Aurukompressioonitsükli

Aurukompressioonitsükli, also known as the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, is the most common thermodynamic cycle used for refrigeration and heat pumping. It describes the process by which a refrigerant absorbs heat from a low-temperature reservoir and rejects it to a high-temperature reservoir. The cycle consists of four main stages: compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation.

In the compression stage, a compressor increases the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant vapor. This high-pressure, high-temperature vapor then enters the condenser, where it rejects heat to the surroundings and changes into a high-pressure liquid. The liquid refrigerant then passes through an expansion valve, which reduces its pressure and temperature, creating a low-pressure, low-temperature liquid-vapor mixture. Finally, this mixture enters the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the space to be cooled and boils into a low-pressure vapor. This vapor is then drawn back into the compressor, and the cycle repeats.

The efficiency of the vapor-compression cycle is typically measured by the coefficient of performance (COP), which is the ratio of the desired cooling effect to the work input required. Factors such as refrigerant properties, operating temperatures, and component efficiencies influence the COP. Variations of this cycle exist, including those with multiple compression stages or liquid subcooling, to improve performance under specific conditions. The vapor-compression cycle is fundamental to many cooling technologies, including air conditioners, refrigerators, and heat pumps.