E – 1824 Overview of Refrigeration Systems

Most people think the refrigeration system’s job is simply to remove heat from an object.  Actually there is no such thing “remove” the heat since heat is a form of energy than can’t be destroyed. We can only transfer heat from one place to another. Even though it is easier to think of refrigeration as the process of making things cold, it actually is the process of transferring heat from one place to another. It could also be said that refrigeration is the transfer of heat from one place where it is not wanted (walk in cooler), to another less objectionable place (outdoors).

One way to achieve this objective is by “mechanical refrigeration system” and the other is by “vapor absorption system”. The mechanical refrigeration system is the most common and practical method generally in use. It consists of 4 essential components:

1. An Evaporator to absorb heat into the refrigerant system
2. A Condenser to reject the heat from the refrigerant system
3. A Compressor to establish the pressures required to force the heat to travel “uphill.”
4. A Liquid Metering Device to regulate the flow of refrigerant and to establish two pressure zones.