How does recycling differ from reclamation?

How does recycling differ from reclamation?

• A. Recycling and reclamation are the same
• B. Recycling cleans refrigerant for reuse in the same system; reclamation cleans to ARI 700 purity standards for sale or reuse in other systems
• C. Recycling removes oil; reclamation removes moisture
• D. Recycling is illegal; reclamation is required

Answer: (B)

Recycling and reclamation differ in how pure the recovered refrigerant must be and where it can be used. Recycling cleans the recovered refrigerant enough to be reused, typically in the same system or another system under the same ownership, without meeting the stricter purity standards of new refrigerant. Reclamation, on the other hand, goes further to meet ARI 700 purity standards, so reclaimed refrigerant can be sold and reused in any system. This means reclamation involves more thorough removal of moisture, acids, oil, and other contaminants to approach virgin-quality purity.

Recycling and reclamation differ in how pure the recovered refrigerant must be and where it can be used. Recycling cleans the recovered refrigerant enough to be reused, typically in the same system or another system under the same ownership, without meeting the stricter purity standards of new refrigerant. Reclamation, on the other hand, goes further to meet ARI 700 purity standards, so reclaimed refrigerant can be sold and reused in any system. This means reclamation involves more thorough removal of moisture, acids, oil, and other contaminants to approach virgin-quality purity.