A refrigeration loop works by circulating a refrigerant through a system where it undergoes phase changes (liquid to gas and gas to liquid) to absorb and release heat, effectively transferring heat from one area to another. The refrigeration cycle begins and ends with the compressor.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Compression: The refrigeration cycle starts with the compressor. The refrigerant, initially in a low-pressure, low-temperature gaseous state, enters the compressor. Inside the compressor, the refrigerant is compressed and pressurized. This process increases both its temperature and pressure. At this point, the refrigerant is a hot, high-pressure gas.
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Condensation: The hot, high-pressure refrigerant then flows to the condenser. The condenser is typically located outside the refrigerated space. Here, the refrigerant rejects heat to the surroundings, usually by passing air over the condenser coils. As the refrigerant loses heat, it condenses from a gas into a high-pressure liquid. The condenser turns the vapor into liquid and absorbs some of the heat.
