Calcium chloride (CaCl2) is used only in commercial refrigeration plants. Calcium chloride is used as a simple carrying
medium for refrigeration.
Brine systems are used in large installations where there is danger of leakage. They are used also where the temperature fluctuates in the space to be refrigerated. Brine is cooled down by the direct expansion of the refrigerant. It is then pumped through the material or space to be cooled. Here, it absorbs sensible heat.
Most modern plants operate with the brine at low temperature. This permits the use of less brine, less piping or smaller diameter pipe, and smaller pumps. It also lowers pumping costs. Instead of cooling a large volume of brine to a given temperature, the same number of refrigeration units are used to cool a smaller volume of brine to a lower temperature.
This results in greater economy. The use of extremely low-freezing brine, such as calcium chloride, is desirable in the case of the shell-type cooler. Salt brine with a minimum possible freezing point of ?6°F (?21°C) may solidify under excess vacuum on the cold side of the refrigerating unit. This can cause considerable damage and loss of operating time. There are some cases, in which the cooler has been ruined.
