Refrigeration
Ammonia Refrigeration
Ammonia (R717) is the refrigerant of choice for large-scale industrial refrigeration — from cold storage and food processing to freezing and industrial cooling. Its outstanding thermodynamic efficiency and zero global warming potential have made it the industry standard for continuous heavy-duty refrigeration, and it remains the dominant natural refrigerant in new industrial installations worldwide.
NEXT Lubricants supports ammonia refrigeration with compressor lubricants developed for the specific demands of R717 systems across screw and reciprocating compressor applications.
Compression process
Ammonia Refrigeration — Process, Applications & Compressor Role
Ammonia (R717) refrigeration systems remove heat from industrial processes, storage environments and production facilities where stable low-temperature operation is critical. R717 systems operate across a wide evaporating temperature range — from medium-temperature chilling duties down to deep-freeze applications below -40°C — in both single-stage and two-stage configurations depending on the required temperature level and system capacity. Ammonia’s outstanding thermodynamic efficiency makes it the preferred refrigerant where long-term operating costs and energy performance are primary design criteria.
The compressor is the central component of the ammonia refrigeration cycle — circulating and compressing refrigerant vapour to the pressure required for condensation and heat rejection. Compressor performance directly determines system capacity, energy consumption and reliability, particularly in large industrial installations operating under continuous load across varying production and ambient conditions.
Cold Storage & Distribution
Large-scale cold stores and temperature-controlled distribution centres use ammonia refrigeration to maintain stable low temperatures across high-capacity facilities operating under continuous load.
Food Processing & Freezing
Food processing plants, blast freezing tunnels and freezing spirals rely on ammonia refrigeration for rapid product freezing and precise temperature control across continuous production operations.
Brewery, Dairy & Beverage Production
Ammonia refrigeration supports fermentation temperature control, pasteurisation chilling and cold conditioning in brewery, dairy and beverage production environments.
Industrial & Process Cooling
Chemical, petrochemical and industrial manufacturing facilities use ammonia refrigeration where large cooling capacities, low evaporating temperatures or precise process temperature control are required.
Related Applications
Explore Other Refrigeration Applications
Ammonia refrigeration is one part of a broader refrigeration landscape, with other applications varying by refrigerant, system design and operating profile.
CO₂ Refrigeration
Industrial and commercial refrigeration systems where CO₂ is used as part of the overall system design and operating approach.
Hydrocarbon Refrigeration
Refrigeration applications using hydrocarbon refrigerants where system design and operating conditions can differ from ammonia-based systems.
Industrial Heat Pumps
Applications where heat is recovered and upgraded for industrial use, often with different system conditions and operating profiles.
HFC & HFO Refrigeration
Refrigeration systems using HFC or HFO refrigerants, with different system and lubricant requirements from natural refrigerant applications.