Operation of the Refrigerator
Top Refrigerator shop in Nagpur explains you one of the main
objectives of science is to understand to apply. In classes, certain
concepts are usually learned for the correct understanding of the principles
and laws; however, most of the time, the part of associating the
theoretical concepts with the practical field is left aside. On this
occasion, we will learn about the operation of the refrigerator, as an
application on the study of heat, in addition to knowing the impact of this
technology on society and the environment.
There are multiple applications
of heat studies. One of them is the invention of the
refrigerator. The refrigerator is a thermal machine that benefits us
directly. Its main function is to keep food in good condition for longer,
that is, prolong its conservation; although it also has other utilities,
such as cooling drinks or other foods that are more pleasant when enjoyed at
low temperatures.
Its operation is based on
taking heat from the low temperature part and expelling it to the outside,
obviously using an energy source, in this case, the electric one. Most refrigerators have a cyclic process of compression and
decompression of a gas to extract heat from the inside and remove it through
the grid on the back that is called the condenser. To control this system,
the refrigerators have a thermostat.
The first refrigerators were
considered dangerous and were the cause of many accidents due to the use of
refrigerants such as ammonia and sulfuric acid. This problem was solved
with the invention of Freon. However, another problem then
arises. Compounds such as Freon are generically known as CFC
(chlorofluorocarbons) and are the main cause of the destruction of the ozone
layer, which has been banned. Currently, other refrigerants are used, such
as hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), which are less dangerous for both humans and the
environment.
Functioning
To understand how a
refrigerator works, it is necessary to know that naturally, heat flows from a
high temperature system to a lower temperature system. Therefore, what a
refrigerator should do is the opposite process. The main parts of the
refrigeration cycle are the following:
EVAPORATOR. This is the
part that "absorbs the heat", with the help of the refrigerant in a
gaseous state.
COMPRESSOR: It works by using an engine and its function is to compress
the refrigerant, that is, reduce its volume, thereby decreasing its temperature
as well.
CONDENSER: Its function is to make the refrigerant condense, that is,
to go to its liquid state.
EXPANSION VALVE: The expansion valve reduces the pressure on the liquid
refrigerant.
If we start the cycle in the
compressor, what happens is the following. The refrigerant, when passing
through these increases its pressure, that is, it is compressed and as a
consequence, the temperature increases as well. It becomes a super heated
steam with high pressure and changes from the gaseous state to the liquid state
as it passes through the condenser. The next step is the expansion
valve. Here the sudden reduction in pressure on the refrigerant is
experienced. A part of the refrigerant evaporates and expands. This
expansion causes a decrease in coolant temperature. The evaporation of the
coolant is present in the evaporator, which absorbs the heat of the food that
is in the refrigerator and therefore keeps it cold. The refrigerant
increases its temperature and passes to its gas phase.
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