
Can the evaporator and condenser house liquid and vapor refrigerant?
Both the evaporator and condenser house liquid and vapor refrigerant simultaneously if the system is operating properly. So, refrigerant liquid and vapor can exist in either high- or low-pressure sides on the refrigeration system. Along with refrigerant pressures and states, there are refrigerant conditions.
Why does the state of the refrigerant in the evaporator coils change?
Changing the state of the refrigerant in the evaporator coils is as important as the air flow over the coils. Liquid refrigerant supplied to the coils by the expansion valve expands to a vapor as it absorbs heat from the air. Some liquid refrigerant must be supplied throughout the total length of the evaporator coils for full capacity.
What is the function of the evaporator in a refrigerator?
At the evaporator outlet, the refrigerant in the vapour state at low pressure (LP) is drawn in by the compressor, and is compressed to a high pressure (HP). The effect of this compression is to simultaneously increase the temperature and pressure of the vapour that is discharged towards the condenser.
Is refrigerant a vapor or a liquid?
Modern refrigerants exist in either the vapor or liquid states. Refrigerants have such a low freezing point that they are rarely in the frozen or solid state. Refrigerants can coexist as a vapor and liquid as long as conditions are right.

What state is refrigerant in the evaporator high pressure?
Refrigerant enters the condenser as high pressure, high temperature vapor. It cools as it the coils come in contact with outside air, cooling into a liquid. So in the condenser, there is both vapor and liquid. In the metering device, refrigerant is fully liquid as it changes from high to low pressure liquid.
What is the state of refrigerant?
Modern refrigerants exist in either the vapor or liquid states. Refrigerants have such a low freezing point that they are rarely in the frozen or solid state. Refrigerants can coexist as a vapor and liquid as long as conditions are right.
What state is the refrigerant in the condenser?
The condenser removes heat from the hot refrigerant vapor gas vapor until it condenses into a saturated liquid state, a.k.a. condensation. After condensing, the refrigerant is a high-pressure, low-temperature liquid, at which point it's routed to the loop's expansion device.
Is refrigerant liquid or gas?
Refrigerant is a liquid chemical that has an amazing ability to absorb heat once converted from a gas to a liquid state. When the refrigerant changes from one state to another through pressurization and compression, it can then absorb the heat inside your home and expel it outside.
What type of gas is refrigerant?
Traditionally, fluorocarbons, especially chlorofluorocarbons, were used as refrigerants but they are being phased out because of their ozone depletion effects. Other refrigerants include ammonia, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and non-halogenated hydrocarbons such as methane.
What must be the state of refrigerant entering the compressor?
Circulating refrigerant enters the compressor in the thermodynamic state known as a saturated vapor and is compressed to a higher pressure, resulting in a higher temperature as well.
What is meant by refrigerant?
A refrigerant is a working fluid used in the refrigeration cycle of air conditioning systems and heat pumps where in most cases they undergo a repeated phase transition from a liquid to a gas and back again.
Why is refrigerant pressurized?
Compressor To make sure this is possible, the refrigerant is compressed so that the temperature increases. That way when the refrigerant reaches the condenser, the refrigerant within the pipe will be hotter than the air on the outside of the pipe, so it will be able to dump the heat.
Why does refrigerant need to change states?
Coolant gases have the capacity to draw in heat from the surrounding environment. When used in a mechanical refrigeration system, a source of energy, usually electricity, is used to force the gas to change state. This change in state affects the air surrounding the gas.
What happens when refrigerant flows through the evaporator?
What Happens as Refrigerant Flows Through the Evaporator? When refrigerant flows into a direct exchange evaporator, it is mostly saturated liquid, with some vapor. As refrigerant travels through the evaporator, it absorbs heat from the air. As it absorbs heat, it vaporizes.
How does refrigerant travel through an evaporator?
As refrigerant travels through the evaporator, it absorbs heat from the air. As it absorbs heat, it vaporizes. If the system operates according to design, the refrigerant will be 100% vapor as it nears the exit of the evaporator. Before leaving the evaporator, the vapor continues absorbing heat, becoming superheated.
Why is my evaporator fan low?
An inoperable evaporator fan motor could also cause the low air flow. Another cause is a metering device that is dirty, defective, or out of adjustment. If a metering device feeds either too little or too much refrigerant into the evaporator, improper superheat values will result.
What is the process of a liquid refrigerant changing to a vapor at a constant temperature?
