F-Gas English Low GWP

All questions
HFC | Flammable | CO₂ | NH₃
Easy questions | Medium questions | Difficult questions

1

Difficult

What is the role of a suction liquid separator (also in systems with flammable or toxic refrigerants)?


It prevents liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor
It separates liquid from oil
It heats the refrigerant before the evaporator
It is used only to measure moisture

2

Difficult

What is the function of an oil separator in systems using flammable or toxic refrigerants?


Heats the refrigerant before it enters the evaporator
Separates oil from the refrigerant and facilitates the return of oil to the compressor
It prevents liquid from entering the compressor
They are used solely to measure the moisture content of the refrigerant

3

Difficult

Why are PFAS formed by the decomposition of certain F-gases (e.g. TFA from HFOs) problematic?


They are readily biodegradable
They cause rapid cooling of the atmosphere
They are climate- and environment-neutral
They are very persistent, accumulate in the environment (e.g. water) and may be toxic

4

Difficult

Which statement about installing Schrader valves is correct?


Hydrocarbons leak through Schrader valves
When brazing the valve body, the core must be removed, then refitted and tightened to the correct torque
Schrader valves must not be used in R744 systems
All Schrader cores are suitable for all refrigerants

5

Difficult

How does an undercharge affect the high-pressure side (without discharge pressure control)?


Discharge pressure lower, subcooling higher
Discharge pressure higher, subcooling lower
Discharge (condensing) pressure and subcooling will both be lower
Discharge pressure higher, subcooling higher

6

Difficult

What is the benefit of adding helium as a tracer gas to nitrogen in a pressure test?


It has a distinctive odour that helps locate the leak
It reacts with refrigerant residues, producing a visible colour change
It has a higher pressure than pure nitrogen in the same cylinder
Its small atoms pass easily through leaks and are detected

7

Difficult

What can be the effect of a relief valve lifting repeatedly?


The valve may not reseat tightly and its set (opening) pressure may decrease
The set pressure increases
The valve stays fully open permanently
The valve no longer opens

8

Difficult

What is the relationship between the pressure (p) and temperature (T) of nitrogen at the start (1) and end (2) of a tightness test (p absolute, T in kelvin)?


p₂ = T₁/(p₁ × T₂)
p₂ = T₂/(p₁ × T₁)
p₂ = (p₁ × T₂)/T₁
p₂ = (p₁ × T₁)/T₂

9

Difficult

Which parts of a refrigeration system should be given particular attention during a leak check?


Only condenser connections, because the refrigerant is liquid there
Compressor and receiver connections, because the pressure is highest there
Only compressor connections, because they are the only parts subject to vibration
Joints, valves incl. stems, seals, parts subject to vibration, connections to safety devices

10

Difficult

Leak checks can be carried out using various methods. Which pair is correct?


Direct and indirect methods
Physical and chemical methods
Material quality control methods and electronic methods
Methods with and without quality control of supplies

11

Difficult

To whom can leak checks of stationary refrigeration equipment containing F-gases be entrusted?


A natural person holding a certificate covering leak checks (A1, A2 within its charge limit, or E)
Any leak-testing specialist
A person who has carried out such checks before
An employee appointed by the owner of the installation

12

Difficult

What conditions must be met to use UV dye for leak checking?


Manufacturer approval of the method and a certificate covering breaking into the circuit
It is sufficient to have a UV lamp, dye and safety goggles
It is sufficient that introducing dye into the circuit is technically feasible
A UDT authorisation for pressure testing is required

13

Difficult

Which leak-checking methods are considered direct methods?


Pressure-change measurement and immersion in water
1. gas detection devices (portable or fixed leak detection system), 2. UV detection fluid or dye, 3. bubble/foam solutions
Nitrogen with tracer gas and pressure measurement
Vacuum test and foam solution

14

Difficult

What do indirect leak-checking methods involve?


Leak detection with UV dye
Ultrasonic measurement
A visual and manual check and analysis of parameters: pressure, temperature, compressor current, liquid levels and recharge volume
Leak detection with an electronic detector

15

Difficult

What does a vacuum (decay) test involve?


