Cleaning a Recovery Cylinder

[artic breeze]

Hey everybody,


What is the best way to clean a recovery cylinder if it was used for R-22 only and now I need to use it for r-134a? I don't want to cross contaminate the refrigerants? Is there a way to flush out the tanks or do I have to buy another one?

[fcs]

Interesting thought.

Never done it not sure if it's OK with EPA. I just have different Recovery tanks for difterent flavors. and have one for Brun outs a given flavor.

most of the time just exchanege the tank(s)

[amickracing]

I'd imagine you could pull the pipe plug out of the top, and the dip tube/valves and swish some acetone (or other harsh cleaner) in there. Do that a few times, reinstall everything, pull a good vacuum on it and call it good.

I'll admit I've used a tank for a different refrigerant after just pulling a good vac on it and never had any problems. Course I'd never do that with a tank that had a burn out refrigerant in there though.

Easiest would probably be to just exchange it for a new one and let the tank company worry about the clean up.

[koldenhott]

Hey everybody,


What is the best way to clean a recovery cylinder if it was used for R-22 only and now I need to use it for r-134a? I don't want to cross contaminate the refrigerants? Is there a way to flush out the tanks or do I have to buy another one?

Once the R-22 liquid and vapor is recovered, a deep vacuum is pulled on the recovery cylinder. It should be good to go at that point with no cross contamination of the refrigerants, UNLESS you are concerned about cross contamination of the two different oils...

...with cylinder in vacuum introduce ALCOHOL into the cylinder, agitate, turn upside down and drain through open valve...

Best bet is to buy and dedicate cylinders for each refrigerant you run across...

[zw17]

Why the cross post in two different forums?

http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=765782