Condenser Puzzle

[Magoo]

DesA,
speaking to the receiver above the condenser discussion. The delta P to drive liquid up to receiver could be an advantage, so as to introduce more heat to system, penalty being the COP. From memory 2.3 foot head equas 1 Psig, and then apply the specific density factor for refrigerant. So long as the piping is trapped out of condenser and before the receiver.
Generally with ammonia plants the discharge pressure is applied to top of receiver as well, with the condenser above the receiver. Mainly because of the specifc density of ammonia being lighter than anything else, and to get the gravity transfer factor back to the receiver.

[desA]

Thanks Magoo.

DesA,
speaking to the receiver above the condenser discussion. The delta P to drive liquid up to receiver could be an advantage, so as to introduce more heat to system, penalty being the COP.

Could you perhaps expand this a bit further?

From memory 2.3 foot head equas 1 Psig, and then apply the specific density factor for refrigerant. So long as the piping is trapped out of condenser and before the receiver.

What would this trap look like?

Generally with ammonia plants the discharge pressure is applied to top of receiver as well, with the condenser above the receiver. Mainly because of the specifc density of ammonia being lighter than anything else, and to get the gravity transfer factor back to the receiver.

Ok, understand this. Thanks very much.

[Gary]

DesA,
speaking to the receiver above the condenser discussion. The delta P to drive liquid up to receiver could be an advantage, so as to introduce more heat to system, penalty being the COP. From memory 2.3 foot head equas 1 Psig, and then apply the specific density factor for refrigerant.

The lift being far less than 2.3ft, the effect upon head pressure would be far less than 1 psig... and this assumes lifting a solid column of liquid which is not necessarily the case. A vapor/liquid mixture would further reduce the effect upon head pressure... perhaps to the point where it is relatively inconsequential.

[desA]

The lift being far less than 2.3ft, the effect upon head pressure would be far less than 1 psig... and this assumes lifting a solid column of liquid which is not necessarily the case. A vapor/liquid mixture would further reduce the effect upon head pressure... perhaps to the point where it is relatively inconsequential.

How sure are we of this, in practice though? Are there practical examples in the field where we can draw comparisons? Has anyone examples of a vertical filter-drier positioned at a level above the condenser outlet?

A condenser, as I understand things, can actually develop a reduced pressure as the vapour is condensed internally. This would be compounded as the liquid rains down. The effect of an induced back-pressure, with possible vapour-liquid pulsing/slugging is not well understood, at least in my head.

I'd love to be able to see inside the condenser-pipe-filter-drier combo.

[Gary]

How sure are we of this, in practice though? Are there practical examples in the field where we can draw comparisons? Has anyone examples of a vertical filter-drier positioned at a level above the condenser outlet?

The more common example would be the receiver inlet above the condenser outlet... and in fact this would seem to be the normal configuration for most smaller condensing units.

[desA]

The more common example would be the receiver inlet above the condenser outlet... and in fact this would seem to be the normal configuration for most smaller condensing units.

If anyone has some pictures of this idea applied to PHE's, this would be useful.