How does the industrial refrigeration cycle work?

Industrial Refrigeration | Inditer

Industrial refrigeration is one of the great foundations of our society. Through the production of cold—that is, thanks to the process consisting of lowering or maintaining the temperature of a product or space—it is possible to transport and preserve perishable products, as well as a vast number of industrial processes fundamental to our daily lives.

At Inditer, we work every day on main components within the industrial refrigeration cycle, thanks to their manufacture in a wide range of products, in order to always adjust to the client’s needs.

Among these products are the evaporator, condenser, and gas cooler, positioning us at the forefront of technology in order to improve performance and, with it, the efficiency of industrial refrigeration facilities.

Where can we find these industrial refrigeration systems?

At Inditer, we are aware that the industrial refrigeration cycle is not only a pillar in traditional industry, but also plays a crucial role in a variety of innovative and emerging sectors.

Its application is extensive and diverse, ranging from food preservation to cutting-edge technology applications:

Food industry

Industrial refrigeration is fundamental in this industry, covering the preservation of perishable foods, the controlled ripening of fruits, the safe processing of pre-cooked foods, and the maintenance of quality in the meat and dairy industries.

The ability to precisely control temperature is essential to ensure the safety and quality of the food that reaches our homes.

It should be noted that it is currently estimated that 70% of food is cooled or frozen; this gives us the magnitude of the importance of industrial cooling in our daily lives.

Food transport and distribution

In this sector, industrial refrigeration plays a crucial role in maintaining the cold chain. This rigorous temperature control is vital to preserve freshness and prevent product spoilage during transport and storage.

Medicine and health

In the medical field, industrial refrigeration is essential for preserving medicines, vaccines, and biological samples. The ability to maintain stable and specific temperatures is essential to ensure the effectiveness of vaccines and the integrity of medical samples.

As an example, the preservation of vaccines between 2ºC and 8ºC is necessary for their correct use.

Chemical Industry

In this sector, pressurized gases at special temperatures are often necessary in the manufacture of organics, inorganics, pigments, plastics, fibers, and chemical products.

In the petroleum industry, cooling is also used in vapor pressure control systems or to change solubility ratios.

Power generation

Industrial refrigeration is essential in electrical power generation, especially in plants that use internal combustion equipment. Temperature control is fundamental for the efficiency and safety of these processes.

Other sectors

Furthermore, we find critical applications of industrial refrigeration in sectors such as aerospace, where it is required for the maintenance of equipment and experiments; in superconductivity, for the research and development of advanced technologies; and in cryogenics, a field that is rapidly expanding with applications ranging from medicine to materials physics.

At Inditer, we continuously explore and adapt to these diverse applications of the industrial refrigeration cycle, ensuring that our solutions not only meet current demands but also anticipate future needs.

Description of the industrial refrigeration cycle

The industrial refrigeration cycle at Inditer is characterized by its efficiency and complexity. This process is achieved through a set of carefully designed elements to absorb heat from the environment to be cooled and then transfer that heat to the surroundings.

The circulation of a refrigerant fluid is central to this process, where its specific characteristics—selected based on the needs of the system—give it unique advantages for transmitting energy under determined pressure and temperature conditions.

To understand this cycle more clearly, it is crucial to know the components and their individual operation:

• Heat absorption: the cycle begins in the evaporator, where the refrigerant absorbs heat from the space or product to be cooled and turns into a gaseous state, reducing the temperature of the surroundings.
• Compression: the gaseous refrigerant passes to the compressor, where its pressure and temperature are increased.
• Condensation: in the condenser, the hot refrigerant releases heat to the environment and returns to a liquid state.
• Expansion valve: the liquid refrigerant reduces its pressure before returning to the evaporator, closing the cycle.

It should be noted that the industrial refrigeration cycle complies with strict regulations to guarantee its safety and effectiveness. One of these regulations is Royal Decree 552/2019, Safety regulation for refrigeration facilities and their complementary technical instructions, which you can consult here.

This regulation establishes the standards for the safe and efficient operation of refrigeration systems, ensuring that any adverse impact on the environment is minimized and the safety of operators is maintained.

This detailed description demonstrates the complexity and sophistication of the industrial refrigeration cycle that we implement at Inditer, highlighting our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in all system components.

Components of the industrial refrigeration cycle

Each component of the industrial refrigeration cycle plays a vital role in ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire system. More than 99% of these systems operate by compression, due to their high performance and versatility.

The remaining 1% operates through absorption, using combinations such as water and lithium bromide or air.

The main components of the cycle are:

The compressor

It is the heart of the system. Its main function is to compress the gases coming from the evaporator, increasing their pressure and, consequently, their temperature.

There are different types of compressors, the most common in refrigeration being positive displacement: reciprocating (low-medium power) and screw (medium-high power).

The condenser

Here the compressed and hot refrigerant gas releases the absorbed heat, condensing and returning to a liquid state.

There are different types of condensers, notably:

• Cooling towers (open and closed systems)
• Evaporative condenser
• Dry air cooler
• Gas Cooler, in the case of CO₂ in transcritical regime

The expansion valve

It generates a pressure drop between the condenser and the evaporator. Only liquid can reach the valve, so a liquid receiver at the condenser outlet is common.

The most common in commercial and industrial refrigeration are thermostatic and electronic valves, allowing control of the refrigerant flow reaching the evaporator.

This control (dry expansion) relies on temperature and pressure probes that regulate the superheat at the evaporator outlet, preventing liquid from entering the compressor suction.

The evaporator

This is where the low-pressure refrigerant absorbs heat from the environment or product to be cooled. During this process, the refrigerant changes from liquid to gas, cooling the surroundings.

They are usually tube and fin heat exchangers with forced ventilation. Common structures:

• Cubic evaporator
• Dual discharge or ceiling-mounted evaporator
• Low profile evaporator
• Wall-mounted evaporator

Auxiliary elements

Additionally, there are auxiliary elements such as shut-off valves, filter driers, sight glasses, oil separators and more, designed to improve efficiency and safety.

Each of these components is fundamental in the industrial refrigeration cycle and at Inditer we take pride in our ability to design, manufacture, and maintain these systems with the highest quality and precision.

Maintenance and optimization of the industrial refrigeration cycle

At Inditer we understand that, beyond implementation, the maintenance and optimization of the industrial refrigeration cycle are fundamental for its efficiency and long-term durability.

Preventive and corrective maintenance

Regular maintenance is essential to prevent unexpected shutdowns and prolong the useful life of the equipment. It includes routine inspections, cleaning, and replacement of worn parts.

Corrective maintenance, focused on identifying and resolving specific problems, reduces downtime and associated costs.

Optimization strategies

Our strategy focuses on continuous improvement, including upgrading to more efficient technologies (variable speed compressors and advanced controls), with energy savings and better overall performance.

We evaluate market innovations to integrate them, ensuring efficient and advanced solutions.

Inditer’s commitment to optimization does not stop at installation: we offer support and advice to keep systems at the technological and sustainable forefront.

Correct maintenance and optimization of the industrial refrigeration cycle is an investment in long-term efficiency, sustainability, and reliability.

Do you have any questions?

Industrial refrigeration is an integral part of numerous sectors, and its correct operation and efficiency are crucial for business success. At Inditer, we are committed to excellence in every aspect of the cycle, from initial implementation to long-term maintenance and optimization.

If you have any questions or need expert advice on industrial refrigeration systems, do not hesitate to contact us through our form.

Our team of professionals is ready to help you find the perfect solution for your specific needs. Visit our contact page for more information and discover how we can help you optimize your industrial refrigeration processes.