What is subcooling in the context of refrigeration systems?

Subcooling refers specifically to the temperature decrease of liquid refrigerant below its saturation temperature. In refrigeration systems, the saturation temperature is the temperature at which a refrigerant changes phase from liquid to gas or from gas to liquid, depending on the pressure of the refrigerant. By subcooling the refrigerant, you ensure that it is in a purely liquid state before entering the expansion device. This is crucial because it allows for better efficiency and performance in the system, as it prevents vapor from entering the expansion valve, which could lead to reduced cooling capacity and potential damage to the compressor.

Subcooling effectively increases the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle by reducing the chances of bubble formation that can occur at the evaporation stage of the refrigerant cycle. Thus, maintaining the refrigerant in a subcooled state improves the overall cooling efficiency and reliability of the refrigerant system.