How Does a Refrigerant Recovery Machine Work?
Introduction A refrigerant recovery machine became necessary when it was discovered that chlorofluorcarbons (CFCs) were depleting the ozone layer. Once this was discovered, Freon was taken off of the market and maintenance facilities were advised that they needed to have a way of capturing the Freon when extracted. It became illegal to release it into the atmosphere. The recovery machine was quickly developed and certification course was necessary to own and operate one at a shop. Vehicle Freon Types and Alternatives R-12, the Freon that was commonly used in cars up to the mid-’90s, was dangerous to the ozone layer. For the above reasons, a new refrigerant that is less harmful to the environment was needed because of the unintentional leaks (such as a blown hose in a vehicle’s air conditioning system). A new refrigerant called R-134 was produced. R-134 is far less harmful although still not totally safe. This is the refrigerant that is used in vehicles to date. The race is still on to
