How much refrigerant must a recovery device be capable of recovering if the compressor is operating?

The correct answer is that a recovery device must be capable of recovering at least 90% of the refrigerant while the compressor is operating. This standard ensures that the majority of the refrigerant is efficiently removed from the system, minimizing environmental impact and maintaining compliance with regulations.

In air conditioning and refrigeration systems, it's crucial to recover refrigerants properly due to their potential to harm the environment if released into the atmosphere. The recovery device's efficiency in recovering refrigerant helps to protect both worker safety and the environment by ensuring that a substantial amount of refrigerant is safely contained and recycled or disposed of according to legal requirements.

Options suggesting lower recovery percentages, such as 70%, 75%, and 80%, do not meet the necessary standards set forth by environmental regulations, which are designed to push for maximum recovery efforts. This reinforces the importance of having a recovery device that can handle at least 90% recovery to ensure compliance and environmental responsibility.