Method and apparatus for zero emissions testing of a refrigerant in a closed system

A method for detecting the presence and amount of contaminants in a refrigerant, subject to contain oil, moisture and acid, flowing in a closed system having a first and a second isolation valve without causing discharge of the refrigerant from the closed system into the atmosphere, the method comprising the steps of:

• removable connecting between said isolation valves an external fluid circuit having in parallel a bypass loop and a detecting loop allowing a limited amount of refrigerant from the closed system to flow through the circuit in a predetermined direction from the first isolation valve to the second isolation valve;
• providing the external fluid circuit with a hand-held compressor pump to induce refrigerant flow through the circuit;
• providing in series in the detecting loop of the external fluid circuit a testing tube capable of allowing the refrigerant flow to pass therethrough to detect contaminants in the refrigerant;
• opening the isolation valves to allow the refrigerant to flow into the external fluid circuit through the bypass loop and back into the closed system through the second isolation valve;
• regulating the flow of refrigerant through the external fluid circuit to a desired rate of flow;
• directing the regulated flow at said desired rate to the detecting loop;
• removing any oil present in the directed flow of refrigerant passing through the testing tube;
• determining the amount of water present in the directed flow of refrigerant passing through the testing tube;
• determining the amount of acid present in the directed flow of refrigerant passing through the testing tube;
• and
• returning said directed flow to the closed system through the second isolation valve.

A light-weight portable apparatus for testing for contaminates in a refrigerant in a closed system having a first and a second isolation valve, said apparatus comprising:

• an external fluid circuit capable of being connected between the isolation valves to allow an amount of the refrigerant from the closed system to flow therethrough in a predetermined direction from the first to the second isolation valve when the isolation valves are open, said external circuit including;
• detecting means for identifying contaminants within the refrigerant as tile refrigerant flows therethrough, said detecting means being engaged with the fluid circuit and having an upstream end and a downstream end relative to the direction of refrigerant flow;
• flow regulator means for controlling the flow of refrigerant through said external fluid circuit to a desired rate;
• and
• flow meter means fluidly engaged with said detecting means for determining the rate of flow of said refrigerant flowing through said external fluid circuit.