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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR

VA-TRAN SYSTEMS VT-300-12 SATELLITES

 Va-Tran Systems satellite reservoirs are installed as a part of an existing High Pressure Vapor/Liquid CO₂ Distribution system. Only qualified and authorized personnel should perform any maintenance. The Vapor/Liquid Distribution system is at approximately 300psig. Pressures of this magnitude can be dangerous or deadly if not handled properly. Questions about safe working practices for high pressure gasses should be answered before beginning work on a pressure charged system. The Va-Tran Systems satellite will continue to be under pressure even if the valve to the primary pressure source is closed.

The Va-Tran Systems Satellite reservoirs contain refrigeration equipment and, like all such equipment, may condense water from ambient air. Care should be taken to ensure that this equipment will not cause dripping on personnel or equipment sensitive to water.

Va-Tran Systems satellite reservoirs should be elevated relative to the environmental chamber(s) to be supplied and as close to the point of liquid CO₂ delivery as reasonably possible. The liquid line from the CO₂ satellite should run downhill at all points to allow any bubbles generated in the liquid line to return to the CO₂ storage tank. For proper performance, the downward slope of the liquid delivery line should be at a minimum of 10% (A drop of 1 foot vertical for every 10 foot of horizontal run).

When positioning the satellite it is important to allow a minimum of 12" clearance between any wall and the ventilation screens on the sides of the unit. The airflow through these screens must never be blocked or the compressor may overheat and have a dramatically decreased lifetime. The location of the cabinet should allow for ease of access to both end panels and screens to allow for installation as well as periodic cleaning and maintenance.

1. Unbox the unit and check for visible shipping damage before removing equipment from the receiving area. Notify freight carrier company and request an inspection if damage is suspected.

2. Remove the shipping bolts securing the unit to the pallet.

3. Lift the satellite between the two metal skids. If a lifting device is placed underneath the CO₂ storage end, the liquid outlet fitting may be bent into the foam insulation. This may cause damage not covered by the warranty .

4. Install satellite in the desired location allowing a minimum of 12" clearance between a wall and the screens for proper cooling and maintenance.

5. The liquid outlet from the satellite is on the underside of the satellite. It is located on the end opposite the CO₂ vapor inlet valve. Using the 1-1/16" 1/2" drive deep socket provided, remove the 5/8" flare nut from the 5/8" male flare fitting. Use care as the liquid outlet line is easily bent and must run slightly downhill as positioned at the factory.

 

NOTE: All satellites are shipped with some residual pressure in the reservoir, this pressure should be relieved by opening the vapor inlet valve before connecting the unit to the vapor supply or liquid line.

 

6. Attach the 2 1/4" long 5/8" copper pipe stub to the flare fitting. Use the same deep socket used in the previous step to tighten the flare nut. A new flare fitting should seal easily with approximately 35-45 ft-lbs of torque. Do not over tighten the flare fitting as the liquid line may be bent inside the foam insulation.

7. Connect your liquid distribution line to the pipe stub attached in step #6. The liquid distribution line may be attached with compression or flare fittings or may be brazed on for a permanent installation.

 

Va-Tran Systems recommends using a VT-11 3/4" Ball Valve on the liquid outlet of all satellite reservoirs. The use of this valve allows service to be performed on the liquid line without draining the entire satellite reservoir of liquid CO₂. These valves are constructed specially to prevent liquid CO₂ from being trapped within the ball when the valve is closed. If another valve is used a dangerous situation may occur causing the valve body to rupture.

 

8. Connect the CO₂ vapor line from supply to satellite vapor input valve. The unit is shipped with a 1/4" male flare fitting. If this fitting is to be removed, use a 3/4" open end wrench to hold the valve adapter inside cabinet while unscrewing the flare fitting using a 9/16" box end wrench. If this procedure is not followed the valve adapter may unscrew from the valve body.

9. Purge CO₂ vapor inlet lines and fill the satellite with 300 psig CO₂ vapor. Leak check all connections with soapy water or another bubbling type leak locator. This purging procedure eliminates any air and moisture in the vapor supply lines.

10. Install insulation around all exposed areas of the liquid outlet line and the customer liquid line connection.

Va-Tran Systems recommends using 2" O.D. closed cell rubber tubing insulation. This 5/8" I.D. X 11/16" wall tubing can be slit and glued using contact cement, then wrapped with 1/8" X 2" foam insulation tape. Seal any gaps between the insulation and pan hole with silicone rubber caulking to ensure a water tight seal (note: if CO₂ lines are not properly insulated they may frost and drip.) This insulation tubing is available from Va-Tran Systems in six foot lengths (Part Number VT-6F).

