Refrigeration Cycle Basics

Refrigeration Cycle: The basic principle of all modern refrigeration methods is heat exchange or evaporation. Heat exchanges take place between solids and liquids when temperature difference exists between them. Thermodynamic heat pumps, also called closed-cycle refrigeration cycles or closed-cycle systems are the mathematical and conceptual models for refrigeration, air-conditioning and heating systems. A heat pump is an external mechanical device that enables for the transportation of heat from a lower region to a higher region at a lower temperature.

This process creates a low pressure area where cold air can rise to while hot air is pushed down. In the outdoor air conditioner, this process occurs at the expansion device's intake manifold. A fan in the intake manifold draws hot air outside the compressor while cold air enters the compressor in the form of exhaust gas. The expansion device allows for continual cycle of expansion and cooling, which is essential for indoor refrigeration cycle.

In the case of the outdoor air conditioner, a fan draws the warm air outside while the cold air enters the indoor refrigeration cycle inside the house. It is very difficult to maintain an outdoor air conditioner with the coldest outside air coming in one place and the hottest coming in another place since the refrigerant is condensed. It would be extremely difficult to push cool air into the house.

To manage this condition, a HVAC technician should introduce a secondary refrigeration cycle by using the water-oil-air mixture. This system works by allowing the oil to absorb the water vapor before it is sent through the heat exchanger and evaporator to the condenser where it is condensing again. Once the condenser evaporates, the cold water is collected in the submersible pipes leading to the compressor. The compressed water is then released to the outdoor chillers and to the indoor spaces. To learn more information about refrigeration cycle visit this link: https://www.hvacknowitall.com/blogs/blog/595767-the-refrigeration-cycle-explained.

For the air conditioner, this process is called phase conversion or thermal ventilation. In the HVAC, the cold liquid is allowed to enter and then the heated liquid passes through a second pressure regulator, resulting in different pressures resulting from the different temperatures of the heated liquids. The cool liquid then enters the condensing region. This continues until the pressure is equalized between the cold and the heated liquids. Once the pressure is equalized, the liquids are returned to their normal places and the cycle is repeated. If you want to know more about this topic, then click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refrigeration#Methods_of_refrigeration. 

This process of condensation cooling is also used to store heat from the hot water tanks. Cold liquid takes all the heat from the water and expands it until the air in the tank reaches a freezing point. Once the temperature reaches its freezing point, the heating system kicks in. This condensation cooling process of refrigeration cycle is also used to retain heat in hot water tanks and to reduce the amount of heating that takes place in rooms with tall windows or in heating systems installed in buildings.

Thermodynamic, or thermal, heat pumps are the mathematical and conceptual models for refrigeration, air conditioning and refrigeration cycles. A heat pump is an air-source machine which enables for the transportation of heat from a lower temperature to a higher one at a lower temperature. The process is conceptually simple - the cooler refrigerant gas is drawn into the condenser at low pressure and warmed up before being pushed out to the evaporator core at high pressure. The high pressure and high temperature of the evaporator result in enthalpy, or internal thermal energy of the refrigerant gas that is used by the condensing refrigerant to produce heat. Check out this related post to get more enlightened on the topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refrigeration.

This is basically how a thermodynamic system works. However, it has a number of twists, and there are six main factors to consider which make the thermodynamic refrigeration cycle unique from other forms of refrigeration. The first of these is that the liquid refrigerant is heated in the compressor before entering the condenser. This makes it distinctively different from the compressors of the past whose only job was to generate static heat in one place, such as inside a water heater.

Another twist in the thermodynamic refrigeration cycle is the presence of an expansion valve. The expansion valve is used to control the internal pressure. It does this by opening and closing a ring like a tire valve on the pipe connecting the pressure relief to the expansion valve. When the pressure reaches a preset point, the valve will close so that the expansion valve will let the refrigerant gas to escape to the lower pressure area. When the pressure is returning to its original level, the expansion valve will open to allow the refrigerants into the evaporator core.

There are several other factors affecting the thermodynamics of the refrigeration cycle. For example, the size and type of the compressor to determine the rate of which heat is produced, as well as the speed at which the warm air is moved into the condenser. In turn, this affects the speed at which cold air is pushed out of the condenser into the evaporator. Also, some types of compressors require the addition of an anti-freezing component to prevent condensation between the cooling fan and the compressor's expansion valve. Other components such as chillers may utilize the same principles of refrigeration to move heat away from the condenser before the warmed air enters the compressor to be cooled.

A qualified HVAC technician should be able to explain to you the function of the various components and the way each one works. You should also be able to get a clear explanation of the benefits and drawbacks of each refrigeration cycle. If you visit a HVAC service facility, you can expect an experienced technician to be on hand to help you with this process. Having a knowledgeable technician available during your air conditioning repair or maintenance visit will help make things go smoothly.

The most efficient refrigeration cycle begins before the compressor starts up. The compressor is designed to cool during startup, and it is important that the conditioner does not run until the compressor has warmed up sufficiently. Otherwise, the compressor may have problems starting up when you need it to work and will waste energy. On the other hand, the conditioner should run until the compressor is ready to cool down.

There are four main concepts to understanding refrigeration cycle. These concepts are the physical process, the physical laws, processes required and efficiency of systems. Thermodynamic heat transfer cycles or refrigeration cycle are the mathematical and conceptual models for refrigeration, air conditioning and heating systems. A heat pump is an energy-efficient mechanical device that enables for the transportation of heat from one place in a lower temperature to an area in a higher temperature very quickly and effectively.

There are three primary components of a refrigeration cycle. There are the primary refrigeration unit, the expansion valve and the condenser. All three need to work together to maintain temperatures and to provide the necessary controlled circulation for the gas flow. Without these three important components, there would be no effective refrigeration cycle and consequently no efficient system.

The most important part of the refrigeration cycle is the expansion device or compressor. This is the part of the system that moves heat from outside to the indoor area of the system. The expansion valve also serves as the conduit to the outside atmosphere to make the transition from outdoor temperatures to indoor temperatures. There are four different types of expansion valves and the one used will depend on the area of the space it is located in and the pressures and volumes required.

A condenser is another important part of the refrigeration cycle. This part consists of many individual compartments within a closed system. The compressor uses refrigerant gas to drive a fan to circulate the gases inside the condenser. When refrigerant is sprayed into the evaporator coils, hot water is created which is then released into the condenser coils. This hot water is then used to drive a compressor that raises the refrigerant gas pressure to the desired temperature. The result is an increase in refrigerant and an increase in gas pressure.

The last part of the refrigeration cycle is the chillers. Chilled air is then pumped through the chiller where it is then compressed. As the refrigerant is compressed, the cold air is then pushed back into the compressor, cooling it even more. This process keeps continuous cycles going, thus cooling any area that needs it most. Check out this post that has expounded on the topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refrigeration#Methods_of_refrigeration.

The refrigeration cycle may seem complicated, but the end results are very rewarding. The more the system cools off the less energy it takes to keep the entire place cool. The less energy it takes to cool one place, the more there is available for use in other areas. This means money saved and less energy consumption. Additionally, it causes for less waste which contributes to a cleaner environment.