Searching for non-ferrous metals in old household appliances often becomes an urgent task for those who are recycling or want to donate recyclables. The refrigerator is a real treasure trove of copper, but its extraction requires understanding the design of the unit and following strict safety rules. Copper tubes in the refrigerator they act as a heat exchanger, transferring refrigerant between system components, so their location is directly related to the design of the refrigeration circuit.
Before to begin the active phase of work, it is necessary to clearly understand that refrigerantlocated inside the system can be hazardous to health and the environment if handled incorrectly. Older models used freons, which can emit toxic substances when in contact with an open flame, therefore depressurization should be carried out in a well-ventilated area. The entire dismantling process requires special tools, since simply “unscrewing” the tubes will not work - they are rolled or sealed.
In this article we will look in detail at which components contain copper, how to properly prepare the refrigerator for disassembly and what precautions are necessary comply. The main volume of copper is concentrated in the compressor (motor windings) and heat exchange tubes (condenser and evaporator), and it is on these elements that you should focus your attention. Do not forget that working with electrical appliances and gas-filled systems carries risks, so a sober assessment of your strengths is required.
The main sources of copper in the design of the refrigerator
The refrigeration unit is designed in such a way that copper is used where high thermal conductivity and tightness are required. The primary source is compressorwhich is a sealed metal tank with an electric motor inside. It is the stator windings of this motor that contain a significant amount of pure electrical copper, the weight of which can reach several hundred grams depending on the power of the motor.
The second major source is heat exchangers. The refrigerant circulation system consists of a condenser (usually located at the rear or in a foam layer on the side walls) and an evaporator (located inside the freezer or behind the rear wall). Condenser tubes in modern models are often made of steel to reduce cost, but in older or more expensive models they may be copper. Evaporators, especially in systems No Frostare most often made of aluminum, but connecting lines and capillary tubes are almost always copper.
⚠️ Attention: When you try to remove copper from the foamed parts (evaporator in the wall), you risk damaging the integrity of the housing and creating an unaesthetic appearance if you plan on further use technology. Disassembling for recyclable materials makes the refrigerator unsuitable for use.
The third, less obvious source is the connecting elements and filter-driers. Although the filter itself contains zeolite and molecular sieve, its inlet and outlet connections are often made of copper to ensure reliable soldering to the main circuit. Also, copper inserts can be found in electrical harnesses going to the compressor, although the wire cross-section there is usually small.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
For high-quality and safe disassembly of the refrigerator in order to extract non-ferrous metals, you will need a specific set of tools. A regular set of screwdrivers will not be enough, since the main components require force or heat treatment. You will definitely need metal cutters, pliers, a set of wrenches and, preferably pipe cutter for careful work with circuit tubes.
Particular attention should be paid to personal protective equipment. When working with the compressor and possible release of oil or freon residues, you must use gloves and safety glasses. If you plan to open the compressor with a grinder or a hacksaw, take care of a respirator, since when the varnish insulation of the windings is heated, acrid smoke may be released. The workplace must be equipped ventilation and a stable table.
☑️ Preparation for disassembly
It would also be a good idea to have a multimeter on hand if you plan to first check the integrity of the windings before removing them, although this is not critical for scrap delivery. A gas torch may be required to separate the copper tubing from the steel members if they are connected by soldering that cannot be mechanically undone. Remember that aluminum copper is often valued differently upon delivery, so sorting them will increase your bottom line.
Dismantling and extracting copper from the compressor
The compressor is the “heart” of the refrigerator and the most valuable component in terms of copper content. It is a sealed cylinder, inside of which an electric motor operates in an oil bath. To get to windings, you need to open the case. First, the compressor is removed from the refrigerator frame by unscrewing the mounting bolts and disconnecting the rubber shock absorbers.
The next stage is mechanical opening of the housing. This can be done using an angle grinder (grinder), making a cut around the perimeter of the weld, or knocking out the top cover with a chisel and hammer. Be careful: there is oil inside that may splatter. After removing the cover you will see an electric motor mounted on springs. It must be removed by disconnecting the wires and fastenings.
| Compressor type | Approximate weight of copper | Difficulty of removal | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piston (old) | 0.3 - 0.6 kg | Average | Easy to open, a lot of ferrous metal |
| Inverter | 0.4 - 0.8 kg | High | Sophisticated electronics, sealed housing |
| Linear | 0.5 - 0.9 kg | High | Magnetic system, specific fasteners |
| Low power (mini-bar) | 0.1 - 0.2 kg | Low | Little copper, often aluminum windings |
After removal the motor is removed from it stator - the stationary part with wound coils. It is the stator that contains the desired non-ferrous metal. The entire winding can be removed or the insulation can be burned (not recommended due to toxicity) to obtain clean copper wire. In some models, the windings can be made of aluminum, which will immediately be visible by the characteristic silver color on the cut of the wire.
Is it possible to determine the presence of copper without opening it?
It is impossible to find out the exact weight of copper without weighing, but a heavy compressor usually indicates a large amount of metal. However, it is impossible to distinguish a copper winding from an aluminum one by the weight of the housing from the outside - a visual inspection of the ends of the wires or an opening is required.
