Subject:
- Operation of the air conditioning system
Operation of the air conditioning system:
Refrigerant circulates in the switched-on air conditioning system. This refrigerant always undergoes a state change (from liquid to vapor and vice versa). The refrigerant is in a closed system and in principle only transfers temperatures.
Below is a brief explanation of how the system works. All parts are described in detail and illustrations are used to clarify it. Click on the relevant section for that.
De compressor pumps it refrigerant of the air conditioner in vapor form throughout the entire system. The pressure and temperature are increased when leaving the compressor. From the compressor, the refrigerant is pumped into the condenser pumped. The (warm) vapor from the compressor cools down in the condenser. It condenses. This means that the vapor takes on a solid form and therefore turns into liquid. From the condenser, the liquid refrigerant enters the filter / dryer rightly so, which, as its name suggests, filters the refrigerant and removes moisture from it (drys), which is very important for the operation of the system. The refrigerant continues on its way to the thermostatic expansion valve (called TEV valve or block valve) or the capillary (depending on the system). These both have the same main function; namely to lower the pressure (and thus also the boiling point). When leaving the expansion valve or capillary, the pressure of the refrigerant will have dropped from 14 bar to 2 to 3 bar and will thus spontaneously change into saturated vapour. This saturated vapor passes through the with a temperature close to the freezing point evaporator to. The air that is blown into the interior is also blown through this condenser. Because the refrigerant has such a low temperature, this air is also cooled. The refrigerant is thus heated up slightly (5 degrees) and goes back to the in vapor form compressor. This cycle keeps repeating itself constantly.
The air conditioning also ensures that the moisture is removed from the outside air. In systems with climate control (usually not found in cars), the humidity level is measured and adjusted if necessary. Dry air can lead to dry eyes and a dry mouth; the human body also gets dehydrated with an air conditioner. The moisture that is extracted from the outside air is discharged to the outside air at the condenser. Usually there is a drainage channel to the underside of the car. When the air conditioning is switched on, a puddle of water forms under the car. This water has actually been removed from the air that has entered the interior of the car. The drainage channel must be kept free. In the event of a blockage or entrapment, there is a risk that the floor mats in the car will become wet, because the water can no longer be drained into the street.
