So how does air conditioning work? You flip the switch, and that joint starts cooooolin.
Really, there are two methods to modifying air temperature. One is known as a refrigeration cycle. Using the refrigeration cycle, heat is moved from one place, called the heat source, to another place, called the heat sink. This method can most often be found in refrigerators and freezers. In these cases, the heat source is the interior of the refrigerator or freezer. The heat sink is the area outside of the refrigerator. You'll tend to notice that your refrigerator gives off heat, as most appliances do. That heat is not simply created as a by-product of the machine performing work, it is actually heat from the interior of the freezer. There are four main types of refrigeration cycles, listed below, which I'll explain in detail in subsequent posts. I know you can't wait.
4 Types of Refrigeration Cycles
1. Vapour Compression Cycle
2. Vapour Absorption Cycle
3. Gas Cycle
4. Stirling Cycle
The second method of conditioning air is evaporation. This is the type of air conditioning that is most often found in buildings and automobiles. This is also the method that the human body uses to cool itself, thus the pit stains on your shirt that your girlfriend complains about. Changing water from a liquid state to a gas state, requires energy in the form of heat. So when liquid water is turned into its gaseous state, it draws heat with it, thereby cooling the air. You'll notice that when you stand directly in front of the AC vent, and everyone in the room is complaining that you're hogging the AC, that you may feel slightly damp. That's the moisture coming from the AC unit. Claro? Cool. Until next time, try to contain your excitement anticipating my next post!
