How Ammonia Refrigeration Works

Ammonia refrigeration systems function in a similar manner to fluorocarbon systems. However they do possess distinct differences. Due to Ammonia being a toxic substance you will not typically find one of these systems in any residential home. Though they may not be effective in small applications, the use of Ammonia refrigeration systems in industrial settings is a cost-effective and energy efficient choice for companies. These refrigeration systems can cool substances very quickly, which is a big advantage in industrial and commercial requirements. At McNeil Industrial, we can help you obtain an exceptional performing and dependable ammonia refrigeration system solution through our ammonia refrigeration design services.

Refrigeration Systems

Refrigeration systems work by having a refrigerant flow continuously through a system. There are various substances used for these refrigerants, including synthetic mixtures commonly used in household appliances for efficiency purposes. For industrial applications, however, refrigeration systems often use ammonia for its exceptional ability to maintain temperature and heat transfer. Regardless of the type of refrigerant used, refrigeration systems use several different devices, including a condenser, compressor, evaporator, and expansion device throughout the entire process.

Ammonia as a Refrigerant

In the refrigerant cycle, ammonia gas undergoes compression through the application of the compressor. This causes the gas to heat up under pressurization. The gas moves into the condenser where heat is dissipated in the coils. This condenses the ammonia, changing it into liquid form, but still at high pressure.

This pressurized ammonia then moves through the expansion valve, which is the gateway into an area of lower pressure. Once this occurs, the ammonia starts to boil, starting at -27 deg. F. At this temperature, it is obviously significantly colder than the surrounding space.

Inside of a refrigerated space, extremely cold ammonia cools the surrounding air. As the ammonia warms, the surrounding air temperature drops. As the ammonia travels through the evaporator, it gradually warms up. At the end of this cycle, the ammonia is pulled back into the compressor where it starts the cycle all over again.

In factory settings, refrigerated spaces are required to cool down very fast. Household refrigerators take a few minutes to begin the cooling process after they are started. However, such a delay is not feasible in a manufacturing environment – therefore, the use of ammonia refrigeration systems in these environments.

If you want to add a new ammonia refrigeration system or upgrade an existing one, our team at McNeil Industrial has the capabilities to assist you. To find out more about how we can help, you are team a call today at 800.728.6160 or send us a message through our contact form.