Ammonia refrigeration operators are familiar with the importance of oil inside a compressor. After all, oil provides lubrication, cooling, and sealing, all of which are critical to compressor performance. But what happens when that same oil escapes the compressor and begins accumulating throughout the refrigeration system? Suddenly, something that was essential for efficiency inside the compressor becomes a contributing factor to inefficiency elsewhere in the system. Even with modern oil...

Hot gas defrost is one of those processes in an ammonia refrigeration system that can easily become a “set it and forget it” operation. An evaporator may have been programmed for a 30-minute hot gas defrost years ago, and as long as the coil stays clear, nobody questions it. But just because a defrost cycle works does not necessarily mean it is operating efficiently. The challenge with that mindset is that a defrost cycle can be effective without necessarily being efficient. Just because the...

In ammonia refrigeration, documentation is not just paperwork. It is how operators understand the system, improve efficiency, maintain consistent performance, reduce miscommunication, and comply with industry regulations. That is why SOPs and P&IDs need to be accurate, current, and actively used within your PSM program or General Duty facility. These documents shouldn't just sit in a binder or folder for audits. They should guide training, daily operation, maintenance activities,...