R-22 of unknown origin...

[lazerbees]

I found a 125# recovery cylinder full of; what I believe to be R-22. We have about sixty 25 ton R-22 units. My question is: What is the safest most reliable way to test the cylinder's refrigerant for acid? I would hate to take in $600 worth of potentially good refrigerant. We typically use Sporlan test all kits with the compressor oil; however, in this instant I am unsure how to go about this. I have read a lot of mixed feedback about the vapor tests.

[trouble time]

Carrier sells a test strip. I believe it is sold under the name of Total test. Thread it on to the adapter fitting and blow through a little refrigerant ant it turns colours as to weather there is acid in the system or not......

[marvin]

we had a couple of hundred # i wasnt sure of & ended up
setting up a recovery machine & running it thru filters as a vapor
which took a long time but it didnt transfer any oil
or acid on the final test. saved the refg. but probably spent
the savings on power used.
will be doing the same thing on about 200 # of 410 next week
but this time will be using a heater on one bottle & the other
cylinder in a stock tank filled with ice to start.

[bunny]

You can send a sample to a testing lab for a true indication of what the refrigerant is, whether it's mixed with something else, and what the contaminants might be.

If you choose to use the refrigerant, charge it through an HH Catch-All filter drier.

[lazerbees]

a co-worker of mine picked up a six dollar qwikcheck "2-second acid test"...

I'm already skeptical. The company who makes this thing is called: Mainstream Engineering.

Usually when a company names themselves in such a way as the name suggests a quality or attribute they seldom live up to the expectations the name promotes.

ex. Pro choice.

I like the idea of pumping the vapor into a separate tank with a catch-all inline filter. We have several 50# tanks I can jump the refrigerant over to and our local supplier has agreed to trade the 125# tank for two 50# tanks. Since all our package units hold about 40# i'm of the mindset of never having to lug around that 125# tank... ever.

[matt1124]

Haha Mainstream is where I got my 608 cert. I took their PM Tech test because it was free and it was just one big advertisement for their Quick Check product line. :lol:

[bunny]

Carrier sells a test strip. I believe it is sold under the name of Total test. Thread it on to the adapter fitting and blow through a little refrigerant ant it turns colours as to weather there is acid in the system or not......

Total Test is ok if you can't get an oil sample. It only detects inorganic acids (hydroflouric acid, hydrochloric acid), but will not detect organc acids....those resulting from oil breakdown.

[BaldLoonie]

What are you going to do with it? Put in other units? You believe it to be R22. What if someone put something else in it?

[R123]

Are you planning on putting this refrigerant in units owned by the same company/facility where you found the refrigerant?

[Ansonf]

Its a recovery cylinder, I have to ask why you even bothered taking it. I would take it to the nearest recycler and consider it good some idiot kids didn't get a hold of it and start huffing it.

[Random1634]

Just not worth it chancing it in my opinion. You can use the PT chart to verify it is 22, and I'd get a refrigerant sample kit from United Refrigerants or whoever your local HVAC supplier stocks. I also agree if you do get the idea of using it put some HH driers right at the tank to catch anything nasty that comes out. Been burned once before by a guy unloading garbage that he told me was R-11 laying around. Turned out to be 3/4 R-11 1/4 old fuel oil.

[Greend88]

Refer to the EPA's Law Regarding Used Refrigerant.....