Refrigerant Recovery: Road Runner Refrigerant Recovery System (Industry Background)
Industry Background
Technology has changed our lives in many ways. It has enhanced nearly every activity that we undertake. Although technology has played a tremendous role in making our lives better, more efficient, and easier, it has played a role in endangering the safety of our earth. One such technology is refrigeration. Refrigeration uses gasses (such as freon) which contain chloroflourocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochloroflourocarbons (HCFCs). CFCs and HCFCs have been determined to deplete the ozone layer of our atmosphere, creating a large problem for our environment. In response to this, the United States government passed the Clean Air Act, regulating the handling and use of refrigerants.
On July 1, 1992, the United States Government and the Environmental Protection Agency established the Clean Air Act. Section 608 of the Act contains the following prohibition.
"Effective July 1, 1992, it shall be unlawful for any person, in the course of maintaining, servicing, and repairing, or disposing of any appliance or industrial process refrigerant, to knowingly vent or otherwise knowingly release or dispose of any class I or class II substance used as a refrigerant in such appliance (or industrial process refrigeration) in a manner which permits such substance to enter the environment. De minimis releases associated with good faith attempts to recapture and recycle or safely dispose of any such substance shall not be subject to the prohibition set forth."
The penalty for those technicians caught venting refrigerant into the atmosphere is as follows: "With respect to enforcement, civil penalties of not more than $25,000 per day for each violation may be assessed. Criminal penalties for persons knowingly violating (after having been notified by the Administrator) a requirement or prohibition shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine pursuant to Title 18 of the United States Code or by imprisonment not to exceed five years, or both "
This new law, along with the increasing pressure to uphold environmental standards, has created a dynamic market for refrigerant recovery systems. As the rules and regulations took effect in July of 1992, orders for refrigerant recovery systems greatly outnumbered available supply. Service technicians purchased approximately 132,000 recovery systems (research estimates that 18-20% of service technicians purchased units). This accounts for approximately $206 million in sales. However, many service technicians attempted to comply with the law, but could not do so. Manufacturers granted these individuals "rain checks" since they could not meet the demand. At the same time, a large percentage of technicians felt reluctant to purchase a system.
To further compound the arduous start for this industry, service technicians were not satisfied with the refrigerant recovery systems on the market. These systems: operated slowly due to inferior compressors, could not operate efficiently during extreme summer temperatures, and were too heavy. (These problems are explained further in the Product Offering.) Furthermore, manufacturers failed to provide adequate service and attention to the problems that occurred in the field.
Economic Incentives Propel Industry
In addition to the Clean Air Act and the penalty, two additional forces will propel the sales and popularity of refrigerant recovery systems. The Clean Air Act served as the initial catalyst by creating immense public interest and publicity. However, the economic aspects of this situation will begin to outweigh the regulatory. First, since the inception of the Clean Air Act, prices of all varieties of refrigerant (R12, R22, R500, R502, Rl 14, R60/40) have increased approximately 130% (as of March 1993), due to heavy government taxes. Taxes are currently $1.67/lb., and over the next six years will increase to $4.90/lb. Furthermore, refrigeration wholesalers are forecasting an increase in the manufacturers' price, which drive the retail prices even higher.
Second, environmentally safe refrigerant currently costs $17/lb. and is referred to in the industry as "liquid gold." At this exorbitant cost, twice the amount of non-environmental refrigerant technicians have a financial incentive to save as much of this "liquid gold" as possible. Thus, this creates an on-going market for the refrigerant recovery industry into the 21st century.
The Refrigerant Recovery Process
In order to understand the logic behind ROAD RUNNER'S design strategy, it is essential to understand the process of capturing refrigerants. Before an air-conditioning system can be serviced, the refrigerant inside the system must be removed. Before the Clean Air Act passed, service technicians would generally detach a hose and allow the refrigerant to release into the atmosphere. As explained, current refrigerants contain chloroflourocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochloroflourocarbons (HCFCs). These refrigerants can no longer by legally vented into the atmosphere. ROAD RUNNER assures rapid recovery of all types of refrigerants (in both liquid and gaseous states) from refrigeration systems containing refrigerant (refrigerators, walk-in coolers, air conditioners, automobiles, etc.).
Liquid Recovery
Liquid recovery occurs faster than any other type of refrigerant recovery possible. During this process, liquid refrigerant gets extracted from the air conditioning unit, and moves directly into the storage tank. It does not pass through the recovery unit, as compressors are only designed to pump vapor. The ROAD RUNNER will recover liquid refrigerant by utilizing a push-pull method. A vacuum is drawn on the storage tank to assist the liquid flow from the higher pressure area of the A/C unit into the low pressure area established in the storage tank. After the liquid refrigerant has been recovered, vapor recovery can commence.
Vapor Recovery
During vapor recovery, an additional hose must be attached between the storage tank and the recovery unit. Vapor is drawn from the A/C unit into the recovery system. It passes through the compressor to the condenser, where cooling occurs. Once cooled to a sufficient temperature, the gas turns to liquid and proceeds into the storage tank. Refrigerant recovery systems operate on a temperature pressure relationship. A lower temperature facilitates a lower pressure, therefore allowing for faster and more efficient operation.
