LESSON

COMPRESSORS, CONDENSERS,
FILTERS & DRYERS

LECTURE
SUB-OBJECTIVE
At the end of this lesson the trainee will be able to:

1.0

1.

Identify & state the uses of compressors used in S.W.C.C.

associated with air conditioning.

2.

Identify & state the uses of condensers used in S.W.C.C.

associated with air conditioning.

3.

Identify & state the uses of filter & dryers used in S.W.C.C.
associated with air conditioning.

LOW SIDE FILTER-DRIER

Some systems include a low-side filter-drier at the compressor end of the
suction line. These may be a part of the original system or may be placed in
the system, for a short time, to clean it up Fig. 4.2.1 is a typical suction line
filter-drier. The filter-drier used in the suction line should offer little resistance
to the flow of the vaporized refrigerant. This is because the pressure
difference between the pressure in the evaporator and the inlet to the
compressor should be small.

Fig. 4.2.1. Suction line filter-drier. Direction of refrigerant vapor flow is indicated
A service connection.
B. Tubing connection.

2.0

COMPRESSOR LOW SIDE OR SUCTION SERVICE VALVE

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Many systems have some means that allow the service technician to connect
gauges to the system, check pressures and add or take out refrigerant or oil.
A typical compressor suction service valve is pictured in Fig. 4.2.2. This valve
is connected to the compressor at the compressor inlet union.
The suction line from the evaporator is attached at the low-side inlet. Sealing
caps protect the charging and gauge opening port and the valve stem when
the valve is not in use.
More recent domestic models do not have service valves.
technician must use a saddle valve.
2.1

The service

COMPRESSOR
The refrigeration compressor is a motor-driven device, which moves the heatladen vapor refrigerant from the evaporator and compresses (squeezes) it into
a small volume and to a high temperature.
The various types of pumping mechanisms (compressors) used are explained
later in this chapter.

3.0

COMPRESSOR HIGH-SIDE SERVICE VALVE

The compressor high-side service valve provides a shutoff between the
compressor and the condenser. It also provides an opening for a highpressure gauge or a gauge manifold.
With the valve closed (all the way in), it is possible to disconnect the
compressor from the condenser without any leakage of refrigerant from the
condenser.
When the valve stem is all the way out, the opening for the gauge is closed.
Fig. 4.2.2 illustrates a cross-section of the service valve. It is not used on all
refrigerating system.

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Fig. 4-2-2 A Compressor high-side service valve.

4.0

OIL SEPARATOR
Refrigeration compressors get their lubrication from a small amount of special
lubricating oil place inside the compressor crankcase or housing. This oil is
circulated to various compressor parts. In a hermetic (airtight) system, this oil
also lubricates the motor bearings.
When the compressor operates, small amounts of oil will be pumped out with
the hot compressed vapor. A small amount of oil throughout the system does
no harm.
However, too much oil in such parts as the condenser, refrigerant flow
controls, evaporator and filters interferes with their operation.
It is possible to separate the oil from the hot compressed vapor. This involves
placing an oil separator between the compressor exhaust and the condenser.
The location and operation of such a separator is shown in Fig. 4-2-3. The
separator is enlarged in the illustration to help show details.
The oil separator is a tank or cylinder with a series of baffles or screens, which
collect the oil. The oil separated from the hot, compressed vapors, drops to
the bottom of the separator.
A float arrangement controls a needle valve, which opens an oil return line to
the compressor crankcase. When the oil level is high enough, the float rises
and opens the needle valve.

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Fig. 4.2.3 An oil separator located in the discharge line. Note flow of refrigerant
and oil.

This oil returns quickly to the compressor crankcase, as the pressure in the
separator is considerably higher than the pressure in the compressor
crankcase.
Oil separators are quite efficient. Very little oil passes on into the system.
They are most commonly used in large commercial installations.
5.0

CONDENSER
The condenser in the refrigeration cycle removes the condensation heat from
the refrigerant vapor. This heat is picked up in the evaporator. Domestic
refrigerators commonly use the four following types of condensers (see fig.
4.2.4).
1.

Finned-static (natural convection)

2.

Finned-forced convection.

3.

Wire-static

4.

Plate-static

Illustrated in view A, Fig. 4.2.4 is a common finned type static condenser.

