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
What they are, how they work and why they are popular in many countries.
Plastic, recycling and its symbol
Student competition winning, M.C.Esher inspired Möbius strip design symbolising continuity within a finite entity.
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.