“Refrigeration is the removal of heat content not the addition of cold,” explains Chris Olson, director of product management for Supreme Corporation, a leader in truck body manufacturing. “Refrigeration works through the displacement of heat from products and space.”
He says other fundamental things to understand about refrigeration include:
- Heat is created through radiant energy and convection. “Radiant energy heats objects directly, which in turn heats the surrounding air. Convection heat occurs to air, which has been heated from objects emitting heat absorbed through radiant heating.”
- Heat also can be generated through respiration of organic products like produce.
- Heat travels to areas of lesser temperature through conduction.
“Insulation doesn’t stop heat transfer,” points out Olson. “It only slows the process.”
