EPA Refrigerant Recycling and Reclamation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What information must be displayed on refrigerant recovery cylinder labels?
- The recovering technician's certification number only
- The refrigerant type, date of recovery, and processing status (recovered, recycled, or reclaimed) (Correct answer)
- Only the type of refrigerant contained in the cylinder
- The model and serial number of the system from which refrigerant was recovered
Correct answer: The refrigerant type, date of recovery, and processing status (recovered, recycled, or reclaimed)
Recovery cylinders must be labeled with the refrigerant type, recovery date, and the status of the refrigerant to maintain proper identification and chain of custody.
Question 2: What must happen to refrigerant that cannot be recycled or reclaimed?
- It may be released into the atmosphere in quantities under the de minimis threshold
- It must be returned to the refrigerant manufacturer
- It must be sent to an EPA-approved destruction facility (Correct answer)
- It may be stored indefinitely in recovery cylinders without further action
Correct answer: It must be sent to an EPA-approved destruction facility
Refrigerant that cannot be recycled or reclaimed must be sent to an EPA-approved destruction facility, as venting any refrigerant is prohibited under Section 608.
Question 3: Can recycled (but not reclaimed) refrigerant be sold or transferred to a new owner?
- Yes, if the buyer signs a written waiver of liability
- Yes, as long as it passes a field purity test performed by the technician
- No, recycled refrigerant not meeting AHRI 700 standards can only be used by the same owner (Correct answer)
- Yes, if both parties hold valid Universal EPA certifications
Correct answer: No, recycled refrigerant not meeting AHRI 700 standards can only be used by the same owner
Recycled refrigerant that has not been reclaimed to AHRI 700 purity standards is restricted to use by the same owner; it cannot be transferred to a different person or company.
Question 4: What is the certification requirement for refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993?
- Manufacturers must self-certify the equipment annually
- Equipment must be certified every 5 years by ASHRAE
- Equipment must be certified by an EPA-approved equipment testing organization (Correct answer)
- No certification is required; only technician certification matters
Correct answer: Equipment must be certified by an EPA-approved equipment testing organization
Recovery and recycling equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993 must be certified by an EPA-approved equipment testing organization to ensure it meets performance standards.
Question 5: What is the primary role of an EPA-registered refrigerant reclaimer?
- To test refrigerant purity in the field at HVAC job sites
- To reprocess recovered refrigerant to AHRI 700 purity standards for resale (Correct answer)
- To certify HVAC technicians for Section 608 compliance
- To manufacture replacement refrigerants that meet EPA phase-out requirements
Correct answer: To reprocess recovered refrigerant to AHRI 700 purity standards for resale
EPA-registered reclaimers operate off-site facilities that reprocess recovered refrigerant to AHRI 700 purity standards, enabling the refrigerant to re-enter commerce.
Question 6: Which action is PROHIBITED under EPA Section 608 during the refrigerant recycling process?
- Returning recycled refrigerant to the same system it was recovered from
- Sending recovered refrigerant to a certified EPA-registered reclaimer
- Knowingly venting recovered or recycled refrigerant during operations (Correct answer)
- Storing recovered refrigerant in DOT-approved recovery cylinders
Correct answer: Knowingly venting recovered or recycled refrigerant during operations
Knowingly venting refrigerant at any stage—including during recovery, recycling, or reclamation operations—is explicitly prohibited under EPA Section 608 regulations.
Question 7: If reclaimed refrigerant fails to meet AHRI 700 purity standards, what must the reclaimer do?
- Sell it with a disclosure label noting it does not meet full purity standards
- Reprocess it until it meets AHRI 700 standards or send it to an approved destruction facility (Correct answer)
- Reclassify it as recycled refrigerant for use by the original system owner
- Store it in certified containers until new purity standards are issued
Correct answer: Reprocess it until it meets AHRI 700 standards or send it to an approved destruction facility
Refrigerant that fails AHRI 700 purity specifications must either be reprocessed to achieve the required standard or be sent to an EPA-approved destruction facility.
EPA Refrigerant Recycling and Reclamation 2
What information must be displayed on refrigerant recovery cylinder labels?