Ammonia in industrial refrigeration

State-of-the-art components for ammonia refrigeration

Ammonia is the most trusted refrigerant right from the 19th century. All those who are involved in food preservation and industrial process plants know ammonia as refrigerant of choice due to its unmatched thermodynamic properties. You can read more about this and the many other benefits when using ammonia via the link "Why ammonia in industrial refrigeration".

Environmental concerns and new F-gas regulation are forcing scientists and refrigeration technicians to take a serious look at natural refrigerants like air, water, ammonia, carbon dioxide and others as a long-term alternative for industrial refrigeration. Anyone involved in food preservation and industrial process plants already know ammonia as the refrigerant of choice due to its unmatched thermodynamic properties. 

Having passed the test of time over more than a century as one of the best choices, ammonia is now receiving attention in areas of application where it was unthinkable earlier. Danfoss is a leader in ammonia refrigeration components, including manual, mechanic and electric valves. We are constantly working on developing components that enable safe and energy-efficient application of ammonia refrigeration.

Why ammonia in industrial refrigeration?

Ammonia was used for refrigeration in 1876, for the first time in a vapor compression machine by Carl Von Linde. Other refrigerants like CO2, SO2 also were commonly used till 1920s.Development of CFC’s (Chlorofluorocarbons) in USA, in 1920s swung the pendulum in favor of these refrigerants, as compared to all other refrigerants used in those days, CFC’s were considered harmless and extremely stable chemicals. The consequences to the outer environment of massive releases of refrigerant could not be foreseen in those days. “CFC” refrigerants were promoted as safety refrigerants, resulting in an accelerating demand and CFC’s success. These refrigerants became known as God sent and man-made chemicals.

Due to success of CFC’s, Ammonia came under heavy pressure, but held its position, especially in large industrial installations and food preservation.

In 1980’s the harmful effects of CFC refrigerants became apparent and it was generally accepted that the CFC refrigerants are contributing to depletion of ozone layer and to global warming, finally resulting in Montreal protocol (1989) where almost all countries agreed to phase out CFC’s in a time bound program.

In view of seriousness of damage to atmosphere and resulting dangers due to CFC/ HCFC emissions as also due to global warming effects, the revisions in Montreal protocol (1990), 1992(Copenhagen) and 1998 Kyoto Japan demanded accelerated phase out schedule. Even HCFC’s are also to be phased out and Europe has taken the lead.

Many countries in Europe have stopped use of HCFC refrigerants, and new refrigerants as well as well-tried and trusted refrigerants like Ammonia and Carbon Dioxide are being considered for various new applications as well.

Ammonia has a number of benefits, which has been proven by many decades of application of ammonia refrigeration systems.

Products for ammonia

See all our products developed for industrial refrigeration and ammonia.

Case studies

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    Hot gas defrost of low temperature refrigeration evaporators with natural refrigerants

    Industrial refrigeration systems predominantly use natural refrigerants, primarily ammonia and more recently CO2 Energy efficiency and the effective operation of those systems are the key parameters for operators of the plants The focus of the white paper is the comparisons of hot gas defrost strategy control methods, both on the hot gas side as well as on the condensate drain

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    Ammonia conversion for cold storage facility is simple with ICV Flexline™

    Consumer retail stores are looking for tried-and-true ideas to thrive in turbulent economic times That’s why a major 190-store retail chain based in the Midwest switched to a proven refrigeration solution for one of its distribution centers - an environmentally friendly ammonia system that uses Danfoss ICV Flexline valve stations