Static means that air circulation through the condenser tubing and fins is by
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natural convection; that is, warm air tends to rise. As the air in contact with the
fins and tubes becomes heated, it rises and cooler air takes its place. The
tubes and fins are usually made of copper or steel.
View B, Fig. 4.2.4 is a forced convection fin type condenser.

Fig. 4.2.4 Common domestic type condensers.

Whenever the compressor is operating, the motor driven fan forces air through the
condenser.
Shown in view C is a wire type condenser, which uses small metal wires,
brazed or spot-welded to the condenser tubing. It is usually of the static type.
The plate type condenser is pictured in view D. In this type, the condenser
tubes are soldered or brazed to a flat metal surface.
This is a very common type of condenser construction. It is used on many
chest type freezers. The condenser tubes are attached to the inside
(insulation side) of the freezer's outer shell.
This type of condenser is very easy to keep clean. It is only necessary to wipe
off the surface of the cabinet shell. To get proper removal of heat from the
refrigerant vapor, always keep the condenser clean.

Commercial systems use three types of condensers:

1.

Finned-static, air-cooled.

2.

Finned-forced convection, air cooled.

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3.

Water-cooled, tube-in-a-tube and shell.

The finned-static and the finned forced convection condensers are built much
the same as the domestic condensers, except that they are larger. Forced
convection finned condensers are used on many commercial refrigeration
installations.
Water-cooled condensers usually consist of two tubes, one within the other.
Water circulates through the inside tube Hot compressed vapor circulates
through the space between the tubes. These condensers are usually called
tube-within-a-tube condensers. They are very efficient.
With the rapid development of commercial refrigeration and air conditioning,
many communities have difficulty in supplying enough water for water-cooled
condensers.
Thus, more and more forced convection air-cooled condensers and "cooling
towers" are being used in connection with water cooled condensers.

Fig. 4.2.5. Two common types of liquid receivers.

6.0

LIQUID RECEIVER
The liquid receiver is a storage tank for liquid refrigerant. When a
refrigerating mechanism has one, the refrigerant is usually pumped out of the
various parts and stored in it during servicing. Its use makes the quantity of
refrigerant in a system less critical.

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Occasionally one may find a liquid receiver built into the bottom of the
condenser. Most receivers have service valves. See Fig. 4.2.6. A fine copper
mesh in the outlet prevents dirt from entering the refrigerant control valves.
Liquid receivers are used on most systems with the low-side float type, of the
expansion valve, type refrigerant control.
Capillary tube systems do not use them because the entire liquid refrigerant is
stored in the evaporator during the off part of the cycle. Greater use of
hermetic systems and capillary tube refrigerant controls has removed the
need for liquid receivers in domestic systems and in many small commercial
units.
On larger commercial systems the receiver provides enough reserve liquid
refrigerant to insure that the liquid line refrigerant is sub cooled and free of
flash gas.
The receiver must provide enough room for refrigerant during automatic pump
downs (for defrost purposes and when some of the evaporators are not in
use).
7.0

LIQUID LINE FILTER-DRIER

It is common practice to install a filter-drier in the liquid line. This tank-like
accessory keeps moisture, dirt, metal and chips from entering the refrigerant
flow control. What is more, the drying element in the filter removes moisture,
which might otherwise freeze in the refrigerant flow control.
Moisture is also harmful when mixture with oil in a system. It forms, sludges
and acids. It is especially harmful to hermetic units. A liquid line filter drier is
shown in Fig. 4.2.6

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Fig. 4-2-7 A liquid line filter drier.

Some filter dryers are equipped with a sight glass, which will indicate
refrigerant level.
Many sight glasses also have a chemical, which will change color when the
system has moisture in it.

8.0

LIQUID LINE

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While copper tubing is commonly used to carry the liquid refrigerant from the
condenser to the evaporator, domestic units often use steel. These lines are
mounted in back of the refrigerator cabinet or are hidden behind the breaker
strip at the refrigerator doorjamb (frame).
The lines are soldered or brazed to fittings. It is important to avoid pinching or
buckling these lines. They must also be supported to prevent wear or
breakage from vibration.
Refrigerant lines in commercial units may be connected by soldering, brazing
or by flared fittings.

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