OPERATION: Refrigeration
Beginning at the compressor, the refrigerant
502 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.
AIR COOLED
CONDENSER
DISCHARGE
LINE
FAN MOTOR
LIQUID LINE
COMPRESSOR
EVAPORATOR
THERMOSTATIC
EXPANSION
VALVE
SUCTION LINE
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM SCHEMATIC
FM1500
February, 1989
Page 15