Mechanical refrigeration is accomplished by continuously circulating, evaporating, and condensing a fixed supply of refrigerant in a closed system. Evaporation occurs at a low temperature and low pressure while condensation occurs at a high temperature and high pressure. Thus, it is possible to transfer heat from an area of low temperature (i.e., refrigerator cabinet) to an area of high temperature (i.e., kitchen).
Referring to the illustration below, beginning the cycle at the evaporator inlet (1), the low-pressure liquid expands, absorbs heat, and evaporates, changing to a low-pressure gas at the evaporator outlet (2).
The compressor (4) pumps this gas from the evaporator through the accumulator (3), increases its pressure, and discharges the high-pressure gas to the condenser (5). The accumulator is designed to protect the compressor by preventing slugs of liquid refrigerant from passing directly into the compressor. An accumulator should be included on all systems subjected to varying load conditions or frequent compressor cycling. In the condenser, heat is removed from the gas, which then condenses and becomes a high-pressure liquid. In some systems, this high-pressure liquid drains from the condenser into a liquid storage or receiver tank (6). On other systems, both the receiver and the liquid line valve (7) are omitted.
A heat exchanger (8) between the liquid line and the suction line is also an optional item, which may or may not be included in a given system design.
Did you enjoy this article?
Click here to subscribe to the magazine.
