TYPES OF CONDENSERS: THEIR WORKING & APPLICATIONS

 Hello readers! In this post, we’ll discuss the different types of condensers and their applications using illustrations.

Simply put, a condenser is a part of the cooling system. The condenser is also called a heat ejector. These are used in every refrigeration system and power plant to condense gases or steam. It converts a subcooled liquid from a superheated and highly pressurized vapor.

What does a condenser actually do? was covered in this article with its Parts, Functions, and Types”. We have gathered helpful information about the various types of condensers. So let’s understand these all.

What is a Condenser?

Condensers are commonly found in general refrigeration systems. Its purpose is to cool the refrigerant that is sent from the compressor. This refrigerant is in a gas state with high temperature and pressure.

Image: 2pt3q.com

The condenser works to cool the refrigerant and condensate it into a liquid. The temperature has dropped, but the pressure remains high. Condenser uses air or water as its primary cooling medium. A condenser’s main components must have good thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance in order to transfer heat.

Condensers are frequently used in the fields of transportation, construction, process, refrigeration, and steam power turbines. Condensers are typically made of copper, brass, aluminum, carbon steel, and stainless steel.

Working of Condenser

Every condenser goes through three different phases. The initial phase is known as desuperheating. In the evaporator and compressor, the vapor enters the condenser that has already been superheated and super pressurized.

The process of removing heat from vapor and turning it into liquid is known as desuperheating. The next stage is the changing or condensation state; during this stage, more heat is lost as we get to the point where 10% of the refrigerant is in the vapor phase and 90% is in the liquid phase.

A subcooling state characterizes the final and third phases. The sub-cooling state is there to ensure that neither falling temperatures nor even rising ones can turn the liquid refrigerant back into vapor.

Now that you understand how a condenser works. We will now explore types of condensers step by step in the following sections. before that let’s understand the specifications of condensers.

Specifications of Condensers

A condenser datasheet is a common format for the customer to specify condenser specifications. The manufacturer’s design and selection sheet contains a complete list of the condenser’s standards and specifications.

The following information is typically found in a standard condenser’s specification:

1. Condensing Capacity
2. Allowable pressure drop
3. Coolant or Refrigerant Capacity
4. Condenser Material
5. Design and Operating Temperature
6. Design and Operating Pressure
7. Flow rate

You might like: Types of Heat Exchangers & Their Application

Types of Condensers

Following are the main types of condensers and their functions:

1. Air-cooled condenser
   • Natural convection
   • Forced convection
2. Water-cooled condenser
   • Double tube type
   • Shell and coil condenser
   • Shell and tube condenser
3. Evaporative condenser