In an average 350 ton chiller with R-11 refrigerant at 0 psi pressure, what is the estimated amount of refrigerant vapor left after all liquid has been removed?

The estimated amount of refrigerant vapor left in a 350 ton chiller using R-11 at 0 psi pressure is crucial to understand for proper maintenance and safety in refrigeration systems.

R-11 is a refrigerant that, at low pressures, can still contain a significant amount of vapor even after the liquid refrigerant has been removed. In a chiller of this size, the compressor, heat exchangers, and lines will hold a certain volume of vapor due to the design and refrigerant properties.

At 0 psi, while the bulk of liquid refrigerant may have been drained, the remaining vapor is typically a function of the chiller’s total refrigerant charge, the design of its components, and the saturation characteristics of R-11 at that pressure. The remaining vapor can commonly be in the range of 100 pounds, which reflects the system’s residual charge after liquid removal.

Therefore, estimating around 100 lb of refrigerant vapor left aligns with industry standards and practices for chillers of this size and refrigerant type, making this choice valid and emphasizing the importance of understanding refrigerant dynamics in low-pressure systems.