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Posted by Jack on April 21, 2002 at 17:46:14:
In Reply to: Re: Heatpumps posted by Harold Kestenholz - hydronic.net on April 20, 2002 at 15:25:31:
: To transfer refrigerants from one vessel to another, you must raise the pressure of the supplying vessel to force the refrigerant from the higher pressure vessel to the lower-pressure vessel. Or you must run the heat pump to lower the suction pressure lower than the refrigerant vessel. Placing the refrigerant vessel in water about body temperature or slightly warmer than the heat pump will provide the necessary pressure. Heating the vessel so you notice the difference with your hand can cause the refrigerant vessel to rupture, sending body parts around the local environment from a pressure exceeding 250 psig; especially stressing the can with a torch will produce a more certain explosive effect as the refrigerant liquid can expand to fill a vessel creating a hydraulic rupture.
: I can tell you may have not passed the course to get a certificate to handle refrigerants, as the answer is in the course. The danger of heating the vessel is given as a warning in the course. Purchasing or servicing refrigerant vessels without a certificate is subject to a fine of $15,000 dollars and/or 5 years jail for EACH offense. The EPA may still be giving rewards to people who turn in such offenders. The first part of the repair procedure is to fix the leak. If you don't have the tools to find the leak, you do not intend to repair the leak and are ready to dump toxic or environmentally damaging refrigerant into the atmosphere.