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What is a Refrigeration Cycle?

Michael Anissimov
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Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 29,932
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The refrigeration cycle is a heat engine operating in reverse, known as a phase change heat pump. Using a refrigerant which boils at a low temperature produces a relative coldness, lowering the temperature of the refrigerator to a level which prevents bacteria from multiplying and ruining food. A refrigeration cycle works on essentially the same principle that makes your hand feel cold when water is evaporating off of it. Other liquids, including some known as refrigerants, produce even lower temperatures when they evaporate.

The refrigeration cycle is a closed loop of gas which undergoes four stages. The first stage is the compressor, which compresses the refrigerant to increase its temperature. The gas is then routed through heat dissipation coils which release heat outside the refrigerator. As it dissipates heat, the refrigerant cools and recondenses into a liquid. This liquid then passes through a high-pressure/low-pressure threshold, called an expansion valve, which causes it to expand and change phases into a gas. The cold gas circulates into the refrigerator again, absorbing heat from the inside, before being routed into the compressor again. The purpose of the refrigeration cycle is to take heat from the inside of the refrigerator and transfer it to the outside.

To understand the refrigeration cycle better, one must be familiar with the idea of a phase change. An evaporating liquid stays at a constant temperature until it makes the phase change into a gas. Boiling water, for example, always stays at the temperature of its boiling point, 212°F (100°C). If a refrigerator could keep food fresh by ensuring that it stays below 300°F (148°C), for example, instead of 40°F (4°C), water could be used as a refrigerant because the boiling point of water would be cold relative to the refrigeration threshold of 300°F.

The traditional refrigerant used in a refrigeration cycle is ammonia, but it is toxic to humans. Ammonia was replaced in the thirties by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), but this compound was found to damage the ozone layer and phased out in the seventies. Newer compounds, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), refrigerate effectively, are non-toxic, and do not damage the ozone layer. The invention of refrigeration is probably one of the most important inventions of the 20th century, allowing food to be transported long distances or kept for long durations without spoiling.

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Michael Anissimov
By Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated All The Science contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism to his articles. An avid blogger, Michael is deeply passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. His professional experience includes work with the Methuselah Foundation, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and Lifeboat Foundation, further showcasing his commitment to scientific advancement.
Discussion Comments
By anon1002098 — On Sep 06, 2019

A change of state in a fluid requires the addition or subtraction of latent heat. When we make steam from water, the change of state requires additional (latent) heat to effect that change. The heat energy is added at constant temperature.

When water freezes heat (latent) must be subtracted to effect the change from liquid to solid; this takes place at constant temperature.

In a refrigerator, the latent heat is taken from the surroundings (the evaporator or cold space) to change the state of the liquid refrigerant to vapor, and this addition of heat energy, has the effect of lowering the temperature of the surroundings, as the liquid passes through the throttle valve.

The effect can be easily seen when opening the drain valve on a compressed air tank. The air will contain moisture as liquid in the bottom of the tank. When the drain is partially opened, the drop in pressure causes the water to evaporate, taking latent heat from the surroundings; the valve will quickly become frosted.

By anon95568 — On Jul 13, 2010

-lolomechanic: heat transfer occurs in the evaporator because there is a difference in temperature, even below zero. If there is no temperature difference, no flow will occur.

By kenytech — On Jan 05, 2009

because the gas in the evaporator is in low temperature.

By lolomechanic — On Apr 05, 2008

why does the heat transfer through the evaporator takes place at a low temperature

Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated All The Science contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology...
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