vaporcompressionjärjestelmät

Vaporcompression is a thermodynamic process that forms the basis for most refrigeration and air conditioning systems. It involves a repeating cycle of four key stages: compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation.

The cycle begins with a refrigerant in a low-pressure gaseous state entering a compressor. The compressor increases the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant, forcing it into a high-pressure gaseous state. This superheated gas then flows to the condenser, which is typically a coil located outside the refrigerated space. Here, the refrigerant releases its heat to the surrounding environment, causing it to condense into a high-pressure liquid.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant then passes through an expansion valve or capillary tube. This device drastically reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, causing it to become a cold, low-pressure liquid/vapor mixture. Finally, this cold mixture enters the evaporator, a coil located within the space to be cooled. As the refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding air or substance, it evaporates back into a low-pressure gas. This cooled gas then returns to the compressor, and the cycle repeats. The continuous circulation of the refrigerant and its phase changes allow for the transfer of heat from a colder area to a warmer area, achieving the desired cooling effect.