EPA 608 Certification Exam Study Guide

What date was the sale of CFC's & HCFC's restricted to technicians certified in refrigerant recovery? - November 14, 1994 1989- Montreal Protocol July 1 1992- Violation to vent CFCs or HCFCs Nov 15 1993- Recovery/Recycling equipment must be certified and labeled by EPA AND Before this date recovery equipment needed to be capable of removing 80% of the refrigerant, w or wo compressor, or 4 in Hg After this date recovery equipment needs to be capable of removing 90%, or 80% without working compressor, or 4 in Hg AND Required level of evacuation for Low Pressure appliances before this date was 25 inches Hg, after this date 25 mm Hg Nov 14 1994- Certification needed to service, maintain, or dispose of appliances with refrigerants AND Sale of CFC and HCFC refrigerants restricted to certified techs Nov 15 1995- Violation to vent HFCs Dec 31 1995- CFCs no longer produced - Memorize it, ya'll. Comfort cooling appliances containing more than 50 lbs of refrigerant must be repaired when the annual leak rate exceeds _____% - 15% Commercial and Industrial process refrigeration containing ore than 50 lbs of refrigerant must be repaired when the annual leak rate exceeds _____% - 35% Required Recovery Levels for Type II appliances, before and after 11/15/93: HCFC22 less than 200 lbs = B4-0 After-0 HCFC22 more than 200 lbs= B4-4 After-10 NonHCFC22 less than 200 lbs= B4-4 After 10 NonHCFC22 more than 200 lbs= B4 4 After 15 Very high pressure appliances= B4-0 After-0 - 0 0 4 10 4 10 4 15 0 0 Section 608 of the Federal Clean Air Act requires technicians to what? - Recover all refrigerants. The objective of the Clean Air Act is to protect what? - The earth's stratosphere. HFC's - HydroFlouroCarbon's CFC's - ChloroFluoroCarbon's ODP - Ozone Depletion Potential Which international treaty agreement was the basis for Section 608? - The Montreal Protocol. Depletion of the ozone in the stratosphere is known to cause what 6 things? - 1.Crop losses 2.Increases in eye diseases 3.Skin Cancer 4.Reduced marine life 5.Deforestation 6.Increased ground level ozone What happens when CFC or HCFC molecules get in the stratosphere & free atoms of Chlorine are set free? - These atoms attack Ozone Molecules causing the formation of Chlorine Monoxide (CLO), after colliding with another Ozone Molecule, causes 2 Oxygen (O2) molecules to be made & leaving an atom of chlorine to act as "Free Agent" starting the process over until 100,000 molecules of Ozone are destroyed by just one atom of chloride. What date was recovery equipment required to be certified by a lab, & achieve higher evacuation levels, & have low loss fittings? - November 15, 1993 On what date was technician certification required? - November 14, 1994 What date were CFC's phased out of production? - December 31, 1995 What is EPA 608 Type I certification? - Persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of small appliances (containing 5 pounds of refrigerant (or less). What is EPA 608 Type II certification? - Persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of high and very high pressure appliances. Except small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioning systems. What is EPA 608 Type III certification? - Persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of low pressure appliances. What is EPA 608 Universal certification? - Persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of both low and high pressure equipment, as well as appliances. HCFC's - HydroChloroFluoroCarbons What are HydroChloroFluoroCarbons? - Commonly known as HCFC's, they are a group of man-made compunds containing hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. A recovery cylinder must not be filled more than ___ % of it's capacity by weight? - 80% How should refrigerant cylinders be shipped? - Up-right with proper DOT classification tags. What oil MUST be used with ALL HFC's for HVAC/Refrigeration but will also work with CFC's and HCFC's. - Polyolester HCFC's have very low atmospheric concentrations measured in parts per? - Trillion All cooling systems containing more than 50 lbs. of refrigerant must be repaired when the annual leak rate exceeds___? - 15% Mineral Oils are used with? - All CFC's Alkebenzene is used alone or as an additive for? - HCFC's (Will also work with CFC's) POE - Polyolester What is