CAR Refrigerant Recovery & Handling Flashcards

Under EPA Section 608 regulations, technicians who recover refrigerants from appliances must use equipment that is certified by which organization?

Answer: EPA-approved testing organization

EPA Section 608 requires that recovery equipment be certified by an EPA-approved testing organization to ensure proper refrigerant capture.

What is the primary environmental concern associated with releasing CFC-12 refrigerant into the atmosphere during appliance recycling?

Answer: Ozone layer depletion

CFC-12 is an ozone-depleting substance (ODS) that breaks down stratospheric ozone when vented to the atmosphere.

Which refrigerant type replaced CFCs in most household refrigerators manufactured after 1995 in the US and is classified as an HFC?

Answer: R-134a

R-134a (HFC-134a) became the dominant domestic refrigerator refrigerant after CFCs were phased out under the Clean Air Act.

Before opening a refrigerant circuit on an appliance being recycled, the CAR technician should first verify the system is depressurized by:

Answer: Checking the service valve with a manifold gauge set

Connecting a manifold gauge set to the service port confirms system pressure before any circuit is opened, preventing uncontrolled refrigerant release.

What is the correct disposal requirement for a recovery cylinder that has reached its rated test date and can no longer be refilled?

Answer: Render it unserviceable and send it to a certified cylinder reconditioner or scrap

Out-of-date DOT cylinders must be rendered unserviceable (valve removed or holes drilled) and returned to a reconditioner or scrapped; they cannot legally be refilled.

A recycling technician discovers an appliance contains an unknown refrigerant. The safest immediate action is to:

Answer: Use an identifier device to determine the refrigerant type before recovery

A refrigerant identifier determines the type and purity so the correct recovery equipment, cylinder, and disposal pathway can be used safely.