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.
LIQUID LINE
SUCTION LINE
THERMOSTATIC
EXPANSION VALVE
EVAPORATOR
COMPRESSOR
FAN MOTOR
CONDENSER
REFRIGERATION SCHEMATIC
(AIR COOLED SHOWN)
DISCHARGE
LINE
NDE750
December 1993
Page 13
