Temperature

Temperature is the scale used to measure the intensity of heat, the indicator
that determines which way the heat energy will move. In the United States,
temperature is normally measured in degrees Fahrenheit, but the Centigrade
scale (sometimes termed Celsius) is widely used in other parts of the world.
Both scales have two basic points in common, the freezing point of water, and
the boiling point of water at sea level. Water freezes at 32° F. and O° C., and
water boils at sea level at 212° F. and 100° C (see Figure 6). A boiling
temperature of water B standard conditions temperature C freezing temperature
of water D temperature range for refrigerator E range of evaporator
temperature for food F temperature range for freezer G absolute zero
Figure 6. Comparison of Celsius and Fahrenheit thermometer scales
Absolute Temperature
Absolute temperature or absolute zero is the term used by scientist to describe
the lowest theoretical temperature at which no heat exists, which is
approximately 460 degrees below zero Fahrenheit or 273 degrees below zero
Celsius.
Two absolute temperature scales are used with very low temperature work such
as cryogenics. These two scales are Rankine (Fahrenheit Absolute) scale and
Kelvin (Celsius Absolute) scale.
Temperature Conversion Formula
It is sometimes necessary to convert a temperature from one scale to another.
Formulas have been developed for this:
°C = temperature in degrees Celsius
°F = temperature in degrees Fahrenheit
°K = temperature in degrees Kelvin
°R = temperature in degrees Rankine
To convert °C to °F, °F = (9/5 x °C) + 32
To convert °F to °C, °C = 5/9 x (°F – 32)
To convert °F to °R, °R = °F + 460
To convert °R to °F, °F = °R - 460
To convert °C to °K, °K = °C + 273
To convert °K to °C, °C = °K – 273
Pressure
Pressure is the force per unit area, and it is expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi). It is also expressed in pascals (Pa) or kilopascals (kPa).
The refrigerant pressure inside a refrigeration system is very important because
it determines the evaporating and condensing temperature for each pressure.
This is one of the basic principles used in refrigeration work. These are three
pressures that are dealt with constantly in working on these systems:
Atmospheric Pressure
The atmosphere surrounding the earth is composed of gases, primarily oxygen
and nitrogen, extending many miles above the surface of the earth (see Figure
7). The weight of that atmosphere pressing down on the earth creates the
atmospheric pressure in which we live. At a given point, the atmospheric
pressure is relatively constant except for minor changes due to changing
weather conditions. As a basic reference for comparison, the atmospheric
pressure at sea level has been universally accepted as being 14.7 psi.
Figure 7. Atmospheric pressure at sea level
Absolute Pressure
The pressure measured from a perfect vacuum is called absolute pressure.
Absolute pressure is normally expressed in terms of pound per square inch
absolute (psia). Absolute pressure is equal to gauge pressure plus atmospheric
pressure.
Gauge Pressure
The reading obtained from a gauge not connected to a source of pressure is known as gauge
pressure. This pressure is commonly referred to as zero psig (pounds per square inch gauge).
Pressures below zero psig are negative gauge readings and are commonly referred to as inches of
vacuum or inches of mercury (see Figure 8).