Abstract: A refrigerant handling system that includes a closed chamber having an inlet for directing refrigerant in liquid phase into the chamber such that the refrigerant collects at a lower portion of the chamber and non-condensibles are trapped in the upper portion of the chamber over the refrigerant. The rate of increase in level of refrigerant in the chamber is measured as liquid phase refrigerant is directed thereto, and non-condensibles are purged from the upper portion of the chamber when the rate of increase of refrigerant level is less than a preselected threshold.

Abstract: One or more properties of a refrigerant sample, such as composition, purity or both composition and purity, are analyzed for purposes of refrigerant recovery and reuse by providing a refrigerant cell having a chamber for containing a refrigerant sample and a passage for connecting the chamber to a source of refrigerant in vapor phase. The sample chamber and passage are evacuated, and the chamber and at least a portion of the passage contiguous with the chamber are cooled until the temperature thereof reaches a predetermined temperature at or below ambient temperature. After the chamber and passage have been evacuated and cooled, the passage is connected to a source of refrigerant in vapor phase such that a refrigerant vapor sample is drawn into the chamber and condensed to liquid phase. After the cell chamber has been filled with a liquid refrigerant sample, one or more desired properties of the liquid refrigerant sample are measured or detected.

Abstract: A refrigerant handling system that is particularly adapted for flammable or potentially flammable refrigerants that includes a compressor having an inlet for connection to a source of refrigerant, and a condenser connected to the outlet of the compressor for at least partially condensing refrigerant passing therethrough. An air motor is connected to a source of air under pressure for operating the compressor. The air from the motor exhaust is directed to the condenser for cooling the condenser and thereby enhancing extraction of heat from refrigerant passing through the condenser.

Abstract: Refrigerant is purified by circulating the refrigerant in a closed path from a first refrigerant container through a filter/dryer unit back to the first refrigerant container. Air and other non-condensibles are purged from the refrigerant in the first storage container during this refrigerant circulation process. Following the non-condensible purging operation, the refrigerant in the first container is transferred through a filter/dryer unit into a second refrigerant container. This second refrigerant container is evacuated prior to transferring the purified refrigerant thereto. Capacity of the filter/dryer unit is monitored, either by monitoring time of operation of the refrigerant pump or monitoring wetness of the circulated refrigerant with the sight gauge.

Abstract: One or more properties of a refrigerant sample, such as composition, purity or both composition and purity, are analyzed for purposes of refrigerant recovery and reuse by providing a refrigerant cell having a chamber for containing a refrigerant sample and a passage for connecting the chamber to a source of refrigerant in vapor phase. The sample chamber and passage are evacuated, and the chamber and at least a portion of the passage contiguous with the chamber are cooled until the temperature thereof reaches a predetermined temperature at or below ambient temperature. After the chamber and passage have been evacuated and cooled, the passage is connected to a source of refrigerant in vapor phase such that a refrigerant vapor sample is drawn into the chamber and condensed to liquid phase. After the cell chamber has been filled with a liquid refrigerant sample, one or more desired properties of the liquid refrigerant sample are measured or detected.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying and distinguishing between at least two types of refrigerant that includes a fixed volume for containing a refrigerant sample at controlled vapor pressure. A thermistor provides a first electrical signal as a function of the combined effect of thermal conductivity and temperature of a refrigerant sample in the sample-containing volume, and a temperature sensor provides a second electrical signal as a function of temperature of the refrigerant vapor in the sample-containing volume essentially independent of thermal conductivity thereof. Associated electronics determines type of refrigerant in the sample-containing volume as a function of the first and second electrical signals, and thus as a function of thermal conductivity of the refrigerant sample independent of sample temperature. Since thermal conductivity of refrigerants at a given temperature and pressure varies for different refrigerant types, refrigerant type can be determined and displayed to an operator.