What happens to evaporative cooled condenser performance on hot days?

Evaporative cooled condensers rely on both the evaporation of water and the ambient air temperature to reject heat from the refrigerant. On hot days, the efficiency of the cooling process diminishes due to the higher temperature of the air entering the condenser. Since the temperature difference between the refrigerant and the outdoor air is less pronounced, the ability of the system to effectively transfer heat decreases.

Additionally, as the ambient temperature rises, the effectiveness of the evaporative cooling process becomes compromised, leading to less water evaporation and consequently less heat removal. This decline in performance can result in higher pressures within the condenser, which can negatively affect the overall efficiency of the refrigeration system.

Therefore, it's understood that on hot days, the performance of an evaporative cooled condenser decreases as a direct consequence of reduced heat transfer capabilities under elevated ambient conditions.