Free 313D Refrigerant Handling and Recovery Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A technician is recovering R-410A from a residential system using a recovery machine. The recovery cylinder, which has a water capacity (WC) of 47.6 lbs and a tare weight (TW) of 18 lbs, is placed on a digital scale. What is the maximum final weight on the scale before the recovery process must be stopped?
- 47.6 lbs
- 56.1 lbs (Correct answer)
- 65.6 lbs
- 38.1 lbs
Correct answer: 56.1 lbs
To prevent dangerous hydrostatic pressure from liquid expansion, recovery cylinders must not be filled with liquid refrigerant beyond 80% of their water capacity. First, calculate the maximum refrigerant weight: 47.6 lbs (WC) * 0.80 = 38.08 lbs. Then, add the cylinder's tare weight (empty weight) to find the maximum gross weight: 38.08 lbs + 18 lbs (TW) = 56.08 lbs. The closest and safest answer is 56.1 lbs.
Question 2: According to Ontario Regulation 463/10 under the Environmental Protection Act, what is a key requirement for any person handling or purchasing refrigerants?
- They must hold a valid Gas Technician 2 (G2) license.
- They must be accompanied by a licensed journeyperson.
- They must possess a valid Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) certificate. (Correct answer)
- They must renew their trade license annually.
Correct answer: They must possess a valid Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) certificate.
In Ontario, the law requires that any individual who purchases, handles, or works with refrigerants must have completed an approved environmental awareness training course and hold a valid ODP certificate. This certification must be renewed every five years.
Question 3: A technician is preparing to recover refrigerant from a residential split system. To significantly increase the speed of the recovery process, which of the following actions is most effective?
- Using the longest possible hoses to reach the service vehicle.
- Ensuring the recovery machine is placed above the outdoor unit.
- Recovering only in the vapor phase to protect the recovery machine.
- Removing the Schrader valve cores from the service ports. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Removing the Schrader valve cores from the service ports.
The Schrader valve core is the most significant restriction in the service port. Removing it with a core removal tool before starting the recovery process dramatically increases the flow rate of both liquid and vapor refrigerant, significantly speeding up the job.
Question 4: While recovering refrigerant, a technician notices that the pressure in the recovery cylinder is rising quickly, slowing down the process. Which of the following is a recommended procedure to manage this issue and speed up recovery?
- Increase the heat on the system's liquid line with a torch.
- Cool the recovery cylinder using a water bath or wet rags. (Correct answer)
- Slightly vent the recovery cylinder to relieve pressure.
- Stop recovery and wait for the pressures to equalize naturally.
Correct answer: Cool the recovery cylinder using a water bath or wet rags.
Refrigerant recovery relies on maintaining a pressure differential between the system and the recovery tank. As the tank fills, its internal pressure and temperature rise, slowing recovery. Cooling the cylinder lowers its internal pressure, which helps maintain a favorable pressure difference and speeds up the recovery process.
Question 5: Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the handling of different types of refrigerants during recovery?
- It is acceptable to mix R-22 and R-410A in the same recovery cylinder if the total volume is low.
- Different refrigerants must never be mixed in the same recovery cylinder. (Correct answer)
- All recovered refrigerants can be topped up into other systems without processing.
- A single recovery machine can be used for all refrigerants without any purging between uses.
Correct answer: Different refrigerants must never be mixed in the same recovery cylinder.
Cross-contamination of refrigerants is strictly prohibited. Each type of refrigerant must be recovered into its own dedicated and clearly labeled recovery cylinder. Mixing refrigerants creates a contaminated blend that cannot be reused and is expensive and difficult to dispose of properly.
Question 6: A technician is called to decommission an old residential air conditioning unit. The technician successfully recovers the refrigerant into an approved cylinder. According to regulations, what must be done with the decommissioned system?
- The system can be immediately sent to a landfill.
- The lineset can be cut and left open to the atmosphere.
- A notice must be attached stating that the refrigerant has been removed. (Correct answer)
- The system must be filled with nitrogen to a pressure of 150 psig.
Correct answer: A notice must be attached stating that the refrigerant has been removed.
Ontario Regulation 463/10 requires that once a system is decommissioned and the refrigerant has been evacuated, a notice must be affixed to it. This notice must state that the refrigerant has been removed and include details such as the date, the technician's name, and their ODP certificate number.
A technician is recovering R-410A from a residential system using a recovery machine.
The recovery cylinder, which has a water capacity (WC) of 47.6 lbs and a tare weight (TW) of 18 lbs, is placed on a digital scale.
What is the maximum final weight on the scale before the recovery process must be stopped?