ACR Journal

The RAC Engineer’s Guide to Low GWP Refrigerants 34 HFC Hydrofluorocarbons are a refrigerant class made up of carbon, fluorine and hydrogen. These contain the higher GWP refrigerants phased out under the F-Gas Regulation and include products such as R404A. HFO HFOs or hydrofluoro-oelfins are an unsaturated compound of hydrogen, fluorine and carbon. HFCs and CFCs are saturated. HFO refrigerants have a much lessened GWP than HFC alternatives but there is concern that HFO refrigerants have a much higher flammability rate than HFCs. HFOs include products such as R1234YF. Retrofit Removing a refrigerant from a system and replacing it with another compatible product that offers the required performance. Recovery cylinder Cylinders used to return recovered refrigerant that the customer no longer requires. They have a yellow valve guard and a dual port valve to enable push-pull recovery of gas. They may contain traces of oil and other contaminants and are not suitable for A2L refrigerants or Ammonia. Receiver cylinder Cylinders used as a temporary storage vessel for refrigerant that the engineer wishes to re-introduce into a system. These cylinders with a yellow and black banded valve guard and dual port valves enable push-pull recovery of gas. They should be returned to A-Gas empty. They are not suitable for A2L refrigerants or Ammonia. Reclaim Recovered refrigerant material sent to a licensed facility such as A-Gas to undergo a thorough cleaning process that is reprocessed to the same standard as AHRI 700 material. Recycle This is where recovered material has undergone a basic cleaning process for re-use on the same site. Be aware that moving recycled refrigerants between sites is prohibited due to waste transfer restrictions.