The heat energy that causes a liquid refrigerant to change to a vapor at a constant saturation temperature for a given pressure is referred to as a latent heat process. Latent heat is heat energy that causes a change in phase of a substance without a change in the temperature of the substance.
What is evaporating pressure?
The evaporating pressure is the pressure at which the refrigerant is phase changing from a liquid to a vapor. This phase change is referred to as evaporation or vaporizing, thus the term evaporating pressure. A pressure gauge placed anywhere between the metering device outlet and the compressor will read the evaporating pressure. Again, negligible pressure drops are assumed.
What is the difference between condensing and evaporating pressure?
Here is a summary of some of the definitions used in this column. Condensing pressure: The pressure at which the refrigerant is phase changing from a vapor to a liquid. Evaporating pressure: The pressure at which the refrigerant is phase changing from a liquid to a vapor.
What happens when liquid and vapor are saturated?
Any time there is saturated liquid and vapor together, as in the condenser and evaporator, there will be vapor pressure present. Vapor pressure acts equally in all directions and affects the entire low or high side of a refrigeration system. As pressure increases, saturation temperature increases.
What is condensing pressure?
The condensing pressure is the pressure at which the refrigerant is phase changing from a vapor to a liquid. This phase change is referred to as condensation. Thus the term condensing pressure. This pressure can be read directly from a pressure gauge connected anywhere between the compressor's discharge valve and the entrance to the metering device, assuming that there is negligible pressure drop.
What happens when you raise the temperature of a saturated liquid?
In fact, if one attempts to raise the temperature of a saturated liquid above its saturation temperature, vaporization of the liquid will occur. If one attempts to lower the temperature of a saturated vapor below its saturation temperature, condensation will occur. Both vaporization and condensation occur in the evaporator ...
What is the process of changing a liquid to a vapor?
The heat energy that causes a liquid refrigerant to change to a vapor at a constant saturation temperature for a given pressure is referred to as a latent heat process . Latent heat is heat energy that causes a change in phase of a substance without a change in the temperature of the substance. Phase changes go from liquid to vapor, or from vapor to liquid.
Vapor and Gas Refrigeration Cycles
Commercial and household refrigeration technology essentially developed together, because commercial refrigeration in shops and supermarkets requires the same basic technological advances as household refrigerators. Also, once frozen or chilled food products were purchased by the consumer, similar refrigeration needs were created in the home. Thus.
Heat transfer––a review of 2001 literature
R.J Goldstein, ... S Garrick, in International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2003
Technology development in the solar adsorption refrigeration systems
K. Sumathy, ... Li Yong, in Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 2003
Multi-temperature heat pumps: A literature review
Cordin Arpagaus, ... Stefan S. Bertsch, in International Journal of Refrigeration, 2016
A critical review on application of solar energy as renewable regeneration heat source in solid desiccant – vapor compression hybrid cooling system
D.B. Jani, ... Pradeep Kumar Sahoo, in Journal of Building Engineering, 2018
What happens when liquid refrigerant reaches the evaporator?
When the liquid refrigerant reaches the evaporator its pressure has been reduced, dissipating its heat content and making it much cooler than the fan air flowing around it. This causes the refrigerant to absorb heat from the warm air and reach its low boiling point rapidly. The refrigerant then vaporizes, absorbing the maximum amount of heat.
Why is changing the state of the refrigerant in the evaporator coils important?
Changing the state of the refrigerant in the evaporator coils is as important as the air flow over the coils. Liquid refrigerant supplied to the coils by the expansion valve expands to a vapor as it absorbs heat from the air. Some liquid refrigerant must be supplied throughout the total length of the evaporator coils for full capacity.
How to get cold air temperature from evaporator?
For the coldest air temperature from the evaporator, operate the blower fan at the lowest speed so the heat will be absorbed by the refrigerant from the air
How does a refrigerant vaporize?
The refrigerant then vaporizes, absorbing the maximum amount of heat. This heat is then carried by the refrigerant from the evaporator as a low-pressure gas through a hose or line to the low side of the compressor, where the whole refrigeration cycle is repeated.
What is flooded evaporator?
A flooded evaporator is the opposite of the starved coil. Too much refrigerant is passed through the evaporator coils, resulting in unexpanded liquid passing onto the suction line and into the compressor. Part Identification - Evaporator.
What does a high heat load do to a refrigerant?
