"Freon" is a common name for a group of refrigerant chemicals, primarily chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These chemicals have been widely used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, although their use has been significantly phased out due to their harmful impact on the ozone layer and contribution to global warming.
If you were to put Freon (CFCs or HCFCs) into a freezer, it would likely behave similarly to how it behaves in any other cooling system. The refrigerant circulates through a closed-loop system, going through different phases to transfer heat and cool down the freezer's interior.
Here's a simplified explanation of how a freezer with Freon works:
Compression: The Freon is compressed into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas by a compressor in the system.
Condensation: The hot, pressurized gas flows through a series of coils on the back or bottom of the freezer, dissipating heat to the surrounding air. This process turns the gas into a high-pressure liquid.
Expansion: The high-pressure liquid is then passed through an expansion valve, where it rapidly expands, becoming a low-pressure liquid/gas mixture. This expansion causes the refrigerant to cool significantly.
Evaporation: The cold refrigerant then flows through the evaporator coils inside the freezer, absorbing heat from the freezer's interior and causing the temperature inside to drop.
Return: The low-pressure, low-temperature gas is then sent back to the compressor to repeat the cycle.
However, it is essential to note that using Freon in refrigeration systems or freezers is not recommended and is increasingly prohibited in many places due to its negative environmental impact. As a more environmentally friendly alternative, newer refrigerants, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), have been developed to replace CFCs and HCFCs. These newer refrigerants have a lower impact on the ozone layer and reduced global warming potential.
If you have a freezer or refrigeration system using Freon, it is advisable to follow proper disposal procedures and consider transitioning to more eco-friendly refrigerants in compliance with the current regulations and best environmental practices.