Ammonia is a natural refrigerant, known for its very high performance in refrigeration cycles. Used in the refrigeration industry since the 1930s, it is characterized by a very low boiling point (-33.3°C) and a high coefficient of energy efficiency, primarily due to a very high latent heat of evaporation.
Ammonia is a natural refrigerant, known for its extremely high performance in refrigeration cycles. Used in the refrigeration industry since the 1930s, it is characterized by a very low boiling point (-33.3°C) and a high coefficient of energy efficiency, primarily due to a very high latent heat of evaporation. In addition, ammonia is readily available on the market and is cheaper than common refrigerants. The distinctive smell of ammonia, easily recognizable and traceable, serves as an effective alarm in case of leaks, thus increasing the intrinsic safety of the systems. Despite its excellent refrigerant properties, ammonia is toxic to humans and flammable, as well as incompatible with Copper and Brass circuits, which requires the use of steel or nickel pipelines. To address these issues, secondary fluid systems have been used, avoiding direct expansion, often in association with glycolated water or carbon dioxide.
The complexity of these systems leads to the use of ammonia in industrial and large-scale installations or in supermarkets and sports facilities.
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