In a refrigerant line containing Ammonia at 181 PSIG and 77°F, what is the condition of the refrigerant?

To determine the condition of ammonia in the refrigerant line, it is essential to analyze the pressure and temperature provided. Ammonia, like all refrigerants, has specific pressure-temperature relationships. At 181 PSIG, which converts to approximately 202.7 PSIA (by adding atmospheric pressure, about 14.7 PSIA), the saturation temperature for ammonia is around 53°F.

Since the temperature of the refrigerant is given as 77°F, which is significantly higher than the saturation temperature of 53°F, this indicates that the ammonia is indeed in a superheated state. When a refrigerant is superheated, it means that it has been heated beyond its saturation temperature at a given pressure, and it exists entirely as a vapor.

Understanding that the temperature of 77°F exceeds its saturation temperature confirms that ammonia is not saturated. It can’t be classified as sub-cooled either, which would require the refrigerant to be below its saturation temperature and in a liquid state.

Vapor, on its own, could refer to the state of the refrigerant, but to fully describe the condition considering both temperature and pressure, superheated is a more accurate descriptor. Therefore, the refrigerant in this scenario is superheated, and this