EPA Section 608 Universal Certification ExamType II (High-Pressure Appliances)Medium
A technician is recovering refrigerant from a high-pressure appliance containing 15 pounds of R-404A. The recovery cylinder being used has a water capacity of 50 pounds. What is the maximum weight of R-404A that can be safely transferred into this recovery cylinder?
- A40 pounds
- B45 pounds
- C50 pounds
- D30 pounds
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 40 pounds
Recovery cylinders must not be filled to more than 80% of their water-filled weight capacity by weight of refrigerant. For a 50-pound water capacity cylinder, 80% is 40 pounds (50 lbs * 0.80 = 40 lbs) of R-404A, considering the density difference for R-404A is roughly 1:1 with water for simplicity in this context.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This exceeds the 80% fill limit for the cylinder.
- C. Filling to 100% of water capacity by weight is dangerous and can lead to cylinder rupture.
- D. This is 60% of the water capacity, which is too low for the maximum fill.
Recovery Cylinder Fill Limit
Recovery cylinders must not be filled beyond 80% of their water-filled weight capacity to prevent dangerous over-pressurization due to liquid expansion.
- Maximum fill is 80% by weight of the cylinder's water capacity.
- Overfilling can cause the cylinder to rupture if exposed to temperature increases.
- A scale should always be used to monitor the amount of refrigerant recovered.
- The 80% rule accounts for the expansion of liquid refrigerant.
Memory trick: Eighty Percent: Enough Space for Expansion.