What is a refrigeration system that cools another refrigeration system commonly referred to as?

A refrigeration system that cools another refrigeration system is commonly referred to as a cascade system. In cascade refrigeration systems, two or more refrigeration cycles are utilized in series, with one system cooling the refrigerant of the next system. This is particularly effective for achieving very low temperatures, as the first stage can bring the temperature down to a moderate level before the second stage takes it even lower.

The cascade setup utilizes the unique properties of different refrigerants. The first stage might use a refrigerant with a suitable boiling point for initial cooling, while the second stage employs a different refrigerant optimized for lower temperatures. This method enhances efficiency by allowing each system to operate within its optimal range, thus improving overall performance.

This design is particularly beneficial in applications requiring low-temperature cooling, such as in laboratories, certain industrial processes, or in the food preservation industry, where maintaining very low temperatures is critical for product quality.

Other options like the piggyback and twin system refer to different configurations that aren't specifically structured for cooling another refrigeration system. Parallel systems typically involve multiple units working together to maintain a common temperature but do not specifically imply that one system cools another. This contextual understanding helps clarify why cascade systems are specifically termed in relation to their operational structure and purpose.