What is the minimum refrigerant removal efficiency required for recovery equipment before November 15th, 1993?

The minimum refrigerant removal efficiency required for recovery equipment prior to November 15, 1993, was set at 80% or the ability to achieve a vacuum of 4 inches of mercury (inHg). This standard was established to ensure that recovery equipment effectively captures refrigerant from systems to prevent the release of harmful substances into the environment.

An efficiency of 80% means that the equipment must be capable of recovering a significant majority of the refrigerant from the system, thus minimizing the potential environmental impacts associated with refrigerant leaks. This threshold was part of regulatory efforts to mitigate ozone depletion and other environmental concerns related to refrigerants.

The reference to achieving 4 inches of vacuum indicates the level of pressure reduction that recovery equipment should be able to reach, further ensuring that the refrigerant is adequately removed from the system. This standard for recovery efficiency has been influenced by ongoing environmental regulations and advancements in technology, leading to stricter requirements in subsequent years.