Recondense

Recondense is a verb meaning to condense again; in science and engineering it refers to the phase transition in which a vapor is converted back into a liquid after it has previously vaporized. This typically requires removal of latent heat and a driving force such as cooling or increasing pressure. The term is commonly used to describe the operation of condensers within closed vapor–liquid cycles, where vapor from a process is cooled and recondenses into a liquid before being pumped or reintroduced to the process stream.

In practical applications, recondensation is a key step in refrigeration cycles, air conditioning, natural gas processing, and distillation. In a refrigeration cycle, high-pressure vapor is cooled in a condenser and recondenses to liquid before expansion. In gas processing, recondensation separates liquids from gas streams, aiding the recovery of hydrocarbons. Recondensation can also occur in weather or atmospheric systems as water vapor cools to form droplets on surfaces.

Etymology: from re- (again) + condense.

See also: condensation, liquefaction, dew point, condenser.