Introduction to Commercial Refrigeration Systems : Commercial Refrigeration Systems

 Temperature Ranges:

1. High Temperature Systems:
   • Evaporator Temperature: Above 32°F.
   • Application: Products requiring higher humidity, such as flowers or certain vegetables.
2. Medium Temperature Systems:
   • Evaporator Temperature: 32°F to -10°F.
   • Application: Household freezer items, insulin, certain vaccines.
3. Low Temperature Systems:
   • Evaporator Temperature: Below -10°F.
   • Application: Freezers for storing ice cream, frozen meat, seafood.

Business Considerations:

• Factors: Operational needs, storage space, cost, energy efficiency, safety, and adherence to government regulations.
• Inspection Impact: Businesses may pass or fail inspections based on the refrigeration systems they use.

Commercial Refrigeration Applications:

1. Package Units (Reach-In Coolers/Freezers):
   • Design: All components in one unit, including piping.
   • Installation: Plug into electrical outlets, easy to install and move.
   • Use: Ideal for businesses with limited space, often used to display products to customers.
   • Maintenance: Easier and lower cost compared to other systems.
2. Walk-In Coolers and Freezers:
   • Design: Large enough for a person to walk into.
   • Usage: Suitable for bulk storage.
   • Components: Evaporator inside the walk-in area, remote condensing unit (outdoors or on the roof).
   • System Type: May be part of a multiplex system or rack system.
3. Rack Systems:
   • Design: Multiple compressors working with multiple evaporators, operating at different temperatures.
   • Usage: Common in supermarkets to cool various store sections.
   • Complexity: Large and complex, requiring dedicated space in a machine room or on the roof.
   • Efficiency: Microprocessor-controlled, activating compressors based on load requirements.
   • Risks: Single point of failure can affect the entire system.

Importance of Choosing the Right System:

• Efficiency: Wrong system choice can impede efficiency.
• Energy Costs: Oversized compressors lead to increased energy costs and frequent starts and stops, shortening compressor life expectancy.
• Health and Safety Risks: Example given of an Arizona state vaccine program that used improper refrigeration, resulting in frozen vaccines and the need for re-vaccination of over 200 children.