Why is it prohibited to collect two different refrigerants into one recovery cylinder?

Collecting two different refrigerants into one recovery cylinder is prohibited primarily because recovering two refrigerants from a mixture is not possible. Each refrigerant has unique properties, and mixing them can lead to complications during recovery, recycling, or reclaiming processes. When different refrigerants are combined, it creates a mixture that may not have a defined boiling point or pressure. This makes it extremely difficult to properly process the mixed refrigerants and can lead to contamination, which compromises the quality and usability of the refrigerants.

In addition, separating a mixture of different refrigerants for reuse can result in inefficiencies and potential hazards, as some refrigerants could be harmful if released into the atmosphere or if they react with each other under certain conditions. Recovery equipment is designed to handle specific refrigerants; thus, creating a mixture can also put undue stress on that equipment, potentially leading to malfunctions or damage.

The other reasons associated with mixing refrigerants often pertain to safety and equipment considerations, but the key issue remains the technical impossibility and inefficiency of recovering two refrigerants from a single mixed cylinder. Proper handling practices dictate that each refrigerant should be collected and stored separately to ensure safe and effective recovery and future use.