During passive recovery when the compressor is not operating, what must be done?

During passive recovery when the compressor is not operating, what must be done?

• A. Release trapped refrigerant from the compressor oil
• B. Switch to active recovery immediately
• C. Discharge refrigerant to air
• D. Vent the condenser

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that some refrigerant can remain dissolved or trapped in the compressor oil. If the compressor isn’t running, that refrigerant won’t be drawn into the recovery tank, so you must release it from the oil so it can be recovered. Once freed from the oil, it can be captured by the recovery system when the process resumes. Venting to air or to the condenser would release refrigerant to the atmosphere (illegal and harmful), and switching to active recovery isn’t possible while the compressor isn’t operating.

The main idea is that some refrigerant can remain dissolved or trapped in the compressor oil. If the compressor isn’t running, that refrigerant won’t be drawn into the recovery tank, so you must release it from the oil so it can be recovered. Once freed from the oil, it can be captured by the recovery system when the process resumes. Venting to air or to the condenser would release refrigerant to the atmosphere (illegal and harmful), and switching to active recovery isn’t possible while the compressor isn’t operating.