EPA 608 Refrigerant Certification Flashcards

Which refrigerant is classified as a Class I ozone-depleting substance under EPA Section 608?

Answer: R-22

R-22 (HCFC-22) is a Class I ozone-depleting substance regulated under EPA Section 608. R-410A and R-32 are HFCs with zero ozone depletion potential.

Under EPA Section 608, technicians who violate refrigerant venting prohibitions can be fined up to how much per day per violation?

Answer: $44,539

EPA Section 608 civil penalties are adjusted for inflation and currently reach up to $44,539 per day per violation for intentional venting of refrigerants.

What is the minimum recovery efficiency required for systems containing more than 200 pounds of refrigerant when using a system-dependent (passive) recovery device?

Answer: System-dependent devices cannot be used on systems over 200 lbs

System-dependent (passive) recovery equipment cannot be used on appliances normally containing more than 15 pounds of refrigerant. Systems over 200 lbs require self-contained recovery equipment.

Which type of EPA 608 certification is required to service small appliances containing five pounds or less of refrigerant?

Answer: Type I

Type I certification covers small appliances that are fully manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed in a factory with five pounds or less of refrigerant, such as household refrigerators and window AC units.

What does the term 'de minimis' release mean in the context of EPA Section 608?

Answer: Small releases that are not subject to the prohibition on venting

De minimis releases are small releases of refrigerant that result from good-faith attempts to recover refrigerant and are not subject to the venting prohibition under Section 608.

Which refrigerant blend is considered a 'near-azeotropic' mixture that exhibits temperature glide?

Answer: R-404A

R-404A is a zeotropic (near-azeotropic) blend of R-125, R-143a, and R-134a that exhibits temperature glide during phase change, unlike R-410A which is essentially azeotropic.

When must a technician recover refrigerant before opening or disposing of appliances?

Answer: Always, regardless of charge size

Under EPA Section 608, technicians must recover refrigerant before opening or disposing of any appliance, regardless of charge size, to prevent venting to the atmosphere.

What is the purpose of the 'high-pressure cut-out' switch in a refrigerant recovery system?

Answer: To protect the recovery compressor from high discharge pressure

The high-pressure cut-out switch protects the recovery machine's compressor from damage when discharge pressure exceeds safe limits, automatically shutting down the unit.

Under EPA Section 608 regulations, recovery cylinders must be hydrostatically tested every how many years?

Answer: 5 years

DOT regulations require hydrostatic testing of recovery cylinders (DOT specification cylinders) every five years to ensure structural integrity and safe operation.

Which factor most significantly affects the recovery rate when recovering refrigerant from a large commercial system?

Answer: The size of the recovery hoses and their length

Hose size and length significantly affect recovery rate. Larger diameter hoses with minimal length reduce pressure drop and allow faster refrigerant flow to the recovery machine.

What is the maximum filling level for a recovery cylinder expressed as a percentage of its water capacity?

Answer: 80%

Recovery cylinders must not be filled beyond 80% of their water capacity by weight to allow for thermal expansion of the liquid refrigerant and maintain a vapor space.

What refrigerant classification system is used by ASHRAE to categorize refrigerant safety?

Answer: Class A/B for toxicity and 1/2/3 for flammability

ASHRAE Standard 34 uses a two-part safety classification: A or B for toxicity (A = lower toxicity, B = higher toxicity) and 1, 2L, 2, or 3 for flammability (1 = no flame propagation, 3 = high flammability).

When purchasing refrigerant in containers larger than 2 pounds, technicians must provide proof of what?

Answer: EPA 608 certification

Under EPA Section 608, technicians must be certified before purchasing refrigerants in containers larger than 2 pounds. Distributors must verify certification before selling.

What must a technician do if they discover a leak in a commercial or industrial refrigeration system with a charge of more than 50 lbs?

Answer: Repair the leak within 30 days or implement a retrofit or retirement plan

Under EPA Section 608, owners/operators of systems with charges over 50 lbs must repair leaks exceeding the allowable leak rate within 30 days, or submit a plan to retrofit or retire the equipment.

What is the primary purpose of the oil separator in a refrigerant recovery system?

Answer: To separate compressor oil from recovered refrigerant before it enters the cylinder

The oil separator removes compressor oil from the refrigerant vapor stream before it enters the recovery cylinder, keeping the recovered refrigerant as pure as possible.

Which document must accompany a refrigerant recovery cylinder being transported on public roads?

Answer: DOT shipping paper (hazardous materials manifest)

DOT regulations require that hazardous materials, including refrigerants, be accompanied by proper shipping papers (hazardous materials manifest) when transported on public roads.

At what refrigerant purity level must recovered refrigerant meet before it can be returned to a different owner's equipment without reclamation?

Answer: It can never be transferred to different equipment without reclamation

Recovered refrigerant cannot be transferred to equipment owned by a different entity without first being reclaimed to ARI 700 (now AHRI 700) standards. It can be returned to the same owner's equipment after recovery.

What happens to the boiling point of a refrigerant when system pressure increases?

Answer: Boiling point increases

As pressure increases, the boiling point of a refrigerant rises. This is why high-pressure refrigerants like R-410A have higher operating pressures but also have correspondingly higher saturation temperatures.

Which type of EPA 608 certification covers service on centrifugal chillers using low-pressure refrigerants like R-123?

Answer: Type III

Type III certification is required for low-pressure appliances, including centrifugal chillers that use refrigerants like R-123 and R-11 which operate at below-atmospheric pressures.

When recharging a system after recovery, which method helps ensure correct refrigerant composition when using a zeotropic blend?

Answer: Always charge as liquid

Zeotropic blends must always be charged as liquid to ensure proper composition. Charging as vapor causes fractionation, where lighter components enter the system first, altering the blend composition.