After isolating the pump, you check whether the system pressure rises
The pump is restarted every time the system pressure rises
The pump runs continuously to hold the required vacuum for the test
With the pump running, you watch the vacuum gauge reading

16

Difficult

How often should leak tests be carried out on equipment containing 1.5 kg of R404A refrigerant (5.9 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent)?


Only when servicing the unit.
On initial commissioning.
At least once every 12 months.
Once every six months.

17

Difficult

How often should leak tests be carried out on equipment containing 7 kg of R404A refrigerant (27.45 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent)?


Once every six months.
On initial commissioning.
At least once every 12 months.
Only when servicing the unit.

18

Difficult

Under Regulation (EU) 2024/573, a leakage detection system is mandatory when:


the equipment contains a flammable refrigerant in any quantity
the F-gas charge of the refrigeration equipment is 500 t CO₂ eq or more
the equipment operates in an enclosed space
the charge is 100 kg or more of ozone-depleting substances

19

Difficult

Which leak-checking method may NOT be used by a holder of a Category E certificate?


Leak checking with a fluorescent dye introduced into the circuit
Visual inspection
Checking with a foaming solution
Measurement with a handheld electronic detector

20

Difficult

Within what timeframe must a leak test be carried out on a stationary refrigeration system after a leak has been repaired, in accordance with EU Regulation 2024/573 on F-gases?


Immediately after the repair.
At any time.
At the next periodic inspection.
Between 24 hours and 1 month after the repair.

21

Difficult

How often must refrigeration equipment containing ≥500 t CO₂ eq of F-gases be checked if (contrary to Article 6) no leakage detection system is installed?


Every 3 months
Every 12 months
Every 6 months
Every month

22

Difficult

What is the basis of the GWP values in Regulation (EU) 2024/573?


For HFCs (Annex I) – mainly the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4); for HFOs and non-fluorinated substances (Annexes II and VI) – the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6)
AR6 for all substances
AR4 for all substances
Each Member State sets its own GWP values

23

Difficult

An air conditioner (not hermetically sealed) contains 2.5 kg of R410A (GWP 2088). How often must it be checked for leaks?


At least every 12 months (5.22 t CO₂ eq)
No checks required (below 3 kg)
Every 6 months
Every 3 months

24

Difficult

When is labelled hermetically sealed equipment containing HFCs (Annex I) exempt from leak checks?


Always, regardless of charge
When it contains less than 5 t CO₂ eq
Never – hermetically sealed equipment is always checked
When it contains less than 10 t CO₂ eq, and in residential buildings also when it contains less than 3 kg of F-gases

25

Difficult

Is a chiller containing 50 kg of R1234ze(E) subject to leak checks under Regulation (EU) 2024/573?


No – the threshold is 5 t CO₂ eq and 50 kg of R1234ze is below 1 t CO₂ eq
No – HFOs are not subject to leak checks
Yes – every 12 months, because its GWP is low
Yes – at least every 6 months (every 12 months with a leakage detection system)

26

Difficult

In 2026, may an existing refrigeration installation using R404A (GWP 3922) be topped up with virgin refrigerant?


Yes, if the equipment has a leakage detection system
No – only reclaimed or recycled R404A is allowed (until 1 January 2030)
Yes – the ban applies only to equipment ≥40 t CO₂ eq
Yes – bans apply only to new equipment

27

Difficult

After 1 January 2026, may an R410A (GWP 2088) air conditioner be serviced using virgin R410A?


Only with reclaimed refrigerant
No – the ban covers all refrigerants with GWP ≥ 750
Yes – the servicing ban for air conditioners and heat pumps covers F-gases with GWP ≥ 2500
No – the ban covers all HFCs

28

Difficult

Since 1 January 2025, may a new single-split air conditioner containing 1.5 kg of R410A be placed on the market?


No – single splits <3 kg with F-gases of GWP ≥ 750 are banned
Yes, if the unit is hermetically sealed
Yes – the ban applies only to units >12 kW
Yes – the ban applies from 2029

29

Difficult

From when is it prohibited to place on the market split air-to-air systems up to 12 kW containing F-gases with GWP ≥150 (unless required for safety)?


From 1 January 2027
From 1 January 2025
From 1 January 2035
From 1 January 2029

30

Difficult

Which persistent atmospheric degradation product of R1234yf is classed as a PFAS?


Carbon dioxide
Ozone
Carbonic acid
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)