the definition of a Type I Appliance? - A small appliance that is manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed in a factory with 5 lbs. of refrigerant or less. What is the definition of a Type II Appliance? - High pressure or very high pressure appliances except for small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioning. Refrigeration systems containing more than 5 Lbs. of high or very high pressure refrigerants. What is the definition of a Type III Appliance? - Low pressure equipment like low pressure chillers. All refrigerants are assumed to be a single chemical if they are numbered what? - 1-399 and 600 and above. What is an Azeotrope? - A mixture of two or more liquids in such a ratio that it's composition cannot be changed by vaporizing it. Azeotrope's are numbered what? - 500 to 599 What is fractionation? - When the refrigerant leaks, it leaks out in different rates due to the different pressures. What is Temperature Glide? - When the temperature of the vaporizing refrigerant changes, even though the pressure remains the same. What are the two basic types of recovery devices? - Self-Contained and System- Dependent. System-Dependent devices may only be used on appliances containing how much refrigerant? - 15 Lbs of refrigerant or less What MUST be placed on a refrigerant cylinder being returned for reclaiming. - A refrigerant label. After completing the transfer of liquid refrigerant between a recovery unit and a refrigeration system, you should guard against what? - Trapping liquid refrigerant between the service valves. When pressurizing a system with nitrogen, you should always? - Charge through a pressure regulator. What are the three "R's"? - Recover, Recycle, and Reclaim. In relation to the three "R's" what is Recover? - To remove refrigerant in any condition from a system and store it in an external approved container. In relation to the three "R's" what is Recycle? - To clean refrigerant for reuse by seperating the oil from the refrigerant and removing moisture from the refrigerant by passing it through one or more filter dryers. Can Recycled refrigerant be resold? - It cannot be re-sold but it can be re-used. In relation to the three "R's" what is Reclaim? - To process refrigerant to a level equal to new (virgin) product specifications as determined by chemical analysis. Can Reclaimed refrigerant be resold? - Yes, but must meet the standard set forth in ARI 700 before it can be resold. What chemical has been found in the stratosphere indicating ozone depletion? - Chlorine Monoxide (CLO) What are 5 Type I appliances? - 1.Household refrigerators 2.Household freezers 3.Room air conditioners 4.Water Coolers 5.Drinking fountains What are 6 Type II appliances? - 1.Walk-in coolers 2.Walk-in freezers 3.Reach-in refrigerators 4.Reach-in freezers 5.Residential & Commercial comfort cooling systems 6.Ice machines What is an example of a Type III appliance? - Low pressure chiller. When is "Dew Point" used? - When calculating Superheat. When is "Bubble Point" used? - When calculating Sub-cooling. What does the EPA require on all Type I equipment that uses Class I or Class II refrigerants. - EPA requires a service aperature (process stub). TXV - Thermostatic Expansion Valve The EPA considers a major repair to be the replacement of what 4 items? - 1.Evaporator 2.Condenser 3.Compressor 4.Auxillary Heat Exchanger When the refrigerant is put back into a Type III chiller, following recovery and system repair, where is it added? - The charging valve on the evaporator. What method is used to find suspected water tube leaks in chillers? - Hydrostatic (tube) test What temperature should be attained when removing oil from a low pressure system to ensure a lower level of refrigerants in the oil? - 130-Degrees F The typical design burst pressure for a rupture disc is what? - 15 PSIG Excessive moisture collection in the purge unit can indicate what? - Tube Leakage Vacuum pumps need to be capable of pulling what level of vacuum? - 500 microns All refrigeration systems containing more than 50 lbs. of refrigerant must be repaired when the annual leak rate exceeds___? - 35% The most efficient method of leak checking a charged low-pressure system is to use? - Controlled hot water or heater blankets. Systems with open drive compressors are prone to leak where? - At the shaft