Hydrocarbon disposal ?

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  • #48072
    spimps
    Participant

    It’s recommended that we let off the refridgerant into outside ie vent it outside.
    What if this is not easily possible or there are areas into which the heavier than air gas might stay around.
    I had heard a few months ago of an engineer using a Bunsen burner to burn it off,I purchased one and have been experimenting in the workshop and have decided it’s an alternative to just letting it off,as long as a risk assesment satisfies that no danger is incurred it works.
    Also the large commercial double door fridges are now using r600 in larger amounts so there is quite a lot to release which to me is always a worry as to where it can end up.Especially if your in a Chinky with flames all over the ranges.
    Just need a frying pan and some sausages(was going to say bangers 😯 )
    and HP of course.
    Anyone else tried it,what do you think ?

    #295466
    subs
    Participant

    Re: Hydrocarbon disposal ?

    Who recommends venting HFC’s etc to the outside then? This is illegal. The refrigerant must be recovered. Some refrigerents produce toxic fumes when burnt, so burning it off with a bunson burner is not a good idea. There is a course on the safe handling of refrigerants.

    Subs

    #295467
    eastlmark
    Moderator

    Re: Hydrocarbon disposal ?

    subs wrote:Who recommends venting HFC’s etc to the outside then? This is illegal. The refrigerant must be recovered. Some refrigerents produce toxic fumes when burnt, so burning it off with a bunson burner is not a good idea. There is a course on the safe handling of refrigerants.

    Subs

    Subs, look at title of thread!

    #295468
    subs
    Participant

    Re: Hydrocarbon disposal ?

    Oops! Yep, i miss read the start of the thread thinking it was about hydrofluorocarbons.
    Sorry! Disregard what i said spimps.

    Although i would still be a bit worried about burning off the r600 though. Maybe a hose with an access valve coupler fitted to one end, so the gas could be vented out a window. (Making sure no ones outside having a fag break) lol.

    Subs

    #295469
    mbdas
    Participant

    Re: Hydrocarbon disposal ?

    Hi 🙂
    I dont do systems faults but I’m intrigued as to know are you saying you can vent R600 and only have to recover R134/R12 type refrigerant ❓ Just wanting to know as Ive been thinking of doing a refrigeration course at some point in the future.
    mark 🙂

    #295470
    spimps
    Participant

    Re: Hydrocarbon disposal ?

    Taken from ACRIB’s safe working practices:
    “Ventilated area
    Ensure that the area is in the open or that it is adequately ventilated before breaking into
    the system or conducting any hot work. A degree of ventilation should continue during
    the period that the work is carried out. The ventilation should safely disperse any released
    refrigerant and preferably expel it externally to the atmosphere.”
    The idea behind burning it off is that the risk of ignition after it’s released is removed (by someone walking by with a fag is removed),a valve and the burner itself can be controlled quite safely,it’s no more dangerous than lighting your brazing or welding torch which you in all probability will be using anyway.
    The system should be flushed with OFN in circumstances where hot work is carried out to expel any residue from the system.Possibly up to 10{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} or more stays in the compressor oil and will evacuate itself if not removed which can ignite.
    It’s about risk assesment,first be competent to asses the risk then if criteria is satisfied carry out the work,usually called common sense.
    As iI said it’s an idea for discussion and comment.

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