A compressor burnout has left the R-22 in a system acidic and dirty. What must the technician do with it?
The three Rs · EPA 608 Core. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
What recover, recycle and reclaim each mean.
The question
A compressor burnout has left the R-22 in a system acidic and dirty. What must the technician do with it?
- Vent it, since it cannot be reused
- Mix it with clean R-22 to dilute it
- Leave it in the system
- Recover it into a recovery cylinderCorrect answer
Why “Recover it into a recovery cylinder” is correct
Recovery means removing refrigerant in any condition and storing it in an external container. Contaminated refrigerant must still be recovered; it can then be recycled for the same owner, sent for reclamation, or destroyed.
Source: 40 CFR 82.152; 40 CFR 82.154(a)
Why the other answers are wrong
- Vent it, since it cannot be reused — Contamination is not a reason to vent.
- Mix it with clean R-22 to dilute it — Diluting with clean refrigerant spreads the contamination.
- Leave it in the system — The system cannot be opened for repair with the refrigerant left in it.
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