Selecting the right size pump

The more air a vacuum pump moves, the faster it can reach an acceptable vacuum. Air movement is
measured in cfm, and the size of the system determines the size of vacuum pump needed to efficiently
remove air and moisture. A vacuum pump with weak air movement ability, or low cfm rating, takes
more time to evacuate than a vacuum pump properly sized for the system.

Use this chart as a guide:

System Recommended Pump Size

Up to 10 tons Passenger Car Domestic refrigeration 1.2 cfm
Up to 30 tons Panel trucks, RVs Residential A/C 4 cfm
Up to 50 tons Tractor/trailers, buses Rooftop A/C systems 6 cfm
Up to 70 tons 10 cfm
 

Change Your Vacuum Pump Oil Frequently

Clean oil is important to achieve peak performance from your vacuum pump. When your oil is
contaminated, it reduces your vacuum pump's ability to remove moisture from a system. You should
change the vacuum pump oil frequently and always if...

1. You have just evacuated a system that you suspect is contaminated with moisture.
2. You have just evacuated a system that had a compressor burnout.
3. Your oil looks "cloudy" or "milky".
4. Your vacuum pump will not pull to the factory rated micron range when blanked off to an
electronic thermistor vacuum gauge.
5. The Importance of Gas Ballast
6. The efficiency of a vacuum pump depends largely on the purity of the vacuum pump oil. The gas
ballast is a valving arrangement that permits relatively dry atmospheric air to enter the vacuum
pump's second stage. The air reduces the compression in the final stages, helping prevent
moisture from condensing and mixing with the pump oil.
7. To use the gas ballast feature, open the valve after starting the vacuum pump. Close the valve
when the vacuum pump reaches about 2500 microns to allow the vacuum pump to pull down to
its ultimate vacuum level.
8. Even the most efficient pump equipped with gas ballast, however, cannot handle large amounts
of moisture without some of it condensing into the oil. That's why we recommend frequent oil
changes as the most effective way to protect your vacuum pump investment.
9. The Importance of Deep Vacuum
10. The purpose of a vacuum pump is to remove air and moisture from an A/C system.
11. Moisture in a refrigerant system, directly or indirectly, is the cause of most problems and
complaints. First, moisture can freeze-up in an A/C system. Moisture is picked up by the
refrigerant and transported through the refrigerant line as a fine mist with ice crystals forming at
the point of expansion.
12. "Freeze-up" is not the only problem caused by moisture. It can also cause corrosion, the effects
of which are not apparent until the real damage has occurred. Moisture alone in the form of water
can cause corrosion. But when combined with refrigerants such as R-12 containing chlorine,
hydrochloric acids can form which greatly increase the corrosion of metals.
13. Refrigeration oil has an attraction for moisture and will absorb it rapidly. Water-formed acids
combine with the refrigerant, forming a closely bonded mixture of fine globules. The effect is
called sludging and it greatly reduces the lubricating ability of the oil.
14. A vacuum pump removes this troublesome moisture by lowering the pressure within the system
and vaporizes it, then exhausting it along with the air.

Page 1 of 25 
 
Why Flushing Should Be Part of Your Regular Service Procedures

You know that not all A/C jobs are simple recharges. There are times when you need to flush a vehicle's
air conditioning system to ensure that it operates satisfactorily. Basically these circumstances fall into
three categories:

1. Routine Maintenance: Typically the older a system is, the more problems may occur. As an air
conditioning system ages, oil, sludge, and particulates can build up, plugging screens, expansion
valves and capillary tubes. Periodically, you should flush the system to remove these
contaminants to keep the system operating efficiently.
2. Repairs: To be sure the system will operate properly, you should flush whenever you repair or
replace components. Failed components may contain metal shavings, sludge, and other debris
that can damage the system.
3. R-134a Retrofits: In many cases, conversion procedures call for complete removal of existing
oil in an A/C system before recharging with R-134a. Flushing is the most thorough means of
removing the oil and it will also pick up any refrigerant residue in the system. Flushing
combined with pulling a deep vacuum is your assurance the system is ready for the new
refrigerant.
4. Air-Related Complications Can Be Serious
5. Air has been called the number one contaminant of air conditioning systems because of the
serious problems it can cause. And, because until now, there was no easy way to identify excess
air.
6. The biggest problem air causes is higher than normal pressures within the system. Also to be
considered is the moisture (humidity) the air carries with it. At the expansion points the moisture
drops out in the form of ice crystals, slowing or preventing the flow of refrigerant. When the
expansion valve warms and the ice melts, the flow resumes, causing intermittent cooling. The
refrigerant oil readily absorbs moisture from the air and over time it can result in corrosion which
plugs strainers, expansion valves, and capillary tubes.
7. The most obvious source of air is a leak, which can be fixed. Air can enter during service
procedures and installations, too, and if the system isn't properly evacuated, air can be there to
stay.
8. What's difficult is determining if and how much air is in a system – that's why the Robinair's Air
I.D. was developed.

Page 2 of 25 
 
Help your customer select the right recovery unit

When recommending a recovery unit to your customers, talk to them about the type of service work they
do. If they do mainly appliance and vending machine service, their needs will be different from a
contractor who does everything from rooftop units to chillers. You'll also want to know the type of
training their technicians receive and what's more important to them—automatic features or budget
considerations. Just remember, chances are your customers will need more than one type of recovery
unit to efficiently handle all the service situations they encounter.

Match Unit to System

Here's what different systems require:

Appliances, ice makers, window A/Cs, vending machines

• Move small amounts of refrigerant

• Little heat exchange
• Lightweight, quiet running

Residential A/Cs, heat pumps

• Move up to ten pounds of refrigerant, under varying temperatures

• Reasonable heat exchange
• Lightweight, easy to carry

Light commercial A/Cs

• Move larger amounts of refrigerant

• Ample heat exchange
• Vapor and liquid control

Large commercial A/C and refrigeration, such as rooftop chillers and walk-in freezers

• Move large amounts of refrigerant

• Large heat exchange
• Liquid recovery
• Universal Features

Lightweight—If the unit can't go where your customer needs to go, what good will it do? Point out
units that are compact, lightweight and easy to carry like Robinair's Model 25150.

Amount of automation—Automatic recovery units, like Robinair's Model 25200A, free the technician
to do other work while refrigerant is being recovered and require less technician training. Handy features
on the 25200A include:

• Self-clearing capability
• Automatic switch between liquid and vapor for fast refrigerant recovery
• Oil-less compressor requiring less maintenance
• Adequate Heat Exchange
• Adequate heat exchange is vital to the effectiveness of a recovery unit. This is especially true
when recovering refrigerant from a large system in high ambient conditions. Large amounts of
refrigerant require more heat exchange. If the unit cannot handle the high temperatures that build
up, it may overheat during operation and shut down. Your customers will need recovery units
like Robinair's Model 25200A that have a large condenser and fan to provide plenty of heat
exchange for a wide range of temperature conditions.
Page 3 of 25 
 
Trackin' Leaks

Oil or dirt around fittings, connections, or bends in tubing and hoses means one thing to your
customers: refrigerant is escaping, leaving a lubricant trail behind. Repairing leaks is a critical part of
the service job. And the sooner those leaks are identified and repaired, the better for the system and the
environment.

Repairing leaks:

• Controls the amount of moisture in the system

• Keeps the system running efficiently
• Protects the environment from escaping refrigerant
• Helps avoid fines for non-compliance
• Conserves costly refrigerant
• Reduces time-consuming call-backs to make repairs
• Avoids air or other non-condensible gases from entering the system
• Increases customer satisfaction

But before repairs can be made, leaks have to be found.

Track 'em down

Identifying leaks can take time. Even with the trail left by dirt and oil, your customers need to locate
the exact point of the leak to repair it. And once one leak has been located, the technician will want to
make sure there aren't other leaks in the system that could do even more damage.

Why Ultraviolet Leak Detection?

An ultraviolet leak detector, like Robinair's Tracker® System, is an efficient way to detect leaks. The
fluorescent dye combines with the refrigerant lubricant to move throughout the system. If there's a leak,
the oil (and dye) will migrate out at the leak point and be visible in the light of the Tracker lamp, even
in bright sunlight.

How does this change the technician's service routine?

It doesn't. The technician doesn't have to recover, evacuate and recharge the system to add the dye. It
can be added to a fully-pressurized system. The dye works with mineral, polyol ester and alkylbenzene
oils, so it won't affect system performance. Because it is universal, there's no guessing as to what dye to
use, and the correct type of dye is always available.

