Ammonia system water sampling is performed to calculate how much water “moisture” is present within the refrigeration system. When water contamination is inside the refrigeration system, this can alter the lubrication properties of oil in compressors, the pressure-temperature relationship of ammonia on a saturation chart will no longer be accurate, and evaporator/heat exchanger performance is greatly reduced. In other words, too much water in the refrigeration system “waters down” the refrigerant grade ammonia. This is like when ice melts inside of a soft drink and the soft drink no longer has its fresh crisp flavor.
The following examples express the impact on the pressure-temperature relationship (saturated temperature) for ammonia at different dilution percentages:
0% dilution at 0 PSIG = -28°F
10% dilution at 0 PSIG = -25°F
20% dilution at 0 PSIG = -20°F
30% dilution at 0 PSIG = -12°F
If you follow IIAR as your best practice, it states that if your system operates in a vacuum, the water contamination sampling is to be done every 3-Years. This info is found in IIAR “2019 edition” Book 6 inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) & Book 9 “existing systems” will refer you back to Book 6 for all ITM information.
Furthermore, what if your ammonia system doesn’t operate in a vacuum? The appendixes of IIAR Book 6 states that no test is required and if no evidence exists of a secondary coolant leak, no contamination sample is required.
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