CAR Appliance Recycler Equipment Dismantling 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During the dismantling of a chest freezer, a technician notices the polyurethane foam insulation is yellowed and brittle. This is most likely an indicator of:
- High moisture absorption degrading the foam
- CFC blowing agent has off-gassed over decades of use (Correct answer)
- Formaldehyde contamination from the liner material
- The unit was manufactured after 1995
Correct answer: CFC blowing agent has off-gassed over decades of use
Yellowing and brittleness in aged polyurethane foam indicates CFC blowing agents have migrated out over time, though residual CFCs may still be present.
Question 2: When using a power shear to dismantle appliance sheet metal, which PPE item is most critical beyond safety glasses and gloves?
- Hard hat
- Cut-resistant sleeves rated ANSI A4 or higher (Correct answer)
- Full face shield
- Steel-toed boots with metatarsal guards
Correct answer: Cut-resistant sleeves rated ANSI A4 or higher
Sheet metal edges and flying shards during power shearing create severe laceration risks requiring cut-resistant arm protection rated ANSI A4 or higher.
Question 3: A dehumidifier built before 2010 should be assessed for which refrigerant before recovery?
- R-134a
- R-410A
- R-22 (chlorodifluoromethane) (Correct answer)
- R-600a (isobutane)
Correct answer: R-22 (chlorodifluoromethane)
Many dehumidifiers manufactured before 2010 used R-22, a Class II ODS that requires certified recovery under Section 608.
Question 4: When dismantling a top-load washer, the transmission/gearcase assembly should be handled as:
- Clean scrap steel requiring no special handling
- An oil-containing component requiring drain-before-shred protocol (Correct answer)
- A mercury-bearing device requiring special disposal
- A CFC-containing part requiring EPA Section 608 certification
Correct answer: An oil-containing component requiring drain-before-shred protocol
Washer transmissions contain gear oil that must be drained to prevent soil contamination and is handled as used oil under RCRA.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a 'parts washer' station in a certified appliance recycling facility?
- To clean components for resale as used parts
- To remove grease and refrigerant oil from recovered metal scrap (Correct answer)
- To decontaminate PCB-containing capacitors before disposal
- To wash refrigerant recovery cylinders between uses
Correct answer: To remove grease and refrigerant oil from recovered metal scrap
Parts washers remove residual oils and grease from dismantled metal components to improve scrap quality and reduce contamination at downstream smelters.
Question 6: Which component in a residential dishwasher is most likely to contain a small amount of radioactive material?
- The heating element coil
- The water softener resin bed
- The turbidity sensor (Correct answer)
- The float switch assembly
Correct answer: The turbidity sensor
Some older dishwasher turbidity sensors used Am-241 (americium) as a radiation source, similar to smoke detectors.
Question 7: Before shredding refrigerator units, EPA regulations require that refrigerant recovery achieve what minimum efficiency?
- 80% of the system charge
- 90% of the system charge
- 95% of the system charge (Correct answer)
- 99% of the system charge
Correct answer: 95% of the system charge
EPA Section 608 regulations for MVACs and appliances require recovery to a level that achieves at least 95% recovery of the refrigerant charge.
CAR Appliance Recycler Equipment Dismantling 3
During the dismantling of a chest freezer, a technician notices the polyurethane foam insulation is yellowed and brittle.
This is most likely an indicator of: