Pollution
Humain
Environnement
Economique

On 8th October, the operator of an industrial meat-based preparation plant was forced for the first time to shut down refrigeration installations run with the R22 refrigerant. No leak was detected upon restart, but a lack of refrigeration was observed 11 days later even though all 3 units were operating, compared to just 2 during normal operations. Despite the introduction of a 250-kg complement of R22 into the installation on 21st October, it was noted the next day that cold generation had been reduced to zero. A search carried out in the tunnel revealed on 23rd October a leak on a fractured weld; this flaw, detected by the odour released, was temporarily plugged. Following discovery of a new small leak on 24th October, technicians performed the repairs necessary to definitively eliminate both leaks, then 24 hours later reloaded the installation with R22 refrigerant up to normal levels (i.e. 1 additional tonne). The operator made plans to install a more sensitive R22 detector and improve controls on plant equipment by December 2005, followed during 2006 with training dedicated to refrigeration installation maintenance personnel. A refrigeration ammonia leak had already been reported inside this facility on 25th February, 2005 (ARIA 29279).