Using recovery equipment made in 2020, what evacuation levels apply before each is opened for a major repair?

Recovery requirements · EPA 608 Type III. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

Evacuation levels for low-pressure appliances, and major versus non-major repairs.

The question

One R-123 chiller holds 150 pounds and another holds 1,200 pounds. Using recovery equipment made in 2020, what evacuation levels apply before each is opened for a major repair?

• A10 inches of Hg vacuum for the smaller, 15 inches for the larger
• B0 psig for the smaller, 25 mm Hg absolute for the larger
• C15 inches of Hg vacuum for both chillers
• D25 mm Hg absolute for both chillersCorrect answer

Why “25 mm Hg absolute for both chillers” is correct

Table 1 splits medium- and high-pressure appliances at 200 pounds of charge, but the low-pressure row has no size split. Any low-pressure appliance, whatever its charge, must be evacuated to 25 mm Hg absolute before a major repair or disposal.

Source: 40 CFR 82.156(a), Table 1

Why the other answers are wrong

• 10 inches of Hg vacuum for the smaller, 15 inches for the larger — That 200-pound split is how Table 1 treats medium-pressure appliances, not low-pressure ones.
• 0 psig for the smaller, 25 mm Hg absolute for the larger — There is no 0 psig option for a major repair on a low-pressure appliance of any size.
• 15 inches of Hg vacuum for both chillers — 15 inches of Hg vacuum is a medium-pressure level; low-pressure appliances go to 25 mm Hg absolute.

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