SKILLS

WORKSHOP
LIFT-OUT
R22 Phase-out
guide – Part 1
FEATURE
REFRIGERANT
RECLAIM

FEATURE
APPS FOR
TRADIES

FUTURE
WORLD A NEW DIMENSION
IN HVAC&R EDUCATION
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10 / FEATURE ▲
STAKING A
RECLAIM
HVAC&R Nation recently caught up with Michael Bennett
from Refrigerant Reclaim Australia, to find out what’s new
in the refrigerant reclaim world – from recovery and reuse,
to the introduction of new refrigerants.
HVAC&R Nation: Have there been
any advances or changes in refrigerant
recovery recently?
Michael Bennett: There have been quite a
few developments and some growing concerns
in the field of refrigerant recovery and reuse.
There has been a substantial increase in the level
of reuse of recovered refrigerant in Australia over the
past few years. Of course, most recovered refrigerant
is reused – put back into the system after service,
for example.
Contractors and technicians may also put recovered
refrigerant through a recycling machine that removes
oil, moisture, and particulates. This process cleans the
refrigerant but it is important to note that recycling
A plasma arc destruction plant, used for destroying refrigerant.
June 2015 | HVAC&R Nation | www.hvacrnation.com.au
machines cannot separate one refrigerant from
another. So, if the recovered refrigerant has been
contaminated with another refrigerant, including
hydrocarbons, it cannot be purified by this process.
The danger in this higher level of reuse is the potential
for increasing quantities of impure refrigerant to be
installed into equipment. Impure refrigerant leads to
inefficient operations, higher indirect emissions due
to increased power consumption, higher maintenance
costs, and more breakdowns.
Increased reclamation capacity has also been
installed in Australia. Reclamation is the process
that returns recovered refrigerant to new specification
by separating one product from another, usually
by employing a fractional distillation column.
HVAC&R Nation: Are there any
refrigerant recovery skills or knowledge
gaps that need to be addressed among
HVAC&R tradespeople?
MB: Refrigerant identification would seem to
be the greatest challenge. Knowing exactly what
refrigerant is in the system is critical for the safety
of technicians, equipment owners, and the public.
It is also necessary for the efficient and low-cost
operation of equipment.
HVAC&R Nation: With more widespread
use of different and new refrigerants –
including natural refrigerants, blends,
and R32 – what key points do people
need to be aware of when recovering?
MB: The growing use of flammable refrigerants
presents clear risks for technicians. It is vital that
they are aware of the type of refrigerant in the
system. By identifying the refrigerant, and its purity,
the technician and equipment owner can make
an informed decision on reuse. If it’s pure then
reuse it, if it’s contaminated then send it to RRA
for safe disposal.
It is also important to ensure that recovery and
recycling equipment and recovery cylinders are
properly rated and labelled. There are two main
types of flammable refrigerants in use, mildly
flammable A2L products such as R32, and highly
flammable A3 products like R290 (propane).
A recovery unit rated for A2L refrigerants is
not suitable for A3-rated products.
However, when recovered into a gas cylinder, both
types of flammable refrigerants become Class 2.1
Flammable Compressed Gases according to the
Australian Dangerous Goods Code. This means that
cylinders must have the right label, colour coding,
pressure rating, and valving for flammable gases (left-
hand thread).
HVAC&R Nation: What should someone
do if they have recovered contaminated,
flammable or toxic refrigerants?
MB: The introduction of R32 means that RRA
now takes back flammable fluorocarbon refrigerants.
We have always collected flammable refrigerants but
we discourage the recovery and return of hydrocarbon
products due to safety and cost issues.
Special flammable-rated and labelled recovered
gas cylinders have been developed and placed into
traffic to provide for the safe recovery and return
of flammable fluorocarbon refrigerants.
Should technicians encounter flammable and toxic
non-fluorocarbon refrigerants, they should contact
the suppliers of those products for advice on how
to proceed.
The correct labelling of systems is also critical
in ensuring safe work practises and preventing
contamination of refrigerant. Mixing hydrocarbons
with non-flammable refrigerants must be avoided.
HVAC&R Nation: What’s on the horizon
in the refrigerant recovery sector?
MB: The bank of installed refrigerant in Australia
continues to grow, and our liability to take back
and safely dispose of contaminated and unwanted
fluorocarbon refrigerants grows commensurately.
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The amount of refrigerant being recovered and
returned has started to grow quite strongly again,
and we expect to be back above 500 tonnes per
annum in a couple of years.
Looking further out, the potential to reach
1,000 a year exists. Why so much? It is to do with
the potential for R410A to become redundant later
next decade. There is something in the order of
20,000 tonnes of R410A installed in the market, and
there is a move to R32 in the domestic AC sector.
As the R410A systems start coming out of service
there will likely be a large surplus of that refrigerant
that will need to be destroyed.
The other big issue we face is the increasing use
of flammable refrigerant that will be recovered and
returned for safe disposal. RRA has flammable-rated
decanting and storage capacity, but this will need
to be expanded to meet future demand. Planning
has already commenced, and a large investment
will be made over the next three years to ensure
we are able to meet industry needs safely,
effectively, and economically, while providing
sound environmental outcomes. ▲

More information
For more information on Refrigerant Reclaim
Australia, visit www.refrigerantreclaim.com.au
A high-energy DC plasma torch is crucial to the refrigerant destruction process.

www.hvacrnation.com.au | HVAC&R Nation | June 2015