Compressor manufacturers recommend the installation of suction line filterdriers to protect their equipment from contaminants left in the system after a burnout. These suction line filter-driers include protection from moisture and organic or inorganic acids, resulting from burnouts, or chemical changes in the system refrigerant or oil. They’re especially suited for system cleanup after a burnout, or when major work has been performed on the system.
Here, courtesy of Emerson, is a look at the safety and installation tips related to suction line filter-driers.
- Read the instructions thoroughly. Failure to follow instructions may result in filter-drier failure, system damage, or personal injury.
- The system must be pumped down and line depressurized before attempting to install. Failure to do so can result in personal injury.
- Extreme care should be used in handling contaminated refrigerant. Failure to do so may result in personal injury.
- Do not remove seal caps until ready for installation. The seal caps should be removed by unscrewing the plastic caps if SAE connections, or pulling out with long nose pliers for ODF connections.
- Do not install access valve cores until all brazing is completed. Installation prior to brazing may cause damage to valve cores seals.
- The filter-drier may be installed in any position. For best results, locate the filterdrier as close as possible to the inlet of the compressor installation upstream of vibration eliminators is suggested. When the piping arrangement results in excessive stress on refrigerant line, the filter drier should be supported by a suitable bracket.
- Install with arrow pointing in direction of flow (toward compressor). Reverse flow may cause internal damage.
- Clean and deburr piping ends to provide a good brazing surface.
- Use an inert gas, such as nitrogen, to pass through the lines while brazing, to prevent formation of copper oxides.
- High temperature brazing alloys may be used. Normal precautions should be taken by directing the flame away from the filterdrier shell. Use chill blocks, wet rags, or other suitable heat protection for the filter-drier.
- When the shell has cooled, install valve cores with tool provided and replace seal caps. Don’t charge the system until valve cores are installed.
- To prevent twisting the refrigerant line, use a back-up wrench on line flats supplied on SAE connections.
- Thoroughly test the system for leaks after installation. Failure to do so could result in loss of refrigerant.
- Emerson suction line filter-driers are intended for use on the following refrigerants up to the maximum working pressure marked on the product: CFCs, HFCs, HCFCs, mineral oil, POE and alkybenzene.
Do not use Emerson suction line filterdriers on any other fluid media without written approval of the Emerson Climate Technologies Flow Controls Division applications engineering department. Use on fluids not listed could result in chemical deterioration of the filter drier.