Absorption Refrigeration
Written by John Tyson

How Ammonia Refrigeration Have Evolved Through The Years?

Something like Ammonia Refrigeration has come a long way and managed to evolve a lot. And that’s exactly what we are going to address in this post. 

Ammonia (NH3) was first isolated back in 1761 by Joseph Priestly. Though both ammonia and carbon dioxide were known as refrigerants, it took humanity almost 73 years to develop a workable compression refrigeration cycle. 

The History

Ammonia has always been a natural refrigerant, and it took us 73 years to search for a way to harness this agent. However, things took a turn in 1859; because that’s the time the world came across a way to harness in the best possible way. That’s also the year when a brilliant mind built the first-ever ammonia absorption system. 

It took only a year for us to come with perfect refrigeration solutions. Ammonia played a crucial role in those solutions as it was made purely out of waste material. Therefore, Ammonia was a perfect fit for refrigeration and managed to become a vital aspect in the meat/slaughtering industry. 

The Excruciating Benefits of Ammonia Refrigeration

The year was 1920 when things went “south.” We came across the development of CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons), which is still being used quite extensively in today’s world. What we know about CFCs now wasn’t even considered back then. In fact, these gases were considered to be completely harmless and stable. They were promoted as safety refrigerants, which resulted in an accelerated demand and an overbearing success. Sep-Pro Systems is one of the major manufacturers of ammonia refrigeration solutions and has maintained a great market presence.

Due to the popularity of CFC’s Ammonia came under big pressure, but it somehow managed to be a priority for major industrial installations and food preservation on a large scale. Besides that, technologies like Gas Separators have also seen a major breakthrough. 

In the 1980s, the harmful effects of CFC refrigeration were recorded in the books, and later, it was found that CFC is the main culprit behind the ozone layer depletion and global warming. 

Ammonia, on the other hand, has no known hazardous effects. It is in fact, proven to have a handful of benefits, which we took the liberty to enlist down below: 

  • Environment safe

Ammonia is proven to be one of the most environment-friendly refrigerants out there. According to various studies, it was found that Ammonia belongs to a group of so-called “natural” refrigerants. Besides that, it has GWP (Global Warming Potential) and ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) equal to zero. 

  • Energy efficient 

Ammonia-powered solutions are safe and sustainable, especially when it comes down to energy consumption. So, if you have been using CFC refrigeration all this time in your business, this might be the right time to switch things up a bit by simply choosing an ammonia refrigeration solution. 

  • Safe

For those who don’t know, Ammonia is a toxic refrigerant and is also flammable. That’s why it is recommended to handle that with care. When necessary, you can incorporate the combination of Ammonia and CO2 could be an efficient option.

In the End

Now that you know everything about Ammonia Refrigeration and looking for a perfect solution, consider checking us out at Sep-Pro Systems. 

Ammonia-water refrigeration
Written by John Tyson

Ammonia-Water Refrigeration

Those who are new to this concept would be surprised to know that this is one of the oldest forms of refrigeration. Though it is old, industries don’t see Ammonia-water refrigeration as an outdated method; it is being used extensively. 

Most average consumers don’t know that all that the food and drinks we consume are kept under ammonia refrigeration technology. Now that explains how reliable and effective this technology is. There’s not a thing to worry about or be skeptical about it.

 

Ammonia-Water Refrigeration: The Definition

The definition is pretty simple. As the name suggests, it’s a refrigeration system that uses ammonia. For those who don’t know, ammonia is a chemical used to absorb heat from one surface and transfer it to the other. On the other hand, Concentrated ammonia is much colder and a better option to keep things cold for a longer period. 

The refrigerators that we have in our homes use chemicals like CFCs and Freon. Both chemicals are proven to be pretty destructive for our environment and don’t come in cheap. 

Ammonia-water refrigeration is quite an old concept that goes back to 1850s France. Later, the system was brought to the United States in 1860. With time things changed, and by the 1900s, ammonia-powered refrigerators got a green flag for commercial usage. The system was especially used to create ice blocks, keep food and beverage cold, and chemical production. 

Later the chemical started being a crucial element in air conditioner solutions for both industrial and household settings. Though it was used globally back then, ammonia is no longer being used these days. However, it is still under operation in many industries as an ultimate cooling solution. 

 

Some Hazards to Keep In Mind

You got to have proper safety equipment while using ammonia-powered refrigerators since that stuff is pretty cold. If you get exposed to it as little as 300 parts per million in the air, you are most likely to end up with disastrous health issues. Ammonia is a highly corrosive chemical that can leave long-term problems on the skin and eye. 

 

Benefits of Ammonia-Water Refrigeration

It works exactly like every other vapor-compression refrigeration system. The only difference is the presence of ammonia, as it helps to remove the heat from the area and transfers it to others. Consider investing in acid gas removal solutions for better results. 

With proper safety measures, you can expect things to run butter-smooth. These refrigeration units offer so many advantages compared to those that are powered with CFC and HFC. Here’s a list of some benefits that are worth checking out. 

Pocket friendly 

There’s much less need for piping – making it less expensive to make. You can expect to pay 10-20% less for ammonia-powered refrigeration solutions. 

Ozone friendly

Unlike HFCs and CFCs responsible for ozone depletion, ammonia is not harmful to the ozone layer. 

Energy efficient 

Compared to CFCs, ammonia refrigerators consume much less energy – resulting in lower electricity bills. 

Cheaper Chemical 

Ammonia is less expensive than chemicals like CFCs, which explains the reason why industries prefer using Ammonia-water refrigeration 

 

In the End

If you feel like you’ve learned something of value from this post, do let us know by leaving a comment down below. And if you are looking forward to purchasing ammonia-powered refrigerators and acid gas removal solutions, make sure to check us out at Sep-Pro Systems.