What role does the condenser serve in an industrial ammonia refrigeration system?

The condenser plays a crucial role in an industrial ammonia refrigeration system by rejecting heat from the refrigerant. In this process, the refrigerant gas, which comes from the compressor at a high temperature and pressure, enters the condenser. As the gas moves through the condenser, it is cooled by a surrounding medium—often air or water—resulting in the refrigerant releasing its heat. This heat rejection process allows the refrigerant to condense from a gas into a liquid state.

This heat transfer is vital for the refrigeration cycle because it prepares the refrigerant for its next stage in the system, allowing it to continuously absorb heat from the space being cooled after it evaporates in the evaporator. Understanding the function of the condenser is key to grasping how the refrigeration cycle operates efficiently in an industrial environment.