1

Medium

Why is ammonia (R717) classed as a toxic refrigerant?


Because it is heavier than air and displaces oxygen
It severely irritates the respiratory tract, eyes and skin, and is poisonous when inhaled at higher concentrations
Because it does not react with water, making neutralisation difficult
Because it is colourless and odourless and therefore hard to detect

2

Difficult

What is the main difference between a dry-expansion and a flooded evaporator?


A dry-expansion evaporator is filled with liquid, a flooded one with vapour
A dry-expansion evaporator needs no expansion valve, a flooded one does
In a dry-expansion evaporator the refrigerant completely evaporates and is superheated in the evaporator; in a flooded one part of the refrigerant remains liquid (incomplete evaporation, no superheat)
A dry-expansion evaporator always has a lower pressure than a flooded one

3

Difficult

What is the typical pressure in the evaporator of an R717 deep-freeze system (below −40 °C)?


Below atmospheric (approx. 0.7 bar abs at −40 °C)
Positive pressure of 10–20 bar
Atmospheric pressure, approx. 1 bar abs
Positive pressure of 5–10 bar

4

Easy

What is the basic requirement when charging a system with R717 (NH₃)?


Charging can be carried out without personal protective equipment
Charging should take place in a well-ventilated area using appropriate personal protective equipment
Charging must only take place at temperatures below 0°C
NH₃ can be charged together with air

5

Difficult

How is oil managed in R717 systems?


Oil can be mixed with any refrigerant
Oil requires no monitoring
Oil collecting at the lowest points of vessels is regularly checked and drained, because it impairs heat transfer
Oil has no effect on system operation

6

Easy

What is the correct procedure for recovering R717 from a system?


The refrigerant can be drained into the sewer system
Recovery is not required
The refrigerant must be recovered into suitable, leak-proof tanks designed for NH₃
The gas can be released into the atmosphere

7

Easy

How should R717 (NH₃) be stored?


In any open containers
In sealed, labelled containers, in a cool and well-ventilated place
Near heat sources
In unmarked plastic containers

8

Difficult

What should be done with contaminated R717?


Continue to use it without restriction
Release it into the atmosphere
Dilute it with water and reuse it
Purify it or send it for disposal in accordance with regulations

9

Easy

What is the main hazard associated with an R717 leak during maintenance work?


Toxic to humans and may cause chemical burns
Damage to electrical equipment only
Increased cooling efficiency
No risk whatsoever

10

Difficult

What should be done if an NH₃ leak is detected?


Evacuate people immediately and raise the alarm; stop the leak only if it is safe to do so and with suitable PPE (respiratory protection)
Increase the pressure in the system
Carry on working wearing a dust mask
Carry on working with the room door open

11

Difficult

What role do scrubbers play in NH₃ systems?


They are used to measure temperature
They increase the pressure in the system
Neutralise ammonia through absorption in a liquid (e.g. water)
They store the refrigerant

12

Difficult

How should the system be prepared before filling with R717?


Check for leaks, remove air and moisture, and create a vacuum
There is no need to check it
Simply start it up
The pressure must be increased above the standard level

13

Difficult

What are the transport requirements for R717?


It must be carried in suitable, labelled packagings in accordance with ADR (UN 1005, class 2, code 2TC)
It can be carried without labelling
It can be carried in open containers
Transport is not regulated

14

Easy

What personal protective equipment is required when working with NH₃?


Workwear only
Safety goggles, gloves and respiratory protective equipment
No requirements
Only a safety helmet

15

Difficult

Which statement best describes the behaviour of R717 and mineral compressor oil?


An oil return line cannot be used in R717 systems because the oil is too hot
R717 does not mix with the oil; the oil collects on the high-pressure side above the R717
R717 does not mix with the oil; the oil, being heavier than liquid NH₃, collects beneath it at the lowest points (mainly on the low-pressure side)
R717 mixes very well with the oil, which easily returns to the compressor

16

Difficult

Which refrigerant can be detected with phenolphthalein paper?


R1270
R717
R744
R1234ze(E)

17

Difficult

Which system may require manual oil recovery?