How much dye is enough?

The technician can decide how much dye to use based on the system size or the amount of oil in the
system. In general, use ¼ ounce of dye for every 16 ounces of oil in the system.

A path to follow

The technician adds the dye once. It will be there the next time the system is checked for leaks and will
stay fluorescent for two years or more. This works well for preventive maintenance programs since new
dye does not need to be added every time.

Sell your customers on the Tracker UV Leak Detection System by showing them how to save time and money with...

• Better operating systems

• Fewer call backs
• No wasted refrigerant
Page 4 of 25 
 
 • Concentrated universal dye
• Long dye life—it will be there the next time you check for leaks
• Customer satisfaction

Don't let leaks hide from your customers! Here are two ways to locate leaks in those hard-to-get-to
spaces: Can't shine the beam directly on a suspected leak point? Use a mechanic's mirror to reflect it
into the area. Still can't see it? Rub the area with a clean cloth or swab, then shine the UV lamp on it. If
there's dye on the cloth/swab, you've got a leak.
 

Simple ways to save time during service calls

When the hot weather service crunch hits, you need all the help you can get – including these tips to
make service faster and more efficient.

Avoid Overkill

The most common time-waster in typical evacuation procedures is overkill, or just letting the pump run
for a specified time. Why spend extra time pulling a vacuum when you can easily monitor the vacuum
level and stop the pump as soon as the system is dehydrated?

A thermistor vacuum gauge clearly shows when the system is clean and dry and ready for a recharge.
On the other hand, you can tell if moisture and other contaminants remain in the system, requiring
longer evacuation. A thermistor gauge also indicates leaks; a system that won't hold a deep vacuum level
probably has a leak that should be fixed.

Remove the Restriction

The valve cores in system access fittings drastically restrict the flow in and out of the system during both
evacuation and recharging. Removing the valve core saves valuable time and actually improves the
efficiency of the vacuum pump. A remover/installer such as Robinair's model 14650 makes it simple to
do. Just connect the tool to the access fitting, then tighten the top valve. This closes off the system,
retaining the charge ad preventing contamination. Then, unscrew the core and open the top valve. You
can evacuate and recharge through the tool while the core is held inside the tool body, out of the way.

To finish, just valve off the system and re-install the core. It's quick and simple and can save 30% or
more time over service done with the valve core in place.

Is a four-way manifold twice as good as a two-way?

You've used a standard manifold gauge set for years. Why would you switch to a four-way? Well, think
time…and time translates to money. Take a look at a four-way and judge its usefulness in your
operation.

Manifolds with four valves save time because there's no need to switch hoses for different procedures.
At the beginning of the job, you hook up the high and low sides, a vacuum pump and a recovery unit or
charging device. The manifold gives you a central control for service – just open the appropriate valve.

Robinair's four-way manifold comes with full 3/8" vacuum porting to save time. Using a 3/8" hose can
significantly reduce the time needed to pull a thorough vacuum on the system.

Features of Robinair's 41400 Four-Way manifold...

1. Easy-read gauges show only pressure readings so manifold can be used for a wide variety of
refrigerants, comes with handy pressure-temperature chart
Page 5 of 25 
 
 2. Unique double "Y" bar is solid forged brass for long life
3. Flexible holster protects against bums, knocks of everyday use

Gauges feature "Zero Zone"

Robinair gauges give you greater accuracy throughout the operating range of A/C and refrigeration
systems because they have a zero zone at the low end of the reading. Conventional gauges use a stop pin
to restrict the movement of the needle below 0 psi, making it difficult to determine if the gauge has been
damaged. With Robinair gauges, you know if the gauge needle is within the zero zone that the gauge is
in calibration.

Page 6 of 25 
 
A/C SOLUTIONS

Vacuum: How it relates to A/C

This overview is excerpted from Robinair's library of air conditioning educational material

Fundamentals of Dehydrating a Refrigerant System

The two most frequent questions service technicians ask about dehydration are:

What size vacuum pump should be used to perform a good refrigeration/air conditioning system dehydration job?

How long should the pump be left on the system to assure removal of all moisture?

To give specific answers to these questions, you need to know the cubic capacity of the system to be dehydrated; amount of
moisture both visible and invisible present in the system; I.D. and length of the connecting line as well as the restrictions
within the system itself (cap tubes, valves, etc.) which might cause back pressures.

Rather than supplying fast, pat answers to these important questions and then trying to justify them, let's start by covering the
basic fundamentals of dehydrating a refrigerant system.

• Moisture in a Refrigerant System

• Effects of Pressure and Temperatures on the Boiling Points of Water
• High Vacuum / Deep Vacuum
• Gas Ballast or Vented Exhaust Vacuum Pumps
• Factors Affecting the Speed at which a Pump Can Hydrate a Refrigerant System

Moisture In A Refrigerant System

While it is important to realize that moisture in a refrigerant system is the underlying cause of most problems and
complaints, it is equally important to learn why.

Basically, moisture can be classified as visible and invisible. Occasionally, liquid water is found in systems, but this
is unusual. Invisible moisture, or water vapor, is the culprit which causes the greatest trouble in refrigeration and air
conditioning systems.

A single drop of water may look harmless, but to a refrigerant system, it is a monster, the number one enemy of service
technicians. What makes it so formidable is the fact that moisture enters a system easily and is hard to remove. Here is what
it does to a system:

First, it creates "freeze-ups." Moisture will be picked up by the refrigerant and be transported through refrigerant lines in a
fine mist which forms ice crystals at the point of expansion (expansion valve).

Ice crystals retard or stop the flow of the refrigerant, causing loss of cooling. As the
expansion valve warms, due to the lack of refrigerant, the ice melts and passes through the
expansion valve. The refrigerant will then start again until the moisture returns to the

expansion valve and once more builds ice crystals. The result is intermittent cooling.

Whether a "freeze-up" actually occurs depends primarily upon the amount of water and the size of the
ice particles formed. But a "freeze-up" is not the only problem caused by moisture. It can also cause
corrosion, which can present serious trouble.

Moisture in the form of water can cause corrosion after a period of time. However, moisture mixed
with refrigerant creates much more corrosion trouble. Refrigerant such as R-12, containing chlorine,
will slowly hydrolyze with water and form hydrochloric acids. This acid greatly increases the corrosion of metals and could
corrode copper plating.

Heat increases the rate of corrosion due to acids because higher temperatures accelerate the
acid-forming process. This acid attacks all the materials it contacts.

Page 7 of 25 
 
Refrigerant oil presents another problem caused by moisture. Refrigerant oil is an exception to the rule that "oil and water
don't mix." In fact, refrigerant oil attracts moisture and will absorb it rapidly if left open to the atmosphere. Water-formed
acid mixes with refrigerant oil, forming a closely bonded mixture of fine globules. The effect is called "sludging" and greatly
reduces the oil's lubricating ability.

Corrosion becomes troublesome from the operating standpoint when metallic surfaces are eaten away and a solid, detachable
product is formed. This formation is also known as a "sludge." Sludge can cause a variety of problems. It will plug fine
strainers, expansion valves and capillary tubes. And because it usually contains acids, sludge corrodes whatever it clings to,
accelerating system damage.

The most effective way to eliminate moisture from a system is with a good, high vacuum pump.

Effects Of Pressure and Temperature on the

Boiling Points of Water

A high vacuum pump is capable of removing all moisture from a hermetic

system by reducing internal system pressures to the boiling point of water at
normal temperatures. For those being introduced here to high vacuum work, it
should be stated that a vacuum pump does not "suck out" the liquid moisture, but
rather causes it to boil in to a vapor state which can be harmlessly removed from
the system and exhausted through the vacuum pump.

The planet Earth is surrounded by matter in a gaseous state composed of about

78% nitrogen, 31% oxygen and 1% a mix of rare gases. Together they form our atmosphere, which extends approximately
600 miles above the earth and is held to the earth by gravity. Being a gas, the atmosphere
has weight, and that weight is measured, as in any fluid whether liquid or gas, in pounds per
square inch (psi).

If you were to take a square inch column of the air extending six hundred miles above the
earth, its weight and pressure exerted on the earth at sea level would be 14.7 lbs. This is
called atmospheric pressure . Any pressure above atmospheric pressure is referred to as
gauge pressure. Pressures below are referred to as vacuum.

