Core Section -- Module 4 of 7
The Three Rs: Definitions That Are Always Tested
Recovery
Remove from system
Into DOT cylinder. May be contaminated.
Recycling
Clean on-site
Oil sep + filter. Same owner only.
Reclaiming
Restore to new
ARI 700 purity. Off-site. Can resell.
| Process |
Definition |
Purity |
Where? |
Can Resell? |
| Recovery |
Removing refrigerant from a system into an external container without processing |
Possibly contaminated; no requirement |
On-site by technician |
No |
| Recycling |
Reducing contaminants using oil separation and single-pass filter-drier |
Better than recovered, but not ARI 700 |
On-site by technician |
No |
| Reclaiming |
Reprocessing to ARI Standard 700 purity at a certified facility |
Equivalent to virgin refrigerant |
Off-site certified reclaimer |
Yes |
The Golden Rule
Recovered or recycled refrigerant can only be returned to the same system, or to another system owned by the same owner/company. To transfer to a different customer or resell, it must be reclaimed to ARI Standard 700. This is one of the most commonly tested rules on the exam.
Recovery Equipment: Two Types
Self-Contained (Active) Recovery Equipment
Has its own internal compressor. Can actively pull refrigerant from any system -- operational or not. Required for all Type II and Type III equipment. Achieves 90% minimum recovery efficiency for small appliances.
System-Dependent (Passive) Recovery Equipment
Uses the refrigerant system's own compressor. Only permitted for Type I small appliances with an operational compressor. Achieves 80% minimum recovery efficiency. Cannot be used for Type II or III equipment.
Recovery Equipment Certification
- Equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993 must be certified by UL or AHRI
- Equipment manufactured before that date: no certification required, but must achieve required evacuation levels
- Recovery equipment must be appropriate for the refrigerant type (low-pressure equipment for chillers)
Required Evacuation Levels: Master Reference Table
| Equipment |
Refrigerant |
Charge |
Before 11/15/1993 |
After 11/15/1993 |
| High-pressure |
R-22, R-410A, R-134a |
Under 200 lbs |
0 psig |
0 psig |
| High-pressure |
R-22, R-410A, R-134a |
200+ lbs |
4 in. Hg vacuum |
10 in. Hg vacuum |
| Low-pressure |
R-11, R-113, R-123 |
Any |
25 mm Hg absolute |
25 mm Hg absolute |
| Small appliances -- active |
Any (≤5 lbs) |
Under 5 lbs |
90% of charge |
90% of charge |
| Small appliances -- passive |
Any (≤5 lbs) |
Under 5 lbs |
80% of charge |
80% of charge |
Pressure Units -- Know the Difference
psig = pounds per square inch gauge (above atmospheric). 0 psig = atmospheric pressure.
in. Hg vacuum = inches of mercury below atmospheric, read on low-side manifold gauge.
mm Hg absolute = absolute pressure. 760 mm Hg = atmospheric. 25 mm Hg absolute is a deep vacuum (only 3.3% of atmospheric pressure). Used for low-pressure chillers only.
Step-by-Step Recovery Procedure
-
Prepare recovery cylinder: Verify correct type (gray/yellow), not overfilled, same refrigerant type, intact relief valve and cap. Weigh to establish baseline.
-
Connect manifold gauges: Low-side (blue) and high-side (red) to service ports. Verify refrigerant type and system pressure.
-
Connect recovery machine: Inlet to center (yellow) manifold port. Outlet to recovery cylinder vapor port.
-
Start recovery: Open manifold valves. Start recovery machine. Monitor cylinder weight -- stop before 80% capacity.
-
Verify evacuation level: When machine cycles off, wait 2-5 minutes. Verify pressure remains at or below required level. If pressure rises, more vapor remains -- continue recovery.
-
Document: Record refrigerant type, amount recovered, date, and technician certification number.
ARI Standard 700 Purity Requirements
For reclaimed refrigerant to be resold, it must meet ARI Standard 700 limits:
-
Moisture: Maximum 10 ppm by weight
-
Acid: Maximum 1 ppm by weight (expressed as HCl)
-
High-boiling residue (oil): 0.01% by weight maximum
-
Non-condensables: 1.5% by volume maximum
When Recovery Is Not Required
- When refrigerant has completely escaped due to catastrophic failure (nothing remains)
- Motor vehicle AC below certain charge levels (regulated under Section 609)
- Fire suppression systems using halon (regulated under Section 610)
Equipment being "old" or "broken" does not exempt from recovery. The test is whether any refrigerant remains.
Exam Memory Aid: Recovery vs Recycling vs Reclaiming
Recovery = Remove (just get it out; may be dirty)
Recycling = Remove + Clean on-site (filter/dry; still cannot resell)
Reclaiming = Remove + Restore to New off-site (meets ARI 700; CAN resell)
Key: Only RECLAIMED refrigerant can be sold to a different owner.
Module 4 Key Terms
Recovery
Removing refrigerant from a system and storing it in an external DOT-approved cylinder. No processing required. May be contaminated. Cannot be resold. Can return to same system or another system owned by same owner.
Recycling
Cleaning recovered refrigerant on-site using oil separation and filter-drier equipment. Does not achieve ARI 700 purity. Can be reused by same owner only. Cannot be sold.
Reclaiming
Reprocessing refrigerant to ARI Standard 700 purity at an EPA-certified off-site facility. Only reclaimed refrigerant can be resold to different customers. Equivalent to virgin quality.
Self-Contained Recovery
Active recovery equipment with its own compressor. Can recover from any system -- operational or not. Required for all Type II and III equipment. Achieves 90% efficiency for small appliances.
System-Dependent Recovery
Passive recovery using the appliance's own compressor. Only permitted for Type I small appliances with operational compressor. Achieves 80% efficiency. NOT permitted for Type II or III.
25 mm Hg Absolute
Required evacuation level for all low-pressure appliances (Type III). All sizes, both manufacture dates. A deep vacuum at approximately 3.3% of atmospheric pressure. ~29.6 inches Hg vacuum gauge equivalent.