Industrial ice machines need to be tested for leaks before running. Leak testing covers several aspects. Let’s get to know the methods of leak testing and how to solve the leaks.

1. Intuitive visual leak detection

When R22 leaks, the refrigerant oil will also seep or drip out. Using this feature, you can judge whether there is a leak in the place by visual inspection or by touching it with your hands. When the leakage is small and it is not obvious to touch with your fingers, you can wear white gloves or touch the suspicious place with white paper to find the leakage.

When oil stains are found somewhere in the refrigeration system, this may be a leakage point. Intuitive visual leak detection is simple and easy, without cost, but has great defects. Unless the system has a large leak that suddenly breaks and the system leaks liquid and colored media, the visual leak detection cannot be located, because the leakage area is usually very large. It is subtle, and there are many parts of the air conditioner itself that are almost invisible.

2. Leak detection of detergent and soapy water

The cleaning solution used in the home kitchen is slightly diluted with water to become the leak detection solution for the air conditioner pipe leak detection.

soapy water can also be used as a leak detector. Cut the soap bar into thin slices, soak it in hot water, and stir to melt it. After the soapy water cools, it condenses into a thick, light yellow solution and can be used.

 When checking for leaks, use a small brush or finger to dip in washing solution or soapy water, place it on each part of the system to be checked, and observe carefully. If white foam or bubbles continue to grow in the inspected part, it means that there is a leak in that place.

The leak detection method of washing spirit and soapy water is simple and easy, and the general maintenance personnel often use this method for leak detection.

3. nitrogen water leak detection

This method is often used for leak detection of compressors (note that the wiring terminals should be protected against water), evaporators, condensers and other parts. The method is: the evaporator should be filled with 0.8MPa nitrogen, and the condenser should be filled with 1.9MPa nitrogen (for heat pump type air conditioners, both should be filled with 1.9MPa nitrogen), immersed in warm water of about 50 degrees, Observe carefully for air bubbles. The purpose of using warm water is to reduce the surface tension of the water, because the lower the temperature of the water, the greater the surface tension, and small leaks cannot be detected.

The leak detection site should be well lit and the water surface should be calm. The observation time should be no less than 30s, and the workpiece is best immersed below 20cm of the water surface.

It should be noted that the moisture used for leak detection is easy to enter the system, causing the materials in the system to be corroded. At the same time, high-pressure gas may also cause greater damage to the system. Parts after leak detection should be dried before repair welding.

4. electronic leak detection

Use the probe to move to the place where there is a possibility of leakage. When the leak detection device sounds an alarm, it means that there is a large amount of leakage.

5. fluorescent leak detection

Fluorescence leak detection is to use the principle that fluorescent leak detection agent emits bright yellow and green light under the irradiation of ultraviolet leak detection lamp to detect refrigerant leakage in the refrigeration system. When in use, you only need to add the fluorescent agent to the system in a certain proportion, wear special glasses after the system runs for 20 minutes, and illuminate the outside of the system with a leak detection lamp. The leak will be yellow fluorescence. The advantage of fluorescent leak detection is that it is accurately positioned, the leakage point can be seen directly with the eyes, and it is simple to use and easy to carry.

6. charging and pressure leak detection

After the refrigeration system has been repaired and welded, fill in 1.5MPa nitrogen before charging the refrigerant, and close the three-way overhaul valve (the valve itself cannot leak). If the gauge pressure does not drop after 12 hours, it means that the repaired refrigeration system does not leak. If the gauge pressure drops, it indicates that there is a leak, and then use the soapy water leak detection method to detect the leak.

Leak detection of industrial ice machines is still very important. Regular leak detection is necessary to prolong the service life of industrial ice machines, get more from www.icemakerchina.com.