. AR Ammonia Cie elim clue Licelt and Training Program Basic Ammonia Refrigeration Module 5 - CondensersIIAR Basic Ammonia , Refrigeration Module 5 - Condensers Lesson 1 In previous modules, we discussed some of the major ‘components that make up industrial refigeration systems, ned ceo Most industrial systems have a receiver (Fig. 1) that contains the supply of liquid ammonia | necessary to operate the system when needed upon demand. Liquid ammonia flows from receiver through a king valve and a pressure reduction device, which in this case is an Coad ‘expansion valve, and into a vessel. As it passes through the 7 valve, the pressure and temperature of the ammonia reftigerane are suddenly oe lowered a Porn A pump moves the cold Pune Matecing vale ammonia fiom the vessel, through a metering valve and into an evaporator where the liquid ammonia con- verts to a vapor as it absorbs heat. The compressor, pulls the ammonia vapor from the evaporator and through the vessel, increases the pressure and temperature, and delivers the superheated vapor to the condenser. In the condenser, the ammonia vapor rejects the heat collected by the refi asic passed through the evaporator and compressor. As the hea rejection process ‘occurs, he ammonia refrigerant condenses, returning to aliquid. The liquid ammonia flows out of the condenser, collecting in the high pressure receiver where its held for reuse in the system, In this module we will examine some of the different types of condensers in use in industrial refrigeration systems, ‘The condenser (Fig. 2) is an important part of the ammonia refrigeration system for two primary reasons. First, itis responsible for removing the heat from the ammonia refrigerant thac was absorbed in the gm. cvaporator and added by the mechanical © operation of the compressor. [n addition, the vapor rejects heat, gradually converting into a liquid as it flows from the inlet header to the outlet header. Coed Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Module 5 1‘As we know, the system uses the same ammonia ‘over and over. Since the ammonia must be in liquid form to pick up heat in the evaporator, it must return toa liquid atthe end of the process in order to be reused. The condenser converts ammonia vapor toa liquid, which is the second reason why the condenser isan integral component in the system, ‘One way to think about the condenser i asa companion component of the evaporator. (Fig. 3) Condensers and evaporators have many pats with the same names. However, the tasks they perform ina refrigeration system ate exactly opposite. In an evaporator, ammonia converts from a liquid to a vapor. However, in a condenser, ammonia converts from a vapor toa liquid. Fig. 3 ‘As we learned in a previous module, an evaporator is often located directly within the area to be refrigerated. Ammonia flows into the evaporator coil, absorbing heat at its boiling point. The process that occurs in the condenser is exactly the opposite of this The condenser cools ammonia vapor. As a result, it rejects heat and condenses back to a liquid. Unlike an evaporator, the condenser is always located away from the area to be cooled, In fact, the condenser is generally located outdoors to allow the rejected heat to be released outside of the area that is being refiigerated In previous lessons we learned chat a5 the ammonia enters the condenser it isa supetheated vapor. Before entering the condenser, the ammonia has absorbed heat in both the evaporator and in the compressor. <0 (Once ammonia vapor enters the condense, it interacts with a condensing medium. ‘A condensing medium is the water, ai, or a combination of both that absorbs the heat from the ammonia vapor in the condenser (Fig. 4). Is important to understand that this interaction isnt direct: the ammonia rejects heat to the ng medium through a heat exchange surface such as a coil, tube or pipe. Because heat is always con the move from warmer matter co colder matter, the condensing medium absorbs the heat rejected by the ammonia vapor causing, the temperature of the ammonia vapor to decrease until it reaches the point at which it condenses to aliquid. ‘Afcer dhe ammonia exits the condenser, the liquid ammonia flows into a receiver where itis collected for reuse in the refrigeration sytem Fig. 4 “Thus, where the ammonia absorbs heat in the evaporator, causing it to boil and evaporate, it rejects heat in the condenser, causing it to convert back to a liquid, achieving two imporcant goals: 2 Module 5