Study 2 Refrigerants and Environmental Regulations with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.
What are CFCs, and what environmental harm do R-12 and R-11 cause?
CFCs contain chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. R-12 and R-11 damage stratospheric ozone, and their production and import have been phased out in the United States, subject to limited exceptions.
What distinguishes HCFCs, and what is the status of R-22 servicing?
HCFCs contain hydrogen as well as chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. R-22 depletes ozone; new production and import of most HCFCs ended in 2020, but available refrigerant may still be used for permitted servicing.
What are the ozone and climate effects of many HFCs?
HFCs contain hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon, but no chlorine, so they do not deplete ozone. Many have high global-warming potential, and U.S. law phases down their production and consumption.
What characterizes HFO refrigerants?
HFOs are unsaturated fluorinated compounds often used as lower-GWP alternatives. R-1234yf is an example, and some HFOs are mildly flammable.
Name examples of hydrocarbon or inorganic refrigerants and a key safety consideration.
Examples include propane (R-290), isobutane (R-600a), ammonia (R-717), and carbon dioxide (R-744). They can have low or zero ozone-depletion potential but still require application-specific safety controls.
What does an R-number tell you, and what does the suffix in R-410A distinguish?
An R-number identifies a chemical or blend; it does not state environmental impact or safety class. A suffix such as the A in R-410A distinguishes a blend composition, and equipment requires its specified refrigerant.
How should you identify a refrigerant in a cylinder?
Use the refrigerant number, product name, required hazard and transport markings, and safety data sheet. Do not identify contents by cylinder color; AHRI’s common light gray-green color is an industry recommendation, not a law.
What do the letter and number in an ASHRAE refrigerant safety group indicate?
ASHRAE safety groups use a letter for toxicity and a number for flammability. A indicates lower toxicity and B higher toxicity; 1 means no flame propagation under the standard’s test conditions, while 2, 2L, and 3 indicate increasing flammability categories.
What ASHRAE safety groups are assigned to R-410A, R-32, R-290, and ammonia?
R-410A is A1, while R-32 and R-1234yf are A2L. Propane R-290 is A3, and ammonia R-717 is B2L.
Why does an A1 classification not mean a refrigerant is harmless?
A safety classification does not mean a refrigerant is harmless. Even an A1 refrigerant can displace oxygen, and high pressure, cold liquid, or decomposition products can cause serious injury.
What are the roles of the Montreal Protocol and Clean Air Act Title VI?
The Montreal Protocol is the international agreement to protect the ozone layer. In the United States, Clean Air Act Title VI implements controls on ozone-depleting substances.
What HFC reduction target does the AIM Act set for 2036?
The AIM Act directs EPA to reduce HFC production and consumption to 15% of baseline levels by 2036 through staged limits and an allowance program.
Learn how EPA pressure categories are determined, how vapor-compression systems move refrigerant, and which pressure-related hazards require attention.
A medium-difficulty quiz on refrigeration-system operation, refrigerant safety, and small-appliance responsibilities.
A medium-difficulty quiz on preparing for and performing safe initial diagnostics on high- and very-high-pressure refrigeration appliances.
A medium-difficulty quiz on EPA Section 608 Type I certification scope, small-appliance criteria, and refrigerant handling requirements.
A medium-difficulty quiz on locating refrigerant leaks, performing repairs safely, verifying system integrity, and applying relevant regulatory requirements.
A quiz on safe setup, operation, and completion of refrigerant recovery for low-pressure appliances.
A quiz on safe evacuation, dehydration, and vacuum verification for refrigeration circuits.
A medium-difficulty quiz on diagnosing, repairing, testing, and documenting appliance service work before returning equipment to operation.
Practice chiller recovery, safety checks, endpoint verification, and service documentation. Follow equipment-specific procedures and applicable requirements.
Review safe refrigerant recovery and service practices, evacuation requirements, and the leak-repair rules that may apply to stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning appliances.
A medium-difficulty quiz on safe, compliant service decisions for stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.
A practical guide to safe stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning service, recovery requirements, leak-repair rules, verification, and documentation.