Refrigerant Cycle

CCOT System Schematic:

The refrigerant cycle starts at the compressor where the refrigerant enters as a low-pressure, low-temperature vapor and leaves as a high-pressure, high-temperature vapor. As this high-pressure, high-temperature vapor flows in the condenser it gives up heat to the cooler air passing through the condenser. As the refrigerant vapor gives up heat it changes from a high-pressure, high-temperature vapor to a high-pressure liquid.

The high-pressure liquid then passes through the orifice tube where it then becomes a low-pressure, low-temperature liquid. This low pressure low-temperature liquid then enters the evaporator. Warm outside (or inside car) air passes through the cooler evaporator. This warmer air gives up its heat to the low-pressure, low-temperature liquid. The low-pressure, low-temperature liquid in the evaporator changes to low-pressure, low-temperature vapor. Some of the refrigerant, however, passes through the evaporator without changing to a vapor. This liquid is separated from the vapor in the accumulator. From the accumulator, the low-pressure vapor returns to the compressor, and the cycle starts again.