What is the function of the condencer?

Answer 1

Any refrigeration system (home air conditioner, refrigerator, automotive air conditioner...) uses the evaporation cycle of the refrigerant to remove heat from an object.

The evaporation cycle of refrigeration systems is as follows:

1. Refrigerant is compressed by the compressor. When the refrigerant is compressed the heat is forced into a smaller volume, raising the temperature of the refrigerant.
2. The hotter refrigerant is then passed through a cooling coil, also called a condenser and air is passed across the hot coils, cooling the compressed refrigerant to room temperature, or close. The refrigerant, now under much higher pressure then changes state from a gas to a liquid.
3. The refrigerant is then allowed to pass through an orifice, allowing the compressed refrigerant to expand. When the refrigerant expands it changes back to a gas, the temperature drops. The process is called "heat of vaporization".
4. The chilled refrigerant is then passed through an expansion coil where something (air, water... whatever is being refrigerated) gets cooler.
5. From there, the refrigerant is again compressed, starting the cycle over.

As you can see, the condenser is essential to the refrigeration process. If the condenser develops a leak, the refrigerant is lost. If the condenser is kinked, refrigerant cannot get past. If air is blocked from passing over the condenser, the refrigerant cannot be cooled.