Refrigerant state in/at saturation

In summary, when refrigerant is saturated and in liquid vapor equilibrium, it exists as both liquid and vapor.
  • #1
Brett0
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TL;DR Summary
What does the refrigerant "Look" like at saturation
Hey everyone.

Bit of a random question.
So when refrigerant has been fully condensed I understand that it's a liquid, just like a glass of water, albeit under pressure and with no gas above it.
When the refrigerant has been superheated it's just a gas, like you would get if you took a sealed container of water and heated it above boiling point.
When the refrigerant is saturated and it exists in liquid vapour equilibrium does it exist as a small bit of "standing" liquid in the pipes plus refrigerant vapour above it? or as liquid droplets in the vapour?
 
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  • #2
Brett0 said:
Summary:: What does the refrigerant "Look" like at saturation

Hey everyone.

Bit of a random question.
So when refrigerant has been fully condensed I understand that it's a liquid, just like a glass of water, albeit under pressure and with no gas above it.
When the refrigerant has been superheated it's just a gas, like you would get if you took a sealed container of water and heated it above boiling point.
When the refrigerant is saturated and it exists in liquid vapour equilibrium does it exist as a small bit of "standing" liquid in the pipes plus refrigerant vapour above it? or as liquid droplets in the vapour?
It exists in both phases, as liquid at the bottom of the tank or reservoir and as vapor above that mass of liquid.

 

What is a refrigerant state in/at saturation?

A refrigerant state in/at saturation refers to the condition of a refrigerant where it exists as both a liquid and a vapor at the same temperature and pressure. This is also known as the boiling point of the refrigerant.

How is the refrigerant state in/at saturation determined?

The refrigerant state in/at saturation is determined by the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. At a specific pressure, the refrigerant will have a corresponding boiling point temperature, which is when it exists in both a liquid and vapor state.

What are the different states of a refrigerant?

A refrigerant can exist in three different states: liquid, vapor, and a mixture of both (saturation). In its liquid state, the refrigerant is a cold liquid that is used to absorb heat from the surrounding environment. In its vapor state, the refrigerant is a warm gas that is used to release heat into the surrounding environment.

What happens if a refrigerant is not in a state of saturation?

If a refrigerant is not in a state of saturation, it means that it is either fully in a liquid state or fully in a vapor state. In this case, the refrigerant is not able to efficiently transfer heat and may not be as effective in cooling or heating. It is important for a refrigerant to be in a state of saturation for optimal performance.

How does the refrigerant state in/at saturation affect the efficiency of a refrigeration system?

The refrigerant state in/at saturation is crucial for the efficiency of a refrigeration system. When the refrigerant is in a state of saturation, it is able to absorb and release heat more effectively, resulting in better cooling or heating performance. If the refrigerant is not in a state of saturation, it can lead to reduced efficiency and potentially damage to the system.

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