Basic Refrigeration Cycle
This device is considered the "heart" of a refrigeration system and draws refrigerant from the evaporator, compresses it, and sends it to the condenser.
What is the compressor?
This side of the system is where heat is absorbed and refrigerant pressure is low.
What is the low side?
This type of compressor uses a back-and-forth or up-and-down motion to compress refrigerant.
What is a reciprocating compressor?
This process occurs when a liquid refrigerant absorbs heat and turns into vapor.
What is evaporation?
A storage tank on the high side of the system used for holding liquid refrigerant.
What is the liquid receiver?
This component in the refrigeration cycle absorbs heat by evaporating refrigerant.
What is the evaporator?
The device that divides the high side from the low side by restricting refrigerant flow.
What is the metering device?
This line connected to the compressor is smaller in diameter than the suction line because it carries high-pressure vapor refrigerant.
What is the discharge line?
In a condenser, refrigerant vapor changes back to a liquid by releasing this type of heat.
What is latent heat?
A device in the liquid line that removes moisture, dirt, and debris.
What is the filter-drier?
This line carries high-pressure liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the metering device.
What is the liquid line?
The line carrying vapor refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor.
What is the suction line?
A device that removes oil from refrigerant before it reaches the condenser.
What is an oil separator?
Heat always flows in this direction.
What is from hot to cold?
This type of condenser uses fans to remove heat more quickly.
What is a forced-air condenser?
The device that controls the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, reducing pressure.
What is the metering device?
The side of the system that releases heat and where refrigerant pressure is high.
What is the high side?
The term for refrigerant that is warmer than its condensation temperature.
What is superheated vapor?
The name given to the instantaneous evaporation of liquid refrigerant.
What is flash gas?
A type of evaporator that uses fans to move air around the evaporator for better heat transfer.
What is a forced-draft evaporator?
In the refrigeration cycle, this phase changes refrigerant from a vapor to a liquid, releasing heat.
What is condensing?
A device located in the suction line that prevents liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor.
What is the accumulator?
The component that separates the low-pressure side from the high-pressure side in the system.
What is the compressor?
The line that carries refrigerant vapor from the evaporator to the compressor, often cold to the touch.
What is the suction line?
A type of metering device commonly found in domestic refrigerators.
What is a capillary tube?