Refrigeration, when reduced to its simplest meaning, is the removal of heat from an enclosed area and transferring it to a different space. Doing this would lower the temperature in the area where the heat was taken from. Cooling, a major part of refrigeration, is generally referred to as either a natural or artificial way of dissipating heat. The artificial process is what is referred to as cryogenics. Cold is merely the non-presence of heat so in order to make a material or space cold, the heat must be vacuumed from it.

Refrigeration processes has gone a long way since its conception in 1700's. The very first refrigeration method that was demonstrated was the creation of William Cullen at Scotland in the University of Glasgow. Cullen's creation showed the potential of refrigeration during his time but people did not perceive its importance then.

By the 1800's, Michael Faraday has designed a gas-ammonia-to be liquefied and used in making things cold. This is accomplished with the application of low temperatures and high pressure. Technically, ammonia refrigeration has been born then but it wasn't until 1842 that the first ever system for refrigeration has been produced. This feat came about because of John Gorrie, an American physician.

With the precise application of refrigeration engineering (all based on heat transfer), modern man has enjoyed the benefits of having a cold space or cold box where he could store his food and beverages. But this is looking only at the basic use of refrigeration. There is more to this engineering than simply providing a glass of cold water. In fact, refrigeration is now on a much larger scale (there are now industries that thrive on the design, installation and maintenance of industrial refrigeration systems).

The development of refrigerants such as chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons has paved the way for the commercialization of refrigeration. Since then, refrigeration has been applied to air conditioning units; systems used by food processing companies (dairy products, poultry, meat, and fish products that need constant refrigeration); even breweries. Beyond simple processes, refrigeration can also be used for the complex purification of compression of air; for low temperature maintenance in oil refineries, petrochemical and chemical plants. All these complex processes are made possible with what's referred to as industrial refrigeration.

Without refrigeration, people nowadays would not be able to enjoy the simple luxuries of life such as ice-cold soda; safe sushi; many dairy products; cold cuts; even air-conditioned rooms; and some recreational activities such as ice skating. And without these simple pleasures, what do you think would our world be like?