How does a car air conditioner work?

Answer 1

• To understand how a Car Aircon works, you need to acquaint yourself with the various parts which make up the system. These are:

1] Compressor: This is the most important part in the system. It is run by an engine belt and it takes the refrigerant (the gas) and pressurizes it so that the gas cools down the air. A 'clutch' turns the compressor on and off depending on your 'cool air' requirements.

2] Condenser, Evaporator : The condenser [ & evaporator, for that matter] are like small radiator/s, usually mounted at the front of the car right next to the big radiator. The hot, compressed air passes through the condenser and gets 'cooled down'. It becomes a liquid during this process ........

3] Evaporator: The evaporator can be likened to another small radiator .......as the super-cool liquid passes through its tubes, air is forced through and gets really cold, right before it hits your face through the aircon vents.

As it warms up again, the refrigerant starts turning back into a gas.

It is important to remember that the Evaporator doesn't actually "cool" the air but the process is one that removes heat from the forced air.

4] Thermal Expansion Valve: This valve controls the flow of super-cool refrigerant to the evaporator, in turn controlling the 'coldness' of the air coming out of the aircon vents.

5] Receiver-drier : It can be thought of as a safety device, little more. Let me explain. The compressor is only supposed to compress the gas form of the refrigerant, NOT liquid. However, there's always a chance that some liquid could make it back that far.

The drier catches this liquid before it can damage your compressor. The drier has what is called a 'Dessicant' which has absorbing properties. It also has a filter which would catch any dirt/ dust that might penetrate the system.