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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.
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 70% liquid volume. The liquid density of the
refrigerant with a reference temperature of 50°C).
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.
