Lloyd's Register Safety alert 8 Nov 2011 : Explosion of
refrigerated container compression units and recommendations for recharging -
Applicability: Container ship operators and crew, container terminals and
stevedores, road haulage firms, maintenance fitters and end users/leasers of
refrigerated containers.
There have recently been a number of incidents, some
fatal, involving explosion of the compressor units fitted to refrigerated
(reefer) containers.
The cause of the explosions is still under investigation
but it appears that the servicing of the refrigeration system is a common factor
in each case.
It has been reported to Lloyd's Register that refrigerant
gas in refrigeration and air conditioning plants is being recharged or 'topped
up' with different types of gas.
This may have been a contributing factor to the
explosions.
The international community is phasing-out the use of
HCFC R-22 refrigerant.
This refrigerant is becoming increasingly difficult and
costly to obtain.
As a result, it has been reported that some service
contractors are mixing dissimilar refrigerants in air conditioning and/or
refrigeration systems.
This practice carries the following significant risks:
1. It may violate several European and national
standards, and may be illegal in some countries.
2. The unknown composition of the resultant refrigerant
mixture may change system performance unexpectedly.
3. Standard pressure gauges and pressure / temperature
charts may no longer be used effectively, preventing effective
servicing of the equipment.
4. The mixed refrigerant cannot be reclaimed and must be
destroyed at considerable cost to the contractor or the equipment
owner.
5. Compressor warranties may be invalidated.
6. Safety may be compromised since the Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS) for the original refrigerant is no longer valid and does not
exist for the mixed refrigerant blend of unknown composition.
Lloyd's Register recommendations:
We recommend the following actions when recharging or
'topping up' refrigerant systems:
1. Never mix refrigerants of different types with
different ASHRAE numbers in the same system.
2. Only 'top up' refrigerant in any installed system with
refrigerant of the same type and ASHRAE number.
3. Clearly label all systems to prevent accidental mixing
of different refrigerants.
4. If accidental mixing does occur, remove the entire
refrigerant charge immediately and dispose of it properly, in accordance
with relevant national laws.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has also issued
a Marine
Information Note on the subject.
Source : MUA.
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