REFRIGRATOR

A refrigerator is a large container which is kept cool inside, usually by electricity, so that the
food stuff and drinks in it stays fresh. It consists of a thermally insulated compartment and
a heat pump that transfers heat from its inside to its external environment so that its inside is
cooled to a temperature below the room temperature. Refrigeration is an essential food
storage technique in developed countries. The lower temperature lowers the reproduction rate
of bacteria, so the refrigerator reduces the rate of spoilage. A refrigerator maintains a
temperature a few degrees above the freezing point of water. Optimum temperature range for
perishable food storage is 3 to 5 °C (37 to 41 °F). A similar device that maintains a
temperature below the freezing point of water is called a freezer. The refrigerator replaced
the icebox, which had been a common household appliance for almost a century and a half.
The first working vapour-compression refrigeration system was built 1834

RAW MATERIALS AND THEIR QUALITY CONTROL

Refrigerators today consist of several basic components: the exterior cabinet and door, the
inner cabinet or liner, the insulation inserted between the two, the cooling system, the
refrigerant, and the fixtures. The cabinet and door are made of aluminium or steel sheet metal
that is sometimes pre-painted. The metal is generally purchased in a coil that is either fed
directly into the manufacturing process or cut to size and fed sheet by sheet. The inner
cabinet is made of sheet metal, like the outer cabinet, or of plastic. The insulation that fills the
gap between the inner and outer cabinets consists of fiberglass or polyfoam. The components
of the cooling system are made of aluminium, copper, or an alloy. The tubing is usually
copper, because of that metal's ductility its ability to bend without breaking. Freon remains
the most commonly used refrigerant, and almost all of the large interior fixtures are made
from vacuum-formed plastic; smaller fixtures are purchased as small plastic blanks or in pre-
formed pieces

Aluminium is a key material

In refrigeration, non-heat-treated 3003 and 3004 aluminium alloys are used, as is

anodized aluminium, which is given a more durable finish with a layer of protective
oxidation. Aluminium-frames are used in refrigerators, as the metal is the ideal material for
refrigeration appliances. Its metallurgical characteristics transmit heat rapidly, which
facilitates the cooling process and guarantees highly efficient refrigeration. Modern
refrigerators would not exist as they are today without the lightweight and thermal
conductivity advantages of aluminium.

Surface inspection, Multimodal analysis, Thermography is the common inspection method

used

The Manufacturing Process

Cooling system

 The refrigeration components are attached to the cabinet using screws and clips. The
tubing is soldered together, and a protective coating is sprayed on the joints. The order
of this assembly varies between manufacturers and models. The copper tubing from
which the coils have separately been cut, bent, and soldered is then attached to the
refrigerator as a unit.
 The seal on the refrigerator door is created by means of magnet laden gaskets that are
attached to the doors with screws. Handles and hinges are also screwed onto the door
before its hinges are screwed onto the cabinet. Some adjustment is allowed for proper
operation of the door.

Quality check

First the unit is leak tested with nitrogen. And if it passes, it is charged with refrigerant
and subjected to further testing

INSPECTION OF FINISHED PRODUCTS

As mentioned above, all subassemblies of tubing that will contain refrigerant are
pressure-tested with nitrogen, which will reveal any flaws in the tubing and in the
soldering that joins it. The entire unit is also leak-tested prior to charging with freon.
Once charged, the unit is tested as a whole to ensure that it is capable of reaching
design temperatures including those necessary during the defrost cycle. The unit is
operated with sensors inside that determine the temperature changes over time.
Sometimes the refrigerant pressures are also measured. The unit is then subjected to a
final 'sniff test by a machine that detects refrigerant to ensure that no leaks have
developed during testing