Vapor-Compression Refrigerant Cycle

One mechanism from Chapter 12: Cooling Things Down.

flowchart LR
  Evap["Evaporator: refrigerant boils at 38 to 42 F, absorbs heat from chilled water"]
  Comp["Compressor: raises pressure and temperature, main energy input"]
  Cond["Condenser: refrigerant condenses at 100 to 120 F, rejects heat to condenser water"]
  Exp["Expansion valve: throttles to low pressure, flashes and cools refrigerant"]
  Evap --> Comp
  Comp --> Cond
  Cond --> Exp
  Exp --> Evap

Diagrams · The Big Picture · Chapter 12