Refrigerant Recovery and Handling Flashcards

What EPA regulation requires technicians to recover refrigerants before servicing equipment?

Answer: Section 608 of the Clean Air Act

Section 608 of the Clean Air Act prohibits the knowing venting of refrigerants and requires proper recovery before servicing stationary equipment.

Which refrigerant is classified as an A1 safety group by ASHRAE?

Answer: R-410A

R-410A is classified as A1 by ASHRAE, meaning it is low toxicity (A) and nonflammable (1), making it relatively safe for use.

What is the minimum recovery efficiency required for systems with more than 200 lbs of refrigerant per EPA Section 608 rules?

Answer: 95%

EPA Section 608 requires 95% recovery efficiency for systems containing more than 200 lbs of refrigerant when using recovery equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993.

What does the term 'refrigerant reclaim' mean?

Answer: Reprocessing refrigerant to original purity standards

Reclaim means reprocessing used refrigerant to the purity standards of ARI 700, essentially restoring it to virgin quality. This is distinct from recover (remove) or recycle (clean on-site).

Which color identifies a recovery cylinder for R-410A refrigerant?

Answer: Pink (rose)

R-410A recovery cylinders are pink (rose) per the ARI/AHRI color-coding standard, helping technicians quickly identify the refrigerant type.

What is the purpose of a refrigerant recovery machine's oil separator?

Answer: To separate compressor oil from recovered refrigerant

The oil separator in a recovery machine removes compressor oil that may have mixed with the refrigerant during the recovery process, keeping the recovered refrigerant cleaner.

What is the maximum fill level (by weight) for a recovery cylinder?

Answer: 80%

Recovery cylinders must not be filled above 80% of their capacity by weight to allow for thermal expansion and prevent dangerous overpressure conditions.

Which document must accompany refrigerant shipments and identifies the type and amount of refrigerant?

Answer: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS)

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS, formerly MSDS) must accompany refrigerant shipments. It provides hazard information, handling procedures, and emergency response details.

What is 'push-pull' recovery method?

Answer: Recovering refrigerant in both liquid and vapor states simultaneously through separate hoses

The push-pull method uses both liquid and vapor hoses simultaneously — the recovery machine pulls vapor while system pressure pushes liquid — significantly speeding up recovery of large charges.

Under EPA Section 608, who must be certified to purchase refrigerants in containers larger than 2 lbs?

Answer: EPA Section 608 certified technicians only

Since January 1, 2018, the EPA requires that technicians purchasing refrigerants in containers larger than 2 lbs be certified under Section 608, applying to all refrigerants including HFCs.

What is a 'non-condensable' gas in a refrigerant system, and why is it harmful?

Answer: A gas like nitrogen or air that raises head pressure and reduces efficiency

Non-condensables are gases (like air or nitrogen) that do not condense at normal operating pressures and temperatures. They raise head pressure, reduce heat transfer efficiency, and can cause high discharge temperatures.

Which refrigerant replaced R-22 as the standard for new residential air conditioning systems?

Answer: R-410A

R-410A replaced R-22 as the standard refrigerant for new residential AC systems in the US, effective January 1, 2010, when new equipment using R-22 was banned.

What is the GWP (Global Warming Potential) reference standard for refrigerant comparison?

Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO2) = 1

GWP is measured relative to CO2, which is set at 1. A refrigerant with GWP of 2,088 (like R-410A) traps 2,088 times more heat than CO2 over a 100-year period.

What does the acronym 'HFC' stand for in refrigerant classification?

Answer: Hydrofluorocarbon

HFC stands for Hydrofluorocarbon. HFCs contain hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon, but no chlorine or bromine, so they have zero ozone depletion potential (ODP = 0).

When should a refrigerant recovery cylinder be condemned and removed from service?

Answer: When the DOT-rated pressure is exceeded or physical damage is visible

Recovery cylinders must be condemned when they show physical damage (dents, corrosion, leaks), when the DOT retest date has expired, or when pressure ratings have been exceeded. Safety comes first.

What is the ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) of R-410A?

Answer: 0.00

R-410A has an ODP of 0 because it contains no chlorine or bromine atoms, which are the elements that destroy stratospheric ozone. This is why it replaced R-22 (ODP = 0.05).

Which recovery method is fastest for recovering large amounts of liquid refrigerant?

Answer: Liquid recovery first, then vapor

Liquid recovery is much faster than vapor recovery because liquid is denser and flows more quickly. Best practice is to recover liquid first through the liquid line service valve, then recover remaining vapor.

What pressure must be achieved in a system after recovery is complete per EPA Section 608?

Answer: The required vacuum level depends on system size and compressor type

EPA Section 608 establishes different required recovery levels based on equipment type and size. For example, systems with compressors larger than 200 HP must achieve 15 in. Hg vacuum; smaller systems have less stringent requirements.

What information must be recorded in the refrigerant log for systems containing 50 lbs or more of refrigerant?

Answer: Technician name, date, amount recovered/added, and reason for service

EPA Section 608 requires owners of appliances with ≥50 lbs of refrigerant to keep records including dates, service performed, technician info, and amounts of refrigerant added or recovered.

Which type of refrigerant is classified as 'A2L' (mildly flammable) under ASHRAE 34?

Answer: R-32

R-32 is classified as A2L — low toxicity (A) and mildly flammable (2L). A2L refrigerants have a low burning velocity and require ignition energy, but still require additional safety precautions compared to A1 refrigerants.