Upgrade to remove ads
Only $35.99/year

EPA Certification

Terms in this set (200)

True or false: CFCs neither dissolve in water nor break down into compounds that dissolve in water, so they do not rain out of the atmosphere.
True
How many ozone molecules will one chlorine atom destroy?
100,000
What does ODP stand for?
ozone depletion potential
What is ODP?
the measurement of CFC's and HCFC's ability to destroy ozone
Which refrigerant is the most harmful to the ozone layer?
R-12 CFC
The Clean Air Act prohibits venting of CFCs and HCFCs as of
July 1, 1992
The Clean Air Act prohibits venting of HFCs as of
November 15, 1995
The Clean Air Act requires a service technician to be EPA certified as of
November 14, 1994
When disposing of a refrigerant cylinder,
recover the refrigerant and render the cylinder useless
When is it most likely that an appliance will need its refrigerant recovered?
before it can be discarded
What is known as de minimis releases?
It is a minimum amount of refrigerant that can be released to the atmosphere when servicing equipment.
What does the term temperature glide refer to?
the different refrigerant boiling and condensing points of a blended refrigerant
Service technicians who violate the Clean Air Act
may be fined and may lose certification.
How much of a fine can be issued for venting refrigerants?
$27,500
An award of _____ is given to the person who supplies information about the venting of refrigerants.
$10,000
What is fractionation
the separation of blended refrigerants caused by different refrigerant vapor pressures
What is the pressure range of the high-side gauge that is located on a manifold set?
0 psig to 500 psig
Which mixture is legal to add into a system for the purpose of leak testing?
a trace amount of R-22 and nitrogen
Hygroscopic oil is oil that
has a high attraction to moisture.
What is the state of the refrigerant leaving the condenser?
high-pressure liquid
What is the color code of refrigerant gauges?
low side is blue, high side is red
Which is considered recycling?
removing, filtering, and reusing refrigerant in a system
Refrigerant cylinders should be
free of rust as well as non-dented and undamaged.
Which leak detector will help locate the general area of a system's leak?
electronic/ultrasonic
What makes it impossible to reclaim a refrigerant?
having two different refrigerants in one container
Factors that affect the speed of evacuation are
the size of equipment, the ambient temperature, and the amount of moisture in the system.
To prevent an explosion, never fill a refrigerant cylinder more than
80% full
Refrigerant can cause suffocation because
it is heavier than air and it displaces oxygen
The Montreal Protocol is
a treaty regulating the production of CFCs.
Which refrigerant is an HCFC?
R-22
Which refrigerant is an HFC?
R-134A
A ternary blend is
a three-part blend.
What type of oil does a ternary blend use?
alkylbenzene
Which of the following is considered a "system-dependent" (passive) recovery?
using the appliance compressor to remove refrigerant
Which of the following is considered a "self-contained" (active) recovery?
using an EPA-approved recovery machine
A mechanical float device, an electronic shutoff device, and weight methods are devices used to
safely recover refrigerants.
True or false: A CFC and an HCFC have the same ozone depletion potential.
False
When pressure testing a system, never exceed
low-side test pressures.
Which agency has to approve refrigerant cylinders before they are transported?
DOT
To prevent an explosion, never pressure test a system using
oxygen.
A system is evacuated to 29.92" Hg and the pump is turned off. The pressure increases and stops at 25" Hg. What can be said about the system?
It has moisture or refrigerant present in the system.
As of _____, the EPA requires technicians performing a sealed system repair to be certified.
November 14, 1994
According to the EPA, a small appliance is
a system containing 5 lb of refrigerant or less including PTACs.
Under conditions of ARI 740-1993, recovery devices manufactured before November 15, 1993, must
be able to remove 80% of the refrigerant charge or achieve 4" Hg vacuum.
Under conditions of ARI 740-1993, recovery devices manufactured after November 15, 1993, must
be able to remove 80% of the refrigerant charge or achieve 4" Hg vacuum, if the system's compressor is not operating.
Technicians must certify their recovery equipment with the EPA after
August 12, 1993.
The EPA
does not require a leak in a small appliance to be repaired.
While recovering refrigerant, why is it necessary to install a piercing valve on both the high and low side of an appliance that has an inoperative compressor?
It will decrease the time of the refrigerant recovery.
When using a system-dependent (passive) recovery, the EPA requires
80% of the refrigerant to be removed if the compressor is not operating.
The pressure of an R-12 cylinder at 70 degrees F ambient temperature will be
70 psig
Which refrigerant must not be recovered with a current recovery system?
R-717 ammonia
Which of the following refrigerant is considered a replacement for R-12 refrigerant?
