Comparison between using Reclaimed Refrigerant vs Virgin Refrigerant.

When it comes to using refrigerants in HVAC and refrigeration systems, two primary types of refrigerants are commonly discussed: virgin refrigerant and reclaimed refrigerant. The use of reclaimed refrigerants has gained significant attention due to its environmental benefits and regulatory advantages. However, both types of refrigerants must meet specific industry standards to ensure they perform safely and efficiently. One of the key standards governing the quality of refrigerants is AHRI 700, established by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).

What is AHRI 700?

AHRI 700 is a set of rigorous guidelines and quality standards set by AHRI that specify the required purity levels for refrigerants. These standards apply to both virgin and reclaimed refrigerants, ensuring that they are suitable for use in HVAC and refrigeration systems. AHRI 700 covers several refrigerant types, including hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and other commonly used refrigerants, and sets specifications for:

• Purity: Refrigerant must meet specific levels of purity, including the absence of contaminants such as moisture, acids, and oils.
• Moisture Content: The maximum moisture content allowed is typically very low (for example, less than 10 parts per million or ppm).
• Acidity: The refrigerant must have an acidity level lower than a specified threshold, typically less than 0.1 ppm.
• Non-Volatile Residue: There must be no more than a specified amount of non-volatile residue after the refrigerant has evaporated.

For reclaimed refrigerants, meeting the AHRI 700 standard is essential for ensuring that they are safe and efficient to use. Any reclaimed refrigerant that does not meet the AHRI 700 standard is not suitable for reuse in systems and may lead to performance issues or even equipment damage.

Reclaimed Refrigerant vs. Virgin Refrigerant

1. Purity and Quality
Both virgin refrigerant and reclaimed refrigerant must meet AHRI 700 standards, but their paths to compliance are different.

• Virgin Refrigerant: This is refrigerant that has been newly manufactured and is set to meet with AHRI 700 specifications directly from the manufacturer. As every batch of refrigerant gas imported comes with its own Certification of Analysis to ensure the quality of the refrigerant.
• Reclaimed Refrigerant: Reclaimed refrigerant is refrigerant that has been recovered from older systems, purified and cleansed to meet the same AHRI 700 standards. The reclamation process involves several steps:

1. Recovery: Refrigerant is extracted from decommissioned systems.
2. Cleansed and Purification: The recovered refrigerant will then undergo the filter process to remove contaminants, including moisture, oils, acids, and particulate matter.
3. Testing and Certification: The refrigerant is tested to ensure that it meets the AHRI 700 standards for purity and quality. If the reclaimed refrigerant does not meet these standards, it is either further processed or discarded.

The primary environmental benefit of using reclaimed refrigerants over virgin refrigerants is that reclaimed refrigerants help to reduce the demand for the production of new refrigerants. By reusing refrigerants, fewer new refrigerants need to be manufactured, reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental burden of refrigerant production and disposal.

• Reclaimed Refrigerant: The reclamation process recycles refrigerants that would otherwise be disposed of, typically through venting or improper disposal. Thus, contributing to better sustainability and compliance with regulations like the Kigali Amendment (which aims to reduce HFCs globally).
• Virgin Refrigerant: The production of virgin refrigerants contributes to carbon emissions and the depletion of natural resources. The manufacturing process involves energy-intensive processes, contributing to climate change when not properly handled.

3. Regulatory Compliance
Both reclaimed and virgin refrigerants must comply with relevant regulatory standards, and AHRI 700 certification ensures that both meet the same stringent quality controls.

• Reclaimed Refrigerant: To meet EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards in the U.S. and other similar regulatory bodies globally, refrigerants must be properly recovered and reclaimed by certified reclaimers. The process of reclaiming refrigerants ensures compliance with environmental regulations, especially those related to emissions reductions and the safe handling of ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
• Virgin Refrigerant: Virgin refrigerants are also required to meet regulatory standards, particularly in regard to their GWP, ODP (ozone depletion potential), and overall environmental impact. Manufacturers of virgin refrigerants must adhere to the latest regulations in order to sell their products in certain markets, particularly in regions with strict environmental laws like the European Union and the U.S.

4. Performance in Systems
Both virgin and reclaimed refrigerants, when properly handled and purified, can perform identically in HVAC or refrigeration systems. Reclaimed refrigerant that are high quality that meets AHRI 700 standards will have undergone extensive testing and quality control procedures.

Conclusion
The choice of using reclaimed refrigerants can offer significant environmental benefits and reclaimed refrigerants can provide the same level of performance as virgin refrigerants. Hence, using reclaimed refrigerants is a smarter choice as we make a meaningful contribution to protect the environment and fight against climate change.