UPDATED WITH HELPFUL VIDEOS OF EACH METHOD
One of the most common tasks a service technician will perform when maintaining or repairing HVAC systems is refrigerant recovery. Understanding the different recovery methods will help you perform this important task as efficiently as possible.
Plus, when you follow proper refrigerant recovery procedures, you’ll prevent harm to both you and the equipment while getting the job done right the first time.
Safety First
One of the most important aspects of refrigerant recovery is safety. You must have the proper equipment for the type of refrigerant you‘re recovering.
For example, systems charged with R-410A operate under significantly higher pressures than R-22 systems. This means you need equipment made to handle the higher pressures associated with R-410A.
The first thing you’ll need is a pair of safety goggles and a good set of gloves to prevent frostbite.
Most technicians use a manifold set with two center utility ports — ¼-in. for recovery, and 3/8-in. for vacuum — in addition to the blue and red low- and high-side ports. Make sure the manifold gauges are rated for the refrigerant pressure you’re working with.
You’ll also need a set of charging hoses with ball valve ends. It’s important to ensure both the hoses and the assemblies are UL recognized. And be sure to check the condition of your hoses prior to use.
It’s best if you can use the shortest hoses possible for a given job, making for more efficient recovery and reducing the impact on the environment.
It’s best if you can use the shortest hoses possible for a given job, making for more efficient recovery and reducing the impact on the environment.
Obviously, you’ll also need a quality recovery unit. Look for one with a large condenser, a compressor protection regulator (CPR) valve, and a high-pressure cutout switch rated for at least 510 psi.
Some manufacturers offer a subcooling feature, which is an excellent way to increase your rate of recovery in high ambient conditions.
Finally, you’ll need the appropriate recovery tank. When recovering R-410A, you need to use a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 400 recovery tank. A standard DOT 350 tank will not safely handle the high pressures of R-410A. So be sure you have the right tank for the job and that you don’t fill it beyond 80% capacity (a DOT regulation).
When recovering refrigerant, there are three basic methods: liquid, vapor, and push-pull.
Another DOT regulation requires a recertification of the tank every five years, so be sure to check the date on your tank.
Overview of Recovery Types
When recovering refrigerant, there are three basic methods: liquid, vapor, and push-pull.In the liquid recovery method, you are able to transfer refrigerant while it’s still in the liquid state. This method is especially good for transferring refrigerant from one container to another.
Of the three recovery methods, liquid recovery is the fastest. So, why wouldn’t you use it? Because it’s simply not possible with all HVAC systems. In those cases, you’ll have to use the vapor recovery method.
Vapor recovery is slower than liquid recovery but also the most common method. It simply transfers refrigerant in the vapor state.
The process for liquid recovery and vapor recovery are very similar. The only differences are the state of the refrigerant and some settings on the refrigerant recovery unit.
The push-pull method of recovery quickly removes liquid refrigerant, but it’s a two-step process: Once all the liquid is removed in the first step, you have to change hose connections to recover the vapor.
In general, you’d only use the push-pull method if you have more than 10 pounds of refrigerant in a system.
Step by Step: Liquid Recovery
In the liquid recovery method, refrigerant is transferred while still in the liquid state. Let’s walk through the process.1. When you’re ready to start, make sure the system you are servicing is turned off. Check that the recovery machine’s selector knob is set to off and all valves on your manifold are closed.
2. Connect the manifold to the system being serviced: high-side to the liquid port, and low-side to the vapor port.
3. Next, connect a ¼-in. utility hose from your manifold to the suction port of the recovery machine.
4. Finally, connect a hose from the liquid side of the recovery cylinder to the discharge port.
5. Make sure that the ends of the hoses with the shut-offs are used at the suction and discharge ports. This is required by law.
6. Before beginning the recovery, purge all hoses of non-condensables.
7. Now, open the liquid valve on the recovery tank and you’re ready to turn the recovery unit on.
8. Turn the selector valve on the recovery unit to “liquid.”
9. Open the high-side valve and the utility port on the manifold. The unit will recover until the low pressure switch shuts down the unit and the lamp indicates “recovery complete.”
10. Now you can turn the system switch off, and turn the selector valve clockwise to off.
You need to purge the recovery system after every service. Turn the system switch on and turn the selector valve to “purge.” Purging clears the recovery unit of refrigerant, reducing the risk of cross-contamination and prolonging the life of your equipment.
