Refrigerant composition analysis – general information
Refrigerant is a key element used in air conditioning and refrigeration. For mechanical systems to work properly, the refrigerant must be clean. The only way to verify that equipment is running on uncontaminated refrigerant is to have it analyzed by a professional.
Refrigerant recovery, recycling and reclamation are popular techniques for reducing the cost and environmental impact of air conditioning systems, refrigerators and freezers and other refrigeration equipment. Contaminated refrigerant can damage the internal components of a refrigeration system, reduce its efficiency and shorten its life. Refrigerant analysis is a simple way to find contaminants and take corrective action before recharging equipment.
We analyze new, recycled and reconditioned refrigerants. Analyzing refrigerant and working on a proven system helps reduce repair costs and extend the life of air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Our refrigerant analysis techniques are environmentally friendly and meet all regulations of the Clean Air Act.
What equipment do we use? – description and capabilities
We analyze commercially available refrigerants using the MSA Legend Series™ HFC refrigerant analyzer. It is capable of measuring vapor or liquid refrigerant to confirm purity, while detecting the presence of other harmful refrigerants or air.
Gases we are able to confirm with quantitative analysis (% of composition):
R-12 | R-32 | R-409A | R-421B | R-427A |
R-1234yf | R-404A | R-410A | R-422A | |
R-134a | R-407C | R-417A | R-422B | |
R-22 | R-408A | R-421A | R-422C |
Example results of in situ analysis of refrigerants:
The analysis makes it possible to quickly identify the composition of the refrigerant and assess its quality. After the analysis, the user can conclude that the refrigerant is EXPECTED, UNBALANCED, CONTAMINATED, IDENTIFIED or UNKNOWN.
Expected refrigerant
R-410A has been confirmed with a slight change in composition. R-410A still falls within the composition specifications of AHRI Standard 700, which qualifies it as R-410A.
Unbalanced refrigerant
Refrigerant analyzed and has the required components, but outside the acceptable range of AHRI Standard 700. R-410A has the correct components, but is too far outside the acceptable range to be considered ideal.
Contaminated refrigerant
The refrigerant analyzed deemed contaminated has the expected primary components, but some other refrigerant(s) are present, diluting the entire sample. In this example, unbalanced R-410A is contaminated with R-22.
Diluted refrigerant
The analyzed refrigerant, which has been diluted, will have the expected primary components at any level of air present in the sample. In this example, diluted R-410A is contaminated with air.
Unknown refrigerant
A gas that does not match any of the refrigerants measured directly by the device. Unknown refrigerant should be handled with caution, as there is no certainty of its presence.
Refrigerant identification
In this example, R-1234yf was identified as R-1234yf. The identification provides a “fingerprint” of this gas – the percentage composition of the mixture. This data can be documented and used in the future to confirm the quality of the identified refrigerant.