JOHNSON CONTROLS
27
SECTION 6 - MAINTENANCE
FORM 160.76-O1
ISSUE DATE: 6/15/2015
6
Be sure the vacuum indicator is valved off
while holding the system vacuum and be
sure to open the valve between the vacuum
indicator and the system when checking
the vacuum after the 8 hour period.
VACUUM DEHYDRATION
To obtain a sufficiently dry system, the following in-
structions have been assembled to provide an effective
method for evacuating and dehydrating a system in the
field. Although there are several methods of dehydrating
a system, we are recommending the following, as it pro-
duces one of the best results, and affords a means of ob-
taining accurate readings as to the extent of dehydration.
The equipment required to follow this method of dehy-
dration consists of a wet bulb indicator or vacuum gauge,
a chart showing the relation between dew point tempera-
ture and pressure in inches of mercury (vacuum), (Refer
to
) and a vacuum pump capable of
pumping a suitable vacuum on the system.
OPERATION
Dehydration of a refrigerant system can be obtained
by this method because the water present in the system
reacts much as a refrigerant would. By pulling down
the pressure in the system to a point where its satu-
ration temperature is considerably below that of room
temperature, heat will flow from the room through the
walls of the system and vaporize the water, allowing
a large percentage of it to be removed by the vacuum
pump. The length of time necessary for the dehydra-
tion of a system is dependent on the size or volume of
the system, the capacity and efficiency of the vacuum
pump, the room temperature and the quantity of water
present in the system. By the use of the vacuum indi-
cator as suggested, the test tube will be evacuated to
the same pressure as the system, and the distilled water
will be maintained at the same saturation temperature
as any free water in the system, and this temperature
can be observed on the thermometer.
If the system has been pressure tested and found to be
tight prior to evacuation, then the saturation tempera-
ture recordings should follow a curve similar to the typ-
ical saturation curve shown as
The temperature of the water in the test tube will drop
as the pressure decreases, until the boiling point is
reached, at which point the temperature will level off
and remain at this level until all of the water in the
shell is vaporized. When this final vaporization has
taken place the pressure and temperature will continue
to drop until eventually a temperature of 35°F (1.6°C)
or a pressure of 5 mm Hg. is reached.
When this point is reached, practically all of the air has
been evacuated from the system, but there is still a small
amount of moisture left. In order to provide a medium
for carrying this residual moisture to the vacuum pump,
nitrogen should be introduced into the system to bring
it to atmospheric pressure and the indicator temperature
will return to approximately ambient temperature. Close
off the system again, and start the second evacuation.
The relatively small amount of moisture left will be
carried out through the vacuum pump and the tem-
perature or pressure shown by the indicator should
drop uniformly until it reaches a temperature of 35°F
(1.6°C) or a pressure of 5 mm Hg.
When the vacuum indicator registers this temperature
or pressure, it is a positive sign that the system is evac-
uated and dehydrated to the recommended limit. If this
level cannot be reached, it is evident that there is a leak
somewhere in the system. Any leaks must be corrected
before the indicator can be pulled down to 35°F or 5
mm Hg. in the primary evacuation.
During the primary pulldown, keep a careful watch on
the wet bulb indicator temperature, and do not let it fall
below 35°F (1.6°C). If the temperature is allowed to
fall to 32°F (0°C), the water in the test tube will freeze,
and the result will be a faulty temperature reading.
FIGURE 13 -
SATURATION CURVE
LD00474
INDICA
TOR READING -°F
TIME
PRIMAR
Y EVACUA
TION
NITROGEN ADDED
SECONDAR
Y
EV
ACUA
TION
REFRIGERANT CHARGING
To avoid the possibility of freezing liquid within the
evaporator tubes when charging an evacuated system,
only refrigerant vapor from the top of the drum or cyl-
