Refrigeration Flashcards

What does a sight glass with bubbles in the liquid line typically indicate?

Answer: Insufficient refrigerant charge or restriction causing flashing in the liquid line

Bubbles in the sight glass indicate incomplete condensation; the liquid line is carrying a vapor-liquid mixture, signaling low charge or a restriction.

What is flash gas and where does it occur in the refrigeration cycle?

Answer: Refrigerant that vaporizes as pressure drops across the metering device before reaching the evaporator

Flash gas forms when liquid refrigerant loses pressure at the metering device, absorbing no useful heat and reducing system capacity.

What is the purpose of a liquid line solenoid valve in a refrigeration system?

Answer: Stop refrigerant flow to the evaporator when the thermostat is satisfied or during pump-down

A liquid line solenoid valve closes on a thermostat-off signal, stopping refrigerant flow and allowing the compressor to pump down the evaporator.

What is the significance of the dewpoint temperature in refrigeration system diagnostics?

Answer: Suction pressure converted to temperature gives the evaporating (saturation/dewpoint) temperature for superheat calculation

Using a pressure-temperature (PT) chart, suction pressure is converted to the saturated suction temperature used to calculate superheat.

What type of compressor is most commonly used in large commercial refrigeration rack systems?

Answer: Reciprocating (semi-hermetic)

Semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors are widely used in commercial rack systems because they are serviceable and available in a wide range of capacities.

What does it mean when a refrigeration system has non-condensables present?

Answer: Gases such as air or nitrogen are trapped in the system and raise head pressure without contributing to refrigeration

Non-condensable gases accumulate in the condenser, raise discharge pressure, reduce capacity, and increase compressor work without transferring heat.