ammonia fridges

**saleric** · 12-09-2016, 07:46 PM

Hi, my name is Eric, handle is saleric. I recover refrigerant mostly from domestic fridges, freezers, coolers and ac units.
I also deal with propane fridges that are charged with ammonia.

**alloy2** · 12-09-2016, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by saleric

charged with ammonia.

That will sure unclog those old sinus's.

What is the ratio of water to ammonia used in one of those RV types of fridges.

**miked** · 12-09-2016, 11:13 PM

Welcome to the forum I look forward to you sharing some of your experiences. 73. Mike

**saleric** · 12-11-2016, 04:10 PM

Thank you to each one from the comments and advice given.

I found out that the fridges contain a cocktail composed of ammonia, water, hydrogen and sodium chromate. The chromate is to protect the steel pipes from corrosion. It is most likely that it was the hydrogen exploding when it hit the spark from my portable drill. The ammonia with the chromate catalyst might have joined in.
I tried piercing the lowest line in the fridge but that is where the water and nitrogen gathered; together they make a very corrosive liquid.
I am gathering more input from the manufacturers and from the Recycling Council of BC.
At this point, I think that I will proceed using a pneumatic drill and tapping into the ammonia line at the top of the heater, hopefully avoiding the hydrogen and nasty caustic liquid.

Doesn't it seem odd that with this many scrap metal people, that no one is removing the ammonia from all of the ammonia/propane fridges out there that come into scrap yards?

kindly,
saleric