CFC Refrigerant Handling & Recovery Procedures 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum cylinder fill level (by liquid volume) for a recovery cylinder containing R-22?
- 60%
- 70%
- 80% (Correct answer)
- 90%
Correct answer: 80%
Recovery cylinders must never be filled beyond 80% of their capacity by volume to allow for liquid expansion and prevent hydrostatic failure.
Question 2: Which document must accompany recovered refrigerant shipped to an EPA-certified reclaimer?
- An EPA Form 7610
- A hazardous materials shipping paper (bill of lading) (Correct answer)
- A technician certification card copy
- An ARI 700 purity certificate
Correct answer: A hazardous materials shipping paper (bill of lading)
Recovered refrigerant shipped as a hazardous material must be accompanied by proper DOT hazardous materials shipping papers, including a bill of lading.
Question 3: A technician uses an electronic leak detector to find leaks before recovery. Which type of detector is BEST suited for detecting HFC refrigerants?
- Halide torch detector
- Heated diode detector (Correct answer)
- Ultraviolet (UV) dye detector only
- Soap bubble solution
Correct answer: Heated diode detector
Heated diode (or infrared) detectors are the most sensitive and effective method for detecting HFC refrigerants in small concentrations.
Question 4: When recovering refrigerant from a system using a recovery machine, the technician should monitor which condition to know when recovery is complete for high-pressure refrigerants?
- Sight glass shows clear liquid
- System pressure reaches 0 psig or the EPA recovery level (Correct answer)
- Discharge temperature of the recovery machine drops below 50°F
- Recovery cylinder stops gaining weight
Correct answer: System pressure reaches 0 psig or the EPA recovery level
For high-pressure refrigerants, recovery is considered complete when system pressure reaches 0 psig or the applicable EPA-mandated recovery vacuum level.
Question 5: What is the primary reason a technician should not recover refrigerant into an oxygen cylinder, even an empty one?
- Oxygen cylinders cannot withstand refrigerant pressure
- Oxygen residue creates a violently reactive explosive hazard with refrigerant (Correct answer)
- Oxygen cylinders are not DOT-approved for refrigerant
- Oxygen contaminates refrigerant beyond reclamation
Correct answer: Oxygen residue creates a violently reactive explosive hazard with refrigerant
Even trace oxygen residue in an oxygen cylinder creates an extremely explosive hazard when mixed with refrigerant under pressure.
Question 6: When is it permissible under EPA Section 608 to release refrigerant intentionally?
- When the amount is less than 1 pound
- When the refrigerant is being replaced with a more environmentally friendly alternative
- For de minimis releases that occur during good-faith recovery attempts (Correct answer)
- When the system is being permanently decommissioned
Correct answer: For de minimis releases that occur during good-faith recovery attempts
De minimis refrigerant releases that result from good-faith attempts to recover refrigerant are the only intentional releases permitted under EPA Section 608.
Question 7: A technician recovers refrigerant and stores it in a cylinder with an expired retest date. What are the consequences under DOT regulations?
- The refrigerant must be reclaimed before it can be transported
- The cylinder cannot be legally transported on public roads (Correct answer)
- The cylinder must be painted a different color to indicate expiration
- The cylinder must be retested within 30 days
Correct answer: The cylinder cannot be legally transported on public roads
DOT regulations prohibit transporting refrigerant in cylinders that have exceeded their retest date, as the cylinder's structural integrity is unverified.
CFC Refrigerant Handling & Recovery Procedures 4
What is the maximum cylinder fill level (by liquid volume) for a recovery cylinder containing R-22?