How does your AIR CONDITIONER work?

Summary

This video explains the working principle of air conditioners, detailing the key components involved in the cooling process. It covers the role of the evaporator, condenser, compressor, and expansion valve in maintaining optimal room temperature. The compressor increases the refrigerant pressure, allowing heat to be ejected outside, while the expansion valve reduces pressure to cool the refrigerant. Special attention is given to the thermostatic expansion valve (TXV), which ensures only vapor enters the compressor. The video also highlights modern technologies like inverter motors for efficient temperature control and the use of scroll compressors for quieter operation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Air conditioners provide thermal comfort by maintaining optimal room temperature and removing airborne particles and humidity.
• 😀 An air conditioner works with two connected coils: the evaporator inside the room and the condenser outside.
• 😀 The basic principle of an air conditioner is to keep the evaporator colder than the room and the condenser hotter than the surroundings.
• 😀 The refrigerant in an air conditioner absorbs heat from the room and ejects it outside through the evaporation and condensation process.
• 😀 The compressor increases the pressure of the refrigerant, causing its temperature to rise before it passes through the condenser to release heat.
• 😀 An expansion valve restricts the flow of refrigerant, lowering its pressure and temperature to help absorb heat from the room.
• 😀 The term 'ton' refers to the air conditioner's ability to absorb heat from the room, representing its heat removal capability.
• 😀 Modern air conditioners use scroll compressors for quieter operation and better speed control compared to older reciprocating compressors.
• 😀 Inverter technology in air conditioners helps maintain a steady room temperature by adjusting compressor and motor speeds based on cooling needs.
• 😀 The thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) ensures only vapor enters the compressor, preventing damage and optimizing performance.
• 😀 TXVs do not control room temperature; they ensure the refrigerant entering the compressor is in pure vapor form, while room temperature is controlled by compressor speed.

Q & A

What is the primary function of an air conditioner?

The primary function of an air conditioner is to provide thermal comfort by maintaining an optimum room temperature. It also helps remove airborne particles and humidity.

What are the two main coils in an air conditioner, and where are they located?

An air conditioner has two main coils: the evaporator coil, which is inside the room, and the condenser coil, which is located outside the room.

What is the basic principle behind the working of an air conditioner?

The basic principle is to keep the evaporator coil colder than the room temperature and the condenser coil hotter than the surroundings. This allows the refrigerant to absorb heat from the room and eject it to the outside.

How does a compressor function in an air conditioner?

The compressor increases the pressure of the refrigerant, raising both its pressure and temperature. This high-temperature gas is then passed through the condenser to eject heat.

What role does the expansion valve play in an air conditioner?

The expansion valve restricts the refrigerant flow, reducing its pressure. This causes some of the liquid refrigerant to evaporate, which lowers its temperature and creates the cold refrigerant needed for cooling.

How is the cold refrigerant produced in an air conditioner?

The cold refrigerant is produced by reducing the pressure of the liquid refrigerant inside the expansion valve, which causes part of it to evaporate, absorbing energy from the refrigerant itself and thus lowering its temperature.

What does the term 'ton' refer to in air conditioners?

The term 'ton' refers to the heat removal capability of an air conditioner, specifically how much heat the evaporator coil can absorb from the room.

How do modern air conditioners maintain a steady room temperature despite varying loads?

Modern air conditioners use inverter technology, which adjusts the motor speed to control the compressor speed, refrigerant flow rate, and cooling capacity, allowing for precise temperature control.

What is the role of a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) in an air conditioner?

The TXV ensures that only vapor enters the compressor by adjusting the restriction based on the temperature of the refrigerant at the evaporator exit. This prevents liquid refrigerant from damaging the compressor.

Can TXVs control the room temperature directly?

No, TXVs do not control the room temperature. They regulate the refrigerant flow to ensure that only vapor enters the compressor. The room temperature is controlled by adjusting the compressor speed.