The purpose of installing a flash chamber in the refrigeration circuit...
After Condenser condenses the refrigerant, it is passed through an expansion valve to reduce its pressure to evaporator pressure. But while doing so, some of the liquid converts to vapor again. So, to avoid vapor to enter evaporator, a flash chamber is used.
A flash chamber is a device which separates liquid from vapors. Only liquid is then passed to evaporator and the vapors will be passed to the compressor directly.
To ensure perfect pressure reduction and maximum liquid to be passed through evaporator, multiple no of flash chamber can be used in refrigeration cycle.
Flash chamber reduces the size of evaporator and it does not have any effect over COP and the system.
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The purpose of installing a flash chamber in the refrigeration circuit...
Purpose of Flash Chamber in Refrigeration Circuit
A flash chamber is an important component in a refrigeration circuit. Its purpose is to:
Improve Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient
When a refrigerant is evaporated in an evaporator, it absorbs heat from the surrounding medium (e.g. air, water). However, if the evaporator is flooded with liquid refrigerant, the heat transfer rate is reduced because the liquid refrigerant acts as an insulator. This is where a flash chamber comes in. It separates the liquid and vapor phases of the refrigerant, allowing the vapor to flow to the evaporator for efficient heat transfer.
Reduce Pressure Losses through the Evaporator
When liquid refrigerant is fed directly to the evaporator, it creates a pressure drop due to friction as it flows through the evaporator tubes. This can lead to a decrease in the refrigeration capacity and efficiency of the system. By using a flash chamber to separate the liquid and vapor phases, pressure losses through the evaporator are reduced, resulting in a more efficient system.
Reduce the Size of the Evaporator by Avoiding Vapors Going to the Evaporator
If the vapor phase of the refrigerant is not separated from the liquid phase, it can enter the evaporator and reduce the amount of available space for the liquid refrigerant. This can result in a smaller effective surface area for heat transfer and thus a larger evaporator size is required. By using a flash chamber, the vapor phase can be removed before entering the evaporator, allowing for a smaller and more efficient evaporator.
Conclusion
In summary, the purpose of installing a flash chamber in a refrigeration circuit is to improve overall heat transfer coefficient, reduce pressure losses through the evaporator, and reduce the size of the evaporator by avoiding vapors going to the evaporator. This results in a more efficient and effective refrigeration system.
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