Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) MVAC Certification

Is it acceptable to mix refrigerants in recovery cylinders?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Only specific types

4. Only if labeled correctly

The correct answer is: No

Mixing refrigerants in recovery cylinders is not acceptable due to several critical reasons centered around safety, efficiency, and environmental protection. When different types of refrigerants are mixed, it can lead to chemical reactions that may produce harmful byproducts. Additionally, mixing refrigerants complicates the recovery and recycling processes, as each refrigerant type has its own specific pressures and properties. This can result in contamination, which not only poses risks in terms of safety and performance but also in terms of regulatory compliance. Refrigerants must be kept separate to ensure that the system can be properly serviced and that the refrigerants can be accurately reclaimed and recycled based on their specific compositions. Regulatory bodies, such as the EPA, provide strict guidelines aimed at preventing such practices to protect both the environment and public health. Therefore, it is essential to adhere to these regulations by keeping refrigerants separated and using designated recovery cylinders for each type of refrigerant.