1 Refrigerant Recovery Equipment and Safe Setup

Recovery and related processes

Refrigerant recovery transfers refrigerant from an appliance into a separate container. It differs from recycling, which cleans refrigerant for reuse, and reclaiming, which processes it to a specified purity.

For stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, use recovery equipment certified for the applicable appliance category and follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions. Requirements and recovery targets vary by appliance type and charge; there is no single endpoint that applies to every system.

Equipment and its purpose

A recovery machine transfers refrigerant from the appliance to a recovery cylinder. Choose a machine certified and rated for the appliance and refrigerant, including the refrigerant's pressure and flammability class. Equipment designed for small appliances may be appropriate for that category; do not assume one machine suits every system.

A recovery cylinder must be refillable, approved, in serviceable condition, and rated for the refrigerant's pressure. Use a clearly identified cylinder suitable for the refrigerant. Keep each refrigerant type separate, and do not mix unknown or contaminated refrigerant with clean refrigerant.

Refrigerant-rated hoses and fittings connect the appliance, machine, and cylinder. They must be compatible with the refrigerant and system pressure. Low-loss fittings and core-removal tools can reduce restriction and refrigerant loss. Manifold gauges show system-side pressures and help monitor recovery, but they do not measure the amount of refrigerant in the cylinder.

Use a scale to weigh the cylinder before and during recovery. Follow the cylinder markings and applicable refrigerant-specific fill limit; do not rely on pressure, appearance, or an automatic shutoff alone. A refrigerant identifier can help check an unknown charge, while an inline filter-drier can protect the machine from debris and moisture. A vacuum pump is generally used to evacuate a system after recovery and repair, not to capture refrigerant.

Inspect and select equipment

Identify the appliance and refrigerant using its nameplate, service records, and refrigerant label. If the refrigerant is unknown or suspected to be contaminated, use equipment and a collection cylinder intended for that material; do not contaminate a cylinder of known refrigerant.

Confirm that the recovery unit's certification category and manufacturer specifications cover the appliance and refrigerant. Check pressure ratings and, for flammable refrigerants, use only equipment specifically approved for that refrigerant class.

Inspect the machine and connections for damage, contamination, blockage, or leaks. Check the power cord, switches, inlet screen or filter, valves, hoses, seals, fittings, and gauges. Confirm that the scale operates correctly and can support the cylinder.

Verify that the cylinder is a recovery cylinder, approved, in serviceable condition, correctly pressure-rated, and suitable for the refrigerant. Check its tare and fill-limit information. Do not use a damaged, unmarked, or unsuitable cylinder.

Set up safely

Work in a well-ventilated area and, when required by the refrigerant's safety classification, away from ignition sources. Wear suitable eye protection and gloves. Escaping liquid refrigerant can cause cold injury, and released refrigerant can displace oxygen in a confined space.

Secure the cylinder upright on the scale and note its starting weight. Keep it within its pressure and fill limits and protect it from heat. With equipment isolated as required by the service procedure, connect the appliance, recovery machine, and cylinder according to the machine's instructions. Keep connections tight and arrange hoses to avoid kinks and trip hazards.

Use the prescribed method to clear air or refrigerant from hoses; do not intentionally vent refrigerant. Open valves in the sequence specified by the manufacturer. Throughout recovery, monitor pressures, cylinder weight, and machine operation.

Recover and finish the process

Direct recovery can transfer vapor and, with suitable equipment and procedure, liquid. Push-pull recovery uses a refrigerant flow arrangement to move accessible liquid quickly, but is suitable only for appropriate systems and does not by itself complete vapor recovery or reach the required endpoint.

Finish with the specified recovery method and verify the endpoint applicable to the appliance. Close valves, isolate the machine, and manage refrigerant remaining in hoses using the manufacturer's procedure. Label and store recovered refrigerant by type.