Intermediate Ammonia Refrigeration Systems

This course builds on foundational knowledge to explore the deeper mechanics of ammonia refrigeration systems, including compressors, evaporators, condensers, and refrigerant properties. Through hands-on workshops and real-world examples, participants will learn to evaluate system performance, manage refrigerant flow, and prevent common operational issues. Ideal for engineers and technicians, the course emphasizes practical skills and system integration strategies for industrial and commercial applications.

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Who Should Attend?

Refrigeration system operators and plant engineers seeking deeper technical knowledge.
Ammonia refrigeration contractors and PSM coordinators involved in system design or compliance.
Sales and engineering professionals working with industrial refrigeration equipment.

What You Will Learn

Analyze refrigeration cycles and component performance using real-world data and compressor maps.
Apply psychrometric principles and load calculations to optimize system design and operation.
Troubleshoot common issues in pumps, evaporators, and condensers while improving system reliability.

Course Details: RA00379-D302

Course Outline

Day 1

Workshop Introduction
Refrigeration Systems Review

Introduction to types of systems: direct expansion, flooded, liquid overfeed
System components and arrangements
Refrigerant selection criteria

Properties of Ammonia Refrigerants

Fundamental properties: pressure, volume, temperature
Derived properties: enthalpy, internal energy, transport
Phase change
Diagrams: pressure vs. enthalpy, pressure vs. temperature
Refrigerant comparison: Fluorochemicals, ammonia, water, CO2
Flash gas
Subcooling and superheat
Influence of water in ammonia refrigerant properties

Psychrometric Properties and Processes

Definitions: dry bulb, wet bulb temperatures, humidity ratio, psychrometric chart
Psychrometric processes: latent and sensible energy changes
Effects of refrigerant evaporating temperature on space humidity levels

Property Workshop

Psychrometric Properties and Processes (continued)

Refrigeration Load Calculations

Temperature requirements
Loads: envelope, product, other internal heat gains
Evaporator fan heat gains
Make-up air loads
Door loads - theory vs. real-world

Day 2

Refrigeration Cycles and Cycle Performance

Conservation principles
Performance measures
Capacity and required refrigerant mass flow rates
Overview of multi-stage systems

Compressors and Compressor Performance

Interpreting compressor maps
Correcting for actual compressor application/operation
Compression ratio limits
Part-load and off-design operation
Oil cooler heat rejection methods (screw compressors)
Economized ratings - when to/not to use (screw compressors)

Compressor Workshop

Vessels and Refrigerant Pumps

Types: high-pressure receiver, low-pressure accumulator, flash intercooler
Configurations: horizontal or vertical
Ratings
Proper practices for system integration
Knock-out velocity and down-comer sizing
Pump types and performance curves
Net positive suction head available vs. required
Refrigerant pump cavitation (causes and cures)

Day 3

Evaporators

Types
Performance characteristics and ratings
Selection and operation
Configuration: top feed or bottom feed
Defrosting techniques
Effects of pressure regulators
Determining optimum refrigerant feed rates (overfeed systems)

Condensers and Heat Recovery

System Types
Performance characteristics
Selection
Heat recovery potential

Troubleshooting

Condensers: liquid refrigerant hold-up, proper practices for parallel condenser operation
Evaporator defrost best-practices
Open question and answer

Course Schedule

Location and Lodging

Course Location

Pyle Center

702 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706

Map

608-262-1122

866-301-1753

Lodging

Fluno Center

601 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706

Map

Accommodations include: Your stay includes hot breakfast buffet, fitness center, business center, convenient on-site parking. Guest rooms are complete with Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, complimentary high-speed Internet, and 40-inch, flat screen, high-def TVs.

Online Reservations

877-773-5866

608-441-7117

DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown

525 West Johnson Street
Madison, WI 53703

Map

Accommodations include: Enjoy complimentary business center, WiFi and Local/Airport Shuttle. Each room has a refrigerator, microwave, 42-inch HDTV, and executive desk. Parking available $15/night.

Online Reservations

800-222-8733

608-251-5511

Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club

One West Dayton Street
Madison, WI 53703

Map

Room: rates start at $160

Accommodations include: Complimentary WiFi, Local/Airport Shuttle, Pool, and Fitness Center.

More Madison Lodging Options

Course Notes

Instructors and Program Director

Instructors
Marc Claas
Researcher
Marc Claas is an Associate Researcher with the Industrial Refrigeration Consortium, specializing in industrial refrigeration since 2009. He focuses on system maintenance, safe operation, troubleshooting, and regulatory compliance, with a growing interest in emerging cooling technologies. Marc has led online operator training programs and brings extensive field experience in Process Safety Management (PSM), including audits and Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs). He also investigates energy efficiency and operational improvements in refrigeration systems. Marc holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UW-Platteville and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Thermal Sciences from UW-Madison. He is an active member of the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration.
Todd Jekel
Assistant Director
Todd Jekel, PhD, PE is the Assistant Director of the Industrial Refrigeration Consortium (IRC) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he leads applied research and technical outreach in industrial refrigeration. His work focuses on system and component modeling, refrigeration load and energy calculations, accumulator design, and safety relief vent systems. Dr. Jekel has contributed to the development and instruction of several web-based and in-person courses for refrigeration professionals, covering topics such as ammonia refrigeration, process safety, and energy efficiency. He holds degrees from Calvin College and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition to his academic and research roles, he is an active member of ASHRAE and the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR), serving on multiple technical committees. Dr. Jekel is recognized for his expertise in vessel design, oil separation, and dehumidification strategies for cold storage facilities.
Douglas Reindl
Professor
Douglas Reindl, PhD, PE is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and a Program Director at the Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He brings extensive expertise in mechanical systems, with a particular focus on industrial ammonia refrigeration. As the founding director of the Industrial Refrigeration Consortium, Dr. Reindl is dedicated to advancing the safety, efficiency, and reliability of refrigeration infrastructure. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and both MS and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering from UW–Madison. A registered professional engineer in Wisconsin, Dr. Reindl is widely recognized for his leadership in refrigeration education and applied research.
Program Director
Douglas Reindl

Additional Information

Note: Participants are expected to have completed the Introduction to Ammonia Refrigeration Systems course or have significant work experience with refrigeration systems.

Attendees participating in this course will be able to earn a digital badge as evidence of the knowledge they obtained during the course. Digital badges are micro-credentials that can be earned by successfully passing a final quiz administered online after completing the course. Click here for information on digital badges.

Total Credits:

CEU 2,

PDH 20,

Applies to this Certificate:

Process Safety Management Professional,

Course Administration

Fee Information

Fee covers morning and afternoon breaks, scheduled lunches, course materials, and live instruction.

Discounts

Industrial Refrigeration Consortium (IRC) members receive a $200 course discount. InterPro will verify your affiliation.

Payment Options

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
Provide the registrations representative with:
- the course name, dates, and/or course number.
- the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
- If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

Cancellation Policy

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.

Create a custom learning experience

We can deliver this course as an on-site learning experience tailored to your organization’s specific training needs.

Intermediate Ammonia Refrigeration Systems

Who Should Attend?

What You Will Learn

Course Details: RA00379-D302

Course Outline

Course Schedule

Location and Lodging

Course Notes

Instructors and Program Director

Additional Information

Course Administration

Fee Information

Discounts

Payment Options

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Pay by Purchase Order

Military

Event Cancellation

Cancellation Policy

Stay Connected

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