Push-Pull Chiller Recovery & Charging Chiller Training

Push-pull refrigerant recovery is a popular method for transferring large volumes of liquid refrigerant from one system to another. It is relatively fast and efficient, and it can be used to recover refrigerant from a variety of different types of systems.

In this video, we will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of push-pull refrigerant recovery, and we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to perform this process safely and efficiently. This is an extremely effective method for chiller technician. This method can be used for air cooled chillers, and water cooled Centrifugal chillers.

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[garypoplin]

9:20 - Do you know if the Fieldpiece MR45 RM can handle what you’re talking about here?

[jskipperddg]

Really looking forward to doing your hvac training chiller class soon.

[BruceEatons]

Great video, explained perfect...push pull charging 250 lbs, tommorow.. thank you

[sjc]

I did a push pull on 2 units in jan @750lb per circuit and 2 circuits per unit. Was the first time every doing it and was nerve-racking for the first unit. R134 using a chiller recovery machine and 4-1k cylinders. Super cool and educational but took about 80+ hours especially since they shut off the power to the first unit before we could stack all the refrigerant.

[chillagorilla]

Any situations where you have had to block of the fan of the recovery unit?

[pjd]

Is the type of expansion valve not a big part of it especially with an EEV.

[TheMinecraftACMan]

So if you're going to get a recovery machine involved in charging, I recommend what I call a pull-push. This is most effective on charges in the 30-200 pound range. The main advantage over a push-pull is that it's significantly easier to switch over to a regular recovery-machine charging once all the liquid is out of the tank. It's a bit slower than a push-pull because the recovery machine has to pump the liquid directly instead of inducing a siphon, so above a couple hundred pounds it stops being worth it.

Instead of using the recovery machine to pump vapor out of the system back to the tank, I use it to pump refrigerant out of the tank into the system.

It's similar to a direct liquid charge, but I add a hose hose from the vapor port to the low side of the system. This prevents the tank pressure from dropping and making the refrigerant boil off as it goes in, while maintaining a setup that's super easy to switch over to standard charging once you have all the liquid out. Once all the liquid is out, all you have to do at that point is close the vapor port on the tank and it'll start pulling the vapor out. The minimal setup rearrangement gives it a niche role in the 30-200 pound range. Under 30, you're better off just letting the vacuum suck it into the liquid then charging the rest into the suction. Over 200ish you'll probably save more time doing a regular push-pull because then the liquid flow rate isn't being hampered by having to go through the machine itself.

[ChrsDunaway]

I work primarily on large chillers. Push pull saves time, it sucks when I cant push pull because I am tying to distill the refrigerant from the oil because someone added oil to the unit when they shouldn't have.

[rmalanis]

Quick question. On air cooled chillers when we charged the system. I was told to put vapor first until above freezing. Your method of charging liquid first, wouldn’t this cause the system to possibly freeze up internally? Thanks in advance

[Bdpjev]

Olin a push pull charging scenario, going through your recovery machine, aren't you worried about cross contamination of refrigerant oils? I pull everything through my recovery machine. Are you Flushing out the machine

[TheBTraiin]

Chiller charge recovery through a gauge line 😂
All while talking seriously into the camera.

[drodriguez]

I’m pretty sure g5 twin does not have a compressor, it does not have a condenser coil. It’s a motor with a liquid pump. Similar to an oil burner oil pump and motor.