seal. What does ASHRAE standard 15 require? - A refrigerant monitor that will sound and alarm and automatically start a ventilation system in equipment rooms before the refrigerant concentration reaches the TLV-TWA. TLV-TWA - Threshold Limit Value, Time Weighted Average A-1 Group Refrigerants only require what? - Oxygen Deprivation Sensor All "B" rated refrigerants require what? - "Refrigerant Specific" Mechanical Room Sensor. What are Cooling Towers? - They are heat removal devices used to transfer process waste heat to the atmosphere. What is the maximum test pressure to use for pressurizing Type III centrifugal systems with nitrogen? - 10 psig Enough vapor has entered the system and you may begin charging liquid refrigerant when the refrigerant saturation temperature increases to? - 36F Type 1 - Small appliances- 5lbs or less Type 2 - Residental Units/ Light Commercial Type 3 - Industrial Universal - All types Section 608 of the federal clean air act requires all persons who maintain, service, repair or dispose of appliances that contain regulated refrigerants, be certified in proper refrigerant handling techniques as of - Nov 14th, 1994 What is used to cause a minimal amount of refrigerant to be released? - Low Loss Fitting CFC Refrigerants - R-11, R-12, R-113, R-114,R-115 HCFC Refrigerants - R-22, R-123, R-124, R-1426 HFC Refrigerants - R-125, R-134A, R-23, R-32, R-125, R-143a, R-152A The compound gauge of the manifold that measures low pressure (psig) and vacuum (inches Hg.) is what color? - Blue Hose The high pressure gauge of the manifold that measures the high side (discharge) pressure is what color? - Red Hose The center port of the manifold that can be connected to a recovery device, evacuation vacuum pump or charging device is what color? - Yellow Hose The Latin word for the least amount of Refrigerant you can release into the atmosphere? - De- Minimus HFC's will be Phased out by? - 2020 CFC's were phased out of production by? - December 31st, 1995 GWP - Global Warming Potential ARI - Air Conditioning/ Refrigeration Institute (Govern standards covering subjects of air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating industry) After what date must refrigerants be certified and labeled by EPA Approved Equipment Testing Organizations to meet EPA Standards? - November 15th, 1993 What does System Dependent (passive) recovery equipment mean? - Using the assistance of components in the appliance for recovery. What does Self Contained (active) recovery equipment mean? - Using equipment's own compressor for recovery. The Standard oxygen we breathe is? - O2 The ozone molecule is? - O3 Trophosphere is? - 0-7 miles Stratosphere is? - 7ish-30 miles Mesosphere is? - 30-? Thermosphere is? - Above Mesosphere ( I can't find these in miles related to the test) Exosphere is? - 400km Fastest method to recover refrigerant is? - In a liquid state the slowest method to recover rerigerant is? - In a vapor state PSIA - pounds per square inch absolute PSIG - pounds per square inch gauge It is illegal to vent HFC's after? - November 15th, 1995 It is illegal to vent CFC's or HCFC's after? - July 1st, 1992 Recovery equipment before November 15th, 1993 - must remove 80% of Refrigeratnt or 4 inches of Vacuum Recovery equipment after November 15th 1993 - must remove 90% of Ref or 4 inches of vacuum What date was the sale of CFC's & HCFC's restricted to technicians certified in refrigerant recovery? - November 14, 1994 When a chlorine atom meets with an ozone molecule, it takes one _______ - oxygen atom from the ozone. R-11 is a: - CFC R-134A is a: - HFC ODP is a measurement of CFCs and HCFCs ability to __________ - destroy the ozone. To take refrigerant out of a system, it must be ________ - recovered. The body of a recovery cylinder must be in what color? - Gray Technicians servicing small appliances must be certified in refrigerant recovery if they: - Perform sealed system service. The EPA definition of a small appliance includes: - Products manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed in a factory with 5 pounds of refrigerant or less. All equipment must be equipped with what type of fittings? - Low loss fittings that can be manually closed or close automatically when hose are disconnected to minimize the refrigerant loss. What is the EPA requirement for leak repair for small