This same square inch column of air exerting 14.7 psi can support a one-inch square
column of mercury (Hg) 29.92 inches high. This concept can best be understood by
comparing it to a teeter-totter.

When a one square inch column of Hg 29.92" high is placed on one end of the teeter-totter,
and a 14.7 lb weight on the other end, the board will be balanced.

Atmospheric pressure decreases at higher elevations. As stated, 600 miles of atmosphere at sea level is equivalent to 14.7 psi
and/or 29.92 inch column of mercury (Hg). Going above sea level, to the
summit of Mt. Whitney, for example, eliminates some of the 600 miles of
atmosphere and, consequently, some of the pressure.

Atmospheric pressure, therefore, governs the boiling point of water. At sea

level, where atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psi (29.92" Hg), water boils at
212° F, but on Mt. Whitney, where atmospheric pressure is 8.32 psi (16.9:
Hg), water boils at 184° F. The lower the atmospheric pressure is, the lower
the boiling point of water. Therefore, if we can significantly reduce the
atmospheric pressure inside a sealed refrigerant system, we can vaporize (or
boil) moisture at even –90° F. This principle is illustrated in the chart below.

Three ways exist to eliminate moisture from a refrigerant system by the

boiling process:

1. Transport the system to a higher elevation where the ambient temperature is sufficient to boil water at the existing
psi.
2. Apply heat to the system causing the moisture to boil.
3. Employ a high vacuum pump to reduce the pressure and boiling point of water.

The first two choices are impractical. Thus, a high vacuum pump is an essential aid to every service technician.
Page 8 of 25 
 
High Vacuum/Deep Vacuum

As illustrated above, the purpose of a vacuum pump is to reduce the internal system pressure of a refrigeration/air
conditioning system so moisture and other contaminants can be removed.

The term "high vacuum" describes a condition where the internal system pressure is extremely low, or close to a perfect
vacuum. The higher the vacuum is in a system, the closer the micron reading is to 0 microns. Deep vacuum can be thought of
in the same way. The deeper a vacuum is, the closer the micron reading is to 0 microns.

"High vacuum" and "deep vacuum" describe the same condition inside a closed system. For refrigeration/air conditioning
service applications, high vacuum = good vacuum, or a low micron reading on the system.

Selecting High Vacuum Pumps

To make the following discussion easier to understand, it would be best from this point on
to think of pressure (psi) as the amount of mercury it will support, e.g. atmospheric
pressure at 29.92" Hg instead of 14.7 psi. This will permit us to use Chart II as a visual
aid when determining the vacuum which must be attained to boil water under various
ambient temperatures.

Chart II shows a vacuum pump capable of eliminating all but one inch of mercury. It is
able to remove moisture at an ambient temperature of 80 degrees F or over. While any
pump pulling within one inch of atmospheric pressure can eliminate moisture, it must also
be capable of holding that vacuum throughout the dehydration process. In addition, it
must pull that vacuum on the entire system and not simply at the intake of the pump.

Gas Ballast (Vented Exhaust) Pumps

The gas ballast or vented exhaust feature on some vacuum pumps permits relatively dry
air from the atmosphere to enter the second stage of the pump. This air reduces the
compression in the final stage, which helps to prevent moisture from condensing into a
liquid and mixing with the vacuum pump oil. Here's a comparison to show how it works:

Page 9 of 25 
 
Imagine a damp towel being twisted until water drops out. This can be compared to a high vacuum
pump which is not equipped with a gas ballast. Moisture being pulled from a wet refrigerant system is
compressed internally in the vacuum pump and condenses into a liquid. Now imagine the same damp
towel entwined with a dry towel and then twisted. It would take a considerable amount of twisting
before any water would drop out. Thus the process of the gas ballast arrangement permits the
moisture-laden air passing through the pump to mix with relatively dry air to such a degree that
compression does not cause condensation.

The damp towel comparison also illustrates why this valving feature cannot handle large amounts of
moisture. If the towel is almost saturated with water, even the introduction of the completely dry
towel will not prevent some of the water from dropping out when the two are compressed. Because of
this, some pumps are designed to run with both high internal temperatures (to reduce moisture
condensation in the oil) and a gas ballast.

Due to the "severe" application of a vacuum pump when used to "boil water," it is necessary to select a quality two-stage
model equipped with a gas ballast and high internal running temperature to achieve adequate performance over a long period
of time. However, even the best pump must have regular maintenance to perform optimally.

Frequent oil changes should be anticipated and considered as the single most important factor in a preventative maintenance
program. Remember, even a pump equipped with a gas ballast cannot handle large amounts of moisture without some being
condensed into the oil. If allowed to remain inside the pump, this moisture will result in lock ups or loss of efficiency and/or
capacity. Normally, oil changes will not be required during a single dehydration job. But it would be well to change oil after
each major pump down. This is especially critical when pumping down a system known to be wet or experiencing a
compressor burn-out.

Factors Affecting The Speed At Which A Pump Can Dehydrate A Refrigerant System

Several factors influence the "pumping speed" of a high vacuum pump, and thus the time required to remove all moisture
from a refrigerant system. Some of the most important are: the cubic feet of the system; the amount of moisture contained
within the system; the ambient temperature present; internal restrictions within the system; external restrictions between the
system and the vacuum source; and the size of the pump.

The only factors under the control of the service technician are the external restrictions between the system and the vacuum
pump.

Let us assume that all other variable factors affecting pump down time
are equal within a system. Variable pressures within a system attempt to
equalize one another. The higher pressure "flows" toward the lower
pressure. The above illustration shows the variable pressure creating a
vacuum of 100 microns and the system at higher atmospheric pressure.
The higher pressure in the system will flow toward the vacuum pump
until it is reduced or equal to the 100 microns of pressure. The speed at
which it will flow is controlled by the I.D. and length of the connecting
line. Laboratory tests show that pump down time can be significantly
reduced by use of larger diameter hoses. For optimum pumping speed,
keep access lines as short in length and as large in diameter as possible.

All of us have released an inflated balloon, allowing the escaping air pressure to propel it on a wild course. At other times
you have inflated a balloon and stretched its stem, allowing the air to escape with a squealing sound. In effect, you were
controlling the connecting I.D. as in the above illustration and, in turn, controlling the time it took to release all of its
pressure. The principal is identical — the higher pressure is trying to move toward the lower pressure. These illustrations
stress the importance of eliminating all external restrictions whenever possible.

In answer to our first question, it is perfectly acceptable to use a 4 CFM or larger vacuum pump on a
small system. Using too small of a pump on a large system, e.g. a 1.2 CFM vacuum pump on a 40 ton
unit, could cause the pump to operate in a "free air" condition for an extended period of time, thus
risking premature pump wear.

To answer our second question, the best way to know for sure that the system has been thoroughly
dehydrated is by using a thermistor vacuum gauge. This prevents wasting time by pulling down after
evacuation is complete or risking inadequate dehydration.

When reading vacuum, remember that the location of the gauge tube will affect the reading. The closer
the gauge is to the vacuum pump, the lower the reading will be. To get the most reliable reading, isolate
Page 10 of 25 
 
the vacuum pump using a vacuum valve assembly. Let the pressure to equalize throughout the system, then take a final
reading.

Robinair offers a complete line of thermistor vacuum gauges. Our model 14010 indicates the vacuum level from 25,000 to 0
microns. Model 14830A shows vacuum level in 10 segments from 25,000 to 50 microns. The pocket-sized Model 14777
measures in ever smaller segments from 20,000 to 50 microns. To save service time, look for a thermistor vacuum gauge that
fits the kind of service work you do and use it on a regular basis.

A/C SOLUTIONS

Motor Vehicle A/C Issues

Newsletter Articles Covering Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Issues

The following articles have been written by Neutronics, Inc. For more information, please visit their website at
www.neutronicsinc.com

Looking for more? Click here.

• Alternative Refrigerants...10 Questions

• R-134a Rationing?
• Composition of Refrigerant Blends & The Neutronics Fingerprint Chart
• Where to Send Contaminated Refrigerant
• Ozone 101: The Problem of CFCs
• 609 Certification, SNAP & The EPA— What do they mean?
• It's Now O.K. to Recycle Blends
• EPA Enforcement: A Reality
• What is an Air-Purge System and What Makes One System Different From Another?