R-134A
When pressurizing a system with nitrogen, it is required to have
a pressure regulator and a relief valve.
After installing a piercing valve onto a system,
leak-test the valve.
If refrigerants are exposed to open flames and hot surfaces,
phosgene gas and hydrochloric hydrofluoric acids are produced.
What may cause a pungent odor in a CFC/HCFC system?
a burnt compressor
Which of the following is required if a large amount of R-12 has been released?
a self-contained breathing apparatus
At what temperature is R-22 when its pressure is 121 psig?
70 degrees F
At what pressure is R-502 when its temperature is 80 degrees F?
161 psig
Relief valves must never be installed
in series.
The color code for refrigerant recovery tanks is
yellow tops with gray bottoms.
Type II technicians are certified to service
high-pressure and very-high-pressure equipment, excluding small appliances and motor vehicles.
After the installation of a refrigeration system, the technician should first
pressure test the system using nitrogen.
What maintenance task must always be done to recover/recycle equipment?
Change the system's oil and filters.
What type of leak detection device is used to pinpoint a leak?
soap bubbles
An open compressor that has sat for several months is most likely
to leak from the shaft seal.
Two indications that a high-pressure system has a leak are
oil traces on flared fittings and high superheat.
The EPA requires that all comfort cooling systems with more than 50 lb of refrigerant be repaired when the annual leak rate exceeds
15%.
The EPA requires that all commercial and industrial process refrigeration systems with more than 50 lb of refrigerant be repaired when the annual leak rate exceeds
15%.
Why is it likely for a recovery and recycle machine to overheat when drawing a deep vacuum?
because the refrigerant is needed to cool the compressor
What component is directly after the condenser on a system that uses a TXV-type metering device?
the receiver
Which refrigerant requires a separate set of gauges, a vacuum pump, and a recovery machine when servicing?
R-134A
What methods help to reduce recovery time of a system?
Pack ice around the recovery tank, heat the appliance, and recover liquid first.
During a recovery, when should the refrigerant be removed from the condenser outlet?
when the condenser is below the receiver
When recovering refrigerant from a system that has a condenser on the roof and the evaporator on the first floor, the recovery should begin from
the liquid line entering the evaporator.
After removing refrigerant from a system, the refrigerant may
be reused in the same system or on another system owned by the same person.
What must be done to an empty recovery cylinder before transferring refrigerant into the cylinder?
It must be evacuated.
What is commonly used to aid in minimizing the release of refrigerant to the atmosphere?
low loss fittings, and hand valves on the hoses
When using recovery and recycling equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993, technicians must evacuate an appliance containing more than 200 lb of HCFC-22 to what level before making a major repair?
10" Hg
When using recovery and recycling equipment manufactured before November 15, 1993, technicians must evacuate an appliance containing less than 200 lb of HCFC-22 to what level before making a major repair?
0 psig
If a leak in an appliance makes the prescribed evacuation level unattainable, the appliance can be evacuated to
0 psig
What repair is considered a major repair?
the replacement of a condenser coil
When servicing an open system, which of the following should be replaced?
a filter dryer
In a refrigeration system, high-pressure liquid exits
the condenser and receiver.
When evacuating a system, it is required that the vacuum pump pull a minimum of
500 microns.
A technician must never
operate a hermetic compressor under a deep vacuum.
Non-condensables (air) cause
high head pressure.
A technician must never
front-seat the discharge service valve while the compressor is in operation.
Defined by ASHRAE Standard 15, a sensor and alarm are required for A-1 refrigerants (R-12, R-22, R-11)
to sense oxygen depletion.
A refrigeration system must always be protected by
a pressure-relief device.
To prevent freezing when charging R-12 into an evacuated system, it must be in the vapor from to raise the pressure up to
33 psig.
The sale of CFC and HCFC refrigerants has been restricted to certified technicians since
November 14, 1994.
Refrigerators built before 1950 often contain
SO2.
If EPA regulations change after a technician has been certified,
it is the technician's responsibility to comply with future changes.
Why is it easier to have air enter gaskets and fitting on a low-pressure system than a high-pressure system?
because a low-pressure system operates in a vacuum
At what pressure does a rupture disc open on a low-pressure system?
at 15 psig
What is the easiest way to leak-test a low-pressure system?
add warm water over the coil to raise the pressure to 10 psig
Why is it important not to exceed 10 psig when leak-testing a low-pressure system?
because the rupture disc, located on the evaporator, may fail
When using an electronic leak detector, where is a water box leak-tested after the water has been removed?
at the drain valve
What is used when leak-testing a water tube on a low-pressure chiller?
a hydrostatic tube kit
The EPA requires that all comfort cooling systems with more than 50 lb of refrigerant be repaired when the annual leak rate exceeds
15%
The EPA requires that all commercial and industrial process refrigeration systems with more than 50 lb of refrigerant be repaired when the annual leak rate exceeds
35%
What pressure is a high-pressure cut-out set for on a recovery system that is used on low-pressure refrigeration systems?
