Refrigeration Cooling Equipment

The first refrigeration cooling equipment component we'll cover is the "heart of the system", the refrigeration compressor.

To put it simply, the refrigeration compressor pumps the refrigerant through the system.

It takes in refrigerant from the evaporator at a low pressure and temperature, and discharges it at a higher pressure and temperature.

If you need a replacement compressor, the best policy is to get the model number off of the original compressor, and get that exact model.

If that's not possible, get a replacement designed for the same refrigerant and oil, evaporating conditions, and capacity.

The second refrigeration cooling equipment component we'll cover is the condenser.

In the refrigeration condenser, the high pressure, high temperature refrigerant vapor discharged from the compressor cools, and as it changes from vapor to a liquid, it releases its heat content to the air or water being used to cool the condenser coil.

This is where the heat absorbed in the evaporator is released from the system to the air flowing through the condenser coil, and that's why hot air blows out of the condensing unit.

If you need to replace the condensing coil, get the model number off the condensing unit, and contact the manufacturer.

If the model number isn't legible, contact the manufacturer of the condensing unit, and ask them what other information they'll need to identify the coil so they can provide a replacement.

The third refrigeration cooling equipment component we'll cover is the metering device.

Depending on the design and size of the unit, the metering device could be either a capillary tube or an expansion valve.

The metering device meters the flow of high pressure, high temperature liquid refrigerant into the evaporator, to maintain the correct evaporating pressure.

If the metering device fails, or if it's the wrong metering device for the unit, cooling and efficiency of the unit will be poor.

If you replace the metering device, make sure the replacement is rated for the right refrigerant, temperature range, and capacity.

The 4th refrigeration cooling equipment component we'll cover is the evaporator.

In the refrigeration evaporator, as the refrigerant changes from a liquid to a vapor, it absorbs heat from the air or water that it is cooling.

That's why the evaporator will feel cold, air flowing out of the evaporator will be cold, water flowing out of a cooler will be cold, and water flowing accross an ice-maker plate will freeze.

If you need to replace an evaporator, get the model number off the unit, and contact the manufacturer, or your distributor, to get the correct replacement.

The 5th refrigeration cooling equipment component we'll cover is the piping.

If you're doing an installation, the best way to size the piping is with a pipe size chart.

If I remember correctly, every new condensing unit I've installed has had a piping chart in the installation guide.

If the evaporator suction connection is 1 1/8, and the piping chart indicates a 7/8 suction line is needed, well, 1 1/8 pipe will work, but using 7/8 will work, and will save you money too.

What's more important is that sizing the piping correctly helps ensure enough velocity in the refrigerant to keep oil flowing through the system and coming back to the compressor.

The liquid line also needs to be sized correctly.

If it's larger than needed, you'll have paid more for piping than you needed to.

If it's too small, there's a risk of excessive pressure drop due to pipe friction, which can result in the liquid refrigerant flashing off before it reaches the metering device, which will decrease the efficiency of the metering device and the unit.

Take a few minutes to do some simple research and calculations.

It will pay off.

I hope these explanations about refrigeration cooling equipment components have helped; and please, feel free to contact us with any specific HVAC questions you might have, including questions about refrigeration on Guam, and air conditioning on Guam.