About the authorSteam and industrial refrigeration systems
You might think these two subjects are not related. One produces a heating effect and the other a cooling effect. Once we disregard these differences we can find many similarities in the two systems. Both use a fluid that depends on a phase change to provide their intended function; condensation of vapor or evaporation of liquid.
When you see a steam coil used for heating air inside a room this is a heat rejection device. The steam is condensing in the coil, which warms the coil surface. This in turn heats the air passing over the coil. As a result of this process the steam vapor is converted into a liquid by condensation of the vapor. Now, think about how this is similar to an ammonia refrigeration system. This could be seen as either an evaporator being defrosted by hot gas or as a condenser. Both are doing the same thing although for different reasons.
The same principle applies for all of these. It’s condensation of a vapor, which in turn releases a large amount of heat.
The biggest difference between the two industries (steam or refrigeration) is the way the liquid condensate is handled after it forms. The steam industry uses a neat little device called a steam trap. And we in the refrigeration industry depend on various configurations of piping and pressure regulators to accomodate this phase change process.
I think if we spent more time understanding how a steam system works we can assure improved operational characteritics in ammonia refrigeration systems. Both of the two industries are very mature yet each one has its own way of dealing with similar issues. And that, I find very interesting…
Tags: condensing, evaporation, industrial refrigeration, steam systems
