Industrial refrigerators have played a very important role in the success of lots of businesses in the food industry. These industrial refrigeration systems help keep the fish fresh onboard fishing boats at sea or keeping the fruits undamaged in suburban warehouses. There are many more examples for the use of industrial refrigeration in various applications.
In a lot of industrial and commercial buildings, the industrial refrigeration system is even used for cooling hot air. It’s also used in manufacturing the industry. One of the common applications of industrial refrigeration system in manufacturing is to liquefy gases such as nitrogen, oxygen and methane. It’s also commonly found in chemical plants and oil refineries.
Types of Industrial Refrigerants
Anhydrous Ammonia – This is the most common type of industrial refrigerant being used in industrial fridge and industrial freezer systems in big or small businesses. It’s widely used because its quite versatile and also the most economical compared to other types of refrigerants. Anhydrous ammonia has latent heat properties as well as great heat transfer. The great thing is this refrigerant also environmentally friendly, it will not contribute to the damage of the ozone layer because of its biodegradable nature.
Propane and Propylene – These are usually found in major chemical plants or refineries. They are highly effective but also very flammable, therefore you should avoid using these refrigerants in areas where explosions or fire might occur.
Carbon Dioxide – This is another environmentally friendly refrigerant because the gas is actually harvested from the atmosphere. Mostly such refrigerant is used in areas where very low temperatures are needed.
There are many other refrigerants used in various types of industrial refrigerators. Depends on specific requirements of the users, they can choose the one that fits their needs.
The System Components
Compressor – This is the main part of an industrial refrigerator system. Its main duty is to pump the refrigerant, also to increase and lower the pressure. So the role of this component is vital for the refrigerator to function properly. Therefore it’s important for you to keep a close eye on the compressor during the regular maintenance and act quickly if there is any problem that affects its functions. There are many types of compressors being used in industrial refrigerators, including diaphragm compressors, piston compressors and rotary screw compressors.
Evaporator – Besides compressor, the evaporator is just as important. This is also one thing that you want to make sure to always work perfectly. The evaporator works to absorb heat, allowing the heat to turn the refrigerant into vapor, then finally allowing the heat to supercharge the vapor. Just as the compressor, you also need to pay attention to this component during regular maintenance of your fridge.
Condenser – This is the part that will prevent latent heat and sensible heat from going into the system.
Metering Device – The main function of this component is to manage the flow of the refrigerant. A fully functioning metering device will properly control the amount of refrigerant that passes through the liquid line.