Before recovering refrigerant from a chiller suspected of having tube leaks, you should drain which components?

• A. The water sides of the evaporator and condenser
• B. The oil sump
• C. The refrigerant storage tank
• D. The compressor housing

Answer: (A)

When a chiller is suspected of having tube leaks, refrigerant can migrate into the water-side circuits of the heat exchangers. Draining the water sides of both the evaporator and condenser is needed before recovering refrigerant so any refrigerant that has leaked into those water loops is removed. This prevents refrigerant from remaining trapped in the water-side passages, reduces the risk of contamination of the water with refrigerant, and ensures a safer, more complete recovery process. Draining other components like the oil sump, the refrigerant storage tank, or the compressor housing wouldn’t address the leak path or aid in removing refrigerant from the water loops.