EPA 608 609 - EPA Refrigerant Handling Recovery, Recycling, and Reclaiming Questions and Answers 3

Question 1

On-site recycling of recovered refrigerant means the refrigerant has been:

Accepted Answer

Cleaned using oil separation and single-pass filtering at the job site

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

80%

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

It may be used indefinitely without restrictions

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Recovery captures refrigerant from a system; recycling cleans recovered refrigerant for reuse

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

System pressure must reach 15 inches of mercury vacuum

Answer

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.

EPA 608 609 Practice Test

EPA 608 609 Practice Test

EPA 608 609 - EPA Refrigerant Handling Recovery, Recycling, and Reclaiming Questions and Answers 3