Monday, November 12, 2012

5 Things To Learn About Ammonia Refrigeration

During the 1970s, chlorofluorocarbon or CFC was a frequently used refrigerant gas. Refrigerant gases are being used in air conditioning units, freezers, and refrigerators. Condensed under pressure, refrigerants have the capacity to chill the air. CFC was gradually eliminated as a refrigerant because experts learned that once the gas seeped out into the air, a chemical substance change set off by way of the sun’s ultraviolet rays damaged the ozone layer. This has resulted in the development and finding of natural refrigerants that make a small effect on the environment. Among those natural refrigerants is ammonia or NH3.

Ammonia refrigeration is popular in industrial applications. You’ll find them being utilized by breweries, distribution cold stores, fish trawlers, food processing plants like slaughterhouses and ice cream factories, freezing tunnels, post-harvest cooling of vegatables and fruits, and the like. Basically, every food item and perishable good undergoes this refrigeration system before getting to the consumers.

Ammonia is an ideal refrigerant for industries trying to limit their influence on the environment given it has zero Global Warming Potential or GWP and zero Ozone Depleting Potential or ODP. In addition to being environmentally friendly, many companies are finding ammonia systems to be highly efficient. This is why the market share of ammonia systems for industrial applications is booming.

Ammonia is known as a natural refrigerant since it is a naturally occurring element in the environment. It is present in water, soil, and air, and possesses one atom of nitrogen and three atoms of hydrogen, therefore, the chemical symbol NH3. Ammonia is among the most generously available refrigerants, which makes it low-priced. Nevertheless, certain setups makes it pricey when special equipment like steel tubing and safety devices like gas detectors are needed.

Ammonia is well-suited for all common materials but not with metal and copper. This might indicate that a processing factory or a manufacturing facility will be limited by using only welded steel and installing compressors with specific motor coatings.

Another limitation to ammonia system of refrigeration is safety a result of the flammability and toxicity of the natural refrigerant. Adhering to rigid polices and ensuring training for on-site personnel that handle and work around the natural refrigerant should be performed to avoid any untoward incidents. A feasible alternative that some companies use is incorporating carbon dioxide for cascade applications with low temperatures and as a volatile brine for medium to high temperatures.

Ammonia refrigeration is an excellent method for reducing the environmental influence of numerous industries today. Even the International Space Station reportedly uses it regarding their air conditioning unit! Whether it’s for manufacturing or cold storage (or space), using ammonia system allows businesses to be eco-friendly without having to sacrifice on productivity.

Author Bio: Jimmy Wilson is an article author and a business aficionado. He has been a regular site visitor of Cold Stream Industrial Services for the newest industrial technological innovation offerings for refrigeration equipments.

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