Ammonia Refrigeration- An ultimate way to keep your area cool

AMMONIA REFRIGERATION

Excessive heat in the workplace causes negative effects on the persons working over there. Also, it affects the production rate and quality of the product. So, it is required to keep the area cool to get the best results. Fortunately, there are some methods to solve this matter, i.e. Ammonia refrigeration.

Cooling system helps in keeping the industry running to facilitate various functions. Ammonia is an artificial component meant for refrigeration. Basically, refrigeration requires basic physics for functioning. The heat energy goes out from one area to another. This in turn results in leaving that area cooler than the previous temperature. For large scale, ammonia refrigeration is required to get the cooling effect in lesser time. Generally, ammonia breaks down in the environment itself and does not cause any harm to the ozone layer. The damage can only occur if ammonia remains at the same place for more than a week.

Usually, anhydrous ammonia is used, which is a clear liquid and get boils at the temperature of -28° F. Under high pressure the liquid is stored in the closed container. It gets evaporated after released that cause a formation of invisible vapour or gas.

Why ammonia is required?

Many reasons are incorporated with the ammonia usage. Ammonia has become a choice of component where extreme cooling is required, especially in food processing industry.

1. Safety level

Available as a toxic refrigerant, it is suggested to handle it with care. The refrigeration system is designed while keeping safety in mind. Due to its characteristic smell, it can easily be detected at the time of leakage.

2. Saves energy

As compared to its counterpart, ammonia is much efficient in term of energy. Hence, ammonia is considered as the sustainable choice for providing safety.

3. Effect on the environment

When it comes to the environment, ammonia is the most environment friendly reagent. It belongs to the group of GWP (Global Warning Potential) and ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential).

4. Requirement of smaller pipe sizes

Either it is present in vapour or liquid form; pipes with smaller diameters are required for its supply.

Being a universal refrigerant, Ammonia is highly suitable for heavy commercial applications and industrial purposes.

Brief Insight about Traditional Ammonia Refrigeration

Ammonia is the most important refrigerant right from the 19th century. All those who are engaged in food preservation and industrial practice plants know ammonia as refrigerant of choice due to its matchless thermodynamic properties.

Traditional System

Environmental worries and new F-gas guideline are forcing experts and refrigeration technicians to take a serious look at natural refrigerants including air, water, carbon dioxide, ammonia and others as a long-term substitute for industrial refrigeration. Anyone engaged in food preservation and industrial procedure plants already know ammonia as the refrigerant of an option due to its supreme thermodynamic properties.

Having approved the test of time over more than a century as one of the best selections, ammonia is now getting attention in areas of application where it was unthinkable faster. Danfoss is a leading in ammonia refrigeration components, including mechanical, manual and electric valves. We are continuously working on emerging components that enable harmless and energy-efficient application of ammonia refrigeration system.

Ammonia is one of the most effective applications out there, with the application range from low to high or high to low temperatures. With the ever improving focus on energy consumption, ammonia systems are a secure and sustainable option for the future. Characteristically a flooded ammonia system would be 15-20 % well-organized than a DX R404A complement. Recent growths of NH3 and CO2 amalgamation contributed to growth the efficiency further. NH3/CO2 poured is tremendously efficient for low and very low temperature submissions (below -40’C), while NH3/CO2 brine systems are around 20% more effective than traditional brines.

Ammonia is a poisonous refrigerant, and it is also flammable at certain concentrations. That is why it has to be handled with care, and all ammonia structures have to be designed with security in mind. At the same time, unlike most other refrigerants, it has a typical odor that can be detected by humans even at very low absorptions. That gives a warning sign even in case of minor ammonia leaks. In case it is essential to reduce ammonia charge, mixture of ammonia and CO2 (as cascade or as brine) could be a good and efficient option.

Pointers to Avoid Endangering Situations in Repairing and Maintenance Activity of Ammonia Refrigeration

Industrial refrigeration largely depends on ammonia which is a dangerous chemical when handled in a haphazard manner. Ammonia per se is very environment friendly chemical as it does not deplete the ozone layer. It has the required levels of thermodynamic qualities which reduces the usage of electricity. Further with insulated panels in place, the pungent odour of ammonia when leakages takes place instantly sends out an alarm which in itself acts as a safety valve.

Using Ammonia refrigeration in poultry, meat, ice cream and breweries are very versatile, efficient and environment friendly. But if handled without care, can have health hazards to the technicians and others as well. 

Ammonia Refrigeration

Three common mistakes while handling ammonia refrigeration are:

Failure to use protective personal equipment, specifically when performing the maintenance works, wearing proper eye and face protection equipment is must f not the full face respirator. When draining oil in industrial refrigerators, this is the common mistake.

To purge the component, one has to isolate the repair and valves in order to control the hazards. Ensure that ammonia is not trapped in the pipe before opening up the component.

Finally, while repairing the insulated panels on the roof of building, one has to be careful as to how to handle the vapours from endangering others. There has to be alternate intakes for premises before beginning the repair works. As ammonia is lighter than air, it usually rises above the building and vaporizes. But due to uneventful winds and drafts, there may be instances when ammonia may drift back into the building and endanger the lives. Hence, one should have proper planning before attempting to repair the refrigeration in industrial appliances. To handle, this alternative escape points should be provided and also alarm should be in place to evacuate the humans in premises.