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| Illustration 1 | g00296418 |
(1) Condenser (2) Fan motor (condenser) (3) Hose (outlet from condenser) (4) Hose (inlet to condenser) | |
The condenser in the air conditioning system is a heat exchanger that is cooled by air. Condenser (1) is located behind the cab near the center of the machine. An electric motor operates fan (2) for condenser (1). The fan forces air over the condenser coils to remove latent heat from the refrigerant vapor. Refrigerant vapor enters the top of the condenser at a high temperature, and a high pressure. The refrigerant gives up some latent heat to the air that is passing over the condenser coils. Fins are located on the condenser coils in order to increase the surface area. The increase in the surface area increases the heat transfer. The temperature of the refrigerant is lowered because of the removal of latent heat. The pressure of the refrigerant lowers with the reduced temperature.
Latent heat is removed from the refrigerant, and this condenses the vapor. The vapor changes to a liquid, as the temperature of the refrigerant is lowered. This liquid is still in the condenser coils, and more latent heat is removed. Refrigerant liquid is sub-cooled in the last few coils of the condenser. Sub-cooling the refrigerant liquid, prevents the refrigerant from flashing to vapor before the evaporator. The air flow across the condenser coils determines the amount of refrigerant vapor that condenses. From the condenser, the refrigerant flows to the accumulator.