| Specialization General Hospital | Locality Sinhgad Road |
Ever wonder what exactly goes into those giant refrigerators at the morgue? Well, mortuary chambers use special gasses to quickly cool and preserve human remains. The gasses used depend on a few factors, including cost, environmental impact, and cooling efficiency. If you're curious about the weird science that goes on behind the scenes at the morgue, which gasses mortuary chamber manufacturers rely on to properly preserve and chill the dearly departed before autopsy or burial preparations. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a popular choice for cooling mortuary chambers. CO2 is colorless, odorless, and non-flammable, making it a safe and effective refrigerant gas. CO2 works by absorbing heat from the chamber as it evaporates and expands into a gas. This process, known as the Joule-Thomson effect, can lower temperatures to around -110 F, ideal for preserving human remains. The big advantage of CO2 is that it s a natural refrigerant, so it has minimal environmental impact. To operate a CO2 refrigeration system, compressed CO2 gas is released from pressurized tanks into the chamber. As the CO2 expands, it absorbs heat from the air and any objects inside the room. Fans then circulate the chilled air to maintain an even temperature throughout the chamber.
Refrigerants: Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and Hydrocarbons (HCs)
The two most common refrigerants used in mortuary chambers are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrocarbons (HCs). HFCs, like R-134a and R-410A, are synthetic refrigerants that replaced CFCs. They are non-flammable, odorless, and chemically stable. HCs, such as propane and isobutane, are naturally occurring refrigerants. They are also non-toxic but highly flammable, so proper safety precautions must be followed.
Mortuary chamber manufacturers choose between HFCs and HCs based on performance, safety, and environmental impact. HFCs typically have a higher cooling capacity than HCs, allowing for lower charge levels. However, HFCs are potent greenhouse gases with high global warming potential. Many countries are phasing down HFCs under the Montreal Protocol.