Using a condenser to cool down the incoming refrigerant gas, instead of using cold water for evaporation, is theoretically possible, but it is not commonly done in traditional refrigeration systems for several practical reasons:
Energy Efficiency: The main reason behind using cold water or air for evaporation in the condenser is that it allows for efficient heat transfer. Water and air can absorb a significant amount of heat energy from the hot refrigerant gas, facilitating the phase change from gas to liquid. This process is highly efficient and allows the refrigerant to release heat effectively.
Availability of Heat Sink: Water and air are readily available as heat sinks in most locations. Access to a water source or air is generally easier and more consistent than having a cooling system based on a condenser. Using a condenser would require additional infrastructure and energy to maintain low temperatures for cooling the refrigerant.
Temperature Range: Refrigeration systems often need to operate over a wide range of temperatures depending on the application. Cooling the refrigerant gas with a condenser would require maintaining low temperatures, which might not be feasible or economical in certain cases.
Design Complexity: Using a condenser to cool the incoming refrigerant gas would add complexity to the refrigeration system design. It would require a separate cooling system for the condenser, making the overall setup more intricate and potentially more prone to maintenance issues.
While it is possible to design a refrigeration system that uses a condenser for cooling the incoming refrigerant gas, it is generally not practical for most conventional applications due to the reasons mentioned above. Evaporative cooling with cold water or air provides a simpler, more energy-efficient, and readily available method for releasing heat from the refrigerant in the condenser, making it the preferred choice in traditional refrigeration cycles.