Cool as a Cucumber

Designing a Refrigeration System

Author:	Helen S. Joyner School of Food Science University of Idaho hjoyner@uidaho.edu
Abstract:	In this case study, students are asked to design a new refrigeration system for a company that stores produce. Students will need to consider various aspects of refrigeration system design, such as single- versus multi-stage, size, operating temperatures and pressures, cooling load, compressor efficiency, overall system efficiency, and cost. An Excel spreadsheet is provided for students to design their system (see Supplemental Materials). All calculations are performed by the spreadsheet; students input their desired values. After the refrigeration system is designed to the satisfaction of the students, they are asked to discuss why they chose their specific operating parameters. This case study is appropriate for food engineering, food processing, and introductory heat transfer courses.
Objectives:	Explain the various factors that affect cooling load/capacity for refrigerated and frozen foods. Discuss factors contributing to refrigeration system inefficiency. Apply heat transfer principles to determine cooling load for a refrigeration system. Design single- and multi-stage refrigeration systems.
Keywords:	engineering; refrigeration; cooling; system efficiency; frozen food; produce; single-stage; multi-stage; food processing; food science;
Topical Area:	N/A
Educational Level:	Undergraduate upper division, Continuing education
Formats:	PDF, Excel
Type/Method:	Analysis (Issues), Discussion, Interrupted
Language:	English
Subject Headings:	Chemical Engineering Engineering (General) Food Science / Technology
Date Posted:	10/25/2016
Date Modified:	N/A
Copyright:	Copyright held by the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Please see our usage guidelines, which outline our policy concerning permissible reproduction of this work.

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Supplemental Materials

The Excel spreadsheet below is used in Part III of the case study to design a refrigeration system.

Bev's spreadsheet

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