A refrigeration unit is an integrated system consisting of a refrigeration unit and cooling (heating) equipment, including the refrigeration unit, various auxiliary equipment and accessories, control equipment, cooling equipment, and enclosure structure.
A refrigeration unit is a mechanical system that achieves artificial cooling through compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes. It comprises a refrigeration unit and cooling facilities, involving the collaborative design of multiple disciplines such as architecture, structure, water supply and drainage, and electrical engineering. Its applications cover all sectors of the national economy, including food refrigeration, air conditioning, agricultural preservation, commercial cold chain, and industrial cooling. Jacob Perkins invented the vapor compression refrigeration machine in 1834, and Willis Carrier developed modern air conditioning in 1902, driving the formation of the technological system. Based on application scenarios, it can be divided into three categories: residential, commercial, and industrial, including types such as cold storage and air conditioning units.
In 2022, the Chinese refrigeration equipment market reached 531.38 billion yuan, while exports decreased year-on-year to 94.727 billion yuan. Refrigerants, as the core working fluid, have undergone four generations of iteration. In 2025, HFCs will be subject to a quota system, driving the industry to upgrade to HFOs. Regarding technological breakthroughs, a team from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has successfully developed the world's first sub-zero spring-loaded refrigeration unit capable of reaching temperatures as low as -12°C. This technology utilizes the latent heat of phase change in shape memory alloys for refrigeration, achieving "zero-emission" green refrigeration. In terms of energy-saving technologies, modularization and intelligent control have become the main development directions. At the policy level, the "Green and Efficient Refrigeration Action Plan" requires a 30% improvement in market energy efficiency by 2022.
