Refrigerants:

In a refrigerating system the working agent that absorbs releases or carries heat from the place to be cooled or refrigerated may be termed as a refrigerant. Generally this heat transfer occurs by a phase change of the refrigerant. A more absolute definition of a refrigerant could be given like as:

 "Refrigerant is the fluid utilized for heat transfer in a refrigerating system which absorbs heat throughout evaporation from the region of low pressure and temperature, and releases heat throughout condensation at a region of higher pressure and temperature."

Objectives

In this unit, we will learn regarding the different refrigerants utilized in various refrigeration systems. Today, we have a big number of refrigerants provided to us based on the requirements of the specific refrigerating system. A full study of these refrigerants has therefore become imperative. This unit is intended to serve like an introductory guide to learn of refrigerants.

After studying this unit, you should be able to learn

• the different kind of classifications of refrigerants,
• naming convention for refrigerants,
• properties of individual refrigerants, and
• Environmental effects related to the use of these refrigerants.