12 minutes ago, USPatriot said:

The wrong gas under to much heat and pressure will exploddo.  The head temp is about 400 degrees. It may not physically explode like a fire but explode from pressure.

 

We recycle r22 I have seen a batch 15% contaminated. R22 cost $660 for a 14.5 kilogram jug. We use nothing with more than a 1% contamination level. 3% is an industry acceptable level for recycled refrigerants.

 

Yes but explosion due to combustion and explosion due to overpressurisation of a component working beyond its ultimate stress level are incomparable. The former produces rapid expansion with heat and the latter more likely to be a "pop" in comparison then gradual release over time with no heat as the failed component provides an immediate point of stress relief.

Edited January 31, 20179 yr by Reigntax

4 hours ago, Reigntax said:

 

It cannot explode from a spark as it is a closed system with no oxygen. It can only explode if there was a leak and the fuel to oxygen ratio was within combustible limits.

 

Any gas can serve as a refrigerant, even air but the efficiency would be low and moisture contamination would cause issues

 

Refrigerant gases have certain properties and are matched to compressor pressures, evaporator and condenser heat transfer criteria to work under specific ambient and internal enthalpy conditions.

 

Replacing with the incorrect gas would then mix 2 different gases having unmatched properties.  May appear to work but with reduced performance. Yes, there are some refrigerants that are themselves blends and the recharging of such is even more complicated.

 

Of course it can not explode without a leak, that was inferred......