Refrigerant Management Concepts

Questions and Answers

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?

Releases from purge cycle operation.

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?

A device that does not rely on the system from which the refrigerant is being recovered for its operation. Signup and view all the answers

According to EPA regulations, who is required to keep records?

Technicians, employers, wholesalers, and equipment owners. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the pressure of a nonpressurized container after adding refrigerant?

It will remain at 0 psig. Signup and view all the answers

How do recovery levels for Type III equipment differ from other types?

They require lower vacuums than for other types. Signup and view all the answers

How does reclaimed refrigerant differ from recovered or recycled refrigerant?

Reclaimed refrigerants can be put into new systems. Signup and view all the answers

How is MVAC certification established?

Through separate certification. Signup and view all the answers

When did it become illegal to vent replacement refrigerants?

November 15, 1995. Signup and view all the answers

Since when has it been illegal to vent ozone-depleting refrigerants from stationary equipment?

July 1, 1992. Signup and view all the answers

Why should liquid refrigerant be recovered first from chillers?

To keep water from freezing in the chiller tubes. Signup and view all the answers

What is recycled refrigerant?

Refrigerant that has been removed from an appliance and cleaned for reuse without meeting all of the requirements of ARI-700. Signup and view all the answers

What is recovered refrigerant?

Refrigerant that has been removed in any condition from an appliance and stored in an external container without necessarily testing or processing it in any way. Signup and view all the answers

What is reclaimed refrigerant?

Refrigerant that has been reprocessed to at least the purity specified in ARI Standard 700. Signup and view all the answers

Are releases of refrigerant that result from connecting or disconnecting gauge hoses permissible under EPA regulations?

Yes. Signup and view all the answers

What techniques can be used to speed up refrigerant recovery?

Heat the refrigerant system, cool the recovery cylinder, recover from both sides of the system at once, and use large diameter hoses. Signup and view all the answers

Since when have technicians been required to pass an EPA certification exam to handle refrigerant?

November 14, 1994. Signup and view all the answers

When is the EPA required to repair refrigerant leaks?

Only in systems with a refrigerant charge greater than 50 lb. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four parts of the EPA certification exam?

Core, Type I- small appliances, Type II- high-pressure and very high-pressure appliances, and Type III- low-pressure appliances. Signup and view all the answers

What international agreement established target dates for the phaseout of ozone-depleting substances?

The Montreal Protocol. Signup and view all the answers

What is the possible fine for violating the Clean Air Act?

$37,500 per incident. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recovery level for Type II systems containing less than 200 lb of R-22 refrigerant?

0 psig. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recovery level for Type III systems using a recovery device manufactured before November 15, 1993?

25 in Hg vacuum. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recovery level for Type III systems using a recovery device manufactured after November 15, 1993?

25 mm absolute pressure. Signup and view all the answers

How can the refrigerants that a particular recovery unit is designed for be determined?

By looking for the AHRI/UL certification label. Signup and view all the answers

Since when has third-party testing for recovery units been required?

November 15, 1993. Signup and view all the answers

How should refrigerant recovery ideally begin to prevent a quick drop in temperature and pressure?

Begin with liquid. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended method to speed up refrigerant recovery?

Use large-diameter, short-length hoses. Signup and view all the answers

What does Type I certification apply to?

Small appliances. Signup and view all the answers

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?

36 lb. Signup and view all the answers

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?

68 lb. Signup and view all the answers

When connecting a recovery system for push-pull liquid recovery, where is the inlet of the recovery unit connected?

The vapor valve on the refrigerant recovery cylinder. Signup and view all the answers

When connecting a recovery system for push-pull liquid recovery, where is the outlet of the recovery unit connected?

The discharge service valve on the system. Signup and view all the answers

When using a recovery device manufactured after November 15, 1993, what is the recovery level for Type I appliances?

80 percent of the system charge if the compressor is nonoperational, 90 percent if the compressor is operational. Signup and view all the answers

When using a recovery device manufactured before November 15, 1993, what is the recovery level for Type I appliances?

80 percent of the system charge. Signup and view all the answers

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?

15 in Hg vacuum. Signup and view all the answers

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?

10 in Hg vacuum. Signup and view all the answers

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?

4 in Hg vacuum. Signup and view all the answers

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?

4 in Hg vacuum. Signup and view all the answers

What legal framework calls for a prohibition on venting ozone-depleting refrigerants?

Title VI of the Clean Air Act. Signup and view all the answers

What logical summary explains the creation of the Montreal Protocol?

The ozone is too large an issue for any single nation. Signup and view all the answers

Why are some reclaimed refrigerants classified as hazardous materials?

They may contain corrosive or carcinogenic chemicals. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it necessary to use special methods when recovering from Type III systems?

Most of these systems are very low pressure. Signup and view all the answers

Why is knowledge regarding the recovery level for Type II systems with 200 lb or more of R-22 not important for most technicians?

Few systems are this large. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Clean Air Act's Title VI, Section 608 relevant for technicians?

It regulates refrigerant emissions. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Montreal Protocol significant?

It has the support of almost every country in the world. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the push-pull method of recovery preferable for some systems with large quantities of refrigerant?

It is the quickest method. Signup and view all the answers

Why should some refrigerants NOT be recovered?

Older machines may hold toxic chemicals. Signup and view all the answers

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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Description

Test your knowledge on refrigerant management concepts with this quiz. It covers terminology related to refrigerant releases and manufacturing standards. This is essential for professionals in HVAC and environmental management.