CFC Refrigerant Handling & Recovery Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum recovery efficiency required for appliances containing more than 200 pounds of refrigerant when using a system-dependent recovery device?
- 80%
- 90% (Correct answer)
- 95%
- 99%
Correct answer: 90%
EPA regulations require 90% recovery efficiency for appliances containing more than 200 pounds of refrigerant when using system-dependent (passive) recovery equipment.
Question 2: Which of the following refrigerants is classified as an R-500 series azeotropic blend?
- R-502 (Correct answer)
- R-404A
- R-410A
- R-407C
Correct answer: R-502
R-502 is an R-500 series azeotropic blend consisting of R-22 and R-115, which behaves like a single-component refrigerant.
Question 3: When recovering refrigerant from a system with a leak, the technician must recover refrigerant to what condition before opening the system for repair?
- 0 psig
- Atmospheric pressure
- Below atmospheric pressure (deep vacuum)
- EPA-mandated recovery level (Correct answer)
Correct answer: EPA-mandated recovery level
Refrigerant must be recovered to the EPA-mandated recovery level before opening the system, which varies based on refrigerant type and equipment manufacture date.
Question 4: A recovery cylinder marked with a yellow top and gray body is designated for which type of refrigerant?
- Unknown or mixed refrigerants (Correct answer)
- Flammable refrigerants
- High-pressure refrigerants
- Low-pressure refrigerants
Correct answer: Unknown or mixed refrigerants
DOT color coding specifies that recovery cylinders with a yellow top and gray body are used for unknown or mixed refrigerants to prevent contamination.
Question 5: What action is required if a technician discovers that recovered refrigerant is contaminated with moisture and non-condensables?
- Vent it to the atmosphere since it cannot be reused
- Return it to the supplier for reclamation (Correct answer)
- Filter it through a drier and reuse immediately
- Store it in an unlabeled container pending disposal
Correct answer: Return it to the supplier for reclamation
Contaminated refrigerant that cannot be reused on-site must be returned to a reclaimer certified by the EPA for proper reclamation.
Question 6: Under EPA Section 608 regulations, which of the following is NOT an exempt situation allowing refrigerant release during normal operation?
- De minimis releases during good faith attempts to recover refrigerant
- Releases of nitrogen used as a pressurizing agent
- Refrigerant released during equipment testing before initial charge
- Releases resulting from purging non-condensables from a recovery cylinder (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Releases resulting from purging non-condensables from a recovery cylinder
Purging non-condensables from recovery cylinders releases refrigerant and is not an exempted activity under Section 608 regulations.
Question 7: What is the purpose of the oil separator in a refrigerant recovery machine?
- To remove moisture from the refrigerant
- To separate compressor oil from recovered refrigerant before storage (Correct answer)
- To filter out non-condensable gases
- To measure refrigerant purity
Correct answer: To separate compressor oil from recovered refrigerant before storage
The oil separator removes compressor lubricating oil from recovered refrigerant so it is not transferred into recovery cylinders, maintaining refrigerant quality.
CFC Refrigerant Handling & Recovery Procedures 2
What is the minimum recovery efficiency required for appliances containing more than 200 pounds of refrigerant when using a system-dependent recovery device?