Alternative Refrigerants...10 Questions

Many new alternative refrigerants marketed for use in the motor vehicle and stationary/commercial sectors are being touted
by their manufacturers and distributors. Whether you're a nationwide distribution chain or a one-man service shop, you
should take the time to determine how well an alternative will work and whether it may pose any problems for your
customers or liability for you. Consider asking your supplier, whether it is the refrigerant manufacturer or a distributor, the
following questions.

1. Is the refrigerant on the EPA's SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy) Program list of acceptable substitutes,
and therefore legal to use as a substitute for a CFC refrigerant? If so, are there any restrictions on how the refrigerant
can be used?

EPA's SNAP program determines what risk alternatives to CFC or HCFC refrigerants pose to human health and the
environment. EPA evaluates the alternative refrigerant's ozone-depleting potential, global warming potential, flammability,
and toxicity. The SNAP evaluation, however, does not determine whether the alternative will provide adequate performance
or will be compatible with the components of an A/C or refrigeration system. Call the Hotline number listed above for the
SNAP fact sheet on alternative refrigerants and for lists of refrigerants accepted under SNAP, or download a version of the
current list.

Page 11 of 25 
 
EPA may place conditions or restrictions on how an alternative can be used. For example, using a motor vehicle A/C
refrigerant accepted under SNAP as a CFC-12 substitute requires, among other things, the use of a new label and new fittings
unique to the alternative, and the CFC-12 must first be removed from the system. Note that there is no do-it-yourself (DIY)
exemption from SNAP requirements. Both service technicians and DIYers who use alternatives found unacceptable under
SNAP or ignore use conditions have violated the Clean Air Act. A fact sheet explains the current status of all refrigerants
reviewed so far for motor vehicle air conditioning.

2. How much will the alternative refrigerant cost?

Many manufacturers and distributors of alternative refrigerants may point out how much less expensive their product is than
the refrigerant it is substituting for. Potential purchasers, however, should compare the cost of the product with the cost of
other substitutes. For example, if you are considering purchasing a blend refrigerant that substitutes for CFC-12, consider its
cost relative to the cost of HFC-134a, which is generally considerably less expensive than blend refrigerants.3. What does the
system manufacturer have to say about this refrigerant and whether it is compatible with system components? Will using a
particular refrigerant void any warranties on the system the refrigerant is used in?

Because of the wide range in equipment types and designs, EPA does not issue retrofit procedures. The best source of
information on how a given substitute will perform in a system is the manufacturer of the system and its components. Note
that lab data has indicated that HCFC-22 refrigerant is not compatible with XH-5 or XH-7 desiccant, and that HCFC-22 can
also damage NBR nitrile and HNBR rubber hoses and O-rings. If you are considering using a blend refrigerant that includes
HCFC-22 as a major component, then you should ask about these issues before you purchase the refrigerant.

In addition to questions about the alternative's performance in a particular end use, you should determine whether charging a
system with a new refrigerant will void any warranty. Many component manufacturers have stated that their warranties will
be voided if any refrigerant other than R-12 or R-134a is charged into the system.

4. What recycling and/or reclamation standards apply to the refrigerant? Can the refrigerant be recycled or
reclaimed to those standards?

The Clean Air Act requires that EPA establish standards for the recovery, on-site recycling and off-site reclamation of
refrigerants, including alternatives accepted under SNAP. The Agency's standards for recovering and recycling refrigerants in
motor vehicles are generally based on Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards. EPA's standards for reclaiming
refrigerants from motor vehicles and from stationary/commercial A/C and refrigeration systems are generally based on ARI
(Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute) standards. If these standards have not been published by EPA for a particular
alternative, then they may be under development by EPA, SAE or ARI. Check to make sure that the refrigerant manufacturer
intends to work with these organizations to develop uniform methods for extraction, recycling and reclamation. You can call
the Hotline number (800-296-1996) listed above to determine the status of EPA standards and requirements.

5. What equipment must be used with the alternative refrigerant?

Equipment that is used by a facility to service R-12 or R-134a A/C systems may not be used to charge, recover or recharge a
blend refrigerant. Technicians must therefore dedicate newly purchased equipment to that blend. Alternatively, a shop may
convert a piece of R-12 or R-134a equipment for permanent use with the blend refrigerant. For more information on
equipment requirements, see the EPA document "Just the Facts for MVACs."

6. Has the alternative refrigerant been evaluated by ARI (the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute)? If an
alternative is to be reclaimed, will it be reclaimed to ARI's 700 standard? If not, then how will the purity of the
reclaimed alternative refrigerant be assured?

ARI, and A/C and refrigeration manufacturers' trade association, develops standards for the industry. ARI's 700 standard
specifies acceptable levels of refrigerant purity for fluorocarbon refrigerants including R-12, R-22, R-134a, R-500, and R-502
and for certain refrigerant blends. The purpose of the 700 standard is to enable users to evaluate and accept or reject
refrigerants, whether virgin, reclaimed or repackaged. Reclamation of these refrigerants in both the motor vehicle and
stationary/commercial sectors must follow the 700 standard.

7. Is the alternative refrigerant flammable?

Both ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) and EPA evaluate
refrigerant flammability. As part of its SNAP review, EPA requires that a new refrigerant be tested according to the
American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) E-681 testing method. E-681 is used to determine the concentrations in air at
which a substance is flammable, at normal atmospheric pressure. In addition to testing the refrigerant itself, if a blend
contains a flammable component, EPA requires leak testing to ensure that the composition does not change and become
flammable. EPA prohibits the use of any flammable CFC-12 substitutes in motor vehicle A/Cs.

If a substitute is flammable, EPA requires a comprehensive risk assessment for each proposed end-use. This risk assessment
estimates the likelihood of fire and the potential results if a fire were to occur, in addition to suggesting measures to mitigate

Page 12 of 25 
 
this risk. State governments, fire marshals, building code organizations, and other local authorities may have issued
prohibitions or other regulations related to flammable refrigerants. Check with them before buying, selling, or using a
flammable refrigerant.

8. Is the refrigerant readily and widely available?

If an automotive service technician charges a system with an alternative refrigerant that later becomes unavailable, or that is
not available nationwide, then at the next servicing, the system may have to be retrofitted to another appropriate substitute.
The customer may be unwilling to pay for the retrofit, or may be unhappy that his vehicle cannot be Therese serviced at the
facility he chooses.

9. What is my liability if I sell an alternative not yet listed as acceptable by EPA or if I put it in a customer's system?

Under EPA regulations, a refrigerant manufacturer must submit information on a new refrigerant for SNAP review at least 90
days before marketing the product. This 90-day period is required by Section 612 of the Clean Air Act, but the Act did not
prohibit sale and use of that refrigerant after the 90-day period. Thus, if the Agency is still engaged in its review when the 90
days elapses, the product can be sold and used, even though it is not "EPA acceptable." However, EPA may later determine
that the product is unacceptable under SNAP. It makes sense, then, to determine whether SNAP review is complete -- if not,
it may be only temporarily legal to use the alternative refrigerant. If you purchased the refrigerant during the SNAP review,
and EPA later determines that it is unacceptable, you may be stuck with a large inventory of refrigerant no one can legally
use!

The Clean Air Act only granted EPA the authority to regulate the use of alternative refrigerants, not the sale of them. Even if
EPA determines that an alternative is unacceptable, it is still legal to sell it. However, putting it in a customer's A/C or
refrigeration system is considered use, not sale, so a service technician who charges a system with an unacceptable refrigerant
may be subject to a $25,000 fine and up to five years' jail time.

10. Are any alternative refrigerants more environmentally beneficial than others?

HFC-134a does not contain chlorine and therefore does not contribute to ozone depletion, although like other HFCs, it
contributes to global warming. HCFC-22 and all other HCFCs contribute to both ozone depletion and global warming. All
blend refrigerants listed as acceptable for motor vehicle use contain HCFCs.

R-134a Rationing?
According to a recent article in the March 15, 1999, issue of The NEWS magazine, there may not be enough HFC-134a (R-
134a) to go around.

Jay Kestenbaum of Refron, a Long Island refrigerant distributor, believes that this summer mobile A/C technicians may
experience a shortage in R-134a. Early warnings from the European market have begun, where supplies have tightened
severely, according to Kestenbaum. This situation could easily spill over into the US mobile A/C market, where demand is
very strong.