 

11. Connect power source. Refer to label above power cord on cabinet for proper voltage requirement (Generally 230 VAC, 60Hz, 14.3 Amps, Single Phase). Note: Compressor failure can occur if the voltage is not within factory specifications +/- 10%.

For additional information regarding this product contact Va-Tran Systems, Inc.

The condenser radiator should be cleaned periodically to prevent compressor overheating. The condenser radiator is located near the compressor and has a fan drawing air through it. Cleaning is easily done by removing the screen covering the condenser and vacuuming the dust accumulation from the condenser. If airborne dust is not of concern, a soft brush or compressed air may be used to dislodge the accumulated dust.

The fan on the condensing unit should be oiled every 3-6 months with 2-3 drops of SAE 30 oil. This can be done by removing the compressor end panel and removing the dust plug at the rear of the fan motor. The dust plug must be replaced after each oiling or the lifetime of the fan will be shortened.

The compressor oil level should be maintained at or slightly above the center of the sightglass while operating. An abnormally low oil level may result in a loss of lubrication; while an excessively high oil level may result in oil slugging and possible damage to the compressor valves or excessive oil circulation. The oil level may very considerably on initial start-up if liquid refrigerant is present in the crankcase. The oil level should be checked with the compressor running after having reached a stabilized condition.

If a Va-Tran Systems reservoir must be emptied for service or transportation, the safest and simplest method is to ensure that a free path to the bulk tank exists (no closed valves on the vapor line leading to the receiver) and to simply remove power from the satellite. This allows the liquid in the reservoir to boil back to the tank. Check to ensure that all residual liquid CO₂ has been removed from the tank by slightly cracking a connection in the liquid outlet line and seeing if dry ice is generated. If the liquid CO₂ is still present, the opening will "spit" dry ice as a white cloud.

 

NOTE: After the liquid has boiled back to the bulk tank, there will still be 300 psig CO₂ vapor in the satellite.

If it is necessary to drain the reservoir quickly, the method recommended by Va-Tran Systems is to attach a injection tube to the liquid outlet line and to open the valve allowing the CO₂ liquid be turned to dry ice and vapor in the injection tube.

Va-Tran Systems injection tubes have been specially designed for the conversion of CO₂ liquid to solid to occur within these tubes. A satellite can also be drained through the liquid outlet by continuous injection into a temperature chamber attached to it. Leave the vapor input line connected and input valve open. Simply leave the door on your chamber open and set the chamber to go cold.

 

CAUTION: Make sure there is a free path "downwind" from the satellite if it will be drained in this manner. This procedure can generate a cloud of high velocity CO₂ several feet from the reservoir. Allow for adequate ventilation in the area in which this procedure will be done. CO₂ will fall to the floor because it is heavier than air, however the hazard of an Oxygen depleted environment must be avoided. Carbon Dioxide is not a toxic gas, it will however displace Oxygen and can cause unconsciousness if breathed in a concentration exceeding 10%. Before the concentration reaches this level however a sharp odor or taste may be detected. The liquid from a VT 300-12 will occupy over 2,600 cubic feet as a vapor, so any area smaller than 26,000 cubic feet should certainly not be used for this procedure without proper ventilation.

 

 

DO NOT SIMPLY OPEN EITHER OF THE VALVES DIRECTLY TO ATMOSPHERE. Opening the vapor line to the atmosphere will allow the pressure to be reduced in the satellite to the point where all of the liquid will solidify and turn to dry ice. It can take over a week for the dry ice in the tank to sublime (vaporize) and this will only occur if the valve continues to be left open. Leaving the valves to the satellite open will allow water vapor in the air to enter the tank and condense which will contaminate the CO₂ systems served by the satellite.

 

Opening the liquid line directly to atmosphere will allow dry ice to be formed in a number of possible places, such as in the valve or in any hose connected to the valve. This dry ice will form a plug and stop the flow. This can cause overpressure to occur or the plug could dislodge as the pressure rises allowing it to become a dangerous missile.

ALWAYS DRAIN THE VA-TRAN SYSTEMS SATELLITE RESERVOIR FOLLOWING THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS. DO NOT PERFORM A SUBSTITUTE PROCEDURE NOT AUTHORIZED BY VA-TRAN SYSTEMS.

All Va-Tran Systems equipment has been designed with the safety of the user in mind. This equipment is protected against overpressure. Do not defeat or replace the factory installed safety devices with unapproved substitutes.

Do not close the CO₂ vapor inlet valve when liquid CO₂ is present in the satellite. Overpressure will occur causing the overpressure device to rupture as designed.

Additional Relief Valves and Rupture Devices are available directly from Va-Tran Systems. Occasionally an overpressurization of a satellite reservoir will cause a rupture device to burst. Spare rupture disks should be readily available to allow for immediate replacement.