R744 cascade system
Secondary system using R744
Supercritical ‘booster’ system using R744
An R717 system

18

Difficult

Which refrigerant is lighter than air?


R744
R1234ze(E)
R717
R1270

19

Difficult

R717 is highly corrosive to:


stainless steel
copper (and its alloys)
aluminium
titanium

20

Difficult

What is the recommended pre-alarm level for fixed leak detection systems for R717?


500 ppm
500,000 ppm
5,000 ppm
50,000 ppm

21

Difficult

Why are compressors with a separate motor (open type) mostly used in R717 systems?


Because NH₃ attacks copper motor windings, so hermetic compressors with conventional windings are not used
To increase the refrigerant charge
To lower the condensing pressure
Because they are cheaper

22

Difficult

Which type of compressor is most commonly used in large ammonia systems?


Rotary vane compressor
Diaphragm compressor
A reciprocating or screw compressor
Hermetic scroll

23

Difficult

How is the capacity of a piston compressor regulated in NH₃ systems?


By increasing the condensing pressure
Solely by adjusting the oil volume
By unloading the cylinders or changing the rotational speed
By reducing the refrigerant charge

24

Difficult

How is the capacity of a screw compressor most commonly controlled?


By using a slide valve
By adjusting the oil level
By closing the suction valve
By changing the type of oil

25

Difficult

When is two-stage compression used in NH₃ systems?


Only with water-cooled condensers
Only in small systems
At small temperature differences
At low evaporating temperatures (pressures) and high pressure ratios

26

Difficult

What is the advantage of two-stage compression over single-stage compression?


Higher efficiency and lower discharge temperature
Higher energy consumption
No need for a separator
Lower efficiency

27

Difficult

How does an evaporative condenser used in NH₃ systems work?


It transfers heat only to the air
Operates without a fan
It utilises the evaporation of water to increase cooling efficiency
It does not require a water supply

28

Difficult

What is the function of the liquid separator in an NH₃ system?


It prevents liquid from entering the compressor
Regulates the condensing pressure
It separates oil from the refrigerant
Increases the discharge temperature

29

Difficult

What is the purpose of monitoring the liquid level in the separator?


To reduce the condensing temperature
To control the condenser fan
To increase the oil volume
To maintain the correct refrigerant level and prevent the compressor from flooding

30

Difficult

What is the role of the float switch in NH₃ systems?


It is used to detect leaks
It monitors the liquid level in the tank or separator
It controls the fan’s operation
It regulates the condensation temperature

31

Difficult

What is a thermosyphon in NH₃ systems?


A type of safety valve
An oil circulation pump
A defrosting device
A system with gravity-driven (natural) circulation of liquid refrigerant caused by density differences, used e.g. for screw compressor oil cooling

32

Difficult

Why are oils that are immiscible with the refrigerant used in NH₃ systems?


To reduce the pressure
Because the oil mixes only with water
To increase the amount of refrigerant
Because NH₃ does not mix with most compressor oils

33

Difficult

What is the main function of an oil separator in NH₃ systems?


To increase fan efficiency
Removing moisture from the system
To lower the condensation temperature
To separate the oil from the refrigerant and return the oil to the compressor

34

Difficult

In which NH₃ system does the refrigerant evaporate completely with superheat in the evaporator, fed by an expansion valve?


A glycol system
An indirect system
A direct-expansion (DX) system
A pumped liquid-recirculation system

35

Difficult

What is the characteristic feature of a flooded evaporator system?


No separator is used
The evaporator is filled exclusively with vapour
The evaporator contains a large amount of liquid, which improves heat transfer
No level control is required

36

Difficult

What is the main difference between a direct and an indirect system?


In an indirect system, NH₃ flows directly into the space being cooled
In a direct system, there is no evaporator
In an indirect system, NH₃ cools an intermediate medium (e.g. glycol), which in turn cools the load
In an indirect system, no compressor is used

37

Medium

Which property of ammonia helps people detect a leak early?


It is odourless
It is yellow in air
It is denser than air
A very low odour threshold (a few ppm)