An estimated 50 million cars will need supplies of R-134a and R-12 to keep their cooling systems operating between now
and 2006, according to a federal study. Another indicator of this situation is the recent price hike of R-134a. With an
anticipated shortage, the price has gone up by 50% over last year's prices.

The shortage can be traced back to a problem with the supply of precursor chemicals like trichlorethylene in the manufacture
of the refrigerant, said Kestenbaum. HVAC markets may not experience the same shortage as the MVAC market where many
chiller manufacturers have contracts with R-134a suppliers.

Composition of Refrigerant Blends & The Neutronics Fingerprint Chart

More Information About Alternative Refrigerants

The "ACTUAL" table below shows the percentages of gases within refrigerant blends which have been found
"acceptable for use" as a substitute for CFC-12 (R-12). The "FINGERPRINT" chart is a list of possible refrigerant
readings you may see when using the Neutronics Refrigerant Diagnostic Tool.

Page 13 of 25 
 
The ACTUAL composition of Alternative Refrigerant Blends

Trade Name ASHRAE HCFCs HFCs butane HCs isobutane

Number 22 124 142b 134a 152a 227ea R-600 R-600a
MP-39 401A 53% 34% 13%
MP-66 401B 61% 28% 11%
GHG 406A 55% 41% 4%
FX-56 409A 60% 25% 15%
FRIGC FR-12 39% 59% 2%
Free Zone (2% is lubricant) 19% 79%
GHG-HP 65% 31% 4%
Hot Shot 414B 50% 39% 9.5% 1.5%
GHG-X4 414A 51% 28.5% 16.5% 4%
Freeze 12 0% 80%
GHG-X5 41% 15% 40% 4%

The "FINGERPRINT"of select Alternative Refrigerant Blends

Trade Name ASHRAE HCFCs HFCs CFCs HCs

Number 22 124 142b 134a 152a 227ea R-12
FRIGC FR-12 3% 69% 26% 2%
Free Zone (2% is lubricant) 90% 10%
Hot Shot 414B 56% 7% 34% 3%
GHG-X4 414A 57% 10% 29% 4%
Freeze 12 87% 10%

Where to Send Contaminated Refrigerant

Getting rid of your contaminated refrigerant can be a confusing chore for most shops. A small hand-full of companies make
this chore easy and, in some cases, profitable. These companies will accept contaminated refrigerant from you - and in some
cases - will actually pay you for the shipping or for the volume of refrigerant you have. Typically a shop can expect to pay
between $1 and $4 per pound for disposal, which, over the course of a year, can equal hundreds of dollars for a small shop.
Avoid these charges by contacting one of the companies listed below. They make EPA compliance easier.

RemTec International
6150 Merger Dr.
Holland, OH 43528
888-873-6832

Full Circle
(with 11 Regional Offices)
121 S. Norwood Dr.
Hurst, TX 76053
817-282-0022 (x220)

Page 14 of 25 
 
 Refrigerant Reclaim
805 Tile Dr.
Red Wing, MN 55066
860-651-6114 or
800-235-0705

EPA
List of Reclaimers
800-296-1996

Ozone 101: The Problem of CFCs

So you've learned how to handle R-12, you know how to retrofit an A/C system, and you even know about the "SNAP"
Rules, but why? Why can't we still produce R-12? Why can't we vent it? What's the big deal? Well, for those of you who are
asking these questions, here's your chance to get some quick answers and to understand the impact of chlorofluorocarbons,
CFCs, on our world.

Since the early 1970s scientists have been watching a hole in the ozone layer grow. And because of this ozone problem, over
150 countries agreed to stop the production of CFCs. This agreement, signed in the late 1980s, is known as the Montreal
Protocol. In 1990, President Bush signed the Clean Air Act which empowered the EPA to set forth and enforce rules and
regulations regarding CFCs.

CFCs destroy the ozone layer. The ozone layer (in the stratosphere, between 10 – 30 miles above earth's surface) keeps 95 –
99% of the sun's ultraviolet radiation (UV) from striking the earth. The ozone layer is made up of O3 molecules (three
oxygen molecules bound together). When one CFC (R-12) molecule is struck by sunlight, it releases a chlorine atom. The
chlorine atom and ozone molecules set off a chain reaction. Once the reaction is complete, that one chlorine atom has just
destroyed 100,000 molecules of ozone from our atmosphere.

When the protective ozone is destroyed, UV rays become stronger and more harmful to plants and animals. Increased
exposure to UV radiation is partially responsible for the alarming increase in skin cancer – the rate of which is tenfold higher
today than it was in the 1950s. And according to the National Academy of Sciences, for each 1 percent decline in ozone
levels, humans will suffer as much as 2 to 3 percent increase in the incidence of certain skin cancers.

Remember, no refrigerant can be vented! It's against the law!

609 Certification, SNAP & The EPA— What do they mean?

If you've been performing A/C service for over 5 years, chances are you haven't heard of a set of rules for handling
refrigerants called the "SNAP PROGRAM" (Significant New Alternatives Policy). The EPA has mandated that you follow
the rules of this program completely.

According to the EPAs "How to Survive a EPA Clean Air Act Title VI Refrigerant Regulations Compliance Inspection"
document, if you break any one of these rules and are convicted, here's what you can expect:

1. Civil penalties of $27,500 per day of violation.

2. Criminal penalties up to 5 years of federal imprisonment for knowing or willful violations, and 2 years
imprisonment for submission of false records.

How does the EPA catch you? The EPA routinely conducts surprise or unannounced inspections to verify compliance
requirements. In addition, EPA pays up to $10,000 reward to individuals reporting violations that result in successful court
cases and/or convictions under "Citizen Award Program."

What a technician must know:

1. Topping off like A/C systems with the same refrigerant already installed is perfectly legal. However, you cannot
Page 15 of 25 
 
 top off any A/C system refrigerant with another A/C refrigerant. It is illegal to mix any refrigerants.

2. Only SNAP "Acceptable subject to use conditions" refrigerants can be used in cars.

3. Unique fittings and labels are required. The "subject to use conditions" wording in the EPA regulations refers to
the mandatory use of separate and unique fittings and labels for each and every new SNAP acceptable refrigerant.
As part of the EPA "acceptable for use" criteria, the refrigerant manufacturers must prove they have created unique
fittings and labels to support the sale and use of their product.

4. No refrigerant can be vented! Even R-134a. The EPA is proposing that the only refrigerant that can be vented is
100% hydrocarbons. If a system is identified as having 100% hydrocarbons, the system could legally be vented.
Recovery in this situation would pose too much of a human hazard. For more information see Federal Register/Vol.
63, No. 112.

5. "Recycling" of blends is now legal, however transfer of ownership is not (except in fleets). And the technician
must use dedicated recycling equipment for each refrigerant used in the shop, and it must meet the new UL
(Underwriters Laboratories) Standard.

6. Hydrocarbons are illegal to use in cars!

Additionally, Section 609 Certification covers new blends, no new certification is required. However if you were certified 5+
years ago, you may not know or remember these rules.

What else should you be doing to protect yourself from an EPA audit? Records should be maintained on refrigerant handling
from point of purchase through final usage or disposal. This includes maintaining records for ALL service work performed
on vehicles regardless of size, quantity or refrigerant. You should maintain information on file for three years.

To learn more, contact EPA at www.EPA.gov.

It's Now O.K. to Recycle Blends

Contaminated refrigerants – it's a problem that will only get worse. For those who choose to deal with this potential
headache, there are rewards: Profits. Turning the handling of contaminated refrigerant into its own profit center in your shop
could be the raise you've been looking for. But first you'll need to know few things…

1. Identify the refrigerant. Use a refrigerant identifier with 98%+ accuracy.

2. Recover the contaminated refrigerant. Dedicate an R-12 recovery-only machine, or buy a special machine for this
purpose.
3. Store the refrigerant in an 'approved' cylinder, a standard DOT-certified grey w/yellow top tank.
4. Dispose of the contaminated refrigerant.

Identify the Refrigerant

Checking refrigerant pressures does not help you recognize refrigerants, especially if the refrigerant is contaminated or is a
brand that is unfamiliar with you. Using a refrigerant identifier can help pinpoint many refrigerant identification problems,
and EPA strongly recommends (but does not require) that techs obtain this equipment. A unit that can help you identify the
chemical composition of the refrigerant more specifically can be an important diagnostic tool, so that the extra cost may be
well worth it. Finally, using this tool may build your customer's confidence in your diagnostic abilities. Be certain when
purchasing your identifier that it meets the SAEJ1771 standard, which is an indication that the unit accurately identifies
refrigerants.

