Refrigerants and Their Environmental Impact

Questions and Answers

Why are HFO refrigerants less flammable than hydrocarbon refrigerants?

They contain fluorine

What should a technician do if they lose their Section 608 certification card?

Request a replacement from their certifying organization

How do the global warming potential of isobutane (R-600a) and R-441A compare to the GWP's of HFC-134a, R-404A, and R-410A?

They are significantly higher

Which refrigerant depletes the ozone layer?

R-22 Signup and view all the answers

Which element of CFC or HCFC molecule causes ozone depletion?

Chlorine Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about an azeotropic refrigerant mixture?

The blends act as one refrigerant Signup and view all the answers

In the event of a large release of CFC, HCFC, or HFC refrigerant in a contained area which of the following is true?

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or leave the area is required Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a violation of the refrigerant management regulations under the Clean Air Act?

Proper labeling of refrigerants Signup and view all the answers

How does the global warming potential of R-410A compare to carbon dioxide?

Thousand times higher Signup and view all the answers

Under EPA's regulations, what standard must reclaimed refrigerant meet before it can be resold?

AHRI 700 Signup and view all the answers

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have which of the following in common?

They must be recovered before opening or disposing of appliances Signup and view all the answers

Which word applies to the process that returns refrigerant to new product specifications and that requires chemical analysis?

Reclaim Signup and view all the answers

A disposable cylinder should be reduced to what pressure before scrapping?

0 psig Signup and view all the answers

What evidence demonstrates that chlorine in the stratosphere is primarily from man-made chemicals rather than from natural sources such as volcanoes?

Most of the chlorine from volcanoes don't make it to the stratosphere Signup and view all the answers

A refrigerant label to identify the type of refrigerant recovered is placed on recovery cylinder for all of the following reasons, EXCEPT to:

Allow the Tech's company to determine the amount recovered for record keeping purposes Signup and view all the answers

What effect will low ambient temperatures have on recovery?

Increased the recovery time Signup and view all the answers

Which type of refrigerant is the most harmful to stratospheric ozone?

CFC's Signup and view all the answers

What is the Montreal Protocol?

An international treaty that addresses ozone-depleting substances and their alternatives Signup and view all the answers

Under the Section 608 'safe disposal requirements', who is responsible for ensuring that CFC, HCFC, and HFC refrigerant has been removed from household refrigerators before they are disposed of?

The final person in the disposal chain Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following refrigerants is an HFO?

1234yf Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors affect the speed of system dehydration?

The ambient temperature and amount of moisture in the system Signup and view all the answers

In what state does the refrigerant leave the condenser?

High pressure Liquid Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs)?

Non-ozone depleting and have low global warming potentials Signup and view all the answers

How do refrigerant blends leak from a system?

At uneven rates due to different vapor pressures Signup and view all the answers

You have to leak-check a unit which has lost a complete charge. Which gas(es) would cause the LEAST damage to the environment?

Dry nitrogen Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Refrigerants and Environmental Impact

HFO refrigerants contain fluorine, making them less flammable compared to hydrocarbons.
R-22 is a refrigerant known for ozone layer depletion, primarily due to the chlorine it contains.
Chlorine is the element in CFC and HCFC molecules responsible for ozone depletion.
HFCs, such as R-410A, have a global warming potential (GWP) that is over a thousand times higher than carbon dioxide.

Certification and Compliance

Technicians should request a replacement certification card from their certifying organization if it is lost.
Under EPA regulations, reclaimed refrigerant must meet the AHRI 700 standard before resale.

Refrigerant Management

CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs must be recovered before opening or disposing of appliances to comply with regulations.
Regular servicing of systems utilizing CFCs or HCFCs after their phaseout date is not considered a violation.
It’s crucial that companies determine the amount of recovered refrigerant for record-keeping purposes.

Refrigerant Properties and Actions

Azeotropic refrigerant mixtures behave as a single refrigerant during evaporation and condensation processes.
Low ambient temperatures can increase recovery time during refrigerant removal.
Refrigerants leak from a system at uneven rates due to differing vapor pressures.
HFOs are characterized as non-ozone depleting and possessing low global warming potentials.

Disposal and Safety

The final person in the disposal chain is responsible for ensuring refrigerants are removed from refrigerators prior to disposal.
In the event of a large release of refrigerants, a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is required or leaving the area is recommended.

Additional Knowledge

Dry nitrogen is the preferable gas to use for leak checking a unit that has lost its complete charge, as it is less harmful to the environment.
A disposable cylinder should be reduced to 0 psig before scrapping to comply with safety standards.
R-1234yf is an example of an HFO refrigerant currently used in modern applications.
The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty aimed at addressing ozone-depleting substances and promoting their alternatives.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the various types of refrigerants and their environmental implications, including the concepts of ozone layer depletion and global warming potential. It also addresses certification and compliance requirements for technicians in managing refrigerants. Test your knowledge on the critical regulations and management practices in the HVAC field.