EPA 608 609 - EPA Refrigerant Handling Recovery, Recycling, and Reclaiming Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What percentage of refrigerant must remain in a system operating above atmospheric pressure for a passive recovery process to stop, according to EPA efficiency standards?
- 90%
- 80%
- The system must reach 0 psig or lower
- Recovery must reduce system pressure to 4 inches of mercury vacuum (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Recovery must reduce system pressure to 4 inches of mercury vacuum
For systems with a full charge of less than 200 pounds operating above atmospheric pressure, the EPA requires passive recovery to continue until the system pressure reaches 4 inches of mercury vacuum (approximately -13.5 psi). This ensures that the maximum practical amount of refrigerant is captured and not vented to the atmosphere.
Question 2: Which process restores used refrigerant to the purity standards specified by AHRI Standard 700 and is the only process that allows refrigerant to be sold to a new owner?
- Recovery
- Recycling
- Reclaiming (Correct answer)
- Recharging
Correct answer: Reclaiming
Reclaiming is the process that restores used refrigerant to AHRI Standard 700 purity levels, equivalent to virgin refrigerant. Only reclaimed refrigerant may be sold to a new owner or transferred to a different system owner. Recovery and recycling are less rigorous processes that do not meet this standard.
Question 3: What must technicians do with recovered refrigerant that is contaminated and cannot be cleaned on-site?
- Vent it to atmosphere since it cannot be reused
- Dispose of it in a municipal landfill
- Send it to an EPA-certified reclamation facility (Correct answer)
- Return it directly to the original equipment manufacturer
Correct answer: Send it to an EPA-certified reclamation facility
Contaminated recovered refrigerant that cannot be cleaned on-site must be sent to an EPA-certified refrigerant reclamation facility. These facilities have the equipment and expertise to process severely contaminated refrigerants to AHRI 700 purity standards. Venting recovered refrigerant, even if contaminated, is prohibited.
Question 4: During a refrigerant recovery operation, what indicates that a system has been sufficiently evacuated when using a recovery machine?
- The recovery cylinder feels warm to the touch
- The system pressure has reached the required vacuum level and stabilizes (Correct answer)
- The compressor current draw drops to zero
- The sight glass shows clear refrigerant
Correct answer: The system pressure has reached the required vacuum level and stabilizes
Sufficient evacuation is indicated when the system pressure reaches the required vacuum level (as specified by EPA efficiency standards based on system size and refrigerant type) AND the pressure stabilizes without rising. A pressure rise after reaching vacuum indicates refrigerant is still present and flashing off, requiring continued recovery.
Question 5: What type of refrigerant recovery system captures refrigerant without using a compressor, relying instead on pressure differentials and temperature changes?
- Active recovery system
- Vapor recovery system
- Passive recovery system (Correct answer)
- Liquid recovery system
Correct answer: Passive recovery system
A passive recovery system (also called "push-pull" passive) relies on pressure differentials between the system and the recovery cylinder, using temperature changes (such as cooling the recovery cylinder) to capture refrigerant without a dedicated recovery compressor. Passive recovery is generally slower than active (compressor-based) recovery.
Question 6: Recovery cylinders used for refrigerant must comply with which Department of Transportation (DOT) specification?
- DOT-4BA or DOT-4BW (Correct answer)
- DOT-5A or DOT-5B
- DOT-11P or DOT-11T
- Any standard pressure vessel meeting 150 psig rating
Correct answer: DOT-4BA or DOT-4BW
Refrigerant recovery cylinders must meet DOT-4BA or DOT-4BW specifications. These cylinders are specifically designed for refrigerant service with appropriate pressure ratings, fill limits, and safety devices. Using non-approved containers for refrigerant recovery is illegal and dangerous due to overpressure risk.
EPA 608 609 - EPA Refrigerant Handling Recovery, Recycling, and Reclaiming Questions and Answers 2
What percentage of refrigerant must remain in a system operating above atmospheric pressure for a passive recovery process to stop, according to EPA efficiency standards?