CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) was primarily used as a refrigerant in air conditioners due to its effective heat absorption properties, but its use has been largely phased out due to its harmful impact on the ozone layer.
Here's a breakdown of how CFCs were used in air conditioners:
- Refrigerant Role: CFCs, in their gaseous or liquid form, circulated within the air conditioner system.
- Heat Absorption: As the CFC refrigerant passed through the evaporator coil inside the air conditioner, it absorbed heat from the indoor air, cooling the room. This phase change from liquid to gas (evaporation) is crucial.
- Compression and Heat Release: The now heated CFC gas was then compressed by the compressor, increasing its temperature and pressure.
- Heat Dissipation: This hot, high-pressure CFC gas then flowed through the condenser coil, typically located outside. Here, the heat was released into the outdoor air as the CFC condensed back into a liquid.
- Cycle Continues: The liquid CFC then went through an expansion valve, reducing its pressure and temperature, and the cycle repeated.
Because of environmental concerns, CFCs have been replaced by more environmentally friendly refrigerants like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs). While HFCs don't deplete the ozone layer, they are potent greenhouse gases, so HFOs are increasingly favored.
