royya wrote:I guess we should examine the control panel and the tubes from the ammonia tanks.
Rucker tells his companions
The malfunction could be mechanical or electrical. If there is a control panel that controls the flow of the gas and the pump or a leak from a broken or bended tube. Let's start from the tanks all the way to the refrigerator.
Anatomist wrote:George starts examining the hold looking for anything out of the common, corrosion from the outside or inside of tubes and hoses being one of the main thing he looks after.
Aine wrote:Martin carefully sets up his tripod, glad of its metal feet in the noxious puddles. Due to the low light, each exposure is long but Martin takes some good pictures and has a careful look at everything. Although he prides himself on his chemical knowledge, it is of no avail here.
The small group moves cautiously through the freezer hold towards the small equipment room in the back and they notice that the larger hold itself is now comfortably warm because of the air being forced from the main deck. Their electric torches chase away encroaching shadows. The ammonia fumes strengthen considerably as they approach the equipment room's hatch and each investigator begins suffering, coughing and blinking away tears.
A large pool of liquid covers the floor of the claustrophobic back room, fed by drops from the ceiling, the walls, and from nests of pipes.
George Barrow and Father Rucker immediately warn everyone of the need to avoid unnecessary contact with the watery ammonia, even as they step into puddles to enter.
Katie repeatedly flips a switch on the wall, but the overhead caged light remains stubbornly dark.
Their torchlight focuses first on the hulking main refrigeration unit which seems apparently undamaged, then the beams of light fan out. After a long minute of coughs, sniffles, and wiping of eyes,
George and Father Rucker converge on a copper feeder pipe behind the main unit, spotting that it is severely pitted, corroded completely through in some areas. Their exclamations draw the attention of
Katie and Martin and each takes turns squeezing into the cramped area to examine the pipe.
George and Katie and Father Rucker all agree that the pipe must have been exposed to a strong acid, perhaps sulphuric or hydrochloric.
Martin urges the team aside and gets to work, rapidly and adeptly photographing the room with bright white flashes.
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Job. (the tortured one)