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If and when contractors step up their commitment to reclamation, they will find plenty of places ready to perform the process that brings questionable refrigerant back to A RI-700 purity standards. And contractors will also find plenty of incentives to do so.
The latest list of U.S. Environmental Protection Agencycertified refrigerant reclaimers published in October 2011 named 55 companies - and those companies offer a range of incentives. While this resource guide is not all encompassing, it is intended to provide an overview of what's happening in the reclaim sector.
Airgas Refrigerant Technologies
www.airgas.com
Services offered through: The wholesale network with its ReKlaim Program. Also offers direct buyback for larger recovery service projects.
Refrigerants: All of the CFCs, HCFCs and the HFCs.
Procedures: The program incentivizes the customer/contractor to bring their used refrigerant to a wholesaler who is part of the ReKlaim network.
Costs: Typically, there will be no cost to a contractor. Rather they are paid for the used gas unless it was badly mixed with other refrigerants.
Incentives: Airgas is an EPA-certified reclaimer, offering a variety of reclamation choices such as cleanup and exchange. It also processes used gas quickly and provides payment within 30 days by either credit or check at the customer's request.
Arkema Inc.
www.arkema-inc.com
Services offered through: The Forane® Refrigerant Reclaim Program through Arkema's wholesale network located throughout the United States.
Refrigerants: All HCFC, HFC, and CFC refrigerants. Halons are not accepted. Fluorocarbons from solvents or cleaning agents are not acceptable. Also, non-fluorocarbon refrigerants such as ammonia, methylene chloride, propane, ethane, or sulfur dioxide are not acceptable.
Procedures: First, contractors need to determine the amount of refrigerant they are recovering, so they can determine the size and number of cylinders to use. Next, they determine the pressure rating of the cylinder based on the refrigerant type to be recovered. All recovery cylinders are empty, clean, and evacuated. They are painted gray with a yellow top. Contractors should check that the expiration date of the cylinder is far enough ahead that it will give them time to perform recovery and return the cylinder. Cylinders must not be dented, corroded, or show signs of damage that may make them unsuitable for the job.
Costs and incentives: Local distributor can be...