What is a compressor?

A compressor is a mechanical device used in air conditioning, refrigeration, and various industrial processes. It plays a vital role in the cooling cycle by compressing and raising the pressure of refrigerant gases.

The primary function of a compressor is to circulate refrigerant throughout the cooling system, enabling heat transfer from one location to another. It essentially acts as the heart of the refrigeration or air conditioning system. The compressor receives low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant vapor from the evaporator coil and increases its pressure and temperature.

There are different types of compressors, including reciprocating compressors, rotary compressors, and scroll compressors. Each type has its own working mechanism, but they all achieve compression through the use of pistons, vanes, or scrolls.

Reciprocating compressors use pistons driven by a motor to compress the refrigerant. Rotary compressors use rotating blades or vanes to trap and compress the refrigerant gas. Scroll compressors utilize two spiral-shaped scrolls that interlock to compress the refrigerant.

Regardless of the type, the compression process leads to the refrigerant gas being transformed into a high-pressure, high-temperature state. This high-pressure gas then flows to the condenser coil, where it releases the absorbed heat to the surroundings, typically through the outdoor unit of the system.

After the heat is removed in the condenser, the high-pressure refrigerant becomes a high-pressure liquid. It then passes through an expansion valve or metering device, which reduces its pressure and temperature before entering the evaporator coil. In the evaporator, the refrigerant evaporates and absorbs heat, starting the cooling cycle anew.