The key to long and efficient operation of the air conditioner is its proper operation and regular maintenance. Do you agree? But in order to prevent breakdowns of this very expensive equipment, it is advisable to study the device, as well as consider the principle of operation of the air conditioner.
It is these issues that we will discuss in our material - we will analyze in detail the main structural elements of typical climatic equipment. And also we will talk about the principle and features of its functioning, we will give a typical scheme. We will supplement the article with visual photos and useful video recommendations.
The content of the article:
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The device of a typical air conditioner
- The main structural elements of the equipment
- What else affects the performance of air conditioners?
- The role of the refrigerant in the operation of climate equipment
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The principle of operation and the scheme of the air conditioner
- How does a typical air conditioner work?
- Schematic diagram of equipment operation
- Features of the functioning of the air conditioner
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The device of a typical air conditioner
It is difficult to imagine a comfortable life of a modern person without air conditioning. And so that during its operation the user does not have problems and breakdowns, it is desirable to get acquainted in general terms with the device and the principle of operation of this type of climatic equipment. We will talk about the main components and structural elements of the air conditioner further.
The main structural elements of the equipment
If the user saw an air conditioner, which increases the comfort of his stay, in a section, he would find a lot of structural elements and components there. Some of them serve to control the unit, help the standard electronics and the user to control the situation.
And the main ones that affect the functionality are such design elements as:
- evaporator, which is located in the indoor unit of the air conditioner and is designed to ensure that the refrigerant used absorbs heat when it turns into a gaseous state;
- capacitor - this structural element is located in the external unit of the air conditioner and is designed to ensure the transition of the existing refrigerant to a liquid state, and with the simultaneous release of heat.
At their core, both elements are radiators. Which occupy a significant part in the design of air conditioner units. This is necessary to ensure efficient heat exchange between the refrigerant and air.
The diagram shows the indoor unit of a typical air conditioner, regardless of the brand, model and performance. And its main element is always the evaporator, which occupies most of the body
The evaporator and condenser are a structure consisting of small diameter copper pipes with transverse aluminum plates put on them, which are designed to increase the rate of heat transfer.
What else affects the performance of air conditioners?
In addition to the evaporator and condenser listed above, there are several other design elements that ensure the efficiency of climate equipment.
These include:
- fans;
- compressor;
- thermostatic valve (valve).
Products such as fansinstalled in each air conditioner unit. Their task is to increase the air flow that blows the evaporator or condenser. This significantly improves the performance of the system as a whole.
Compressor It is quite possible to call the heart of any modern air conditioner. The reason is that it is he who ensures the movement of the refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit. Which usually consists of copper tubes.
The diagram shows the outdoor unit of a modern air conditioner. Moreover, its main element is traditionally a capacitor, which is indicated in blue. Next to the specified structural element is a fan, without which it will not be possible to achieve efficient operation of the system.
In addition, the compressor is designed to compress the refrigerant behind the evaporator. Which also improves the performance of any air conditioner.
We talked about compressor diagnostics and troubleshooting features in this material.
expansion valve designed to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant in front of the evaporator. This feature ensures better heat transfer.
The role of the refrigerant in the operation of climate equipment
Any modern air conditioner is a technical system consisting of a number of nodes and parts. But they will all be useless without refrigerant, which is a substance that easily changes from liquid to gaseous state and vice versa. At the same time, it releases or absorbs a significant amount of heat.
There are more than 4 dozen types of freon, but only a few of them are used as a refrigerant. At the same time, R-22 is the most popular today - it is it that fills more than 98% of air conditioners. But it should be remembered that his days are already numbered and this should be taken into account when buying climate equipment.
For many decades, various types of a substance called freon have been used as a refrigerant - it is mainly a mixture of ethane and methane. The main feature of this substance is its low boiling point. What happens at 5-10 °C. In this case, freon during evaporation can heat up to 70-90 °. These features of it allow you to remove a huge amount of heat, and quickly enough.
And this refrigerant is colorless, odorless and, most importantly, harmless to the health of users. At the same time, the most demanded type of freon today (R-22) has a negative impact on the ozone layer of the atmosphere. Therefore, if you are not indifferent to environmental problems, then you should purchase air conditioners that run on refrigerant R-410. Which does not destroy the protective layers of the atmosphere.