Recover the Contaminated Refrigerant

As a first step, the contaminated or unfamiliar refrigerant must be recovered. EPA prohibits venting any automotive
refrigerants (including unacceptable refrigerants) no matter what combination of chemicals is in the refrigerant. The best way
today that a tech can recover contaminated or unfamiliar refrigerant is to dedicate a recover-only unit to anything that is not
pure R-12 or pure R-134a. Some equipment manufacturers are also marketing new types of recover only stations specifically
designed to remove these refrigerants.
Page 16 of 25 
 
If the refrigerant you extract into a recovery unit contains a high level of flammable substances such as propane or butane, a
fire hazard may result if the refrigerant comes into contact with an ignition source within the equipment. Whether you are
purchasing a new piece of equipment to handle your contaminated and unfamiliar refrigerants, or you are converting a piece
of existing equipment for this purpose, make sure you talk to your sales representative about what features have been
incorporated into the equipment to guard against risks of ignition.

Store the refrigerant in an approved cylinder

Refrigerant should be recovered into the standard DOT-certified, gray-with-yellow-top recovery tank, and if the tank is not
equipped with a float valve (which serves as overfill protection), make sure it never gets filled beyond 60% of its gross
weighted capacity, as specified in the SAE J1989 and J2211 standards.

Dispose of the contaminated refrigerant

Once the refrigerant has been recovered, if you can't recycle it, what do you do with it? The answer, naturally, is that it
depends. If the refrigerant in your "junk" tank contains significant amounts of flammable substances, it may be considered
hazardous and you should make sure you follow any local ordinances that govern the storage of combustible mixtures. In
addition, if your shop generates over 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of hazardous wastes per month (including used coolant,
paint, rust, removers, solvents, degreasers, and battery acids), then your shop must meet certain storage and transportation
requirements under the Resource, Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). For more details, call the RCRA Hotline at 800-
424-9346 and ask for EPA publication 530-K-95-001, the 1996 update of "Understanding the Hazardous Waste Rules—A
handbook for Small Businesses." You may also wish to check out the World Wide Web site of the Coordinating Committee
for Automotive Repair at www.ccar-greenlink.org.

If the refrigerant in your "junk" recovery tank is a chemical "soup" – wither contaminated R-12 and R-134a, or a mixture of
those contaminated refrigerants and some blend refrigerants that you are familiar with, then the contents should be destroyed.
If you have a contract in place with a waste hauler, contact the hauler to see if they can handle the material. Waste haulers
may require that the contents be identified first and may charge you for this identification procedure. They are most likely to
send the tank to an incinerator for destruction. You may also want o contact one or more reclaimers, who will send the
refrigerant off-site either for destruction, or for reclamation, which involves breaking it up into its chemical components and
purifying each of the components.

Some reclaimers can handle tanks sent to them from anywhere in the nation. A reclaimer does not necessarily have to be
located in your area.

EPA maintains a list of reclaimers that is available through the Hotline at 800-296-1996. EPA will update this fact sheet in
the event that the Agency receives more specific information about which reclaimers will accept mystery mixtures of
refrigerant.

If you have questions about disposing of specific blend refrigerants, call the refrigerant manufacturer. Most manufacturers of
blend refrigerants have made arrangements with specific reclaimers to handle their used refrigerant. For a list of these
telephone numbers, see the EPA fact sheet "Choosing and Using Alternative Refrigerants," available from the
Hotline.Looking for more, click here.

EPA Enforcement: A Reality

1998 YEAR-IN-REVIEW

EPA announced that 266 criminal cases were referred to the Department of Justice in 1998 and $92.8 million in criminal
fines were assessed in fiscal year 1998. EPA also referred 411 civil cases and assessed $91.8 million in civil penalties. The
combined 677 referrals and $184.6 million in fines and penalties were second only to the 704 referrals and $264.4 million in
fines and penalties assessed in fiscal year 1997.

For the third year, the Agency reported performance measure data on pollution reduction amounts result from enforcement
actions. The data show that during FY 1998, chlorofluorocarbons were reduced by over five million pounds.

Page 17 of 25 
 
VENTING CFC-12

Former California resident pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles on July
31 for violating the Clean Air Act. He admitted to illegally venting CFC-12 into the atmosphere at the Santa Anna, CA-based
C&C Distribution. The illegal venting took place when he installed the replacement refrigerant HC-12a into automobile air
conditioning systems. The EPA has prohibited the use of HC-12a as a replacement for CFC-12 in automobile A/C systems
because the substance is flammable and potentially explosive. He could serve up to five years in prison and be fined as much
as $250,000.

CFC CRIME IN FLORIDA

On August 29, a resident of North Miami Beach, FLA, was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison and three years supervised
release and was ordered to pay a $375,000 fine by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami. As
part of his guilty plea, resident will forfeit over $13 million in assets including: property in Miami valued in excess of $1.5
million; 11,200 thirty pound cylinders of chlorofluorocarbon gas worth over $6.7 million; almost $5 million in illegal
proceeds held in European banks; an apartment in London valued at $395,000 and stock in a local bank worth over $80,000.

This man previously pleaded guilty to illegally diverting 4,000 tons of ozone depleting CFC refrigerants into commerce in
the United States.

SELLING IMPURE RECYCLED CFC REFRIGERANT

California man became the first person to be convicted under the Clean Air Act of selling improperly recycled
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants. He sold the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power 2,600 pounds of recycled
CFC refrigerants that did not meet the level of purity prescribed by federal law. His company had been certified as a
refrigerant reclaimer by EPA since approximately 1993. When sentenced, this man faces a maximum of up to five years in
federal prison and/or a maximum fine of $250,000.

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATION

EPA cited a company for alleged violations of stratospheric ozone regulations. EPA said the company, which makes a
substitute refrigerant called HOT SPOT and a refrigerant recovery device called Spooter II, failed to: equip small cans of
HOT SPOT with required fittings; maintain certification of Spooter II equipment by an EPA-approved testing organization;
and properly label Spooter II equipment.

43 COMPANIES IN THE SOUTHEAST CITED

During summer months of 1998, contact inspectors from EPA Headquarters inspected motor vehicle air conditioner shops in
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi. EPA Region 4 received approximately 300 inspection reports and reviewed each
for compliance with the requirements of Title VI of the Clean Air Act. One hundred facilities were in full compliance, 150
facilities required the submission of additional information to determine compliance, and 43 facilities were issued
Administrative Orders for non-compliance.

A listing of facilities is available who were cited for failure to certify to the Administrator of EPA that it had acquired and
was properly using approved MVAC equipment and that each individual authorized to use the equipment is properly trained
and certified.

MAINE

A U.S. District Court judge in Maine has sentenced two Canadians who were found guilty of importing into the United States
75 tons of Freon, an ozone-depleting chemical. The couple pleaded guilty to shipping chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) chemicals to
U.S. automotive shops. They did not have the necessary authorization to make the shipments.

WHEELING, WV

An EPA administrative law judge recently ruled that a trucking company in Wheeling, WV had violated section 609 of the
Clean Air Act by allowing an uncertified employee to perform service on mobile vehicle air conditioners (MVACs)
involving refrigerants, and fined the company $25,363. The judge had previously found the company had also failed to use
approved refrigerant recycling equipment, nor did it submit the approved equipment and training certifications to EPA.

After receiving a "citizens tip", EPA sent a letter to the company requesting information regarding the number of MVACs
serviced on or after August 13, 1992, invoices for the purchase of approved refrigerants, invoices for any service on an
Page 18 of 25 
 
MVAC, the name of every technician performing service on MVACs, and a copy of each technician's refrigerant recycling
certificate and the company's certification to use EPA-approved equipment.

The company's legal counsel responded to the requests saying, "The company was under the assumption that since the
company was only doing work on its own vehicles, it was not doing work for consideration and that this equipment was not
mandatory.

EPA sued the company alleging three violations: repair or service of MVACs involving refrigerant without using approved
refrigerant recycling equipment, repair or service of MVACs by company employees without training and certification in
refrigerant recycling, and repair or service of MVACs without submitting the approved equipment and training certification.

What is an Air-Purge System and What Makes One System Different From Another?
What is an air-purge system? An air purge system is a technology which allows and A/C technician to purge air from pure
(98%+) R-12 or R-134a.