A high heat load, as is generally encountered when the system is turned on, will allow rapid heat transfer between the air and the cooler refrigerant. A blower fan turned on to its highest speed will deliver the most air across the fins and coils for rapid evaporation. For the coldest air temperature from the evaporator, ...
What is the difference between a condenser and an evaporator?
The only differences between the diagram for the condenser and that of the evaporator are the ends of the tubing. So, to avoid confusion, we draw the condenser with rectangular ends, and the evaporator with circular ends.
What happens to the R22 at the evaporator outlet?
At the evaporator outlet, the R22 in the vapour state and at low pressure is drawn in by the compressor. Compression then simultaneously increases the pressure and the temperature of the vapour.
Why does the R22 vaporize?
The R22 absorbs heat from the food, and this heat causes it to vaporise (this is the latent heat of evaporation). This is why the R22 evaporates, and simultaneously cools the interior of the refrigerator.
What is the effect of LP compression on an evaporator?
The effect of this compression is to simultaneously increase the temperature and pressure of the vapour that is discharged towards the condenser.
Why does a radiator heat up at 60°C?
The filament of the light bulb at 2000°C won’t heat up a room, but a radiator at 60°C will heat it adequately, simply because its exchange surface in contact with the air around it is so much larger!
Where does heat transfer take place?
Heat transfer always takes place from the hotter body to the colder, that is, from the refrigerant to the ambient.
How long can a refrigerator run without maintenance?
This is why some refrigerators can operate for more than thirty years without any maintenance of their refrigeration system.
How many types of refrigerator evaporators are there?
When you think about the different construction types of refrigerator evaporators, you’ll find three construction types. Let’s take a closer look at each type.
What is the function of an evaporator in a refrigerator?
The basic function of a refrigerator evaporator is to remove heat from the air, water, and other items inside the refrigerator. The refrigerator evaporator acts as a heat exchanger, which aids in transferring heat from items and making it cool.
How to clean a refrigerator with a evaporator coil?
Set the thermostat to zero and then unplug the unit. Open the doors to let warm air circulate in both the refrigerator and freezer. Dry the inside of the refrigerator and wipe off the refrigerator evaporator coils too.
Why do refrigerators not need manual defrosting?
Most of the newer refrigerators don’t require manual defrosting because they have automatic defrosting systems that reduce the frost build up on the refrigerator evaporator.
How does a refrigerator work?
How a Refrigerator Works. The refrigerator evaporator is one part of the refrigeration cycle that makes the inside of your refrigerator cold. After the refrigerant gas has gone through the condenser coils located at the back of the refrigerator, it starts to cool down and turn into a liquid. It’s at this liquid stage that ...
Why is an evaporator important?
What Is a Refrigerator Evaporator; Why Is It Important? When it comes down to the refrigerator system, the refrigerator evaporator plays a big role in refrigerator cooling. A refrigerator evaporator works alongside other refrigerator system components, such as the compressor, expansion device, and condenser. The basic function of ...
What is the expansion valve in a refrigerator?
The expansion valve controls the amount of cooled refrigerant gas that’s released into the refrigerator evaporator. As that gas enters the refrigerator evaporator, it’s pulled forward by the air pressure that’s created by the compressor on the opposite side. During this process, the refrigerant absorbs heat found by the evaporator, ...
What part of the refrigeration system evaporates liquid?
One such part is the evaporator and as the name suggests, you guessed it right, it evaporates the liquid. If the compressor is the heart of the refrigeration system, then the evaporator is its lung.
What are Evaporators in AC & Refrigeration?
Let’s try to understand the basics of evaporators! Refrigeration and air conditioning have become an important part of our daily life.
What is the purpose of a refrigeration system?
Its purpose is to accept low pressure and low temperature refrigerant which has come from expansion valve and to bring it in contact with the substance which is to be cooled that is a load on the system.
What are the main components of a refrigeration cycle?
we have already learned that there are 4 important components, compressor, condenser, expansion device, and evaporator.
What does a refrigerant absorb?
It absorbs the latent heat from the load and refrigerant gets heats up and as a result, it leaves in form of vapor in outlet of the evaporator.
How does a compressor cool down?
The compressor compresses refrigerant, in this process it gets heat up due to increasing pressure and it gets superheated, so it has to be cooled by passing through the condenser.
What is the most common type of heat exchanger?
Shell and tube are the most common one. As the name suggests, shell and tube is the most common type of heat exchangers. Mostly used as chillers. A primary aim is to achieve heat transfer in close circuit and recirculation mode.
