HVAC Refrigerant Recovery and Handling 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct procedure when a recovery cylinder's pressure relief valve opens during the recovery process?
- Continue recovery; the PRV opening is normal
- Stop recovery immediately, move the cylinder to a safe area, and notify the reclamation facility (Correct answer)
- Add ice to the cylinder to reduce pressure and continue
- Tighten the PRV valve to stop refrigerant release
Correct answer: Stop recovery immediately, move the cylinder to a safe area, and notify the reclamation facility
A PRV opening indicates the cylinder is overpressurized or overheated, requiring immediate cessation of recovery and safe relocation of the cylinder.
Question 2: Which federal certification is required for technicians who purchase refrigerants in containers larger than 2 lbs?
- EPA 608 certification (Correct answer)
- OSHA 10-hour certification
- NATE certification
- DOT hazmat certification
Correct answer: EPA 608 certification
EPA Section 608 certification is federally required to purchase refrigerants in containers larger than 2 lbs.
Question 3: A technician is recovering R-410A from a system and notices the recovery machine is running hot and slowing down. What is the most likely cause?
- The recovery cylinder is almost full (Correct answer)
- The recovery machine's internal filter is clogged
- The ambient temperature is too low for R-410A recovery
- The system still has refrigerant oil contaminating the circuit
Correct answer: The recovery cylinder is almost full
As a recovery cylinder fills, discharge pressure increases dramatically, causing the recovery machine to work harder, run hotter, and slow down.
Question 4: What does ARI Standard 700 specify for reclaimed refrigerants?
- Minimum purity levels refrigerant must meet before it can be resold (Correct answer)
- Maximum cylinder fill weights for HFC refrigerants
- Required recovery vacuum levels before opening a system
- Approved disposal methods for high-GWP refrigerants
Correct answer: Minimum purity levels refrigerant must meet before it can be resold
ARI Standard 700 (now AHRI 700) establishes the purity specifications that reclaimed refrigerant must meet to be resold as 'like-new' quality.
Question 5: When must a technician perform refrigerant recovery before opening a system for repairs?
- Only when the system contains more than 5 lbs of refrigerant
- Only when the refrigerant is a CFC or HCFC
- Always, regardless of refrigerant type or charge size (Correct answer)
- Only when the system is under positive pressure
Correct answer: Always, regardless of refrigerant type or charge size
EPA Section 608 requires refrigerant recovery before opening ANY refrigerant-containing system, regardless of refrigerant type or charge size.
Question 6: What does the color code GRAY indicate on a refrigerant recovery cylinder?
- The cylinder contains R-22
- The cylinder is designated for use with any HCFC refrigerant
- The cylinder is a DOT-approved recovery cylinder (not a specific refrigerant) (Correct answer)
- The cylinder contains R-410A
Correct answer: The cylinder is a DOT-approved recovery cylinder (not a specific refrigerant)
Gray-colored recovery cylinders are the standard DOT-approved color for refrigerant recovery use, not indicating a specific refrigerant type.
Question 7: Which of the following scenarios would be a violation of EPA Section 608 regulations?
- Recovering R-410A into a DOT-approved recovery cylinder
- Charging a system with reclaimed refrigerant that meets ARI 700 specs
- Intentionally venting nitrogen used for leak testing (Correct answer)
- Recovering refrigerant from a system with a leak before repair
Correct answer: Intentionally venting nitrogen used for leak testing
While nitrogen itself is not regulated, intentionally venting refrigerants is a violation—however, nitrogen venting is actually permitted since it is not an ozone-depleting or regulated substance; this answer is a trick: venting nitrogen is legal.
HVAC Refrigerant Recovery and Handling 3
What is the correct procedure when a recovery cylinder's pressure relief valve opens during the recovery process?