Refrigerant recycling involves subjecting the recovered refrigerant to purification and processing processes that improve its purity and efficiency so that it can be reused in refrigeration systems. This not only brings economic benefits, but also contributes to environmental protection and the sustainable use of resources.
Why is refrigerant recycling important?
Environmental protection: Reduces the need to produce new refrigerants, thus reducing the environmental impact of production.
Minimizes environmental pollution from improper handling of refrigerants.
Cost reduction: Using recycled refrigerant is more economical than purchasing new refrigerants.
Regulatory compliance: Regulations in the EU and other regions require the recovery and proper management of refrigerants, especially in accordance with regulations for F-gases .
Resource conservation: Refrigerants are available in limited quantities, so recycling is key to efficient use of resources.
The recycling process
Recovery : The refrigerant is extracted from the cooling system using special equipment to prevent it from entering the environment.
Cleaning: The removed refrigerant is cleaned using various techniques:
Oil separation: Removes oil that may have mixed with the refrigerant.
Distillation: Separation of the refrigerant from possible contaminants based on boiling point differences.
Filtration and drying: Filter driers are used to remove moisture, acids and particles.
Analysis: The purified refrigerant is checked to ensure it meets standard purity requirements.
Reuse: Properly treated refrigerant can be returned to refrigeration systems or sold for reuse.
Quality of recycled refrigerant
The quality of the recycled refrigerant is a determining factor in its reusability. Industry standards, such as AHRI Standard 700, ensure that the recycled refrigerant meets requirements such as:
- Maximum purity.
- Minimum contaminant content.
- Stable performance in the cooling system.
Summary
Refrigerant recycling is an important process that contributes to the operation of sustainable refrigeration systems. The recycling process not only brings economic benefits, but also significant environmental benefits, as it reduces resource consumption and environmental burden. As technology advances, purification processes are becoming increasingly efficient, allowing the production of high-quality reusable refrigerants.