How does a refrigerator work?
Description of the refrigerator operation process. Compressor-type equipment produces cold due to physical processes occurring with the refrigerant inside the device. The work cycle involves passing through several stages, each of which reveals the task of individual elements of the refrigeration structure. The compressor circulates refrigerant (freon), which is a gas, through the system. Once in the evaporation chamber, freon goes into a gaseous state and takes heat from the products in the chamber.
From there it enters a spiral-shaped condenser, where it releases heat to the environment. Gradually, the state of aggregation of the refrigerant again turns out to be liquid, its path again lies to the evaporator.
In the latter, the pressure decreases (the evaporator tubes have a larger diameter), which entails a transition to the gaseous state. This movement is repeated until the thermostat signals the compressor to stop. This will happen when the required temperature inside the refrigerator compartment is reached.
Important! The instructions for any refrigeration equipment indicate that the device must be located away from heat sources. Otherwise, a separate piece of equipment, such as a capacitor, will not be able to cope with the task assigned to it, which can lead to a serious malfunction in the future.
If the refrigerator has two chambers, then first of all the freon enters the freezer chamber, after which it goes to another chamber, where there should not be a negative temperature. The device will be discussed in more detail below.
The content of the article
Refrigerator components
What does a refrigerator engine consist of and how does it work?
The compressor is the heart of the refrigerator. Inside it there is an electric motor, a piston and a valve system. When current is applied, the crankshaft is driven by the motor. Thanks to the shaft, the piston begins a reciprocating movement, which leads to pumping out freon vapor from the evaporator and pumping hot refrigerant into the condenser.
The valve system also participates in this process, opening and closing with each change in pressure. The units represented by rubbing parts are protected from wear by special oil.
Freon and its role in the operation of the refrigerator
The continuous movement of freon and the change in its physical states make it possible to cool products in storage chambers and freeze them in the freezer. The circular movement of gas occurs with a constant change in temperature. At high pressure, the substance boils and absorbs the heat of the stored products. After which, after passing through the compressor, it enters the condenser, where it cools.
Freon itself is odorless and transparent. For this reason, its leakage from the system cannot be detected directly.This will be indirectly indicated by condensation in the refrigerator and poor cooling of food. The amount of freon can be found on the tag located on the compressor; usually there is no more than 200 g in the system.
What is a filter drier and its purpose?
The filter drier looks like a small piece of metal tube rolled up at both ends. Inside the tube there are small sorbent granules (synthetic zeolite, for example). The inlet mesh inside the filter prevents granules from entering the condenser, the outlet mesh (finer) prevents solid particles from circulating through the system. Some dehumidifiers have two inlets. The second is intended for service work, for example, when the system is evacuated after repair.
What is a thermostat, what is its purpose for a refrigeration unit
Temperature regulators in modern refrigerators consist of two elements: a box and a tubular capillary. The box contains all the mechanisms that control the temperature conditions of the chambers. It itself is a bellows, i.e. hermetically sealed tubular spring. The latter compresses and expands depending on pressure indicators.
The main purpose of the thermostat is to maintain the temperature set by the consumer. In the compressor device we are considering, the thermostat is responsible for turning the compressor motor on and off.
