LEARNING OBJECTIVES Upon completing this module you will be able to:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Identify the four major refrigeration components. Identify the high and low sides of the system. Define the difference between air conditioning and refrigeration. Differentiate between 'split systems' and 'package systems.' Trace the refrigeration cycle. Describe some of today's current issues regarding air conditioning--industry concerns and future modifications.

REFRIGERATION FUNDAMENTALS TERMINOLOGY Refrigeration is a process of removing heat from a material or its content and transferring this heat to a place where it makes no difference.

Evaporation is the term used when enough heat is added to a liquid substance to cause it to change into a vapor (gas).

At sea level, water boils and vapor (steam) is given off at a sensible temperature of 212 F. Although evaporation is the term of choice when describing a change of state, we will use the terms "boil" and "evaporation" interchangeably.

Condensation is the term used to describe the opposite of the evaporation process. If enough heat quantity is removed from the vapor or gas, a change of state occurs. The vapor becomes a liquid. The change of vapor to a liquid is called condensation. Freezing is another change of state. If additional heat' is removed from, a liquid, it will become a solid. Specific Heat is the amount of heat required to change the temperature of a substance 1 0F without causing a change of state. The specific heat of, water is the standard used in comparisons. Water has different specific heats depending on, its state. Ice has a specific heat of .5 BTU per degree. Liquid has a specific heat of 1 BTU per degree.

Water vapor has a specific heat of .5 BTU per degree. Other substances have different specific heats.

Latent Heat is the heat required to cause a change of state. The term latent means "hidden" and latent heat is "hidden heat" since it cannot be measured by a thermometer. The heat absorbed while water is boiling is called the "Latent Heat of Evaporation." The heat released during condensation is called the " Latent Heat of Condensation."
SYSTEM COMPONENTS, ACCESSORIES and TEST INSTRUMENTS
Page 8 of 8

Academic Year 2004 2005, Semester 2 Prepared By: Nolasco K. Malabago, Ph.D

While water is absorbing or releasing heat, there is no change in sensible temperature occurs. In other words, as long as water is boiling, both the liquid and the vapor given off are at the same temperature (212 0F). Regardless of how much heat is added, the temperature of the liquid never rises above its boiling point. The quantity of heat increases but the intensity of heat remains the same. Likewise, when the vapor is condensing, no change in temperature occurs.

THE REFRIGERATION CYCLE

1. 2.

The compressor and metering device set up the pressure differences required to first boil (evaporate) the refrigerant and then condense it. As cool, high pressure liquid enters the evaporator, the low pressure in the evaporator coil reduces the boiling point of the refrigerant and causes it to boil violently. As it boils, the refrigerant absorbs the heat necessary to change its state from a liquid to a vapor. The compressor draws the heated vapor from the evaporator and pushes it into the condenser under high pressure. Because the vapor enters the condenser at a faster rate than the metering device allows it to exit, pressure builds up and the vapor molecules are pushed closer together. Condensation of the vapor occurs. As the vapor condenses, the heat that was absorbed during evaporation is given off. The cool, high pressure liquid travels through the metering device and enters the evaporator where the liquid once again boils and the cycle is repeated.

3.

4.

REFRIGERATION SYSTEM COMPONENTS

SYSTEM COMPONENTS, ACCESSORIES and TEST INSTRUMENTS
Page 8 of 8

Academic Year 2004 2005, Semester 2 Prepared By: Nolasco K. Malabago, Ph.D

In a refrigeration system, there are devices used to set up the pressure differentials needed for evaporation and condensation.
The compressor squeezes the gas molecules of the refrigerant together, increasing the pressure of the gas. This high pressure pushes the gas into the condensing coil. The condenser is nothing more than several feet of tubing, shaped into a coil that acts as a receptacle for the high pressure gas. Because the outlet of the condenser is restricted, the gas molecules begin to bunch up. Pressure continues to build, pushing the molecules closer and closer together. Air passing over the coil, removes the heat from the condensing gas. The Metering Device is a small diameter copper line, installed between the condenser outlet and evaporator inlet, restricts the refrigerant before it enters the low pressure area of the system (evaporator coil). The most common metering device used on refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners is the capillary tube (cap tube). The liquid in the condenser is pushed into the small diameter tubing. As the high pressure liquid travels through the tube it empties into the very large tubing of the evaporator. The combined effect of the increased area and the reduced pressure causes the refrigerant to boil violently, absorbing heat. The Evaporator is just like the condenser, which is a several feet of tubing rolled or shaped into a coil. TEMPERATURE RANGE APPLICATIONS High Temperature Application normally provides box temperature of 30C to 180C (380F to 650F) use for storing plants, flowers, fruits and candies. Medium Temperature Application normally provides box temperature of -20C to 30C (280F to 380F) use for storing eggs, tomatoes, lettuce, fresh meats and products of the same kind. Low Temperature Application normally provides box temperature of -320C to -20C (-80F to 280F) use for storing ice cream and dairy products. PROPERTIES OF PERISHABLE PRODUCTS
SYSTEM COMPONENTS, ACCESSORIES and TEST INSTRUMENTS
Page 8 of 8

Compressor

Academic Year 2004 2005, Semester 2 Prepared By: Nolasco K. Malabago, Ph.D

PRODUCT Water Beef (Fresh) Ham and Pork Lamb Poultry Sausage Veal VEGETABLES Beets Cabbage Carrots Celery and Lettuce Potatoes Tomatoes FRUITS Apples Cantaloupe Strawberries Pineapples

