Working with refrigerants |
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It seems that all and sundry in the industry know exactly how to deal with the refrigerants that we come into contact with on a daily basis. Not the case?!
We are hearing horror stories on how workshops and individuals are dealing with the charging and disposing of gas. The age old “let’s go back to basics” rings a bell?
A few basic tips when charging refrigerant (when last did you check your technicians work sir?)
- Keep the refrigerant away from children
- Don’t keep the refrigerant near fire, exposed to sun or in a space where the temperature rises (such as a vehicle)
- The cylinders shouldn't be in direct heat or soaked in hot water (40deg C or higher)
- Connect the hoses correctly
- Use a properly ventilated place for the recharging work
- Charge the specified quantity of the refrigerant in the system
- Avoid entering anything else other than previously tested refrigerant gas (such as air or moisture) into the refrigerating cycle
- While charging the refrigerant to the system, carefully observe the high pressure side of the manifold gauge, refrigerant flow condition that can be seen through the sight glass.
- 9Ensure that the storage of you refrigerant gas is supervised by a qualified, responsible member of staff
- Invest in a RRR (Recovery, Recycle and Recharge) unit such as the Robinair machines
- Also investigate in Refrigerant identifiers to ensure that you equipments and your customers’ vehicles aren’t contaminated.
- 12 Only buy gas from reputable wholesalers in the industry!
Global warming and the depletion of the ozone layer is a reality and we should be handling refrigerants in a responsible manner.
By Charmaine Pieters
MACS Auto – JAN 2011
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