Under what circumstance can refrigerant in an appliance be recovered to atmospheric pressure?

Recovering refrigerant to atmospheric pressure is permissible when there are leaks in the appliance that make it impossible to achieve the prescribed recovery level. This situation arises because, in certain instances, the integrity of the system is compromised to the point where further recovery efforts would be futile or could result in further harm to the environment if continued.

In these cases, the technician must ensure that efforts to recover refrigerant are made responsibly and in accordance with environmental regulations, while also recognizing that the leaking condition creates a unique scenario where normal recovery procedures cannot be followed.

While testing refrigerant, disposing of an appliance, or dealing with a malfunctioning recovery unit might present their own challenges, they do not establish a valid condition under which the recovery of refrigerant to atmospheric pressure is sanctioned in the same manner as the presence of leaks. The focus remains on ensuring environmental protection and compliance with regulations when dealing with refrigerants, especially in instances where the equipment's integrity is compromised.