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Acid problems in Ammonia Refrigeration Systems

Acid problems in Ammonia Refrigeration Systems. Presented at: IIAR 2003 Ammonia Refrigeration Conference & Exhibition, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Acid problems in Ammonia Refrigeration Systems. Presented by: L. F. “Tex” Hildebrand. Acid problems in Ammonia Refrigeration Systems.

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Acid problems in Ammonia Refrigeration Systems

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  1. Acid problems inAmmonia Refrigeration Systems Presented at: IIAR 2003 Ammonia Refrigeration Conference & Exhibition, Albuquerque, New Mexico Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  2. Acid problems inAmmonia Refrigeration Systems Presented by: L. F. “Tex” Hildebrand Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  3. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • IIAR Bulletin 108 • Water in Ammonia causes • loss of capacity • Increase of horsepower • “Chemical changes to compressor oil. . .’ • Organic acids • Sludges • etc. Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  4. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Water, if left unchecked, in an ammonia refrigeration plant will result in: • Contamination, • Sludge, and • Corrosion damage to components Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  5. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Symptoms of contamination • Strainers clogging. • Corrosion failure to float valve cartridges, solenoid valves, thermal expansion valves, check valves, etc. (wherever liquid is throttled). • Sight glasses coated from inside with a brown emulsion (gooey stuff!). • Problems maintaining evaporating temperatures. Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  6. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Causes of contamination - Let us look at The Players and their roles: • AMMONIA • COMPRESSOR • OIL • AIR • WATER • CO2 • DISSOCIATION BY-PRODUCTS • SLUDGE (BECOMES THE “MAALOX”) • ANAEROBIC BACTERIA • ORGANIC ACID(S) Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  7. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Remedies • Theactualremedy applied will vary with the extent of contamination found in the system. Generally the following class conditions will apply: 1. When contamination is discovered at an early stage 2. When contamination has progressed to a more serious state 3. A very seriously contaminated system Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  8. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Remedies (Class Condition-1). NOTE: This remedy should be used in conjunction to all others. • Install an ammonia still to remove the water and stop the contamination from progressing. • Liquid filters in pumped liquid lines will help clean up the contamination. (However, if water is not removed, contamination will continue to grow). Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  9. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Remedies (Class Condition-2). • Shut down system and remove all ammonia charge. • De-hydrate entire system with appropriate evacuation • Re-charge system with refrigeration grade ammonia. • Insure proper ventilation if CO2 is in use in plant processes. Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  10. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Remedies (Class Condition-3). • Shut down system and remove all ammonia charge. • Using an appropriate mixture of solvents, clean all vessels, and piping, if possible. • Clean or replace all sight glasses, strainers, throttling device kits. • Repair or replace all check valves. Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  11. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Remedies (Class Condition-3 Cont’d). • Change oil and filters on all compressors. • Dehydrate entire system with appropriate evacuation. • Re-charge system with REFRIGERATION GRADE AMMONIA. Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  12. PHILLIPS 701 Pilot Valve Parts (1) New Parts Damaged Parts        Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  13. PHILLIPS 701 Pilot Valve Parts (1) Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  14. PHILLIPS 701 Pilot Valve Parts (2) Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  15. Strainer basket New for comparison Old From -40 Deg. F. Liquid Makeup from Controlled Pressure Receiver  Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  16. TXV Cage Assembly  New  Used (1) Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  17. Damaged TXV Cage Assembly    Used (1) Example of brown emulsion (gooey stuff!)   Used (2) Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  18. Damaged TXV Cage Assembly  Used (1) Used (1)  Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  19. Damaged TXV Cage Assembly Used (2) Used (2) Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  20. Damaged Phillips Pilot Float Valve Cartridge  Used  Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  21. Damage on In-Line Check Valve Parts     Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  22. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Preventative Maintenance • Insure that ammonia still is installed and is functioning properly. • System Opening Policy (Line Breaking Permit Procedure). • Periodic inspections for negative pressure leaks (shaft seals, valve stems, etc.) Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  23. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Preventative Maintenance (Cont’d). • In plants where CO2 is used in the process, special care should be placed on proper ventilation systems to preclude the CO2 concentration from entering the Refrigeration System, through possible vacuum leaks or during service/maintenance operations. Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  24. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Preventative Maintenance (Cont’d). • Regular oil samples from all compressors should be analyzed for water, particle count, wear debris, Total Acid Number (TAN), and properties of the lubricant, i.e. viscosity, additive depletion, etc. Trend charts for monitoring change are useful. Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  25. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Preventative Maintenance (Cont’d). • Oil sample from new oil (to establish baseline) should be included with compressor oil samples. • Periodic samples from oil in oil pots should be sent to lab for analysis to determine Total Acid Number (TAN), water, and particle count. Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  26. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Preventative Maintenance (Cont’d). • Oil samples should always be collected adhering to a written oil sample procedure to insure accuracy and repeatability. • Periodic tests should be performed according to IIAR Bulletin 108. • Install filter in liquid ammonia lines. Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  27. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Summary • Water seriously damages the lubricating properties of oil and promotes component corrosion. Increased water concentrations indicate possible condensation, coolant leaks, or process leaks around the seals. Improper maintenance procedures may also contribute to this problem. Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  28. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Summary (Cont’d) • Organic acids, a by-product of oil oxidation, degrade oil properties and lead to corrosion of the internal components. • The Total Acid Number (TAN) is lowest as a virgin oil and can gradually increase with use. Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  29. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Summary (Cont’d) • A steady rise in the Total Acid Number (TAN) is an alarm for an oil change. • Increase in acid levels is typically caused by oil oxidation over time. However, acids generated due to contamination by-products will send the Total Acid Number (TAN) soaring in a relatively short time span. Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  30. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Summary (Cont’d) • The invasion of contaminants from the surrounding environment in the form of dirt, water, and process contamination are the leading cause of machine degradation and failure. Monitoring increased contamination should be the trigger to take action in order to save the oil and avoid unnecessary machine wear. Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  31. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems • Summary (Cont’d) • By identifying potential sources of contamination, it is possible to more effectively monitor the level of contaminants in the lubricating oils. Potential contaminants and sources of ingression will be identified. This will allow for proper monitoring, and specific corrective action when contamination is found. Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  32. Identification of elements in particulate matter Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  33. Acid problems inAmmonia RefrigerationSystems Questions? Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

  34. Thank You! “Tex” Copyright WMI/L. F. 'TEX' Hildebrand 02/2003

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