Chapter 8Chapter 8

Refrigerant Refrigerant ManagementManagement

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ObjectivesObjectivesAfter completing the material in this After completing the material in this chapter, the student should be able to:chapter, the student should be able to:– List the desired properties for refrigerants.List the desired properties for refrigerants.– Explain the characteristics of hydrocarbons.Explain the characteristics of hydrocarbons.– Explain how a refrigerant becomes halogenated.Explain how a refrigerant becomes halogenated.– Explain the chemical elements that make up Explain the chemical elements that make up

CFC, HC, HCFC, and HFC refrigerants.CFC, HC, HCFC, and HFC refrigerants.– Differentiate between azeotropic, near-Differentiate between azeotropic, near-

azeotropic, and zeotropic refrigerant blends.azeotropic, and zeotropic refrigerant blends.– Explain how ozone protects the Earth.Explain how ozone protects the Earth.– Explain the difference between good and bad Explain the difference between good and bad

ozone.ozone.

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ObjectivesObjectivesAfter completing the material in this chapter, After completing the material in this chapter, the student should be able to:the student should be able to:– Explain how ozone is destroyed.Explain how ozone is destroyed.– Explain the concept of global warming.Explain the concept of global warming.– Interpret ozone depletion potentials (ODP) and Interpret ozone depletion potentials (ODP) and

global warming potentials (GWP).global warming potentials (GWP).– Determine the proper oil to use with various types Determine the proper oil to use with various types

of refrigerant.of refrigerant.– Differentiate between reusable and disposable Differentiate between reusable and disposable

refrigerant cylinders.refrigerant cylinders.– Obey laws regarding certification and refrigerant Obey laws regarding certification and refrigerant

handling.handling.

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ObjectivesObjectives

After completing the material in this After completing the material in this chapter, the student should be able to:chapter, the student should be able to:– Differentiate between Type I, Type II, Differentiate between Type I, Type II,

Type III, and Universal certification.Type III, and Universal certification.– Differentiate between refrigerant Differentiate between refrigerant

recovering, recycling, and reclaiming.recovering, recycling, and reclaiming.– Demonstrate passive and active recovery Demonstrate passive and active recovery

methods.methods.– Demonstrate methods to recycle Demonstrate methods to recycle

refrigerant.refrigerant.

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Refrigerant TypesRefrigerant Types

Environmentally friendlyEnvironmentally friendly

Non-toxicNon-toxic

Non-flammableNon-flammable

Chemically stableChemically stable

RecyclableRecyclable

Relative low costRelative low cost

Detectable at low concentrationsDetectable at low concentrations

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Ethane and MethaneEthane and Methane

Most refrigerants in use today Most refrigerants in use today originate from one of these two base originate from one of these two base molecules.molecules.

Methane and ethane are referred to Methane and ethane are referred to as pure hydrocarbons.as pure hydrocarbons.– Pure hydrocarbons contain only Pure hydrocarbons contain only

hydrogen and carbon.hydrogen and carbon.– Other hydrocarbons include propane Other hydrocarbons include propane

and butane.and butane.

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Ethane and MethaneEthane and Methane(A) Methane molecule (B) Ethane molecule(A) Methane molecule (B) Ethane molecule

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Classes of Classes of Refrigerants in Use TodayRefrigerants in Use Today

Hydrocarbons (HC)Hydrocarbons (HC)

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC)Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC)

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC)Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC)

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Ozone DepletionOzone Depletion

Skin cancer.Skin cancer.

Eye-related issues, including Eye-related issues, including cataracts.cataracts.

Decreased plant growth rates.Decreased plant growth rates.

Compromised immune systems.Compromised immune systems.

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Ozone DepletionOzone DepletionAtmospheric Atmospheric regions regions

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Global WarmingGlobal Warming

Also referred to as the greenhouse Also referred to as the greenhouse effect.effect.

Earth’s inability to release heat by Earth’s inability to release heat by radiation back to the atmosphere. radiation back to the atmosphere.

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Ozone Depletion Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)Potential (ODP)

CFC refrigerants have high ozone CFC refrigerants have high ozone depletion potentials.depletion potentials.

HCFC refrigerants have lower ozone HCFC refrigerants have lower ozone depletion potentials.depletion potentials.

HFC and HC refrigerants have an HFC and HC refrigerants have an ozone depletion potential of zero.ozone depletion potential of zero.

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Global Warming Potential Global Warming Potential (GWP)(GWP)

CFC refrigerants have high global CFC refrigerants have high global warming potentials.warming potentials.

HCFC refrigerants have lower global HCFC refrigerants have lower global warming potentials.warming potentials.

HC refrigerants have low global HC refrigerants have low global warming potentials.warming potentials.

HFC refrigerants have very low global HFC refrigerants have very low global warming potentials.warming potentials.

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Refrigerant OilsRefrigerant Oils

AlkylbenzenesAlkylbenzenes

GlycolsGlycols

EstersEsters

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Refrigerant OilsRefrigerant OilsA list of A list of refrigerants with refrigerants with their appropriate their appropriate oils.oils.

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Refrigerant CylindersRefrigerant Cylinders

Disposable refrigerant cylindersDisposable refrigerant cylinders

Reusable refrigerant cylindersReusable refrigerant cylinders

Recovery cylinders Recovery cylinders

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Refrigerant CylindersRefrigerant CylindersDisposable refrigerant cylinder (Photo by Eugene Disposable refrigerant cylinder (Photo by Eugene

Silberstein).Silberstein).

