Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Chapter 1 Questions and Correct Answers
*Page 1
Fundamentals of Refrigeration*
✓ ~~~ When studying refrigeration and air conditioning, it is important to first master
the basic physical, mechanical, and chemical principles explained in this chapter.
Much of the basic materials will be a review of physics and chemistry for those who
have studied these subjects. In addition, however, some engineering principles and
formulas have been included.
✓ ~~~ These principles and formulas have been simplified and are introduced with
practical applications.
This chapter uses the SI "Le Systeme International d'Unites" metric units of
measure. The early refrigeration industry was developed by engineers in England
and the United States.
✓ ~~~ They based their calculations on units of measure and formulas developed for
power, mining, automobile and, ice-making industries.
British thermal unit, foot pound, pounds per square inch, temperatures in Fahrenheit,
and the like.
✓ ~~~ The SI "metric" system is internationally accepted and the United States is
moving toward it. The refrigeration industry in this country has recently adopted its
usage.
, SI units include linear measurements in metres or decimals, mass in kilograms,
temperature in degrees Celsius, pressure in pascals, heat in joules, and the like.
✓ ~~~ Complete definitions of the units and U.S. conventional equivalents "equals" are
given in Chapter 28.
Users of this text who are unfamiliar with SI metrics have no cause for concern.
Reference is also made to Chapter 28 whenever problems arise affecting metric
usage.
✓ ~~~ *1-1 Development of Refrigeration*
Modern refrigeration has many applications. The first, and probably still the most
important, is the preservation of food.
Most foods kept at room temperature spoil rapidly. This is due to the rapid growth of
bacteria.
✓ ~~~ At usual refrigeration temperatures of about 4.4 degrees C (4.4oC) "40 F.",
bacteria grow quite slowly. Food at this temperature will keep much longer.
Refrigeration preserves food by keeping it cold.
Other important uses of refrigeration include air conditioning, beverage cooling and
humidity control. Many manufacturing processes also use refrigeration.
✓ ~~~ The refrigeration industry became important commercially during the 18th
century. Early refrigeration was obtained by the use of ice. Ice from lakes and ponds
was cut and stored in the winter in insulated storerooms for summer use.
The use of natural ice required the building of insulated containers or iceboxes for
stores, restaurants, and homes. These units first appeared, on a large scale, during
the 19th century.
Chapter 1 Questions and Correct Answers
*Page 1
Fundamentals of Refrigeration*
✓ ~~~ When studying refrigeration and air conditioning, it is important to first master
the basic physical, mechanical, and chemical principles explained in this chapter.
Much of the basic materials will be a review of physics and chemistry for those who
have studied these subjects. In addition, however, some engineering principles and
formulas have been included.
✓ ~~~ These principles and formulas have been simplified and are introduced with
practical applications.
This chapter uses the SI "Le Systeme International d'Unites" metric units of
measure. The early refrigeration industry was developed by engineers in England
and the United States.
✓ ~~~ They based their calculations on units of measure and formulas developed for
power, mining, automobile and, ice-making industries.
British thermal unit, foot pound, pounds per square inch, temperatures in Fahrenheit,
and the like.
✓ ~~~ The SI "metric" system is internationally accepted and the United States is
moving toward it. The refrigeration industry in this country has recently adopted its
usage.
, SI units include linear measurements in metres or decimals, mass in kilograms,
temperature in degrees Celsius, pressure in pascals, heat in joules, and the like.
✓ ~~~ Complete definitions of the units and U.S. conventional equivalents "equals" are
given in Chapter 28.
Users of this text who are unfamiliar with SI metrics have no cause for concern.
Reference is also made to Chapter 28 whenever problems arise affecting metric
usage.
✓ ~~~ *1-1 Development of Refrigeration*
Modern refrigeration has many applications. The first, and probably still the most
important, is the preservation of food.
Most foods kept at room temperature spoil rapidly. This is due to the rapid growth of
bacteria.
✓ ~~~ At usual refrigeration temperatures of about 4.4 degrees C (4.4oC) "40 F.",
bacteria grow quite slowly. Food at this temperature will keep much longer.
Refrigeration preserves food by keeping it cold.
Other important uses of refrigeration include air conditioning, beverage cooling and
humidity control. Many manufacturing processes also use refrigeration.
✓ ~~~ The refrigeration industry became important commercially during the 18th
century. Early refrigeration was obtained by the use of ice. Ice from lakes and ponds
was cut and stored in the winter in insulated storerooms for summer use.
The use of natural ice required the building of insulated containers or iceboxes for
stores, restaurants, and homes. These units first appeared, on a large scale, during
the 19th century.
