1

Medium

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


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

2

Difficult

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


A dry-expansion evaporator needs no expansion valve, a flooded one does
A dry-expansion evaporator always has a lower pressure than a flooded one
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 is filled with liquid, a flooded one with vapour

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)
Atmospheric pressure, approx. 1 bar abs
Positive pressure of 5–10 bar
Positive pressure of 10–20 bar

4

Easy

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


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

5

Difficult

How is oil managed in R717 systems?


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

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

8

Difficult

What should be done with contaminated R717?


Release it into the atmosphere
Dilute it with water and reuse it
Continue to use it without restriction
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
No risk whatsoever
Increased cooling efficiency
Damage to electrical equipment only

10

Difficult

What should be done if an NH₃ leak is detected?


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

11

Difficult

What role do scrubbers play in NH₃ systems?


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

12

Difficult

How should the system be prepared before filling with R717?


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

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?


No requirements
Safety goggles, gloves and respiratory protective equipment
Workwear only
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 mixes very well with the oil, which easily returns to the compressor
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)

16

Difficult

Which refrigerant can be detected with phenolphthalein paper?


R1270
R717
R744
R1234ze(E)

17

Difficult

Which system may require manual oil recovery?


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

18

Difficult

Which refrigerant is lighter than air?


R744
R1234ze(E)
R717
R1270

19

Difficult

R717 is highly corrosive to:


titanium
stainless steel
aluminium
copper (and its alloys)

20

Difficult

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


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

21

Difficult

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


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

22

Difficult

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


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

23

Difficult

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


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

24

Difficult

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


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

25

Difficult

When is two-stage compression used in NH₃ systems?


Only in small systems
Only with water-cooled condensers
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?


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

27

Difficult

How does an evaporative condenser used in NH₃ systems work?


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

28

Difficult

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


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

29

Difficult

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


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

30

Difficult

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


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

31

Difficult

What is a thermosyphon in NH₃ systems?


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

32

Difficult

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


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

33

Difficult

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


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

34

Difficult

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


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

35

Difficult

What is the characteristic feature of a flooded evaporator system?


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

36

Difficult

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


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

37

Medium

Which property of ammonia helps people detect a leak early?


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