The photo shows refilling the air conditioner with freon. But it should be remembered that according to the so-called Montreal Protocol, the use of freon R-22 should be discontinued by 2030. And this is a very important point. Since the less time remains before the specified period, the less it is advisable to purchase air conditioners operating on harmful refrigerant
On practice recharging the air conditioner with freon performed quite rarely. For example, after repair, maintenance, leakage. And in any case, the specified refrigerant (R-410) will not harm the health of users and their pets.
The principle of operation and the scheme of the air conditioner
The air conditioner seems to be quite simple equipment, the main structural components of which are not particularly difficult. Therefore, we will analyze in detail its principle of operation, which is also extremely simple.
How does a typical air conditioner work?
Evaporating liquids absorb heat, and actively, and during condensation (transition from a gaseous state back to liquid) they release it. And these physical phenomena are traditionally the basis of the principle of operation of air conditioners.
You can make sure that this method of heat removal is effective even at home. For example, by applying any alcohol-containing solution to the surface of your skin, which, evaporating quickly, leaves behind a feeling of cold. Since heat is absorbed from the surface of the body and removed to the side.
Simply put, the basis of the operation of any modern air conditioner is the boiling (with heat absorption) and condensation (with heat release) procedures. During these processes, heat is absorbed / released according to the formulas shown in the graph. Where Q is the amount of heat, L is the specific heat of vaporization, and m is the mass of the substance
This is exactly what happens indoors. The reason is that the liquid refrigerant, having entered the indoor unit of the air conditioner, actively and in large quantities absorbs excess heat, while its temperature rises significantly.
As a result, it evaporates and moves to an outdoor unit (usually placed outside the building). Where, under the influence of colder air, blown in significant quantities by a fan, the reverse process occurs.
The photo shows an air conditioner evaporator. Which by its appearance resembles a conventional radiator. Actually the way it is. Since the design of this element provides the most efficient blowing of warm room air, from which the refrigerant absorbs heat, so the room becomes cooler
That is, condensation occurs, as a result of which the refrigerant becomes liquid again, while, accordingly, heat is released. And then a new cycle will follow, and so on ad infinitum.
Schematic diagram of equipment operation
Regardless of the type, type and name of the air conditioner, the air cooling process is always the same. So after switching on, the refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator. At the same time, its pressure is 3-5 atmospheres, and the temperature is in the range of 10-20 ° C.
Further, in a gaseous state, freon moves to the compressor. And then it is compressed to 15-20 atmospheres. In addition, the refrigerant is heated up to 70-90 °C.
The diagram, in a simplified form, shows the principle of operation of any modern air conditioner. So the figure shows that the refrigerant cooled in the condenser enters the flow regulator (thermal expansion valve). Where its pressure decreases, which allows the liquid to cool even more. And then the refrigerant is transported to the evaporator, where the main process takes place. That is, cooling the air while heating the refrigerant
After that, the gas is transported to the condenser, which is actively blown by a fan. As a result of exposure to injected air with a lower temperature, freon generates heat, which leads to its transition to a liquid state.
But still its temperature remains 10-20 °C higher than that of the surrounding air. This problem is solved at the moment the liquid moves through the expansion valve. Where the pressure of the refrigerant again decreases to a small 3-5 atmospheres. This allows the freon to cool down further and it is ready for a new cycle of heat absorption, so it is again fed into the evaporator.
The figure shows a schematic diagram of an air conditioner. In this case, one unit equipped with an evaporator is located indoors. And the second, with a capacitor, is outside. This allows you to make the heat transfer procedure as efficient as possible. In addition, the outdoor unit always houses the compressor, which is the noisiest part of the structure.
Features of the functioning of the air conditioner
To operate the air conditioner, electricity is needed, but this is beneficial, since it has a fairly high efficiency.
But if there are regular voltage drops in the network, then in order to avoid damage to this type of climate equipment, you should immediately install and stabilizer.
Despite the simple and effective method of heat exchange, you should always remember that the air conditioner will only meet the declared characteristics with regular maintenance.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The video below will help deepen and consolidate the knowledge gained on the topic:
The principle of operation of any air conditioner, regardless of brand, type, is quite simple. Since it is based on the simplest physical phenomena. At the same time, it should be remembered that climate equipment has different technical characteristics. Besides, conditioners differ in reliability, efficiency, convenience in management. What needs to be considered, as well as the future transition to safe freon, since this feature can lead to financial losses.
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