The compressor and capillary tube (also known as capillary line or expansion tube) are both important components of a refrigerator's cooling system. The compressor is responsible for compressing the refrigerant gas and raising its pressure, while the capillary tube is a narrow, long tube that acts as an expansion device to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant.
In a typical domestic refrigerator, the compressor and capillary tube are installed in the following manner:
Compressor: The compressor is usually located at the back or the bottom of the refrigerator. It is the large, box-like component with pipes connected to it. The compressor's main function is to circulate the refrigerant through the cooling system, raising its pressure to remove heat from the inside of the fridge and expelling it outside.
Capillary Tube: The capillary tube is a thin, long tube that connects the high-pressure side (discharge side) of the compressor to the low-pressure side (suction side) of the compressor. It is often coiled and is typically placed in the walls of the refrigerator or in the freezer compartment.
The process works as follows: The compressor compresses the refrigerant gas, raising its temperature and pressure. The high-pressure refrigerant then flows through the capillary tube, where it undergoes a significant pressure drop. This sudden pressure drop causes the refrigerant to lose heat rapidly, turning it into a low-pressure, low-temperature liquid-gas mixture. This cold refrigerant then circulates through the evaporator coils inside the fridge, absorbing heat and cooling the interior. The cycle repeats as the refrigerant flows back to the compressor to start the process again.
It's important to note that the specific design and configuration of the refrigeration system can vary between different refrigerator models and manufacturers. However, the basic principles of the compressor compressing the refrigerant and the capillary tube causing the pressure drop to enable cooling are common to most refrigerator systems.