recovery recycling

On-Site Recycling of Recovered Refrigerant

Clean recovered refrigerant on site for reuse in the same owner's equipment.

8 steps3 criticalLimit 30 minAlways tested

Steps

1Critical stepDecide where the recovered refrigerant is going: back into the same appliance or another owned by the same person (no recycling needed; not for MVACs), recycled for the same owner, or reclaimed if it will go to a new owner
2Use recovery and/or recycling equipment certified under 40 CFR 82.158, and follow its manufacturer's directions
3Put on safety glasses with side shields and gloves, and work with ventilation
4Check the recovery cylinder: undamaged, rated for this refrigerant, labeled, holding only that refrigerant, and not over its fill limit
5Recover the refrigerant into the cylinder first; recovery only removes it from the appliance, without necessarily testing or processing it
6Critical stepRecycle it with the machine: oil separation and passes through devices such as replaceable core filter-driers that reduce moisture, acidity and particulates
7Critical stepReuse recycled refrigerant only in equipment of the same owner
8If the refrigerant will go to a different owner, do not pass it on as recycled; have it reclaimed by an EPA-certified reclaimer

Tips

Three terms to keep straight: recover (remove into an external container, without necessarily testing or processing), recycle (clean for reuse in the same owner's equipment), reclaim (reprocess to the AHRI 700-based specifications and verify by analysis)
Recycled refrigerant stays with the same owner; selling or giving used refrigerant to a new owner requires reclamation by an EPA-certified reclaimer
Do not mix refrigerants in a recovery cylinder, and label the cylinder with the refrigerant it holds

Selling or giving recycled refrigerant to another owner. Refrigerant for another owner is a reclaim case.
Calling recovered refrigerant 'recycled' when it was only pulled into a cylinder. Recovery does not necessarily involve any testing or processing.
Treating AHRI 700 as the recycling standard. It belongs to reclaim.
Mixing refrigerants in a recovery cylinder, which the sources say not to do.

Practice this skill

Practise the sequence in the app with critical-step highlighting and a rationale for each step.

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Sources and how we check them: How we verify.