Recent Blog Posts
The world of industrial refrigeration is constantly evolving, with new standards and updates emerging to improve safety and efficiency. One recent publication, ANSI/IIAR 6-2025, has introduced a change regarding the storage of oil within machinery rooms. This update impacts how facilities manage their compressor oil and highlights a temporary but important difference with an existing […]
Question: Are oil drain valves and service valves required to be plugged or capped when not in use? Answer: Yes. All shut-off valves connecting equipment or piping to the atmosphere must be plugged, capped, blanked, or locked closed when they are not in use. ANSI/IIAR 2-2021 §13.3.2.6 states “Shut-off valves connecting ammonia-containing equipment or piping […]
Repeats and Fines in this week’s edition of the Ammonia Week in Review… Second Ammonia Leak in Six Years Forces Arena Shutdown in Port Alberni – This is the second time in six years that the chiller has suffered a “catastrophic failure,” according to city officials. […keep reading] Ammonia Leak Happens at Tyson Foods Poultry Plant – All workers […]
This is an update to a blog that was originally posted on 10/4/16. You can read the original blog here. When reviewing an ammonia refrigeration Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) and comparing it to the actual refrigeration system, I am often surprised at how often valves have not been physically labeled to match the P&ID. […]
Ammonia refrigeration systems must be equipped with a means of draining oil from the system. Over time, small amounts of oil are carried out of the compressors and mix with the ammonia vapor. The ideal place to collect and drain this oil is on the low pressure side of the refrigeration system. The cold temperatures […]