Compression refrigeration
Refrigerants are used in buildings:
- For heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
- To provide cooling for refrigeration.
- To provide cooling for industrial processes.
They provide cooling in a process that is essentially the same as that used in domestic fridges, based on either compression or absorption. Compression refrigeration is more common than absorption refrigeration.
In absorption refrigeration systems, a refrigerant that boils at low temperature and pressure is absorbed in a solution which is then heated in a ‘generator’ so that the refrigerant evaporates again, but this time at a higher pressure and temperature. The gas is then condensed, releasing its latent heat which is rejected. The process then repeats. See absorption refrigeration for more information.
In compression refrigeration, a circulating liquid refrigerant (such as a hydrofluorocarbon HFC) with a low boiling point absorbs heat from the body that is being cooled and boils in an evaporator to form a gas. The resulting gas is then compressed, which increases its temperature further. The gas is then condensed, releasing its latent heat which is rejected. The process then repeats.
The four primary components of a compression refrigeration system are:
- The compressor.
- The condenser.
- The metering device (which maintains the refrigerant in its condensed state and feeds it to the evaporator).
- The evaporator.
Typically in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, compression refrigeration takes place in chiller units which supply chilled water to the building that is in turn used to cool ventilation air in air handling units. Heat recovery can be used to allow the rejected heat from chiller units to be re-used for space heating or to provide hot water.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Absorption refrigeration.
- Air conditioning.
- Air conditioning inspection.
- Air handling unit.
- BREEAM Impact of refrigerants.
- BSRIA Compressor Study September 2020 - The Americas and China
- Chiller unit.
- Chilled water.
- Cooling systems for buildings.
- EMEA compressor market 2020 - 2023.
- Evaporative cooling.
- Heat pumps
- HVAC.
- Phase change.
- R22 phase out.
- Refrigerant.
- Refrigerant selection.
Featured articles and news
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.