Basic Refrigeration

EDRIANE JAY L. DIMANARIG

History Of Refrigeration
► Refrigeration relates to the cooling of air or liquids, thus
providing lower temperature to preserve food, cool
beverages, make ice and for many other .
► Most evidence indicate that the Chinese were the first to
store natural ice and snow to cool wine and other
delicacies.
► Ancient people of India and Egypt cooled liquids in
porous earthen jars.
► In 1823, Michael Faraday discovered that certain gases
under constant pressure will condense when they cool.
1834

► In 1834, Jacob Perkins, an American,

developed a closed refrigeration
system using liquid expansion and
then compression to produce
cooling. He used Ether as refrigerant,
in a hand- operated compressor, a
water-cooled condenser and an
evaporator in liquid cooler.
1842

► In 1842, Florida physician John Gorrie

placed a vessel of ammonia atop a
stepladder, letting the ammonia drip,
which vaporized and produced
cooling. This basic principle is used in
airconditioning and refrigeration
today.
1856

► In 1856, Australian inventor James

Harrison, an emigrant from
Scotland, used an ether
compressor. He used ammonia
on an experimental basis but
used ether in equipment that was
previously constructed.
1902
► In 1902, Willis Carrier, the “father
of air conditioning,” designed a
humidity control to accompany a
new air-cooling system. He
pioneered modern air
conditioning. In 1915, he, along
with other engineers, founded
Carrier Engineering, now known
as Carrier Corporation.
1918
► In 1918, the name of Electro Automatic
Refrigeration Corporation was
changed to Kelvinator. This is also
when the first of the Kelvinator
household units were sold. The
refrigerator was a remote-split type in
which the condensing unit was
installed in the basement and
connected to an evaporator in a
converted icebox in the kitchen.
1930
► Many different refrigerants have been
developed over the years. The
refrigerant R-12, a chlorofluorocarbon
(CFC), was developed in 1931 by
Thomas Midgley of Ethyl Corporation
and C. F. Kettering of General Motors.
It was produced by DuPont. By the
1930s refrigeration was well on its way
to being used extensively in American
homes and commercial
establishments.
1939

► In 1939, the Copeland Company

introduced the first successful
semi-hermetic (Copelametic)
field-serviceable compressor.
1974
► In 1974, two professors from the
University of California,Sherwood
Rowland and Mario Molina, presented
the “ozone theory.” This hypothesis
stated that released CFC refrigerants
were depleting the earth’s protective
ozone layer. Scientists conducted
high-altitude studies and concluded
that CFCs were linked to ozone
depletion.
what IS REFRIGERATION?

► Process that involves removal of heat

from the area which is desired to be
kept cool and the rejection of that
heat to an area whose temperature
remains practically constant.
What is Air Conditioning?

► It is the method of controlling the

temperature humidity, air movement
and cleaning of air in a confined
space.
What is Ventilation?

► It is the circulation and refreshing of

air in a space without necessary
change of temperature.
what is TEMPERATURE?

► TEMPERATURE is the measurement of

heat level in a substance. It is the
hotness or coldness of the body. The
movement of molecules is the starting
point of the temperature. The
instrument used to measure the
temperature of the substance is
called THERMOMETER.
what is MATTER?

► MATTER-is anything that occupies

space and it has mass and weight,
matter is compose of MOLECULES.
► THE 3 STATES OF MATTER ARE; SOLID,
LIQUID AND GAS
TEMPERATURE unit conversion

