Refrigerant removal from a low-pressure system starts with

• A. Vapor removal
• B. Liquid removal
• C. Purge removal
• D. Gas removal

Answer: (B)

In a low-pressure system, most of the refrigerant sits as liquid in the low side components. Recovering the liquid first captures the largest portion of the charge before it can flash into vapor due to the pressure drop as it moves through hoses and the recovery equipment. If you try to pull vapor first, the remaining liquid undergoes rapid flashing, creating a lot of vapor and potentially overwhelming the recovery machine and leaving more refrigerant still inside the system. By starting with liquid removal, you use the recovery process more efficiently and protect the equipment, then address the remaining vapor afterward. Purge removal or vague “gas removal” aren’t standard steps for this situation.