Refrigeration

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Refrigeration

Refrigeration (pronunciation: /ˌrɛfrɪdʒəˈreɪʃən/) is a process that removes heat from a space, substance, or system to lower and/or maintain its temperature below the ambient one.

Etymology

The term "refrigeration" originates from the Latin word refrigerare which means "to make cool".

Process

In thermodynamics, refrigeration is achieved via a refrigeration cycle that uses a refrigerant in a closed system. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the space or substance to be cooled (e.g., food in a refrigerator) and rejects that heat to the surroundings.

Applications

Refrigeration has many applications, including, but not limited to, food storage, air conditioning, and cryogenics. In medicine, refrigeration is used for the storage of certain pharmaceuticals, blood storage, and organ transport.

Medical Applications

In the medical field, refrigeration is crucial for the storage of certain pharmaceuticals such as vaccines and insulin, which need to be kept at specific temperatures to maintain their efficacy.

Refrigeration is also used in blood banks for the storage of blood and blood products. These are typically stored at temperatures between 2°C and 6°C to maintain their viability.

In organ transplantation, refrigeration is used to preserve organs during transport. This slows down the metabolic rate of the organ cells and extends the time during which the organ can be safely transplanted.

Related Terms

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