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Refrigerant CylindersRefrigerant Cylinders

Reusable refrigerant cylinders.Reusable refrigerant cylinders.

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Refrigerant HandlingRefrigerant Handling

Always be thoroughly familiar with Always be thoroughly familiar with surroundings.surroundings.

Wear personal protection equipment Wear personal protection equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, (PPE) including safety glasses, gloves, and protective clothing.gloves, and protective clothing.

Recovered refrigerant may be acidic. Recovered refrigerant may be acidic. BE CAREFUL.BE CAREFUL.

Do not inhale refrigerant vapors.Do not inhale refrigerant vapors.

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Refrigerant HandlingRefrigerant Handling

When possible, work in well-When possible, work in well-ventilated areas.ventilated areas.

Refrigerant containers should never Refrigerant containers should never be filled to more than 80% capacity.be filled to more than 80% capacity.

Always secure cylinders before Always secure cylinders before transporting.transporting.

Properly label all refrigerant Properly label all refrigerant cylinders.cylinders.

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Refrigerant HandlingRefrigerant Handling

Store tanks in a cool, dry place.Store tanks in a cool, dry place.

Always maintain equipment and tools Always maintain equipment and tools including recovery equipment, gauges, including recovery equipment, gauges, hoses, and refrigerant cylinders.hoses, and refrigerant cylinders.

Dedicate hoses for use with specific Dedicate hoses for use with specific refrigerants to reduce cross-refrigerants to reduce cross-contamination.contamination.

Change oil and filters regularly on Change oil and filters regularly on recovery equipment.recovery equipment.

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EPA Type 608 CertificationEPA Type 608 Certification

Type I – Small AppliancesType I – Small Appliances

Type II – High-Pressure and Very-Type II – High-Pressure and Very-High- Pressure AppliancesHigh- Pressure Appliances

Type III – Low-Pressure AppliancesType III – Low-Pressure Appliances

Universal – Type I, Type II, and Type Universal – Type I, Type II, and Type IIIIII

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Refrigerant RecoveryRefrigerant Recovery

Passive recovery:Passive recovery:– Uses the system compressor to pump Uses the system compressor to pump

the refrigerant from the system to an the refrigerant from the system to an approved DOT refrigerant cylinderapproved DOT refrigerant cylinder

Active recovery:Active recovery:– When the system contains more than 15 When the system contains more than 15

pounds of refrigerant or if the system pounds of refrigerant or if the system compressor is inoperativecompressor is inoperative

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Refrigerant RecoveryRefrigerant Recovery

Setup for passive refrigerant activity. Setup for passive refrigerant activity.

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Recovered Recovered Refrigerant IdentificationRefrigerant Identification

Active Active recovery setup recovery setup with moisture with moisture indicator and indicator and filter installed.filter installed.

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SummarySummaryRefrigerants should be environmentally safe, Refrigerants should be environmentally safe, non-toxic, non-flammable, and chemically non-toxic, non-flammable, and chemically stable.stable.Halogen refrigerants are created when some Halogen refrigerants are created when some hydrogen atoms are replaced with chlorine or hydrogen atoms are replaced with chlorine or fluorine atoms.fluorine atoms.Hydrocarbons (HC) contain only hydrogen and Hydrocarbons (HC) contain only hydrogen and carbon.carbon.Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) contain only Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) contain only hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon.hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon.Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) contain only Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) contain only chlorine, fluorine, and carbon.chlorine, fluorine, and carbon.

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SummarySummaryHydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) contain only Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) contain only hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, and carbon.hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, and carbon.Blended refrigerants are mixtures of two or Blended refrigerants are mixtures of two or more other refrigerants and can be more other refrigerants and can be azeotropic, near-azeotropic, or zeotropic.azeotropic, near-azeotropic, or zeotropic.Stratospheric ozone protects the Earth from Stratospheric ozone protects the Earth from ultraviolet radiation.ultraviolet radiation.Ozone molecules are destroyed by chlorine.Ozone molecules are destroyed by chlorine.Chemical substances are rated by their ozone Chemical substances are rated by their ozone depletion potentials (ODP) and their global depletion potentials (ODP) and their global warming potentials (GWP).warming potentials (GWP).

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SummarySummaryCFCs have high ODPs, while HFCs and HCs CFCs have high ODPs, while HFCs and HCs have low ODPs.have low ODPs.Synthetic oils can be alkylbenzenes, glycols, Synthetic oils can be alkylbenzenes, glycols, and esters. and esters. Refrigerant cylinders are color-coded and can Refrigerant cylinders are color-coded and can be reusable or disposable.be reusable or disposable.The Montreal Protocol Act paved the way for a The Montreal Protocol Act paved the way for a number of regulations regarding refrigerant number of regulations regarding refrigerant handling.handling.Technicians must be certified as per EPA Technicians must be certified as per EPA Section 608 guidelines.Section 608 guidelines.

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SummarySummaryRefrigerant can be recovered, recycled, or Refrigerant can be recovered, recycled, or reclaimed.reclaimed.Recovery involves the removal and storage of Recovery involves the removal and storage of the refrigerant.the refrigerant.Recycling involves the filtering of refrigerant Recycling involves the filtering of refrigerant prior to reintroducing it to the system.prior to reintroducing it to the system.Reclaiming involves restoring the refrigerant Reclaiming involves restoring the refrigerant to ARI 700 standards.to ARI 700 standards.