Refrigerant Recovery

Recovery is the removal of refrigerant from a system into an approved recovery cylinder, done before any repair that opens the sealed circuit. Venting refrigerant to atmosphere is prohibited and is never an acceptable shortcut.

Mixed refrigerant cannot be reclaimed economically and becomes disposal waste. Keeping cylinders dedicated and labelled protects both the environment and your costs.

1. 1Identify the refrigerant in the system and select a clean, evacuated recovery cylinder dedicated to it.
2. 2Weigh the empty cylinder and calculate the maximum allowable fill.
3. 3Connect the recovery machine according to its instructions, using a manifold and a filter drier on the inlet.
4. 4Recover liquid first where the machine supports it, then switch to vapor recovery.
5. 5Continue until the system reaches the vacuum level required by the regulations that apply to the work.
6. 6Close the valves, allow the machine to self clear, and disconnect.
7. 7Label the cylinder with the refrigerant type and record the amount recovered.

• Slow recovery from a restricted inlet filter or small hoses.
• Machine cutting out on high pressure because the cylinder is warm or too full.
• Refrigerant migrating back into the system after recovery because valves were left open.
• Cylinder rejected at the supplier because it holds mixed refrigerant.

Recovery levels, technician certification, cylinder testing intervals and record keeping vary by jurisdiction and by the regulations in force where the work is performed.

• Recovery machine
• Approved recovery cylinders within test date
• Refrigerant scale
• Digital manifold and hoses
• Inlet filter drier