Refrigeration Equipment Key Terms

Chill out with this list of refrigeration terms

Refrigeration equipment refers not just to refrigerators but to air conditioning as well, both at home and in motor vehicles. You are likely to encounter at least two or three types of refrigeration equipment in the course of your daily life, so it makes sense to have a basic understanding of vocabulary associated with this equipment. Keep in mind that refrigerant systems are often required to work in tandem or side-by-side with heating systems to provide the best climate control. As such, they share some of the same parts and vocabulary.

 

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refers to chemicals made up of only chlorine, fluorine and carbon molecules. CFCs used to be a common refrigerant until they were phased out as part of the Clean Air Act.
Try: The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines chlorofluorocarbons and offers links to further information regarding their impact on climate change and the ozone layer.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are often lumped in with refrigeration systems because they share so much technology in common. You will often see the term as Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and refrigeration.
Try: WiseGEEK offers a straightforward explanation of HVAC systems.

Compressor

The compressor is the first element in a refrigeration system. It compresses the refrigerant to a higher pressure before it moves through the rest of the system.
Try: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a report detailing the types of compressors you're likely to encounter in refrigeration.

Condenser

The condenser takes the high pressure, high temperature gas from the compressor and condenses it into a warm liquid form, which is then moved through the refrigeration system.
Try: GlobalSpec explains condensers and their component parts.

Evaporator

The final part of a refrigeration or cooling system, the evaporator allows the compressed liquid to transform into a cool gas, which absorbs heat from the surrounding air. This provides the cooling effect before the gas is passed back into the compressor.
Try: ACU Air Heating and Air Conditioning explains the evaporator's function in a refrigerant system.

Absorption system

Absorption systems or gas refrigerators, also known as ammonia refrigeration units, are an increasingly common refrigeration system that functions primarily on ammonia and salt.
Try: HowStuffWorks explains how a gas refrigeration or absorption system works, along with its component parts.

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