Typical Shipboard Refrigeration System

The system shown above and described below is typical of that fitted on
many ships; however there are two low temperature rooms rather than
only one room as shown here.

Cold rooms

Meat Room-Low temperature room typically working at -17oC

Vegetable/ Handling room-typically working at +4oC

VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF VAPOUR COMPRESSION SYSTEM

Compressor:
There are three types of compressor in use at sea: centrifugal,
Reciprocating and Screw.
Centrifugal compressors are used with Refrigerants 11 or 12 and are
limited in their application to large air conditioning installations.
Reciprocating compressors cover the whole spectrum of refrigeration
requirements at sea, from air conditioning to low temperature cargo
installations. They are normally of a compact design and may be of an
in-line, V or W configuration. The principle of operation is similar in
many respects to an air compressor,
As the crankcase is subject to refrigerant pressure, the drive shaft seal is
required to prevent a flow of refrigerant out of the compressor or
ingress of air. In semi-hermetic or hermetic machines this problem is
obviated as the motor and compressor are in one casing.
Provision is made for unloading cylinders during starting and for
subsequent load control, by holding the suction valves off their seats by
suitable oil-pressure operated mechanisms. With this control the
compressors can be run at constant speed which is an advantage with
a.c. motors.

Screw compressors are more compact machines, have reduced number

of working parts results in greater reliability with reduced maintenance
requirements. The principle of operation is similar to a screw-type
positive displacement pump
To achieve a seal between the rotors, oil is injected into the
Compressor, to prevent this being carried into the system, the oil
separator is larger and more complex than the normal delivery oil
separator associated with a reciprocating compressor. Also, because
some of the heat of compression is transferred to the oil, larger oil
cooler has to be fitted. For load control, unloading gear usually
comprises a means of holding the suction valves open.

Hermetic compressors: Hermetic and semi-hermetic machines have

conventional compressors but the driving motor and compressor are
sealed in compact welded housing, the refrigerant and lubricating oil are
contained in this housing. Almost all small motor-compressor pairs used
in domestic refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners are of the
hermetic type. Total enclosure removes the risk of gas leakage
through the shaft seal. These compressors are not intended to be
overhauled on board but to be removed and replaced after a
predetermined period of operation. . Hermetic compressors can work for
a long time in small-capacity refrigeration systems without any
maintenance requirement and without any gas leakage, but they are
sensitive to electric voltage fluctuations, which may make the copper
coils of the motor burn. The cost of these compressors is also low.