EPA 608 609 - EPA Refrigerant Handling Recovery, Recycling, and Reclaiming Questions and Answers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On-site recycling of recovered refrigerant means the refrigerant has been:
- Processed to AHRI 700 virgin purity standards
- Cleaned using oil separation and single-pass filtering at the job site (Correct answer)
- Sent to a certified reclaimer and returned to the original owner
- Distilled and separated from all contaminants by a licensed laboratory
Correct answer: Cleaned using oil separation and single-pass filtering at the job site
On-site recycling involves cleaning recovered refrigerant using oil separation and single-pass (or multiple-pass) filtering at the service location using portable recycling equipment. Recycled refrigerant may only be returned to the same system or other systems owned by the same person — it cannot be sold to a new owner, which requires full reclamation to AHRI 700 standards.
Question 2: What is the maximum allowable fill level for a DOT recovery cylinder expressed as a percentage of its water capacity?
- 50%
- 60%
- 80% (Correct answer)
- 100%
Correct answer: 80%
DOT recovery cylinders must not be filled above 80% of their water capacity. This requirement ensures adequate vapor space above the liquid refrigerant to prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup if the cylinder is exposed to elevated temperatures. Overfilling recovery cylinders is a serious safety hazard that can cause catastrophic failure.
Question 3: Under EPA Section 608, recovery equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993 must meet EPA-certified efficiency standards. What happens to equipment manufactured before this date?
- It may be used indefinitely without restrictions (Correct answer)
- It must be grandfathered and tested annually
- It was required to meet the same efficiency standards by January 1, 1996
- It must be destroyed and replaced with certified equipment
Correct answer: It may be used indefinitely without restrictions
Recovery equipment manufactured before November 15, 1993 (the "pre-November 1993" equipment) may continue to be used without meeting the newer EPA efficiency standards. This grandfather provision allowed technicians to continue using existing equipment. However, any equipment purchased or manufactured on or after that date must meet EPA certification requirements.
Question 4: Which statement correctly describes the difference between recovery and recycling of refrigerant?
- Recovery involves cleaning refrigerant; recycling only involves capturing it
- Recovery captures refrigerant from a system; recycling cleans recovered refrigerant for reuse (Correct answer)
- Recovery and recycling are identical processes with different names
- Recycling is only performed at certified reclamation facilities
Correct answer: Recovery captures refrigerant from a system; recycling cleans recovered refrigerant for reuse
Recovery is the process of removing refrigerant from a system and storing it in an external container without necessarily purifying it. Recycling is the subsequent process of cleaning that recovered refrigerant — typically by oil separation and filtration — so it can be reused. Recycling does not meet the full purity standards of reclamation.
Question 5: What is the required recovery efficiency standard for a system containing more than 200 pounds of high-pressure refrigerant, when using recovery equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993?
- 80% efficiency
- 90% efficiency
- 95% efficiency
- System pressure must reach 15 inches of mercury vacuum (Correct answer)
Correct answer: System pressure must reach 15 inches of mercury vacuum
For systems containing more than 200 pounds of refrigerant (Type II and Type III systems with charges over 200 lbs) using equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993, the EPA requires recovery to continue until the system reaches 15 inches of mercury vacuum. This stringent standard ensures maximum refrigerant capture from large commercial systems.
Question 6: Refrigerant cylinders must be stored in which orientation to ensure the safety valve functions properly?
- Horizontally to prevent valve corrosion
- Upright (valve end up) to ensure vapor space is above the liquid (Correct answer)
- Inverted to allow liquid refrigerant to drain to the valve
- Any orientation as long as the cap is on
Correct answer: Upright (valve end up) to ensure vapor space is above the liquid
Refrigerant cylinders must be stored and transported with the valve end up (upright orientation). This ensures the pressure relief valve is in contact with the vapor space above the liquid refrigerant. If a cylinder were inverted and the relief valve opened, liquid refrigerant would be released rather than vapor — a much more dangerous situation.
EPA 608 609 - EPA Refrigerant Handling Recovery, Recycling, and Reclaiming Questions and Answers 3
On-site recycling of recovered refrigerant means the refrigerant has been: