An Overview of AHRI 700 Purity Standards

The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) 700 purity standards are used globally to verify refrigerant performance claims and ensure fair product comparisons. The AHRI does not set safety standards, and it does not certify or guarantee product safety. AHRI standards result from advanced and accepted industry practices for designing, installing, and operating refrigerants that comply with national safety standards and codes. The following is a brief look at the AHRI purity standards and their impact on refrigerant management.

The Scope Standard

This standard specifies the purity requirements of acceptable levels of contaminants in refrigerants containing hydrocarbon, fluorocarbon, and carbon dioxide. It involves refrigeration management regardless of the source, and it lists acceptable methods of testing.

Specifications for Refrigerants

The refrigerant standard sets purity specifications, verifies composition, and defines testing methods for accessibility. It is meant to guide manufacturers, reclaimers, distributors, installers, contractors, and users, among others, of refrigerants containing hydrocarbon, fluorocarbon, and carbon dioxide.

Characterization of Refrigerants and Contaminants

This standard of single component fluorocarbon and zeotropic/azeotropic blend refrigerants and contaminants includes Isomer content, water, halogenated unsaturated volatile impurities, and chloride, among others.

Sampling of Test Procedures

These precautions specify methods and limits of refrigerant management for cylinder preparation, vapor phase sampling, and handling low-temperature refrigerants. The precautions also address liquid and liquid phase sampling, record weight, refrigerant identification, and water content, among others.

Particulates and Solids

While addressing noncondensables, other volatile impurities, and other refrigeration, this standard focuses on the halogenated, unsaturated volatile, impurities, individual listed volatile impurities, and sulfur odor in hydrocarbon refrigerants.

Reclaimed and Repackaged Refrigerants

This standard sets test procedures for refrigerant management in determining the quality of the new and the reclaimed as well as repackaged refrigerants for use in new and existing equipment within the scope of AHRI. They are designed as referee test methods. If other procedures are used, the user must show results equivalent to the specified referee test methods.

Reporting Procedure

The manufacturer, repackager, or reclaimer of the packaged refrigerant is identified. The refrigerant is identified by its accepted number and chemical name. The test results are tabulated accordingly. Although confirmation is voluntary, it cannot be claimed or implied for equipment or products within the scope and purpose of the standard.

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A Look at Cylinder Cleaning, Evacuation, Transport, and Recertification

According to the Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT PHMSA), cylinder recertification is mandated for refrigerant recovery cylinders every five years. Failure to comply may result from up to $10,000 in fines per cylinder found to be in violation. The following is a brief look at cylinder recertification.

Recovery Cylinders

In many ways, recovery cylinders are different from their disposable counterparts. One of the main differences is disposable cylinders used for new products should not be refilled and should never be used for recovery. Recovery cylinders are specifically designed for refilling.

Threats of Explosion

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is concerned that overpressurization or heating of recovery cylinders can cause explosions. As a result, it mandates that any refillable refrigerant cylinder must not be billed beyond 80 percent of its capacity by weight. Also, its safety level of filling must be governed by a mechanical float device, weight, or an electronic shut-off.

Transfering Refrigerant

Before moving recycled refrigerants into an empty storage cylinder—specifically, to remove non‐condensable gases—the cylinder must be evacuated as mandated. Refillable cylinders must be tested and stamped by date at five-year intervals.

Disposal of Near-Empty Cylinders

Cylinder recertification requires that any remaining refrigerant be recovered before a cylinder can be discarded. Only when the cylinder has been reduced to a vacuum can it be defined as empty and prepared for disposal.

Shipping and Transportation

When transporting cylinders that contain used refrigerant, the DOT requires that the cylinders be fastened with DOT classification tags. Also, a refrigerant label must be placed on each cylinder. Any refillable cylinders used for transferring pressurized refrigerant must be approved by DOT.

Inspect for Rust

Any refrigerant recovery cylinder used for transporting or shipping must first be inspected for rust. If there is any indication of rust, the cylinder should be emptied and discarded. Some states require special procedures for shipping based on the classification of used refrigerants that must be followed. Be sure to confirm the EPA and DOT regulations of each cylinder recertification in the state of origin.

We at Refrigerant Solutions are one of only 60 refrigerant companies certified by the EPA, and we bring more than 15 years of experience to your reclamation and recycling situation. Call us at 508-543-5482 or contact us online.