T S

A N
E R
F R IG
R E
Refrigerants

◦ The working fluid used in a refrigerating system is

known as refrigerant
◦ It is defined as substance which absorb heat
through vaporization and loses it through
condensation in a refrigerating system.
◦ It changes from liquid to vapour while absorbing
heat and condenses to liquid while liberating
heat.
◦ The most common refrigerants in use are
ammonia, fluorinated
hydrocarbons(Freon),CO2,SO2,air,water etc.
Choice of refrigerants
It depends on:
 The refrigerating capacity
 The type of refrigerator
 The refrigeration temperature
Classification of refrigerants
Refrigerants are classified into two:
Primary and secondary refrigerants.
Primary refrigerants are those working medium
which directly take part in refrigerating system
or directly removes latent heat.
Eg: Ammonia, Carbon dioxide, Freon group etc.
Secondary refrigerants are first cooled by
primary refrigerants and then employed for
cooling purpose.
Eg: Brine solution
Primary refrigerants
 Primary refrigerants are further classifed into:
 Halocarbon compounds
 Azeotropes
 Hydrocarbons
 Inorganic compounds
 Unsaturated organic compounds.
 Halocarbon refrigerants contains one or more
halogens, chlorine and bromine.
Eg: R11, R12 and R22
 Azeotrpes consist of mixture of different

substance.
 Eg: R500 – 73.8% R12 and 26.2% R152
 Hydrocarbon refrigerants consist of organic

compounds.
 Eg: R50-Methane, R170-Ethane.
 Inorganic compounds are refrigerants used

before the introduction of hydrocarbon group

 Eg: R717 Ammonia, R718 Water
 Unsaturated Organic Compound refrigerants
consist of ethylene or propylene or ethylene.
 R1120 trichloroethylene.
Properties of Refrigerants
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
 Low boiling point
 Low freezing point
 Positive pressure in evaporator and

condensor
 High latent heat of vapourization.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
 Non toxic
 Non flammable and non explosive
 Non corrosive
 Chemically stable
 It should not affect the quality of foods

stored.
 Non-irritating and adourless.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OTHER PROPERTIES
 Low specific volume of  Ease of leakage
 Availability and low
vapour
 Low specific heat cost
 Ease of handling
 High thermal
 High COP
conductivity
 Low viscosity

 High electric insulation

COMMON REFRIGERANTS
 R-11 TRICHLOROMONOFLUOROMETHANE
 R-12 DICHLORODIFLUOROMETHANE
 R-22 MONOCHLORODIFLUOROMETHANE
 Its important properties are
 Non toxic
 Non inflammable
 Non corrosive
 Non explosive
 Cop =4.61
DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR
 The primary function is to provide food
storage space maintained at low temperature.
 The secondary function is the formation of

ice cubes for domestic consumption.

 Usually specified by internal gross volume

and the deep freezer volume.

 Storage temperature is from 00C to 40C.
 Freezer is provided at top portion of

refrigerating space.
Classification
 Refrigerator may be classifed into:
 Single door
 Double door top freezer
 Double door bottom freezer
 Side by side door freezer.
 Generally vapour compression system is used

in domestic refrigerator.
 Refrigerants used is R-12 and R-22
Construction
 Compressor is mounted in the bottom of the
refrigerator.
 The condensor is provided at the back about

40 to 60 mm away from the cabinet.

 The condensor used is tube and wire type.
 The tubes are held firmly under wire frame.
 The wire act as cylindrical fins increasing the

rate of heat transfer.

 The expansion device is a capillary tube

which is connected to inlet of evaporator.

 The evaporator coil is wrapped around the
freezer in a suitable manner to give efficient
heat transfer.
 The cooling of lower space is accomplished

by free convection.
 The thermostatic sensing element is provided

to evaporator coil which can maintain

temperature in freezer up to 150C.
 The refrigerator body is highly insulated to

prevent heat transfer into the system.

 ICE PLANT

 The brine tank is made of 6mm mild steel plate.

Insulated from all four sides and bottom
Insulated wooden lids are provided to cover the top
Temperature of brine solution is maintained at -100C
to -110C