Recovery
Recovery means removing refrigerant from a system and storing it in an external container without necessarily testing or processing it. The refrigerant is simply transferred out of the system into a recovery cylinder. Recovery does not clean or purify the refrigerant in any way.
Recovery = removing refrigerant from a system and storing it in an external container, without cleaning or processing.
Recycling
Recycling is the process of cleaning recovered refrigerant on-site using recycling equipment. It typically removes oil, moisture, and other contaminants using filter-driers and oil separators. Recycled refrigerant can be reused in equipment but does not meet virgin purity specifications.
Recycling = on-site cleaning of refrigerant to remove oil and moisture. Does NOT meet virgin specs.
Reclamation
Reclamation means processing refrigerant at a certified reclamation facility to meet at least the purity specifications of ARI Standard 700 (equivalent to virgin product). This is the only process that restores refrigerant to like-new quality. Contaminated or mixed refrigerants must be sent to a certified reclaimer or properly disposed of.
Reclamation = processing at a certified facility to meet ARI-700 virgin purity standards.
The Three Rs Compared
Three Rs Review
- Recovery: removing refrigerant to an external container without any processing.
- Recycling: on-site cleaning that removes oil and moisture but does not meet virgin specs.
- Reclamation: processing at a certified facility to ARI-700 virgin purity standards.
- Contaminated or mixed refrigerants must go to a certified reclaimer or be properly destroyed.