The main concept behind air conditioning and refrigeration is to lower the temperature of a particular area compared to the surroundings. The application of these phenomena can be seen in various domestic and industrial appliances such as ACs and Refrigerators.
Difference Between Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Refrigeration is a process of removal of unwanted heat from a selected object, substance, or space and its transfer to another object, substance, or space. Naturally, thermal energy is seen flowing from a higher temperature bearing place to a lower temperature bearing place.
Read More: Heat pump and Refrigerator
An air conditioning process has an indoor and outdoor unit connected with a pipe. The air is heated, compressed, condensed and liquified. The liquid gas evaporates and is cooled with the help of condenser.
| Difference Between Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioning | Refrigeration |
| The heat is removed from a given area to maintain cool temperature | The heat is transferred to a region with higher temperature |
| The circulation system is designed to blow out the cooled air out of the unit | The circulation system is designed to keep the cool air within the unit |
| Two individual units are present. One unit for the evaporator and the other unit houses the compressor and the condensor. | One single unit encompasses the evaporator, compressor and condensor |
| The in-built chemicals within the unit absorbs air into the system | The air is supplied to the unit through pipes |
| Fan is required | No fan is required |
| They are used to cool the room to maintain humidity | They are used to cool the food for food preservation |
These were some difference between air conditioning and refrigeration. If you wish to find out more, download BYJU’S – The Learning App.
| For Better Understanding on Cooling | |
| Enthalpy | Newton’s Law of Cooling |
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is mechanical refrigeration?
Mechanical refrigeration is defined as the process in which heat is removed from a location with the help of a man-made heat exchange system. This system could be either cyclic, non-cyclic, thermoelectric, or magnetic and this is dependent on the application of the refrigeration.
What is the difference between cooling and refrigeration?
Cooling is defined as the process of bringing down the temperature of the body to a temperature which is lower than the surrounding. Whereas refrigeration is the process in which the temperature of the body is brought down to the temperature which lower than its surroundings and this temperature is maintained throughout.
What is the air-cooled system and water-cooled system?
An air-cooled system is a refrigeration system that is used outdoors and is related to its surrounding ambient temperatures. While the water-cooled system is a refrigeration system that is used indoors. These are 10-15% more efficient than the air-cooled system.
What are the different stages of refrigeration?
There are four stages of refrigeration and they are:
- Stage 1 involves the evaporator coil.
- Stage 2 involves a compressor.
- Stage 3 involves a condenser coil.
- Stage 4 involves an expansion chamber.
What are the types of refrigeration systems?
There are two types of refrigeration, and they are natural cooling and artificial cooling.
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