5. Glossary

Cycle frigorifique; refrigeration cycle

The refrigeration cycle is a thermodynamic cycle that lowers the temperature of a relatively cold medium (the cold source) and simultaneously raises the temperature of another relatively hot medium (the hot source) by expending mechanical energy (compression/expansion cycle). A fluid is used in the refrigeration cycle to dissipate the heat recovered. To save energy, this fluid circulates in a loop in the refrigeration cycle.

Fluide réfrigérant ou frigorigène; refrigerant/working fluid

The refrigerant is one of the essential components of the refrigeration cycle, since it is the refrigerant that makes it possible. It is a fluid or a mixture of fluids with specific thermodynamic properties that enable it to exploit a compression/expansion cycle to transfer heat.