VAPOR–COMPRESSION REFRIGERATOR

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VAPOR–COMPRESSION REFRIGERATOR

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EVAPORATOR

EXPANSION VALVE 3

1 COMPRESSOR

2
CONDENSER

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cold vapor from the hot vapor from the hot liquid from the cold liquid from the
evaporator is compressed, compressor condenses condensor is depressurized, expansion valve boils inside
raisings it temperature and outside the cold box, lowering its temperature the cold box, absorbing
boiling point releasing latent heat and boiling point latent heat

adiabatic isothermal, isobaric adiabatic, isochoric isothermal, isobaric

compression condensation expansion* boiling

T, b.p. ~ P high temperature T, b.p. ~ P low temperature

T (hot) T (cold)

work done on the gas latent heat of vaporization no work done latent heat of vaporization
W>0 Q (hot) W=0 Q (cold)
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VAPOR–COMPRESSION REFRIGERATOR
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 2 4

CONDENSER
hot vapor from the
compressor condenses
outside the cold box,
releasing latent heat
EVAPORATOR
cold liquid from the
expansion valve boils inside
the cold box, absorbing
latent heat

isothermal, isobaric isothermal, isobaric

condensation 4 boiling

high temperature low temperature

T (hot) T (cold)

latent heat of vaporization latent heat of vaporization

Q (hot) Q (cold)

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VAPOR–COMPRESSION REFRIGERATOR

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COMPRESSOR
cold vapor from the
evaporator is compressed,
raisings it temperature and
boiling point
EXPANSION VALVE
hot liquid from the
condensor is depressurized,
2 lowering its temperature
and boiling point

adiabatic adiabatic, isochoric

compression expansion*

T, b.p. ~ P T, b.p. ~ P

work done on the gas no work done

W>0 W=0
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