A
coil in a refrigerator plays a vital role in the overall performance of the
electrical appliance. Before seeing its function, let us briefly see how does a
refrigeration work in general and what are the key components used to have an
efficient cooling system. The primary purpose of using a refrigerator both in
commercial and household is its high cooling capacity which prevents the food
from any bacteria attacks and avoids spoiling of food for a more extended
period. Hence, an effective cooling system is vital in all refrigeration
appliances. The condensing coils in the condensing unit of a refrigerator is another critical component which helps
to convert the refrigerant into a liquid form and helps in reducing its overall
temperature.
How does a refrigeration work?
Basically,
refrigeration works on two principles, one is heat and evaporation process,
that is when a liquid evaporates into vapour it absorbs the heat from the
nearby surrounding environment. And the other principle is compression of a
gas. When a gas is compressed, it gives out heat energy when it is changed into
a liquid state.
·
Coolant
or Refrigerant
The
main component known as the refrigerant or coolant is a liquid which facilitates
a continuous refrigeration cycle. It is a specially designed chemical component
which can be transferred from hot gas or cooling liquid accordingly throughout
the cycle.
·
Inside
Refrigerator
The
coolant or the refrigerant that is in a liquid state passes through an
expansion valve, which helps to convert it into a cooling gas due to the
decrease in pressure and it allows to pass through the inside of the
refrigerator through the internal heat exchange coil. Its job is to absorb the
heat generated from the food items and vaporizes into a gas that flows back to
a compressor unit.
·
Outside
or Behind the Refrigerator
Once
the refrigerant which is in a gas state flows through a compressor and creates
a hot, high-pressure gas. The coil behind the refrigerator helps to dissipate
its heat thus it feels hot to touch at the back of the fridge.
The process repeats as the refrigerant
travels back to the expansion valve in a liquid state and once again become a
cooling gas due to drop in pressure and travels inside the refrigerator and
repeats the whole process again.
The Role of Coils in Refrigerator
Every
refrigerator primarily uses two types of Coilsin Refrigeration Appliances, one is inside the fridge known as, ‘Internal
heat exchange coil’ and at the back of the refrigerator known as ‘External heat
exchange coil.’ These coils are responsible for carrying the main component,
the refrigerant from one part of the fridge to another.
Also,
a thin copper coil is used in the expansion valve which helps in decreasing the
pressure on the liquid refrigerant.