Explain the problem of air. Air is a contaminant of refrigerant that can enter an A/C system or cylinder and create A/C
performance problems. Non-condensable gases (NCG or "air"), which are mainly comprised of ambient air commonly
contaminate refrigerant storage cylinders and air conditioning systems. Contamination enters into the refrigerant from
sources such as leaking joints on vehicle air conditioning systems, improper handling of refrigerant recovery and recycling
equipment or failure of recovery and recycling equipment. Air contamination will lead to a number of vehicle air
conditioning system problems including increased compressor heat and wear due to increased head pressures, added stress of
components due to increased head pressure and reduction of system efficiency due to dilution of refrigerant by the air.

According to MACS (Mobile Air Conditioning Society) statistics, the most consistent problem in a vehicle's poor air
conditioning performance is the presence of air in the system. Air, when mixed with refrigerant, changes the pressure of that
gas and causes and A/C system to exhibit poor cooling properties. In the 1996 MACS study, 111 automotive repair facilities
were checked in Florida to qualify/quantify the A/C contamination problem, 27 facilities (24%) indicated that excess air was
their biggest problem/contaminant.

What air-purge systems are available?

1. Recovery/Recycling machines
2. Temperature/Pressure measurements
3. Robinair Air I.D.
4. Neutronics Air-Radicator

Recovery/Recycling Machines can be used to purge air from A/C systems or cylinders. This process involves pulling a
vacuum on the system, and allowing the machine to purge the air automatically. This process, however, can take upwards of
an hour to complete and may not be able to remove all air.

Temperature/Pressure measurements allow a user to make some assumptions about air content based on the readings of two
variables, temperature and pressure. This method is in no way 'automatic', and requires hours of 'babysitting'. Essentially a
refrigerant storage cylinder must first temperature stabilize (room temperature is ideal) to the ambient air conditions. Next,
the refrigerant will "read" a pressure for that specific ambient temperature. If the pressure is higher than it should be for the
ambient temperature, an "assumption" is made that there is air in the cylinder. By opening the cylinder valve, slowly the air is
vented. However, when air is vented from the cylinder, the refrigerant will automatically begin to cool itself, so the
technician will need to close the valve and allow the cylinder to temperature stabilize again. Allowing a cylinder to
temperature stabilize can in some cases take over 12 hours depending on ambient conditions. This process is repeated until
the cylinder has stabilized and reads the correct pressure for the temperature.

The Robinair I.D. uses an air detection instrument which is an "oxygen sensor" based analyzer. The instrument looks for
oxygen. When a storage cylinder is stabilized (when the gases inside find their equilibrium) which may take 15 minutes, the
Air I.D. is attached to the cylinder and the valve is opened to allow the Air I.D. to operate. The Air I.D. will slowly bleed a
sample of the gas and 'looks' for oxygen. Once oxygen is depleted from the cylinder, the Air I.D. will stop purging. The use
of an oxygen sensor in this type of application can lead to inaccurate air readings because some refrigerant gases can react
with the 'chemistry' of the oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor is an electrochemical fuel cell which, overtime, will lose its
ability to provide accurate readings and will need to be replaced – very similar to the technology used in an alkaline battery.
Finally, this oxygen sensor based analyzer requires several hours to identify and purge air from a bulk refrigerant storage
cylinder.

Page 19 of 25 
 
The Air-Radicator (manufactured by Neutronics) is an automatic air purge system. Purging of air is achieved through a direct
measurement of gases via the use of an infrared technology. This technology is not dependent upon pressure or temperature
measurements or an oxygen sensor. A technician will attach the Air Radicator to the vapor port of a cylinder or vehicle's A/C
system and follow the instrument's easy instructions. The Air-Radicator accurately measures the air in R-12 or R-134a and
automatically shuts off when the air is successfully purged. A typical 32 ounce A/C system with 8% air will only take about
3-5 minutes to purge.

Which system is better for me? The system best for you depends upon the demand your customers place on you to perform
A/C service, quickly. If you do not perform many A/C jobs, your recovery/recycling machine may suffice. If you get a
constant flow of customers needing A/C work, the Air-Radicator is your better choice. Whatever instrument or method you
choose, you'll need to weigh your needs, the importance of using reliable technology, and the financial impact of using
'slower' technologies or methods.

Refrigerant Temperature, oC (print out chart) back to top

BAR R-12 R-22 R-134a R-408A R-502 R-507 BAR R-12 R-22 R-134a R-408A R-502 R-507
0 -30 -41 -26 -43 -46 -47 5.52 25 9 26 6 4 1
.05 -27 -38 -23 -41 -43 -44 5.87 27 11 27 7 6 3
.28 -24 -36 -21 -39 -40 -42 6.21 28 12 28 8 8 5
.42 -22 -33 -18 -37 -38 -39 6.56 29 13 29 10 9 6
.56 -19 -31 -16 -33 -36 -38 6.90 32 15 31 11 11 8
.69 -17 -29 -14 -32 -34 -35 7.25 34 17 32 13 12 9
.83 -15 -27 -12 -30 -32 -34 7.59 36 18 34 15 14 10
.97 -13 -26 -11 -29 -30 -32 7.94 37 19 36 16 15 12
1.11 -11 -24 -9 -27 -28 -30 8.28 39 21 37 17 17 13
1.25 -9 -22 -7 -24 -27 -29 8.63 40 22 38 18 18 14
1.38 -8 -21 -6 -23 -25 -27 8.97 42 23 39 19 19 16
1.52 -6 -19 -4 -22 -24 -26 9.32 43 24 41 20 21 17
1.66 -4 -18 -3 -21 -22 -25 9.66 44 26 42 22 22 18
1.80 -3 -17 -1 -19 -21 -23 10.01 46 27 43 24 23 19
1.94 -2 -15 -0 -18 -19 -22 10.35 47 28 44 25 24 20
2.07 0 -14 2 -17 -18 -21 10.70 48 29 46 26 25 21
2.21 1 -13 3 -16 -17 -20 11.04 49 31 47 27 27 23
2.35 3 -12 4 -14 -16 -18 11.39 51 32 48 28 28 24
2.49 4 -11 5 -13 -15 -17 11.73 52 33 49 29 28 25
2.63 5 -9 6 -12 -14 -16 12.08 53 33 50 30 29 26
2.76 6 -8 7 -11 -13 -15 12.41 54 34 51 31 31 27
2.90 7 -7 8 -10 -12 -14 12.77 56 36 52 32 32 28
3.04 8 -6 9 -9 -11 -13 13.11 57 36 53 33 33 29
3.18 9 -5 10 -8 -10 -12 13.46 58 37 53 34 34 29
3.23 11 -4 11 -7 -9 -11 13.80 59 38 55 35 35 30
3.45 12 -3 12 -6 -8 -10 14.15 60 39 56 36 36 31
3.59 13 -2 13 -5 -7 -10 14.49 61 41 57 37 37 32
3.83 14 -1 14 -4 -6 -9 14.84 62 41 58 38 38 33
4.01 15 -5 15 -3 -5 -8 15.18 63 42 58 39 38 34
4.14 16 0 16 -2 -4 -7 15.53 64 43 59 40 39 35
4.28 17 1 17 -1 -3 -6 16.22 66 45 61 41 41 36
4.32 18 2 18 0 -3 -5 16.91 68 46 63 42 43 38
4.42 18 3 18 1 -2 -4 17.60 69 48 64 43 44 40
4.56 19 3 19 2 -1 -4 18.29 71 49 66 44 46 41
4.70 20 4 20 3 0 -3 18.98 73 51 67 46 48 43
4.83 21 5 21 4 5 -2 19.67 74 53 68 48 49 44
4.97 22 6 22 5 1 -2 20.36 76 54 70 49 51 45
5.11 22 7 22 6 2 -1 21.05 78 56 72 51 53 47

