EPA core Exam Questions 2024

As of what date did it become unlawful to release Class 1 and Class II refrigerants to the atmosphere? - July 1, 1992 What is the ozone layer and why is it important to us on Earth? - Protective shield for Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolent (UV) rays in the stratosphere layer that extends about 6 to 30 miles above earth The atom found in CFC and HCFC refrigerants that destroys ozone in the stratosphere is? - Chlorine What is an ozone molecule made of? - Three oxygen atoms (O3). Which refrigerant is a CFC? - R-12 What is the name of the atom that attacks ozone molecules? - Chlorine and bromine atoms emitted into the atmosphere Which refrigerant is a HFC? - R-134A Describe how one Chlorine atom can destroy 100,000 ozone molecules. - Chlorine releases one of the oxygen atoms and forms two O2 oxygen molecules, leaving the chlorine molecule free to attack another ozone molecule and repeat the process. Which refrigerant contains no chlorine? - R-134A Name the refrigerant types that belong to CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs - CFC R-11, R- 12, R-13, R-113, R-114, and R-115. HCFC R-22, R-123, R-124, and R-142b The rule of thumb for refilling approved cylinders is a maximum of percent liquid? - 80% . What do the letters in "HCFC" stand for? - hydrochlorofluorocarbons To recover refrigerant is to? - Remove a refrigerant in any condition from a system in either an active or passive manner, and store it in an external container without necessarily testing or processing What is ODP? - Ozone Depletion Potential R-134A is a "drop in" refrigerant for? - R-134A is not a drop-in refrigerant Name some of the health and environmental effects of ozone depletion. - a. Increased Temperature of the Earth b. Increased Cases of Skin Cancer c. Increased numbers of Cataracts in the eyes d. All the above The condition and state of the refrigerant leaving a receiver is? a - Subcooled liquid What evidence do we have that CFCs and HCFCs are depleting the ozone? - There's been a increased amount of chlorine over the past two decades, it matches the rise in the amount of fluorine. And The rise in the amount of chlorine measured the past two decades matches the rise in CFC emissions over the same period. Samples of air taken from the stratosphere over erupting volcanoes show that volcanoes contribute a small quantity of chlorine to the stratosphere compared to CFCs. d. All the above The component of an air conditioning system that changes a low pressure vapor to a high pressure vapor is the? - Compressor What characteristics make it easy for CFCs to reach the stratosphere and how do they get there? - CFCs will not dissolve in water or break down into compounds that dissolve in water. Wind moves them into the Stratosphere Why do we now use R-134a refrigerant? - HFCs do not contain any chlorine What is the purpose of the CAA - Limit how much of a pollutant can be in the air in the US . What three things is the CAA doing to control chlorofluorocarbon emissions - Setting phase out dates Prohibit venting of CFC and HCFC Require recovery of refrigerants prior to appliance disposal All the above What can states do in addition to the CAA? - Enforce standards more strict than the CAA laws . What three things can happen if you violate the CAA? - a. Fine up to $27,500 per day, per violation b. May lose your certification to handle refrigerants c. May need to appear in US Federal Court for the charges d. All the above . What incentive do others have to turn you in for violating the CAA? - An award of up to $10,000 is offered by the EPA Who can purchase refrigerants and what size cylinders can be purchased? - a. Only certified technicians may purchase refrigerants as of November 14, 1994 b. The smallest cylinder a 608 certified technician may purchase is 20 lbs c. A certified technician can purchase HCFC d. All the above What is the Montreal Protocol? - Treaty among nations designed to protect the stratospheric ozone layer. What chemicals does the Montreal Protocol control? - a. chloro-fluoro-carbons, methyl chloroform, carbon tetra-chloride, Halons. d. All the above When was the CFC phase out date? - December 31, 1995 . Where do CFC refrigerants come from for equipment servicing of older systems? a - Recovery and recycling What must be done before scrapping a refrigerant container? - Recover to (0 psig) or lower and rendered useless What must be done before disposing of an appliance containing CFCs or HCFCs? - Refrigerant must be recovered Who is responsible for removing refrigerants from a system that is being disposed of? - Final person in the disposal chain Are there "drop-in" replacements for R-12 systems and if not, why? - a. There is no "drop-in" replacement gas for R-12 b. New refrigerants are incompatible with the oils and lubricants used in R-12 c. 134A uses a different oil than R-12 d. All the above . What type of oil is used in R-134a and what oils will mix with it? - Ester based oils / Ester based oils do not mix with other oils. Will the gases in a ternary blend leak at the same rate and why or why not? - They leak at different rates because they retain their different vapor pressures. What does a compressor compress? - Low pressure, low temperature vapor Explain how cooling of a space occurs in a refrigeration cycle - Heat is removed from inside the building and is deposited outside the building Will refrigerant migrate to the crank case in a compressor? - Refrigerant will migrate towards the compressor crank case while the oil will not What color is the compound gauge and what does the compound gauge measure? - Blue and measures low pressure (psig) and vacuum (inches Hg) . What color is the high pressure gauge? - Red and measures the high side (discharge) pressure What are three things the center hose is used for and what color is it usually? - Yellow hose and can be connected to a recovery device, evacuation vacuum pump or charging device c What things should you look for in EQUIPMENT and systems to help limit refrigerant emissions? - Equipment approved by EPA lab Leak check &repair All fittings are tight during service and recovery What is the most effective method for checking for small leaks - Halide torch How can you test a system for leaks? - Evacuate the system and pull a vacuum on it What should you look for if a compressor burns out? - Strong smell in refrigerant What will need to happen if the oil has been contaminated by a burnout? - a. Triple evacuate the system b. Install a permanent filter-drier c. Conduct a deep vacuum before recharging d. All the above How is recovery different from recycling? - Recycle is to clean refrigerant for immediate reuse b. Recover is to remove refrigerant in any condition from a system and store . How is recycling different from reclaiming? - Recycling must be performed by a recycling plant ... Recycle is to clean Name reasons recovery is important? - a. To have adequate supplies of refrigerant for service after production bans b. Prevent venting to the atmosphere c. Prevent stratospheric ozone depletion d. All the above What standards must refrigerant recovery equipment meet? - Certified and labeled by an EPA approved equipment manufacturer What are types of recovery equipment used? - System dependent / Self-contained . What should you tell a consumer who complains about the added cost and time - a. Recovery is the law. b. Recovery is necessary to protect human health and the environment.