A Complete Mechanical Guide to Secondary Refrigerants (PDF)
Secondary refrigerants are liquids which are being used in an air conditioning system. The prime purpose of secondary refrigerant is to transfer heat from material that is being cooled; to the heat exchanger where heat is absorbed by the primary refrigerant. Chilled water is being used as a secondary refrigerant in high-temperature applications. Brines, glycols, and oils are used as secondary refrigerants in low-temperature applications. Secondary refrigerants are used as the transportation medium of cooling capacity in large air refrigeration plants. Secondary refrigerants have properties such as non-corrosive, inexpensive, high specific heat, excellent heat transfer characteristics, chemically stable, low viscosity, etc. Secondary refrigerants such as calcium chloride brine, propylene glycol, etc. are applied in different low-temperature applications like industrial refrigeration, commercial refrigeration, heat pumps, and others.
Secondary refrigerant systems using glycols and water can use materials of construction that are less expensive to procure and install. The lower operating pressures of these refrigerants allow the use of reduced-wall-thickness steel pipe and less expensive pipe classifications for lower pressure ratings. Materials that are compatible with glycol and water such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) may be used in place of more expensive steel pipe for installation throughout a facility. PVC costs less to purchase, and it can be installed more quickly without requiring certified pipe welders and fitters.
In recent years, interest in utilizing secondary refrigerants in large industrial refrigeration systems has been increasing. This is due in part to a desire to reduce the quantity of primary refrigerant and to limit the primary refrigerant charge to the refrigeration equipment room.
While using a cascade or closed refrigeration system with primary and secondary refrigerant loops provides many process benefits, drawbacks do exist. Among them are increased operating costs due to reduced energy efficiency and increased system complexity.
Increasing demand for lower primary refrigerants charge and minimization of adverse environmental effects will drive the growth of secondary refrigerants market. Rising demand for alternatives of chlorofluorocarbon and hydrochlorofluorocarbon will further increase the demand for secondary refrigerants market. Predominantly, the high cost of investment required for secondary refrigerants, which may hamper the growth of secondary refrigerants market. However, increasing demand for natural refrigerants will create opportunities for secondary refrigerants market.
In recent years, interest in utilizing secondary refrigerants in large industrial refrigeration systems has been increasing. This is due in part to a desire to reduce the quantity of primary refrigerant and to limit the primary refrigerant charge to the refrigeration equipment room.
While using a cascade or closed refrigeration system with primary and secondary refrigerant loops provides many process benefits, drawbacks do exist. Among them are increased operating costs due to reduced energy efficiency and increased system complexity.
Increasing demand for lower primary refrigerants charge and minimization of adverse environmental effects will drive the growth of secondary refrigerants market. Rising demand for alternatives of chlorofluorocarbon and hydrochlorofluorocarbon will further increase the demand for secondary refrigerants market. Predominantly, the high cost of investment required for secondary refrigerants, which may hamper the growth of secondary refrigerants market. However, increasing demand for natural refrigerants will create opportunities for secondary refrigerants market.
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