17) 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. Before 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
c) Before attempting the procedure ensure that:
Mechanical handling equipment is available, if required, for handling refrigerant cylinders;
All personal protetive 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.
Label the system when charging is complete(if not already).
Extreme care shall be taken not to overfill the refrigeration system.
Before 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.
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 accordance 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.
18) 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 stating the equipment contains flammable refrigerant.
19) Recovery
When removing refrigerant from a system, either for service or decommissioning, it is recommended good practice that all
refrigerants are removed safely.
When tranferring refrigerant into cylinders, ensure that only appropriate refrigerant recovery cylinders are employed. Ensure
that the correct numbers of cylinders for holding the total system charge are available. All cylinders to be used are designated
for the recovered refrigerant and labelled for that refrigerant(i.e special cylinders for the recovery of refrigerant). Cylinders shall
be complete with pressure relief valve and associated shut-off valves in good working order.
Empty recovery cylinders are evacuated and, if possible, cooled before recovery occurs.
The recovery equipment shall be in good working 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 properly 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 especially not in cylinders.
If compressors or compressor oils are to be removed, ensure that they have been evacuated to an acceptable level to make
certain that flammable refrigerant does not remain within the lubricant. The evacuation process shall be carried out prior to
retruning the compressor to the suppliers. Only electric heating to the compressor body shall be employed to accelerate this
process. When oil is drained from a system, it shall be carried out safely.
20) Transportation, marking and storage for units
Transport of equipment containing flammable refrigerants compliance with the transport regulations
Marking of equipment using signs compliance with local regulations
Disposal of equipment using flammable refrigerants compliance with national regulations
Storage of equipment/appliances
The storage of equipment should be in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Storage of packed (unsold) equipment
Storage package protection should be constructed such that mechanical damage to the equipment inside the package will not
cause a leak of the refrigerant charge.
The maximum number of pieces of equipment permitted to be stored together will be determined by local regulations.
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