Refrigerant: meaning, definitions and examples
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refrigerant
[ rɪˈfrɪdʒərənt ]
chemical substance
A refrigerant is a substance used in a heat pump or refrigeration cycle to transfer heat from one place to another. It usually exists in a gaseous state at low temperatures and pressures, and it is typically vaporized in a low-temperature evaporator. Refrigerants absorb heat from the environment, allowing cooling, and then release heat when compressed.
Synonyms
coolant, refrigerating agent.
Examples of usage
- The air conditioning unit uses R-410A as its refrigerant.
- In the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant changes states to absorb and release heat.
- Freon, commonly known as refrigerant, was widely used until it was found to harm the ozone layer.
Translations
Translations of the word "refrigerant" in other languages:
🇵🇹 refrigerante
🇮🇳 शीतलक
🇩🇪 Kältemittel
🇮🇩 pendingin
🇺🇦 холодоагент
🇵🇱 czynnik chłodniczy
🇯🇵 冷媒
🇫🇷 frigorigène
🇪🇸 refrigerante
🇹🇷 soğutucu
🇰🇷 냉매
🇸🇦 مادة تبريد
🇨🇿 chladivo
🇸🇰 chladivo
🇨🇳 制冷剂
🇸🇮 hladilno sredstvo
🇮🇸 kælivatn
🇰🇿 салқындатқыш
🇬🇪 გაყინვის საშუალება
🇦🇿 soyuducu
🇲🇽 refrigerante
Etymology
The term 'refrigerant' traces its roots to the Latin word 'refrigerare', which means 'to cool down' or 'to make cold'. This word, in turn, is derived from the prefix 're-', indicating 'again' or 'back' and the verb 'frigere', meaning 'to be cold' or 'to become cold'. The use of refrigerants became prominent in the 19th century with the development of refrigeration technology. Early refrigerants included natural substances like ammonia and carbon dioxide, which were used in pioneering refrigeration systems. The rise of synthetic refrigerants, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the 1920s, brought significant advancements in efficiency and effectiveness, leading to widespread adoption in air conditioning and refrigeration. However, due to environmental concerns related to ozone depletion and global warming, many of these synthetic refrigerants have been phased out or restricted under international agreements like the Montreal Protocol, leading to the exploration of more environmentally friendly alternatives.