High-Pressure Liquid
The refrigerant's pressure is constant leaving the refrigerant below the interface subcooled.
30%
EPA regulations require that all commercial and industrial process refrigeration containing more than 50 lbs. of refrigerant must be repaired when the annual leak rate exceeds 30%. (Page19 ESCO EPA 9TH V2 Edition Prep Manual)
500 Microns
A finishing vacuum of 500 microns is acceptable for a new installation or a system being serviced.
0 inches of vacuum
A high-pressure appliance containing less than 200 lbs. of an HCFC or HFC refrigerant must be evacuated (recovered) to a level of 0 inches of vacuum. (Page 20 ESCO EPA 9TH V2 Edition Prep Manual)
SO2
Systems built before 1950 contain sulfur dioxide (SO2), methyl formate, and methyl chloride.
Compressor
Under EPA regulations, a ""major repair"" means any maintenance, service or repair involving the removal of any or all of the following components: compressor, condenser, evaporator or an auxiliary heat exchanger coil. (Page 23 ESCO EPA 9TH V2 Edition Prep Manual)
Accumulator
An accumulator prevents sudden surges of liquid refrigerant and oil that could enter the compressor from the suction line.
Discarded
It is a violation of Section 608 to dispose of a disposable cylinder without first recovering any remaining refrigerant (to 0 psig.), rendering the cylinder useless, and then recycling the metal. (Page 10 EPA Prep Manual)
Moisture and Particulates
A filter drier is responsible for to absorb system contaminants (moisture) and provide filtration against particulates.
EPA approved laboratory
Refrigerant Recovery and/or Recycling equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993, must be certified and labeled by an EPA approved equipment testing organization to meet EPA standards. (Page 26 ESCO EPA 9TH V2 Edition Prep Manual)
Liquid
Liquids cannot be compressed.
10 inches of vacuum
A high-pressure appliance containing 210 lbs. of R-407C refrigerant must be evacuated (recovered) to a level of 10 inches of vacuum. (Page 20 ESCO EPA 9TH V2 Edition Prep Manual)
Nitrogen
Nitrogen can be used to test the system before putting in refrigerant. If the system cannot hold pressure, there may be a leak. Nitrogen should be used to pressurize the system for leak detection.
Pressurized with an inert gas and leak checked.
After the installation of any type of system, the unit should first be pressurized with nitrogen (an inert gas) and leak checked. In order to determine the general area of a leak use an electronic or ultrasonic leak detector. (Page 21 ESCO EPA 9TH V2 Edition Prep Manual)
15%
For equipment that is not industrial or commercial, the threshold is 15%. For industrial and commerical equipment, the threshold is 35%.
retrofitted or retired within 12 months.
Type II appliances that will not be repaired must be retrofitted or retired in 12 months. If the appliance is using an exempt refrigerant then the owner has 18 months to retire the leaking system. (Page 20 ESCO EPA 9TH V2 Edition Prep Manual)
