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Refrigeration Engineer

A refrigeration engineer is a person that specializes in applications beyond the normal residential and commercial usage to marine, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries, for example. The design and construct thermal processing technology for various environments.

The career outlook for a refrigeration engineer is good. They make on average $52-$62 thousand a year.

Beginning training or schooling might involve a beginning level engineering class in thermodynamics, and HVAC Systems design is an intermediate-level class for a refrigeration engineer. The Advanced HVAC and Energy Conservation system classes are advanced heating and air-conditioning classes that focus on measuring humidity in relation to the heating and refrigeration systems.

Energy conservation is focused on, since typically these are larger systems that are required to remove humidity from the air in order to cool it, and an enormous amount of energy can be wasted with an older, inefficient system that can't keep up with lowering the humidity levels in a room, when trying to air condition it.

The type of person this is profession is geared towards is typically mechanically inclined, and understands the basics of refrigeration technology. It is definitely good for those that are hands on, and has focused on green energy technologies on the more advanced levels.

In some of the advanced refrigeration engineer applications, they may need to combine a number of factors to conserve energy for larger applications. For example, "green roofs", where dirt and actual grass or garden plants are grown on the top of flat buildings in hot weather climates is a prime example of a supplemental, yet "green" or natural energy efficient feature to supplement a conventional air conditioner.

Refrigeration engineers understand the need for proper venting and filtration in heating and air conditioning systems to make them run efficiently. Commercial institutions like hotels may have HVAC or PTAC units that individually heat and cool individual rooms, and are energy efficient because they may only be turned on when occupied. Also, because refrigeration coils contain coolant, most of these units are now sealed for environmental purposes in reclaiming used or broken down units.

Refrigeration engineer positions may require a HVAC permit if necessary to replenish coolant and work on individual units, and a good running unit can save a lot of energy and money over one that is in disrepair.

This is an occupation that will be seeing newer and more efficient technologies in the years to come. It is considered a "green occupation" because of the ability to make a difference in energy consumption through smooth operation and good repair of a heating or air conditioning system.

Refrigeration Engineer Resources

* Handbook of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
* Screw Compressors: Three Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics and Solid Fluid Interaction
* Audels Engineers and Mechanics Guide 7: Pipe Fitting, Heating, Refrigeration, Elevators

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