Method and apparatus for collecting a refrigerant

1. A recovery container for collecting a hydrocarbon refrigerant, containing a hydrocarbon refrigerant adsorptive substance and comprising:

a body portion comprising

a main portion,

a shoulder portion extending axially upward from the main portion,

a neck portion extending axially upward from the shoulder portion and having an opening, and

a cover for covering the opening of the neck portion, the cover forming a top of the body portion, the cover having a first hole and a second hole,

a tube passing through the cover via the second hole for introducing the hydrocarbon refrigerant into the recovery container, and

a first cap threadedly engaging the neck portion for holding the cover against the neck portion, the first cap having an opening that exposes the first hole and the tube,

wherein when the hydrocarbon refrigerant flows into the recovery container, air flows out of the recovery container via the first hole.

2. The recovery container of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon refrigerant adsorptive substance comprises activated carbon or molecular sieves.

3. The recovery container of claim 1 , wherein the tube has a lower end disposed adjacent to a bottom of the body portion.

4. The recovery container of claim 3 , wherein the tube has an upper end disposed above the top of the body portion.

5. The recovery container of claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a support plate and a gasket attached to the support plate, the gasket contacting the neck portion when the cover is held against the neck portion.

6. The recovery container of claim 1 , wherein the main portion, the shoulder portion and the neck portion are comprised of a metal.

7. The recovery container of claim 1 , further comprising a second cap for covering an exterior end of the tube.