High School

Does a capillary tube control the refrigerant flow into the evaporator?

Answer :

Final answer:

A capillary tube is indeed used to control the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator coil in cooling systems, facilitating the refrigeration or air conditioning cycle by regulating the expansion and cooling of the refrigerant.

Explanation:

Yes, a capillary tube is often used to control the refrigerant flow into the evaporator of cooling systems like air conditioners and refrigerators. In such systems, the electrically driven compressor compresses the refrigerant, raising its temperature and pressure, and pushes it into the condenser coils. Here, the gas releases heat to the surrounding space and condenses into a liquid. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant then passes through a pressure-reducing valve, such as a capillary tube or an expansion valve, which controls its flow into the evaporator coils. In the evaporator, the refrigerant expands, cools, and absorbs heat, effectively removing heat from the inside of the refrigerator or cooled space.

The process involves the refrigerant constantly cycling through these components. When the system is operating in reverse during a cooling cycle, the evaporator and condenser coils exchange roles.