Why is obtaining an accurate pressure reading of refrigerant inside a recovery cylinder important?

Obtaining an accurate pressure reading of refrigerant inside a recovery cylinder is important primarily because it helps indicate excessive air or other non-condensables in the cylinder. When refrigerants are recovered, they should ideally be free of contaminants. The presence of air or non-condensable gases can lead to inaccurate pressure readings and can interfere with the recovery process.

If a pressure reading is significantly higher than expected for a particular refrigerant, it may suggest that there is air mixed in with the refrigerant. This is critical because non-condensables not only impact the performance of the system but also can cause issues during the recovery and recycling processes. For example, if air or non-condensables are present, they can cause the pressure to rise excessively, leading to safety hazards during handling and processing.

Understanding the pressure allows technicians to assess the purity of the refrigerant and determine whether it can be reused or needs to be disposed of properly. Therefore, monitoring pressure is vital for ensuring the integrity of the refrigerant and the safety of the handling process.