OPERATION: Refrigeration
Beginning at the compressor, the refrigerant is
compressed into a high temperature gas. The
discharge line directs this gas to the condenser. At
the condenser (air or water cooled) the gas is
cooled by either air or water and it then condenses
into a liquid. This high pressure liquid then goes
through the liquid line to the expansion valve.
The thermostatic expansion valve meters liquid
refrigerant into the evaporator, the volume of liquid
refrigerant depending upon the temperature of the
evaporator; warmer evaporators get more
refrigerant and colder evaporators get less.
At the evaporator, the refrigerant enters an area of
relatively low pressure, where it can easily “boil off”
or evaporate. As it evaporates, it absorbs heat
from the evaporator and whatever is in contact with
it (such as the water inside it). After the evaporator,
the refrigerant, now a low pressure vapor, goes
through the suction line back to compressor, where
the cycle is repeated.
NDE554 & NDE654
March 2000
Page 15
CONDENSER
COMPRESSOR
THERMOSTATIC
EXPANSION VALVE
EVAPORATOR
SUCTION LINE
DISCHARGE
LINE
LIQUID LINE
REFRIGERATION
SCHEMATIC