Working with a condenser and heat exchanger tubes
The condenser in the refrigerator looks like a grid of thin tubes located on the back wall or integrated into the side panels. In old Soviet and European models, these tubes are often made of pure copper, which darkens over time, becoming covered with an oxide film. In modern budget models, manufacturers often replace copper with copper-bonded steel or pure aluminum to reduce costs.
To check the material of the tubes, it is enough to make a small notch in an inconspicuous place. If the metal under the paint layer has a reddish-red tint, it is copper. If it's silver, it's aluminum or steel. To remove the tubes, they must be disconnected from the compressor and filter drier. They are usually soldered, so they will require heating with a torch or careful cutting with a pipe cutter at the very base.
- 🔴 Copper tubes have high ductility and bend easily without creasing.
- ⚪ Aluminum tubes are more rigid and can break if bent strongly.
- ⚫ Steel tubes are magnetic (check with a magnet) and have a smaller thermal conductivity.
When dismantling a capacitor built into the foam layer of the housing (in the side walls), a dilemma arises: cut out the tubes along with pieces of metal from the housing or try to pull them out entirely. Most often, the tubes are glued to the inner surface of the metal with heat-conducting glue, and it is difficult to remove them without damage. If your goal is pure copper, then the glue and paint may take longer to remove than the disassembly itself. When annealing copper to remove insulation or paint, do not overheat the metal. At temperatures above 600°C, copper becomes brittle (“burns out”), which reduces its grade value when delivered to collection points. department glue and paint may take longer than disassembly itself.
⚠️ Attention: When annealing copper to remove insulation or paint, do not overheat the metal. At temperatures above 600°C, copper becomes brittle (“burns out”), which reduces its grade value when delivered to collection points.
Removing copper from the evaporator and capillary system
The evaporator is located inside the freezer or refrigerator compartment and is often hidden behind plastic panel or sealed into the wall. In systems No Frost the evaporator is a compact radiator with a blower fan. The tubes of the radiator itself are most often aluminum, but the inlet and outlet lines, as well as capillary tubeare almost always copper.
The capillary tube is a very thin copper conductor through which the refrigerant under high pressure enters the evaporator. Its diameter is a fraction of a millimeter, but its length can reach several meters. When disassembling the refrigerator, this tube is often simply bitten off along with other lines. To obtain a long, solid coil of copper wire, you will need to carefully unsolder it from the filter and evaporator.
When dismantling the evaporator from a foam block (if it is located there), the cutting method is often used. However, if the evaporator is made in the form of an aluminum plate with pressed-in tubes, it is almost impossible to mechanically separate the copper from the aluminum. In such cases, the unit is handed over as mixed scrap or chemical separation methods are used, which is dangerous and environmentally harmful to do at home.
Sorting of metals and assessment of product yield
After all units have been dismantled, the sorting stage begins. Reception points for non-ferrous metals strictly separate copper into grades: “Shine” (cleaned, tinned), “Mix” (with impurities, solder, insulation) and “Pieces”. The purer the copper you sell, the higher the price per kilogram will be. Therefore, removing remnants of solder, steel inserts and insulation is a direct path to increasing profits.
It is worth mentioning separately about brass i bronze, which can also be found in refrigerators in the form of valves, fittings or plain bearings in older models of compressors. These alloys are classified as "Brass" or "Bronze" and are priced separately from pure copper. Do not mix them together if you want to get the maximum benefit.
To estimate the amount of raw materials obtained, you can use simple scales. On average, from one standard two-chamber refrigerator you can get from 0.5 to 1.5 kg of copper, depending on the year of manufacture and model. The main mass is ferrous metal (housing, compressor), which is sold much cheaper.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about disassembly
Approximately how much copper is in one refrigerator?
The average household refrigerator contains from 500 grams to 1.5 kilogram of copper. The exact amount depends on the model: in old Soviet units there is more copper, in modern ones aluminum and steel are often used to reduce the cost of construction.
Is it dangerous to open the compressor?
Yes, it can be dangerous. There is oil inside the compressor, and freon vapor may remain in the system. When opened with an angle grinder, oil or freon vapors may ignite. In addition, there are springs inside that can fly apart if the case is opened carelessly.
Is it possible to hand over the entire refrigerator to a collection point?
Many collection points accept entire refrigerators as scrap ferrous metals, but the price will be significantly lower than when cutting and delivering non-ferrous metals (copper, aluminum) separately. Whether it is profitable is up to you to decide based on the time spent.
How to distinguish a copper tube from a steel one?
Copper is not magnetic, has a characteristic reddish color on the cut and high ductility. The steel is magnetic and has a silver color. Aluminum is also not magnetic, but it is lighter, silvery and less tensile strength.
Is it necessary to remove freon before disassembling?
Technically, to extract copper, freon can simply be released into the atmosphere (although this is harmful to the environment), but to safely open the compressor, it is better to drill a hole in the bottom of the housing to drain the oil and let let the system ventilate before cutting.