Refrigerant Recovery, Recycling & Reclamation Flashcards

What is the 'push-pull' method used in refrigerant recovery?

Answer: Connecting the recovery machine between the liquid line and recovery cylinder to use system pressure and the recovery unit together to speed liquid removal

The push-pull method routes liquid refrigerant from the system's liquid line through the recovery machine into the recovery cylinder, using both system pressure and the recovery compressor to dramatically speed up recovery from large charges.

Which refrigerant container is it ILLEGAL to refill with recovered refrigerant?

Answer: Non-refillable (disposable) refrigerant cylinders

Refilling disposable (non-refillable) refrigerant cylinders is illegal under both EPA and DOT regulations because they are manufactured for single use and are not rated to withstand repeated pressurization.

Before transferring recovered refrigerant into a recovery cylinder, what capacity limit must the technician observe?

Answer: Fill to no more than 80% of total capacity by liquid volume

Recovery cylinders must never be filled beyond 80% of their liquid capacity to allow for thermal expansion of the refrigerant, preventing dangerously high pressures that could rupture the cylinder.

Which organization must certify a refrigerant reclaimer before it can process and resell refrigerant to ARI 700 purity standards?

Answer: EPA

The EPA certifies refrigerant reclaimers, who must register with the agency and meet ARI 700 purity standards before they are permitted to resell processed refrigerant as equivalent to virgin product.

For a small appliance (Type I) with a NON-functional compressor, what is the minimum refrigerant recovery efficiency required?

Answer: 80%

When the compressor of a small appliance is not functioning, EPA 608 reduces the minimum recovery efficiency requirement to 80%, compared to 90% when the compressor is operational.

Which of the following correctly describes 'contaminated' refrigerant?

Answer: Refrigerant that contains impurities such as moisture, oil, air, or acid

Contaminated refrigerant contains foreign substances such as moisture, lubricating oil, air, acid, or other impurities that degrade performance and must be removed through recycling or reclamation before reuse.

What must happen to refrigerant that is too contaminated for on-site recycling?

Answer: It must be sent to an EPA-certified reclamation facility or destroyed

Highly contaminated refrigerant that cannot be adequately cleaned on-site must be shipped to an EPA-certified reclamation facility for processing to ARI 700 standards, or properly destroyed.