RETA CARO study plan

RETA CARO · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Industrial Refrigeration I

Map the refrigeration cycle and label each component's function from memory on a blank diagram
Define pressure, temperature, enthalpy, and heat in your own words with units
Trace refrigerant state (pressure, temperature, phase) at six points around a simple system
Identify the four core components and state the purpose of each

One-page hand-drawn system diagram with all six state points annotated and a component-function table

Week 2

Explain the function of each major component: compressor, condenser, evaporator, expansion device
Compare reciprocating, screw, and rotary compressors on application and operating characteristics
Describe condenser types (air-cooled, evaporative, water-cooled) and when each is used
List the safety devices and controls found on an industrial system and state what each protects

Written comparison table of compressor and condenser types with at least three selection criteria

Week 3

Interpret a pressure-enthalpy diagram and locate the four cycle processes on it
Calculate superheat and subcooling from given pressure and temperature values
Explain why superheat at the compressor suction and subcooling at the condenser outlet matter
Practice five numerical superheat/subcooling problems and check each answer

Worked problem set of five superheat/subcooling calculations with a labeled P-H sketch

Week 4

Describe the function of oil in a refrigeration system and how oil return is managed
Explain defrost methods and when each is appropriate
Summarize refrigerant charging, evacuation, and leak-checking procedures
Identify common operating faults and the symptom each produces

Troubleshooting matrix mapping at least eight symptoms to likely causes and first checks

Week 5

State the health hazards of ammonia exposure and the exposure limits you must know
Describe required personal protective equipment for ammonia work and when each item is worn
Explain the properties of ammonia that drive its safety rules (toxicity, flammability limits, odor threshold)
Outline first-aid and emergency response steps for ammonia exposure

Ammonia hazard and PPE reference sheet with exposure limits and first-aid steps

Week 6

Identify the major safety devices on an ammonia system and state what each protects against
Explain the purpose and operation of relief valves, rupture discs, and their piping
Describe ventilation, detection, and alarm requirements for a machinery room
Summarize inspection and maintenance practices that keep an ammonia plant safe

Annotated list of ammonia safety devices with function, setpoint concept, and inspection interval

Week 7

Walk through a mock ammonia release scenario from detection to all-clear
Connect system components from Domain 1 to the ammonia safety devices that protect them
Answer 40 mixed practice questions across both domains and log every miss by cause
Re-teach your two weakest topics aloud without notes

Incident-response walkthrough outline plus a scored 40-question practice log with error analysis

Week 8

Take two timed full-length practice exams and record scores by domain
Review every missed question and write the correct reasoning for each
Drill the highest-frequency facts (limits, device functions, cycle states) until recall is automatic
Build a one-page final review sheet you can reread the morning of the exam

Two timed practice scores plus a one-page final review sheet

Week 2: Draw and label the full refrigeration cycle from memory with all component functions correct

Week 4: Score at least 80% on a 20-question Domain 1 self-test and solve all five superheat/subcooling problems correctly

Week 6: Recite ammonia exposure limits, PPE requirements, and the function of each major safety device without notes

Week 8: Achieve 80% or higher on both timed mixed practice exams, with no domain below 75%