Step by Step: Vapor Recovery
In vapor recovery, the refrigerant is removed an HVAC system in a vapor state. Then the vapor is condensed into a liquid by the recovery unit and, finally, transferred to the recovery cylinder. The basic process is the same as liquid recovery to a certain point.1. When you’re ready to start, make sure that the system you are servicing is powered off.
2. Check that the recovery machine’s selector knob is also set to off and all valves on the manifold are closed.
3. Connect your manifold to the system being serviced: high-side to the liquid port, and low-side to the vapor port.
4. Connect the ¼-in. utility hose of your manifold to the suction port of the recovery machine.
5. Finally, connect a hose from the liquid side of the recovery cylinder to the discharge port.
6. You’ll want to be sure that the ends of the hoses with the shut-offs are used at the suction and discharge ports. This is required by law.
7. Before recovering refrigerant into the recovery cylinder, purge all hoses of non-condensables.
8. Turn the recovery unit on and turn the selector valve on the unit to “vapor.”
9. Open the utility port and the low-side valve on the manifold. The unit will recover until the low-pressure switch shuts down the unit and the lamp indicates “recovery complete.”
10. When recovery is complete, turn the system switch off and turn the selector valve clockwise to off.
11. Again, you must purge after every recovery, so turn the system switch on and turn the selector valve to “purge.” When the unit again shuts down and the lamp indicates “recovery complete,” your vapor recovery process is finished.
Step by Step: Push-Pull Recovery
The push-pull recovery method is used for transferring large volumes of liquid refrigerant. The recovery unit “pulls” vapor from the recovery cylinder and produces high-pressure discharge gas that “pushes” liquid out of the HVAC system and back into the recovery cylinder.You should NOT use the push-pull method if :
• the system contains less than 10 pounds of refrigerant
• the system is a heat pump or other unit with a reversing valve.
• the system has an accumulator between the service ports used in liquid recovery, or if the refrigerant system does not allow for the formation of a solid column of liquid.
Because of the different set up, you’ll need extra equipment when performing a push-pull recovery: An extra hose, a recovery cylinder with no more than five pounds of refrigerant, and a sight glass rated for the pressure of the refrigerant you’re using.
Push-pull: once you have everything you need, you’re ready to get started.
1. Connect a hose from the discharge port of the recovery unit to the vapor side of the HVAC system.
2. Then, connect another hose from the liquid side of the HVAC system to the sight glass and on to the liquid side of the recovery tank.
3. Finally, connect a hose from the vapor side of the recovery tank to the suction port of the recovery unit.
4. Once all connections are hooked up, purge the hoses of non-condensables before starting recovery.
5. Open the valves on the recovery tank.
6. Turn the selector valve on your recovery unit to “vapor,” and turn the recovery unit on. Recovery will start.
7. While recovery is in progress, closely watch the sight glass.
8. When the passing liquid is no longer visible through the sight glass, or when the scale reading stops going up, the first step of the recovery is complete.
9. When it’s complete, close the vapor valve on the recovery tank and let the recovery unit run until the lamp indicates “recovery complete.” When recovery is complete, turn the system switch “off” and turn the selector valve clockwise to “off.”
10. At this point, you must purge the lines to prevent refrigerant loss. Turn the system switch on and turn the selector valve to “purge.”
11. When the unit again shuts down and the lamp indicates “recovery complete,” the purge is complete.
12. Turn your recovery unit off, and close the “liquid” valve on your recovery tank.
13. Now you can reconnect your hoses as in a standard vapor recovery.
As mentioned earlier, push-pull is very fast when you have the right set up for it, but it is a two-step process, so it’s not always the appropriate method to use.
14. Once the hoses are reconfigured for vapor recovery, turn the selector valve to “vapor” and run the vapor recovery process, continuing until the unit shuts off.
15. Purge once more before you begin servicing your HVAC system.
This final purge clears the recovery unit of refrigerant, reducing the risk of cross contamination and prolonging the life of your equipment.
Remember, you must purge after every service!
VIDEO FROM YELLOW JACKET ON PUSH-PULL RECOVERY
The information in this article was provided by Ritchie Engineering Co., Inc. – YELLOW JACKET Products Division, Bloomington, MN, manufacturers of a complete line of YELLOW JACKET recovery machines. For more information, contact Mary Jo Gentry, marketing communications manager, at 952/767-7208, e-mail her at [email protected], or visit the YELLOW JACKET website at www.yellowjacket.com.