Hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants were approved for use by the US EPA
through their SNAP program in early 2012, for specific refrigeration
applications. The RSES HC Study Guide provides technicians with the
knowledge you need to work safely with flammable refrigerants,
including:
· EPA Regulations
· UL Standards
· Safety Issues
· Refrigerant Properties
· Service Procedures
RSES
highly recommends only experienced refrigeration professionals handle
HCs. You should already have a solid understanding of the refrigeration
cycle and proper handling of CFC, HCFC and HFC refrigerants. Use this
guide to prepare for the RSES Certificate test available on the RSES
eLearning platform.
The mission of RSES in developing this
training is to assist the refrigeration technician in understanding the
requirements of safely maintaining and servicing systems that utilize
those flammable refrigerants currently approved under the EPA’s SNAP
program.
There are additional flammable refrigerants that may be
approved in the future (e.g., R-1234yf). This training document will be
updated (and additional testing and certificates will be required) as
new refrigerants are approved.
Note: Portions of this document are
excerpted and adapted from materials generously provided by Tecumseh
Products Company and by Unilever. Reprinted with permission.
RSES
highly recommends only experienced refrigeration professionals handle
HCs. You should already have a solid understanding of the refrigeration
cycle and proper handling of CFC, HCFC and HFC refrigerants.
NATE CEH: 8
CEU: 0.8
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION TO HYDROCARBON REFRIGERANTS
Environmental impact
Advantages
Applications and availability
Approved HC refrigerants
REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Restricted uses and applications
Unauthorized applications
Labeling
Liability concerns
REFRIGERANT SAFETY
Safety classifications
Flammability hazards
Material safety data sheets
GHS hazard communication labeling
Boiling point
Combustible gas monitors
Health hazards
Handling refrigerant cylinders
HC refrigerant cylinders
Transporting cylinders
Brazing and silver soldering
Rated equipment
Confined spaces
COMPRESSOR TERMINAL VENTING
Hazards from terminal venting
Protective terminal covers
COMPRESSOR CHANGE-OUT (DEFECTIVE COMPRESSOR)
Compressor removal
Compressor installation
Sealing the process tube
SYSTEM FLUSHING, PURGING, AND PRESSURE-TESTING FOR LEAKS PROPER EVACUATION TECHNIQUES
COMPRESSOR MISUSE
During system evacuation
During system charging
Replacement parts
COMPATIBILITY
SERVICE PROCEDURES, MAINTENANCE, AND REFRIGERANT HANDLING
Sparking hazards
Ignition sources
Frost removal
Leak-testing
Evacuation/pressure-testing
Recovery
Charging
Refrigerant purity
Stenching
Previously modified systems
THE REFRIGERATION CYCLE
Definition of terms
Superheat for refrigeration applications
Subcooling for refrigeration applications
Sample calculations
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A | SNAP REGULATIONS: SUBSTITUTES SUBJECT TO USE RESTRICTIONS EPA-approved refrigerants and applications (effective July 15, 2024)
APPENDIX B | MAXIMUM DESIGN CHARGE SIZES: TABLES A THROUGH E
APPENDIX C | TEMPERATURE-PRESSURE CHARTS FOR REFRIGERANTS
APPENDIX D | REFRIGERANT PROPERTIES
APPENDIX E | REFRIGERANT CHARACTERISTICS (HFC-32, HFOs)
APPENDIX F | TEMPERATURE CONVERSION TABLE, PRESSURE CONVERSION TABLE
ISBN: 978-1-61607-203-2
This is an eBook
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