Other Refrigerants

Figure 13-22.—Typical refrigerant recycling recovery device. refrigerant; for example, the flame type of leak detector will not function, and your recovery, recycling systems (fig. 13-22) must be kept separate and not allowed to contaminate each other. The components of the system also have some differences. Hoses of an R-12 system will not withstand the chemicals in a system using R-134A. Also, the lubrication oils are not compatible and must not be mixed. Finally, to reduce the chances of a mix-up of parts, the threaded fittings of the new system components are purposely incompatible with the old. The chance of a military shop having to convert an R-12 system to a R-134A system is slim. The information here is to make you aware of the changes only. OTHER REFRIGERANTS Now, we will simply say do not mix refrigerants, With all the changes in the air-conditioning industry, there are some refrigerants on the market that are not compatible with either system. These refrigerants are merely blends of existing refrigerants and, in some cases, are highly flammable. In other cases, these blend refrigerants may break down the desiccant in the receiver/drier and pass the debris into the rest of the system, clogging the expansion valve/orifice tube and possibly ruining the compressor. DO NOT use any of these so-called blend refrigerants. For that matter, DO NOT manufacture your own adapters to cross match an R-12 to an R-134A system. You will only contaminate the system and cause damage to your equipment. Once again DO NOT mix refrigerants. CERTIFICATION Most states require or, before long, will require mechanic certification when working with automotive air-conditioning systems. HAZARDOUS WASTE When possible, recycle uncontaminated R-12 or R-134A for reuse. Return excess uncontaminated refrigerants to DRMO for disposition and disposal. Remember, any refrigerant blend is unusable and you should turn it in to DRMO, under applicable naval station instructions, as hazardous waste. REFERENCES Extension Course Institute, Air University, AFSC 47252, General Purpose Vehicle Mechanic, Gunter Air Force Station, Montgomery, Ala., 1985. Gousha, H. M., Car Service Manual, A Chek Chart Publication, Simon and Shuster Inc., San Jose, Calif., 1990. Motor Magazine, Volume 177, Number 6, Hearst Publishing Co., New York, 1992. 13-22