NME1854 & FME2404
January 2000
Page 16
OPERATION: Refrigeration
Beginning at the compressor, 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 the compressor,
where the cycle is repeated.
CONDENSER
FAN
MOTOR
LIQUID LINE
THERMOSTATIC
EXPANSION
VALVE
SUCTION LINE
EVAPORATOR
GEAR
MOTOR
COMPRESSOR
HIGH PRESSURE
CUT OUT SWITCH
DISCHARGE
LINE
Refrigeration Schematic
The following description applies to each of the two separate ice making systems.
