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Internet Marketing Secrets Blog - Rajeev Pandey

In all of 150 years, industrial refrigeration has undergone a lot of change. Starting of the 19th century and early 20th century saw the use of carbon dioxide as the refrigerant. However, once the halocarbons came into picture in 1930’s, use of carbon dioxide was discontinued.

Halocarbons like chlorofluorocarbons, and hydro chlorofluorocarbons like Freon and R 134A were commonly used for industrial refrigeration systems as they were more cost effective than carbon dioxide. This was the time, when ammonia was also seen as an alternative. It was in 1970’s that harmful effects of halocarbons came into picture and after studies it was found that they were destroying the ozone layer in earth’s atmosphere.

It was ozone depletion and global warming, which led to the ban on the use of chlorofluorocarbons or CFC’s. After their ban, ammonia was again preferred as the refrigerant. Till then ammonia was used on a very small scale. Cold storages, wineries, freezing and processing units, meat plants, food and beverage industry; all use ammonia refrigeration systems.

Ammonia has many benefits and it is a cost efficient alternative to CFC’s. But it is very toxic and though ammonia in small amounts is very safe, large amounts of ammonia can cause much damage. Toxicity and safety are main concerns associated with the use of ammonia.