How does a condenser work to release heat absorbed by the refrigerant?

A condenser in a refrigeration or air conditioning system works to release heat absorbed by the refrigerant during the cooling process. Here's how it operates:

Refrigerant State Change: After absorbing heat from the space being cooled in the evaporator, the refrigerant vaporizes into a low-pressure, low-temperature gas. This gas then travels to the condenser.

Compression: Before reaching the condenser, the refrigerant gas enters the compressor, where it is compressed to increase its pressure and temperature. This compression raises the temperature of the refrigerant gas to a level higher than the surrounding air or water.

Condensation: The high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant gas enters the condenser coils, which are typically located outdoors (in air-cooled systems) or in a water tank (in water-cooled systems). As the refrigerant gas flows through the condenser coils, it releases heat to the surrounding air or water, causing it to condense into a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid.

Heat Exchange: Heat from the refrigerant is transferred to the surrounding air or water through the condenser coils. In air-cooled condensers, a fan blows outdoor air across the coils, while in water-cooled condensers, water flows through the coils to absorb heat. This heat exchange process causes the refrigerant to undergo a phase change from a gas to a liquid.

Subcooling: As the refrigerant condenses into a liquid, its temperature decreases below its saturation temperature at the current pressure. This process is known as subcooling and helps improve the efficiency and performance of the refrigeration system by ensuring that the refrigerant remains in a liquid state as it enters the expansion device.

Expansion: After leaving the condenser, the high-pressure, high-temperature liquid refrigerant passes through an expansion device, such as a thermal expansion valve or capillary tube. This device reduces the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant, preparing it for entry into the evaporator to begin the cooling cycle anew.

By releasing heat absorbed during the cooling process, the condenser plays a critical role in the refrigeration cycle, allowing the system to maintain proper temperature control and provide cooling comfort. Whether air-cooled or water-cooled, condensers are essential components in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, facilitating the transfer of heat from the refrigerant to the surroundings.