To change a Celsius reading to Fahrenheit, use the

formula
̊ F= 9/5 ̊ C + 32
To change a Fahrenheit reading to Celsius, use the
formula
̊ C= 5/9 ( ̊ F-32 )
To change to Absolute temperature
̊ K= ̊ C + 273
̊ R= ̊ F + 460
Major Components in Refrigeration
Cycle
► COMPRESSOR-used to compress the
low pressure gas to high pressure
thereby raising its boiling point, used
to circulate the refrigerant within the
system, used to maintain low
pressure at the evaporator to
maintain low temperature.
Major Components in Refrigeration
Cycle
► CONDENSER-it act as heat
exchanger between hot gas
refrigerant and cooling medium,
used to remove the heat of
compression and latent heat of
condensation.
Major Components in Refrigeration
Cycle
► EVAPORATOR-it is used to
conduct the heat from the
provisions to the refrigerant.
Allows evaporation of liquid
refrigerant to gaseous state.
Major Components in Refrigeration
Cycle
► EXPANSION VALVE/METERING
DEVICE-it is used to expand the
high pressure warm liquid
refrigerant into a mixture of cold
liquid refrigerant from flooding
back to condenser.
REFRIGERATION CYCLE
CONDENSER = HEAT REJECTOR

COMPRESSOR = PRESSURE INCREASER

EVAPORATOR = HEAT ABSORBER METERING DEVICE -= PRESSURE DROPPER

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
► The refrigerant in the form of low pressure gas is suck by the
compressor and compress to change its state to high pressure high
temperature gas it is discharged from the compressor at this state.
► The refrigerant in the form of hot gases enters the condenser where it
is made to pass around the coil tubes of the condenser, due to the
cooling effect its latent heat of vaporization is remove turning its
state to a high pressure warm liquid. It leaves the condenser in this
state and it is sorted in the receiver where the liquid refrigerant is
made to settle down at the bottom of the receiver and the
uncondensed gas floats to the top of the liquid.
► Only liquid is allowed to leave the receiver and flows to the liquid
line to the expansion valve. At the expansion valve the refrigerant
undergoes the expansion process wherein, its pressure is reduced
and its temperature is also reduced to the freezing temperature. The
cold liquid refrigerant now flows to the evaporator.
► At the evaporator, the refrigerant absorb the heat conducted by the
evaporator from the provision. because of the heat absorb it boils
and vaporizes into low pressure, low temperature gas. The
refrigerant in this state is again suck by the compressor and has
completed one cycle operation the cycle is now then repeated.
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
► #1
► The refrigerant in the form of low
pressure gas is suck by the
compressor and compress to
change its state to high pressure
high temperature gas it is
discharged from the compressor
at this state.
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
► #2
► The refrigerant in the form of hot gases
enters the condenser where it is made to
pass around the coil tubes of the
condenser, due to the cooling effect its
latent heat of vaporization is remove
turning its state to a high pressure warm
liquid. It leaves the condenser in this state
and it is sorted in the receiver where the
liquid refrigerant is made to settle down at
the bottom of the receiver and the
uncondensed gas floats to the top of the
liquid.
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
► #3
► Only liquid is allowed to leave the
receiver and flows to the liquid line
to the expansion valve. At the
expansion valve the refrigerant
undergoes the expansion process
wherein, its pressure is reduced and
its temperature is also reduced to
the freezing temperature. The cold
liquid refrigerant now flows to the
evaporator.
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
► #4
► At the evaporator, the refrigerant
absorb the heat conducted by the
evaporator from the provision.
because of the heat absorb it boils
and vaporizes into low pressure, low
temperature gas. The refrigerant in
this state is again suck by the
compressor and has completed
one cycle operation the cycle is
now then repeated.
COMPRESSOR

► The compressor is the “heart” of the system. The compressor

compresses the low pressure refrigerant vapor from the evaporator
and compresses it into a high pressure vapor.
► Types of Hermetically Sealed Compressor
1.Reciprocating
2.Rotary
3.Scroll
The Reciprocating Compressor

► Piston type compressor. Usually applied for long pipe run

application due to its durability because of its mechanical design
(linear compression).
The Rotary Compressor

► Often used for WRAC and refrigerators due to its quiet operation.

