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Thread: Suction Line Welding
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13-05-2007, 04:32 PM #1
Suction Line Welding
Hi All -
I'm not a refrigeration professional, but a marine engineer currently working offshore West Africa. Since getting an internet connection on board a couple of months ago, I have found Google pointing me towards this forum several times in response to searches for info on refrigerants, compressor pressures and refrigeration oil so thought it would be prudent to register here in an attempt to absorb some of the wealth of experience and knowledge here through some type of electronic osmosis
I have always thought of refrigeration engineers as akin to magicians of the highest order. Give one some pretty coloured bottles and a set of glass-faced oracle guages and with a wave of their wrench - Abracadabra! You turn summer into winter, and produce ice and snow out of thin air! Pretty amazing stuff!
Anyways..., I do have a question here....
We have a Sabroe A/C system with a SMC 108 S compressor and suction superheat running on R404A. We've developed a crack in a weld on the 4" suction pipe just before the receiver end cover. If I pump the system down to as close to atmospheric as I can, do you think it would be safe to weld up the crack 'in situ'? There's a piece of rubber gasket material held in place by a hose clamp (jubilee clip?) right now, but that's not gonna last much longer. I'd appreciate your thoughts on the matter.
Thanks a lot,
Brian
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13-05-2007, 04:45 PM #2
Re: Suction Line Welding
Hi.
I sugest that you pump down the system by closing the liqid line before the the dry filters and then vent the line.you must not weld with any pressure on the line.
After the welding you must att vacum pump on the cover of the dryfilter and let it run for a night.Also it will be a good ider to chance the dryfilters if you have spares onbord.
Check the reason for the crack.I presume its vibrations from the vessel.
But again no velding on pressured pipes even as it seems at 0 bar
Best Regards
HGS
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13-05-2007, 06:42 PM #3
Re: Suction Line Welding
After the welding you must att vacum pump on the cover of the dryfilter and let it run for a night.Also it will be a good ider to chance the dryfilters if you have spares onbord.
But again no velding on pressured pipes even as it seems at 0 bar
Regards,
BrianLast edited by Brian G; 13-05-2007 at 06:48 PM.
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13-05-2007, 09:49 PM #4
Re: Suction Line Welding
It is a 30 minute job, just pump down the system until zero pressure and then open the suction somewhere close to the leak (this is to stop pressure building up). If you can't open the pipe somewhere then drill a hole in it and insert a 1/4 access line with a schrader in it (obviously remove the valve whilst brazing).
Repair leak and vac out. Open liquid line and thats it.
Failing that, send me airline ticket and I will come and repair it...lol
ChillinIF AT FIRST YOU DON`T SUCCEED.
DESTROY ALL EVIDENCE THAT YOU TRIED!
and go get a cuppa
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13-05-2007, 11:39 PM #5
Re: Suction Line Welding
HI and welcome to the forum, you certainly know how to pour on the charm
If you have any dry nitrogen on board then run that at low pressure through the pipework while you are welding/brazing to reduce the buildup of oxides inside the pipe.Brian - Newton Abbot, Devon, UK
Retired March 2015
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14-05-2007, 07:41 AM #6
Re: Suction Line Welding
HI and welcome to the forum, you certainly know how to pour on the charm.
Best Regards,
Brian
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