China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of refrigeration equipment and refrigerants. More than one-third of the global demand for refrigerants originates from China. It is estimated that

by 2030

the total refrigerant consumption in the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry will reach 154 000 t to 178 000 t in China. In this study

the current status of domestic and foreign refrigerant recovery and regeneration technologies and equipment has been presented. Moreover

the domestic and foreign standards for refrigerant recovery

purification

and reuse and detection methods of different contaminant contents in refrigerants were investigated and the carbon emission evaluation indicators and advantages and disadvantages of commonly used traditional refrigerants were analyzed. A type of refrigerant climate performance evaluation index suitable for the process of refrigerant recovery and regeneration has also been discussed. Finally

the opportunities and challenges of refrigerant recovery

purification

and reuse were discussed.