► Since this type of compressor is not as durable as the reciprocating

compressor, it is usually comes with an accumulator to separate
liquid refrigerant from entering the compression chamber.
The Scroll Compressor

► The most efficient type of compressor. Combined durability

(compliant scroll) of a reciprocating compressor with a quiet
performance like that of a rotary
The Condenser
► The “Discharge Line” leaves the compressor and
runs to the inlet of the condenser.
► Because the refrigerant was compressed, it is a hot
high pressure vapor (as pressure goes up –
temperature goes up).
► The hot vapor enters the condenser and starts to
flow through the tubes.
► Cool air is blown across the out side of the finned
tubes of the condenser (usually by a fan or water
with a pump).
► Since the air is cooler than the refrigerant, heat
jumps from the tubing to the cooler air (energy goes
from hot to cold – “latent heat”).
► As the heat is removed from the refrigerant, it
reaches it’s “saturated temperature” and starts to
“flash” (change states), into a high pressure liquid.
► The high pressure liquid leaves the condenser
through the “liquid line” and travels to the “metering
device”. Sometimes running through a filter dryer
first, to remove any dirt or foreign particles.
Metering device/expansion valve

► Metering devices regulate how much liquid

refrigerant enters the evaporator .

► Common used metering devices are, small thin

copper tubes referred to as “cap tubes”, thermally
controller diaphragm valves called “TXV’s” (thermal
expansion valves) and single opening “orifices”.
► The metering device tries to maintain a preset
temperature difference or “super heat”, between
the inlet and outlet openings of the evaporator.
► As the metering devices regulates the amount of
refrigerant going into the evaporator, the device
lets small amounts of refrigerant out into the line and
looses the high pressure it has behind it.
► Now we have a low pressure, cooler liquid
refrigerant entering the evaporative coil (pressure
went down – so temperature goes down).
Metering device/expansion valve

Common Types of Metering Devise

► Thermostatic Expansion Valve
► Capillary Tube
► Accurator
Evaporator
► The evaporator is where the heat is removed
from your house , business or refrigeration box.
► Low pressure liquid leaves the metering device
and enters the evaporator.
► Usually, a fan will move warm air from the
conditioned space across the evaporator
finned coils.
► The cooler refrigerant in the evaporator tubes,
absorb the warm room air. The change of
temperature causes the refrigerant to “flash” or
“boil”, and changes from a low pressure liquid
to a low pressure vapor.
► The low pressure vapor is pulled into the
compressor and the cycle starts over.
► The amount of heat added to the liquid to
make it saturated and change states is called
“Super Heat”.
► One way to charge a system with refrigerant is
by super heat.
What is a REFRIGERANT?

► If the compressor is the heart of the system, the

refrigerant is the blood of the system. A refrigerant is a
fluid that easily boils at a lower temperature. It absorbs
heat in the evaporator and discharges heat into the
condenser.
► The principle behind mechanical refrigeration is that
when a compressed air expands, it absorbs heat from
the environment. Similarly when a solid is liquefied, it
absorbs heat as well.
Cont….
► The refrigerants that were used in mechanical refrigeration in
the early days were sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide,
ammonia and methyl chloride.

► The use of these refrigerants caused health hazards to the

users when they leaked. This calls for new development of
refrigerants that were safe and non-toxic.

► DuPont led the industry in the invention of safer fluorocarbon

refrigerants with the introduction of FREON 12 in 1931. The word
"Freon" hence become a trade name for HCFCs and CFCs
refrigerants that are sold by this company. This range of
products have been used extensively in air conditioning and
refrigeration industry.
BASIS ON IDENTIFYING REFRIGERANT

► 1. Identify refrigerant by using digital refrigerant identifier

2. By pressure

► REFRIGERANT STANDARD PRESSURE

► R-12 70 PSIG
► R-134A 90 PSIG (REF)
► R-22 150 PSIG (ACU)
► R-410A 200 PSIG (INVERTER)
► 3. By Nameplate specification
► 4. By color coding

► R-40A ROSE
► R-407B CREAM
► R-407C BROWN
► R-11 ORANGE
► R-12 WHITE
► R-22 GREEN
► R-113 PURPLE
► R-134A LIGHT BLUE
► R-114 DARK BLUE
► R-500 YELLOW
► R-502 ORCHID
► R-717 SILVER
► R-49A TAN
► R-123 LIGHT GRAY
► R-401A CORAL RED
► R-401B MUSTARD YELLOW
► R-401C AQUA
► R-404A ORANGE
 List of Alternative Refrigerants

