Superheated steam does not condense in a refrigeration compressor because of the following reasons:
Operating Temperatures: Refrigeration compressors are designed to handle refrigerants at relatively low temperatures and pressures. Superheated steam, by definition, is steam that exists at a temperature higher than its saturation temperature at a given pressure. In the case of refrigeration systems, the temperatures involved are much lower than what would be required to condense superheated steam.
Refrigerant Selection: Refrigeration systems use specific refrigerants chosen for their properties, such as low boiling points, suitable pressure-temperature relationships, and chemical stability. These refrigerants are carefully selected to operate at temperatures below their saturation points to avoid dealing with superheated steam.
Refrigeration Cycle: Refrigeration systems work on a closed-loop cycle that involves compressing the low-pressure vaporized refrigerant to a high-pressure state. This compression process aims to increase the refrigerant's temperature and pressure, enabling it to release heat when it condenses and cools down in the condenser.
Condensation Stage: Condensation occurs in the condenser, not in the compressor. In the condenser, the high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant releases heat to the surroundings, causing it to condense into a liquid state. This liquid refrigerant then continues through the system to be expanded and evaporated in the evaporator, absorbing heat from the refrigerated space.
Overall, the design and operation of refrigeration systems are based on the specific properties of the chosen refrigerants and the need to maintain low temperatures in the evaporator to achieve the cooling effect. Superheated steam is not a concern in these systems as they are not designed to deal with steam at high temperatures, and their operating parameters are carefully controlled to prevent such occurrences.