Can a hydraulic compression create endothermic phenomena?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the feasibility of using hydraulic compression to create endothermic phenomena, particularly in the context of refrigeration systems. Participants examine the relationship between pressure, temperature, and the phase changes of water and other refrigerants, as well as the potential for miniaturized refrigeration systems for specific applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that applying pressure to water will increase its temperature due to work done on it, rather than heat absorption from the environment.
  • Others argue that compression is only part of the refrigeration cycle, emphasizing that expansion is necessary for cooling.
  • A participant questions whether a complete refrigeration system requires both compression and decompression processes, suggesting a need for both to achieve cooling.
  • It is noted that water is not an ideal working substance for refrigeration due to its phase transition characteristics under reasonable pressures.
  • Some participants express concerns about the energy requirements for phase changes like evaporation and condensation, while others highlight that these processes can reduce the mass of fluid needed and allow for smaller pumps.
  • A later reply mentions that water can be effectively used as a refrigerant in certain types of refrigeration systems, such as absorption refrigeration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that compression is a component of refrigeration but disagree on the effectiveness of water as a refrigerant and the feasibility of creating a compact refrigeration system. Multiple competing views remain regarding the use of hydraulic compression and the role of phase changes.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on specific conditions for phase changes and the unresolved nature of how hydraulic compression might effectively replicate refrigeration principles.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in refrigeration technology, particularly in applications involving hydraulic systems or miniaturized cooling solutions.

deuel18
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The title might be a bit confusing but I just want to know if you can recreate (partial) the system of refrigeration with hydraulic compression. So say, you have a container (cylindrical piston) filled with water, then you apply pressure. Will the water's temp increase? Then, will the container's surrounding temp decrease?
 
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If the temperature of the water increases, it is because you are doing work on the water, not because it is absorbing heat from the environment.

In a refrigeration system, it is the expansion of the refrigerant that lead to cooling. Compression is then used to get the cycle going again.
 
So in other words, correct me if I'm wrong, the compression process is just a fragment of the refrigeration process in which, the compression is the half part of the system?

If the answer to my question above is yes, then, it implies that, in order to have a complete system of refrigeration, I must have a water compression part on one side and a water decompression part on the other side.
 
deuel18 said:
So in other words, correct me if I'm wrong, the compression process is just a fragment of the refrigeration process in which, the compression is the half part of the system?
Correct.

deuel18 said:
If the answer to my question above is yes, then, it implies that, in order to have a complete system of refrigeration, I must have a water compression part on one side and a water decompression part on the other side.
Well, water is not a good working substance. You get better result using the phase transition from liquid to gas, then back to liquid (by compression), and this will not happen with water at the right temperature for reasonable pressures.
 
I see. Its seems rather difficult task, since phase change of evaporation and condensation requires tremendous amount of energy.

The real reason why I'm curious about this, is that I'm thinking of creating the same refrigeration for my gaming computer's reservoir but in a compact scale. I want the small refrigerant to cool the liquid in the reservoir that circulates my computer parts. Do you think its possible? I meant about creating a miniature version of refrigeration.
 
deuel18 said:
Its seems rather difficult task, since phase change of evaporation and condensation requires tremendous amount of energy.
It is actually an advantage. The mass of fluid required is much less with a phase change. The pump can be significantly smaller.
 
Once phase change is allowed, water becomes a useful, even common, refrigerant in (Lithium Bromide) absorption refrigeration and steam ejector refrigeration.
 

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