What is the common effect of increased superheat on compressor performance?

Increased superheat refers to the situation where the refrigerant vapor is heated above its saturation temperature at a given pressure. This condition tends to raise the discharge temperature of the refrigerant as it exits the compressor.

When the superheat is increased, the vapor entering the compressor is at a higher temperature than the saturated vapor. As the compressor continues to perform its function, it compresses this hotter vapor, causing the temperature of the discharge gas to rise. Higher discharge temperatures can lead to several performance issues within a refrigeration system, such as impacting the efficiency of the compressor and potentially increasing wear and tear due to elevated thermal stresses.

Thus, the connection between increased superheat and higher discharge temperatures is a key factor in understanding the overall efficiency and operational performance of refrigeration systems.