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Questions and Answers
What is a 'de minimus' release?
What is a 'de minimus' release?
The quantity of refrigerant released in the course of making a good-faith attempt to recapture and recycle or safely dispose of refrigerant.
What is a normal operational refrigerant release?
What is a normal operational refrigerant release?
Releases from purge cycle operation.
What defines a small appliance in refrigeration terms?
What defines a small appliance in refrigeration terms?
A product that is fully manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed in a factory with 5 lb or less of refrigerant.
What is a self-contained recovery device?
What is a self-contained recovery device?
According to EPA regulations, who is required to keep records?
According to EPA regulations, who is required to keep records?
What happens to the pressure of a nonpressurized container after adding refrigerant?
What happens to the pressure of a nonpressurized container after adding refrigerant?
How do recovery levels for Type III equipment differ from other types?
How do recovery levels for Type III equipment differ from other types?
How does reclaimed refrigerant differ from recovered or recycled refrigerant?
How does reclaimed refrigerant differ from recovered or recycled refrigerant?
How is MVAC certification established?
How is MVAC certification established?
When did it become illegal to vent replacement refrigerants?
When did it become illegal to vent replacement refrigerants?
Since when has it been illegal to vent ozone-depleting refrigerants from stationary equipment?
Since when has it been illegal to vent ozone-depleting refrigerants from stationary equipment?
Why should liquid refrigerant be recovered first from chillers?
Why should liquid refrigerant be recovered first from chillers?
What is recycled refrigerant?
What is recycled refrigerant?
What is recovered refrigerant?
What is recovered refrigerant?
What is reclaimed refrigerant?
What is reclaimed refrigerant?
Are releases of refrigerant that result from connecting or disconnecting gauge hoses permissible under EPA regulations?
Are releases of refrigerant that result from connecting or disconnecting gauge hoses permissible under EPA regulations?
What techniques can be used to speed up refrigerant recovery?
What techniques can be used to speed up refrigerant recovery?
Since when have technicians been required to pass an EPA certification exam to handle refrigerant?
Since when have technicians been required to pass an EPA certification exam to handle refrigerant?
When is the EPA required to repair refrigerant leaks?
When is the EPA required to repair refrigerant leaks?
What are the four parts of the EPA certification exam?
What are the four parts of the EPA certification exam?
What international agreement established target dates for the phaseout of ozone-depleting substances?
What international agreement established target dates for the phaseout of ozone-depleting substances?
What is the possible fine for violating the Clean Air Act?
What is the possible fine for violating the Clean Air Act?
What is the recovery level for Type II systems containing less than 200 lb of R-22 refrigerant?
What is the recovery level for Type II systems containing less than 200 lb of R-22 refrigerant?
What is the recovery level for Type III systems using a recovery device manufactured before November 15, 1993?
What is the recovery level for Type III systems using a recovery device manufactured before November 15, 1993?
What is the recovery level for Type III systems using a recovery device manufactured after November 15, 1993?
What is the recovery level for Type III systems using a recovery device manufactured after November 15, 1993?
How can the refrigerants that a particular recovery unit is designed for be determined?
How can the refrigerants that a particular recovery unit is designed for be determined?
Since when has third-party testing for recovery units been required?
Since when has third-party testing for recovery units been required?
How should refrigerant recovery ideally begin to prevent a quick drop in temperature and pressure?
How should refrigerant recovery ideally begin to prevent a quick drop in temperature and pressure?
What is the recommended method to speed up refrigerant recovery?
What is the recommended method to speed up refrigerant recovery?
What does Type I certification apply to?
What does Type I certification apply to?
What is the maximum safe amount of refrigerant for a recovery cylinder with a water capacity of 50 lb, holding a refrigerant with a specific gravity of 0.9?
What is the maximum safe amount of refrigerant for a recovery cylinder with a water capacity of 50 lb, holding a refrigerant with a specific gravity of 0.9?
What is the maximum safe fill weight of a recovery cylinder with a tare weight of 30 lb, a water capacity of 40 lb, holding a refrigerant with a specific gravity of 1.2?
What is the maximum safe fill weight of a recovery cylinder with a tare weight of 30 lb, a water capacity of 40 lb, holding a refrigerant with a specific gravity of 1.2?
When connecting a recovery system for push-pull liquid recovery, where is the inlet of the recovery unit connected?
When connecting a recovery system for push-pull liquid recovery, where is the inlet of the recovery unit connected?
When connecting a recovery system for push-pull liquid recovery, where is the outlet of the recovery unit connected?
When connecting a recovery system for push-pull liquid recovery, where is the outlet of the recovery unit connected?
When using a recovery device manufactured after November 15, 1993, what is the recovery level for Type I appliances?
When using a recovery device manufactured after November 15, 1993, what is the recovery level for Type I appliances?
When using a recovery device manufactured before November 15, 1993, what is the recovery level for Type I appliances?
When using a recovery device manufactured before November 15, 1993, what is the recovery level for Type I appliances?
