The ASHRAE Handbook is published in a series of four volumes, one of which is revised each year, ensuring that no volume is older than four years. The ASHRAE Handbooks may be purchased from the on-line bookstore through the highlighted link.
TC 10.1 is responsible for the following chapters in the Refrigeration Handbook:
Refrigeration: Liquid Overfeed Systems
Overfeed systems force liquid in excess of the amount evaporated, either mechanically or by gas pressure, through organized-flow evaporators, separate it from the vapor, and return it to the evaporators. Mechanically pumped systems usually pump from a vessel at the connected suction pressure (i.e., low-temperature liquid). Gas-operated systems can be configured to deliver either low-temperature liquid directly like the mechanically pumped system, or sub-cooled liquid from a controlled pressure receiver at an intermediate pressure. With the latter, the accumulated overfed liquid is transferred from the low-pressure receiver back to the controlled-pressure receiver.
Refrigeration: Component Balancing in Refrigeration Systems
This chapter describes methods and components used in balancing a primary refrigeration system. A refrigerant is a fluid used for heat transfer in a refrigeration system. The fluid absorbs heat at a low temperature and pressure and transfers heat at a higher temperature and pressure. Heat transfer can involve either a complete or partial change of state in the case of a primary refrigerant. Energy transfer is a function of the heat transfer coefficients; temperature differences; and amount, type, and configuration of the heat transfer surface and, hence, the heat flux on either side of the heat transfer device.
Refrigeration: Secondary Coolants in Refrigeration Systems
Secondary coolants are liquids used as heat transfer fluids that change temperature as they gain or lose heat energy without changing into another phase. For lower refrigeration temperatures, this requires a coolant with a freezing point below that of water. These are generally called brines by the industry. This chapter discusses design considerations for components, system performance requirements, and applications for secondary coolants. Related information can be found in Chapters 3, 4, 22, 30, and 31 of the 2013 ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals.
Refrigeration: Concrete Dams and Subsurface Soils
Refrigeration is one of the more important tools of the heavy construction industry, particularly in the temperature control of large concrete dams. It is also used to stabilize both water-bearing and permanently frozen soil. This chapter briefly describes some of the cooling practices that have been used for these purposes.
Refrigeration: Refrigeration in the Chemical Industry
This chapter gives guidance to refrigeration engineers working with chemical plant designers so they can design an optimum refrigeration system. Refrigeration engineers must be familiar with the chemical process for which the refrigeration facilities are being designed. Understanding the overall process is also desirable. Computer programs are also available that can calculate cooling loads based on the gas chromatographic analysis of a process fluid. These programs accurately define not only the thermodynamic performance of the fluid to be chilled, but also the required heat transfer characteristics of the chiller.
Refrigeration: Cryogenics
Cryogenic engineering is involved with the design and development of low-temperature systems and components. In such activities the designer must be familiar with the properties of fluids used to achieve these low temperatures as well as the physical properties of components used to produce, maintain, and apply such temperatures.
Refrigeration: Ultralow-Temperature Refrigeration
Ultralow-temperature refrigeration is defined here as refrigeration in the temperature range of –58 to –148°F (–50 to –100°C).What is considered low temperature for an application depends on the temperature range for that specific application. Low temperatures for air conditioning are around 32°F (0°C); for industrial refrigeration,–31 to –58°F (–35to –50°C); and for cryogenics, approaching 0°R (0 K). Applications such as freeze-drying, as well as the pharmaceutical, chemical, and petroleum industries, use refrigeration in the low-temperature range as designated in this chapter. The refrigeration cycles presented in this chapter may be used in both standard packaged and custom-designed systems. Cascade systems are emphasized, both autocascade (typical of packaged units) and two-refrigerant cascade (found in custom-engineered low-temperature systems).
Refrigeration: Biomedical Applications of Cryogenic Refrigeration
This chapter briefly describes many of the principles driving the present growth and development of low-temperature biological applications. An understanding of these principles is required to optimize design of practical apparatus for low-temperature biological processes. Although this field is growing in both breadth and sophistication, this chapter is restricted to processes that involve temperatures below which ice formation is normally encountered (i.e., 32°F [0°C]), and to an overview of the state of the art.
Refrigeration: Terminology of Refrigeration
This chapter seeks to define some of the common terms used in industrial refrigeration systems, specifically those using ammonia as the refrigerant. The glossary was compiled from a variety of sources throughout the industry, including ASHRAE, the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR), the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Specific sources for entries are listed in the endnotes. Minor edits for punctuation, conciseness, and consistency with usage elsewhere in the Handbook have been made.
The ASHRAE HVAC REFRIGERATION HANDBOOK may be purchased from the on-line bookstore by clicking on the highlighted text.
Comment on the Handbook: ASHRAE welcomes your comments on the Handbook or a specific Handbook chapter.
To submit a comment about any aspect or part of the Handbook series, you can use the Handbook Comment Form.
Review a Handbook Chapter: To provide your feedback about a specific Handbook chapter, you can answer the brief survey questions on the Handbook Chapter Review Form.