10 psig
When recovering R-11 or R-123 from a low-pressure system, always recover
liquid first.
What is commonly done to prevent a low-pressure system from freezing during evacuation?
Run the water through the chiller tubes
What does the ASHRAE guideline 3-1990 state about a vacuum test?
If a 1-mmHg vacuum level rises to 2.5 mmHg, the system should be leak-tested.
How is refrigerant added to a low-pressure chiller system after an evacuation?
by the use of the evaporator charging valve.
After a chiller system has had a deep system evacuation, what is commonly done to decrease the possibility of system freeze-up prior to a liquid charge?
Pressurize the system with vapor up to the 36 degree F saturation temperature.
When using recovery or recycling equipment manufactured or imported before November 15, 1993, the required level of evacuation for low-pressure equipment is
25" Hg.
When using recovery or recycling equipment manufactured or imported on or after November 15, 1993, the required level of evacuation for low-pressure equipment is
25 mmHg absolute.
What is used on low-pressure chillers to remove non-condensables from the system?
a purge unit
From where does the purge unit remove trapped air in a low-pressure system?
the top of the condenser
the equipment room that contains a chiller using R-123 group B-1 refrigerant requires a
refrigerant sensor.
It is important to recover the vapor refrigerant in a chiller after the liquid has been removed, since there is approximately _____ lb of vapor in a common 350-ton R-11 chiller.
100
It was unlawful to vent Class 1 and Class 2 refrigerants to the atmosphere after which date?
July 1, 1992
The ozone layer is being depleted by which molecules?
chlorine
Which refrigerant has the greatest potential to harm the ozone layer?
R-12
Which refrigerant does not contain chlorine?
HFC R-134A
Which refrigerant type possesses the least potential to destroy the ozone layer?
HFC
Ozone depletion potential is best described as?
a scale to measure the potential of a chemical for destroying ozone
Which refrigerant is a CFC?
R-12
Which refrigerant is an HCFC?
R-22
A molecule of ozone contains how many atoms of oxygen?
three
The term de minimis release means
an unintentional or accidental release of refrigerant.
The ozone layer is considered to be located in
the stratosphere.
Areas that use refrigerants include
heating and cooling applications, foam blowing agents, and cleaning solvents.
According to the EPA, _____ is a high-pressure refrigerant.
R-12, R-22, and R-502
According to the EPA, _____ is a low-pressure refrigerant.
R-11
Oxygen is O2 and ozone is
O3.
ODP stands for
ozone depletion potential.
When a free oxygen and chlorine atom unite they form
chlorine monoxide.
A CFC can last in the atmosphere for more than
100 years
Recovery and recycling equipment intended for use are tested under what standard?
ARI 740
Type I certification defines small appliances as products that are fully manufactured, charged and hermetically sealed in a factory with _____ pounds or less of refrigerant.
5
Which document calls for production controls on CFCs and HCFCs?
the Montreal Protocol
Recovery involves
removing refrigerant from an appliance and storing it in a container without processing it.
Reclaiming involves
removing refrigerant from an appliance, processing it to return it to its virgin state, and confirming this state through chemical analysis.
Recycling involves
removing refrigerant from an appliance and cleaning the refrigerant for reuse.
The ozone layer protects the earth by
filtering ultraviolet radiation.
Ultraviolet rays reaching the earth in increased quantities will cause
increased cases of skin cancer, deseases of the eye, weakening of the immune system, and decreased crop yields.
For small appliance use, a recovery device manufactured as of November 15, 1993 must be capable of
recovering 80% of the refrigerant when the compressor is not operating or reaching a 4" vacuum under ARI 740.
For small appliance use, a recovery device manufactured after November 15, 1993 must be capable of
recovering 90% of the refrigerant when the compressor is operating or reaching a 4" vacuum under ARI 740.
For small appliance use, a recovery device manufactured before November 15, 1993 must be
able to recover 80% of the refrigerant when the compressor is operating, be able to recover 80% of the refrigerant when the compressor is not operating, and operated by a certified technician after November 14, 1994.
A Type I technician can service a package unit air conditioner with a charge not exceeding
5 lb.
In order to service small appliances, a technician must be certified as
Type I or Universal
Refrigerants can _____ be mixed in the recovery cylinder.
never
When filling a dial-a-charge, the refrigerant from the top may
not be vented and must be recovered.
