Cylinder handling
R-290 is available in a large variety of different cylinders, which are to be distin-
guished whether they are refillable or not. Most refillable cylinders are equipped
with pressure relief valves, often with own special construction of valves in order
to distinguish them from the cylinders of different refrigerants.
Often special legal requirements about the handling of flammable refrigerants
exist in the different countries. These requirements must be studied and ad-
hered to. Principally the following regulations in dealing with R-290 cylinders ap-
ply:
1. Do not remove or destroy official stickers of the cylinder
2. Close the cylinder with a cap any time the cylinder is not used
3. Never expose the cylinder to direct heat
4. Do not repair or modify the cylinder or the cylinders‘ connections
5. Only use suitable equipment for transportation of the cylinder, even for
short distances. Never roll the cylinder across the ground.
6. Take appropriate measures in order to prevent impurities, water or oil from
entering the cylinder.
7. Should it be necessary to warm the cylinder, only use warm water or air in
which the temperature must not exceed 40°C (104°F). Open flames or ra-
diant heaters are not allowed at any time.
8. Weigh the cylinder and compare it against the tare weight (normally
stamped on the cylinder) in order to make sure that it is empty. Pressure
control is no secure method to find out if and how much refrigerant there is
inside the cylinder.
9. For accurate charging, use a set of reliable scales with appropriate resolu-
tion (depending on the size of system charged with refrigerant) and use
the smallest size of cylinder available.
10. For recovery of R-290, only use cylinders which are allowed to be filled
with R-290.
11. Make sure that safety inspections are still valid (i.e. within date), specifi-
cally with regards to safety test certification.
12. For refillable recovery cylinders keep in mind that with recovered amounts
of HC refrigerant, oil will always be present specific amounts may remain
in the cylinder after emptying.
The storage of R-290 cylinders is controlled by regulations. These regulations
take priority over the present guidelines. Typically, such rules imply the follow-
ing:
1. Cylinders should be stored in a separate area, preferably outside, other-
wise in a dry, well ventilated place far away from any ignition source.
2. Admission to storage area must only be given to authorised personnel.
Storage areas must be labelled with “no smoking” and “no naked flames”
signs.
3. Storage areas should be at ground level and never in the basement.
4. Access should be easy – exclude any obstacles.
5. Cylinders should be stored and operated only in an upright position.
6. Choose appropriate measures to prevent static charges
7. Please remember that the maximum quantity of stored refrigerant some-
times might be regulated by national regulations.
The transport of cylinders is controlled by laws in most countries. These laws
must always be regarded first before the mentioned guidelines here. In many
cases information about regulations for the transport of cylinders could be given
by the dealer of the refrigerant.
Read More!
Guidlines for the
safe use of
hydrocarbon
refrigerants
GIZ—PROKLIMA
http://www.giz.de/
proklima
Charging HC!
Always use the
smallest cylin-
der possible and
relay on appro-
priate accurate
and sensitive
scales
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