Refrigerant Circuit

The A/C compressor (1) is driven by the engine and compresses the gaseous refrigerant which heats up and then flows into the condenser (2).

The heat from compression is absorbed from the refrigerant by the surface of the condenser (2). The refrigerant liquefies as it cools.

Chemical and other impurities are removed as the refrigerant flows through the receiver drier (3).

The expansion valve (4) sprays the cooled, liquid refrigerant into the evaporator (5) located in the fresh air flow and the refrigerant evaporates. This evaporation process absorbs heat from the fresh air flowing through the system of tubes and honeycombs, cooling the air.

The entrained moisture in the air is condensed out and drained to the outside. The air is dried. The A/C compressor (1) sucks in the refrigerant, which has become gaseous from absorbing heat, and compresses it again.

When the engine is running and the blower switched on, cooled air can be routed into the passenger compartment through various outlet openings. The cooling intensity depends on the passenger compartment temperature setting and the blower output.