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Specialty Scrap
Compressors (HVAC)
Grade: VariousMedium Tier
Air conditioning and refrigeration compressors with copper
Market Price EstimateUpdated Daily
$1,450/ MT
+65 (4.7%)vs yesterday
Verified specifications & market data
Chemical Composition
Elemental breakdown by percentage weight.
Standard composition limits
Values represent maximum allowed percentage unless otherwise noted.
Physical Properties
Material form, density, and contamination specifications.
End-of-life HVAC compressors; cooling equipment decommissioning; MODERATE precious metal content (18-35% copper primary; 45-60% steel + 8-20% aluminum secondary); MODERATE hazmat complexity (refrigerant recovery EPA-required; compressor oil disposal cost; refrigeration compliance stringent); SUBSTANTIAL supplier diversity (267 suppliers; HVAC ubiquity); MEDIUM value commodity; copper recovery valuable; steel + aluminum significant; EPA refrigerant recovery required; HVAC recycling mature infrastructure; environmental compliance mandatory
Acceptable Inclusions
- Copper 18-35% (compressor specification)
- Steel 45-60% (commodity value)
- Aluminum 8-20% (secondary valuable metal)
- Refrigerant oil 2-8% (hazmat disposal acceptable if EPA recovery performed)
- Dust, oxidation (post-service typical)
Prohibited Materials
- Copper <18% (below specification)
- Unrecovered refrigerant (EPA violation; hazmat critical)
- Extreme contamination or hazard
- Unknown composition or hazmat status
Quality Assurance
Testing protocols, sampling methods, and acceptance criteria.
Sampling Protocol
frequencyStratified sampling by compressor type; composition verification; refrigerant recovery documentation critical
maximumQuantity200+ compressors per shipment
minimumQuantity5-20 compressors or 100-500 kg
percentage8-12% of lot
stratificationSample across compressor types; capacities; ages; triple-metal composition variable by model; recovery protocol verification
Acceptance Limits
all Criteria Must PassCompressor be type; recovery ; triple-metal composition ; hazmat
aluminum ContentAluminum 8-20% confirmed; fins/components identified; secondary value
compressor AuthenticityConfirmed as compressor; type/capacity clearly identifiable; triple-metal composition predictable
contamination AcceptableNormal post-service contamination acceptable; extreme contamination for processing impact
copper ContentCopper 18-35% verified; tubing present and identifiable; primary metal value
epa Refrigerant Recoveryrefrigerant recovery ; recovery certificate provided; / protocols confirmed; hazmat
oil StatusOil residue documented; disposal method ; hazmat protocol
steel ContentSteel 45-60% confirmed; casing/motor housing significant; commodity basis
Weight Tolerance
measurementVerified by certified scale; weight accountability for triple-metal commodity
variance±5% from expected weight
Required Test Methods
Visual HVAC Compressor Type Assessment
CRITICALMANDATORY
Purpose
- identify compressor type (reciprocating/rotary/scroll/hermetic)
- estimate capacity/tonnage
- predict copper/aluminum/steel content
Acceptance Criteria
- Compressor type clearly identifiable
- capacity/tonnage determined
- triple-metal content predictable from type
Procedure
- 100% visual inspection
- identify compressor markings/model number
- determine type from design
- assess capacity (residential 1-2 tons to commercial 10+ tons)
- predict metal composition from type/capacity
EPA Refrigerant Recovery Certificate Verification
CRITICALABSOLUTEMANDATORY
Purpose
- verify EPA refrigerant recovery performed BEFORE compressor receipt
- confirm CFC/HCFC recovery certification
- establish hazmat clearance
Acceptance Criteria
- EPA refrigerant recovery certificate provided
- recovery technician EPA-certified
- refrigerant type documented
- zero residual refrigerant
- hazmat cleared
Procedure
- Documentation review
- EPA recovery certificate verification
- CFC/HCFC recovery protocols confirmed
- recovered refrigerant quantity documented
- reclamation/disposal method verified
- EPA compliance
Copper Tubing Verification
CRITICAL
Purpose
- verify copper tubing present and intact (18-35% typical)
- confirm high-quality refrigeration copper
- establish primary value component
Acceptance Criteria
- Copper tubing confirmed 18-35% range
- tubing visible and identifiable
- copper specifications
Procedure
- Visual copper tubing assessment
- identify tubing diameter/gauge
- confirm clean copper (refrigeration grade)
- estimate copper percentage
- value basis confirmed
Aluminum Component Assessment
Purpose
- Verify aluminum fins/components present (8-20% typical)
- confirm secondary metal value
- establish recovery yield
Acceptance Criteria
- Aluminum fins confirmed 8-20% range
- aluminum components identified
- secondary value
Procedure
- Visual aluminum assessment
- identify fin density/configuration
- estimate aluminum percentage
- corrosion assessment minimal/acceptable
Steel Casing Evaluation
Purpose
- Verify steel casing/motor housing (45-60% typical)
- confirm commodity base metal value
- establish bulk metal basis
Acceptance Criteria
- Steel casing confirmed 45-60% range
- ferrous component significant
- commodity basis
Procedure
- Visual steel assessment
- identify casing construction
- magnetic test confirmation
- estimate steel percentage
Compressor Oil Assessment
Purpose
- Assess compressor oil residue (2-8% typical)
- confirm disposal plan
- establish hazmat handling protocol
Acceptance Criteria
- Oil residue visible or documented
- disposal method established
- occupational handling protocol
Procedure
- Visual oil assessment
- identify oil type/condition
- estimate oil percentage
- disposal method confirmed (typically industrial waste facility)
Contamination Check
Purpose
- Assess dust, corrosion, environmental contamination
- confirm material processable
- establish handling protocol
Acceptance Criteria
- Normal post-HVAC service contamination acceptable (dust, outdoor corrosion typical)
- extreme contamination
Procedure
- Visual contamination assessment
- corrosion level evaluation
- dust/environmental damage assessment
- processing impact