[s-cars] r134 in r12 system?

[djdawson2 at aol.com]

Chris wrote:


Dave,

I am studying to take this certification exam. Can you please give me a little dissertation on proper R-12 system evacuation procedures? By the book please.

Thanks ; >

Craig Lebakken
94S4
 
Dave replies:
 
Enjoy....
 
 
An EPA rule, effective as of January 29, 1998, contains provisions designed to clarify that automotive service technicians and motor vehicle disposal facility operators may, under certain conditions, recycle and resell refrigerant after it has been recovered from a motor vehicle destined for disposal; at the same time, the provisions in the new rule reiterate how section 609 regulations already in effect restrict these activities so that refrigerant cross-contamination and the release of ozone-depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere are minimized. 
Note that while the new regulation applies to both CFC-12 and all substitutes for CFC-12, the rule does not apply to refrigerant that is extracted from a refrigerator, home air conditioner, or any other appliance, other than a motor vehicle air conditioner (MVAC) or MVAC-like appliance (that is, a piece of farm equipment or heavy duty equipment such as construction, mining or quarry equipment). Refrigerant from these other sources must be sent to a reclaiming facility. 
You should also note that certain states and localities may have more stringent requirements for the recovery and disposition of used refrigerant from motor vehicles. 
The provisions in the new regulation explicitly allow section 609 certified technicians to recover refrigerant (either CFC-12 or a substitute) from motor vehicles located at disposal facilities, and to take the refrigerant off-site for recycling and re-use at their own service facility. It is also permissible for a motor vehicle disposal facility owner or operator who has purchased recovery equipment to transport the equipment to other motor vehicle disposal facilities in order to perform refrigerant recovery on behalf of those facilities' owners and operators. In addition, owners or operators of motor vehicle disposal facilities are permitted to recover refrigerants from vehicles to be salvaged and to sell that recovered refrigerant to technicians certified under section 609. By promoting markets for used refrigerant recovered from these vehicles, the Agency hopes to provide incentives for the recovery and reuse of refrigerants. 
Keep in mind that these activities are only per-mitted as long as certain conditions are met. For several years, EPA has placed limits on how refrigerant at disposal facilities may be recovered. For example, equipment used to evacuate refrigerant must be capable of reducing the system pressure to 4 inches of mercury vacuum. These restrictions are shown in the middle column on the chart on the next page. They will continue, no matter whether refrigerant recovered from a facility is sent to a reclaimer or is returned directly to the MVAC service sector for reuse without prior reclamation. 
The provisions in this new rule apply only if the owner or operator of the motor vehicle disposal facility wishes to return refrigerant recovered from an MVAC back to the MVAC service sector for reuse, instead of sending the refrigerant to a reclaimer. 
Specifically, the new rule provides that any refrigerant that is not sent off for reclamation may subsequently be used to charge or recharge an MVAC or MVAC-like appliance only if, prior to such charging or recharging, the refrigerant is: 
recovered 
using approved refrigerant recycling equipment dedicated for use with MVACs and MVAC-like appliances, 
either by a technician certified under section 609, or by an employee, owner, or operator of (or contractor to) the disposal facility, 
and is subsequently recycled 
by the facility that charges or recharges the refrigerant into an MVAC or MVAC-like appliance, 
using approved refrigerant recycling equipment in accordance with any applicable recommended service procedures. 
In addition, any ozone-depleting refrigerant extracted from an MVAC or an MVAC-like appliance bound for disposal and located at a motor vehicle disposal facility may either be sent off to be reclaimed or be sold by a motor vehicle disposal facility to a section 609 certified technician, who must then recycle the refrigerant and use it at his facility. Any section 609 certified technician who obtains such a refrigerant may subsequently re-use it only in an MVAC or MVAC-like appliance. The chart below should further explain what options motor vehicle disposal facility operators have under this new rule.
Disposition of refrigerant recovered from MVACs bound for disposal and located at a motor vehicle disposal facilityQuestionsif it will be sent off-site to a reclamation facility, then the answer is:if it will be sent to an MVAC service facility for charging or recharging into an MVAC or MVAC-like appliance without prior reclamation, then the answer is:
How must refrigerant be recovered?Refrigerant must be recovered using equipment that reduces the system pressure to 102 mm (4 inches) of mercury vacuum (Sections 82.156(g) and 82.158(l))Sections 82.156(g) and 82.158(l) (at left) apply, but there is a further restriction:
Prior to such charging or recharging, the refrigerant must be recovered using approved refrigerant recycling equipment dedicated for use with MVACs and MVAC-like appliances (Section 82.34(d))
Who can recover the refrigerant?No restriction in the regulation: anyone can recover; do not need to be a certified technicianPrior to such charging or recharging, the refrigerant must be recovered either by a section 609 certified technician, or by an employee, owner, or operator of, or contractor to, the disposal facility (Section 82.34(d))
Who can purchase the recovered refrigerant?Facilities that meet EPA standards for reclaiming refrigerants or those that buy used refrigerant to resell to the reclaiming operations can purchase the recovered refrigerant (Section 82.154(m))A Section 609 certified technician, who must recycle the used refrigerant before recharging into an MVAC (Sections 82.34(d) and 82.154(m))
Under what conditions can the refrigerant be re-used?It can be re-used after reclamation (Sections 82.154(g) and (h))Prior to such charging or recharging, the refrigerant must be recycled, using approved refrigerant recycling equipment. In addition, section 609 technicians who obtain refrigerant recovered from an MVAC or MVAC-like appliance at motor vehicle disposal facilities must subequently re-use the refrigerant in an MVAC or MVAC-like appliance (Section 82.34(d))
What recordkeeping and reporting requirements apply?Anyone who recovers refrigerant from MVACs or MVAC-like appliances for purposes of disposal must certify to EPA that they have acquired equipment that meets section 608 requirements (in other words, they must fill out the section 608 certification form) (Section 82.154(f))Anyone who recovers refrigerant from MVACs or MVAC-like appliances for purposes of disposal must certify to EPA that they have acquired equipment that meets section 608 requirements (in other words, they must fill out the section 608 certification form) (Section 82.154(f))
Anyone who sells or distributes any ozone-depleting refrigerant must retain invoices that indicate the name of the purchaser, the date of sale, and the quantity of refrigerant purchased (Section 82.166(a))Anyone who sells or distributes any ozone-depleting refrigerant must retain invoices that indicate the name of the purchaser, the date of sale, and the quantity of refrigerant purchased (Section 82.166(a))
Anyone who takes the final step in disposing of MVACs or MVAC-like appliances, but who does not recover the remaining refrigerant themselves, must maintain copies of signed statements verifying that the refrigerant has been evacuated previously (Sections 82.156(f)(2) and 82.166(i))Anyone who takes the final step in disposing of MVACs or MVAC-like appliances, but who does not recover the remaining refrigerant themselves, must maintain copies of signed statements verifying that the refrigerant has been evacuated previously (Sections 82.156(f)(2) and 82.166(i)
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