This appendix is based on the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute Standard 700-1995.

1.1 Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to evaluate and accept/reject refrigerants regardless of source (i.e., new, reclaimed and/or repackaged) for use in new and existing refrigeration and air-conditioning products as required under 40 CFR part 82.

1.1.1 Intent. This standard is intended for the guidance of the industry including manufacturers, refrigerant reclaimers, repackagers, distributors, installers, servicemen, contractors and for consumers.

1.1.2 Review and Amendment. This standard is subject to review and amendment as the technology advances.

2.1 Scope. This standard specifies acceptable levels of contaminants (purity requirements) for various fluorocarbon and other refrigerants regardless of source and lists acceptable test methods. These refrigerants are R-113; R-123; R-11; R-114; R-124; R-12; R-401C; R-406A; R-500; R-401A; R-409A; R-401B; R-411A; R-22; R-411B; R-502; R-402B; R-408A; R-402A; R-13; R-503 as referenced in the ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34-1992. (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers, Inc., Standard 34-1992). Copies may be obtained from ASHRAE Publications Sales, 1791 Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. Copies may also be inspected at Environmental Protection Agency; Office of Air and Radiation Docket; 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Room B108; Washington, DC 20460.

3.1 “Shall,” “Should,” “Recommended,” or “It Is Recommended.” “Shall,” “should,” “recommended,” or “it is recommended” shall be interpreted as follows:

3.1.1 Shall. Where “shall” or “shall not” is used for a provision specified, that provision is mandatory if compliance with the appendix is claimed.

3.1.2 Should, Recommended, or It is Recommended. “Should”, “recommended”, or “it is recommended” is used to indicate provisions which are not mandatory but which are desirable as good practice.

4.1 Characterization. Characterization of refrigerants and contaminants addressed are listed in the following general classifications:

4.1.1 Characterization

a. Gas Chromatography

b. Boiling point and boiling point range

4.1.2 Contaminants

a. Water

b. Chloride

c. Acidity

d. High boiling residue

e. Particulates/solids

f. Non-condensables

g. Impurities including other refrigerants

5.1 Referee Test. The referee test methods for the various contaminants are summarized in the following paragraphs. Detailed test procedures are included in Appendix C to ARI Standard 700-1995: Analytical Procedures for ARI Standard 700-1995, 1995, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute. Appendix C to ARI Standard 700-1995 is incorporated by reference. [This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, 4301 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203. Copies may also be inspected at Public Docket No. A-92-01, Environmental Protection Agency, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC, 20460 or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC.] If alternative test methods are employed, the user must be able to demonstrate that they produce results equivalent to the specified referee method.

5.2 Refrigerant Sampling

5.2.1 Sampling Precautions. Special precautions should be taken to assure that representative samples are obtained for analysis. Sampling shall be done by trained laboratory personnel following accepted sampling and safety procedures.

5.2.2 Gas Phase Sample. A gas phase sample shall be obtained for determining the non-condensables. Since non-condensable gases, if present, will concentrate in the vapor phase of the refrigerant, care must be exercised to eliminate introduction of air during the sample transfer. Purging is not an acceptable procedure for a gas phase sample since it may introduce a foreign product. Since R-11, R-113, and R-123 have normal boiling points at or above room temperature, non-condensable determination is not required for these refrigerants.

5.2.2.1 Connection. The sample cylinder shall be connected to an evacuated gas sampling bulb by means of a manifold. The manifold should have a valve arrangement that facilitates evacuation of all connecting tubing leading to the sampling bulb.

5.2.2.2 Equalizing Pressures. After the manifold has been evacuated, close the valve to the pump and open the valve on the system. Allow the pressure to equilibrate and close valves.

5.2.3 Liquid Phase Sample. A liquid phase sample is required for all tests listed in this standard except the test for non-condensables.

5.2.3.1 Preparation. Place a clean, empty sample cylinder with the valve open in an oven at 110 °C (230 °F) for one hour. Remove it from the oven while hot, immediately connect to an evacuation system and evacuate to less than 1 mm mercury (1000 microns). Close the valve and allow it to cool. Weigh the empty cylinder.

5.2.3.2 Manifolding. The valve and lines from the unit to be sampled shall be clean and dry. The cylinder shall be connected to an evacuated gas sampling cylinder by means of a manifold. The manifold should have a valve arrangement that facilitates evacuation of all connecting tubing leading to the sampling cylinder.

5.2.3.3 Liquid Sampling. After the manifold has been evacuated, close the valve to the pump and open the valve on the system. Take the sample as a liquid by chilling the sample cylinder slightly. Accurate analysis requires that the sample container be filled to at least 60% by volume, however under no circumstances should the cylinder be filled to more than 80% by volume. This can be accomplished by weighing the empty cylinder and then the cylinder with refrigerant. When the desired amount of refrigerant has been collected, close the valve(s) and disconnect the sample cylinder immediately.

5.2.3.4 Record Weight. Check the sample cylinder for leaks and record the gross weight.

5.3 Refrigerant Characterization.

5.3.1 Primary Method. The primary method shall be gas chromatography (GC) as described in Appendix C to ARI Standard 700-1995. The chromatogram of the sample shall be compared to known standards.

5.3.2 Alternative Method. Determination of the boiling point and boiling point range is an acceptable alternative test method which can be used to characterize refrigerants. The test method shall be that described in the Federal Specification for “Fluorocarbon Refrigerants,” BB-F-1421 B, dated March 5, 1982, section 4.4.3.

