Enhancing Process Safety in Ammonia-Based Refrigeration for The Food Industry: A Mini Review

Muhammad Najib Jaafar; Masli Irwan Rosli; Darman Nordin; Hafizul Fahri Hanafi

doi:10.58915/aset.v5i1.2948

Authors

Muhammad Najib Jaafar Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Masli Irwan Rosli Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Darman Nordin Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Hafizul Fahri Hanafi Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58915/aset.v5i1.2948

Keywords:

Ammonia refrigeration, Operational efficiency, risk management, safety enhancements, Food industry

Abstract

This mini-review evaluates sustainable technological strategies to enhance process safety and environmental performance in ammonia-based refrigeration systems in the food industry. Ammonia has zero ozone-depletion potential (ODP) and negligible global warming potential (GWP ≈ 0), supporting climate mitigation objectives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9, 12, and 13. However, its toxicity and flammability present occupational and environmental risks that require integrated engineering and digital safety controls. A structured review of 1,568 peer-reviewed publications from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted, but only 32 publications met the criterion for empirical and review articles on enhancing process safety in ammonia-based refrigeration for the food industry. The findings indicate that IoT-enabled monitoring, real-time gas detection, automated shutdown systems, and predictive maintenance analytics reduce the likelihood of leaks, energy intensity, and operational disruptions. Low-charge ammonia systems, secondary loop configurations, and hybrid refrigeration architectures further minimize refrigerant inventory and potential Scope 1 emission exposure. Despite measurable progress, implementation barriers persist, including capital investment constraints, fragmented regulatory frameworks, and limited Environmental, Social, and Governance-based safety performance metrics. Advancing sustainable refrigeration requires harmonized standards, digitized risk governance, and quantifiable carbon-reduction indicators to achieve resilient, climate-aligned food production systems.

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