C1 - Heat Pumps (Refrigerators) Flashcards
What do heat pumps do?
Transfer heat energy from colder objects to hotter objects
What type of devices transfer heat energy from colder objects to hotter objects?
Heat pumps
What are the four parts of a refrigerator?
Compressor, Condenser coils, Expansion device, Evaporator coils
What does the compressor do in a fridge?
Compresses coolant vapour, which heats it up
What component in a fridge compresses coolant vapour, which heats up the coolant?
Compressor
What do the condenser coils do in a fridge?
Remove heat from the coolant by transferring it to the surroundings
What component in a fridge removes heat from the coolant by transferring it to the surroundings?
Condenser coils
What does the expansion device do in a fridge?
Expand the liquid coolant, partially turning it into a vapour and decreasing its temperature
What component in a fridge expands the liquid coolant, partially turning it into a vapour and decreasing its temperature
Expansion device
What do the evaporator coils do in a fridge?
Remove heat energy from the fridge by transferring it to the coolant
What component in a fridge removes heat energy from the fridge by transferring it to the coolant?
Evaporator coils
What affects the efficiency of a fridge?
The temperature difference between the hot coolant and the surroundings
When is a fridge most efficient?
When there is a large temperature difference between the hot coolant and the surroundings (e.g. winter)
When is a fridge least efficient?
When there is a small temperature difference between the hot coolant and the surroundings (e.g. summer)
