Datum: Nov.

2007
Customer Information vertK/alleVK/kundeninfo/CO2appli
HRP pumps in CO2 applications cations
Blatt 1 / 2 MW

1. Dry CO2 for use as a refrigerant.

In order to use CO2 as a refrigerant the water content must be limited.
Only if the water content of the refrigerant is lower than 10 ppm should CO2 be used as a refrigerant
(pharmaceutical quality).

Higher water content will result in blocked filters and solenoid valves. Blocked filters in the refrigerant
pumps will result in a lack of liquid refrigerant to cool motor and bearings. In addition ice crystals will
cause excessive wear of the inner parts and lead to grooves in the intermediate pieces.

Filter driers in a bypass-line after the refrigerant pumps are mandatory. Molecular sieves will take
any moisture out of the system. When the pressure drop over the filter drier is measured this will
indicate when the filters become blocked and need to be exchanged or regenerated. Also after
refilling the system with new CO2 the old drier core inserts should be exchanged for new ones.

It is recommended the system is charged via the liquid line in front of the filter driers. In this way
most moisture that may have condensed in the filling line of the truck or the bottles is caught in the
filter driers. Use dry filling hoses only.

2. Cleanliness of the system

CO2 is an excellent solvent and as such will “clean” the entire system within the first hours of
operation.

It is recommended to use only internally cleaned pipes within the system. Upmost care should be
taken that no slag, welding material, protective oil coatings, varnish or dirt can contaminate the
system. For welding or soldering use at all times a shield gas if possible.

During the first weeks of operation the inlet filter of the pump should be inspected frequently and
cleaned when required. If necessary start-up filters should be installed in the pump discharge line.

A refrigerant pump is normally installed at the lowest point in the system. Any dirt will therefore
collect in the pump. Switching between stand-by and operating pump frequently will avoid debris
accumulating in the stand-by pump.

3. Oil in the system

As with any other contamination oil will prevent the proper cooling of the motor and bearings in
hermetic refrigerant pumps. Additives in the oil can react with CO2 and form a sticky layer. As a
result valves can become stuck and strainers get blocked causing them not operate correctly.

4. Proper venting of a hermetic pump in stand-still

To ensure a pump at stand-still can be vented properly, the following should be considered:

The internal vent line of HRP pumps will let any gas that may form during stand-still pass to the
suction side of the pump. Therefore it is essential the suction downleg is open to the surge drum. If
the down leg is closed during stand-still, e.g. by an automatic valve, it must be ensured this valve is
opened an adequate period before starting up the pump, e.g. 10 minutes for cold pumps up to 20
minutes for warm pumps prior to start.

If the first valve on the discharge side is not directly positioned at the discharge flange, but installed
further away, too much gas is trapped during standstill, which cannot be internally vented by the
pump. Therefore, in order to ensure all gas is properly vented to the suction side, an additional vent
line, e.g. to the pump suction downleg may be necessary.
 Datum: Nov. 2007
Customer Information vertK/alleVK/kundeninfo/CO2appli
HRP pumps in CO2 applications cations
Blatt 2 / 2 MW

When the pump is stopped and started within a short period of time there may not be sufficient time
for all gas that has been created to vent trough the pump. Therefore it is advisable to switch between
the stand-by pump and the operating pump. Restarting the pump should not be attempted for at
least 10 minutes.

5. Increased down leg height with CO2 above -10°C

The density of liquid and gaseous CO2 becomes closer at warmer temperatures, which will reduce
the subcooling ability. Therefore it is recommended to increase the suction head to 2 to 2,5m for
CO2 applications of temperatures warmer than -10°C. The increased downleg head does not apply
to vertical pumps.

6. Reverse flow of refrigerant through hermetic pumps

When check valves are not installed or do not function properly, refrigerant can flow backwards
through the pump, causing excessive wear of the internal parts.
Refrigerant pumps are designed to transport liquid refrigerant from the suction to the discharge side.
When rotary pumps are allowed to run backwards they work as a turbine. Without the correct flow
direction of refrigerant, motor and bearings will not function properly and excessive wear will occur.
This is not only applicable to CO2, but to all refrigerants.

7. Running against closed discharge

At no time should the pump operate against partially at or at fully closed throttled condition. A proper
sized pressure differential regulator in the pump bypass is recommended. When the maximum
pressure is exceeded the motor will create too much gas. In addition with frequent starts/stops
damage can occur to the internal parts, similar to the damage that is observed for backwards
running pumps.

8. Use of frequency converters

When using frequency inverters care should be taken that there is still sufficient refrigerant flow
through the pump. Therefore the minimum frequency must be limited to 40 Hz.

Summery:
• Moisture content of CO2 to be < 10 ppm.
• Use filter driers in a bypass line after the pump.
• Connect the CO2 charging connection immediately in front of the filter driers
• Make sure the system is free of any contamination. If start-up filters are necessary, position
them in the pump discharge line.
• Increase the suction head of horizontal pumps to 2-2,5 m if CO2 is warmer than -10°C
• Avoid multiple starts/stops. For proper venting do not restart for at least 10 minutes.
• When the system conditions allow running against closed discharge, use an adjustable by-
pass valve (set to the proper differential pressure).
• Operate frequency inverters above 40 Hz.