How To Reclaim Refrigerant

Refrigerant can be an environmental concern, as some refrigerants have high global warming potential (GWP) and can contribute to climate change if released into the atmosphere. Therefore, it is important to reclaim refrigerant from equipment that is being serviced, repaired, or disposed of. Reclaiming refrigerant means making used refrigerant meet specifications for new refrigerant by removing impurities and contaminants.

In this post, we’ll show you how to reclaim refrigerant using different methods and tools. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about refrigerant reclamation.

The best way to reclaim refrigerant is to use a certified refrigerant reclaimer that can recover and purify the refrigerant using various processes, such as distillation, filtration, or chemical treatment. You can also use a recovery machine that can recover the refrigerant from the equipment and store it in a recovery cylinder. You can then send the recovered refrigerant to a reclaimer for further processing.

Why Do You Need To Reclaim Refrigerant?

You need to reclaim refrigerant for several reasons, such as:

• To comply with the law. In the US, it is required by the Clean Air Act and the EPA regulations to reclaim CFC, HCFC, and HFC refrigerants from equipment before servicing or disposing of them. This is to prevent ozone depletion and greenhouse gas emissions. You must use an EPA-certified technician and an EPA-certified reclaimer to reclaim refrigerant.
• To save money. Reclaiming refrigerant can reduce the cost of buying new refrigerant, especially for high-GWP refrigerants that are subject to phase-down or phase-out under the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment. Reclaimed refrigerant can be reused in the same or different equipment, as long as it meets the quality standards.
• To protect the environment. Reclaiming refrigerant can prevent the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere that can damage the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. Reclaimed refrigerant can also reduce the demand for new refrigerant production, which can save energy and natural resources.

How To Use A Recovery Machine To Recover Refrigerant

A recovery machine is a device that can recover refrigerant from equipment and store it in a recovery cylinder. A recovery machine can recover refrigerant in liquid or vapor form, depending on the type and condition of the equipment and the refrigerant. A recovery machine can also recover different types of refrigerants, such as R-134a, R-410a, R-407a, R-404a, R-32, and R-1234yf.

To use a recovery machine to recover refrigerant, you will need the following materials:

• A recovery machine
• A recovery cylinder
• A manifold gauge set
• A vacuum pump
• A scale
• Some hoses and fittings
• Some tools, such as a wrench, a cutter, etc.

Here are the steps to use a recovery machine to recover refrigerant:

1. Turn off the power supply to the equipment and disconnect it from the power source.
2. Attach one end of a hose to the low-pressure port of the recovery machine and the other end to the vapor valve of the recovery cylinder.
3. Attach one end of another hose to the high-pressure port of the recovery machine and the other end to the liquid valve of the recovery cylinder.
4. Attach one end of another hose to the inlet port of the recovery machine and the other end to one port of the manifold gauge set.
5. Attach one end of another hose to another port of the manifold gauge set and the other end to either the low-pressure or high-pressure service valve of the equipment, depending on whether you want to recover liquid or vapor refrigerant.
6. Open all valves on the hoses and on the recovery cylinder.
7. Turn on your scale and place your recovery cylinder on it.
8. Turn on your recovery machine and set it to either liquid or vapor mode.
9. Monitor your manifold gauges and your scale until you have recovered all or most of the refrigerant from the equipment.
10. Turn off your recovery machine and close all valves on your hoses and on your recovery cylinder.
11. Disconnect your hoses from your equipment and from your recovery machine.
12. Label your recovery cylinder with the type and amount of refrigerant inside it.
13. Send your recovery cylinder to a certified reclaimer for further processing.

How To Use A Refrigerant Reclaimer To Reclaim Refrigerant

A refrigerant reclaimer is a facility that can recover and purify refrigerant using various processes, such as distillation, filtration, or chemical treatment. A refrigerant reclaimer can remove impurities and contaminants from the refrigerant, such as oil, moisture, acid, particulates, or non-condensable gases. A refrigerant reclaimer can also test and certify the quality of the reclaimed refrigerant according to the AHRI 700 standard.

To use a refrigerant reclaimer to reclaim refrigerant, you will need the following materials:

• A recovery cylinder with recovered refrigerant
• A shipping label and a shipping container
• A bill of lading and a reclaim form

Here are the steps to use a refrigerant reclaimer to reclaim refrigerant:

1. Contact a certified reclaimer and request a shipping label and a shipping container for your recovery cylinder.
2. Fill out a bill of lading and a reclaim form with your information and the information of the reclaimer.
3. Attach the shipping label to your recovery cylinder and place it in the shipping container.
4. Seal the shipping container and send it to the reclaimer by a registered carrier.
5. Wait for the reclaimer to process your recovery cylinder and send you back the reclaimed refrigerant or a credit for it.
6. Use the reclaimed refrigerant in the same or different equipment, as long as it meets the quality standards.

FAQs About Reclaiming Refrigerant

Q: Can I reclaim refrigerant myself?

A: No, you cannot reclaim refrigerant yourself. You can only recover refrigerant from equipment using a recovery machine and store it in a recovery cylinder. You must send the recovered refrigerant to a certified reclaimer for further processing.

Q: How much does it cost to reclaim refrigerant?

A: The cost of reclaiming refrigerant depends on several factors, such as the type and amount of refrigerant, the quality and purity of the recovered refrigerant, and the fees and charges of the reclaimer. According to some sources, the average cost of reclaiming refrigerant ranges from $3 to $10 per pound.

Q: How can I find a certified reclaimer near me?

A: You can find a certified reclaimer near you by using the AHRI directory of certified product performance or by contacting your local EPA office.

Conclusion

Refrigerant is a vital component of your refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pump, and fire protection systems. However, it is also an environmental concern that needs to be handled properly. Reclaiming refrigerant is a way of making used refrigerant meet specifications for new refrigerant by removing impurities and contaminants. You can reclaim refrigerant by using a recovery machine to recover it from equipment and sending it to a certified reclaimer for further processing.