
12. Removal and evacuation
When breaking into the refrigerant circuit to make repairs or for any other purpose conventional
procedures shall be used. However, it is important that best practice is followed since flammability is a
consideration. The following procedure shall be adhered to:
Remove refrigerant; Purge the circuit with inert gas; 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
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
and shall be calibrated to the refrigerant employed and the appropriate percentage of gas (25 %
maximum) is confirmed. Leak detection fluids are suitable for use with most refrigerants but the use of
detergents containing chlorine shall be avoided as the chlorine may react with the refrigerant and
corrode the copper pipe-work. 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.
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