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tinkertech · Dec 17, 2009, 09:53 AM

I'm a novice at this ac thing,but I do want to understand exactly what is going on inside the system.Is it correct to say that the refrigerants boiling point is changed by the surface pressure applied to it? Does this mean that when the superheated gas makes its way to the condensing side of the system that the pressure is increased which raises the boiling point for the refrigerant? Is this part of the science that causes the refrigerant to change state back to a liquid,partially because the boiling point is now higher?Or do I have it wrong?Very interested in getting responses on this query!Thank you in advance!

EPMiller · Dec 17, 2009, 06:29 PM

Google "vapor compression refrigeration cycle". You will get a bunch of good hits. To explain the whole thing here is a bit beyond this forum. Just remember that what you learn by reading on the web does not qualify you to do ANY work on your AC system that involves the refrigerant loop.

KISS · Dec 17, 2009, 06:42 PM

I want to add a few tidbits:

1. Even a pressure cooker that you cook food with makes water boil at a higher temperature.

2. There is an energy associated with a state change. Take freezing water from 75 deg F. There is an energy from 75 to 32 F and one for the state change and then more from 32 to below.

See: Heat pump and refrigeration cycle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

KC13 · Dec 17, 2009, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by tinkertech

I'm a novice at this ac thing,but I do want to understand exactly what is going on inside the system.Is it correct to say that the refrigerants boiling point is changed by the surface pressure applied to it? Does this mean that when the superheated gas makes its way to the condensing side of the system that the pressure is increased which raises the boiling point for the refrigerant? Is this part of the science that causes the refrigerant to change state back to a liquid,partially because the boiling point is now higher?Or do I have it wrong?Very interested in getting responses on this query!Thank you in advance!

You ask good questions. The desire for knowledge that you demonstrate bodes well for you in this field. There are many who lack because they don't care enough not to. Seek, young man, and become a better tech for it. ;) P.S. Google is pretty awesome for finding HVAC info.