5.3.3 Required Values. The required values for boiling point and boiling point range are given in Table 1A, Physical Properties of Single Component Refrigerants; Table 1B, Physical Properties of Zeotropic Blends (400 Series Refrigerants); and Table 1C, Physical Properties of Azeotropic Blends (500 Series Refrigerants).

5.4 Water Content.

5.4.1 Method. The Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration shall be the primary test method for determining the water content of refrigerants. This method is described in Appendix C to ARI Standard 700-1995. This method can be used for refrigerants that are either a liquid or a gas at room temperature, including refrigerants 11, 113, and 123. For all refrigerants, the sample for water analysis shall be taken from the liquid phase of the container to be tested. Proper operation of the analytical method requires special equipment and an experienced operator. The precision of the results is excellent if proper sampling and handling procedures are followed. Refrigerants containing a colored dye can be successfully analyzed for water using this method.

5.4.2 Limits. The value for water content shall be expressed as parts per million (ppm) by weight and shall not exceed the maximum specified (see Tables 1A, 1B, and 1C).

5.5 Chloride.

The refrigerant shall be tested for chloride as an indication of the presence of hydrochloric acid and/or metal chlorides. The recommended procedure is intended for use with new or reclaimed refrigerants. Significant amounts of oil may interfere with the results by indicating a failure in the absence of chloride.

5.5.1 Method. The test method shall be that described in Appendix C to ARI Standard 700-1995. The test will show noticeable turbidity at chloride levels of about 3 ppm by weight or higher.

5.5.2 Turbidity. The results of the test shall not exhibit any sign of turbidity. Report the results as “pass” or “fail.”

5.6 Acidity.

5.6.1 Method. The acidity test uses the titration principle to detect any compound that is highly soluble in water and ionizes as an acid. The test method shall be that described in Appendix C to ARI Standard 700-1995. This test may not be suitable for determination of high molecular weight organic acids; however these acids will be found in the high boiling residue test outlined in 5.7. The test requires a 100 to 120 gram sample and has a detection limit of 0.1 ppm by weight calculated as HCl.

5.6.2 Limits. The maximum permissible acidity is 1 ppm by weight as HCl.

5.7 High Boiling Residue.

5.7.1 Method. High boiling residue shall be determined by measuring the residue of a standard volume of refrigerant after evaporation. The refrigerant sample shall be evaporated at room temperature or at a temperature 45 °C (115 °F) for all refrigerants, except R-113 which shall be evaporated at 60 °C (140 °F), using a Goetz bulb as specified in Appendix C to ARI Standard 700-1995. Oils and/or organic acids will be captured by this method.

5.7.2 Limits. The value for high boiling residue shall be expressed as a percentage by volume and shall not exceed the maximum percent specified (see Tables 1A, 1B, and 1C). An alternative gravimetric method is described in Appendix C to ARI Standard 700-1995.

5.8 Method of Tests for Particulates and Solids.

5.8.1 Method. A measured amount of sample is evaporated from a Goetz bulb under controlled temperature conditions. The particulates/solids shall be determined by visual examination of the Goetz bulb prior to the evaporation of refrigerant. Presence of dirt, rust or other particulate contamination is reported as “fail.” For details of this test method, refer to Part 3 of Appendix C to ARI Standard 700-1995.

5.9 Non-Condensables.

5.9.1 Sample. A vapor phase sample shall be used for determination of non-condensables. Non-condensable gases consist primarily of air accumulated in the vapor phase of refrigerants. The solubility of air in the refrigerants liquid phase is extremely low and air is not significant as a liquid phase contaminant. The presence of non-condensable gases may reflect poor quality control in transferring refrigerants to storage tanks and cylinders.

5.9.2 Method. The test method shall be gas chromatography with a thermal conductivity detector as described in Appendix C to ARI Standard 700-1995.

5.9.3 Limit. The maximum level of non-condensables in the vapor phase of a refrigerant in a container shall not exceed 1.5% by volume (see Tables 1A, 1B, and 1C).

5.10 Impurities, including Other Refrigerants.

5.10.1 Method. The amount of other impurities including other refrigerants in the subject refrigerant shall be determined by gas chromatography as described in Appendix C to ARI Standard 700-1995.

5.10.2 Limit. The subject refrigerant shall not contain more than 0.5% by weight of impurities including other refrigerants (see Tables 1A, 1B, and 1C).

6.1 Reporting Procedure. The source (manufacturer, reclaimer or repackager) of the packaged refrigerant shall be identified. The refrigerant shall be identified by its accepted refrigerant number and/or its chemical name. Maximum permissible levels of contaminants are shown in Tables 1A, 1B, and 1C. Test results shall be tabulated in a like manner.

Listed here are all standards, handbooks, and other publications essential to the formation and implementation of the standard. All references in this appendix are considered as part of this standard.

ASHRAE Terminology of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, 1992, 1791 Tullie Circle NE., Atlanta, GA 30329-2305; U.S.A.

ASHRAE Standard 34-1992, Number Designation and Safety Classification of Refrigerants, American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, 1992, 1791 Tullie Circle NE., Atlanta, GA 30329-2305; U.S.A.

Appendix C to ARI Standard 700-1995: Analytical Procedures to ARI Standard 700-1995, Specifications for Fluorocarbon and Other Refrigerants, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, 1995, 4301 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 425, Arlington, VA 22203; U.S.A.

Federal Specification for Fluorocarbon Refrigerants, BB-F-1421-B, dated March 5, 1992, Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration, 1992, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, D.C. 20402; U.S.A.