A/C Refrigerant contamination. Purity level.

Refrigerant must be 99% or more, pure, anything less than this value is considered a contaminated refrigerant and therefore contaminated air conditioning system.
Recycling equipment must clean the used refrigerant to the minimum purity level as defined in SAE standards before it can be used in a motor vehicle air conditioning system. HFC-134a purity level is regulated by SAE  J2099 and is set to this minimum purity level:  Moisture 50 PPM by weight, Refrigerant oil 500 PPM by weight , Non condensable gases 150 PPM by weight.

Noncondensable gases (Air) and moisture contamination

Air and moisture can be pulled into the system anytime the system is opened for service or if there is a leak. The desiccant will take care of the moisture, but there is no way to get rid of the air other than recovering and recycling the refrigerant and then pulling a deep vacuum on the system before adding the new or recycled refrigerant back into the system. Heat can act as a catalyst for the corrosion caused by  moisture creating a layer of oxidized metal on the internal surfaces of these components. This layer grows and eventually flakes off, sending small particles to clog screens, in line filters, orifices tubes, Thermal expansion valves, condensers and eventually into the compressor inlet. The discharge side of the compressor, the receiver/dryer, the condenser, and the connecting lines all operate at temperatures high enough to cause corrosion if moisture is present.

Faulty Desiccant  bag contamination

Another source of hvac system contamination, refrigerant and oil  flow restriction or blockage is a faulty desiccant bag. If this bag tears, the desiccant particles begin to circulate within the system, quickly blocking or restricting the entire system.

Hvac Compressor internal mechanical failure contamination

When a compressor experiences internal mechanical failure, metal or Teflon debris can be created Debris can become trapped and can plug A/C  components such as the muffler ,condenser, fixed orifice tubes and thermal expansion valves.

Incorrect type of Oil & cross contamination.

the use of incorrect oils, such as universal oils or oil mixtures, inevitably leads to seizure and damage of the compressor. This is because universal oils, are PAO-oils or mineral oils with a different viscosity to that of synthetic PAG-oils. PAO-oils do not mix well with PAG-oils and with refrigerant R134a or R1234yf, leading to poor lubrication and increased internal wear.

Contaminated refrigerant symptoms.

Some of the symptoms of a contaminated air conditioning system are: reduced cooling performance, evaporator ,thermal expansion valve or orifice tube freeze-up, intermittent cooling, increased compressor noise, higher than normal or lower than normal pressures, and premature compressor failure.

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