Page 20 of 25 
 
 5.25 23 7 23 5 2 0 21.74 79 57 73 53 54 48
5.39 24 8 24 4 3 1 22.43 81 58 75 54 55 49
23.12 83 59 76 55 57 51
23.81 84 61 77 56 58 52
24.50 86 63 78 57 59 53
25.19 88 64 79 58 61 54
25.88 89 65 81 89 62 55
26.57 90 67 82 60 63 56
27.26 91 68 83 61 64 57
27.95 92 69 84 63 65 59
31.05 98 73 86 N/A 70 63
34.50 103 78 94 N/A 75 68
Refrigerant Temperature, oC (print out chart) back to top
BAR R-401A R-401B R-402A R-402B R-401A R-500 BAR R-401A R-401B R-402A R-402B R-401A R-500
0 -26 -28 -46 -44 -46 -34 7.25 32 29 8 11 9 28
.05 -24 -26 -44 -42 -43 -32 7.59 34 31 9 12 11 29
.28 -21 -23 -41 -39 -41 -29 7.94 36 32 10 13 12 30
.42 -19 -21 -39 -37 -38 -26 8.28 37 34 12 14 13 31
.56 -17 -18 -37 -34 -36 -23 8.63 38 35 13 16 15 32
.69 -14 -17 -35 -33 -34 -21 8.97 39 36 14 17 16 35
.83 -13 -14 -33 -31 -33 -19 9.32 41 37 16 18 17 36
.97 -11 -13 -32 -29 -31 -18 9.66 42 38 17 20 18 37
1.11 -9 -11 -30 -28 -29 -15 10.01 43 40 18 21 19 38
1.25 -7 -9 -28 -26 -28 -13 10.35 44 41 19 22 21 40
1.38 -6 -8 -26 -24 -26 -12 10.70 46 42 20 23 22 42
1.52 -4 -6 -26 -23 -24 -11 11.04 47 43 21 24 23 44
1.66 -3 -5 -24 -22 -23 -9 11.39 48 44 22 25 24 43
1.80 -2 -3 -23 -21 -22 -8 11.73 49 45 23 26 25 44
1.94 0 -2 -21 -19 -21 -7 12.08 50 46 24 27 26 45
2.07 1 -1 -21 -18 -19 -4 12.41 51 48 25 28 27 47
2.21 2 0 -19 -18 -18 -3 12.77 52 49 26 29 28 48
2.35 3 1 -18 -17 -17 -2 13.11 53 50 27 30 29 49
2.49 4 3 -18 -16 -16 -1 13.46 54 51 28 31 30 50
2.63 6 3 -17 -14 -15 1 13.80 55 52 29 32 31 51
2.76 7 5 -16 -14 -14 2 14.15 56 52 30 33 32 52
2.90 8 6 -15 -13 -13 3 14.49 57 54 31 33 33 53
3.04 9 7 -14 -12 -12 4 14.84 58 55 32 34 33 54
3.18 10 8 -13 -11 -11 5 15.18 59 56 33 36 34 55
3.32 11 9 -12 -10 -10 6 15.53 60 56 33 36 35 53
3.45 12 10 -12 -9 -9 7 16.22 61 58 35 38 37 58
3.59 13 11 -11 -8 -8 8 16.91 63 59 37 40 38 60
3.73 14 12 -10 -7 -7 9 17.60 65 61 38 41 39 61
3.87 15 12 -9 -6 -7 10 18.29 66 63 39 43 41 63
4.01 16 13 -8 -6 -6 11 18.98 68 64 41 44 43 64
4.14 17 13 -7 -4 -6 12 19.67 69 66 42 46 44 66
4.28 17 14 -6 -4 -5 12 20.36 71 67 43 47 46 68
4.42 18 16 -6 -3 -4 13 21.05 72 69 45 48 48 70
4.56 19 16 -5 -2 -3 14 21.74 73 70 47 49 48 71
4.70 20 17 -4 -2 -3 15 22.43 75 71 48 51 50 72
4.83 21 18 -3 -1 -2 16 23.12 76 73 49 52 51 73
4.97 22 18 -3 0 -1 17 23.81 78 74 50 53 53 74
5.11 22 19 -2 1 0 17 24.50 79 76 52 54 54 76

Page 21 of 25 
 
 5.25 23 20 -1 1 1 18 25.19 80 77 53 56 54 78
5.39 24 21 -1 2 1 19 25.88 81 78 54 57 56 79
5.52 24 21 0 3 2 21 26.57 83 79 56 58 57 80
5.87 26 23 2 4 2 22 27.26 84 80 56 60 58 81
6.21 27 24 3 6 5 23 27.95 85 81 57 61 59 83
6.56 29 26 5 8 7 24 31.05 90 86 62 66 64 88
6.90 31 28 6 9 8 26 34.50 95 91 67 71 69 93
 

CFCs

R-11 Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Mineral Centrifugal Chillers
Alklbenzene

R-12 Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Mineral Auto A/C
Alklbenzene Med. Temp. Refrigerant
High Temp Refrigerant

R-13 Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Very Low Temp.
Mineral
Refrigerant
Alklbenzene

R-13b1 Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Very Low Temp.
Mineral
Refrigerant
Alklbenzene

R-113 Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Commercial & Industrial
Mineral
A/C
Alklbenzene

R-114 Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Mineral Industrial Process Cooling
Alklbenzene Centrifugal Chillers

R-500 Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Mineral Commercial A/C
Alklbenzene

R-502 Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Mineral Med. Temp. Refrigerant
Alklbenzene Low Temp. Refrigerant

Page 22 of 25 
 
R-503 Composition Oil Applications Replacement
Very Low Temp.
Mineral
Refrigerant
Alklbenzene

HCFCs

R-22 Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Mineral Low Temp. Refrigerant
Alklbenzene Med. Temp. Refrigerant
Polyol Ester Air Conditioning

R-123 Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Low Pressure Centrifugal
Mineral R-11
Chillers
Alklbenzene

R-124 Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Mineral High Ambient Refrigerant R-114
Alklbenzene

R-401A Composition Oil Applications Replacement

53% R-22 Alklbenzene Med. Temp. Refrigerant R-12
13% R-152a Polyol Ester
34% R-124

R-401B Composition Oil Applications Replacement

61% R-22 Alklbenzene Low Temp. Refrigerant R-12
11% R-152 Polyol Ester
28% R-124

R-402A Composition Oil Applications Replacement

60% R-125 Alklbenzene Low Temp. Refrigerant R-12
11% R-152a Polyol Ester
28% R-124

R-402B Composition Oil Applications Replacement

38% R-125 Mineral Ice Machines R-502
2% R-290 Alklbenzene
60% R-22 Polyol Ester

R-403B Composition Oil Applications Replacement

5% R-290 Mineral Low Temp. Refrigerant R-13
56% R-22 Alklbenzene R-503
39% r-218 Polyol Ester

R-406A Composition Oil Applications Replacement

55% R-22 Mineral Stationary R-12 Refrigerant R-12

Page 23 of 25 
 
 4% R-600a Alklbenzene
41% R-142b

R-408A Composition Oil Applications Replacement

7% R-125 Mineral Low Temp. Refrigerant R-502
46% R-143a Alklbenzene Med. Temp. Refrigerant
47% R-22 Polyol Ester

R-409A Composition Oil Applications Replacement

60% R-22 Mineral Low Temp. Refrigerant R-12
25% R-124 Alklbenzene Med. Temp. Refrigerant
15% R142b Polyol Ester

HFCs

R-23 Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Polyol Ester Very Low Temp. Refrigerant R-13

R-503

R-134a Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Polyol Ester Med. Temp. Refrigerant R-12
Air Conditioning

R-236fa Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Polyol Ester Centrifugal Chillers R-114
Industrial Process Cooling

R-404A Composition Oil Applications Replacement

44% R-125 Polyol Ester Low. Temp. Refrigerant R-502
52% R-143a Med. Temp. Refrigerant
4% R-134a

R-407A Composition Oil Applications Replacement

20% R-32 Polyol Ester Low Temp. Refrigerant R-502
40% R-152 Med. Temp. Refrigerant
40% R-134a

R-407B Composition Oil Applications Replacement

10% R-32 Polyol Ester Low Temp. Refrigerant R-502
70% R-125 Med. Temp. Refrigerant
20% R-134a

R-407C Composition Oil Applications Replacement

23% R-132 Polyol Ester Air Conditioning R-22
25% R-125
52% R-134a

Page 24 of 25 
 
R-410A Composition Oil Applications Replacement
50% R-32 Polyol Ester Air Conditioning R-22
50% R-125

R-507 Composition Oil Applications Replacement

50% R-125 Polyol Ester Low Temp. Refrigerant R-502
50% R-143a Med. Temp. Refrigerant

R-508 Composition Oil Applications Replacement

Polyalpha
39% R-23 Low Temp. Refrigerant R-503
Olefin
61% R-116 Alklbenzene
Mineral
 

Page 25 of 25