Introduction to Condensers

A condenser is a component of a refrigeration system, a type of heat exchanger, that converts gas or vapor into liquid, rapidly transferring heat from the pipes to the surrounding air. The condenser's operation is exothermic, hence its relatively high temperature.

Power plants use numerous condensers to condense the vapors discharged from turbines. Refrigeration plants use condensers to condense refrigerant vapors such as ammonia and Freon. The petrochemical industry uses condensers to condense hydrocarbons and other chemical vapors. In distillation processes, the device that converts vapor into liquid is also called a condenser. All condensers operate by removing heat from gases or vapors.