Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Mexico
    Age
    86
    Posts
    58
    Rep Power
    20

    Detecting Salt in the Refrigerant Circuit



    I am working on a boat chiller-type air conditioner and heat pump which had developed a small cavitation leak in the condenser between the sea water coolant and the R-22/mineral oil refrigerant. Although I am replacing the major components, I want to flush the rest of the system with HCFC-141b driven by nitrogen. Does anyone know of a way to detect the presence of salt in the 141b or the mineral oil to determine if the flushing was successful? Any other advice on this mater would be appreciated.



  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    254
    Blog Entries
    4
    Rep Power
    20

    Re: Detecting Salt in the Refrigerant Circuit

    If you are pushing the oil out you could consider getting the oil analyzed. That will tell you the whole story.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    mallorca, spain,
    Age
    75
    Posts
    770
    Rep Power
    19

    Re: Detecting Salt in the Refrigerant Circuit

    hi mayball,
    salt? its the water thats the problem , have you vac pump ?= sedgy

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Mexico
    Age
    86
    Posts
    58
    Rep Power
    20

    Re: Detecting Salt in the Refrigerant Circuit

    Passandscore, I will probably be moving some oil out, especially from the chiller coil, what kind of organization makes such an analysis?

    Sedgy, I will remove all water from the system with a vacuum pump and install a suction filter/dryer, but evidently you do not see a problem with salt in the oil. The manufacturer says that once salt water gets into the system, the whole chiller needs to be replaced because it will keep failing. I cannot see why if all of the salt and water is removed and all failed components are replaced.

  5. #5
    hookster's Avatar
    hookster is offline Veteran Poster I am starting to push the Mods: of RE
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Hampshire
    Posts
    439
    Rep Power
    31

    Re: Detecting Salt in the Refrigerant Circuit

    HCFC-141b
    All the good stuff is no longer available in Europe!!

    If you drain the system correctly and flush with a good flushing agent you will be able to clean system.
    Then numerous purges.(I would recommend recirculation over single blow pass) Vacuum will not remove salt deposits and actually you will struggle to evaporate all your moisture.

    Oil analysis is provided by a lot of suppliers and a search engine for your area will provide an answer.

    ? what is the chiller by the way? If it has micro bore I could see a problem but do not suspect it on a water cooled unit.
    I love the smell of Ammonia in the morning!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Mexico
    Age
    86
    Posts
    58
    Rep Power
    20

    Re: Detecting Salt in the Refrigerant Circuit

    Hookster, Thanks for the recommendations. HCFC-141b is still used here in Mexico. The chiller is an AquaAir Alpha 3. It has a 3 ton capacity, uses a scroll 3 phase compressor and four parallel cap-tubes.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •