Refrigerator - Working Principle Flashcards
The working principle of the refrigerator is described under five different headings, name these headings
Refrigeration is a cooling process
Compressor
Condenser
Evaporator
Thermostat
Describe the general working principle of refrigeration.
When the temperature of the fridge rises above the pre-set temperature which is approximately 4 degrees Celsius the motor activates the compressor to come on
What happens when the temperature of the refrigerator rises above four degrees.
The motor activates the compressor to come on
Describe the working principle of the compressor
3
The compressor is found at the base of the refrigerator
It contains the gas refrigerant isobutene
A motor or pump connected to the compressor forces the gas refrigerant into the condenser above
Where is the compressor found?
At the base of the refrigerator
What does the compressor contain?
The gas refrigerant isobutene
What is connected to the compressor?
A motor or pump is connected to the compressor
What does the motor or pump connected to the compressor do?
It forces the gas refrigerant into the condenser above
Where is the gas refrigerant forces into by the motor or pump connected to the compressor?
It is forced into the condenser above
Describe the working principle of the condenser.
3
The condenser cools the gas refrigerant and condenses it into a liquid
It is then sent to the evaporator above
The cooling fins at the back of the refrigerator radiate or release heat generated during the process, keeping the condenser cool
What cools the gas refrigerant and condenses it into a liquid?
The condenser
What does the condenser do to the gas refrigerant?
It condenses it into a liquid
What is condensed into a liquid in the condenser?
The gas refrigerant
What happens to the liquid refrigerant?
It is sent to the evaporator above the condenser
What do the cooling fins at the back of the refrigerator do?
They radiate or release heat generated during the process (condensing process), keeping the condenser cool
What radiate or release heat generated during the process (condensing process), keeping the condenser cool?
The cooling fins at the back of the refrigerator
Describe the working principle of the evaporator.
3
The evaporator, found at the top of the refrigerator, rapidly evaporates the liquid refrigerant into a gas by drawing heat from the fridge cabinet
This cools the internal temperature of the refrigerator cabinet to 3-4 degrees Celsius
The gas refrigerant then returns to the compressor and the cycle begins again
Where is the evaporator found?
At the top of the refrigerator
What does the evaporator do?
It rapidly evaporates the liquid refrigerant into a gas by drawing heat from the fridge cabinet
How does the evaporator turn the liquid refrigerant into a gas?
It rapidly evaporates it by drawing heat from the fridge cabinet
What is the effect of evaporating the liquid refrigerant into a gas by drawing heat from the fridge cabinet?
This cools the internal temperature of the refrigerator cabinet to 3-4 degrees Celsius
What happens to the gas refrigerant that results from the evaporating of the liquid refrigerant?
It returns to the compressor and the cycle begins again
Describe the working principle of the thermostat.
The thermostat is connected to the compressor and maintains the constant internal temperature of 3-4 degrees Celsius within the refrigerator cabinet by turning on and off the motor when needed, e.g. if the door is left open
What is the thermostat connected to?
The compressor
What does the thermostat do?
It maintains the constant internal temperature of 3-4 degrees Celsius within the refrigerator cabinet
How does the thermostat maintain the internal temperature of 3-4 degrees Celsius?
By turning on and off the motor when needed e.g. if the door is left open
