Manual for Refrigeration Servicing Technicians - UNEP - Division of ...

4
Servicing Practices
CHAPITRE 4
PAGE 14
HALIDE HALIDE TORCH TORCH
Using an ultra-violet lamp
Ultra-violet lamp is a method commonly used in large systems
where accessing all joints and connections by soap solution or
electronic detectors is difficult.
By adding an additive dye to the refrigerant, the leak will glow yellow greencolours
when pointed by the ultra-violet lamp, as shown here:
Using additives and ultra-violet lamp
CHAPITRE CHAPITRE 4 4
PAGE PAGE 13 13
Rubber Rubber Hose Hose
(Sni�er) (Sni�er)
Using a halide torch
The halide torch used to be the traditional means of leak detection
with CFCs and HCFCs. A blue flame draws air (and refrigerant) from
the hose and across a copper catalyst.
When refrigerant burns in the presence of this catalyst, the chlorine
components of the refrigerant reacts to cause the flame to change colour
from blue (normal) to green as shown here:
Viewing Viewing
Window Window
Halide torch
DONE
Replaceable Replaceable
Copper Copper Element Element
Adjustment Adjustment
Knob Knob
Since HFCs do not contain chlorine, halide torches will not work
when searching for leaks from HFC system. The same applies to
carbon dioxide (R744), ammonia (R717) and hydrocarbons (R290,
R600a, etc). Obviously, from a safety point-of-view, the halide torch
should not be used to detect hydrocarbons or any other flammable
refrigerants, anyway, or in the presence of other flammable gases.
101
Refrigerant Refrigerant causes causes
a green a green �ame�ame