Replacement Alternative
Refrigerant ODP Main Application
For
R-11 R-123 Water Chiller
R-12 R-134a 0 Domestic and Commercial Refrigeration
(medium temperature), fixed and vehicle
air-con, water chiller

R-409A 0.05 Commercial and transport refrigeration

R-502 R-404 0 Commercial and transport refrigeration

R-408A 0.026 Retrofit of existing R-502 systems

R-22 R-22 0.055 Air-conditioning

R-407C 0 Stationary air-conditioning
R-410A 0 Stationary air-conditioning
R-404A 0 Refrigeration
R-500 Blends Commercial and Industrial
R-114 HCFC 124 Chiller Application, Marine
R-115 HFC 125 0 Low Temperature
R-12/R-22 Hydrocarbons 0 Domestic/Air Conditioners
R-114 HCFC – 142b Refrigeration
Oils for Alternative Refrigerants
1.An important consideration in the
development of Hydro Chlorofluorocarbon
(HCFCs) and Hydro Fluorocarbons (HFCs) as
alternative refrigerants in the testing of oils for
solubility., stability, lubricity with the
refrigerant, and compatibility with materials of
construction. Testing will determine which
lubricants can be used in current systems and
what changes are required.
2. In general the ternary blends and HCFCs can be used with
oils that are commercially available; however, some
development work may be required to optimize performance.
Applications with HFCs require the development of new oils.
The desirable properties for development use are:
• Acceptable solubility with the refrigerant (ideally, single
phase over a broad temperature range);
• Acceptable lubricity;
• Good thermal stability for the refrigerant/lubricant
combination;
• Acceptable compatibility with system materials (elastomers,
metals and plastics);
• Low toxicity; and
• Commercial availability at a reasonable cost.
3. Listed below are the refrigeration lubricating oils and their
characteristics:
MINERAL OIL (MO)
• Designed for and miscible in CFC/HCFC
• Very soluble in HC (higher viscosity/superheat can be
required)
ALKYLBENZENE (AB)
• Designed for and miscible in CFC/HCFC
• Soluble in CFC/HCFC/HFC/HC
• High solubility in CFC/HCFC/HC must be considered
POLYOALKALENE GLYCOL (PAG)
• Designed for HFC compatibility
• Not considered suitable with CFCF/HCFC
HFC OILS

Polyolester (POE) and Poly Alkalene Glycol (PAG)

PAG Oils are developed for Mobile air conditioning (MAC)
• These oils are extremely sensitive to humidity and will
absorb moisture from air if exposed to ambient.
• Should always be kept in a well sealed can.
• PAG Oil in cans that have opened and not protected with
dry nitrogen should not be used in system.
• Humidity will drastically reduce stability and reduce lifetime
of system.
• Careful evacuation and used of nitrogen are essential for
long term reliability.
POE Oils are developed for stationary refrigeration and air
conditioning (RAC) systems but are also used by some auto
manufacturers for retrofit as they are more tolerant to
contaminations than PAG.

• POE oils are sensitive to humidity and will absorb moisture

from ambient air if exposed.
• Humidity will drastically reduce stability and reduce lifetime
of system.
• Careful evacuation and use of nitrogen are essential for
long term reliability

Low viscosity Alkylene Benzane (AB) are used in rotaries for

R407C and R410A.
APPLICATION

-Food processing, preservation and distribution

The fundamental reason for having a refrigerator is to keep food
cold. Cold temperatures help food stay fresh longer. The basic
idea behind refrigeration is to slow down the activity of bacteria
(which all food contains) so that it takes longer for the bacteria to
spoil the food.
-Comfort Air Conditioning
Most important applications of refrigeration is in cooling and
dehumidification as required for summer air conditioning.
THANK YOU!