Refrigerant handling with lubricant separation and draining

摘要

In a refrigerant recovery system, a refrigerant compressor has an inlet for connection to a source of refrigerant to be recovered and an outlet for connection to a refrigerant storage container. A separator is connected in series with the compressor for separating lubricant from refrigerant either before or after passage of the refrigerant through the compressor. A valve or other suitable means is operatively connected between the inlet and outlet of the compressor for equalizing pressure across the compressor during non-operation of the compressor. A pressure sensor is coupled to the refrigerant recovery system and responsive to refrigerant pressure at the lubricant separator. A manual or automatic valve is coupled to a drain on the separator for draining lubricant from the separator during non-operation of the compressor when refrigerant pressure at the separator reaches a selected level during non-operation of the compressor.