Principles of Air Conditioning

Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

PUP A. Mabini Campus Anonas Street., Sta. Mesa, Manila
Website: www.pup.edu.ph
PRINCIPLES OF AIR CONDITIONING

Name: Aljon B. Anario
Section: DMET 3-2
Subject: METE 10093
REFRIGERATION, the process of removing heat from an enclosed space or from a substance for the
purpose of lowering the temperature.
How do Air Conditioners work?
Air conditioning operates based on the principles of phase conversion, which is the
transformation of a material from one state (or phase) of matter to another, such as when a material
changes from a liquid to a gas. When a liquid to gas change occurs, the material absorbs heat. Conversely,
when the material changes from gas to liquid, it releases heat. An air conditioner is basically a machine
that forces phase conversion and uses the resulting heat transfer principles to cool buildings.
Air conditioners are comprised of many components, the primary ones being a fluid compressor,
a condenser, expansion valve, and an evaporator coil.
Air Conditioning Cycle

All air-conditioning systems utilize a specific material to undergo the phase conversion process.
This material is called a refrigerant and is contained within tubing which runs throughout the air-
conditioning system. Below is the step-by-step process of refrigeration cycle:
1. The refrigerant is pulled into the system’s compressor (item 1 in the diagram below) in the form
of a warm vapor after leaving the evaporator coil. The compressor increases the density of the
incoming refrigerant vapor, causing it to increase in pressure and temperature. This is normally
accomplished using a centrifugal system, where a series of spinning blades rapidly forces the
vapor to the outside of the compressor chamber, at which point it exits.
2. This hot, high-pressure vapor then travels to the air conditioner’s condenser (item 2) where it
moves through a series of coils with thin metal fins attached. A fan blows air over the fins, and
heat moves from the refrigerant to the fins and into the air stream, very similar to the method a
radiator uses to remove heat from the coolant circulating within in a car engine. The air that is run
over the condenser coils is vented to the building exterior and is released to the atmosphere. This
trip through the condenser causes the vapor to lose a significant amount of heat and it
subsequently changes phase from a gas to a high temperature liquid.
3. The liquid refrigerant is then forced through an expansion valve (item 3) which is basically a
pinhole that causes the liquid to form a mist. A sudden pressure drops and material expansion
when the liquid turns into a mist result in a rapid cooling of the fluid as it throws off heat energy.
4. This cold mist travels through the evaporator coil (item 4) which is located directly in the air
stream of a circulation fan which pulls air from within the building. The fan pushes the air across
the cold coils, which pulls heat from the air, causing the air to cool. The transfer of heat to the
refrigerant causes it to change back into a warm vapor and it enters the compressor to begin the
cycle again.
Air Conditioner Basic Components
1. Compressor
- it helps to convert the gas to a liquid form and assist in the cooling process. Compressors
play an important role in the overall cooling system.
- Compressor helps to circulate refrigerant continuously.
2. Condenser
- A condenser is a device that helps to condense elements from a gaseous state to a liquid state.
This condenser is used for the heat transfer exchange process.
- This part main function is to release the heat from the gas. In the refrigerator, a condenser is
used to eliminate the heat from inside the device
3. Expansion Valve
- The Expansion valve controls the amount of liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator.
4. Evaporator
- An evaporator is used to turn any liquid material into gas. In this process, heat is absorbed.
- The evaporator transfers heat from the refrigerated space into a heat pump through a liquid
refrigerant, which boils in the evaporator at a low-pressure.
5. Refrigerant
- Refrigerant is a chemical compound used in your air conditioner. It absorbs environmental
heat and provides cool air once it runs through compressors and evaporators.

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Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

PRINCIPLES OF AIR CONDITIONING

How do Air Conditioners work?

Air Conditioning Cycle

Air Conditioner Basic Components

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