Specific Heat BTU's / Lb. Per F Above Freezing Below Freezing 1.00 0.75 0.68 0.67 0.79 0.89 0.71 0.86 0.93 0.86 0.91 0.86 0.92 0.90 0.56 0.92 0.90 0.50 0.40 0.38 0.30 0.37 0.56 0.39 0.48 0.47 0.45 0.46 0.47 0.46 0.49 0.33 0.48 0.50

Latent Heat of Fusion in BTU's Per Lb. 144 98 86.5 83.5 106 93 91 128 132 126 136 113 152 122 66 131 128

Freezing Temp. In F 32 27 27 29 27 26 29 27 31 29 30 29 30.5 28.5 30.5 30 28

AIR CONDITIONING FUNDAMENTALS TERMINOLOGY Air Conditioning is the process of treating air so as to control simultaneously its temperature, humidity, cleanliness and distribution to meet the comfort requirements of the occupants of the conditioned space. Air Conditioners are basically refrigeration devices cooling air and rooms rather then food compartments. Absolute Humidity is the weight of water vapor per unit volume. Dehumidification is the condensation of water vapor from air by cooling below the dew point or removal of water vapor from air by chemical or physical methods. Dehumidifier is an air cooler or washer used for lowering the moisture content of the air passing through it. An absorption or adsorption device for removing moisture from air. Dehumidifying is the removal of moisture from the air. Humidifying is adding moisture to the air. Humidity is the dampness of air. Humidity Ratio is the ratio of the mass of the water vapor to the mass of dry air contained in the sample. Relative Humidity is the ratio of the mol fraction of water vapor present in the air, to the mol fraction of water vapor present in saturated air at the same temperature and barometric pressure; approximately, it equals the ratio of the partial pressure or density of the water vapor in the air, to the saturation pressure or density, respectively, of water vapor at the same temperature.
SYSTEM COMPONENTS, ACCESSORIES and TEST INSTRUMENTS
Page 8 of 8

Academic Year 2004 2005, Semester 2 Prepared By: Nolasco K. Malabago, Ph.D

COMPONENTS The air conditioners consist of various parts and components. It is very important for any user and servicemen to understand the structure and function of each part in order to know the cause of troubles. Compressor. The compressor is known to be the heart of the system. It squeezes the gas molecules of the refrigerant together, increasing the pressure of the gas. Condenser. The condenser is a bunch of tubes surrounded by fins. It receives the hot, high pressure refrigerant gas from the compressor. The heat of the compressed refrigerant travel to the inner surface conducted through the fins and dissipated to the atmosphere as air pass across. Evaporator. The part of the system that vaporizes the liquid refrigerant as it absorbs heat. Heat present in air as it passes across the evaporator is absorbed and cooled by the vaporizing refrigerant and thus, decreases the temperature and obtained the cooling effect. Metering Device (Expansion Valve). Usually a capillary tube. It regulates the flow of the liquid refrigerant into the evaporator (throttling). Fan and Blower Motor drives the condenser fan and evaporator fan (for window type air conditioner). For larger units where air handling unit is separated from air condensing unit, it drives the evaporator fan or the blower that circulates the conditioned air into the room. Liquid Receiver is a cylinder (container) connected to condenser outlet for storage of liquid refrigerant in a system. Accumulator is a storage tank which receives liquid refrigerant from evaporator and prevents it from flowing into suction line before vaporizing. Filter drier is a combination device used as a strainer (of fine mesh screen that restrict any dirt) and moisture remover.

SYSTEM COMPONENTS, ACCESSORIES and TEST INSTRUMENTS

Page 8 of 8

Academic Year 2004 2005, Semester 2 Prepared By: Nolasco K. Malabago, Ph.D

CLASSIFICATION According to heat rejection methods Largely classified into water cooled and air cooled. As a tendency, air cooled is preferable since it is free from increase of maintenance work. Features of air cooled and water cooled types Item
Condensing Medium

Air cooled type Outdoor air Power supply Refrigerant piping for Split
type

Water cooled type Well water Cooling water together Power supply, cooling
water piping

Incidental works

Pump for well water or

circulating pump

Noise

Comparatively high (outdoor

unit) Conditions of outdoor air intake (chemicals, dust and dirt) Short circuit of distributed air Outdoor air temp.

Low Quantity and quality of

cooling water Position of cooling tower

Check points

SYSTEM COMPONENTS, ACCESSORIES and TEST INSTRUMENTS

Page 8 of 8

Academic Year 2004 2005, Semester 2 Prepared By: Nolasco K. Malabago, Ph.D

According to Structures
Water cooled air conditioners are of the single packaged type. Air cooled air conditioners come in either single packaged type or split type. Water cooled, single packaged type is installed in either window or roof top. Air cooled, single packaged type is installed in either pair system or multi - pair. The split type consists of two units and installed in the indoor and outdoor separately connected by refrigerant piping.

Features of single packaged type and split type Item

Installation of work (thru hole) Operation noise (indoor side) Position of Installation

Single Packaged type

A large hole is necessary for heat radiation ( for ducting or installation) Comparatively high for window type compared with split type Because hot air is extracted one side of the room must be facing outdoor (only window type)

Split type
A small hole is necessary for refrigerant piping Compared with the single packaged type, operation noise is small but take heed of noise of the outdoor unit Two refrigerant pipes and link wiring connect the two units

SYSTEM COMPONENTS, ACCESSORIES and TEST INSTRUMENTS

Page 8 of 8

Academic Year 2004 2005, Semester 2 Prepared By: Nolasco K. Malabago, Ph.D

SYSTEM COMPONENTS, ACCESSORIES and TEST INSTRUMENTS

Page 8 of 8

Academic Year 2004 2005, Semester 2 Prepared By: Nolasco K. Malabago, Ph.D