Introduction to Ammonia Refrigeration Systems

In this course, you will establish a foundational understanding of ammonia refrigeration systems, components, and best practices that you can use immediately.

• Refrigeration system operators 
• Plant engineers 
• Maintenance supervisors 
• Facilities engineers 
• Contractors 
• Application engineers 
• Refrigeration service technicians 

This course is part of the Process Safety Management Professional Certificate. Increase your knowledge and effectiveness at managing PSM/RMP programs for your ammonia refrigerated facility, while earning a recognized credential. Course can be taken individually as well.

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.

Refrigeration Systems Overview

• Refrigeration technology alternatives
• Refrigerants and refrigerant selection criteria
• Introduction to system types: direct expansion, flooded, and overfeed

Overview of Refrigerant Properties

• Fundamental properties: pressure, volume, and temperature
• Derived properties: enthalpy, internal energy, and transport
• Refrigerant phases and behavior during phase change
• Latent and sensible energy changes
• Diagrams: pressure vs. enthalpy
• Flash gas concepts

Refrigerant Property Workshop

Safety in Ammonia Refrigeration

• Safety and health issues associated with refrigerants
• Flammability considerations
• Prevention of incidents and accidents

Overview of Process Safety Management and Risk Management Programs

• Applicability
• Key elements of OSHA''s Process Safety Management program
• EPA''s Risk Management Plan rule

Machinery Room Safety Practices

• Equipment
• Key safety systems: ammonia detection, ventilation, emergency controls, and eye wash and shower stations
• Related standards

Refrigeration System Components: Compressors

• Technology alternatives
• Configuration: open drive vs. semi-hermetic or hermetic
• Theory of operation screw (single/twin) and reciprocating
• Capacity control/unloading
• Volume ratio concepts

Refrigeration Systems Workshop

• How to identify cycle state points
• How to complete cycle layouts

Refrigeration System Components: Condensers

• Types of heat rejection equipment
• Principles of operation
• Operational considerations

Refrigeration System Components: Valves

• Stop valves
• Check valves
• Regulators
• Expansion valves: thermostatic, electronics, hand, and floats
• Safety relief

Refrigeration Cycle Review

Refrigeration System Components: Evaporators

• Feed configurations: DX, flooded, and liquid overfeed
• Air units: ceiling-hung, penthouse/high temperature, and low temperature
• Chillers: plate-and-frame, and shell-and-tube

Refrigeration System Components: Vessels and Pumps

• High-side vessels: high-pressure receiver, thermosiphon pilot, and controlled-pressure receiver
• Low-side vessels: suction traps and transfer stations, recirculators, and surge drums
• Transfer systems
• Liquid refrigerant pumps

Open Discussion

"Now I feel I can safely and comfortably control our plant."

"This course provided and easy, logical explanation of refrigeration basics."

"This will help me immediately in my job."

"Exceeded expectations. Direct application to my current responsibilities and gave me plenty to look at and hopefully improve when I return. I'm looking forward to future courses."

Todd Jekel

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.

Marc Claas

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.

Douglas Reindl

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.