Refrigerant Recovery, Recycling & Reclamation Flashcards
7 cards from real EPA 608 practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Refrigerant Recovery, Recycling & Reclamation flashcards as text
How long must technicians and companies retain refrigerant transaction records under EPA 608 regulations?
Answer: 3 years
EPA 608 regulations require that refrigerant purchase and recovery records be maintained for a minimum of 3 years and be available for EPA inspection upon request.
Why is venting refrigerant into the atmosphere prohibited under EPA Section 608?
Answer: CFCs and HCFCs deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, and all refrigerants are potent greenhouse gases
CFCs and HCFCs destroy stratospheric ozone, and all refrigerants including HFCs are significant greenhouse gases with high global warming potential, making intentional venting illegal under the Clean Air Act.
Which type of refrigerant release is considered 'de minimis' and is NOT prohibited by EPA 608?
Answer: Small unavoidable releases when attaching or detaching service hoses
The EPA recognizes that small, unavoidable refrigerant releases during normal service activities — such as connecting and disconnecting manifold hoses — are de minimis and are not subject to the venting prohibition.
Which statement about the reuse of recovered refrigerant is TRUE under EPA 608?
Answer: Recovered refrigerant can be returned to the same system or equipment owned by the same customer without further treatment
EPA 608 permits recovered refrigerant to be returned to the same system or other equipment belonging to the same customer without reclamation; only refrigerant sold to others must meet ARI 700 purity standards.
What must a technician do if recovery equipment is unavailable at a job site?
Answer: Stop work and not open the refrigerant circuit until proper recovery equipment is available
Lack of recovery equipment does not create an exemption; EPA regulations require technicians to halt service and not breach the refrigerant circuit until proper recovery equipment is available.
Which recovery method is typically fastest when servicing large commercial refrigeration systems with substantial refrigerant charges?
Answer: Liquid recovery or the push-pull method
Liquid recovery and the push-pull method are fastest for large systems because liquid refrigerant is far denser than vapor, allowing much more refrigerant mass to be moved in the same amount of time.
After recovering refrigerant, how should a technician properly handle and store the recovery cylinder?
Answer: Label it with the refrigerant type and store it upright in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat sources
Recovery cylinders must be clearly labeled with the refrigerant type and stored upright in a cool, ventilated area away from flames and heat to prevent overpressure and ensure safe handling.