Question

When we say that a compressor "rides with the load," we mean that it automatically compensates for small to medium load changes and it loses capacity automatically as the pressure and temperature at the compressor suction drops.

Answer 1

A compressor "rides with the load" by adjusting its capacity based on changes in thermal load, increasing efficiency and conserving energy. The cycle involves an electrically driven compressor that alternates between heating and cooling by raising and lowering the refrigerant pressure and temperature, facilitating heat transfer either into or out of a space.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a compressor "rides with the load," it signifies that the device adjusts its output in response to the changes in the thermal load, operating in a way that balances output with demand. In the context of refrigeration or HVAC systems, this means that as the compressor senses a drop in suction pressure and temperature—typical indicators of a lower thermal load—it will reduce its capacity accordingly. This ability to modulate ensures that the compressor does not overwork when the demand for cooling or heating is lower, thereby increasing efficiency and potentially extending the lifespan of the compressor.

The electrically driven compressor illustrated in this system executes a cycle where it compresses a refrigerant, raising its pressure and temperature, and then pushes it through the condenser coils within a heated space. The heat that the compressed gas carries is higher than the temperature inside the room, leading to heat transfer and the condensation of the gas into a liquid. This liquid refrigerant then passes through an expansion valve which lowers its pressure, and it cools down as it expands. The cooled liquid then travels to the outdoor evaporator coils to absorb heat from the external environment, and the cycle repeats.

This process can invert in a cooling cycle. During cooling, the evaporator coils and condenser coils exchange their roles, and the direction of refrigerant flow reverses, essentially extracting heat from inside the space and releasing it outside. The system's operation exemplifies a thermodynamic cycle that is analogous to a Carnot cycle in reverse, where the objective is to transfer heat from a cold area to a warmer area.