Recovery question

[hyperboneious]

Hi,

I have a few empty cylinders of R-507 that I need to dispose of. I understand that I need to recover the residual refrigerant down to a certain vacuum level. However, it's been years since I received my certification and for the life of me I don't remember the procedure. Anyone know where I can find step by step instructions? What amount of vacuum must they be recovered to?

Thanks,
hB

 

[CH5OH]

the best way to emty the bottles completely is to suck them empty with your refrigeration plant.Connect the bottle to the suction side of the compressor, open the bottle and close the return valve from the evaporator.the compressor will eventually trip on low pressure.Then close the valve on the bottle.If the compressor doesn't have a connection between return valve evaporator and compressor, connect the bottle to the suction pressure manometer.
Caution:works very well on small plant (<5kW), on a big plant the compressor flow might be a bit to big.

 

[berkshire]

hyperboneious (Mechanical)

Some EPA training documents say evacuate to 29"
others say you only have to go to 4". The regulation does not really say. It just says pull a vacuum.

This is an excerpt from the regulation

9. Disposal of Empty/Near Empty Containers
9.1 Since all refrigerant may not have
been removed from disposable refrigerant
containers during normal system charging
procedures, empty/near empty container
contents should be recycled prior to disposal
of the container.
9.2 Attach the container to the recycling
unit and remove the remaining refrigerant.
When the container has been reduced from
a pressure to vacuum, the container valve can
be closed and the container can be removed
from the unit. The container should be
marked ‘‘Empty’’, after which it is ready for
disposal.
III. SAE J2099, issued December, 1991

B.E.