Commissioning and Decommissioning
22
SS-SVX004C-EN
Personnel performing the decommissioning must be
completely familiar with the unit before starting. Best
practice requires all refrigerants be recovered safely; refer
to
“Recovering Refrigerant,” p. 22
for guidelines. Prior to
recovery, an oil and refrigerant sample should be taken in
case analysis is required prior to re-use of the reclaimed
refrigerant. Electrical power must be available before
decommissioning is started.
Follow these decommissioning guidelines:
1. Become familiar with the equipment and its operation.
2. Isolate the system electrically.
3. Before attempting the procedure ensure that:
•
Mechanical handling equipment is available, if
required, for handling refrigerant cylinders
•
All required personal protective equipment is
available and used correctly
•
The recovery process is supervised at all times by
competent personnel
•
Recovery equipment and cylinders conform to the
appropriate standards
4. Pump down the refrigerant system, if possible.
5. If a vacuum is not possible, make a manifold so that
refrigerant can be removed from various parts of the
system.
6. Place the cylinder receiving the refrigerant on the scale
before starting recovery.
7. Start the recovery machine and operate in accordance
with manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not overfill cylinders. (They should contain no more
than 80% volume liquid charge).
9. Do not exceed the maximum working pressure of the
cylinder, even temporarily.
10. 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.
11. Recovered refrigerant must not be charged into
another refrigeration system unless it has been
cleaned and checked.
Recovering Refrigerant
When removing refrigerant from a system, either for
servicing or decommissioning, best practice is to remove
all refrigerants safely. Use the following recommended
guidelines:
When transferring refrigerant into cylinders, ensure
that only appropriate refrigerant recovery cylinders
are employed. Ensure that the correct number of
cylinders for holding the total system charge are
available and that 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 must be complete
with pressure relief valve and associated shut-off
valves in good working order. Empty recovery
cylinders must be evacuated and, if possible, cooled
before recovery occurs.
Recovery equipment must be in good working order
with a set of instructions concerning the equipment at
hand, and the equipment must be suitable for
recovering flammable refrigerants. In addition, a set of
calibrated weighing scales must be available and in
good working order. Hoses must 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.
Recovered refrigerant must 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 they have been evacuated to an acceptable
level to make certain flammable refrigerant does not
remain within the lubricant. The evacuation process
must be carried out prior to returning the compressor
to the suppliers. Only electric heating of the
compressor body may be employed to accelerate this
process. When oil is drained from a system, it must be
carried out safely.
Labeling Decommissioned Equipment
Equipment must be labelled stating that it has been
decommissioned and emptied of refrigerant. The label
must be dated and signed. Ensure that there are labels on
the equipment stating the equipment contains flammable
refrigerant.
