In systems involving heat transfer, a condenser is a heat exchanger used to condense a gaseous substance into a liquid state through cooling. In doing so, the latent heat is released by the substance and transferred to the surrounding environment.
The condenser
This component is supplied with high-temperature high-pressure, vaporized refrigerant coming off the compressor. The condenser removes heat from the hot refrigerant vapor gas vapor until it condenses into a saturated liquid state, a.k.a. condensation.
As the refrigerant journeys through the condenser, it continues to lose heat and condenses more, becoming a high-pressure liquid at the end of the condenser coil. This liquid refrigerant then exits the condenser, ready for the next stage of the refrigeration process.
Commonly, such condensers employ fans to force air through the fins and carry the heat away. In many cases, large condensers for industrial applications use water or some other liquid in place of air to achieve heat removal.
Hot, pressurized refrigerant gas arrives from the compressor into the condenser, which is designed to reject heat by lowering or returning the temperature of the refrigerant to its condensing temperature. As it rejects heat, the condenser converts the vapor to a sub-cooled liquid.
A condenser is designed to transfer heat from a working fluid (e.g. water in a steam power plant) to a secondary fluid or the surrounding air. The condenser relies on the efficient heat transfer that occurs during phase changes, in this case during the condensation of a vapor into a liquid.
The biggest reason could be a lack of refrigerant. An air conditioner condenser and evaporator require refrigerant to move heat out of your house. A condenser coil with a leak and low refrigerant won't do the job.
The normal function of a condenser is to transform hot discharge gas from the compressor to a slightly sub-cooled liquid flow, by transferring heat from the refrigerant gas to the secondary cooling liquid.
Heat Pump condensers: Offering both cooling and heating capabilities, heat pumps use advanced technology to extract heat from the outdoor air during winter and release it inside your home. In summer, the process reverses to remove heat from your indoor space.
As the liquid refrigerant inside the evaporator coil converts to gas, heat is absorbed from the indoor air into the refrigerant, thus cooling the air as it passes over the coil. The indoor unit's blower fan then pumps the chilled air back through the home's ductwork out into the various living areas.
Temperature profile inside the condenser
The temperature of the refrigerant decreases during the desuperheating and sub-cooling processes, but remains constant during the condensing process (see Figure 7.3). The energy rejected from the refrigerant heats the secondary medium, whose temperature thus increases.
When condensing, the vapor will gradually phase change to liquid until 100 percent liquid is all that remains. This phase change is an example of a latent heat-rejection process, as the heat removed is latent heat, not sensible heat.
Overheating condenser units are a common issue in air conditioning systems that can lead to reduced performance and potential damage. Regular maintenance and repair of the air conditioner can help prevent this problem and extend the life of your air conditioner.
Flexi Says: The type of heat removed in the condenser is called latent heat.
In cooling mode the condenser works to release heat from inside your home to the outdoors. In heating mode the condenser's role is reversed. It extracts heat from the outdoor air and brings it inside your home.
If the AC condenser is clogged, your unit will have to work harder to cool your home, which could lead to increased energy bills. Additionally, a clogged condenser can decrease the efficiency of your unit. As a result, your home may not be cooled as effectively, and you may experience discomfort.
A condenser (or AC condenser) is the outdoor portion of an air conditioner or heat pump that either releases or collects heat, depending on the time of the year.
How long do AC condensers last? An AC condenser installed by experienced professionals and receives regular maintenance checkups should last as long as the air conditioning system itself. Depending on the model, this can be anywhere between 10 to 20 years.
As the condenser fan blows air over the condenser coil, the heat stored in the refrigerant is naturally released and flows out into the air.
The condenser has hot refrigerant running through it while the cooler outside air is passing over it, absorbing the heat and leaving the refrigerant in a condensed, liquid state. The evaporator has cool refrigerant running through it while the warmer space air is passing over it.
A condenser is a device that turns a gas into a liquid by cooling it down and releasing its latent heat to the surrounding environment. It is a type of heat exchanger that uses a cooling agent, such as water or air, to create a temperature difference between the gas and the secondary fluid.
Blocked airflow.
To work properly, your condenser unit must have room to breathe. If you have any plants, trees, or other obstructions that are located next to your condenser unit, they will block the airflow and make it more difficult for your unit to blow the right amount of air over the coils.
There are several causes for a refrigerator that doesn't cool, including dirty condenser coils, poor ventilation, improper installation, faulty or dirty gasket seals, unorganized food storage, appliance location and malfunctioning internal parts.
Key Takeaways. If your HVAC system isn't blowing warm air, start by checking the thermostat settings and batteries; more complex issues like faulty wiring or ignition system problems may necessitate professional assistance. Airflow restriction due to clogged air filters can result in your system blowing cold air.