Recovery machines

A recovery machine is a portable compressor that draws refrigerant out of a system and transfers it as liquid or vapour into a recovery cylinder instead of venting it to atmosphere. F-Gas regulations prohibit releasing refrigerant, so recovery is a mandatory step before any teardown, compressor replacement or system change-out. Most machines run a push-pull mode for faster liquid recovery and include a self-purge function to clear the hoses and the compressor internals once the job is done.

Choose on recovery rate (kg/min of liquid and vapour), maximum operating pressure with high-pressure cut-out, and — critically — approval for flammable A2L/A3 refrigerants. Machines for R32 and propane must use a spark-proof motor and components. Check the compressor type (oil-less, air-cooled), built-in pressure sensor, operating weight and compatibility with your gauge/scale. Match it with a recovery cylinder rated to the correct DOT/TPED and never fill past 80%.