System-dependent recovery is known as
passive.
Self-contained recovery is known as
active.
If the compressor is not running in passive recovery, you are required to
recover from both low and high side.
A cylinder of R-12 is what color?
white
A cylinder of R-134A is what color?
light blue
Passive recovery
captures refrigerant in non-pressurized containers, can be assisted by adding heat to the refrigerant, and does not require an operational compressor.
Which group of refrigerants does not harm the ozone layer?
HFCs
When you are finished with a disposable cylinder,
recover any refrigerant, render the cylinder unusable, and recycle/dispose of it.
Before disposing of an appliance containing a CFC, you must
recover the refrigerant.
CFCs will no longer be manufactured after what year?
1995
All recovery machines must
meet standards set by the EPA.
When using nitrogen, the nitrogen tank must be equipped with
an automatic shut-off.
R-12 and R-22 can cause suffocation because
they are heavier than air and displace oxygen.
When brazing or exposing refrigerants to open flames,
ensure you are working in a well ventilated area because R-12 and R-22 can form hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid and phosgene gas.
Type II certification applies to
high and very high pressure refrigerants.
Recovery process speed can be increased by
placing the recovery tank in very cold water.
Recovery units manufactured before November 15, 1993 are required to reach recovery evacuation levels of _____ on an R-22 appliance if the charge is less than 200 lb.
0" Hg
Recovery units manufactured after November 15, 1993 are required to reach recovery evacuation levels of _____ on an R-22 appliance if the charge is less than 200 lb.
0" Hg
With the exception of industrial processes and commercial refrigeration, if the charge is over 50 lb and the system is leaking over 15% annually, the owner must
have the leak repaired within 30 days unless the owner has a written plan to retrofit or replace within a year.
Owner of equipment with charges greater than _____ must keep records of all refrigerant added to the unit during maintenance and service.
50 lb
The EPA defines a major repair as
replacing a compressor, replacing a condenser, or replacing an evaporator.
Under the exceptions to required evacuation levels, an appliance can be evacuated to 0 psig when
the required levels cannot be reached due to leaks or the recovered refrigerant would be contaminated.
What type of refrigerant would you expect to find in a residential air conditioning installation?
R-22
The condition of the refrigerant in the condenser is
high-pressure gas and liquid.
At 70 degrees F, R-22 will have a vapor pressure of
121.5
Refrigerants should be recovered as
liquid first
When using a refrigerant as a trace gas to locate a leak, which refrigerant should you use?
R-22
You have just recovered some R-22 and the next service call involves R-22. What must you do before you start the next service call?
Recover R-22 from the recovery machine, change unit filters, and evacuate machine.
Recovery cylinders are what color?
gray bottom with a yellow top
Never put _____ in a refrigerant system.
oxygen or compressed air
R-11 is a
CFC
When leak testing a low pressure chiller the maximum test pressure should be
10 psig
The rupture disk on a chiller is generally set for
15 psig
When charging a low-pressure chiller, refrigerant should be introduced as vapor to raise saturation temperature above
32 degrees F
The EPA's required evacuation level for a low pressure appliance using equipment manufactured before November 15, 1993 is
25" Hg vacuum
The EPA's required evacuation level for a low-pressure appliance using equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993 is
25 mm Hg absolute
The current accepted alternative refrigerant for R-11 is
R-123
Air entering the refrigerant in a low-pressure chiller is always a concern because
low-pressure chillers can operate at pressures below atmospheric.
When using nitrogen with a pressure over 10 psig, which component could fail?
the rupture disk
Water should be circulated through the chiller during recovery because it will
prevent freeze-up.
What does 25 mm Hg absolute equal?
29" Hg vacuum
One of the standards for machinery room safety is
ASHRAE 15
If a chiller providing comfort cooling has a leak rate of _____ or more, it must be repaired.
15%
_____ of equipment with charge of 50 lb or more, must keep records of refrigerant added during service and maintenance.
Owners
When dismantling an appliance on site, the technician must
ensure that recovery occurs.
R-134A is a Group _____refrigerant.
A1
R-123 is a Group _____ refrigerant.
B1
Low-pressure chillers use purge units because
low-pressure chillers operate below atmospheric pressure.
Refrigerants
are heavier than air.
A halide torch should always be used in a well-ventilated area because
flames and refrigerants can create poisonous gases which displace oxygen and the technician is in close proximity to the torch.
At all times, a system should be protected by a
pressure-limiting device
Heating the recovery bottle during charging will result in
faster vapor transfer
R-11 at a pressure of 18.1 inches Hg vacuum has a temperature of
32 degrees F
Students also viewed