How Do Refrigerators Work? - Refrigeration Explained (2.0)
How Do Refrigerators Work?
Overview of Refrigerator Components
- Refrigerators consist of key components: the condenser at the back and the evaporator inside. The coolant, typically tetra-fluoro-ethane, circulates between these two parts.
Heat Transfer Process
- The coolant transfers heat from the fridge's interior to the exterior due to differences in temperature and pressure, transitioning between liquid and gas states.
Role of Compressor and Expansion Valve
- The compressor pressurizes the heated gas before it moves through the condenser, where it releases heat to ambient air and condenses into a liquid.
- An expansion valve regulates flow between high-pressure (condenser) and low-pressure (evaporator), allowing for efficient cooling.
Cycle of Evaporation and Compression
- Upon re-entering the evaporator, a sudden drop in pressure causes half of the liquid coolant to evaporate explosively, absorbing heat from inside the fridge.
- A thermometer monitors internal temperature, activating the compressor when it rises too high; this is when you hear your fridge "turn on."
Conclusion & Creator's Note