Aktobis AG, Borsigstr. 20, D-63110 Rodgau / Germany
www.AKTOBIS.de
Email: info@aktobis.de
The refrigerant charge must be prepared in the correct preparation cylinders. The system must
be "purged" with oxygen-free nitrogen to keep the unit safe. This process may need to be
repeated several times. Compressed air or oxygen must not be used for this purpose.
Purging can be achieved by intervening in the vacuum in the system with oxygen-free nitrogen
and continuing to charge until the working pressure is reached and then releasing to
atmosphere and finally drawing into a vacuum. This process must be repeated until there is no
more refrigerant in the system. When the last charge of oxygen-free nitrogen is made, the
system must be vented to atmospheric pressure. This is absolutely necessary if soldering work
has to take place on the piping. Make sure that the outlet for the vacuum pump is not near
sources of ignition and that there is ventilation.
15. Filling process
In addition to conventional filling operations, the following requirements must be followed:
- Ensure that there is no contamination of the various refrigerants when charging the equipment.
Hoses or cables must be as short as possible to minimise the amount of refrigerant they
contain.
- Cylinders must remain upright.
- Make sure that the cooling system is earthed before charging the system with refrigerant.
- Mark the system when filling is complete (if not already done).
- Extreme care must be taken not to overfill the cooling system.
Before refilling the system, the pressure must be tested with oxygen-free nitrogen. The system
must be tested for leakage at the end of filling but before commissioning. A verification leakage
test must be carried out before leaving the site.
16. Decommissioning
Before performing this procedure, it is necessary for the technician to be fully familiar with the
equipment and its details. It is a recommended standard that all refrigerants are safely
reprocessed. Prior to the task to be performed, an oil sample and a refrigerant sample must be
taken in case analysis is required before reusing the recycled refrigerant. It is necessary that
electrical power is available before the task is started.
a) Familiarise yourself with the equipment and its operation.
b) Disconnect the system electrically.
c) Before performing the operation, make sure:
that mechanical handling equipment is available; if necessary also for the
Handling refrigerant cylinders;
that personal protective equipment is available and properly worn;
that the reprocessing process is supervised by a competent person at all times;
that the treatment equipment and cylinders comply with the applicable standards.
d) Pump out the refrigerant system if possible.
e) If a vacuum is not possible, make a manifold so that the coolant can be removed from the
various parts of the system.
f) Make sure that the cylinder is on the scales.
g) Start the treatment plant and operate it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
h) Do not overfill the cylinders (not more than 80 % capacity liquid filling).
i) Do not exceed the maximum working pressure of the cylinder, even temporarily.
j) When the cylinders have been properly filled and the operation is complete, ensure that the
cylinders and equipment are immediately removed from the site and that all shut-off valves on
the equipment are closed.
(k) Reconditioned refrigerant shall not be charged into other refrigeration systems unless it has
been purified and tested.
