How much refrigerant can a recovery tank hold?

[bgrich2003]

I was recently asked by someone how much refrigerant can a recovery tank hold. I told them up to 80%. Then they said 80% of what. So.. that brings me here. I've looked for the answer myself and found some stuff but I wanna hear what everyone has to say. So, How much refrigerant can a recovery tank hold?

[jdblack]

It's 80% of whatever size recovery drum you are using.

[mwright]

Depending on the size of the tank it's different, obviously. Each tank is stamped with a tare weight, just the weight of the tank empty. Also is stamped with a filled weight. Take the filled weight an subtract 20% and that will give you your filled weight at 80%. When you are filling it put it on a scale and watch the weight. To make things easier they have limit switches that you can install on the tanks that will shut the recovery pump off when it gets to 80%. Hope this helps.

[jaypslugger]

Typically, the tanks are rated for 50 & 30 pounds, so they can (legally) hold 40 & 24 pounds respectively.

[rundawg]

I was recently asked by someone how much refrigerant can a recovery tank hold. I told them up to 80%. Then they said 80% of what. So.. that brings me here. I've looked for the answer myself and found some stuff but I wanna hear what everyone has to say. So, How much refrigerant can a recovery tank hold?

Recovery Tank MAGW = (0.8 x WC x SG ) + TW

MAGW - Max Allowable Gross Weight of Recovery Tank

WC - Water Capacity of tank (stamped on recovery tank)

SG - Specific Gravity of Refrigerant at a specific temperature.

TW - Tare Weight of recovery tank (empty weight, the # is stamped on recovery tank).


Example of a 30 Lb 410A Recovery Tank:

TW - 17.0 lbs (stamped on tank)

WC - 26.2 lbs (stamped on tank)

SG - R410A at 77ºf is 1.06 (this # will change with temperature)

39.2 lbs (MAGW) = (0.8 x 26.2 x 1.06) + 17.0

Send me an email (address is in my profile), and I will send you back some more literature on this.

[Notasupertech]

I have the same situation with every tech I come in contact with,,, in fact I have 2 50 pound recovery tanks at my job with 50 pounds of r22 in them. (not recovered by myself) But is is un-nerving when I walk by them. I was taught the it is 80 of the wc stamped on the tank. This is the max refrigerant you can recover minus the 20% needed for expansion. Makes it easier than figuring out the SG of the refrigerant you are working with. Rundawg, I think I need the info as well, you might be saving a life.

[rundawg]

Rundawg, I think I need the info as well, you might be saving a life.

Put an email address in your profile and I will get it off to you.

or

If you can get to my address in my profile, send me an email.

We don't post technical info in this "OPEN" forum.

[local 392]

That was one of the things we had to know to get our EPA cert. Makes you wonder if they do not know that are they certified to be working with it.

[beenthere]

A lot of proctors will "aid" people in passing the test.

[ararams]

Check with your supply house they have cheat sheet cards with this info. This info should be classified under safety and be available to every one even DIY and Hacks. We need to save them from themself.

[icemeister]

There's a recovery cylinder capacity chart in the Educational Forums:
http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=517912

[texasgentleman2]

I have the same situation with every tech I come in contact with,,, in fact I have 2 50 pound recovery tanks at my job with 50 pounds of r22 in them. (not recovered by myself) But is is un-nerving when I walk by them. I was taught the it is 80 of the wc stamped on the tank. This is the max refrigerant you can recover minus the 20% needed for expansion. Makes it easier than figuring out the SG of the refrigerant you are working with. Rundawg, I think I need the info as well, you might be saving a life.

That Sir is scary. I'd take it upon myself to remove some of that refrigerant into another cylinder,, the life you save or injury you prevent may be your own.