed from various
parts of the system.
f) Make sure that cylinder is situated on the scales
before recovery takes place.
g) Start the recovery machine and operate in ac-
cordance with manufacturer's instructions.
h) Do not overfill cylinders (no more than 80 %
volume liquid charge).
i) Do not exceed the maximum working pressure
of the cylinder, even temporarily.
j) 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.
k) 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 stat-
ing the equipment contains flammable refrigerant.
26
SERVICE GUIDE
REFRIGERANT RECOVERY
▪ When removing refrigerant from a system, either
for servicing or decommissioning, it is recom-
mended good practice that all refrigerants are re-
moved safely.
▪ When transferring refrigerant into cylinders, en-
sure that only appropriate refrigerant recovery cyl-
inders are employed.
▪ Ensure that the correct number of cylinders for
holding the total system charge is available.
▪ All cylinders to be used are designated for the
recovered refrigerant and labelled for that refrig-
erant (i.e. special cylinders for the recovery of
refrigerant).
▪ Cylinders shall be complete with pressure relief
valve and associated shut-off valves in good work-
ing order.
▪ Empty recovery cylinders are evacuated and, if
possible, cooled before recovery occurs.
▪ The recovery equipment shall be in good work-
ing order with a set of instructions concerning the
equipment that is at hand and shall be suitable for
the recovery of flammable refrigerants.
▪ In addition, 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 prop-
erly maintained and that any associated electrical
components are sealed to prevent ignition in the
event of a refrigerant release.
▪ Consult manufacturer if in doubt.
▪ 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 espe-
cially not in cylinders.
▪ If compressors or compressor oils are to be re-
moved, ensure that they have been evacuated to
an acceptable level to make certain that flamma-
ble refrigerant does not remain within the lubricant.
▪ The evacuation process shall be carried out prior
to returning the compressor to the suppliers. Only
the electric heating of the compressor shall be em-
ployed to accelerate this process.
▪ When oil is drained from a system, it shall be car-
ried out safely.
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