What must be done to refrigerants before they can be reused?

Refrigerants must be properly cleaned and meet specific standards for reuse to ensure they are safe and effective for operation in cooling systems. Contaminants can degrade the performance of refrigeration systems and create operational issues such as loss of cooling capacity, increased energy consumption, and potential damage to components.

Cleaning typically involves filtering out impurities, moisture, and any other substances that may have entered the refrigerant during its lifecycle. By ensuring that refrigerants are properly cleaned and meet reuse standards, technicians maintain the integrity of both the refrigerant itself and the systems in which they are used. This practice is also important for environmental protection, as releasing contaminated or non-compliant refrigerants can harm the atmosphere.

Using a refrigerant without treatment or mixing it with other chemicals can lead to significant problems, making it essential to adhere to established cleaning protocols.