When using a recovery machine manufactured after November 15, 1993, what is the recovery level for Type II systems containing over 200 lb of R-12 refrigerant?
When using a recovery machine manufactured after November 15, 1993, what is the recovery level for Type II systems containing over 200 lb of R-12 refrigerant?
When using a recovery machine manufactured after November 15, 1993, what is the recovery level for Type II systems containing over 200 lb of R-22 refrigerant?
When using a recovery machine manufactured after November 15, 1993, what is the recovery level for Type II systems containing over 200 lb of R-22 refrigerant?
When using a recovery machine manufactured before November 15, 1993, what is the recovery level for Type II systems containing over 200 lb of R-12 refrigerant?
When using a recovery machine manufactured before November 15, 1993, what is the recovery level for Type II systems containing over 200 lb of R-12 refrigerant?
When using a recovery machine manufactured before November 15, 1993, what is the recovery level for Type II systems containing over 200 lb of R-22 refrigerant?
When using a recovery machine manufactured before November 15, 1993, what is the recovery level for Type II systems containing over 200 lb of R-22 refrigerant?
What legal framework calls for a prohibition on venting ozone-depleting refrigerants?
What legal framework calls for a prohibition on venting ozone-depleting refrigerants?
What logical summary explains the creation of the Montreal Protocol?
What logical summary explains the creation of the Montreal Protocol?
Why are some reclaimed refrigerants classified as hazardous materials?
Why are some reclaimed refrigerants classified as hazardous materials?
Why is it necessary to use special methods when recovering from Type III systems?
Why is it necessary to use special methods when recovering from Type III systems?
Why is knowledge regarding the recovery level for Type II systems with 200 lb or more of R-22 not important for most technicians?
Why is knowledge regarding the recovery level for Type II systems with 200 lb or more of R-22 not important for most technicians?
Why is the Clean Air Act's Title VI, Section 608 relevant for technicians?
Why is the Clean Air Act's Title VI, Section 608 relevant for technicians?
Why is the Montreal Protocol significant?
Why is the Montreal Protocol significant?
Why is the push-pull method of recovery preferable for some systems with large quantities of refrigerant?
Why is the push-pull method of recovery preferable for some systems with large quantities of refrigerant?
Why should some refrigerants NOT be recovered?
Why should some refrigerants NOT be recovered?
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Study Notes
Refrigerant Release Definitions
- De minimus release: Quantity released while attempting to recapture and recycle refrigerant in good faith.
- Normal operational release: Includes releases from purge cycle operation.
Equipment and Certification
- Small appliances: Defined as products fully manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed in a factory with 5 lb or less of refrigerant.
- Self-contained recovery devices: Operate independently of the system they are recovering refrigerant from.
- EPA certification: Technicians, employers, wholesalers, and equipment owners are required to maintain records.
Refrigerant Recovery Levels
- Nonpressurized containers with added refrigerant remain at 0 psig.
- Type III equipment: Requires lower vacuum levels compared to other types.
- Reclaimed refrigerant: Can be reused in new systems, while recycled refrigerant has been cleaned but not reprocessed to ARI-700 standards.
- Recovering refrigerants: Starts with liquid to prevent rapid temperature and pressure drops.
Regulations and Law
- Clean Air Act Title VI, Section 608: Mandates technicians hold certification to handle refrigerants and prohibits venting.
- Enforcement dates: Venting replacement refrigerants became illegal on November 15, 1995; venting ozone-depleting refrigerants from stationary equipment has been illegal since July 1, 1992.
- Maximum fines for violations of the Clean Air Act can reach $37,500 per incident.
Recovery Techniques and Equipment
- To speed up refrigerant recovery:
- Heat the system, cool the recovery cylinder, use large-diameter hoses.
- Connecting gauge hoses results in permissible refrigerant releases under EPA regulations.
- Push-pull liquid recovery: Connects recovery unit's inlet to the vapor valve of the recovery cylinder and outlet to the discharge valve of the system.
Recovery Levels for Various Systems
- For Type I appliances with newer devices: recover 80% (nonoperational) or 90% (operational) of the system charge.
- Type II systems: Over 200 lb of R-12 requires a recovery level of 15 in Hg vacuum (after November 15, 1993).
- Type III systems: Using older recovery devices requires a 25 in Hg vacuum.
Significance of Agreements
- Montreal Protocol: Established a global commitment to phase out ozone-depleting substances, backed by most nations.
- Regulations emphasize that refrigerant recovery and recycling are crucial due to environmental impacts.
Health and Safety Considerations
- Some reclaimed refrigerants may be hazardous due to corrosive or carcinogenic content, necessitating careful handling.
- Knowledge of recovery levels is less critical for technicians due to the rarity of large systems.
Importance of Regulations
- The Clean Air Act's Title VI, Section 608 emphasizes the importance of recycling and recovery compliance to mitigate refrigerant emissions and safeguard environmental health.
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