appliances? - Leaks should be repaired whenever possible. Before beginning a refrigerant recovery procedure, it is necessary to know: - The type of refrigerant that is in the system. If a reclamation facility receives a tank of refrigerant, they will ________ - refine to new refrigerant specifications. The only way to measure refrigerant pressure temperature relationship accurately, is at a: - Stable, known temperature. After the installation of any type of system, the unit should first be _____ - pressurized with an inert gas (nitrogen) and leak checked. When performing refrigerant system service on a unit that has a receiver/storage tank, refrigerant should be placed in the _____ - receiver/storage tank. Although recovering refrigerant in the vapor phase will minimize the loss of oil, recovering as much as possible in the liquid phase will _______ - reduce recovery time. After recovery, refrigerant may be: - Returned to the appliance from which it was removed or to another appliance owned by the same person without being recycled or reclaimed. Disposable cylinders must be: - Discarded. It is necessary to frequently check and change the recycling machine's: - Oil and filter. Quick couplers, self-sealing hoses, and hand valves should be used to _____ - minimize refrigerant release when hoses are connected/disconnected. A major repair involves removal of _______ - an auxiliary heat exchanger coil. Because a low-pressure system operates below atmospheric pressure (vacuum), leaks in the gasket or fittings will _______ - cause air and moisture to enter the system. What can be used to pressurize a system for the purpose of opening the system for a non-major repair? (Type III) - Controlled hot water A recovery unit's high pressure cut-out is set for (Psig for Type III): - 10 psig when evacuating the refrigerant from a low pressure chiller (rupture disc at 15psig) A substantial amount of vapor will remain in the appliance after all the liquid is removed. An average 350 ton R-11 chiller at 0 psig still contains what amount of vapor? - 100 pounds of vapor When removing oil from a low-pressure system, a temperature of what must be attained? - 130 degrees F Refrigerant recovery from a system using R-11 or R-123 starts with recovery of (Type III): - Liquid removal, followed by vapor. Water must be circulated through the tubes when evacuating refrigerant in order to prevent ________ - freezing of the water. Most low-pressure recovery machines utilize a water-cooled condenser that is connected to the ________ - municipal water supply. Before charging with liquid, how much pressure does an R-11 refrigeration system require (vapor pressure), and how much saturation temperature? - 16.9" hg. vacuum or 36 degrees F. Two refrigerants are not allowed to collect into one recovery cylinder because: - Recovering two refrigerants back from mixture is not possible What is one refrigerant used in low pressure refrigerated appliances? - R-123 Low pressure appliances uses a refrigerant with a liquid phase saturation pressure below 45 psia at 104°F. Nitrogen reacts with hydrogen to form what? - Ammonia. The ______ connects the condenser to the expansion device: - Liquid line Recovery and recycling equipment intended for use manufactured after _____ must be certified to meet the requirements of ARI 740. - Nov 15, 1993 Which type of leak detector works by drawing the vapor into the system and heating it? - Electronic leak detector Electronic leak detector works on the principle that when halogen vapor is heated, it increases the positive ion concentration thereby increasing the conductivity of the air sample drawn between the ion emitter and collector (anode and cathode). This increase in positive ion conductivity is magnified using electrical circuit so that audio or visual signal is produced. _____ breaks down the CFCs and frees the chlorine ion at stratosphere: - Ultraviolet radiation If the vacuum pump used is too large, water removal from the system will become easier or more difficult? - More difficult. If large vacuum pump is used, vacuum in the system drops very fast causing the evaporating water to cool and freeze rapidly. This results in removing water from the system more difficult. Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning (MVAC) service technicians are governed under EPA _____ section: - 609