Exploring the Boiling Point of Refrigerants in Freezers and Refrigerators

[Bengo]

Why is the boiling point of a refrigerant in a freezer lower than that of a refrigerator. I would think that a freezer needs more heat removed so the the refrigerant needs a higher heat of vaporization thus a higher boiling point. Thank you

 

[adjacent]

Why is the boiling point of a refrigerant in a freezer lower than that of a refrigerator?

Refrigerator?Are you talking about the average boiling point of the refrigerator?

 

[Bengo]

In a section about a heat pump my book says the boiling point of the refrigerant used in a freezer is lower than the refrigerant used in an air conditioner or a refrigerator because the temperature in a freezer is lower. It seems like it would be the opposite to me.

 

[jbriggs444]

In a section about a heat pump my book says the boiling point of the refrigerant used in a freezer is lower than the refrigerant used in an air conditioner or a refrigerator because the temperature in a freezer is lower. It seems like it would be the opposite to me.

You need the refrigerant to boil to exploit the latent heat of vaporization. You need to have this happen when the refrigerant is at a useful working temperature.

A useful working temperature will be one that is lower than that which you are trying to cool.

 

[enorbet]

Now you have me curious as to whether temperature of boiling point is the key factor at all. I don't see how intensity is the all-important factor, whereas quantity should be. Shouldn't it be calories or BTUs? Obviously there must be some window of usable temperatures but that will depend mostly upon what you have as a thermal source. Geez, now I need to whisk the cobwebs off my books as well as my memory.