Types Of Refrigerant Recovery Processes

By Mattie Knight


After the clean air act was passed in the year 1993, it was considered illegal to release refrigerants into the air. It is after that law was passed that air conditioning repair jobs became complex. There were costly and new tools that were required for the job. It became important for AC service professionals to start by recovering refrigerant. The process of refrigerant recovery involves removing the liquid from within the system and storing it safely.

One of the first considerations is safety of the procedure. The right equipment have to be used for the procedure. Safety will be key, which is why goggles and gloves are needed. They will prevent frostbites. You will also require charging hoses with valve ends. The condition of the hoses must be checked prior to using them. Short hoses are preferred for the best outcomes. They also reduce environmental impact.

There are three different techniques that can be used. These are the liquid, vapor and push pull methods. In the liquid technique, the refrigerant is able to be transferred in its liquid state. It is the technique that is suitable for transfer of refrigerants from a container to another one. It is the fastest procedure among the three. Unfortunately, it cannot be used for all types of HVAC systems.

The vapor process is slower than the liquid one but is the most commonly used method. The refrigerants in this case are transferred while in vapor state. The liquid and vapor methods are similar with the only difference being that the refrigerants are recovered in different states. There are also differences in settings on the unit.

The other procedure, the push pull one, is very fast but is done in two steps. There will be removal of all the liquid in the first process, after which there is change of hose connection so that vapor is recovered. It is the best method to use when there are more than 10 pounds of refrigerant. The other two techniques would not be ideal in this case.

When it comes to vapor recovery, there is condensing of vapor into liquid at the recovery unit before it gets transferred into a cylinder. Before the process is started, the system being services must be switched off and all its valves closed. The other procedures can then be carried out.

When it comes to transfer of large amounts of refrigerant, the best technique is the push pull one. The recovery unit produces vapor from the cylinder, producing high pressure discharge gas. It is a procedure which is very effective but will need a lot of equipment. It is thus difficult to carry out.

Whereas some of the procedures are able to be done individually, most people prefer to let them be done by experts. This will have several benefits. For once, there are environmental regulations that must be followed that only experts can ensure are adhered to. Safety is also key and professionals will ensure there are no risks.




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